Column 75 for March 25, 2001

It is always great to have a family "get-together" and this past weekend was no exception. A gathering of the "Senior Miller Men" and their spouses (except for single me), this time in Gulf Shores. With my brother living on the West Coast, and my father normally in Michigan, this gathering is much rarer than any of us would like. My son Andy and his wife made the trip down from Lawrenceville too.

A lot of shared memories recalled. If you’re familiar with Dan Fogelberg’s "The Leader of the Band" you’ll know how special it is for me to get together with my father. We (all of us) don’t normally just sit around, we talk and debate. Different points of view, yet lighthearted. Good dialogue. Sometimes it seems I almost forget just how much fun it is to get together.

Among other things, we talked about Ernest Hemingway, the Civil War, Jazz, education, and politics. We had some great food. Sunday’s weather was good enough my brother and I got to go for a short ride with the top down.

I’d hate to blame any of my following comments on my family, but the discussions got me thinking, a sometimes-dangerous thing.

Mobile, Alabama’s school systems are having a terrible financial time. The local paper had extensive coverage on the matter. What kind of tax or taxes should finance the educational system? I think locally, that property taxes are fairer than the sales taxes. Everyone has to live somewhere, and with property tax, based (sometimes loosely…) on the value of your property, you pay according to how nicely you live. There are a few unenlightened property owners out there who don’t understand this, so let me explain. These folks think that renters avoid property tax. Nothing could be further from the truth. As a former landlord, I know where the tax money comes from. It’s built into the rent, as it has to be. I, as a landlord, just happened to be the one that wrote the check to the tax office. Our local college students pay a tremendous amount of property tax, albeit indirectly, to support our local school systems. Sales tax, on the other hand, places a disproportionate burden on those least able to pay, since all of us, rich and poor, must purchase the necessities of life.

Taxes really get me fired up. I mentioned before how excited I am to think that George Dubya, the guru of generosity, wants to "refund" me 49 cents a day via his "tax cut" proposal. Stream of consciousness taking over… I think about the Excise taxes, dating from World War II, which were promised to be eliminated. How about those toll roads and toll bridges that started with a promise to be free just as soon as paid for… Right.

We are all taxed at a much, much higher rate than those colonists who started a revolution over two hundred years ago. At least we have representation… Take advantage of it. Write, call, or email a politician today, let them know what YOU think.

Death and Taxes… I’m starting to calm down now. Peace. tomiswho@mindspring.com