This letter was written on September 24, 1997. It made it's way into the newspaper. The brackets show those parts edited out by the newspaper staff.

Richmond Times-Dispatch
P.O. Box 85333
Richmond, VA 23293
Attn: Editor of Editorial Page

Dear Sir,

{I trust this letter finds you well. I write to express my feelings regarding a recent letter on the editorial page of your newspaper.}

{The letter in question was printed on September 24, 1997 and was headlined, How Do You Spell Relief? Follow These Simple Rules, written by a Mr. Edwin Krampitz, Jr.}

Regarding Edwin Krampitz’s letter, How Do You Spell Relief? Follow These Simple Rules [September 24]:

{The letter by Mr.} Krampitz went far to show his class envy {and dislike of those he sees as having too much money}. He states that those who can afford {an expensive} a $30,000 car ought to be able to pay the personal property tax and should be happy to do so. If we carry this theorem to its logical conclusion then what else should the state tax such people on{,}- since they can afford to pay {it!?}?

He further states that someone driving a ten-year old beater with 100,000 miles probably cannot afford to pay the tax. My feeling is that the driver probably can afford to pay it since he obviously hasn’t spent a lot of money on the car, and thus has some left in the bank. This is money doing nothing useful and should be given to the state for the benefit of others.

The point {that is} overlooked by {Mr.} Krampitz and those of his ilk is that this is not a matter of who can afford to pay, it’s a moral matter! {That’s right. It’s a question of morality.}Is it right to take money from people because of what they own {(or hope to own)}, to be given to others {be it the government or individuals?}? Who then really owns the car {(or other property)}? Isn’t it odd that it’s called a personal property tax? After all, it really is not {personal property} your property if the state can force you to continue to pay for owning it even after you have satisfied your debt to the bank {or other loaning institution}.

Since the State then actually owns the car can I hope to see some financial help when I must take the car in for repairs? When will Mr. Krampitz and those who espouse his philosophy come to understand that confiscatory taxes are immoral and all such should be immediately abolished? The politicians will use this topic to further their personal agenda and get elected. But, the reality is that there are many more taxes that have not been mentioned in this campaign that should be done away with in the name of the Constitution and simply doing the right thing, morally speaking.

Taxes in this country have quite simply gotten out of control. Each of you sit down today and make a list of all the taxes you pay each day. Every time you make a purchase of any kind, anywhere. Then look over the list and ask yourself, Is all of this really necessary!? Are you getting your monies worth for what is taken from you? It is time for Virginians and all Americans to get mad and say ENOUGH!! Abolish personal property taxes now!

I will vote for anyone that I believe will actually make an attempt to abolish this and other taxes. I don’t want to see anyone taxed for simply choosing to own something that is, in fact, a necessity, not even Mr. Krampitz.

Sincerely,