If columnist Dan Rodricks is so sick of hearing the "rain tax" mantra, I recommend the "guilt tax" as a substitute ("End 'rain tax' ridicule rap, repeal and replace law," Feb. 28).
I have paid property taxes and fees to Maryland and local government since the early 1970s. A portion of those dollars have directly or indirectly contributed to maintaining and improving the quality of the Chesapeake Bay. At least that is what I have been led to believe since the passage of the federal Coastal Zone Management Act in 1972.
I have not deliberately damaged the bay by any actions that I am aware of. If I have done so inadvertently, the taxes and fees I've already paid, including the "guilt tax," should cover my portion of any needed remedies.
I am reasonably confident this is correct since any home I have owned was built in compliance with the regulations in place at the time of construction. Any vehicles I have owned complied with all vehicle inspection requirements. I have paid my sewer and water usage bills and my trash collection fee. I paid for and use my recycling bin every week. I am glad my "flush tax" dollars have been so effective and am sorry I did not voluntarily add some additional "flush tax" dollars already.
I have also unfortunately been "guilty" of not personally watching over Maryland state and local officials and agencies charged with maintaining and improving the Chesapeake Bay. I have not forced them to efficiently use the dollars I provided or to effectively enforce existing regulations. Nor have I required them to assume any responsibility for the overdevelopment of the bay watershed. And I have not been able to convince the residents and governments of the other states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to do their part.
Still, I now realize that I am guilty of failing to "save the bay," and the least I can do to assuage my guilt is to pay another tax.
Here's another idea: What if someone who works for an organization that has a voice on this issue were to speak about the past 45 years of pathetic, uncoordinated, inefficient and wasteful efforts of government to take responsibility for saving the bay?
Is there still a "fourth estate," Mr. Rodricks, or should we just pay for our sins and shut up?
John Garber, Laurel