HEART ACHES WITH INJUSTICE
Dear Editor
As I write this letter, my heart aches with a sense of injustice. I’m compelled to speak out against the personal property taxes that weigh heavily on many senior citizens.
For those who have worked tirelessly their entire lives, contributing to their communities and paying their fair share of taxes, it’s disheartening to see them struggle with yet another financial burden. Many seniors live on fixed incomes, their Social Security checks barely covering the essentials. Yet, they’re expected to pay personal property taxes on items they’ve accumulated over the years — items that hold sentimental value.
It’s as if we’re punishing them for having worked hard and saved what they could.
Imagine being forced to choose between paying taxes on your home and paying your Christmastime electric bill. These aren’t just stories; they’re tangible connections to memories, love, and a lifetime of experiences. To tax your home seems not only unfair but cruel.
Furthermore, these taxes often disproportionately affect those who can least afford them. Seniors on fixed incomes aren’t equipped to absorb unexpected expenses or absorb the administrative burden of appealing assessments.
The system seems designed to penalize seniors those who’ve given their all to society, rather than support them in their golden years. And let’s be blunt — property tax is theft. It’s a tax on ownership, a double tax on assets that have already been paid for with hard-earned money.
Forcing seniors to hand over more of their hard-earned savings to the government simply because they own property is a form of legalized plunder. I implore our community to reconsider the impact of personal property taxes on our senior citizens.
Let’s show compassion and understanding for those who’ve paved the way for us. Let’s ensure their twilight years are filled with dignity, not financial stress. It’s time to recognize the inherent unfairness in taxing property and take steps to alleviate this burden on our seniors. Missouri has granted tax relief to seniors, and so should we.
Keith Carroll, Perryville
