Chris and I both lost our beloved Dads within a couple of weeks time at the end of last year. And we were both designated executors of our Dads' estates. We not only compared notes regarding the loss of the two men who were the greatest influences in our lives, but we also compared notes as to how the state of Pennsylvania profits through its unconstitutional (both state and federal) inheritance tax.
Chris's article in the Trib-Review really encapsulates the obscenity known as the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax, in that the tax defies the uniformity on the same class of subjects clause of the PA Constitution. The tax also smacks of social engineering in that its historical foundation is an attempt to move concentrations of wealth in future generations so as to create, through government dictate, more economic parity. The fourth and fifth amendments to the US Constitution are also assaulted through this tax, since provisions in it come very close to (if not define) unreasonable search and seizure, and the requirement to self-incrimination.
Chris hits all bases in his article. It would be nice if some of our state legislators would read it, and take it to heart. They need not wait for the courts to declare the tax unconstitutional (not that such a logical step is even in the works). A simple repeal is in order. But, being the realists that we are, Chris and I are not holding our mutual breaths awaiting that particular turn of events....yet he is being about as pro-active in this regard as a citizen of the commonwealth can be, having done much research into the subject, and written so eloquently regarding his findings.
Our local group here in the western part of the state convened last night for its' monthly meeting and this article was a starting point for several discussions concerning failures of elected officials - both executives and legislators - to make matters of constitutionality the essential prerequisite of every exercise of the power with which they are entrusted. The reason of course lies in human nature, that the scope of power tends to increase and stray ever further from its moorings until checked and contained by the grantors of its authority.
As you and so many eloquent posters here on FR have written, education is the key to a popular restoration of government faithful to constitutional principles. Given the woeful public "education" in which many of our countrymen have been schooled, a brilliant suggestion was advanced that in order to reach those we sometimes disparage as "sheep", we undertake creating a primer along the lines of the famous black & yellow volumes to be entitled "Liberty for Dummies." Much like the apostles proclaiming the Gospel, engaging fellow citizens in thoughtful discussions on the topics of liberty is the key in trnsforming that docile flock into rams.
I always look forward to your inspiring posts and comments.