Politics Taxation, not misrepresentation
I was spending the morning reminiscing over my article in this week’s paper when Tipster Kendra called to say she ran into some petitioners for I-920 (which would repeal the WA estate tax) outside the Safeway on 15th and Harrison who weren’t telling the whole truth. Big surprise in politics, right? Still, she claimed the signature gatherers told her that the estate tax affects every income bracket and when she loudly accused them of being liars, they called over Safeway security. The grocery cop heard the complaint and then told Kendra, “Keep up the good work!”
Moderately well versed in estate tax fact and fiction, I strolled over to the petitioner’s table outside Safeway to play the part of the young, dumb voter.
Me: What’s this Death Tax thing?
Petitioner: It’s a double taxation issue. When you die, all the money that you’ve worked for, the government taxes again.
Me: Who do they tax?
Petitioner: Everyone, people say it’s a tax on the rich, but they hire financial advisors and get through all the loopholes. Who it hurts is the middle class businesspeople.
Me: It’s not just on the rich? I thought you’re estate had to be worth over a certain amount, like $2 million or something?
Peitioner: Nope, I know people who have had only $200,000 who have been hit with it. I’ve heard horror stories.
Me: So, like, my parents have a $300,000 house and, like, $20,000 in the bank. Would they be hit with the estate tax?
Petitioner: Yes they would. It’s a tax when you die, that’s why it’s called the Death Tax.
These are paid signature gatherers who work on campaigns all over the country. These guys were hired by Direct Democracy, which in turn was hired by the group that needs signatures (in this case, Committee to Abolish the WA Estate Tax).
Here’s what the petitioner got wrong: Estates worth less than $2 million are exempt from the estate tax. Farms are also exempt from being counted toward the $2 million. The tax isn’t on death, but on the inheritance the transfer of money from someone who’s kicked the bucket to their kids. In Washington, 250 families are affected by the estate tax.
I just wanted to let people know that I was so upset by the fact that these petitioners were lying to people's faces that I decided to print out a pie chart showing how many people in WA are actually affected by this tax, and labeled it "The Truth About the Estate Tax."
I stood about 10 feet away from the table and answered questions if I was asked.
The petitioners told me that I was in violation of Federal law for doing this (another lie) and threatened to have me arrested.
They ended up telling the Safeway manager that I was harrassing them and he asked me to leave (note, I never once spoke to the petitioners during the time I stood there with the sign.) I was the only person there telling the truth and I was the one ejected from the property.
I encourage people to contact the Safeway on 15th and John, 206-323-4988, and tell the manager you read about this on the Stranger Blog.
They know they can't win without falsifying the issue. Please don't let them get away with it.