I am writing in response to Joseph McCarthy’s open letter to Mayor Scarpelli, published in the Jan. 15 Bulletin ("Resident resents being labeled ‘delinquent’ for late taxes").
McCarthy is entitled to resent being labeled "delinquent" for being late with his tax payment. Despite this, perhaps he should reread the definition of delinquent that he has provided: "failing to do what law or duty requires."
The last I knew, it was the law to pay your taxes on time. I may be mistaken, but I do not think there are provisions allowing those who have never missed a payment to be a little late. It is also worth noting that dictionary.com defines "delinquent" as "being overdue in payment."
The fact of the matter is that in the United States, all citizens are equal under the law. The law does not make exceptions for those who have never missed a payment in over 40 years. The law does not make exceptions for those who have raised their families and used the local public school system.
McCarthy’s complaint seems to be evidence of a chronic modern problem. People do not take responsibility for their actions.
When a state trooper stops someone speeding down the Garden State Parkway and gives him or her a ticket for going 80 mph, the common thing to do is go to court and protest the ticket.
My best friend’s car was backed into in his parking lot over Christmas break, and no one left a note or contacted him in any way. They just left a huge dent in his car, a car for which he has worked hard.
There are hundreds more of these despicable examples within society today. When will people start to take responsibility for their actions?
If you break the law and get caught, you should be intelligent enough to realize you are wrong. If you fail to pay your taxes, and get caught, regardless of the label you receive, please remember that you are the one who did not pay your taxes on time.
Alfred Clayton
Brick