Letter To Governor O'Malley

Mr. Albero,

I penned the following letter earlier this week, and have sent it to Annapolis. A facebook post with the letter enclosed has been shared over 1,000 times on Facebook. Seems to be spreading father than I imagined it would, so I wanted to send it to you directly, rather than someone else sending it your way. Feel free to do with this what you would like. I would like to clarify that I am not trying to say that Police, Volunteer Firemen, and National Guard members do not deserve the tax breaks they get. They certainly do. I'm just trying to shed light on the current situation in Maryland, and how it is driving residents like me away. I would also like to clarify that these views are my personal views and are not the views of any branch of the military. I make these statements as a private citizen, not as a representative of the US Armed Forces. Take care.

Ian Insley

"Mr. Governor,

The writing of this letter is the last act I will perform as a resident of the State of Maryland. I have served on Active Duty for almost 10 years. I am preparing to depart active duty, and must make some choices in my life. My family has lived on Maryland’s beautiful Eastern Shore for generations, dating back beyond the revolutionary war. One of my ancestors served as a Lt Col during the Revolutionary War, and fought to free America from an oppressive British Government and establish freedom for our Nation. I have much pride in my heart for the amazing things that Marylanders have done throughout our history. However, due to your administration’s policies and taxes, I can no longer justify moving back to my home.

For the last 10 years I have paid Maryland State Taxes, while at most stepping foot on Maryland’s soil for 30 days a year. This to me, was the cost to say proudly that “I am a Marylander”. I watched as fellow service members received tax breaks, and benefits from their home states, in recognition of their service. Each year, I saw that there are tax breaks given to Police Officers, Volunteer Fire Fighters, and National Guard members. Nothing for Active Duty service members. This seemed a little unfair, but I complied.
As I began to consider the next chapter in my life, I looked at all my options. I could move back home to Maryland, where my family lives. This option after reviewing costs of living, taxes, and job market, was not possible. You have created an environment that is not desirable for people to live in. Working people that is. Your administration continues to take money out of the pockets of hard working men and women, and hand it over to un-deserving parties in the name of “equality”. I understand programs designed to give people in times of hardship a helping hand to get back on their feet. I also understand supporting individuals with medical/health issues that prevent them from being able to support themselves. However the guidelines and requirements for this aid should be more clearly defined. Providing un-supervised monies to individuals with no legitimate health or medical concern is ridiculous. If you are going to take my hard earned money and give it to someone who does not contribute to society, than there needs to be a paper trail right down to the last loaf of bread. There should be no option for these individuals to use these funds on anything other than LIFE NECCESSITIES.

Your tax policy has grown more and more ridiculous. Taxing homeowners for the rainwater that falls on their property was the last straw. I already pay considerably higher taxes than most of my co-workers and friends who are residents of other states. Recently, when I was married my wife and I had to decide whether she would claim Maryland of her taxes, or Hawaii, as we are currently stationed in Hawaii. If we had chose Maryland, which she was never a resident of prior to marriage, we would have paid twice the amount of income tax to state and local governments. This is ridiculous considering that money was not received in Maryland, and her only tie to the state is her Marriage to me.

I know that this letter will most likely fall on deaf ears. Your priorities are obviously not with people like me. Please know that it is with a heavy heart that I will be relocating to another State at the conclusion of my active duty service. I have already begun the process of changing my residency as my desire after my service is to move to Florida. The job market, housing market, and taxes are much more reasonable, and I will have more opportunities to succeed there in life. I ask you to consider the comments I have made here in regards to benefits for your active duty Marylanders. Although it is too late to change my outlook, or to benefit me, possible future changes could help someone else. Please don’t bother having someone draft an automatic draft letter thanking me for contacting you. I desire no return correspondence. I ask that you reply with action rather than empty promises on paper.

Ian D. Insley"