OPINION:
I am a 62-year-old Gulf Shores, Ala., homeowner and the owner of an offshore fishing boat. I mention these identities because I am among the many forgotten ones, one of those who bought a home near “big” water and warmer winters. I am one of those the news media haven’t mentioned because I am not a coastal business nor do I make my money from the sea.
For decades I have wished to live near water, own a boat and fish as often as I like. I realized the fulfillment of the first two wishes of that dream last year with the purchase of a boat, and I realized the last of these with retirement.
As I write this, however, I can’t take my boat to open water, swim at the beach or fish in the Gulf. There is even discussion of raising taxes on energy (a euphemism for oil and gas).
Considering the economy and the current housing slump, the spewing crude and the inability to stop the ebb and flow of oil - as well as the taxes being raised and new ones proposed - I am wondering what to do about my ever-deepening dilemma.
Would anyone out there like to buy a beach house? I’ll throw in the boat for free.
ROBERT D. GOODWORTH
Gulf Shores, Ala.
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