The City of Tampa, FL, has successfully fought to have a portion of their long term debt "forgiven". Joan Kennedy Biddle and her family recently attempted to collect payment for a legitimate prommisory note, issued by the Tampa city government, and the city refused payment.

The prommisory note was issued by the Tampa City Government to Biddle's Dry Goods in return for much needed "supplies during a time of crisis". The amount of the prommisory note is $299.58 plus 8 percent annual interest. The "crisis" the note refers to was the War of Northern Aggression, and the amount of interest due on the note is approximately $22 million. The prommisory note was drafted and authorized in 1861. 

To get out of paying this obviously legitimate claim, Tampa City officials presented hundreds of pages of precedent documentation. The main argument is that the 14th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States "prohibits payments on debts incurred to assist in rebellion against the United States".

When presented with the reams of documentation, Joan Kennedy Biddle reportedly told Tampa City officials "oh just freakin' forget about it then. Everybody told my Grandpa to demand payment at the time of purchase, but he was a trusting soul." Ms. Biddle also stated "Grandpa might not have been much of a businessman, but he had a heart of gold". 

Tampa legal counsel, in a statement of who the boss really is, are forcing the Biddle's to pay $4,000 in legal fees. How's that for gratitude?