It's amazing how many times this tax ploy has worked in American history. There is no such thing as a "temporary" tax. All taxes enacted are permanent, as legislators get used to spending the extra income very easily. The ONLY way, the One and ONLY way to lower government spending is to send in less money for them to spend -- and make sure that they can't beg, borrow, or steal money that they don't have!
posted on August 2, 2001 05:42:59 AM
I agree with you totally.
I also think that all states should pass some kind of protective law that no one could ever be forced to move or sell their home if they can prove that their property taxes are too high for their income.
The elderly are one example of that, but there are also people who buy homes in an area before its booming (think King County, WA for eg.) and then get forced out because it becomes cool to live there, thereby driving up real estate costs and of course taxes. So, the very folks who built up the area are the ones often forced out. That stinks, and it often white washes an area, taking away the cultural diversity that made it interesting in the first place.
I believe here in WA, once you're 62 or 65, your property taxes are frozen at your current rate. It's a start, but it's not enough.
posted on August 2, 2001 05:53:13 AM
A Greek lady who came here was indignant about property taxes. There are none in Greece unless you own multiple properties and rent them out.
What she said is true - "You don't own your houses here, you rent them from the government."
