patrick.net

Everything is bigger in Texas even the problems.

JH says

our onerous property tax rates in Texas and what they do to your prospective house payments.

Why is it that Liberals love all taxes except property taxes?

Is it because they own the highly valued urban real estate and Hollywood mansions that would be taxed the most?

I don't get this article either. It starts off by talking about poorly maintained roads and revenue shortfalls...but then complains about property tax.

If I read between the lines its really that Liberals love sales and income taxes so they siphon money off from the working Middle Class without impacting the fiefdom of the well off aristocracy that pays their bills.

Property and asset taxes are the only fair taxes in my opinion and should be equitably applied. Those who derive the most benefit, and protection, pay the most. What else needs to be said?

Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
Cos I'm a Liberal, yeah, I'm a Liberal
Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
Cos I'm the Liberal, yeah I'm a Liberal
If you drive a car, I'll tax the street
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat
If you get too cold I'll tax the heat
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet
Liberal!
Cos I'm a Liberal, yeah I'm a Liberal
Don't ask me what I want it for (Aahh Mr. Wilson)
If you don't want to pay some more (Aahh Mr. Heath)
Cos I'm the Liberal, yeah, I'm the Liberal
Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
Cos I'm the Liberal, yeah, I'm a Liberal
And you're working for no one but me
Liberal!

John Bailo says

If I read between the lines its really that Liberals love sales and income taxes so they siphon money off from the working Middle Class without impacting the fiefdom of the well off aristocracy that pays their bills.

Ah, right, and conservatives look out for the middle class and are not interested in anything resembling a fiefdom or arisocracy.

John Bailo says

Property and asset taxes are the only fair taxes in my opinion and should be equitably applied. Those who derive the most benefit, and protection, pay the most. What else needs to be said?

Boy o boy, property taxes are fair and other taxes are liberal socialism destroying the middle class. mmmhmmm

Oh don't worry, they'll keep moving to Austin. Eventually the state will turn BLUE and the Red part will have a whole 'NOTHER level of secession to make empty threats about.

in 20 years i fear with all this immigration, Texas will be the biggest mess on the continent, behind california of course !!

if ebola gets a foot hold, six months !!

John Bailo says

If I read between the lines its really that Liberals love sales and income taxes so they siphon money off from the working Middle Class without impacting the fiefdom of the well off aristocracy that pays their bills.

I think you live in bizarro world.

Liberals consistently try for more progressive taxation while conservatives push for use tax or sales tax. And I think you'd be surprised at the voting results of rich folks--they vote Republican at a fairly high percentage...

tatupu70 says

Liberals consistently try for more progressive taxation while conservatives push for use tax or sales tax. And I think you'd be surprised at the voting results of rich folks--they vote Republican at a fairly high percentage...

You spin me right 'round baby right 'right round, like a BROKEN record, right 'round!

Call it Crazy says

CaptainShuddup says

tatupu70 says

Liberals consistently try for more progressive taxation while conservatives push for use tax or sales tax. And I think you'd be surprised at the voting results of rich folks--they vote Republican at a fairly high percentage...

You spin me right 'round baby right 'right round, like a BROKEN record, right 'round!

That dog needs to get an iphone.

John Bailo says

Property and asset taxes are the only fair taxes in my opinion and should be equitably applied. Those who derive the most benefit, and protection, pay the most. What else needs to be said?

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. Piketty's thesis is that wealth taxes --property taxes has been the nearest we've ever come to that-- is the ONLY way that this ship will be righted and made to be sustainable. And the absence of them has been the main culprit in the runaway inequality. Nuf said.

JH says

John Bailo says

Property and asset taxes are the only fair taxes in my opinion and should be equitably applied. Those who derive the most benefit, and protection, pay the most. What else needs to be said?

Boy o boy, property taxes are fair and other taxes are liberal socialism destroying the middle class. mmmhmmm

It is cheaper to store wealth in New York real estate than in Swiss bank accounts.
http://www.businessinsider.com/nyc-real-estate-popular-with-foreign-buyers-2014-6

gsr says

It is cheaper to store wealth in New York real estate

When so many are vacant, this is simply a pyramid scheme. Depending on the next greater fool is not a sustainable way to build a tax base. Unfortunately, payroll style taxes are the most stable, because they do not fluctuate like cap gains and other investment taxes do. See California state budget.

gsr says

It is cheaper to store wealth in New York real estate than in Swiss bank accounts.

http://www.businessinsider.com/nyc-real-estate-popular-with-foreign-buyers-2014-6

What a stupid article even for the new yorker. Just idiotic.

JH says

When so many are vacant, this is simply a pyramid scheme.

It is partly a pyramid scheme. But more importantly, it is a way to park big money with a relatively small "maintenance fee". The current rate of money supply makes it a lot easier.

JH says

Unfortunately, payroll style taxes are the most stable, because they do not fluctuate like cap gains and other investment taxes do.

That's the most unfair tax in existence. It also varies with the unemployment rate.

bob2356 says

What a stupid article even for the new yorker. Just idiotic.

This is not just an op-ed. This is reality. Ignoring any opinion in the article does not change the reality.

gsr says

That's the most unfair tax in existence. It also varies with the unemployment rate.

not saying it is fair, but it is stable. unemployment fluctuates less than real estate and stocks.

gsr says

That's the most unfair tax in existence. It also varies with the unemployment rate.

Fairness is an idiotic method for determining tax structure. Not only does "fairness" vary considerably from person to person, but the goal should be a structure that promotes a healthy economy. Not satisfies someone's emotional desire for "fair".

tatupu70 says

but the goal should be a structure that promotes a healthy economy.

Give me a trillion dollar. I will buy lots of stuff. I will make economy very healthy :). I will even loan out millions to a few of you so that you can afford shacks in the Bay Area.

tatupu70 says

but the goal should be a structure that promotes a healthy economy.

Moreover, California tax structure clearly does not promote a healthy economy. It has the highest poverty rate in the nation when housing cost is considered.

tatupu70 says

but the goal should be a structure that promotes a healthy economy. Not satisfies someone's emotional desire for "fair".

Apparently you haven't watched any presidential debates in the last 40 years ;-)

gsr says

Moreover, California tax structure clearly does not promote a healthy economy.

It is highly dependent on capital gains taxes, which fluctuate wildly. Property taxes are not low compared to the rest of the country. Yes, it is unfair that a new buyer pays more than your grandma, but that is simply a distortion for some owners. Paying 1% here is equivalent to paying 2-4% elsewhere.

tatupu70 says

Fairness is an idiotic method for determining tax structure. Not only does "fairness" vary considerably from person to person

Athletes used to pay 90% on the top of their earnings. And a baseball game used to be an affordable outing. $8 box seats in the 80s. Their salaries were low. Now that taxes are significantly lower, their salaries are insanely high, going to a game breaks the bank, and we are running budget deficits everywhere. HMMMM. I guess ARod would say the tax structure is fair but I sure as hell would not.

gsr says

Moreover, California tax structure clearly does not promote a healthy economy. It has the highest poverty rate in the nation when housing cost is considered.

Clearly CA tax structure is not ideal. No argument from me.