(10-14-2022, 10:38 AM)Jaguarmeister Wrote:

(10-11-2022, 05:00 PM)mikesez Wrote: In LA and NYC property tax rates are too low, which allows greater economic inequality and a shortage of housing. In Chicago they are far far too high - which tamps down on both prices and supply.  LA and NYC have room to increase their property tax and lower their income tax and sales tax and still keep services the same.  Chicago has no easy solutions.  Depressing.

Mike, honest questions…. Why do you consider yourself to be Republican?  What conservative positions do you hold?  Not that anyone needs to be lock step with a party, but what are your hot button issues and do they align with conservative ideals?

I’ve just never heard a self proclaimed Republican lament income inequality or taxes being too low and lower taxes are generally a hallmark position of conservatism.

Chicago’s situation aside.  I wouldn’t consider New York property taxes to be “low”.

These aren't laments.  I think there is an optimum property tax rate, and it's not so much that NYC and LA suffer because theirs is too low, it's that they are missing out on growth opportunities that they could unlock if they lowered their income and sales tax and raised their property tax to make up the difference.
As for income inequality, we know from history that there are few better predictors of coups and revolutions than income inequality.  And we know, when we look at places like Brazil and Mexico, that our small-d democratic Presidential form of government is not immune to coups or revolutions.  It's better than a monarchy or dictatorship, but it's not immune to problems.
So don't misunderstand me.  I don't mention inequality as a concern out of a bleeding heart or any misplaced sympathy - "the poor will always be among us." I only mention it because I want to, conservatively, preserve our present form of government.

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