[Lilybeans]

Originally Posted by tallrick

When we go to the store or a flea market and buy something it is ours. If we pull something from the trash, it is also ours. You could buy an antique car and let it sit in storage for decades and it's still yours. Even if you saved your family heirlooms, they are still yours. Then why are we not allowed to own our homes outright? Why did our right to own property get taken away from us? Why has there not been a revolt? Why do so many of us just bend over and let our right to own property be denied to us?

You might want to ask William the Conqueror about that. The system of land ownership and taxation is a direct descendant of the feudal system.

How would you propose to pay for municipal services? Roads, bridges, police and fire protection, public parks, etc. Do you have a better idea?

[Petertherock]

Actually all states have property taxes....

STATE PROPERTY TAXES
The percentage of property taxes as part of income among the 50 states.
State % of income
New Hampshire 4.9%
Maine 4.9%
Vermont 4.7%
New Jersey 4.6%
Rhode Island 4.4%
Montana 4.4%
Alaska 4.1%
Connecticut 3.8%
New York 3.8%
Wyoming 3.7%
Wisconsin 3.7%
Illinois 3.6%
Texas 3.4%
Indiana 3.4%
Iowa 3.3%
North Dakota 3.3%
Nebraska 3.3%
South Dakota 3.2%
Michigan 3.2%
Massachusetts 3.2%
Florida 3.1%
Arizona 3.0%
Ohio 3.0%
Washington 2.9%
Kansas 2.9%
Oregon 2.9%
Minnesota 2.9%
Idaho 2.8%
Pennsylvania 2.8%
South Carolina 2.8%
Virginia 2.7%
Maryland 2.7%
Colorado 2.6%
Georgia 2.6%
Utah 2.5%
Mississippi 2.4%
Nevada 2.4%
California 2.4%
Missouri 2.2%
West Virginia 2.2%
North Carolina 2.1%
Tennessee 1.9%
Hawaii 1.8%
Kentucky 1.8%
Louisiana 1.7%
Arkansas 1.6%
Oklahoma 1.6%
New Mexico 1.6%
Delaware 1.5%
Alabama 1.3%
Source: Census Bureau

[Debi1957]

Lets not forget about eminent domaine...if they want your property to put an interstate through..roh oh...all gone!

[Petertherock]

Yes, eminent domain is a thorn in my side. Where I live in Maine they have been trying to get a question on the ballot that if they take your home in eminent domain they have to pay fair market value for your property. For whatever reason they haven't succeeded at bringing this to a vote.

[Suncoaster]

Eminent domain is a disgrace. What's really galling is: even in FL, which has put limits on what can be seized this way, the huge loophole is "blight." By declaring an area "blighted," the municipality can seize property. So guess what? The lower income and poor are most at risk. Whadda surprise Just go after the most vulnerable - after all, they're not in a position to buy votes, right?


Property taxes. Just a euphemism for the fact that we've become a nation of renters. We don't EVER own our homes, even if the mortgage is paid. Don't believe me? try not paying the extortion. The county auctions your very own home off to get the loot.

Totally disgusting. Yes, there certainly are better ideas for revenue-collection. Income tax is fairer than property tax - taxes are paid mostly according to ability to pay. Service tax is a much fairer method too. Added to a very slight increase (1%?) in sales tax, a serious amount of revenue could be raised this way.

Why in the world aren't Internet sales taxed? Not very fair to the local retailers, is it?! And there are other "exemptions" that need to be looked at.

Service taxes - and to some extent, sales taxes - are voluntary taxes since you have a degree of control over how much tax you pay. And let's face it - a voluntary tax beats a regressive, oppressive tax bite like property tax.

Then there's the whole gambling issue. The tribes are raking in money hand over fist and precious little is going to the state. Like it or not, there already IS gambling in FL - whether it's the lottery, dogtrack, hai alai, horses, Seminole Casino - it's already here - and should be subject to a nice big tax. And why stop there? Increase the so-called "sin" taxes - you really think people are going to stop drinkin' & smokin' because the tax went up? Again these are voluntary taxes.



And don't even get me started on HOAs. That's a whole nother rant for a whole nother day