Posted on 06/21/2005 3:22:01 PM PDT by Constitutionalist Conservative
In such a case, the tax code does not "cause me to change my decision making," it lowers my standard of living and disrupts my life and that of my family.
I suggest that the tax code should not influence an individual's decisions. You prefer the fruits of special interest politics that favor existing homeowners through homested exemptions and appraisal caps. This harms people who want to become homeowners through higher tax rates.
You've got to recognize that you are supporting special interest politics.
I agree - but only in that order. Lower the rates first, then folks might lower their shields (exemptions). But to lower their shields, they have to trust government to tax and spend repsonsibly.
Sorry, but the per capita tax burden in Missouri is higher than in Texas. If you are paying more taxes, that is not typical, and a state income tax certainly wouldn't help. Of course, you are free to move to a state with an income tax anytime you like.
http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/335.html
AMEN Brother! You are singing my song!
I have spent a good portion of the last 25 years of my life working to get republicans elected to public office in this state with some success I might add. I did NOT do that in order for them to perpetuate, and yes even exacerbate, the house of cards that democrats spent 125 years building! I want Texas to run lean and mean and to employ open and honest taxation methods in order to raise funds for those things which ARE necessary!
I must admit however that at this point I sometimes wonder if all that has been accomplished is to change the pockets into which the North Austin Lobby money flows.
What part of paying less taxes do you not understand? I paid less taxes in Missouri than I am paying in Texas. You may like paying higher taxes more than I do. That's your privelege. I prefer lower taxes.
Sorry, but the per capita tax burden in Missouri is higher than in Texas. If you are paying more taxes, that is not typical, and a state income tax certainly wouldn't help. Of course, you are free to move to a state with an income tax anytime you like.
http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/335.html
I saw those figures you are referring to and I absolutely, positively guarantee you that Texans are paying more than Missourians in total taxes. With the rising property values this is inevitable. Again, I ask you and others. How high do property and sales taxes have to be before you hollar "uncle?" I sense that people here just like to hit themselves in the head so they can feel so good when they stop. And I'll make another prediction. Texas will have an income tax because the situation will demand it. People are not going to sit still to be pushed out of their homes to pay for a bloated educational system. Since the politicians are either too lazy or too dumb to reign in these excesses they will always look to the long suffering homeowner to pay the ridiculous salaries of the top administrators. The pay structure in Texas schools is truly a state scandal. If the people of Texas would see the salaries of the school officials they would be rioting in the streets.
Sorry. I left out the words "any increase once they reach 65 in their" school property taxes. Thus, if you stay in a 3,000 sq. ft. house (that is appreciating in value) from 65 to end of life you will have avoided paying tens of thousands in school property taxes. Obviously they will still have to be paid by somebody (your children perhaps). An article by a staff writer for the local paper made some excellent points along these same lines in April:
Sticking Peter with a burden to benefit Paul
http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/opinion/11402055.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
Each generation should pull its own weight. I testified four times in front of the Keller City Council last summer against the senior tax freeze. I saw absolutely disgusting behavior on the part of seniors. They exaggerated, lied, looked stupid (thought their WHOLE tax bill was the city property tax) and played the whole thing from an emotional basis. The ill will and division the senior tax freeze has caused in numerous communities around Fort Worth is both frustrating and discouraging.
Here's a quote from a newspaper columnist concerning their antics:
"Senior citizens compete in cities across Northeast Tarrant to see who can make the most emotional speech demanding that city councils pass a senior tax freeze for residents over 65. To make the game more difficult, speakers are not allowed to mention that they represent the Noblest Generation and helped saved America's freedoms during World War II."
From:
http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/local/states/texas/northeast/9334962.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
I have lost much of my respect for the "greatest generation." They looked like the most selfish generation to me from watching them first hand in City Council meetings and following their actions over the past 18 months in DFW.
As long as people understand that they are believing your unsupported "guarantee" over data from a nonpartisan tax research organization that has been in operation for almost 70 years. (I don't think the fact that you "absolutely, positively guarantee", instead of just regular "guarantee", will convince many people. Freepers like facts.)
As long as people understand that they are believing your unsupported "guarantee" over data from a nonpartisan tax research organization that has been in operation for almost 70 years. (I don't think the fact that you "absolutely, positively guarantee", instead of just regular "guarantee", will convince many people. Freepers like facts.)
No.
Is that "factual" enough for you?
No.
See post 183.
Has it occurred to you that the per capita taxation may be less in Texas (and by the barest of margins) because so many more ordinary people have been and/are being impoverished because of the 19th century tax system here? That dilutes the average. Look around you. The rest of us who are middle class are being bled dry through real estate taxation. We are barely able to keep our heads above water with these confiscatory real estate taxes. Contrast those people to the people in Missouri and you will find that the Texas middle class is much more heavily taxed than in Missouri. You see up there, they don't believe in taxing the working person into the poorhouse like they do in Texas. That's the difference.
I ask you once again. How high do the real estate taxes have to be before you holler "uncle?" At this rate, you might as well just sign over your paycheck to Austin. They'll have it soon enough if nothing is done. You might even find out what it is like to be out on the street when the local sheriff has to sell your property to pay the back taxes.
Yes. That's a possible explanation for the disparity. If you could show me some data showing the average tax burden of an individual at certain middle class income levels, I would be interested to see if they prove your point. However, property taxes are only slightly less regressive than income taxes. Reducing spending, while reducing property taxes is still a better option than reducing property taxes and replacing it with an income tax.
How does our spending compare with other states? I'm all in favor of reducing "fraud, waste and abuse." That we can agree on. But as one who has a fairly good knowledge of how government works, I doubt this will solve the problem.
I just want to ask you one question. How high are you personally able to tolerate in the raising of your real estate taxes? As I said, the fellow across the street is paying about $8000 in property taxes. Would you be willing to do this in order to avoid that hated income tax? When would you change your mind? What would it take?
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