The Goat Pen

The local-yokels in my area aren't too bad. They even have a fund to help people down-on-their-luck pay property taxes and license fees if there is a (provable) need. The last property that was taken has to be more than 15 years ago.

Not sure the last time they took one here but tthey will send out late notices on property taxes and start garnishing wages immed. after the due date. they sent out an appraiser about 3-4 years ago to reassess and some folks' property value increased 300-400%. people were trying to sell off empty rental houses b/c they couldn't afford the tax hike.

Also, our municipal-owned power company charges some of the highest rates in the state due to not managing the loan payments associated with building Shearon-Harris nuke plant in the '70s.

Yeah, that sucks.

You get the government you elect. Not sure why you have a problem with democracy. Maybe instead of seizing people's homes they should just furlough all of the firemen (because they can't pay them without collecting taxes) and start letting houses burn down. You haven't thought this all the way through!

I have 7 pieces of property that I own (inchoate ownership) from people that haven't paid their property taxes. They have 3 years to redeem the property. After five years, I can go to court to vacate their interest in their property. The most common reason people don't pay their property taxes? Death and the children don't pay.

part of that goes back to - how can you ever own land in this country if the government can take it away from you for not paying them tribute? You never really own it.

tribute? you mean money for police? Fireman? Teacher? Garbagemen? Streets? Sewers?

Owlman wrote:tribute? you mean money for police? Fireman? Teacher? Garbagemen? Streets? Sewers?

why does that money have to come from the property you own? You could just as easily pay a residence tax.

property tax is the driving force behind municipal development

city permits, site plan applications, contract tenders, shadow studies, etc. ...... the whole developmental project machine

without increased property taxes as the carrot, it all goes to shyt

Even in monopoly, you pay property taxes

setting aside those well thought out arguments

my point remains - you can never own property in this country.

BAMAFEVER wrote:You get the government you elect. Not sure why you have a problem with democracy. Maybe instead of seizing people's homes they should just furlough all of the firemen (because they can't pay them without collecting taxes) and start letting houses burn down. You haven't thought this all the way through!

there's plenty of volunteer fire depts. around these parts. I'm guessing you haven't thought this through.

volunteer EMT, volunteer sewer,

Saint wrote:

BAMAFEVER wrote:You get the government you elect. Not sure why you have a problem with democracy. Maybe instead of seizing people's homes they should just furlough all of the firemen (because they can't pay them without collecting taxes) and start letting houses burn down. You haven't thought this all the way through!

there's plenty of volunteer fire depts. around these parts. I'm guessing you haven't thought this through.

If that's the route you want your city to take, have at it. Remember, we are a democracy and if you can find enough like minded people, you can go your route. Nut, I'm guessing you won't mind driving on dirt or gravel roads. Or, maybe you'd rather get a bill every year for your children's education? Property taxes are a necessary evil to provide the things that make us a civilized society. You pay property taxes whether you own or rent. I prefer to actually have the police or firemen show up if I need them. YMMV.

When the police show up to Saint's it usually is to bust up the "good thing he's got going." So, that's not the best argument for him.

(Actually, probably more true for hedge, still...)

Saint railing against taxes and BAMAFEVER supporting them.

I don't know what kinda bizzaro world this is.

I love you.

so the only way to pay for police, schools, fireman, etc is a property tax. Thats the only way.

we're all just lead around by the nose.

Whats wrong with it? The fact that it can get taken if you dont pay? Thats a ridiculous concern, the real problem with property tax is that valuation of property is extremely complex.

aTm wrote:Whats wrong with it? The fact that it can get taken if you dont pay? Thats a ridiculous concern, the real problem with property tax is that valuation of property is extremely complex.

no its not ridiculous.

The fact is you can work your entire life, pay off your house and if you don't pay the tax on it, the government takes it away from you.

You can never own any property outright in this country.

Just because someone told you thats how it should be doesn't make it right.