Property Taxes?

Property values are going up in many parts of the country, and as a direct result, property taxes are going up, too, sometimes dramatically. Actually, of course, most so-called property taxes are not property taxes at all but are either mostly or totally real estate taxes. If all property were taxed at the same rate, the so-called property tax rate for most people would actually go down. This is because much of the property of wealthier people is not just in the house where they live but also consists of the value of stocks and bonds, cars, jewelry, boats, and businesses. Taxing these items at the same rate as real-estate taxes would allow a lower overall rate and still raise the same amount of money.

Fog Facts--facts that get ignored or disregarded

If you’re interested in politics, you should read the book “Fog Facts”, by Larry Beinhart. The premise of the book is that important facts are often readily available but nobody pays attention to them. For example, the Nuremberg Trials of Nazis after WWII resulted in a set of principles that have governed the post-WWII debate on the ethics of war. In a section called Crimes Against Peace, this is found: “1. Planning, preparation, initiation or waging of a war of aggression or a war in violation of international treaties, agreements, or assurance”. Any country that does that is committing a war crime.

The Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928 outlawed aggressive war, is still in force today, and was the legal foundation for the Nuremberg trials.

Another fog fact: According to a CIA analyst, at least half the people being held in Guatanomo don’t belong there.

Then, consider the election of 2000, where Gore lost Florida and the election. From The Observer of London, November 26, 2000: “Vice President Al Gore would have strolled to victory in Florida if the state hadn’t kicked 66,000 citizens off voter registers five months ago as former felons. In fact, not all were ex-cons. Most were simply guilty of being African-American.”

Get the book from your library for more info.