We have allowed our government in the form of the TSA to gradually eliminate our constitutionally protected individual rights in the name of being safe on planes and in airports. The latest indignation is in the form of full body strip searches (electronic) or physically invasive "pat downs." Sure we need to make sure that small child or elderly grandma isn't carrying something deadly onto a plane. After all, it applies to all of us. OR DOES IT?
According to an eyewitness report in the New York Times, incoming Speaker of the House Rep. John Boehner (Republican, Ohio) did not wait in line or go through security: he “was escorted around the metal detectors and body scanners, and taken directly to the gate.”
As Orwell said, "All pigs are equal, but some pigs are more equal."
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
How do you like living in subsidized housing?
There's a new big stink arising in Washington, D.C., about the preliminary suggestions from the co-chairs of the "Deficit Commission." First, I want to point out that unlike most press reports, this is not the report or recommendation of the commission itself. It's just some ideas from the co-chairs, Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson.
Specifically, this new stink I'm talking about is about the mortgage interest tax deduction.
So, I ask again, how do you like living in government subsidized housing? Don't think you do? You do if you, like me, have a mortgage on your home and take the tax deduction. My mortgage/housing costs are subsidized to the extent that I save money on taxes.
Not only is it a subsidy to me, but to the extent that it promotes or makes home ownership more affordable, it's corporate welfare to home builders (large and small), realtors (large and small), property owners and real estate developers.
All of that costs somewhere North of $100,000,000 (100 million dollars). In ten years, that's $1trillion. In other words, real money.
Now, I'm not saying that I want to pay a lot more tax. But, getting rid of this and many other deductions is a way to make the tax code a lot more equable. Manifest fairness is the best way for taxes to become a less divisive issue in politics and society. That should be a goal both liberals and Tea Party Conservatives can agree on.
Specifically, this new stink I'm talking about is about the mortgage interest tax deduction.
So, I ask again, how do you like living in government subsidized housing? Don't think you do? You do if you, like me, have a mortgage on your home and take the tax deduction. My mortgage/housing costs are subsidized to the extent that I save money on taxes.
Not only is it a subsidy to me, but to the extent that it promotes or makes home ownership more affordable, it's corporate welfare to home builders (large and small), realtors (large and small), property owners and real estate developers.
All of that costs somewhere North of $100,000,000 (100 million dollars). In ten years, that's $1trillion. In other words, real money.
Now, I'm not saying that I want to pay a lot more tax. But, getting rid of this and many other deductions is a way to make the tax code a lot more equable. Manifest fairness is the best way for taxes to become a less divisive issue in politics and society. That should be a goal both liberals and Tea Party Conservatives can agree on.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)