Ten Days That Shook Olympia

[KaskadskyjKozak]

If you have a better way to pay for infrastructure, city government and public schools, I'd love to hear it. Being a property owner you benefit from each of these things. Seems reasonable to tax those who most benefit. But like I said, if you've got a better idea...

 

and non-property owners don't benefit from these things?

 

 

[chucK]

and what about once you pay off your loan? then you are a "renter" from the all-mighty state alone - which suits you and your ilk just fine, "prole"

 

It's payment for services. It's a contract you enter into when you purchase the property. Do you also consider evil the Condo association fees that owners communally enter into in order to pay for upkeep of their common building?

 

If you want to be totally free and clear you create a fund that would pay off your property taxes until the end of your life. Simple. Your property tax is just one more cost associated with purchase of the property.

 

I'm sure you don't agree with paying for all the services that property taxes buy (since much of it will not directly benefit you, and you've already stated you'd rather see all of us dead), but who does? I also don't agree with having to pay so much more to buy a house in Seattle, but I knew that was just the cost of doing business.

 

Your whines are simply bitching about high prices. Everybody does it, because life in the USA is so goddamned tough.

[KaskadskyjKozak]

It's payment for services.

 

bullshit. the fact is with property taxes there really is no such thing as private "ownership" of land/property.

 

[chucK]

If you have a better way to pay for infrastructure, city government and public schools, I'd love to hear it. Being a property owner you benefit from each of these things. Seems reasonable to tax those who most benefit. But like I said, if you've got a better idea...

 

and non-property owners don't benefit from these things?

 

 

Property owners benefit the most from an investment in their community. Worrying about others not having to do as much is a character flaw that merely discourages solutions.

 

If you've got a better idea let's hear it. What taxes are you in favor of?

[KaskadskyjKozak]

Property owners benefit the most from an investment in their community. Worrying about others not having to do as much is a character flaw that merely discourages solutions.

 

you just don't get it. ever. there's the "character flaw".

 

 

 

 

[sexual_chocolate]

It's payment for services.

 

bullshit. the fact is with property taxes there really is no such thing as private "ownership" of land/property.

 

What is "ownership" to you? What does it exactly mean to you?

[Recycled]

If you set aside arguments about the total amount that should be raised through taxes and how it's spent, the range of taxing options is pretty limited:

 

1. Income taxes

2. Taxes on assets (including but not limited to property)

3. Taxes on imports

4. Inheritance taxes

5. Carbon taxes

6. Consumption taxes (mostly sales or VAT-type taxes)

 

So, if one doesn't like taxes on assets, which other taxes should go up to raise necessary revenues? Ideally, taxation should be administratively efficient and equitable. Income taxes fail those objectives miserably (think how much $ is spent on accountants just to figure out Federal tax code). Taxes on imports are usually erected as trade barriers and are ultimately self-defeating. Taxes on inheritance raise relatively little money, and can be avoided in many cases. Carbon taxes - well, that's another discussion. Consumption taxes could be a bit higher, particularly if collected as a VAT, but not too much higher and many argue that they are regressive unless basic needs are exempted.

 

Frankly, I think our property taxes are pretty efficient. Everyone pays them (including renters, obviously), and they are equitable. We have a far better and more equitable property tax system than California.

[KaskadskyjKozak]

What is "ownership" to you? What does it exactly mean to you?

 

once you pay for your property (e.g. a loan if you have one), you are free and clear. you are not taxed for your property, and you can not be evicted for any reason. it's yours until you die.

 

[chucK]

I'm still waiting for your better idea.

[KaskadskyjKozak]

I'm still waiting for your better idea.

 

how do you keep a jackass in suspense?

 

 

[chucK]

What is "ownership" to you? What does it exactly mean to you?

 

once you pay for your property (e.g. a loan if you have one), you are free and clear. you are not taxed for your property, and you can not be evicted for any reason. it's yours until you die.

 

Ooo! How's that for a sense of entitlement!

[klenke]

Two guys who selflessly gave of themselves so that 500 could protest in Olympia. There are men, and then there are men among men, and I humble myself in their memory:

 

Iraq Medal of Honor Recipients

 

*DUNHAM, JASON L.

 

Rank and Organization: Corporal, United States Marine Corps

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Rifle Squad Leader, 4th Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division (Reinforced), on 14 April 2004. Corporal Dunham's squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah, Iraq, when they heard rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire erupt approximately two kilometers to the west. Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards the engagement to provide fire support to their Battalion Commander's convoy, which had been ambushed as it was traveling to Camp Husaybah. As Corporal Dunham and his Marines advanced, they quickly began to receive enemy fire. Corporal Dunham ordered his squad to dismount their vehicles and led one of his fire teams on foot several blocks south of the ambushed convoy. Discovering seven Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, Corporal Dunham and his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons. As they approached the vehicles, an insurgent leaped out and attacked Corporal Dunham. Corporal Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a grenade. Corporal Dunham immediately alerted his fellow Marines to the threat. Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, Corporal Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast. In an ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Dunham gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

 

*SMITH, PAUL R.

 

Rank and Organization: Sergeant First Class, United States Army

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq on 4 April 2003. On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 fellow soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers. As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers. Sergeant First Class Smith’s extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne,” and the United States Army.

[lizard_brain]

Two guys who selflessly gave of themselves so that 500 could protest in Olympia. There are men, and then there are men among men, and I humble myself in their memory:

 

 

And what if Bush and his cronies hadn't sent them there to die in the first place?

 

Just askin'.

[chucK]

A couple of badasses for sure.

 

 

Are you implying that their giving their lives in the Iraq war bought us the necessary time and freedom so that we could protest peacefully? If not for this heroic Iraq War then we'd already be in the clutches of evil facist muslim fundamentalists? If so, I'll have to politely disagree on that part.

 

 

[G-spotter]

Hey KKK do you "own" your car or do you just "rent" it if you have to continually pay insurance, registration and so on?

[KaskadskyjKozak]

Hey KKK do you "own" your car or do you just "rent" it if you have to continually pay insurance, registration and so on?

 

changing the subject? a car is not land.

 

as for the kkk, FOAD, Canuck-dog-felcher

 

[Bug]

Careful G-.

You may be exposing a "character flaw".

 

 

[KaskadskyjKozak]

Careful G-.

You may be exposing a "character flaw".

 

 

like posting nearly 40000 pieces of crap to a climbing forum?

[ashw_justin]

A couple of badasses for sure.

Yeah, sounds like the kind of men we'd be better off hanging on to.

[lizard_brain]

A couple of badasses for sure.

Yeah, sounds like the kind of men we'd be better off hanging on to.

 

Yeah, so it's a good thing they went off to die in Iraq, otherwise these people in Oly wouldn't have the right to protest?

 

HHmmmm...

[Bug]

You seem to be catching up quickly with you're abusive posts that are rarely backed up by aything but machismo.

[KaskadskyjKozak]

You seem to be catching up quickly with you're abusive posts that are rarely backed up by aything but machismo.

 

i'm only abusive to those who deserve it, Bug.

 

[ashw_justin]

Yeah, sounds like the kind of men we'd be better off hanging on to.

Yeah, so it's a good thing they went off to die in Iraq, otherwise these people in Oly wouldn't have the right to protest?

 

HHmmmm...

Ok well I was assenting, but we put you on government list now as dangerythinkerperson anyway

[lizard_brain]

Does that mean I can't fly at christmas this season?

[ashw_justin]

As unimpressed with the protesters as I am, I'd like to think that at least some of them would actually take up arms (or otherwise support the government) against a real threat to our country, if it existed (and no sorry, Islamofascistan does not count). But I could just be projecting.