This is the problem: the powerful will not stop treating us like spineless, submissive, easily manipulable morons unless enough of us stop acting that way. Will we?
Taxes are necessary for community and democracy. The constant demand for tax cuts and tax breaks weakens the stability of government. For what? To win a popularity contest? Because if you are in Florida you are either old and don’t care about the future, young and don’t believe in the future, or rich enough to create your own future?
Your first three well describe the state (like HamNo, I'm a native Floridian, 6th generation in my case).
The elderly retirees are also addled by a cocktail of pharmaceuticals, which with their reduced dexterity and reflexes is why it's terrifying to drive in much of FL. The tourists are lost and oblivious.
Do you know why people clamor for tax cuts? Because taxes have been raised so high and so many places in government spending is generally out of control. If governments had the ability to show any kind of fiscal discipline, these kinds of things would not be occurring. Property taxes are out of control in many areas of this country. The best thing that can happen to governments generally is to have them put on a diet.
Yes, there should be a limit on property taxes and people should know what they are paying for. Deep tax cuts can be like dropping the interest rate too fast, a temporary fix for a long term issue.
Great post! Loved your description of Florida statehouse members. With just a few adjustments it can be applied to every representative of the Republican party.
Don't buy a bus ticket to California. We did ourselves in in the 1970s when we passed the original version of this, Proposition 13 which gave permanent tax breaks [leaving homeowners to foot the real bills] to corporations and left municipalcities to pass their own property taxes and assessments to pay for just about anything.
We're in the middle of another tax fight in Oakland opposed by a right wing cabal which says we should punish government for not supplying everything we want thru eternity on existing taxes.
In addition you are taxed based on when you bought your house more than what you paid for it so younger buyers pay exponentially more to purchase and maintain a house.
True that California is a good cautionary tale of starving your own property tax base. You make existing homeowners rich at the expense of everyone else.
Of course, many are making lots of money housing people in prisons. They donate to politicians to keep their gravy train going at the expense of millions of humans. It is quite sad and many do not care. Most don't evern know about this or if they do can't comprehend what is really going on.
DEFUNDING and DEREGULATING EVERYTHING but the militia to enforce their will Is the REPUBLICAN AGENDA.
ABSOLUTE IMMUNITY and ABSOLUTE DOMINATION is their aim.
This is the COST, the price we pay —subjugation of the vast majority of us — for short term, temporary financial relief and for temporary relief from free floating anxiety about sharing our resources with all our neighbors in our community and across our vast shores, from sea to shining sea, and beyond.
The price is too high and too cruel and leaves us with a mirage, an illusion of security that will vanish before our very eyes.
I am hearing stories about teachers who refused to join the union even though the 2026-27 budget has forced Counties to increase the cost of medical insurance by several hundred dollars a month...when coupled with a proposed 1% pay raise, will result in a net pay cut for any teacher that needs family coverage...when they are told 'Talk to the Governor" they reply "Oh he wouldn't do that to us, he's the best...this is the Union's fault"
1. I remember many of my friends in Florida telling me how terrible their public schools were. That was over 20 years ago. Can’t wait to see how much worse they can be! F-L-A!! F-L-A!!
2. Your paragraph re: idiots from your home state reminded me of a poem I quite like:
Iowa has followed in every footstep of FL. Public schools are defunded, while private schools are receiving millions of dollars (many millions more than originally stated), and state universities now require students to take a course, at an additional cost, related to "critical thinking."
Cities are very concerned about how they will make up the shortfall from property tax reductions. We now have the fastest-rising cases of cancer in the country. Water quality is awful, and the population is decreasing. Kim followed in every footstep of DeSantis.
This will also encourage more people to move here in droves which cities will need since only new homeowners pay taxes. Floridians are already desperate to end the housing and apartment developments that have destroyed natural lands and the traffic is a nightmare.
You know what George Carlin said. The owners of this country don't want educated people. "They don’t want well-informed, well-educated people capable of critical thinking. They’re not interested in that. That doesn’t help them. That’s against their interests... You know what they want? They want obedient workers. Obedient workers, people who are just smart enough to run the machines and do the paperwork. And just dumb enough to passively accept all these increasingly shitty jobs... It's a big club and you aren't in it. This is pretty much what AI is all about.
My 2nd District representative R, proudly boasts that he was responsible for getting rid of our state income tax. Nice work, Burchett 🤬 Could that be part of the reason we don't have nice things here in Tennessee? We rank 51st in per student spending in our public schools. Red-neck voters in our state can't make sensible connections of cause and effect! Pathetic!
This is the problem: the powerful will not stop treating us like spineless, submissive, easily manipulable morons unless enough of us stop acting that way. Will we?
Taxes are necessary for community and democracy. The constant demand for tax cuts and tax breaks weakens the stability of government. For what? To win a popularity contest? Because if you are in Florida you are either old and don’t care about the future, young and don’t believe in the future, or rich enough to create your own future?
Or you're a tourist.
Your first three well describe the state (like HamNo, I'm a native Floridian, 6th generation in my case).
The elderly retirees are also addled by a cocktail of pharmaceuticals, which with their reduced dexterity and reflexes is why it's terrifying to drive in much of FL. The tourists are lost and oblivious.
Do you know why people clamor for tax cuts? Because taxes have been raised so high and so many places in government spending is generally out of control. If governments had the ability to show any kind of fiscal discipline, these kinds of things would not be occurring. Property taxes are out of control in many areas of this country. The best thing that can happen to governments generally is to have them put on a diet.
Yes, there should be a limit on property taxes and people should know what they are paying for. Deep tax cuts can be like dropping the interest rate too fast, a temporary fix for a long term issue.
Love a good echo chamber. Bravo, comment section
Great post! Loved your description of Florida statehouse members. With just a few adjustments it can be applied to every representative of the Republican party.
Don't buy a bus ticket to California. We did ourselves in in the 1970s when we passed the original version of this, Proposition 13 which gave permanent tax breaks [leaving homeowners to foot the real bills] to corporations and left municipalcities to pass their own property taxes and assessments to pay for just about anything.
We're in the middle of another tax fight in Oakland opposed by a right wing cabal which says we should punish government for not supplying everything we want thru eternity on existing taxes.
In addition you are taxed based on when you bought your house more than what you paid for it so younger buyers pay exponentially more to purchase and maintain a house.
California voters are as dumb as any others.
True that California is a good cautionary tale of starving your own property tax base. You make existing homeowners rich at the expense of everyone else.
https://draketalkoakland.substack.com/p/dont-fall-for-empower-on-measure?r=bhy5&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Poor education leads to crime. I suppose that means they'll bring in even more private prisons to lock up everyone who doesn't have money.
Of course, many are making lots of money housing people in prisons. They donate to politicians to keep their gravy train going at the expense of millions of humans. It is quite sad and many do not care. Most don't evern know about this or if they do can't comprehend what is really going on.
Agreed.
“…says Ron Desantis, who assumes that voters are gullible rubes with the understanding of a child.”
Then in the next three sentences, you explain that in fact voters are gullible rubes with the understanding of a child: “it’s been working for years!”
DEFUNDING and DEREGULATING EVERYTHING but the militia to enforce their will Is the REPUBLICAN AGENDA.
ABSOLUTE IMMUNITY and ABSOLUTE DOMINATION is their aim.
This is the COST, the price we pay —subjugation of the vast majority of us — for short term, temporary financial relief and for temporary relief from free floating anxiety about sharing our resources with all our neighbors in our community and across our vast shores, from sea to shining sea, and beyond.
The price is too high and too cruel and leaves us with a mirage, an illusion of security that will vanish before our very eyes.
They think their residents are morons. Since this has been repeatedly demonstrated to be true, this view is understandable.
I am hearing stories about teachers who refused to join the union even though the 2026-27 budget has forced Counties to increase the cost of medical insurance by several hundred dollars a month...when coupled with a proposed 1% pay raise, will result in a net pay cut for any teacher that needs family coverage...when they are told 'Talk to the Governor" they reply "Oh he wouldn't do that to us, he's the best...this is the Union's fault"
Americans are beyond redemption
Not all of us...
1. I remember many of my friends in Florida telling me how terrible their public schools were. That was over 20 years ago. Can’t wait to see how much worse they can be! F-L-A!! F-L-A!!
2. Your paragraph re: idiots from your home state reminded me of a poem I quite like:
https://www.poetryverse.com/william-carlos-williams-poems/defective-record
Iowa has followed in every footstep of FL. Public schools are defunded, while private schools are receiving millions of dollars (many millions more than originally stated), and state universities now require students to take a course, at an additional cost, related to "critical thinking."
Cities are very concerned about how they will make up the shortfall from property tax reductions. We now have the fastest-rising cases of cancer in the country. Water quality is awful, and the population is decreasing. Kim followed in every footstep of DeSantis.
The only upside is a significant increase in " A Florida man " headlines as the average IQ plummets in line with cuts to education
This will also encourage more people to move here in droves which cities will need since only new homeowners pay taxes. Floridians are already desperate to end the housing and apartment developments that have destroyed natural lands and the traffic is a nightmare.
What if they are right?
You know what George Carlin said. The owners of this country don't want educated people. "They don’t want well-informed, well-educated people capable of critical thinking. They’re not interested in that. That doesn’t help them. That’s against their interests... You know what they want? They want obedient workers. Obedient workers, people who are just smart enough to run the machines and do the paperwork. And just dumb enough to passively accept all these increasingly shitty jobs... It's a big club and you aren't in it. This is pretty much what AI is all about.
My 2nd District representative R, proudly boasts that he was responsible for getting rid of our state income tax. Nice work, Burchett 🤬 Could that be part of the reason we don't have nice things here in Tennessee? We rank 51st in per student spending in our public schools. Red-neck voters in our state can't make sensible connections of cause and effect! Pathetic!