Divide And Conquer
November 6, 2006
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Posted by Aubrey Turner
After giving it some thought I’ve decided to vote AGAINST the Tarrant County senior tax freeze.
It’s not that I don’t sympathize with their situation. But as long as we’re all going to have to pay property taxes, I want them in the same game as the rest of us. Seniors are very politically active, and they’re very sensitive to tax increases. In many past elections they’ve been the deciding factor in blocking various boondoggles that came up on ballots.
They’re sort of the “canary in the coal mine” when it comes to taxes, and they serve as a brake on unbridled government. In my more cynical moments I can’t help but think that some politicians like the idea because it keeps the seniors from complaining and organizing against future bond proposals. That they can also be seen sucking up to seniors doesn’t hurt, either.
Categories: Politics
I didn’t vote for it either. “Idiot!” was my wife’s first comment when I told her. I forgot that I’m only five years away from the cutoff. Unfortunately, forgetting comes with the territory.
But I don’t worry about it much one way or the other. If it fails then I can continue to collect my $2000 Rick Perry tax savings each year, and pretty soon the state will owe me money, so either way I’m sitting pretty.
(My wife read this and immediately called the insurance company about a longterm care policy).
My issue was that of methodology. The way I see it – someone in the half-million-dollar house can afford to keep up with taxes. I’m willing to give a break to the elderly near the break-even line.
So what they should do is, just triple the exemption for over-65 and be done with it. Those who might legitimately not be able to afford it get a break, and the retired Southlake CEOs can still pay their taxes, like the rest of us.
What did successful people ever do to you, queno? Maybe we could triple the taxes on those filthy SOBs?