By Brian Massie, A Watchman on the Wall
A recent meeting with Lake County Auditor Michael Zuren and a recent News-Herald article by Concord Administrator Andy Rose leaves me to wonder why elected and government bureaucrats no longer believe in individual freedom and liberty. It is a slippery slope when you emphasize collective or government ownership of property.
Zuren’s main concern is how are we going to replace the 22 billion in property taxes currently collected for schools and government services. Absolutely zero thought about if we should even replace the 22 billion, no thought about the unsustainable growth of government. He does not believe in our statement that the public sector is outgrowing the private sector’s ability to pay for the services. He is quite content with the status quo that government is the answer to society’s problem. Sadly, he will take this mindset with him as he runs for State Treasurer.
Rose’s article in the News-Herald is fear mongering at its best, and shows his lack of ability to think “outside of the box”. Rose has even put the fear in his employees because they are lamenting that they are going to lose their jobs! They had no thought what the ever-increasing property taxes are doing to the seniors in the community that they are supposed to serve.
Rose even plays the “class envy” card with this statement in his recent article:
“Large commercial property owners and wealthy individuals with substantial real estate holdings stand to gain the most, while ordinary Ohioans are left to bear the brunt of reduced services and increased alternative taxes.”
If that statement were true, we would have that group lined up at our door with donations to support our movement. We have been told that they are not interested in our movement. In reality, Andy, property taxes are merely a “cost of doing business” for that group that is passed on to their renters. Why do you think that the State officials want to eliminate income taxes rather than property taxes? It is because their donors will benefit from the elimination of income taxes more than the average citizen.
Sadly, Treasurer Zuren and Concord Administrator Rose have no problem with citizens being merely renters from the government. And home foreclosure is necessary to them if you cannot pay your property taxes. Collateral damage is a by-product to ensure the unbridled growth of government.
Listen to Ron Young’s parting words of wisdom at his last meeting as a Lake County Commissioner.
Do elected officials even consider what freedom and liberty means? Do they realize that home ownership is the foundation of our freedom and liberty? Even worse – do they care?
The State legislators have had decades to address the unconstitutionality of using property taxes to fund schools, but have chosen to ignore it. We have tried for several years to speak to our elected representatives about our ever-increasing property taxes, and the impact on seniors and those living on fixed incomes. Other than Rep. Jennifer Gross, Rep. David Thomas and Rep. Brian Stewart, they have chosen to ignore us, and state, emphatically, that if a senior cannot afford their property taxes they should sell their home and move into an apartment -this will also help solve the housing shortage in Ohio. Our representative republic in Ohio is merely an illusion. Legislators do not represent the average citizen, they represent the donor class that continues to fund their chances of being re-elected.
We had no choice but to be a voice for the average citizens of Ohio. As very concerned citizens, we exercised our constitutional rights to file a redress of our grievances against our out of control state and local governments.
Property ownership is important for several economic, social, and personal reasons. Here’s a breakdown of why it matters:
1. Economic Stability and Wealth Building
- Asset accumulation: Property is a tangible asset that often appreciates over time, helping individuals and families build wealth.
- Equity leverage: Owners can borrow against their property (e.g., through home equity loans) to finance education, businesses, or other investments.
2. Personal Security and Autonomy
- Housing security: Owning a home provides stability and protection from rent increases or eviction.
- Control and customization: Owners can modify or improve their property to suit their needs and preferences.
3. Social and Psychological Benefits
- Sense of pride and accomplishment: Ownership often brings a feeling of success and personal achievement.
- Community engagement: Homeowners are more likely to invest in their neighborhoods and participate in local governance.
4. Legal and Political Rights
- Legal recognition: Ownership is protected by law, giving individuals enforceable rights over their property.
- Political influence: In some societies, property owners may have more influence in local decision-making or voting rights.
5. Intergenerational Wealth Transfer
- Inheritance: Property can be passed down to future generations, helping to reduce wealth inequality and provide a financial foundation for descendants.
6. Our existing property tax system is overly-complex, unfair, deceitful and unsustainable.
- Even state legislators do not understand calculation of property taxes.
- Legislators have violated the Ohio constitution by exempting outside millage for Joint Vocational Schools from House Bill 920, thereby treating outside millage as inside millage. This circumvents the limit on inside millage of 10 mills or 1%.
- The 20 mill floor also circumvents the limit on inside millage for schools by treating outside millage as inside millage.
- Why should payment of local services be paid on the value of our homes?
- Why should we pay tax on unrealized gains?
- Property taxes will make us servants of the government!
We can state, unequivocally, if taxpayers continue to vote for property tax levies, they will be funding their own demise.
Treasurer Zuren and Administrator Rose, please tell this senior your thoughts on property taxes and how the government is helping her:
Andy Rose’s misguided article for the News-Herald:
Categories: Community Activism, Concord, Lake, Lake County - General, Lake County Cities & Townships