@zachtratar Does needing to register a car and be insured / not have a DUI history to drive it negate the fact that you technically own it?

@DavidHodge Decent counter-point. I guess I believe that once you "own" something, the artificial maintenance costs should not be extensive. Insurance is a full service, not just a tax.

@zachtratar I mean, isn't this just a form of wealth tax?

@AxleHellfire Yes, but it's not a tax on any form of gain. Or relatively high amount of wealth. It hurts even a lot of normal homeowners who buy homes for $300k-$600k. They, of all people, shouldn't be hit with wealth taxes in the multiple thousands of dollars / year.

@zachtratar I think its generally a legibility problem with a long history. (How and what exactly to tax). For a great "how we got here" there's Seeing Like a State by James C Scott. It has always made me uncomfortable that it disincentives making your property nicer/prettier.

@simonsarris Will check out this book recommendation! Solid comments lately, btw, Simon. :] Appreciate your perspective & knowledge.

@zachtratar You have to pay your Soveriegn and Liege Lord for the maintenance of his Army that defendeth you in time of Strife and Turbulence. It’s been a thing for a long time...

@CharlesTBetz Hahahahaha. This is my favorite response thus far.

@zachtratar Taxes are the government taking money from you to provision services. They’re measured in lots of ways. Interpret how you will but ultimately that’s all it is. Economists argue it maximizes the use of land which is ultimately important to everyone. You won’t own it forever.

@sebastiangood True. I guess I have some dissonance with the definition of "ownership" and how it must break down in practice.

@zachtratar It’s a wealth tax.

@stevehind For the most part, yes. Though some in the thread highlighted that the taxes aren't levied fairly or progressively due to different Props/local laws.

@zachtratar You’re right. It’s absurd how many times every single dollar is taxed for nearly everything any human wants to do with them. It’s a racketeering fee, and yes, all roads and public services could/should be provided privately.

@AmagiAlpha I'll disagree on the private roads.

@zachtratar What does “owning” land mean? Government will send police w guns to arrest others who try to use it. Doesn’t have any other utility. Your “ownership” is granted by society and the government, your taxes imposed likewise.

@eshear Good points. I agree.

@zachtratar Zach, one look at your profile pic has me convinced....

@P__D Hey I might be wrong!

@zachtratar Have you been to a developing country like India? One of the reasons for missing civic amenities are lack of property tax collection.

@rdhanoa1 I have, and I think that's an oversimplification. But I'm also not advocating for a 0% tax.