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We just voted for a levy, right?

Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2019 1:48 pm
by bignflnut
Ah, the day after voting...how many new and renewed taxes just passed?
An 83-year-old retired engineer in Michigan underpaid his property taxes by $8.41. In response, Oakland County seized his property, auctioned it off to settle the debt, and pocketed nearly $24,500 in excess revenue from the sale.

Under Michigan law, it was all legal. And hardly uncommon.
Just so you know, you voted to have someone else's home taken from them, by force, over the smallest sums of cash. #Merica #MAGA
Which means there will be more people like Uri Rafeali, who lost a home over an $8.41 mistake. His property, bought as an investment, is valued at an estimated $136,000. The penalty imposed by Oakland County was more than 8,000 percent greater than the underlying debt.

But today, while the legal battle over its fate plays out, the house sits empty. It generates no tax revenue for the city or county. It earns no money for Rafaeli or his wife in their retirement.

"The Constitution was written to prevent the government from violating a right that preexists the Constitution," says Martin. "If this can happen to multimillionaires and to the poor, to the elderly….If this can happen to Mr. Rafaeli, it can happen to anyone."

Re: We just voted for a levy, right?

Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2019 9:04 pm
by Bruenor
I didn't vote for the levies, but 5 out of 6 that were on our ballot passed. I not only get to pay a property tax to the local school system but an Income tax now as well. It's getting very expensive to live in this rural township.

Re: We just voted for a levy, right?

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 3:53 pm
by BEAR!
Americans now pay more in taxes than for food, housing and clothing combined,and yet still vote for new tax levies. :?

Re: We just voted for a levy, right?

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2019 5:25 am
by WhyNot
I have an ironclad 0 ''zero'' % ratio on voting for any & all taxes, renewals, increases, levies or other taketh from my wallet terms.

The life blood of all things politic is, CA$H.

Want to influence government? Access their wallet instead of the traditional vice versa (emphasis on vice 8) )

Re: We just voted for a levy, right?

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2019 11:03 am
by TJW815
I’ve routinely been a thorn in the side of my local school boards. Want to pass a levy? Prove to me that you are spending the money you have wisely. Buying computers and iPads for EVERY staff member, not a wise expense. Sending a bus to pickup the superintendents friends kid from a couple district away, not a wise use.

Apply same logic to fire and police levies

Same logic for career city council members. Shouldn’t be a full time job in a small or even medium size city. Probably not in a large city.