Fuck AI

I like some of Henry George's ideas about property tax. I believe a national property tax could be helpful under certain conditions. It's generally considered to be a more regressive tax than income tax, and on It's own, would disproportionately burden lower-income families.

A few ways around this might include:

• Adding a deduction for a fraction of the local, average property value on one primary residence. This would essentially mean no new taxes for the lower class.

• Allowing landlords to claim the deduction for tenants (Ugh, I know, but hear me out). This essentially imposes a penalty on empty housing, making hoarding a liability rather than an asset.

• Adding the deduction for privately owned businesses that are worth a fraction of the national average. That is, no new taxes on very small businesses, "mom and pop shops."

• Adding a separate deduction for publicly owned businesses to the extent they are employee-owned with a weight factor for the standard deviation of the distribution. That is, if the CEO owns 99% and the other employees share the remaining 1, yes, that's technically employee-owned and should get a very, very, tiny deduction. If everybody gets an equal share, maximum deduction/minimized (nonzero) tax.

• Creating a sovereign wealth fund into which this property tax goes directly and exclusively, overseen by an independent board. Board positions are one-time, 16-year terms, nominated by the head of government, and appointed or refused by a legislative majority within 120 days or else the appointment is automatic. Terms are staggered/overlapping among members so, one new member is appointed every 8 years. Removal procedure is by the standard legislative process used to remove the head of government. The board is tasked with investing and distributing funds.

• Using the board to distribute funds. One third goes into traditional welfare programs like Healthcare, unemployment, pensions, etc. One third goes into a basic income for the lower quartile of income, and one third goes into an income tax deduction for the lower 2 income quintiles. Hopefully this forms a conveyor belt for most recipients straight into the middle class, without abandoning those who just aren't going to make it, for whatever reason.

I could go on for a few hundred more words, but you get the idea.

In conclusion, I like Henry George's work, and I would like to see a modernized, progressive implementation. Property should not enjoy superior rights and privileges than people, especially not parking lots.