I'm getting a really bad feeling about what's ahead ...

[Gun Smoke]

Most of our property taxes in Arkansas go to support the schools -- such as they are.

I don't begrudge paying to educate someone else's child -- but it torques my jaws when I pay and they DON'T get an education.

Joe Blow lives in a $35,000 house trailer sitting on 1 acre. Joe Blew lives across the street in a $350,000 brick house sitting on 1 acre.

Joe Blew will be charged much more for property tax than his neighbor living in the trailer. Why?

[Vern Humphrey]

Joe Blow lives in a $35,000 house trailer sitting on 1 acre. Joe Blew lives across the street in a $350,000 brick house sitting on 1 acre.

Joe Blew will be charged much more for property tax than his neighbor living in the trailer. Why?

Socialism -- income redistribution. Take from the hardest workers and give to those who contribute the least.

[Gun Smoke]

Socialism -- income redistribution. Take from the hardest workers and give to those who contribute the least.

Exactly. That's why I'm against property tax as it exist.

As far as kids in school, police and fire protection, there should be usury fees. Parents with 3 kids in the public school system should pay more than someone with 2 kids in school. Parents who homeschool or use private schools should be exempt from that part paid to the public system. House catch on fire and the FD respond? Your homeowners ins should pay for their services. Police? The same. Police called on you? Then the charges should be part of the fine.

Any improvement made to your property is susceptible to an increase in your property tax. I recently had my rusty chainlink fence removed and replaced it with an ornate wrought iron (aluminum) fence. I'm sure my taxes will go up now with their next evaluation. Similar increases have occurred in the past just by painting my barn.

[Vern Humphrey]

Exactly. That's why I'm against property tax as it exist.

As far as kids in school, police and fire protection, there should be usury fees. Parents with 3 kids in the public school system should pay more than someone with 2 kids in school. Parents who homeschool or use private schools should be exempt from that part paid to the public system. House catch on fire and the FD respond? Your homeowners ins should pay for their services. Police? The same. Police called on you? Then the charges should be part of the fine.

Any improvement made to your property is susceptible to an increase in your property tax. I recently had my rusty chainlink fence removed and replaced it with an ornate wrought iron (aluminum) fence. I'm sure my taxes will go up now with their next evaluation. Similar increases have occurred in the past just by painting my barn.

A wise man once said, there are only two certain things in life -- death and taxes. And the difference between them is death doesn't keep getting worse every year.

[Gun Smoke]

Right. We pay taxes on everything but usually once.

Property is paid for with taxed dollars. All improvements are paid for with taxed dollars.

The land isn't doing anything that would merit taxes such as squiring out gold or oil.

Yet taxes are due EVERY year and your property can be taken from you even though you paid for it and paid taxes on it.

Compare that to buying a pack of gum and being required to pay annual taxes on that pack of gum for all eternity unless you sold it (and then you would be taxed on any gain of value).

[Vern Humphrey]

Right. We pay taxes on everything but usually once.

Property is paid for with taxed dollars. All improvements are paid for with taxed dollars.

The land isn't doing anything that would merit taxes such as squiring out gold or oil.

Yet taxes are due EVERY year and your property can be taken from you even though you paid for it and paid taxes on it.

Compare that to buying a pack of gum and being required to pay annual taxes on that pack of gum for all eternity unless you sold it (and then you would be taxed on any gain of value).

The FICA tax is also paid after taxes -- it isn't deductible from your income tax.

And when you qualify for Social Security, you get your first check the month AFTER you qualify -- that's Pay In Arrears. But when you die, your heirs have to send back the last check.

We have a wonderful sex life in this country -- the government screws us every time we turn around.