Economists: Dismal scientists, to say the least.

There is an article in the 8/28/06 Asbury Park Press, New Jersey's not alone in its property tax revolt. http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060828/NEWS/608280356 Towards the end of the article, it says: "Economists generally like the property tax because it is stable, visible..." "Stable", yes, for it is not subject to the vagaries of the economy. But does that necessarily mean that there is no other tax as good to use as the Property Tax? If so, we ought to get rid of the Income Tax and the Sales Tax and replace them with the Property Tax. State tax revenues will be much more stable.

Dumb idea? Of course. But most do not see the speciousness of the point with the "stable" characterization. The state seems to get by fine without tax revenue sources as stable as property taxes. The only reason the state runs into revenue shortfalls is due to overspending. And even with that, they manage to get by year after year. We have yet to see Trenton close down before the end of the year due to being short on tax revenue.

The economists continue with their specious logic when they say the Property Tax "doesn't allow behavior such as tax dodging common on the income tax." So, they would like us to think property taxes are loophole free. Are these guys wearing blinders or are they are just shills for those tax dodgers?

The fact is that the lowest 20% income earners among property taxpayers pay almost 3 times--THREE TIMES--the percentage of their income in property taxes as do those at the other end of the income scale. This is a builtin loophole to the advantage of the well-off, for which to get they do not need tax attorneys, friends in the legislature or an accountant. What ever happened to paying one's fair share?

Furthermore, how many average taxpayers own five or more acres which they can have classified as "farm land" in order to get a 90% break on its assessment? All one needs to do is to conduct $500 worth of business each year. Hmmm, do you think they might have a well-off friend who would gladly buy a $500 cord of wood or bales of hay or whatever each year in return for the same? How could I be so cynical? Maybe because one only need take a spin down Navesink River Road to see a few steer in the yard of the riverfront home of one of those who supposedly cannot get a tax dodge on property taxes. Think the bovine are there just for next summer's bar-b-que?

The complete obliviousness and insensitivity of economists to the heinous and insidious nature of the Property Tax is made even clearer when they say: "The property tax is a fantastic tax for things that are purely local because, under those circumstances, it does not function like a tax. It's more like a user fee."

A "fantastic" tax? Are they out of their minds? Fantastic if you are wealthy. Devastating if you are on low, fixed or no income. Maybe they ought to take a poll at the border of NJ as retirees and others join the exodus to friendlier environs. Ask them how "fantastic" property taxes have been to them.

And "user fee?" Well, I have always said you do not really own your home but are just a renter from the state. Now this is confirmed by the economists. We are just users of our homes, not owners. We must pay for the privilege of living in the state's house and on their land. I guess communism actually did win the cold war (maybe they did not know they need not fight one). Or maybe it is just a revival of the Middle Ages when we had land barons and peasants who paid tribute in order to live on their land.

The problem here is that these misguided views of economists are not exclusive to them. There are many who hold to the same who are also the ones who are major players in the current property tax reform effort. Too bad we are advised and ruled by the foolish or willfully blind.

Until the Property Tax is eliminated, its oppression of those at the bottom will continue. And the only response we can expect from those at the top will be their wonder at why the protestors aren't just eating their cake.