The state of Texas is granting Apple 25 million dollars from the Texas Enterprise Fund and is giving Apple a 15-year property tax abatement worth sixteen million dollars from Williamson County. These perks are going to a company that doesn't need extras from Texas taxpayers' pockets. This is called socialism, wrongly considered a dirty word most of the time, except when the handout is given to the wealthy. This type of scam happens all the time, whether it's called tax breaks, bailouts, or gentrification.
Say the word communism, and people think Russia, China, or North Korea. Politicians scream, 'Communism threatens Our Democracy.' A nice rallying cry, but we've never had a real democracy. Never in the history of this country have all the people had an equal say in what happens in their lives. Democracy has been subverted in many ways: making it hard or impossible to vote, gerrymandering, the 'electoral college,' or the crooked two-party pseudo representatives of the people. Remember, every government has all the 'isms'. Who and how they use which 'ism' is the 'Catch 22' enigma.
Most of you never thought that communism has already won when it comes to what you think you own. This type of communism is even a bigger threat to your lives than any foreign country. A much more personal problem that can take the very foundation of a society away, like your home. All states have some form of property tax on people's homes. In Texas, I'm talking about Appraisal Districts, set up by Senate Bill 621. Appraisal Districts were created because politicians knew they could never get a state income tax passed. The Appraisal Tax was a way of getting around that hurdle without calling for a State Income Tax.
These appraisal districts decide the tax on your home and property based on what they call 'appraised value.' Which is a 'made-up' figure. Who has the right to tell you what your property is worth to you? The appraisal is largely based on what other properties within a two-and-one-halfmile radius of your property are appraised or bought and sold for. It's the old apples and oranges scam.
Without the appraisal tax, what do we do to not only fund our schools but make them better for all the students? I hope others want real solutions to these problems. This should not be about party lines, religious beliefs, or personal gain. This should be about making a better future for all students.
The appraisal tax includes several 'taxes,' the main one being the 'school tax,' which doesn't even have to go to real school needs. That's right, your school taxes go into what one Superintendent called 'The Black Hole.' This means the state can evidently spend that 'school money' on more than real education. Many places your 'school tax' can be spent include sports and their associated activities. Games are fun and part of our culture. But like my Little League team, these should be supported by private business. About every sports stadium and many sporting events in America and the world are named after a business or a product. So why not let them take over the cost of 'sports activities' and save school money for real education?
If all paid their fair share of taxes based on gross income, and we cut back on the many excesses, including overblown military budgets, there would be plenty of money for education and a socialized and regulated health care system. Where a person could get an education at the highest level they are capable of achieving without going into debt. These things might actually make America a country worthy of worldwide respect. I think many things about our country are great, however, anyone who is looking without prejudice knows that there is much room for improvement, especially from our 'so-called' leaders. For another solution, check out what FDR did at the start of the depression to the ultra-wealthy to help fund this country.
The final verdict is the reality that YOU DON'T REALLY OWN YOUR HOME! If you can't feel safe from government seizure of your own home, is anything sacred? No country, state, or government that does not protect the right of citizens to own their home can ever be considered great or even free!
It's time to put a stop to this communistic steal of your property. While our responsibility is to not have an oversized personal footprint, under those conditions, no government has a right to decide what anybody's home is worth to them. The value is that it's you and your family's HOME. No value in tax revenue, unless you decide to sell, then a sales tax should be collected.
The question should be this: 'Will the people of Texas demand that home ownership is sacred?' Because if you don't stand up against a corrupt system, it will never change. The Appraisal Scam is evil at best and criminal at worst. Texas politicians MUST repeal this outrageous law. As we said in my time, 'Onward thru the fog.' Remember, with that thought in mind, we stopped an illegal war. Get together and stop the Communist appraisal tax at your doorstep while you still have a doorstep! Perhaps start a petition to force a vote by the people to stop homes from being stolen by taxation. Power to the people! But don't lose sight that intelligent, non-greedy home planning is the only way we will leave a future for those who follow. Peace out!
Jay Crow Pipe Creek, Texas
