Greetings-
Tonight I took the time to e-mail each of my legislative representatives for my district. I have requested a face to face meeting with each of them. I am seriously looking forward to the opportunity to try and learn how each of them feels about our current property tax system. I'm also truly anxious to try and understand things from their point of view. From what I've heard we have a truly decent group of representatives in our area. We'll see.
To be continued......Be well..Pat
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The plot thickens
Greetings
There sure is a lot going on. It looks like our wonderful state legislature is actually going to bow to the public's outrage over the state supreme court's decision to strike down I-747 and re-instate the 1% tax on state levies. But please don't be fooled by all this. I-747 only deals with tax levies and has nothing really to do with our state's policy of taxing us unmercifully on what they consider to be the true market value of our property. We're still being brutalized taxwise by being forced to pay taxes on what value we MIGHT have IF we actually sold our homes . To me, it's the same as being taxed for having a savings account!
The type of system we need is one where you are taxed for the actual price that you paid for your home plus a reasonable increase each year. Then if you do choose to sell your home, whoever buys it would thrn pay tax on what THEY pay for your home. We need a predictable tax system that would allow homeowners to budget for their annual property taxes. As I've mentioned in the past, my wife and I have lived on our land for 33 years and our property tax bill has increased by 400% in just the last five years. And 60 days after we did a refinance in January, our monthly mortgage payment went up 20% a month just because 2008's valuation increase which we received in March from Pierce County. (Almost 100% increase) This would be nice if we planned to sell, but this is not just a piece of dirt to us, this is our home and we had hoped to stay here for the rest of our life. Currently there is absolutely nothing to keep taxing bodies from jacking up our taxes by 400% over the next five years and the next. If things don't change soon we will be literally taxed out of our home.
And believe me, we're nor the only ones. All of my neighbors and friends are going through the exact same problem and everyone I talk to about this issue says the same thing. They're mad, they're frustrated and a very common comment is that a "tax revolt" might be inevitable and necessary. It's bad enough that there are so many foreclosures going on but now we're on the verge of losing our homes to taxes as well. It's like we're being penalized for just being homeowners. And God forbid that you mow your lawn and keep your place up because I guarantee that you will be be paying more taxes than your neighbor whose yard is full of old cars. It's just NOT RIGHT!
What kind of society will we have if only the rich can afford to have their own homes? What will happen to all the hard working poor and middle class people when a government that's supposed to be "by the people, for the people" taxes them right off their land.
I am more dedicated than ever to staying the course, I will be at the anti-property tax rally on the capitol steps in Olympia on January 14th, the opening day of the 2008 legislative session, from 11:00 to 1:00, being organized by a wonderful group of people at http://www.predictabletax.com. And I will keep talking to my state legislators until my voice and the voices of my my friends and others are heard. I will continue to peacefully pursue property tax law changes. If you want to keep your home, if you ever hope to retire in your own home, than I suggest you try and do what you can at whatever level you can. It literally only takes a few minutes to call your elected officials and let them know how you feel. If you don't use the rights and opportunities that our forefathers fought to provide, then you'll have no one to blame but yourself when they come to take your home.
Anyway, it's late, I'm getting tired, and I can't wait until this battle is won so that I can spend my time with the most important people in my life, my wife, my dog, my children and grandchildren and my friends. Politics suck and they give me a headache. By I will not give up until my home is secured.
I did here a wonderful definition of politics; "poli' meaning many & "tics" which are blood sucking parasites.
Have a great thanksgiving and please keep the faith....Pat
There sure is a lot going on. It looks like our wonderful state legislature is actually going to bow to the public's outrage over the state supreme court's decision to strike down I-747 and re-instate the 1% tax on state levies. But please don't be fooled by all this. I-747 only deals with tax levies and has nothing really to do with our state's policy of taxing us unmercifully on what they consider to be the true market value of our property. We're still being brutalized taxwise by being forced to pay taxes on what value we MIGHT have IF we actually sold our homes . To me, it's the same as being taxed for having a savings account!
The type of system we need is one where you are taxed for the actual price that you paid for your home plus a reasonable increase each year. Then if you do choose to sell your home, whoever buys it would thrn pay tax on what THEY pay for your home. We need a predictable tax system that would allow homeowners to budget for their annual property taxes. As I've mentioned in the past, my wife and I have lived on our land for 33 years and our property tax bill has increased by 400% in just the last five years. And 60 days after we did a refinance in January, our monthly mortgage payment went up 20% a month just because 2008's valuation increase which we received in March from Pierce County. (Almost 100% increase) This would be nice if we planned to sell, but this is not just a piece of dirt to us, this is our home and we had hoped to stay here for the rest of our life. Currently there is absolutely nothing to keep taxing bodies from jacking up our taxes by 400% over the next five years and the next. If things don't change soon we will be literally taxed out of our home.
And believe me, we're nor the only ones. All of my neighbors and friends are going through the exact same problem and everyone I talk to about this issue says the same thing. They're mad, they're frustrated and a very common comment is that a "tax revolt" might be inevitable and necessary. It's bad enough that there are so many foreclosures going on but now we're on the verge of losing our homes to taxes as well. It's like we're being penalized for just being homeowners. And God forbid that you mow your lawn and keep your place up because I guarantee that you will be be paying more taxes than your neighbor whose yard is full of old cars. It's just NOT RIGHT!
What kind of society will we have if only the rich can afford to have their own homes? What will happen to all the hard working poor and middle class people when a government that's supposed to be "by the people, for the people" taxes them right off their land.
I am more dedicated than ever to staying the course, I will be at the anti-property tax rally on the capitol steps in Olympia on January 14th, the opening day of the 2008 legislative session, from 11:00 to 1:00, being organized by a wonderful group of people at http://www.predictabletax.com. And I will keep talking to my state legislators until my voice and the voices of my my friends and others are heard. I will continue to peacefully pursue property tax law changes. If you want to keep your home, if you ever hope to retire in your own home, than I suggest you try and do what you can at whatever level you can. It literally only takes a few minutes to call your elected officials and let them know how you feel. If you don't use the rights and opportunities that our forefathers fought to provide, then you'll have no one to blame but yourself when they come to take your home.
Anyway, it's late, I'm getting tired, and I can't wait until this battle is won so that I can spend my time with the most important people in my life, my wife, my dog, my children and grandchildren and my friends. Politics suck and they give me a headache. By I will not give up until my home is secured.
I did here a wonderful definition of politics; "poli' meaning many & "tics" which are blood sucking parasites.
Have a great thanksgiving and please keep the faith....Pat
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Talking to the "Organ grinders"
Greetings-
I believe the wheels of progress are slowly beginning to turn for me. Although I still feel a little lost and I realize how much I have to learn,but I'm getting encouraged. I figured that I might as well start planting seeds so I started off by calling the Governor. Although I wasn't able to talk to her personally, ( I really didn't believe I would), but I did get to express my frustration to a very courteous woman in her office who promised to relay my sentiments to Ms Gregoire. If you would also like to call the governor, her office number is (360) 902-4111. I'm sure she'd love to hear from you.
I also took the liberty of calling all the state legislators from my district. I could only leave messages for two of them, but an aide for one of the reps, Larry Seaquist offered to set up a meeting for me with Mr Seaquist and I'll do my best to see that she follows through. I'll let you know what happens.
I've begun communication with some of the anti-tax groups around Washington state and so far I've been very impressed with a group called Predictable Tax at www.predictabletax.com. They are planning a demonstration to protest property taxes on Jan 14th from 11:00 to 1:00 on the capital steps. I've decide to attend and I also have offered them any assistance that I can provide. I've lived on this earth for 63 years and have never been to any kind of protest in my life. But then I've never been this motivated before. This bottomless pit of constant taxation has got to stop. And I want to be a small part of that.
Seeds have been planted and things are starting to grow. Let the fun begin.
Be well, Pat
I believe the wheels of progress are slowly beginning to turn for me. Although I still feel a little lost and I realize how much I have to learn,but I'm getting encouraged. I figured that I might as well start planting seeds so I started off by calling the Governor. Although I wasn't able to talk to her personally, ( I really didn't believe I would), but I did get to express my frustration to a very courteous woman in her office who promised to relay my sentiments to Ms Gregoire. If you would also like to call the governor, her office number is (360) 902-4111. I'm sure she'd love to hear from you.
I also took the liberty of calling all the state legislators from my district. I could only leave messages for two of them, but an aide for one of the reps, Larry Seaquist offered to set up a meeting for me with Mr Seaquist and I'll do my best to see that she follows through. I'll let you know what happens.
I've begun communication with some of the anti-tax groups around Washington state and so far I've been very impressed with a group called Predictable Tax at www.predictabletax.com. They are planning a demonstration to protest property taxes on Jan 14th from 11:00 to 1:00 on the capital steps. I've decide to attend and I also have offered them any assistance that I can provide. I've lived on this earth for 63 years and have never been to any kind of protest in my life. But then I've never been this motivated before. This bottomless pit of constant taxation has got to stop. And I want to be a small part of that.
Seeds have been planted and things are starting to grow. Let the fun begin.
Be well, Pat
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
The board of equalization..What a joke
Last week I went to my appeal on the outrageous property tax increase of 400% in the last five years. What a joke! It was supposed to be a board made up of citizens that are supposed to listen to legitimate reasons why you feel your property taxes are out of line. My wife and I did a refinance on our home in January of 2007. Pierce county assessors came right along behind our professional assessor and said our property was worth $50,000 MORE than the professional!
This so called citizen board did their very best to make me feel like an idiot. They were more uptight and inflexible than any county personnel I've ever met, including building inspectors . They got me so frustrated and angry that I just old them "thanks for nothing" and walked out. On the way to the meeting my car overheated and blew a head gasket. I think that when I left the meeting I had the same problem.
I've always heard that if you don't like the music, you need to talk to the organ grinder and not the monkey. Now I just have to get in touch with some "organ grinders" and quit wasting my time with monkeys......Anyway, I'm not the least bit discouraged and there will be more to come...Take care, Pat
This so called citizen board did their very best to make me feel like an idiot. They were more uptight and inflexible than any county personnel I've ever met, including building inspectors . They got me so frustrated and angry that I just old them "thanks for nothing" and walked out. On the way to the meeting my car overheated and blew a head gasket. I think that when I left the meeting I had the same problem.
I've always heard that if you don't like the music, you need to talk to the organ grinder and not the monkey. Now I just have to get in touch with some "organ grinders" and quit wasting my time with monkeys......Anyway, I'm not the least bit discouraged and there will be more to come...Take care, Pat
Friday, November 9, 2007
Stumbling in the dark
Greetings-
Well, there's not too much new to report. I have done a little research on line and have found that there are already several anti-property tax groups in Washington. I plan on contacting each of them and trying to feel them out a bit. I'm hoping to avoid groups that are too extreme one way or the other. I think the most effective organizations will be the ones who are neither Democrat nor Republican. I feel that tax issues and many of the other problems we face are not partisan problems, they are just THE PROBLEMS. We could really get a lot accomplished if the sincere people working on reforms don't care who gets the credit.
I also intend to contact my legislative reps again and start the process of showing them that I am not going to go away.
It's late tonight but I can't wait for what lies ahead.
To be continued...Pat
Well, there's not too much new to report. I have done a little research on line and have found that there are already several anti-property tax groups in Washington. I plan on contacting each of them and trying to feel them out a bit. I'm hoping to avoid groups that are too extreme one way or the other. I think the most effective organizations will be the ones who are neither Democrat nor Republican. I feel that tax issues and many of the other problems we face are not partisan problems, they are just THE PROBLEMS. We could really get a lot accomplished if the sincere people working on reforms don't care who gets the credit.
I also intend to contact my legislative reps again and start the process of showing them that I am not going to go away.
It's late tonight but I can't wait for what lies ahead.
To be continued...Pat
Thursday, November 8, 2007
I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore
Greetings-
Although I doubt anyone else will ever read these words, I know I'll feel better just writing them down. I am so angry at what seems to be an unending and cruel stream of higher and higher taxation. My property taxes have gone up over 400% in just the last 5 years. And there's absolutely nothing to prevent them from doing the same over the next five years. I find it more and more difficult to differentiate between governmental bodies and organized crime. With the possible exception that at least organized crime makes a big deal out of "Honor"
Property taxes are becoming more and more of a glorified type of extortion. "Give us a bigger and bigger piece of your hard earned home or we will hurt you in some way" (Up to and including taking your home away.)
I am 63 years old, I've been married to my best friend for 41 years. I have a family that I love deeply including two children, their spouses and six wonderful grandchildren. My wife and I have lived on five acres in what used to be "the country" for the last thirty three years. Up until the 200% increase in my property tax over just the last two years I was semi-retired and considered myself a pretty content person.
Now I'm angry, I'm focused and I'm going on a political quest that I will not quit until Washington state has reasonable and predictable property taxes once and for all. I'm not rich. I'm not a person with any political ambitions or any political clout. But I do have basic intelligence, some time on my hands and dear God, am I ever motivated. I intend to take all of my anger and frustration and try to focus all that energy into positive actions. I want to help make things better. Not just for myself, but for all the people out there who I know are as frustrated as I am but for some reason just don't know how to fight back. I did not ask for this fight but honor demands it.
The purpose of this blog will be to document my journey through this very nasty business of politics. I have no idea where this journey will take me, but I'll always know that at least I tried. I won't just roll over and let them take my home away from me. That's not what this country is about. It's not what I'm about.
Tomorrow I begin my battle. May the force be with me and those who also share this quest.
To be continued, Pat
Although I doubt anyone else will ever read these words, I know I'll feel better just writing them down. I am so angry at what seems to be an unending and cruel stream of higher and higher taxation. My property taxes have gone up over 400% in just the last 5 years. And there's absolutely nothing to prevent them from doing the same over the next five years. I find it more and more difficult to differentiate between governmental bodies and organized crime. With the possible exception that at least organized crime makes a big deal out of "Honor"
Property taxes are becoming more and more of a glorified type of extortion. "Give us a bigger and bigger piece of your hard earned home or we will hurt you in some way" (Up to and including taking your home away.)
I am 63 years old, I've been married to my best friend for 41 years. I have a family that I love deeply including two children, their spouses and six wonderful grandchildren. My wife and I have lived on five acres in what used to be "the country" for the last thirty three years. Up until the 200% increase in my property tax over just the last two years I was semi-retired and considered myself a pretty content person.
Now I'm angry, I'm focused and I'm going on a political quest that I will not quit until Washington state has reasonable and predictable property taxes once and for all. I'm not rich. I'm not a person with any political ambitions or any political clout. But I do have basic intelligence, some time on my hands and dear God, am I ever motivated. I intend to take all of my anger and frustration and try to focus all that energy into positive actions. I want to help make things better. Not just for myself, but for all the people out there who I know are as frustrated as I am but for some reason just don't know how to fight back. I did not ask for this fight but honor demands it.
The purpose of this blog will be to document my journey through this very nasty business of politics. I have no idea where this journey will take me, but I'll always know that at least I tried. I won't just roll over and let them take my home away from me. That's not what this country is about. It's not what I'm about.
Tomorrow I begin my battle. May the force be with me and those who also share this quest.
To be continued, Pat
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