I’m really trying to get my issue out there because I think it’s lousy that my county government is taxing me, two years later, for buying a house - a guy making $40,000 a year who owns a house in a lower middle-class neighborhood. And the tax I’m talking about is no small tax: $1,500, and it’s actually believed that it could be a difference of, are you listening to this, $3,300 next year!!! Could you imagine? You buy a house where the taxes are $4k, the government raises it to $6k, and then threatens to go as high as $7k or more, all while your neighbors are paying $3,500…? It just floors me.

But my additional problem is that no one finds this issue particularly fascinating. It’s complex. And people like simple issues that are more straightforward. That’s when you can take advantage of the sensationalism to get people’s attention. And most people don’t want to read an issue about faulty tax code, or formulas that yield funny results. Of course, it’s the complexity that allows them to steal money from working-class people (and get away with it). And can you imagine just how many people in my county might have tossed in the “towel” and walked away from their homes just because of this tax?

At any rate, I would greatly appreciate it if you could post my blog with your project. As I’m interested in any exposure I can get for this issue. I did borrow the money from friends and family, so I’m not in any immediate danger of losing my home (although this can’t go on for much longer). But that’s not really the point because I just know there are others who got this bill and weren’t in the position to write a check $1,500 on top of their regular bill (plus another $750 because I paid the first installment of 2009), perhaps because they just didn’t make enough money, or because of an ARM that a mortgage broker lied to them about; or because they just lost their jobs in this awful economy we’re all experiencing.

And although I’m sure I’m giving you more information than you’re requesting, I’d like to send a “shout-out” from Illinois to you guys in California not to ever allow your state to develop a property tax code where the taxes are not tied to a percentage of the house. Your state’s in a financial crisis right now, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they start turning over stones to find the money, and take it from me, you don’t want them to start messing with the state’s property tax code. And I should know!!! Tell ‘em to look elsewhere if they want to balance their budget!!!

David’s blog can be viewed at:
http://therearecrooksinillinois.blogspot.com/