The Other Half Is Right, Deductions on Federal Taxes for State and Local Taxes Ought Not to Be Limited

I am a Libertarian.  Though I have yet to find a rating scale, I would trust I am about 85% “pure.”  Government is best when it is inconspicuous and citizens have the absolute right to benefit from their gains as they  are totally responsible for their losses.

I live in New York, one of the “blue” states.  I don’t like living here. If it were not for my wife, there is no reason for me to stay here.  To increase the punishment, I live on Long Island, one of the more expensive places to live in the U.S. (though by Long Island standards my house is “moderate”).

The Trump tax program had varying effects on people depending on their income level and the deductions they had been claiming for property taxes, state and local.  The cap for the Federal deduction in the tax law is $10,000.

The mad-cow-disease liberals had a fit. It is inconsistent with socialism that they did, but, heck, the prostitutes want to be reelected.  It is the “blue” states that are so expensive and have exorbitant tax rates. That they do is absolutely the fault of the taxpayers. New York state is controlled by the unions; long ago the control of public expenses was sold to the unions in exchange for labor peace and the re-election of politicians at the state and local levels. On occasion I will attend a local meeting of government...and no one else is there.

In the meantime the rich have multi-million dollar houses and thus pay far beyond the $10,000 cap.  I am aware of a property in Saint James, NY (where I live,) that pays $30,000 PER MONTH in property taxes.  He can afford it; I am aware of his background. (As another issue, the tax grabbers frequently use the term “fair share”.  Is it reasonable to expect this gent uses $30,000 per month in public “services”?)

I am not wealthy but when I have extra money I will often give some of it to people I believe need help.  As a Libertarian, I cannot demand that others do the same, as would Adolf-Ocasio-Cortez. On an emotional level (on which we should NOT govern) I believe that the extremely rich ought to be helping others out.  Again, I stress that is NOT a Libertarian position. Statistics show that the less wealthy give a larger percentage of their income to charity than do the wealthy and that does not surprise me.

So, I have been amused by the rich in the Hamptons and other wealthy places on this island (I detest this place but that is an aside) who have to pay more in Federal taxes than they did when there was no cap on deductions.

But, my wife reminded me in a vigorous debate, that my position is NOT libertarian.  These people, through whatever means, have the right to enjoy their wealth without the government claiming a “fair share.”  I had already written a local congressman supporting the deduction cap, as he was advocating for a removal and I suppose I feel a bit sheepish now.  My wife was right and I was playing “fair share” politics with “SALT” (State And Local Taxes) caps.

I don’t have anything against the rich but on an emotional level I do resent them living in $20 million houses in the Hamptons and driving their Mercedez/Hummers when there are hard-working people who could use some help. However, they have no obligation whatsoever to offer that help.

It is a bitter pill to swallow, but I love you, wifey, and you were absolutely right in challenging me. IF were are going to allow deductions for “SALT” then there should be no cap. A "cap" is essentially a "fair share" by another name and as a Libertarian I do not support that.