Letters to Editors/Press & Transcript

[Marc LeVine]

I sent the following letter to the editors of the Asbury Park Press and the News Transcript related to the issue of property tax reform. Just thought it might be of interest to some. Thanks.

Marc L.

Dear Editor:

The informal definition of Bi-partisanship is overlooking one's party affiliation and working together with others to achieve worthwhile results for all taxpayers. The pluses and minuses of Bi-partisanship are exactly the same - future elections are won and lost on the basis of individual effort. It is important to remember this as our state legislators begin considering successful ways to reduce our New Jersey property taxes. We must pay very close attention to the names and the faces of those working to this end in Trenton and be prepared to grade them, each on their own merits, rather than on their loyalty to their own party affiliation.

Now more than ever New Jersey politicians need to break away from accusing each other of benefiting the rich or taxing and spending. Such nonsense keeps them at constant odds and ever so far away from solving the state's most complex issues, such as property tax reform. Those seeking a common ground would not complain very much if the GOP and Dems agreed to blur party lines by further taxing the rich and spending those dollars to benefit the average New Jersey resident, who is barely making ends meet.

It seems that property tax reform will initially center on overhauling school funding formulas, cutting the fat away from state government, consolidating municipalities; controlling pension accounts; and finding additional sources of revenue that do more than just shift our tax dollars from one pocket to another. We're all tired of smoke and mirrors and the status quo. It has already costs us too much. At the end of the day, New Jersey residents must be able to keep more of our hard earned tax dollars for our families.

Perhaps it is fitting that many of our state's legislators are attorneys, by profession. Ironically, it is them who will soon be on trial as we find out which ones can really make a difference in each of our daily lives versus those simply more interested in making a difference in their own political careers.

Marc LeVine
Councilman
Freehold Borough

[asdafdg]

Good post, Publius. This middle/working class person is being taxed right out of this state. I am left with little choice but to leave Jersey because of the tax situation.

We hear talk in Trenton, but there is little reason to believe we will see any real change. It is better to get out while I can, and start over.

[Marc LeVine]

My God! I'm really becoming a Democrat!

My point was really to address the truist of middle class values. Over the years, the wealthy have really NOT always paid their fair share. The scales have often been tipped in their favor and they are left with so much more than the meager amounts of others. I'm really not saying we should brutalize them, but it would be nice if the pain index for them could be equal to that of the rest of us hard working folks.

President Reagan, whom I liked, believed that if we left the rich with extra spending money it would "trickle down" and benefit us all. They actually just got wealthier and many either cheated the system or invested the money, elsewhere - often outside of the country.

I am reviled by many of the captains of wealth, these days. The Ken Lays, Charles Kushners; the heads of Haliburton, key executives at major oil companies with their record profits and many others who have lived off our backs for very long. I'm just saying, we need to take a closer look at how these people conduct their affairs and how much they are withholding from the system. There is equity in fairness.

Some of what I am also implying relates to diverting some business taxes to education from transportation, for example. I have always believed that education benefits us all and makes our parents proud, but it also is necessary to the strength of our workforce. Wealthy business people would be much better served by paying more towards a better skilled workforce than just insuring a smooth ride to their offices. They might also enjoy more of a say in how we train future workers.

By the way, I'm not sure I did agree with your earlier post that those with higher property values should pay the same as everyone else. I thought that their properties have a greater and eventually realized income benefit to them when they sell their properties than those with less valued dwellings.

I DID think we might entertain a look at what a flat tax rate would mean to us all, if for no other reason than an interesting exercise, but I also wondered if everyone truly uses the same amount of services (garbage, education etc) and how we would factor in hefty business property taxes (e.g. Nestles) into the equation to strike a fair and affordable tax rate for all.

I do completely agree that weeding out political corruption is critical to the financial well being of New Jersey. It should be dealt with as a highly visible issue separated from property tax reform, because its impact is felt not only in lost tax dollars (important enough) but also in the ways of ethics.

Marc L.

[admin]

Marc, At least you are doing something. That is more than the what the rest of us lazy bums are doing. I do not agree with you on some issues in your previous posts. I am in no mood for partisan arguments right now, so I will not get too far into my own opinions.

I do agree with the need to watch those who are rich and powerful. I stop short of bashing the rich, though. Too many times success is penalized. That is never good. As it is, New Jersey has the millionaires tax, which kicks in at 500,000 dollars instead of a million.

As far as you becoming a Democrat, please don't. I will say I do not like those fellas too much. I rarely see them looking out for the average Joe. They were the party that was supposed to, but have really failed. And no, I am not going to say much about Republicans, they have not been very inspiring in many years.


Brian

p.s. I think Publius was having an odd day today

[Marc LeVine]

Brian:

Ha! Ha! I meant to call myself a "Freehold Borough Democrat." That is a big difference. I'm most interested in looking out for our town ahead of everything else. Over the years, I've voted pretty independently in national elections. Both parties have been disappointing to us all over the years - for sure. The quality of the candidate has always been the deciding factor for me, regardless of party affiliation.

I'm mostly of a centrist in my thinking and believe that both sides (Republicans and Democrats) have something important to say about how our country is run. And, let's not forget the independents, who are probably in the best position to applaud and criticize what they see from either party.

Bashing the rich? For better or worse, the wealthiest of Americans are in the best position to influence the direction America takes. When I say "rich," I'm not talking about the guy who makes $500,000 a year selling hospital equipment. My reference is towards a very small percentage of people, whose wealth often buys them undue political influence and places them in a position that often harms the average guy's interests in the name of personal gain. They only see money as power. I've mentioned some of them in my earlier post and can probably fill up a page with others. We all know who they are and they are often named in the media - usually mentioning "the evil they do."

Of course, there are many among the wealthiest Americans like Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, who seem to be concerned about the human condition and are doing something about. Fortunately, they can write off much of what they give away - and that's a good thing.

The most important point you make in your post is "about doing something." Please do not place yourself in the category of "lazy bum." Let's see, last I noticed about you - you and your wife attend council meetings; you administer what may eventually become the premier forum for topical discussion in Freehold Borough; you openly voice your opinions on issues of the day - hopefully influencing others; and you work a full time job, yet still make time for caring about our town. If more residents were like you, we'd be in a terrific position. Thank you for all your efforts.

Marc L.