Monday, August 30, 2010

Homeownership fetish harmful

Washington Post columnist Robert J. Samuelson writes:
The relentless promotion of homeownership as the embodiment of the American dream has outlived its usefulness.

Historically, the pursuit of homeownership dates to the Great Depression of the 1930s, notes historian A. Scott Henderson of Furman University. In some ways, it's a great success story. In 1940, 44 percent of households owned a home; by 1985, the rate was 64 percent. The size and quality of homes have increased dramatically. Owning a home contributes to neighborhood stability and encourages property improvement.

Unfortunately, we let a sensible goal become a foolish fetish. Not everyone can become a homeowner. Some are too young and footloose; some are too old and dependent; some are too poor or irresponsible. Some don't want a home. ...

Tax breaks for homeowners ... exceeded $120 billion in 2009, reports the Congressional Budget Office. These benefits go heavily to higher-income borrowers, who are encouraged to buy bigger and more expensive homes that generate larger tax savings. This is both unfair and unnecessary. By contrast, government subsidies for lower-income renters are skimpier...

The single-minded promotion of homeownership failed and, paradoxically, undermined the American dream. It contributed to the housing "bubble" and favors housing investment over new industries and technologies.

17 comments:

  1. Didn't Time have a cover story on this same topic? (Along with probably several hundred others).

    Samuelson is writing on autopilot.

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  2. and what's with the word choice "fetish" ?

    What's the implication of that? I realize this is a pro-renting blog ...

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  3. Someone has to own the real estate. Notice that this article never mentions **WHO** should own property that the rest of us rent from. Wonder who they have in mind?

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  4. " **WHO** should own property that the rest of us rent from. Wonder who they have in mind?"

    Im sure the guy who rambles on about the UN agenda will have an answer to this...

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  5. As I am sure the paid-for provocateur will be there to antagonize, and also mitigate the information expounded by the UN Agenda 21 news informant here.

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  6. speaking of which, where is my check?

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  7. "Im sure the guy who rambles on about the UN agenda will have an answer to this..."


    HAHAHAH!!! Great post!

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  8. LOL -- got that disinformation "expert" right in the gut. Keep up the good work, and telling folks about what the UN is up to. People have a right to know!

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  9. Expert! people have the right to know

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  10. Rather than identify and feed disinformation provocateurs who are paid to distract, misinform, and create fictional consensus, simply watch these vids from UN expert Joan Veon --

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEJdeWvGIZU

    Watch all 9 vids. This information will clearly show you how it all fits together. All of the information presented is verifiable and is public information.

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  11. When people post valid opinions and facts to back them up, this blog goes to shit when people try to manipulate consensus in the comments section by claiming fact-based information is fiction. That's an attempt at outright manipulation.

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  12. "Effective execution of Agenda 21 will require a profound reorientation of all human society, unlike anything the world has ever experienced — a major shift in the priorities of both governments and individuals and an unprecedented redeployment of human and financial resources. This shift will demand that a concern for the environmental consequences of every human action be integrated into individual and collective decision-making at every level."
    - UN Agenda 21

    The day will come when the gates of Hell and the gates of the UN shall be one--then Glen and I shall watch them burn in their self-generated blaze, briefly gazing out from within the flames as they too late recognize the folly of their bicycle lanes.

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  13. "...briefly gazing out from within the flames as they too late recognize the folly of their bicycle lanes."

    You, Sir/Madam, are my Hero.

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  14. "When people post valid opinions and facts to back them up...blah blah blah"

    Yeah but the problem is the "facts" replies have nothing to do with the original posts.

    Blog post says "Nationally home prices are dropping"

    Crazy replies "UN Agenda 42 says that beef jerky is salty"

    Spammer replies "I think this is a great post, check out realtyspam.com"

    Arlington Jackass replies "Arlington is up YOY 2%!"

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  15. "Crazy replies "UN Agenda 42 says that beef jerky is salty"

    Spammer replies "I think this is a great post, check out realtyspam.com"

    Arlington Jackass replies "Arlington is up YOY 2%!"

    LOL!!! Nice one. My wife is watching me read this as I am chuckling. If only she followed this blog long enough to understand how funny that was!

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  16. Your flailing attempts at making fact appear as fiction are enjoyable to read. Please continue. The maggot in your brain wants to continue to spin.

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  17. Who and what are you talking about? Its pretty difficult to decipher what you are trying to say through all the crazy.

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