Life in Santo Domingo 2011: Property Tax: United States and Dominican Republic
This is my opinion on Property Taxes.
This is my opinion on Property Taxes.
Also , if you have a number of different properties in a town and they add up to over 5,000,000 you will need to pay property taxes.
The whole purpose of this specfic blog regarding property tax, was not to debate dominican law, but rather to make the point that owning a property or home here on the island is less expensive than owning any property back in the United States. The point was for people to understand that you are actually closer to truly owning your own property here in Dominican Republic than back in the U.S., and I don't think anyone can argue this point.
I have read all three of your blogs. I read your blog Property Tax: United States and Dominican Republic and all three replies, two of which were yours. I also read your blog about electricity and it's three replies, 1 yours, and your blog on Life In Santo Domningo, 4 replies, 2 of which were yours.Before coming on this forum and completely distorting my opinions, please take the time and read ALL of my articles on my blog. Instead of just reading one, and not taking the time to actually carefully read ALL of my articles and replies.
The "tone" of my reply was set by the "tone" your original post. Your invoking "the founding fathers" as if they were against the collection of taxes is ridiculous hyperbole. Your blog contains historical inaccuracy (see below) and misrepresentation . . . "in the Dominican Republic. Although there are heavy taxes on energy and various goods, when it comes to property taxes, they DON'T EXIST." That is what concerned me most.I obviously hit a nerve by the entire tone of your article, but this is normal when many americans are faced with the REALITY of the United States government. No one likes to hear the real truth, its human nature.
I am not saying you are na?ve because you are against property taxes. I am saying that statements like "any American looking to Truly own a home should come down here to the Dominican Republic" or "you are actually closer to truly owning your own property here in Dominican Republic than back in the U.S., and I don't think anyone can argue this point" are na?ve statements.I agree with many of your points throughout your reply, especially the quality of life that us Americans are rewarded by our tax payments. However, when it comes to PROPERTY TAXES specifically, I'm strongly against them, and I shouldn't be called NAIVE because I'm against those property taxes. I believe that many of the luxuries that Americans are afforded can be provided by other forms of taxes (e.g. fair tax, luxury tax, etc.) and through privatization of certain government jobs.
Your complaint about paying property taxes in the U.S. and comparison to property taxes in the Dominican Republic are na?ve to say the least.
To advise people to come to the Dominican Republic because "True" home ownership comes from not paying property taxes is na?ve at best and misleading and deceptive at worst.
How am I "clearly distorting history", I just stated some simple historical facts:You state in your reply that our founding fathers wanted property taxes????? You are clearly distorting history just to further your own personal points of view.
The reason "our founding fathers started killing the english" was because Britain sent combat troops to the colonies to dissolve local governments and impose direct rule by Britain. Nobody started "killing the english because they put a tax on tea." THAT is a distortion of history. The colonists didn't fight the American revolution because they were against paying taxes. I'm sure you are familiar with the expression "No taxation without representation"? The original colonists were not against paying taxes, they just wanted fair representation in Parliament.Our founding fathers started killing the english because they put a tax on their tea!!!! You think they wanted their properties taxed for life too!!!! Now further down in U.S. history, there were political figures belonging to the Federalist Party that were for bigger government, more taxes, etc. kind of like the modern Democratic Party.
Well I can't give much credence to the "local dominicans and professionals" you consult with becuase if they informed you that property taxes in the Dominican Republic "DON'T EXIST' they were wrong, PERIOD. You go on to say in one of your replies . . .I don't post blindly on here without consulting with many other local dominicans and professionals
"Furthermore, the dominican lawyers I spoke with made it very clear to me, than here in Dominican Republic there is a difference between theory of written law, and law that is actually followed through and practiced. They told me these are one of the written laws that are rarely if ever followed through and practiced. This would explain why none of my Dominican friends, associates, and family members pay property taxes on their home. I truly do believe that very few people on this island actually pay property taxes. None of the Dominicans that own their property out right that I know, and I know many, pay property taxes. I'm speaking of properties valued from 100,000 dollars all the way to 700,000 dollars."
"Motto of a true republic concerning property tax"??? nowhere in the definition of a republic is property tax addressed. This is your self-imposed definition of a "true republic".By the way, I completely agree about the corruption and personal services here on the island, I'm not for them. The fact is, my entire purpose for writing this blog on property tax, was the fact that a third world country actually followed the motto of a true republic concerning property tax, more closely than the United States, that is all.
When you pay off your property here on the island that means you truly own your home/property. In my opinion, this is the very definition of a true Republic."
The whole purpose of this specfic blog regarding property tax, was not to debate dominican law, but rather to make the point that owning a property or home here on the island is less expensive than owning any property back in the United States. The point was for people to understand that you are actually closer to truly owning your own property here in Dominican Republic than back in the U.S,
Please tell me you're kidding me with this statement. "Defending the entire American system"??? Where in the world did you come up with this. Give me some specific references so I can see what you are talking about. The ONLY issue I am addressing is property tax and home ownership in the DR and the US. Your invoking of the founding fathers, as if some heretical act was being perpertrated against their sacrosanct existence by the collection of property taxes, is going overboard. The "entire American system"??, don't be so dramatic. I'm just replying to the assertions YOU make in your blog and replies, nothing more. Nowhere, did I address anything not related to, or introduced by you, in your original posts. Maybe "you should take the time to actually carefully read ALL" of my reply in context.You clearly went overboard and decided to start defending the entire American system, as if I had attacked every aspect of the United States in this one blog. That is NAIVE.
Congratulations on your patriotism. The fact that you state, "the overwhelming amount of power that Americans continue to award the government year after year after year. It's extremely dangerous.", it seems to be a little closer to your heart than just the issue of property taxes, especially when put into the context of your own blog replies. That is an extremely subjective political view which I think is beyond the scope of this thread, and better discussed elsewhere. Hardly relates to the Dominican Republic.At the end of the day, there is no other country in the world that I would rather live in, than the United States. I'm a proud American. But as a patriot, I voice my concern with the overwhelming amount of power that Americans continue to award the government year after year after year. It's extremely dangerous.
I'm glad you find it humorous, but please, don't take it so personal. This is just my opinion on the original post and the opinions and comparisons, nothing more. This is a public forum and message board. We all have our opinions, the fact that there is disagreement and discussion is what makes it interesting. Don't you think?Furthermore, I find it humerous that although you don't know who I am at all, you write as you know me pretty well, based on just reading one blog.
Wow, is this an ominous statement. Now I'm actually a little nervous. Hey, bro, like I said, don't take it so personally. Relax. Just a threrad on a forum message board.You have no idea how long I've lived on the island, who I know, and why I'm here. I know exactly how this island is ran, and how things work.
Excellent advice. HEED IT.Future advice, ACTUALLY read EVERYTHING carefully before posting, then maybe you will actually understand what I was trying to say and express.