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Does Georgism work? Five years later

514 points · 522 comments · silveraxe93

  1. slopinthebag · · focus · HN ↗
    its unclear to me how you could pay for the massive tax burden of a modern state with a single tax. while i agree in theory that taxation of land is the most "fair" type of tax, it does not seem possible that eg. the federal US government could obtain $7,000,000,000,000 from a %5 tax rate on land, without making it completely unaffordable for the average citizen to own a modest home.

    if you were to couple Georgism with a massive reduction in state spending i would be more on board i think.

    1. mixmastamyk · · focus · HN ↗
      It's already unaffordable for the average citizen to own a modest home in much of the country. Only if you worked and then moved to a cheaper place.

      Also, I don't think it precludes a sales tax or tariffs, etc.

      1. slopinthebag · · focus · HN ↗
        i think it generally does preclude other taxes, although i'm sure there are people who consider themselves georgists who would also want to see other forms of taxation.

        but yes, home ownership is becoming increasingly unaffordable for a number of reasons, including increasing government spending...

        1. mixmastamyk · · focus · HN ↗
          Those taxes have different uses, jurisdictions, and payers, as does a property tax. So it may not be a good idea to have one exclusive type.
          1. mixmastamyk · · focus · HN ↗
            > he’s also opposed to taxes on both labor and capital.

            I see. Well, this doesn't include the two I mentioned above so perhaps.

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