Property taxes regressive in more ways than we can imagine

Eliminating property taxes - improves health and reduces health care costs Did you ever consider health problems can be caused by the property tax? How so, you ask? Stress, that's how.

It is proven that when people are subject to sustained stress, they get sick. So, when one is constantly concerned about their financial situation due to the extreme drain property taxes puts on their budget, they get sick. That stress is compounded by the anxiety caused by the thought continuously hanging over their head that they are going to be forced to leave family, friends and the home of a lifetime. Why? Because of the inability to pay both property taxes and basic living expenses. Owning a home is no longer an anchor of security, it is a major cause of health and financial ruin just because of the property tax.

This would be especially the case among retirees, but not limited to them. Folks presently out of a job, downsized, or out on disability leave experience huge drops in income. The result in all cases is people becoming greatly stressed over how they are going to pay their bills. Prolonged stress not only causes illness, but upheaval within families. Something else we can live without.

The fact that property taxes are not based on one's income nor ability to pay means they continue to be collected regardless of one's financial situation. And whereas people in the described circumstances need every penny they have, it is not hard to imagine the extreme stress that results from the catch-22 they are in.

But if there were no property tax, this major cause of health and financial problems would be eliminated. It would free up money so many could now afford to purchase regular or supplemental health insurance. Less stress would mean less illness which in turn means less demand for health care services. Less demand on services would cause a corresponding decrease in health care costs. Lower premiums would benefit everyone, individuals and businesses. There are no losers here.

When are we going to realize the property tax is regressive in more ways than we can imagine? It is time to end it.

John Hendrickson

River Plaza section

of Middletown