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Originally Posted by Skip
Simply stated and exactly to the point!
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It once again reminds me of that old and wise adage: The only fair tax is the tax the other guy pays!
Remember, as already stated here previously; year after year after year the State of New Hampshire, property tax issue & all, places the least amount of tax burden on its citizens. Its one of the primary reasons that businesses, tourists and out-of-staters continue to flock here in record numbers. I'm all for keeping the New Hampshire advantage intact and reminding everyone that no one is forcing you to come here, but we truly do appreciate it when you do!
There, I feel better....I'm stepping back down now! 
Think snow!
Skip |
Since the soapbox is out and unoccupied ...
While there's some truth to the idea that "
nobody's forcing you to come" I'd balance that with some thoughts. First, where would we all be if our country's forefathers had given in to the same rationale ? King George might have said "Don't like my ruinous taxes ? Want some say in the matter ? Well then nobody's forcing you to stay in New England. Sell your farms, homes, businesses and come back to England proper." I know I'm glad such thinking didn't prevail.
Second it sure sounds like
that statement leaves unsaid but implied, "Yes out of state, seasonal use, taxpayers are getting screwed" but leave if you want to. Why don't we all just admit that instead of trying to offer up a defense ? Same thing applies to NH residents working in MA and paying too much income tax. I'm not holding my breath that either legislature will act to make their policies more fair since they have no reason, other than moral ones, to change it and many practical ones not too. Morality loses to practicality most every time. Hence the old adage.
Lastly, and more practically, even NH residents should be wary of having seasonal people pay more than their fair share. This free flow of OPM from the disenfranchised generally results in an liberal attitude to spending and, as has been correctly mentioned previously in this thread, spending should be the real concern. Taxes follow spending. While local residents get a break due to the OPM, they don't get off complete unharmed. Their taxes go up as well. TANSTAAFL I say (true even when someone else buys your lunch).
Oh yeah, before I step off the soap box, I find it curious that the rationale of "If you don't like, move" isn't followed by NH when it comes to school spending. Why isn't "Don't like the school spending in this town, move then" the answer (I hear MA has some good public schools). Sounds like it is time to change the State constitution.