Mr. Weber, even given three columns in his guest perspective “Finding solutions to our affordability crisis,” in the Aug. 23 edition of the Daily Journal, fails to provide any new or plausible solutions to the housing “affordability crisis” other than letting us know it exists and is a difficult problem. Like many writers on this topic, he fails to offer any solutions that might affect his own wallet. He states he is a “lucky” homeowner but does not suggest we eliminate the mortgage interest deduction or Proposition 13 to provide funds to address this crisis. He takes the easy road by suggesting the landlord take the full economic hit.
I would suggest the first order of business should be to separate out the issues of rent increases and illegal evictions. I believe most landlords would agree that there should be penalties for illegal evictions. Most landlords stand by the legal agreement they signed with the tenant as to the rent and length of time that was agreed upon. However, once the lease has expired, the tenant has no inherent rights to the unit. When you rent a car from Avis and your rental agreement expires, you have no further rights to that vehicle. A lease between an owner and tenant is a private business matter that the government should not be involved with. I am sure none of you would want the government telling you for what you can sell your car, home or grandma’s furniture.
Let’s not trample one of our basic rights as an American citizen to solve this difficult issue.
If affordable housing advocates want help regarding the housing situation do not look to raise our taxes or seize our assets. Once you realize that you will have more support.
Thank you Steve for your comment. I agree about the contractual agreement and it should stand through full term between tenant and owner. The activists try to churn up an emotional fever based on "rights" that are not part of the contract between the two parties. Also, these activists are always quick to point to an low percentage of atrocity or in many cases make statements and provide depictions without factual back up. It is well and good to promote justice but what is being promoted is trying to overthrow property ownership. This cannot be allowed to happen and will be fought strongly because it is a basic right of a citizen to own property and charge what prevailing rents are. This is a business just like any short term contractual business. That includes going to concerts, eating out, going to sports events, parking one's car and so on. Just read the contractual language on the back of the ticket! There are means and mechanisms to expose and right wrongs due to exploitation. Also, as harsh as this may sound-- life is not fair, it is not an even playing field for all nor has it ever been that way or will be. People are by in large, over the long haul, responsible for what they have or accomplish in life. Decisions throughout life bring most of us to where we. Many squander their time and as a result have what they have. It is not the responsibility of a property owner to provide anyone more than what is in the contractual agreement. The whole idea of parity between a renter and an owner is just absurd when it comes to the financial aspects such as tax law and risk based capital. So to all the housing activists out there-- instead of providing emotional ploys why not try the truth and help many get better educations, provide them alternatives to living, which include out of state, and be honest in saying that many not all are where they are because of what they have done and this is their resultant condition in an ever changing environment. Of course if they did that it would disrupt their business model, employment status, and in many cases their own viability. These activists are in the low income, limited education, and emotional manipulation business which they peddle as "rights and justice."
Worth reading when you start believing that you have worked harder and smarter than other people in life, and therefore deserve to be at the top of the heap: https://inequality.org/research/selfmade-myth-hallucinating-rich/
I don't disagree with that article Cindy. However, what is referenced is the smallest minority of people. There is a much larger percentage who have worked hard, have modest lives, risked a lot, and are at complete odds with your thinking of being born with silver spoons in their mouths. Yours is a rationalization for seeing the "right" in your attempt at property control and income redistribution.
There is no substitute for individual initiative. Those looking to have government control big parts of your life might consider emigrating to a different country which embraces socialism.
Very good points Steve. Mr. Weber falls into a trap so frequently visited by people these days; solutions that make the "other guy" pay. He would come across as benevolent if we were to suggest measures that would cost him money or lessen the value of his assets. Instead he take the well worn approach of foisting the responsibility of solving the housing problem on someone else.
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(6) comments
If affordable housing advocates want help regarding the housing situation do not look to raise our taxes or seize our assets. Once you realize that you will have more support.
Thank you Steve for your comment. I agree about the contractual agreement and it should stand through full term between tenant and owner. The activists try to churn up an emotional fever based on "rights" that are not part of the contract between the two parties. Also, these activists are always quick to point to an low percentage of atrocity or in many cases make statements and provide depictions without factual back up. It is well and good to promote justice but what is being promoted is trying to overthrow property ownership. This cannot be allowed to happen and will be fought strongly because it is a basic right of a citizen to own property and charge what prevailing rents are. This is a business just like any short term contractual business. That includes going to concerts, eating out, going to sports events, parking one's car and so on. Just read the contractual language on the back of the ticket! There are means and mechanisms to expose and right wrongs due to exploitation. Also, as harsh as this may sound-- life is not fair, it is not an even playing field for all nor has it ever been that way or will be. People are by in large, over the long haul, responsible for what they have or accomplish in life. Decisions throughout life bring most of us to where we. Many squander their time and as a result have what they have. It is not the responsibility of a property owner to provide anyone more than what is in the contractual agreement. The whole idea of parity between a renter and an owner is just absurd when it comes to the financial aspects such as tax law and risk based capital. So to all the housing activists out there-- instead of providing emotional ploys why not try the truth and help many get better educations, provide them alternatives to living, which include out of state, and be honest in saying that many not all are where they are because of what they have done and this is their resultant condition in an ever changing environment. Of course if they did that it would disrupt their business model, employment status, and in many cases their own viability. These activists are in the low income, limited education, and emotional manipulation business which they peddle as "rights and justice."
Worth reading when you start believing that you have worked harder and smarter than other people in life, and therefore deserve to be at the top of the heap:
https://inequality.org/research/selfmade-myth-hallucinating-rich/
I don't disagree with that article Cindy. However, what is referenced is the smallest minority of people. There is a much larger percentage who have worked hard, have modest lives, risked a lot, and are at complete odds with your thinking of being born with silver spoons in their mouths. Yours is a rationalization for seeing the "right" in your attempt at property control and income redistribution.
There is no substitute for individual initiative. Those looking to have government control big parts of your life might consider emigrating to a different country which embraces socialism.
Very good points Steve. Mr. Weber falls into a trap so frequently visited by people these days; solutions that make the "other guy" pay. He would come across as benevolent if we were to suggest measures that would cost him money or lessen the value of his assets. Instead he take the well worn approach of foisting the responsibility of solving the housing problem on someone else.
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