2 ms·

>How is that not outright theft? It's re-redistributive. Taxation somewhat compensates for the redistributive effect of the rentier economy, which you could al

>How is that not outright theft? It's re-redistributive. Taxation somewhat compensates for the redistributive effect of the rentier economy, which you could also characterize as theft for similar reasons. >I would like the opportunity to freely determine how my acquired wealth will be spent after I'm dead And I would like not to have to dedicate 40% of my income to renting property from non-productive (sometimes anti-productive) members of society. Euthananize the rentier and I'll be happy for you to keep 100% of the wealth you earned with actual work. Until that time, no.

ruste 10y ago
That non-productive/anti-productive member of society is the one that keeps your appliances running, makes sure your roof isn't leaking, and fixes your pipes when they leak. They're not just sitting back and watching the money role in. Managing property, moreover doing so profitably, is not a kick back and relax kind of job. You're welcome to buy and maintain your own property if you'd like. It would cost you about as much in the long run.
- crdoconnor 10y ago
  >That non-productive/anti-productive member of society is the one that keeps your appliances running, makes sure your roof isn't leaking, and fixes your pipes when they leak. No, that's called a property management company. Around where I live they take ~10% of the rent and pass the rest on to the rentier. Try again.
  - ruste 10y ago
    Nope, rent management companies generally take a cut for doing the _Management_ portion. That means drawing up forms, selecting renters, doing background checks etc. The landlord still has to pay for or do repairs. I wouldn't be surprised if some management companies will arrange for repairs to be done as part of what they do, but it still comes out of the landlords pocket.
    - antisthenes 10y ago
      The problem with this is that even if you only just break even as a rent-seeker, you're still creating wealth for yourself and reducing the market of available properties for potential buyers, creating massive negative externalities. Landlords are doubly parasites.
      - ruste 10y ago
        >even if you only just break even as a rent-seeker, you're still creating wealth for yourself That sounds utterly contradictory. Landlords provide a service by maintaining and managing properties. They assume most of the risks including damage to the property due to fire and natural disasters. They provide a means for people with little to no credit to afford a roof over their head when they can't get a loan. You are not just paying to live somewhere when you pay rent. You are paying for all of these services and more. If landlords were purely parasites they wouldn't be able to make any money. People would just go around them. Just because you don't like the need for the service they provide doesn't mean they don't provide a service.
        crdoconnor 10y ago
        >Landlords provide a service by maintaining and managing properties. We already established that property management companies do this for 10% of the rent. >They assume most of the risks including damage to the property due to fire and natural disasters. Should I charitably assume that you've just never heard of insurance? >They provide a means for people with little to no credit That 80% of the rent which goes into their pockets after management, insurance and repairs are taken care of is pure, unadulterated parasitism. Just as payday loans are parasitism. They both effect net transfers of wealth that, similar to a payday loan. Capitalism grants an entitlement to those with more money to receive an income only because they have more money. >You are paying for all of these services and more You are often paying and not even getting these services. Many landlords end up not fixing stuff that breaks. >If landlords were purely parasites they wouldn't be able to make any money. People would just go around them. Not possible while they own deeds to the land. Ownership of the land is the part that lets them be parasites. >Just because you don't like the need for the service they provide doesn't mean they don't provide a service. Owning land is what gives them the ability to provide a service and charge 5x what it is worth. If land ownership were illegal and it were simply rented from the government at the exact prevailing unimproved rental value then landlords would become more like an average shop owner rather than massive leeches on productive members of society.

ruste 10y ago

That non-productive/anti-productive member of society is the one that keeps your appliances running, makes sure your roof isn't leaking, and fixes your pipes when they leak. They're not just sitting back and watching the money role in. Managing property, moreover doing so profitably, is not a kick back and relax kind of job. You're welcome to buy and maintain your own property if you'd like. It would cost you about as much in the long run.

crdoconnor 10y ago
>That non-productive/anti-productive member of society is the one that keeps your appliances running, makes sure your roof isn't leaking, and fixes your pipes when they leak. No, that's called a property management company. Around where I live they take ~10% of the rent and pass the rest on to the rentier. Try again.
- ruste 10y ago
  Nope, rent management companies generally take a cut for doing the _Management_ portion. That means drawing up forms, selecting renters, doing background checks etc. The landlord still has to pay for or do repairs. I wouldn't be surprised if some management companies will arrange for repairs to be done as part of what they do, but it still comes out of the landlords pocket.
  - antisthenes 10y ago
    The problem with this is that even if you only just break even as a rent-seeker, you're still creating wealth for yourself and reducing the market of available properties for potential buyers, creating massive negative externalities. Landlords are doubly parasites.
    - ruste 10y ago
      >even if you only just break even as a rent-seeker, you're still creating wealth for yourself That sounds utterly contradictory. Landlords provide a service by maintaining and managing properties. They assume most of the risks including damage to the property due to fire and natural disasters. They provide a means for people with little to no credit to afford a roof over their head when they can't get a loan. You are not just paying to live somewhere when you pay rent. You are paying for all of these services and more. If landlords were purely parasites they wouldn't be able to make any money. People would just go around them. Just because you don't like the need for the service they provide doesn't mean they don't provide a service.
      - crdoconnor 10y ago
        >Landlords provide a service by maintaining and managing properties. We already established that property management companies do this for 10% of the rent. >They assume most of the risks including damage to the property due to fire and natural disasters. Should I charitably assume that you've just never heard of insurance? >They provide a means for people with little to no credit That 80% of the rent which goes into their pockets after management, insurance and repairs are taken care of is pure, unadulterated parasitism. Just as payday loans are parasitism. They both effect net transfers of wealth that, similar to a payday loan. Capitalism grants an entitlement to those with more money to receive an income only because they have more money. >You are paying for all of these services and more You are often paying and not even getting these services. Many landlords end up not fixing stuff that breaks. >If landlords were purely parasites they wouldn't be able to make any money. People would just go around them. Not possible while they own deeds to the land. Ownership of the land is the part that lets them be parasites. >Just because you don't like the need for the service they provide doesn't mean they don't provide a service. Owning land is what gives them the ability to provide a service and charge 5x what it is worth. If land ownership were illegal and it were simply rented from the government at the exact prevailing unimproved rental value then landlords would become more like an average shop owner rather than massive leeches on productive members of society.