tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060417.post7736776966874880115..comments2023-11-05T06:18:25.377-06:00Comments on The Privatopia Papers: "Save My Mortgage Interest Deduction"Evan McKenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04479661304143631524noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060417.post-88716791482295392182011-03-12T09:29:58.281-06:002011-03-12T09:29:58.281-06:00Yes. This is what is called "astroturfing,&qu...Yes. This is what is called "astroturfing," or the creation of fake "grass roots" activism by powerful interest groups. In this case, the home builders are trying to create the impression that some spontaneous citizens' group has emerged. However, one good thing about interest groups is their high level of awareness of legislative and regulatory activity that citizens would otherwise never know about until it was too late. There's nothing wrong with spreading the word.Evan McKenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04479661304143631524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060417.post-4137126114071147612011-03-12T08:20:07.195-06:002011-03-12T08:20:07.195-06:00In other words, it's no wonder that the variou...In other words, it's no wonder that the various associations of builders would be lobbying for "homeowners" to get the mortgage interest deductionAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060417.post-38574974607788899742011-03-10T21:45:33.193-06:002011-03-10T21:45:33.193-06:00The consumers never get the bulk of the benefit of...The consumers never get the bulk of the benefit of these deductions. They are anticipated and capitalized into the increased cost of the product or service.<br /><br />For example, whenever legislation permitted increased deductions for health care expenses and insurance - the health insurance went up significantly before hand.<br /><br />Similarly with houses. The ability to have more net income as a result of the mortgage interest deduction results in artificially inflated prices for homes. The builder industry "captures" a significant portion of any "deduction" through higher sales prices to begin with.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com