Lynnmor wrote:
2112 wrote:
Today we expect both young parents to hold down two full time jobs to achieve the same. What has changed that prevents many young couples from achieving the same lifestyle without working a combined 160hrs/week? It's too easy for us to blame them, but is their lifestyle and unrealistic expectations the root cause? What changed?
Taxes.
HOAs.
Imports.
HUH??? Taxes have been around for all but a few days of human existence. As much as I fear the IRS, I don't fear them as much as medieval tax collectors who beheaded those who didn't pay.
HOAs? I guess you can say they make buying homes unaffordable for some because they prevent neighborhoods from decaying into low priced slums. Properties do go up in value over time when neighborhoods are stable, safe and well maintained. And HOAs often step in when some people don't maintain community standards. So yes, I guess HOAs do impact high prices. But there is many more neighborhoods and other places to live without HOAs so I don't really think they are all that is standing between home ownership and homelessness.
Imports? How many people do you know that want to quit their current job and take one making plastic Flamingos for the Chinese Factory worker's wage of around $350.00 a month? Who doesn't like plastic flamingos? And the fact I can buy them for a dollar is reason enough to like imports.
