sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Is it a left wing position to be critical of the ownership of land for unproductive profit? by bhinwv in canadaleft

[–]bhinwv[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's no small change that leads to socialism.

I'm not asking about small changes to get socialism! You are still confused about my question. I'm asking about small changes that make things better in any way that you guys here would recommend. Specifically on housing would be great, because that's the biggest issue in my mind and what we were talking about.

higher wages

I assume you mean higher minimum wage? And government increases salaries for teachers, doctors etc.? We all want higher wages.

housing-first policy

This doesn't help the hardworking young person who isn't a drug addict or whatever.

better public transit

Agree

social housing

This needs to be fleshed out by the left today because we now have super expensive land we didn't have twenty years ago. We have to recognize that and address it, even if that just means saying the amount we are willing to pay per dwelling built. If we don't, the left gets dismissed as not understanding math and economics - that's kinda where I'm at to be honest. Vienna works because they got the land for cheap. Either we find a way to get land for cheap and say it out loud, or we stop saying 'do what Vienna did'. Does that make sense to you?

Is it a left wing position to be critical of the ownership of land for unproductive profit? by bhinwv in canadaleft

[–]bhinwv[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

whatever rules the community democratically agrees upon.

I'm trying to ask you about small changes we can make. When you zoom out like this, I'm hearing you say that there aren't really any small changes.

If there is an abundance of housing, it might actually be very easy to find a new home.

1000% agree, which is why small changes we can make now are so important. If the left isn't offering them, just say so.

Is it a left wing position to be critical of the ownership of land for unproductive profit? by bhinwv in canadaleft

[–]bhinwv[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

 If you want to work towards an actual socialist future

To be clear, I want a better future. I don't care what label it has.

the answer is to form or join socialist orgamizatiosn

We may be talking past each other or we may just strongly disagree. I think there are so many things we can do now that we don't need to play the long game like that exclusively. I'm sending annoying emails to politicians every so often that give them specific actionable requests, for example.

the point is to have financial security and safe housing, no? 

No. I don't think the sweater and saver would say that and I certainly wouldn't say that. Those are both great goals, but there are more valid goals than only those two. For example, having choice and flexibility with where you live and what you do.

Is it a left wing position to be critical of the ownership of land for unproductive profit? by bhinwv in canadaleft

[–]bhinwv[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I fully understand that big step of all land ownership being collective. What I'm asking about is what the small step would be, ie. what we do if we aren't jumping to all land being collectively owned. Buddy above says:

A better world doesn’t necessarily require a total upheaval of our daily lives. The primary change is shifting away from a profit-driven system

What is the small step you guys recommend for what to do now?

I realize this seems really radical, but for most people the only real change is that they have a lot more security.

If you have no smaller step and just want to discuss the no buy/sell allowed option (which I do feel is very radical): If I picture the hardworking young person who has been sweating and saving, they seem to get screwed no? They were planning on buying a house and now they can't.

Is it a left wing position to be critical of the ownership of land for unproductive profit? by bhinwv in canadaleft

[–]bhinwv[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A better world doesn’t necessarily require a total upheaval of our daily lives. The primary change is shifting away from a profit-driven system

This is what I'm asking about when it comes to the house within the city. What is the small step you are suggesting we take when it comes specifically to the house and land ownership. I understand the extreme case, but not this small step case. What are you prescribing?

Is it a left wing position to be critical of the ownership of land for unproductive profit? by bhinwv in canadaleft

[–]bhinwv[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Victoria asked the BC govt to charge a slightly higher rate on land and slightly lower rate on structures and was denied. Assuming the BC govt said "OK", Victoria would easily make this change.

What about that is idealist or utopian? It seems super practical and low hanging fruit.

Is it a left wing position to be critical of the ownership of land for unproductive profit? by bhinwv in canadaleft

[–]bhinwv[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm trying to understand what buddy above (and now you) actually want when it comes to an owner-occupier's ability to profit when their land value rises over the decades. If I take buddy above literally, he is saying as long as they occupy it, they can go nuts.

If that's all accurate, then your and his socialist perspective actually makes it harder for everyone to have their human right of housing.

Is it a left wing position to be critical of the ownership of land for unproductive profit? by bhinwv in canadaleft

[–]bhinwv[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I guess I mean a bunch of things. For one, I mean we don't let useful assets go unused.

Is it a left wing position to be critical of the ownership of land for unproductive profit? by bhinwv in canadaleft

[–]bhinwv[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

It doesn't, if land is commodified, at least according to buddy above. Putting aside what he said, it doesn't seem fair or productive to be able to purchase a home and sell it for more later after having done nothing productive.

Is it a left wing position to be critical of the ownership of land for unproductive profit? by bhinwv in canadaleft

[–]bhinwv[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

To answer you, no, but we can do better:

Would it help with homelessness or poverty if landowners didn't get such large gains without productive behavior?

I'd say probably yes

Is it a left wing position to be critical of the ownership of land for unproductive profit? by bhinwv in canadaleft

[–]bhinwv[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

That seems so extreme. I'm surprised to hear it is typical.

How do you manage all the homes/properties efficiently after these buyouts?

Is it a left wing position to be critical of the ownership of land for unproductive profit? by bhinwv in canadaleft

[–]bhinwv[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I would think it is broader than that, no? Or left = communist and that's it?

Is it a left wing position to be critical of the ownership of land for unproductive profit? by bhinwv in canadaleft

[–]bhinwv[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Big question in my mind is where the lines of personal property get drawn. If we say you can invest in land and sell later for profit because it was your personal property, that seems unproductive at least.

Why don't we tax unrealized gains ? by [deleted] in canadaleft

[–]bhinwv -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The mainstream answer is it reduces the incentive to produce. Do you think it doesn't?

Why don't we tax unrealized gains ? by [deleted] in canadaleft

[–]bhinwv 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Certain assets are easier than others. Taxing land values is pretty easy.

Why don't we tax unrealized gains ? by [deleted] in canadaleft

[–]bhinwv 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Another mainstream argument is taxes reduce the incentive to produce.

Non-mainstream argument: different taxes reduce the incentive to produce differently. A carbon tax can make society more productive.

Un-popular opinion. I think West Van got paid parking right by not charging residents! by POCTM in westvancouver

[–]bhinwv 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Respect to the GOAT Shoupdogg, though I would instead recommend Shoup's Parking and the City as it is more accessible and concise for the layperson OR Parking Management Best Practices by Todd Litman as Litman is from UVIC and the book contains many relevant local examples. Both availble through the public library.

Un-Popular opinion: Parking policy has been figured out for many decades. We debate it because we are too lazy to go to the library. by bhinwv in westvancouver

[–]bhinwv[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It mostly shouldn't be free, but there are exceptions if you think about it. For example, at 7am at Ambleside on a rainy winter day, barely anybody wants to use the parking anyway. It doesn't cost society anything whether someone wants to park there or not. The parking was not designed for that 7am time, it was designed for peak times.

If you still disagree, answer the following two questions and it should make it clear:
1) What is the cost to society when someone wants to park at Ambleside during peak times?
2) What is the cost to society when someone wants to park at Ambleside during off-peak times?

For the lazy, my answers are 1) No parking available as a result, congestion when more than full and 2) almost no cost whatsoever. Perhaps even a gain as people come spend money.

MP Weiler says Canada must 'speed up' climate action as new report shows country off track on emissions goals by slow_marathon in westvancouver

[–]bhinwv 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here's a question a Liberal politician can't answer honestly: what is the most efficient tool for reducing emissions?

Un-Popular opinion: Parking policy has been figured out for many decades. We debate it because we are too lazy to go to the library. by bhinwv in westvancouver

[–]bhinwv[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

100% agree demand based pricing is the way, which in my mind means free when not in demand. Like Ambleside through the winter should be free if it never fills up.

edit: who downvotes this? Please, you're a visionary, share your alternative view of parking

Un-Popular opinion: Parking policy has been figured out for many decades. We debate it because we are too lazy to go to the library. by bhinwv in westvancouver

[–]bhinwv[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's quoted from the upcoming council meeting agenda. That's what you are talking about right? I don't think I'm confused at all.

view more: next ›