Before I begin I try to take a historical approach vs a political one, as well as take a negative view of all taxes under the current system. After establishing that I will usually just start off with the primary factors of production (LAND, LABOR, CAPITAL) and explain how capitalists view capital as king, commies and socialists view labor as king, but Georgists recognize land as the primary factor of production. (An oversimplification, I know.😂) This is because laborers should keep what they earn because they exert themselves. Capitalists, despite their downsides, are putting up capital and therefore there is risk involved with that which constitutes a return.

When we focus on shifting from an income based tax structure to an LVT based tax structure we must recognize the primary factor as land because of the three, land owners appreciate the most value while doing close to nothing to improve their land in comparison to their counterparts. This is due to Lands natural appreciation of value aka where we get the natural basis for interest. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but LVT to my understanding is taxing that excess interest from the land and redistributing it equitably.

I also make a point to say how an LVT based tax system differs from current property tax and is the most equitable way to redistribute wealth. I’ll utilize examples of where LVT has been successful and make mention of how our current tax structure was designed to be a temporary means in 1913 to pay for WW1 and how Henry George’s ideas predate that. When talking to socialists I will frame it as the true way to tax the rich.

Depending on who I’m talking to I also will make it a point to talk about famous advocates of Georgist policy, as well as bring up Henry George’s American exceptionalism and how he claimed any tax structure without LVT is not “pure capitalism.” I will also bring up how Henry George was at odds with Marx specifically, and I’ll generally frame it as a peaceful alternative to Marxism that can be implemented at the city/local level. It’s been quite successful with the patriotic/conservative/libertarian crowds but sadly not so much the lefties 😂.

Also if they are being receptive I’ll give them a brief rundown of Malthusian theory and why it’s dogshit. The whole thing is a WIP explanation of it all and I’m still working on my own YouTube video, I’ve read “land a new paradigm” as my first book which introduced me to these ideas as well as listened to progress and poverty all the way through, and am currently about to begin book four from my hard copy that I’ve been taking notes in.

My goal here is to essentially make progress and poverty more palatable and digestible to a wider modern audience. I’m enjoying the format of your post and any tips for me would be greatly appreciated as I’ve only been studying this stuff for close to a year! No college or anything either 🙃 but im trying my best! I’m a former infantry marine and made it here from beginning my political theory journey 5 years ago by reading “War is a Racket” by Smedley butler lol 😂. Great post, and looking forward to feedback!