Healthy Money Healthy Planet - library.uniteddiversity.coop

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slows down the increasing gap between rich and poor. When set at an optimum
level, land value rating will reduce the price of land, putting it more within the
reach of first­time home buyers. The imposition of land taxes will reduce the
taxation that currently falls on productive enterprise and also simplify the
machinery and expenses of government.
By socialising only that which belongs to society – namely the rent of resources –
and leaving inviolate that which belongs to the individual – namely the rewards of
labour and thrift – the proposal advances true equality of opportunity.
Arguments Against Land Value Taxation
Opponents of land value tax are those who benefit from the current system –
speculators, landlords, users of huge amounts of resources and, of course, the
banks. One of their main arguments against it is that it will unfairly shift the
burden of taxation onto farmers who own large tracts of land.
Green parties have also struggled with the concept of land value rentals, because
some fear that they will encourage development of conservation land and penalise
those who use land for the common good, including owners of historic buildings,
conservation land, schools, land trusts and parks. This objection is simply solved
by ensuring that proposals do not include imposing taxes on land that is already
being used for the common good, or is turned over to that purpose in the future.