New York City sends the NY State Government around $68 billion in taxes each year, yet the State spends only about $48 billion on New York City. ie: New York City is subsidizing the rest of the state, allowing others in the state to pay less. What is the irony in this? Many in the state are decrying the prospect of raising local taxes while being the beneficiaries of this odd 'equation.'

The above happens in many states where larger cities produce higher incomes and therefore higher taxes (and real estate taxes: yes, real estate taxes are taxes too, even in so-called "tax-free" areas). Many states pay much more federal taxes than the federal government spends on their state. The irony? Those who are often recipients of this redistributed wealth decry the redistribution of wealth, and decry how much things cost in the areas providing the dollars for redistribution.

A person who gets a rent-controlled apartment and whose income increases notably beyond what it takes to qualify often holds on to that apartment. Generally, you do not have to show your income each year to renew a standard rent-controlled or rent-stabilized apartment, as eligibility is not based on income. So, someone who could easily pay the market rate denies someone who can't, the opportunity for more affordable housing. The NY government wants to team up now with the Federal government to build 12,000 affordable housing apartments at a cost of, wait for it, $21 billion or $1.75m each. In the meantime, 26,000 apartments that sit vacant due to impractical rent control laws could be delivered to the market within a year for a fraction of this cost. Ah, the irony!

In New York City and other places around the US, a large group is screaming to tax 'the billionaires' more, even though there are 'only' 120 in New York City. Most of these billionaires earn most of their income separate from regularly taxed income which means they will hardly be impacted by these higher taxes, if at all. However, this 'billionaire tax' applies to millionaires too, as if someone earning $1 million per year is the same as someone worth $1 billion. The irony? When raising real estate taxes was suggested, there was an outcry. Many neighbors pay very different real estate taxes for properties with the same value (sometimes half or less). Why? Because how we pay taxes (very differently), happens at all levels in a country that is supposed to apply fair and equal treatment to all.