Property taxes add to mortgage crisis

Much has been written recently about rising home mortgages in the face of the credit crisis and adjustable rate mortgages and the like.

But overlooked in the discussion is one thing, which can be fixed and reversed, is the impact of rising property taxes on individual mortgage payments.

In all of the stir about the dramatic increase in the Cook County sales tax, we sometimes forget that property taxes have increased, as well.

The problems with home mortgages and real estate prices have been widely reported. And the impacts to the economy have driven us to a recession.

What has been the answer from our enlightened elected officials? To raise taxes, of course.

Our representatives have the power to reduce property taxes and thus to reduce individual mortgage payments.

Instead, when some homeowners are being squeezed, they chose to raise taxes and increase the burden in an already difficult economic situation.

Any economist will tell you that the worst possible thing to do when faced with an economic slowdown is to raise taxes and take money out of consumer's pockets at the exact time that there is a need for stimulus to spur job creation and growth.

One can't help but draw the conclusion that repairing the economy and helping those who are struggling with their mortgage payments are not what is most important to our politicians.

Apparently, the 1,100 new positions added to the bureaucracy rank higher.

Phil Dove

Bartlett