Eighty-four-year-old Nancy Breeden is not a property owner, but she’s all in favor of tax cuts for property owners. As she puts it, “I just rent, but if property taxes were lowered I’d get rent relief.”

Apparently Breeden didn’t get the Marxist memo about how she’s supposed to be on the other side of the class divide. She realizes low taxes and economic freedom are good not only for people with the most wealth and property. They’re good for everybody.

Breeden and 300 Florida property owners converged on Tallahassee a few weeks ago to remind the lawmakers to cut property taxes.

Thanks to the organizational efforts of Floridians for Property Tax Reform, buses delivered demonstrators from all over the state. Governor Charlie Crist felt he had to drop by to address the crowd. “We will drop these taxes. We will get you relief,” he told them. “We will make sure that you get to keep your money instead of government spending your money. It’s your money.”

There’s always plenty of people pestering lawmakers to spend money on their pet projects. So it’s always good to remind them that there’s another constituency out there too. Folks not looking for a handout, but who just want to pay their own way with their own money.

Senate Finance and Tax Chairman Mike Haridopolos says: “I think there should be political pressure for us to reduce taxes.”

Hey Mike, when you’re right, you’re right.

This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.

• Episode Number: 1864
• Publication Date: 8/2/2007