How I’m voting for the environment in the Nov. 4, 2008 election.
My one issue with this proposition is that I’m not such a fan of the so-called American dream of home ownership.
Prop 12 would let the state sell $900 million in bonds to provide low-cost mortgages for those who served in the military. While I’m all for giving veterans some financial help, I don’t get why this help should be limited to those who want to own homes. Can’t we give a financial break to all veterans, regardless of whether or not they decide they want to own a piece of property?
I get that most Americans do want to own homes — especially when all of society, including governmental incentives, point people in that direction. As the legislative analyst points out in the voter’s guide, “Since 1921, the voters have approved a total of about $8.4 billion of general obligation bond sales to finance the veterans’ farm and home purchace (Cal-Vet) program.” Clearly, the general US public still subscribes to this American dream of home ownership.
Yet I can’t help but feel that this thinking punishes certain lifestyle choices. Disabled veterans, for example, may find it more practical to live in a studio apartment close to the VA hospital than a house in the burbs. Other veterans may prefer the flexibility that apartment living provides. Other veterans may want to rent a room in Bel Air or some other place where home ownership’s really not a realistic goal for most.
Why are housing benefits for veterans necessarily tied to home ownership? I don’t desire to own a home, and I don’t think that veterans who feel likewise should be shut out of the benefits their fellow veterans receive.
But because a less home-ownership-centric prop is not on the ballot, I’ll vote for Prop 12 for now — though it does make me feel like I’m unwittingly perpetuating the myth of this American dream — a myth that’s been shattered quite profoundly in recent weeks with our current economic crisis.
In all the endorsements I’ve read about this issue, none question this American dream of home ownership issue. Am I really that alone on this?
The Democratic, Republican, and Green parties all do support this initiative, though the Green party does so only with reservations. I support it reluctantly.
Yes.
Comment by CJ — October 31, 2008 @ 11:50 am
Is there anything stopping them from using these mortgages to buy a condo or townhouse or apartment?
Comment by Tim Buchheim — October 31, 2008 @ 4:35 pm
As far as I can tell, no — but I’m really talking more about the owning vs. renting issue, not the type of house / flat / condo –
Comment by Siel — November 3, 2008 @ 10:10 pm