Marketplace Overtaking Rent Control,Written by dan the roommate man
Rent control is one of those concepts that seems like a good idea, at least until you think about it for more than 60 seconds -- an unusual event in an era of bumper-sticker philosophies and instant analysis.The modern rent control era began with federal Emergency Price Control Act of 1942. Such legislation was enacted while country was at war both in Europe and Asia, and there was a need to prevent profiteering at home. Once war was over, need for price controls went away -- except for rent control. In 1946, for example, despite fact that we won war and no emergency was in sight, "Emergency Housing Rent Control Law" was passed in New York state, and that law still represents basis for control of more than 1 million rental units in New York City today. Rent control regulations also arose in other jurisdictions, often because of concerns that tenants would be "abused" by "greedy" landlords and -- not incidentally -- because number of tenants greatly exceeds number of property owners, an important matter when it comes time to vote. But rent control is wrong precisely because it hurts people it is allegedly designed to protect. Let's assume that people are economically rational. Thus, if you had money to invest, you would weigh such matters as risk, possible appreciation, and personal preferences as you decide where to put your money. You might see, for example, that there is no limit on stock profits -- profits which can often be made higher by downsizing and moving production overseas -- but income restrictions on real property in rent control areas. Being sensible, you would likely invest in securities rather than local communities. If enough people make such decisions, money will pour into stock market and realty demand will wane. The result will be fewer rental units than might otherwise will be built. Given less supply and a growing population, natural result is higher rents -- precisely opposite goal of rent control. But not only does rent control turn economics upside-down, it is terribly irrational for other reasons. First, if we impose rent controls we limit property owner income. But we do not limit costs for repairs, utilities, management, appliances, or other expenses. And certainly we don't limit tax increases, mother's milk of big government. One is temped to suggest some linkage, say an increase in rents that is directly proportional to growth of government budgets.... Second, we do not show equal concern for poor in other areas. Imagine walking into a supermarket redesigned with price controls in mind. You could buy apples at, say, 69¢ a pound -- but only if you earn less than $15,000 a year and have four or more dependents. Those in higher brackets would pay more. Rather than a single price for each item, there would be a spreadsheet where your price would be determined by item being bought, your income, age, dependents, and other factors. And naturally, we would need lots of inspectors and regulations to make sure those pricing notices conform to appropriate guidelines.
| | Now Where Are Those Dishes? How to Survive UnpackingWritten by dan the roommate man
In a short time, I'll be moving again. The thought of it makes my hair stand on end. Strangely enough, my trepidation doesn't come from process of packing itself - although it's certainly a pain to wrap all of one's dishes in newspapers and bubble wrap, to lug all of clothes out of closet and to make executive decision whether or not to throw away that salad shooter that I've never used but for which I'll probably devise an ingenious use moment I pull away from local Goodwill.No, instead it's unpacking that I can't stand. It's tearing open of boxes, unloading, mess all over my home that sits there for days. The frustration of not knowing just where I put my silverware or bath towels. The inevitable damage that always occurs to something ... and Murphy's Law guarantees that "something" will be last thing you wanted damaged. Of course, if you're Martha Stewart of movers, you won't waste a minute letting those boxes sit idle. No, instead, you'll plunge into them, unpacking and arranging. You won't get a moment's rest until every last possession has found a home. Those of us in real world, however, have to determine what must be unpacked first and what can be unpacked later. We resign ourselves to fact that our new homes will look like a disaster area for an indefinite period to be determined by our respective energy and sanity levels. After all, when you move into a new residence, you've got a million loose ends to tie up, not least of which is starting a new job or helping get kids acclimated to their new neighborhood and school. So forget about committing yourself to some imaginary timetable. Instead, unpack in stages. But what stage should come first? What are items you need first? Let's step back a second. First of all, unpacking will be far easier if you've labeled all of your boxes by their corresponding room, and either you or movers have placed them in correct place. You'll score extra efficiency points by listing contents of each box on side. If you haven't done either one of these, then you'll be spending quite a bit of time breaking open boxes and dumping out their contents in your pursuit of one specific item ... which, by way, you won't find until you reach very bottom of very last box. In which you room should you begin your unpacking? It's a tie: your kitchen and your bathrooms are both vitally important and rather pressing in scheme of everyday life. Even if you don't plan to start cooking immediately upon your arrival (and by way, you shouldn't - give yourself a break), kitchen characteristically is a gathering place for families. Tackle this room early, and at least you'll have a spot to eat your take-out Chinese food or microwave popcorn. You don't need to unpack those items you don't use often or don't plan to use in immediate future - for example, your bread machine, carving knife or spice rack. Just unpack vital items for now (paper towels, coffee maker, silverware and everyday dishes), and move other boxes to corner of room to clear a pathway.
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