tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6052097781213973653.post519058081226119805..comments2023-10-25T02:52:26.716-07:00Comments on Tzimiskes: The Mortgage Interest Deduction Doesn't Pass the Smell TestTzimiskeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13002441291627298737noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6052097781213973653.post-60257499623254903672013-04-24T17:55:43.315-07:002013-04-24T17:55:43.315-07:00That's a good observation, a link between fami...That's a good observation, a link between families and housing would explain some of the cultural tenacity. Unfortunately I think the link is more symbolic than actual.Tzimiskeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13002441291627298737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6052097781213973653.post-35215488097035579852013-04-08T09:05:52.622-07:002013-04-08T09:05:52.622-07:00At least around here (Northern California), all of...At least around here (Northern California), all of the ads lauding the mortgage deduction seem to be sponsored by mortgage lending companies. Who have, to put it mildly, a vested interest in keeping the number of borrowers high. Especially if they can sell on the actual mortgages, thus removing their risk. <br /><br />I do wonder how much of our national enthusiasm for home ownership is born of the perception that, outside of major cities anyway, families own homes. Whereas single people are the ones who have apartments (i.e. rent). So might part of it be, at heart, a belief that families are a positive social good? <br /><br />Then again, the idea of home ownership as an investment might be a reflection of a view that dates at least back to Will Rogers: "Buy land. They are't making any more of it." (Guess he never visited Hawaii....) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com