Would Jesus Vote Yes on Amendment 3?

As our political season approaches its final week, it is interesting to see the political signs, especially here in the Truman Neighborhood. Some signs of particular interest are the four signs supporting Missouri Constitution Amendment 3 on the property of Heritage House Apartments at 660 North Spring. Most folks don’t know this but Heritage House is actually a not-for-profit tax-exempt organization affiliated with the Community of Christ Church. And the proposed Amendment 3 would ban governments from establishing a sales tax on real estate transactions. This ballet measure was initiated by an association of “for-profit” real estate professions. So why would a tax-exempt religious institution want neighborhood voters and, in particular, their renters (most who don’t own real estate), to vote to ban real estate sales tax? This is actually the million dollar question. And this is not the real irony. The rest of the story is that Heritage House is actually the polling place for the most of the neighborhood. Yes, that’s right, the landlord that pays no taxes and actively campaigns against taxes is the host of our neighborhood polling place where the voting booths are just an elevator stop for their hundreds of renters, where votes are cast concerning, yes you guessed it, taxes. And this particular campaign is somewhat deceptive. The fact is that purchasing a home is one few things that average middle-class American families can do to actually lower their tax bill. Whoever said that politics and religion don’t mix apparently never lived in the Truman Neighborhood. “Read my lips, no new taxes, pass the tea, and Praise the Lord!” I’m Tongue&Groove and I approve this message.