https://pjmedia.com/spengler/2011/10/31/the-economics-of-polarization-or-why-the-tea-party-is-magnificently-right/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 08:52:06 -0400<![CDATA[A hard look at the data explains the polarization of American politics: state and local governments are increasing property taxes even while the housing market crashes, and this is killing the middle class. In many parts of the country prospective homebuyers will pay almost as much in property taxes as in mortgage interest! No wonder the residential real estate market can&#8217;t come up for air, and why the American middle class feels that it is fighting for its existence. The only solution will be the kind pioneered by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, one of the real heroes of our time: renegotiate the whole relationship between the government and the government unions. But that would mean the end of the Democratic Party as we know it. That&#8217;s why the upcoming presidential election will be the nastiest in living memory.]]>Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:26:38 -0400<![CDATA[David P. Goldman]]>https://pjmedia.com/david-p-goldman/2011/10/31/the-economics-of-polarization-or-why-the-tea-party-is-magnificently-right-n130589