One of the hardest hit is the group known as Positive Nature, which counsels troubled youth. In the course of about two years, taxes on the organization’s property went from $9000 to $83,000.

Do you remember what this neighborhood was like? I do. So a stadium is built, and the former war zone gets cleared up, and new businesses and homes go up, and restaurants and shops open, and property values rise.

That’s why the property tax rose — because the VALUE of the property rose! Exponentially!

IF Positive Nature can’t pay those taxes, perhaps they should sell their existing property (thereby cashing in on its greatly increased value) and move to a new, poorer neighborhood.

Don’t you see that Positive Nature made beaucoup big bucks on the redevelopment of the Stadium area?

I’m just shaking my head here. If a neighborhood is allowed to deteriorate, it’s those rich people’s fault. But if they invest money in the community and raise property values (and thereby property taxes), that’s their fault, too. Either way, they are evil and should be punished, huh?

As the nation’s capital, Washington DC is often looked to for various approaches on how to handle a number of growing issues around the country.

Pray, tell, who on earth looks to DC (the District, the city) for an approach — except, perhaps, as an example of what NOT to do? I mean, criminitaly, besides New Orleans, can you think of a city that’s run worse?

If cities can arbitarily and selectively tax businesses to extinction, how does this escape due process? Why haven’t other cities picked up on this, or is this something unique to D.C.?