Earlier quoted context omitted.
>But, the convention in the US is that people see their houses as a form of savings. Realistically, we should account for that. Why? If it makes society as a whole much poorer. The convention is fairly recent and the cause of enormous problems.
Because policies they cause huge financial harm to normal people become unpopular, and don’t spread as a result. And also because it is bad for society if we modify the rules in ways that makes it harder to plan ahead.
Are there pitchforks in Denver or Austin? Are angry homeowners overthrowing governments and blocking homebuilding?
People seem to complain that housing costs too much. The straightforward bet is that lower prices would be popular.
For example, re Texas, 9 out of 10 say housing prices are too high: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/08/texas-housing-afford...