Earlier quoted context omitted.
Gosh, 1% on $1m, that's almost $10k! I can see that how would discourage homeownership and distort the market. Actually wait, I can't.
You're comparing the wrong numbers. The question is what 1% of the purchase price does to the amount you need for your down payment and fees. On a 10% down payment an extra 1% increases the amount you need by 10%. Remember that while a million dollar home sounds extravagant, it's first time buyers who often have just barely enough who are trying to buy these.
Because you are not allowed to roll that tax into the loan?