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This is nothing new, Tax Liens have been happening since before the United States was discovered. Today the rates charged are no higher then those created and imposed by the governing municipality. Don't like the rates and fees, have a talk with the government and the assessors office. Better yet, pay your taxes. The comment about Tax Liens placing home ownership in jeopardy is not quite all the truth. A property owner can clear a Tax Lien after the fact and get their property back. This makes transfers of ownership, as initiated by a third party, rather cumbersome because there is a "cloud" on the title. Those who purchase Tax Liens either 1) hope the property owner pays the debt or 2) have the mortgage company initiate foreclosure proceedings which will clear the title and then be paid as the first lien holder.

Next, consider the implications on the government. What are the primary revenue source for any governing municipality? What happens when that stream of hard cash is turned off during times of economic trouble? So your neighbors do not pay their taxes and now the police department is cut in half because they can't pay the salaries or afford the fuel for the cars. You make the call. Me, I am sick and tired of everyone blaming everyone else and not accepting any personal responsibility and I am tired of taking the beating for everyone's mistakes.