[Zach_the_Lizard]

As a military brat who doesn't really have a hometown, or even a clear regional identity, I like that this system lets you choose a town to donate to without forcing it to be connected to your birthplace or life history.

It'd be nice to be able to earmark it to particular government functions, maybe even charities in the area, etc.

[NeoTar]

> It'd be nice to be able to earmark it to particular government functions, maybe even charities in the area, etc.

"[Your Town] has finest municipal art galleries in the state whilst streets are filled with pot-holes"

Allowing people to allocate money to government functions is generally a bad idea except if very tightly limited. Things which are 'nice' will get over-funded, and things which people find unpleasant* will not getting the funding needed. I think the problem would be ten times worse if it is people who don't actual live in an area get to choose how funds are allocated.

[teeray]

> things which people find unpleasant* will not getting the funding needed.

Septic systems are a great example of this on a home scale. So many people treat them as a mysterious vortex in the ground where all sewage magically vanishes. They don’t bother to pump the tank every few years because it costs a couple hundred dollars. Then they’re shocked when their leech field is completely failed and needs to be replaced to the tune of $30k.

[Scoundreller]

I can't wait for (nicer) incinerating toilets to cost less than $5k. Going to put a real damper in septic tank builds in areas that allow simple graywater systems.

[johnnyanmac]

To be fair, the current realistic alternative still has potholes. Maybe we should entertain a tightly limited allocation. Sure, let the people from outside of town donate to whatever (it's free money at best and no gain at worst), but local citizens can only allocate a portion to specific public goods.

[soperj]

> "[Your Town] has finest municipal art galleries in the state whilst streets are filled with pot-holes"

Maybe they have too many roads?

[naniwaduni]

Sounds like they don't have enough art galleries.