There are basically 4 ways to tax: 1) property taxes (on both real estate and personal property) , 2) income taxes, 3) sales tax, and 4.) usage fees, licences, etc. Each of them has its rationale, and proponents as well as its drawbacks.For example, sales taxes are considered regressive as they place a proportionately great burden on lower income. As it is, Michigan assesses a lower rate on necessities such as food and medicine. Before claiming that one or another is too high or unfair, you first have to look at what you want government to do and how much of the fiscal it will take. THEN you have to look at the various means and rationales to pay for it.
Even as a retiree, I find Michigan propery taxes to be a bargain when compared with those of the state we moved from (Illinois). However, Illinois has comparatively lower income taxes and doesn’t tax retirement income from defined benefit plans because of the sector unions. One’s point of view is defined by whose ox is getting gored. Personally, I hate ALLl taxes and want the government to only do was is absolutely necessary to try to keep taxes at a bare minimum.