Really? I read complaints about the mortgage interest deduction all the time. I mean, subsidizing home ownership isn't exactly an obviously worthy goal in and of itself and it creates weird incentives.
The difference in popular discourse is threefold: the mortgage interest deduction is less of a blue/red team tribal marker; it isn't as morally charged an issue (the arguments against it are more economic in nature than moralistic); a disproportionate number of the people who would be complaining about it are homeowners themselves and therefore heavily incentivized to keep it around, regardless of its economic effect.
My statement was exaggerated. Of course people object to it. I do. But relatively speaking, if you got rid of it there'd be all but revolution.
I actually prefer zero deductions for anything, for all people and entities. Here's the rate: pay it. If you're below the line we draw, you don't have to pay.
The difference in popular discourse is threefold: the mortgage interest deduction is less of a blue/red team tribal marker; it isn't as morally charged an issue (the arguments against it are more economic in nature than moralistic); a disproportionate number of the people who would be complaining about it are homeowners themselves and therefore heavily incentivized to keep it around, regardless of its economic effect.