Land Grabbers

I see where Senator John Edwards would like to have the government give a $5000 tax credit to help a first-time buyer get into a house.

Is that the business of government, to promote starter homes to apartment dwellers? Ignore that if interest rates rise, adjustable mortgage payments will, too. Ignore that starter homes sometimes don't increase in value much, or at all.

Government should perform essential services such as defense, and keep its nose out of who has a house.

It gets worse all the time. Local government in King County, Oregon is considering forcing landowners to set aside 65% of their property in its natural state. No tree-cutting without replanting, no construction of any kind, on two-thirds of a person's property!

That would be land theft. Taking the use of private land from its owner, without compensation. Sounds like socialism, doesn't it.

Government should keep its nose to itself, and out of everyone's business.

Brad Messer, commentary, KTSA.