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http://www.canadafreepress.com/2005/lamb100305.htm
Sell federal land
Henry Lamb
Monday, October 3, 2005
The only thing about which Democrats and Republicans can agree these days, is the astronomical cost of rebuilding the storm-ravaged Gulf coast. Estimates, on either side of the political aisle, reach into the hundreds of billions of dollars. How to pay these costs is a question fueling heated debate inside both parties.
Rep. Tom Tancredo has the best idea to date: sell excess federal land.
Why should the federal government own more than 700 million acres - more than 30% of the total land area?
Even after exempting all the military bases, and the lands that contain "other needful buildings," and all the national parks, the federal government still owns nearly 600 million acres, for no legitimate reason.
American taxpayers are shelling out money every year so the federal government can make "payments in lieu of taxes" to the state and local governments that have limited political jurisdiction over these lands. American taxpayers are shelling out money every year so armies of federal employees can make an effort to "manage" these lands.
Why?
If Congress would take seriously Rep. Tancredo’s idea, and release this land to the private sector, the revenue generated could rebuild the Gulf coast, and more, and it would relieve the federal budget of the annual maintenance expense, further relieving the tax burden on every American.
Why should the government own 30% of America? I was under the impression this land is suppose to belong to the people. I think it would be a good idea to sell the land back to the people to generate the revenue to pay for and help rebuild America where it is needed. How do you feel?