Mortgage Tax Deduction Targeted

In the category of a really ill-conceived idea, this comes from Michigan:

"Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) recently confirmed his plans to roll out legislation in September to wipe out an existing tax break for owners of large houses. Under the measure, owners of residences measuring 3,000 square feet or bigger — as many as 8.6 million residential properties nationwide, according to 2003 federal government data — no longer would be able to claim a tax deduction on mortgage interest. Dingell's aim is to discourage wasteful energy use and help curtail pollution tied to climate change. But housing industry officials warn that the current slump in the sector makes now a particularly challenging time to tinker with the deduction." Source: Deseret Morning News (Utah) (08/27/07)

A challenging time to tinker? There is no good time to tinker with this deduction at all. If Congressman Dingell were at all concerned about wasteful energy or pollution, he might want to look at the major product of his own State - gas-hogging, air-polluting land yachts. Perhaps he could influence the manufacturers in his back yard to produce more fuel efficient, pollution-free products instead of playing with taxes. Japanese car manufacturers proved years ago that the American public will buy quality, fuel-efficient vehicles all day long - Congressman Dingell and his constituency just missed the message. Many large homes (and virtually all new homes) have modern, energy conserving systems engineered into them, resulting in less energy consumption than older homes half their size. The Congressman is way off base here.

Congressman Dingell has suggested in the past that energy conservation legislation not get bogged down in discussions about miles per gallon. Of course not - that would actually have a positive impact upon energy conservation. Instead, he would eliminate a program that helps put families into homes. Enough silliness. Perhaps over 50 years (yes, over 50 years in that office) in Washington is enough?