Letters to the editor for Friday, Dec. 22, 2017

Federal land grab unconstitutional

In his commentary of Dec. 17, Guy Farmer writes about all the land “owned” by the federal government in Nevada. He mentions its acquisition and uses, but forgets to mention the illegality of much of it.

Our Constitution (specifically Article 1, Section 8, paragraph 17), gives power to the Congress to acquire land for specific purposes only. It lists the 10 mile square Seat of Government (Washington, D.C.) and “for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards and other needful Buildings ...”

It says nothing about federal parks, BLM land, national forests, etc. Additionally, such purchases can only be made with the consent of our State Legislature.

Thus, our military installations, ports (including airports), federal buildings, Post Offices and the like are all within the Constitutional limits of the federal government. The rest is forbidden!

Maybe if we just follow the Constitution, we wouldn’t have all this turmoil, regulatory hassles, high taxes and stifled liberties. Perhaps our local governments could manage the lands better than the Feds, and gain taxes and fees from said use.

Anybody ever think of that?

Patriotically yours,

Eugene C. Duncker

Carson City