> What does the government want with all that land? You are correct that the government does not want land. What the government wants is a share of the economi

> What does the government want with all that land? You are correct that the government does not want land. What the government wants is a share of the economic value that control of the land makes possible. Consider "vacant storefronts." The government does not want to operate stores. The government wants those storefronts put to good economic use, where what is good use is determined by bona fide auctions.