[Owen]

It's not a bad plan. It's great politics and costs the government nothing, and as is mentioned, it is compensated for by increased closing costs.

Never ever forget that key statistic that single women, blacks and Hispanics were (something like) 25% of the votes in 1990, 33% in 2000 and will be 40% in 2008. The growth in that segment is inexorable. The Republicans are losing those votes by 2:1 (65/35) and if something isn't done about it, total Democrat control of all branches of government is *inevitable*.

Bush is doing very well in seeking to make inroads into that group while remaining right of center philosophically. Tax cuts and PBA tell the tale. Note on other threads, btw, that Bush's domestic discretionary spending (% of GDP) is *less* than Ronald Reagan's was in the same year of their presidencies.

[quack]

Sounds too much like,"It's for the children!"So now the Republicans are offering welfare for votes as the Dims do?

[freeangel]

"it will cost the government nothing"

I beg to differ. It will cost the taxpayers megabucks in bailouts and foreclosures and repairs to damaged properties. When people have to invest nothing, they feel they have nothing to lose. Property upkeep costs money too, and many never figure these costs into the budget(if they actually have one.)