Ever wonder why the federal government is in so much debt? A recent news story out of the far-west community of Hickman helps us better understand. This depressed community near the Mississippi River received a Community Development Block grant from the federal government to rehabilitate eight homes. In fact, they received $714,000 to bring homes up to code and be safer and more energy efficient. However, seven of the eight homes were beyond repair, so they'll be torn down and rebuilt. The problems here are many. Since when did the federal government get into the home renovation business? And why not my hometown of Cadiz instead of Hickman? The federal government is in so much debt, because it’s using our tax dollars for things way beyond its mandate.