Before I start writing this post, I want to admit that I’m not all that well versed on the subject of financial services.  I took an Economics class in college and hear cursory things about it at work, but I will admit that I’m not an expert.  However, on the current housing situation, I feel I must opine.  I’m not even going to dwell on the fact that the recently passed housing bill cost taxpayers over $300 billion in order to bail out people who have no sense of personal responsibility, bought a $500,000 with a $30,000 income and now wonder why they can’t afford their payments.  No, I’m not going to complain about that.  What I will complain about, though, is all the whining I’m hearing about the elimination of down payment assistance programs.  The previously mentioned housing bill contained a provision that eliminated seller-financed down payment assistance (DPA) programs.  If you’re unfamiliar with DPA, it’s a program that provides buyers with the money for a down payment on a house if they can’t afford one themselves.  When passing the housing bill, the federal government decided to eliminate the program because it has been undeniably shown that people who use the program are way more likely to default on their mortgages.  But now people are whining because some Americans can’t afford to buy a house without DPA.  Well, I’m here to say tough crap, people.  Simply put, not everyone in America can afford to buy a house.  A house is not a right.  Nowhere in the Constitution does it say that the federal government should overreach its enumerated powers in order to make sure that every American can buy a house.  What the Constitution DOES promise is life, liberty and the PURSUIT of happiness.  Let me say that again… the PURSUIT of happiness.  That means that the federal government will never hold you back from achieving your dreams, but at the same time, cannot guarantee that you’ll have amenity you desire in life.  Put another way, if you really want a home of your own, the federal government will never hold you back from maybe getting a second job or living on a tighter budget than usual for a year or two so you can save up some money for a down payment.  That’s the responsible way to do it, and more Americans need to grow up and realize this.