While Mr. Landsburg's argument is fresh and compelling, compassion, I think, is not on the government's or fed's mind, at least not to any real extent as a collective body. And if it is in any way, it is more of a PR move than anything. Rather, it is in the government's best interest (and perhaps even a global interest) to prevent foreclosures as to prevent further turmoil in the credit and financial markets and thus broader economies. Sure, the government's prevention of foreclosures benefits those struggling to keep a house, but in the end, that benefit is secondary; it is much like the government's $146B economic stimulus package: the $600 that I will be getting in May or June surely benefits me, but its purpose is intended to benefit the U.S. economy.