I would have to agree with Javablack here.

The problem you have in the US is that you keep selling public lands. It would be easier if you just kept more of your land public in the first place. Canada still has 88% of land in public hands. We obviously have a smaller population which helps, but half our land would be owned by US companies by now if we didn't have a strict sales policy. It makes it very convenient to regulate use of this land, including any/all natural resources on it. Its common to require permits, usage fees, leases, etc. to use this land, and this generates tons of revenue. Plus there are conditions in many cases where the land has to be returned to good condition after its used.

It would be hard to do what you suggest Javablack because property rights have a long tradition in the US, and your country is afraid of taxes.

As a society we must become stewards of the land, not just owners and users of it. I think this is what you are trying to get at.

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"Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives." — John Stuart Mill