The Henderson County Planning Board voted against construction of the first affordable housing development proposed by the Housing Assistance Corporation since 2006. The 64-unit apartment complex would have put a dent in the 520 units the county supposedly needs. It would also draw federal subsidies.

The problem is, “affordable housing” is just something one says if he wants votes. Nobody really wants buildings obstructing viewsheds, all those cars jamming up the streets, or, worst of all, those slimy urchins known as poor people bringing their just plain bad luck and their swirls of filth like Peanuts’ Pig-Pen carried about.