Everyone has the right to make his own decision, but none has the right to force his decision on others.

Ayn Rand

Recent events make a comparison between King County Executive Ron Sims and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez irresistible.

Last month the South American dictator silenced a television station that dared oppose him over the airwaves.

Mr. Sims-who two years ago showed his disdain for private property rights with the Critical Areas Ordinance-now wants to impose his will on a suburban city.

Burien long has planned to demolish the Lora Lake Apartments northwest of the third runway at Sea-Tac International Airport and replace them with light-industrial or commercial development.

The city's plan is in accord with an eight-year-old agreement with the Port of Seattle, which owns the Lora Lake property, and the King County Housing Authority, which manages the apartments.

Yet only in late March did the agency, citing a need for more affordable housing in the county, reverse course and insist that Burien keep Lora Lake open.

What Mr. Sims, the housing authority and homeless advocates overlook is:

One, Burien already does far more than its fair share-81 percent of all rental units in the city are affordable or low-income housing, compared to a county wide average of 46 percent.

Two, Burien needs economic development to increase its tax base and generate additional revenue for basic services.

Kurt Triplett, Mr. Sims' chief of staff, argued last week that if Burien were to tear down the apartments and build a "big box" store in its place, the city would be competing with new retail in its own Town Square.

This convoluted logic, in support of Mr. Sims' threat to pull the plug on a long-planned transit-oriented development near Town Square if the city demolishes the apartments, reflects an appalling lack of economic common sense.

Then again, what else should we expect from an office that puts a greater premium on taxes than on profits?

An interesting (and unexplained) subplot is City Light's abrupt decision last month to break off negotiations with the Port for the sale of land within the Lora Lake complex where a substation once was located.

Against this backdrop, a few thoughts outside the box of welfare statism, which largely controls King County and Washington politics:

Those concerned about affordable housing could have a greater impact not by working for more subsidized units, but by making housing more affordable by streamlining the permitting process, easing burdensome building regulations, and reducing property taxes and mitigation fees.

They would be amazed at how much these moves would lower the cost of housing.

Members of greater Seattle's liberal congregations, who place their faith in a social gospel, should recall Matthew 25:31-46.

Jesus' message here focuses unrelentingly on the responsibility of individuals-not government-to those in need.

It's also time for Burien council members to think outside the box. If transit-oriented developments are as good as advertised, perhaps the city should tell the county to keep the money with strings attached and let a private developer build it.

Meanwhile, could Mr. Sims' message to other suburban cities be more ominous-or more clear? Do what King County (or Seattle) wants, or risk the consequences.

His threatened action against transit-oriented development in Burien, should the city proceed with its plans for Lora Lake, is also a brazen power grab.

By arbitrarily refusing to spend money already appropriated by county lawmakers for that project, he would be thwarting the will of an elected council.

If reasonable solutions to the current standoff that serve the interests of all Burien residents are found soon, then the city in concert with the Port should consider them seriously.

Otherwise, local lawmakers need to stand their ground. Even at the county level, big brother is too much.

The views of Ralph Nichols are his own, and do not necessarily reflect those of Robinson Newspapers. He can be reached at ralphn@robinsonnews.com or 206-388-1857.