The former mayor of Anaheim, California, Curt Pringle, has an inspiring story about how his city was able to redevelop a large area without using eminent domain. He insisted that property rights would be protected, or redevelopment would not occur. “Freedom” quickly became the motto of my administration. In fact, our local paper, the Orange…
With the exception of those who have taken a vow of poverty, human beings desire “stuff.” We want more than the basic necessities that life requires. We want a safe place to live and dependable transportation. We want to attend concerts, movies, and sporting events. We want gadgets, such as smart phones, computers, and flat…
A recent editorial in the Dallas Morning News states that The idea of the American Dream is that anyone can start from the bottom and work their way up by their own means. Unfortunately, that isn’t happening for everyone. The editorial goes on to list five things that prove that a strong work ethic isn’t…
On Christmas Eve, 2017, owners of a parcel of land in Victoria, Texas, had several oak trees removed from their property. The owner’s actions renewed a debate that has been raging across Texas: Should property owners be allowed to remove trees on their land whenever they desire? Or should government regulate tree removal? As the…
San Antonio is considering new regulations for short-term rentals (STRs). Unfortunately, some STR owners welcome the new regulations. For example, Jim Smith, who owns five STRs, supports the regulations because of financial concerns. He believes that those who aren’t paying the city’s hotel tax have an unfair advantage, and he wants that to change. This…
On Monday, Georgia Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle threatened to revoke a sales tax exemption on jet fuel for airlines after Delta and United withdrew discounts for members of the National Rifle Association (NRA). Cagle tweeted: I will kill any tax legislation that benefits @Delta unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship…
Political candidates frequently talk about their business experience and the need to bring business principles to government. Government, they tell us, needs to operate more like a business. But government isn’t a business, and it can’t operate like one. Businesses operate on the principle of voluntary trade. They produce a product or service and offer…
Calls for new laws regarding the use of eminent domain echo across the state. Rural land owners are finding their property seized to build pipelines and a railroad. In south Texas, property owners are facing seizure to build the border wall. While stating their support for property rights, many prominent Texas politicians have defended the…
Far too often, victims of government regulations concede the moral principles involved. They simply disagree with how the principle is applied. Take rancher Gary Stone as an example. Federal officials have determined that the New Mexico jumping mouse is an endangered species. To protect the rodent’s habitat, the government has closed access to some waterways…
Environmentalists like to talk about thinking globally but act locally. The point is to think about the big picture but act within one’s community to make a difference, and this has been an effective strategy. The flip side of this coin is to think locally and act without principles. This strategy focuses on the moment…