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Principles and the Courts
A recent article on Texas Public Radio illustrates what happens when the courts abandon one of their primary responsibilities: defining legal principles. Referring to a recent case in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution’s prohibition on excessive fines applies to the states, the article notes: “It’s a landmark ruling because it made…
Conservatives Abandon Property Rights
Conservatives have long professed support for gun rights and property rights. However, in recent years conservatives have shown an increasing proclivity to abandon property rights, sometimes in the name of “gun rights.”. Political expediency, not principles, is guiding this trend. As an example, when Big Tech prohibits the expression of certain ideas, conservatives have responded…
Roadside Robbery
Civil asset forfeiture is a process by which law enforcement agencies can seize private property that they suspect has been obtained by or used in the commission of a crime. The property owner must then fight to regain his property. Unlike criminal cases, in civil asset forfeiture, the burden of proof is on the property…
Principles and Property Rights
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…
Defending the Principle of Property Rights
It is understandable that individuals are more passionate about property rights issues that have a direct impact on their lives. For example, rural Texans are more concerned about eminent domain, water rights, and endangered species regulations, and they have little or no concern about historic preservation or tree protection ordinances. Urban Texans are more concerned…
Defending Property Rights on Moral Grounds
ByjbpThe following is the text of a talk I delivered to the Houston Property Rights Association on January 16, 2008. During 2008 Forbes magazine lauded Houston as the best city in the United States in which to earn a living and the best city to buy a home. Numerous other publications placed Houston at the…
