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How not to Defend Property Rights
Many libertarians and conservatives lament the constant violations of property rights. Sadly, they don’t realize that their attempts to defend property rights often do more harm than good. And that is because they often embrace the same premises as those attacking property rights. Consider a recent article by Brad Polumbo as an example. In the…
TLC Thinks Some Consumers are Stupid
The Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) is suing a Houston-area distiller for trademark infringement. The commission owns a trademark on the phrase “Texas Two Step.” The distiller wants to market a handmade vodka called “Texas Two Step.” But that is where the similarities end. Trademarks do not prohibit others from using a phrase. They do prohibit…
The Principles of Property Rights
What is property? What are rights? What does the right to property mean? The answers to these questions are crucial. Our answers will determine our effectiveness in defending property rights. In this course, you will learn the source of property and the nature of rights. You will learn what the right to property entails, and…
An Open Letter to Jim McIngvale
ByjbpThis was originally posted on Live Oaks on July 15, 2009. Comments have not been migrated. Dear Mr. McIngvale, I recently read a story about the Greater Northside Management District (GNMD) suing you for back taxes. The Chronicle quotes you as saying, “To me, it’s taxation without representation. If they were doing something that was…
Love It or Leave It
After a fifty-year career in construction, George Sheetz wanted to retire near Lake Tahoe. He planned to build his retirement home on a lot he had bought. However, when Sheetz went to the county to obtain a building permit, he was told that he first had to pay a $23,000 “traffic impact mitigation” fee. When…
Short-term Rental Supporters are Short-sighted
A pair of bills have been introduced in the current Texas legislative session that would limit the regulations that local governments can impose on short-term rentals (STRs). A coalition of organizations involved in STR support the bills, but those organizations are short-sighted. Rather than oppose any controls and regulations on their economic freedom, these organizations…