The Roundup 12

An opinion piece in The Dallas Morning News correctly notes that SB12, which would force social media platforms like Facebook to publish content the company finds objectionable.

Can you imagine a law that forced someone who plants a yard sign supporting a Republican candidate to also place one for the Democratic opponent beside it? That’s what we’re talking about. The law would force a private entity to share ideas that go against its beliefs.

I certainly don’t agree with many of the policies at Facebook, Twitter, and other big tech companies. But it is safe to say that the leaders of those companies don’t agree with many of my ideas. If I want the freedom to express the ideas of my choosing, and refrain from supporting ideas that I disagree with, then I must support their freedom to determine which ideas they will allow on their platforms. SB12 infringes on that freedom.

$ $ $

A new ordinance in Chicago requires developers to pay the city $15,000 for each single-family home that is demolished and $5,000 per unit for larger housing buildings. The law is intended to slow gentrification. An Alderman who flipped four houses in the targeted area for a profit of $300,000 in 2015 and supported the ordinance said,

This is a moral issue. I think the fees should be much higher … the purpose behind all of this, we hope, is to stop gentrification, stop development and stop displacing us.

The hypocritical Alderman is correct. This is a moral issue. In addition to the blatant violation of property rights, it is an issue of integrity. The Alderman had no qualms profiting from the area’s gentrification, but now he wants to impose steep fines on others who follow in his path.

$ $ $

The City Council in Austin has passed a resolution supporting “tenants rights.” The resolution provides funding for rent relief, as well as money for repairs and utility bills for renters. One of the sponsors of the resolution said,

Housing is a human right. In passing this resolution, we are telling tenants that their rights matter just as much as everyone else who calls Austin home.

What about the rights of the taxpayers who will be forced to pay for this boondoggle? Whether they support the resolution or not, taxpayers–including many who are themselves struggling financially–will be forced to pay rent and utilities for others.