In the previous two posts, we have seen that animosity towards immigrants from California or elsewhere is misplaced. Immigrants aren’t the problem. Bad ideas are. And bad ideas can only be combatted with good ideas. Both America and Texas were founded on the principle of individual rights—the freedom of each individual to live his life…
Many Texans fear that immigrants from California will vote for politicians who support the same policies that are destroying the Golden State. Their solution is to discourage such immigration. But Texas, like America, was founded by immigrants. Stephen Austin and Sam Houston, the brave men who died at Goliad and the Alamo, those who settled…
For years, Californians have been fleeing the high taxes, outrageous housing costs, stifling business regulations, and general political climate of the state. And Texas has been one of the most popular destinations. While Texans are generally a pretty friendly bunch, many aren’t eager to welcome those fleeing California. Such Texans fear that these immigrants will…
There is no group of individuals in America more denounced, despised, and misrepresented than businessmen. In movies, books, and articles they are routinely portrayed as greedy swindlers willing to do anything to make money. Yet, these are the individuals who produce the values that we need and desire. We should celebrate these individuals, for they…
While property owners in Texas are fighting the federal government’s attempts to seize their property to build a border wall, a legislator in Arizona has proposed a bill that would exempt property owners from building codes if they choose to build a wall on their own property. While the Texas Institute for Property Rights opposes…
In a capitalist society, government is limited to defending the rights of individuals—the freedom of individuals to act without coercive interference from others. But that is not what occurs when cronyism is practiced. Cronyism is the practice of dispensing political favors to some at the expense of others. With altruism and collectivism serving as the…
Many decry cronyism as a form of capitalism. In truth, cronyism and capitalism are incompatible. Capitalism is the social/political system that recognizes and protects individual rights—the freedom to live as one chooses so long as one respects the freedom of others to do the same. Individual rights pertain to freedom of action. They protect an…
Both leftists and conservatives embrace the crony ideology. That they apply that ideology differently is merely a matter of detail. So, what is the crony ideology? The essence of the crony ideology is the belief that government force should be used to compel or prohibit certain actions. Every act of cronyism ultimately rests on this…
In recent years, individuals from across the political spectrum have condemned cronyism. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, once remarked that she felt sad “for the American people, who have had their lives affected by the culture of cronyism and corruption that exists in Washington.” Former Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, similarly denounced cronyism:…
Individuals across the political spectrum decry the influence of money on political elections. Many want to severely limit campaign contributions, and others would like political campaigns to be financed by tax dollars. But neither of these address the fundamental issue, and indeed, they illustrate the fundamental problem. The reason that so much money is donated…
We are constantly presented with some “crisis,” some issue that the media, activists, and politicians claim requires immediate attention and action. They focus on some problem, whether real or imagined, and argue that we must do something. Today. But after today comes tomorrow. Certainly, there are times in life when immediate action is necessary to…