Writing for the Socialist Alternative, Varun Belor laments the failure of Seattle’s City Council to pass a rent control ordinance. Belor notes that none of the council’s eight Democrats supported the bill, and for more than forty years the Democrat dominated state legislature has upheld Washington’s ban on rent control. Democrats, Belor claims are “stooges”…
A recent article on Common Dreams, a news website serving the progressive community, claims that a lack of supply isn’t causing the housing crisis. The article claims that the United States has a surplus of housing—3.5 million more housing units than are needed. Further, a surplus exists in nearly every metropolitan area in the nation….
In 2024, Massachusetts voters may be asked to repeal the state’s ban on rent control. The proposed constitutional amendment would allow municipalities to impose rent caps. The Massachusetts Attorney General has yet to decide if the matter should be on the ballot. As is the case of a similar measure in California, this is not…
Chicago’s new mayor has sued automakers Kia and Hyundai, blaming them for a 243 percent increase in auto thefts over the past two years. The lawsuit claims that the companies manufactured cars that lacked “appropriate anti-theft measures.” In a stroke of brilliance that rivals Sheila Jackson-Lee, the mayor has determined that automobiles are the cause…
A recent piece by columnist LZ Granderson argues that school choice is “a cover for segregation.” It is a rebuke of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, which outlawed segregation in government schools, and it is an attempt to create separate but unequal schooling in the name of God. School choice, he claims is…
Few Americans would claim that the nation’s school systems do not need improvement. However, there is little agreement on how to offer all students a high-quality education. Some argue that government schools need more funding. Others argue that school choice is the solution. Both of these arguments miss the fundamental issue. To improve our nation’s…
Housing activists have long called for the government to de-commodify housing—they want to remove profit from rental housing. A current effort to institute this policy has housing activists calling for the Federal Housing Finance Agency to institute national rent control for housing financed by the agency. In an opinion piece on The Hill, activist Tram…
On September 1, a new Texas law prohibiting homeowners’ associations (HOA) from banning renters from using housing vouchers. Many, including The Dallas Morning News, are calling this a “moral stand” against racism. It is nothing of the sort. In fact, it is an immoral attack on property rights. An HOA typically enforces deed restrictions within…
Property owners in Maui have suffered tremendously because of the recent wildfires. Now, Hawaii’s governor proposes adding insult to injury. He has directed the state attorney general to draft a moratorium on the sale of damaged properties in Lahaina. The stated goal is to protect property owners from being “victimized” by investors, i.e., protect owners…
I recently wrote about the proclivity of Californians to vote on seemingly every issue under the sun, often resulting in rights-violating laws. Unfortunately, rule by the will of the mob is not limited to California. While the rate of infection varies, no state is immune to the toxicity of mob rule. A recent example comes…
A recent Supreme Court ruling asserting free speech rights is being condemned by the political Left. In 303 Creative v. Elenis, the Court ruled that the First Amendment protects the right of a website designer to refuse service to gay individuals. Progressives Regressives are arguing that the ruling opens the door for businesses to discriminate…
In a case of temporary sanity, the Seattle City Council recently voted down a bill that would have enacted a rent control law. Though Washington State prohibits rent control, the measure proposed by socialist Councilmember Kshama Sawant would have taken effect if the state repeals its prohibition. The council’s opponents to the law correctly argued…