When we have a disagreement with another person, we have two options. We can attempt to change his mind by offering facts and explanations, or we can use force. We can appeal to reason, or we can threaten harm. Unfortunately, a growing number of policy discussions resort to the latter. Consider housing policies as an…
In the early twentieth century, cities across the nation began enacting zoning ordinances that prohibited blacks from buying a home in a predominantly white neighborhood and vice versa. Beginning in the 1930s, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) refused to insure mortgages for black homeowners. For decades, at both the federal and local level, government essentially…
On Thursday, a federal judge in Texas declared the eviction moratorium imposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unconstitutional. “Although the Covid-19 pandemic persists, so does the Constitution,” the judge wrote in his ruling. The Department of Justice has announced that it will appeal. Diane Yentel, president and chief executive of the National…
Gresham’s Law holds that “bad” money drives out “good” money. For example, if legal tender laws declare that a one ounce brass coin and a one ounce gold coin are both worth $10, the more valuable gold coin will disappear from circulation. While Gresham’s law pertains to economics, the same principle applies to rights. When…
Housing advocates are increasingly demanding more affordable housing for low-income individuals and families. They are doing this under the guise of “tenants’ rights.” But all individuals—including tenants—have rights. Specifically, they have the right to produce or earn more affordable housing. Like any value, housing must be produced. Like any value that one desires, one can…
Housing advocates are increasingly calling for laws to protect the rights of tenants. But the fact is, tenants have always had rights. New laws protecting “tenants’ rights” will ultimately lead to the destruction of the rights of all individuals, including tenants. The Declaration of Independence declares that all individuals are endowed with certain rights, namely,…
When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. In other words, if you have only one tool, you try to use it for everything. In part, this adage explains government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Government has only one tool—force. Every tool has a proper use. A screwdriver is great for…
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…
During the lockdown, businesses that were declared “non-essential” were prohibited from opening. In Texas, liquor stores were considered essential, but hair salons weren’t. By what standard was a business considered essential? Like many aspects of the lockdown, government officials weren’t very transparent regarding their criteria and standards. Instead, they issued dictates and expected the masses…
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton recently defended the property rights of Williamson County property owner John Yearwood. Yearwood’s property is home to the Bone Cave Harvestman, a spider that lives in only two Texas counties. Because the spider is protected by the Endangered Species Act, Yearwood’s use of his property is severely restricted. Paxton is…
For nearly two months, Americans have allowed government to shut down businesses, destroy jobs, and wreck the economy. For nearly two months, Americans have tolerated an unprecedented destruction of values. This isn’t a new occurrence in American history. In the 18th century Great Britain enacted a series of laws that shut down businesses, destroyed jobs…