While individuals from across the political spectrum generally pay lip service to individual rights, property rights suffer from widespread hostility. Virtually everyone is willing to sacrifice property rights for some “higher cause.” As the 2020 election unfolds, those on the political Left are stumbling over themselves to offer free values in exchange for votes. They…
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:…
The Texas Public Policy Foundation has an excellent article on “green” energy initiatives in Texas. Such initiatives have been pursued in Austin, Georgetown, and San Antonio, all of which have a municipal electricity provider. The article notes that these initiatives are a triple whammy to consumers. First, consumers are forced to purchase their electricity from…
Both “progressives” and conservatives speak about the freedom to choose. Yet, they do so very selectively. They adamantly support an individual’s freedom to choose in regard to some issues, and then are equally adamant in opposing an individual’s freedom to choose in regard to other issues. For example, “progressives” support an individual’s freedom to choose…
Democrats and “Progressives” are not known for their defense of property rights. Indeed, most of their proposals involve the violation of the right to property. Yet, many Texans on the political Left have recently invoked property rights in their opposition to Republicans. On the other hand, Republicans have cited property rights in their opposition to…
This article was published in the February 1990 issue of The Freeman. $ $ $ During the Progressive Era of the early 20th century the nation’s first zoning ordinances began to appear. Public control of private property was a popular cause at the time, and land-use restrictions were frequently used to achieve this end. During…