The Fulcrum: The Right to Own Property
The sum total of our inalienable rights are exactly that– inalienable; they are given to all men by our Creator. While all of our rights stand together, there is one that I believe to be the foundation upon which all of the other rights exist: The right to own property. This includes any and all types of property.
As Thomas Jefferson said to Samuel Kercheval, “”The true foundation of republican government is the equal right of every citizen in his person and property and in their management.” James Madison and George Washington were also staunch proponents of the individual’s right to own property for they knew that the right to own is the key element in both personal liberty and a thriving economic system.
Regarding personal liberty, whoever owns the property, makes the rules. For example, there can be no freedom to worship as we choose if we cannot own our place of worship. There is no freedom of speech if you cannot own your words or the paper on which to write the words. You have no place in which to speak your words nor any place to freely assemble if you cannot own property. (Amendment I). There can be no “right to bear arms” so that we can protect ourselves if we cannot own a firearm. Then again, what would we protect if we cannot own anything? (Amendment II). Without the right to property ownership, there is no need at all for Amendments III and IV because soldiers could be quartered any place they so choose, and unlimited searches and seizures could take place without cause, question, or recourse.
In addition, the right to own property is essential to a stable economy. There are many examples throughout world history and in this present time, but let’s take a look at our own early American history. The Plymouth colony was begun with the idea that Christian values would cause people to work together to contribute to the general welfare of all. This was a dismal failure, and the people were starving because, of course, socialism never works. Governor Bradford wisely changed to a system whereby individuals owned a plot of property to attend and maintain as they chose. The result was amazing; very quickly the people who had been starving under the collective system were thriving in their new economic system. Their farms were greatly out- producing what the collective farms had done. The truth is that within each of us is the desire to succeed, to thrive, and to advance; we work hardest and most effectively when we have a personal interest and a personal investment in the venture. And what’s more, we are most creative, innovative, and industrious when we are in a position to gain– or to lose– unlimitedly from our own efforts and willingness to apply the best of ourselves.
Unfortunately the concept of the right of individuals to own property is a thorn in the side of the liberals who want to control everything and everybody, and they are successfully hammering away our freedom. One of their most effective weapons against us is that they raise taxes so high that landowners can no longer afford to keep their property; and tragically it is often property that is owned outright and has been passed down through generations in a family.
It would behoove every American to scrutinize your own personal life to see how your liberties are being encroached upon, and then stay in touch with your Congressman about these issues. If you do not have a conservative Congressman who will stand and protect your inalienable rights, then today is the day to involve yourself in the process of identifying future potential candidates who will unequivocally support and defend the Constitution.
Yes, you do have time for this.
