Politicians frequently adopt and maintain policies that violate Equal Rights, Common
Law, and Economic Freedom. How can this be explained?
1. the influence of special interests
2. voter ignorance
THE RIGHT FOUNDATION
Equal Rights
1. all people are created with equal rights
2. these rights are, the right to Life, Liberty, and Property
3. these rights come from our Creator, not government
Rights is a concept that is widely confused these days. We speak of the "right to affordable
health care", the "right to housing", and so forth. These notions are a gross corruption of the term "rights". A right is
something that is held simutaneously among people and imposes no burden on another...Walter Williams
Common Law
1. do all you have agreed to do
2. do not encroach upon other people
3. do not encroach upon other peoples property
This is how common law became the source of all our basic laws against theft, fraud, kidnapping,
rape, murder, and so forth. A judge would listen to a case and find that someone had broken an agreement or encroached...Richard
Maybury
It is essential to the idea of a law that it be attended with a penalty or punishment for disobedience.
A law without a penalty, amounts to nothing more than advice or recommendation...Alexander Hamilton
Economic Freedom
1. people have the right to engage in, Peaceful, Honest, and Voluntary activity
2. government should not regulate this activity
3. what you acquire by producing it, trading peacefully and honest for it, belongs to you
Welfare is one example where politicians, through the tax code, take the earnings (property)
of one American and give them to another. But there are many examples of this practice. Indeed, more than (two-thirds) of
the federal budget is spent for programs that fit the category of - Legalized Theft...Walter Williams
A man's money is his property, and unless he is free to control and dispose of his labor as he
wishes, he is a slave...Ralph Husted
Unfortunately, ( Statism ) which is the opposite of the original American philosophy, has replaced
- Equal Rights with Artificial Rights, Common Law with Political
Law, and Economic Freedom with a Mixed Economy.
TIME FOR CHANGE
Foreign Policy
Three good principles for our foreign policy are...
1. peaceful trade with the rest of the world
2. avoid entanglements in their political affairs and quarrels with other nations
3. always remain strong enough to defend ourselves from attack
We must strive to...
1. limit the U.S. military to its legitimate role of protecting the United States from invasion and
attack
2. prohibit the president from waging war without a congressional declaration of war
3. prohibit the disbursement of foreign aid both economic and military
We must also...
1. end our governments role as international cop
2. end our governments role as international welfare provider
3. free the American people to establish business relationships all over the world
The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial
relations, to have with them as little (political) connection as possible...George Washington
Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none...Thomas
Jefferson
Economic Freedom
1. government should not regulate nor intervene in the production, sale, and pricing of goods and
services
2. wages and work conditions must be the result of free, competitive bargaining between employer
and employees
3. importing and exporting of all goods and services must be free of governmental control, regulation,
tariffs, and subsidies
4. quality, quantity, and prices of goods and services must be left up to the competitive forces
of market supply and demand
When politicians speak of "regulating the market", what they are actually proposing is legislation
"regulating people". The USA actually has a mixed economy, a mixture of some "freedom", a little socialism, and a lot of fascism
- where producers are allowed to keep a nominal title to their possessions and to bear all the risks involved, while the government
has most of the control and gets a great deal of the profits, and takes none of the risks...L.M. Tannehill
Depressions and mass unemployment are not caused by the free market but by government interference
in the economy...Ludwig von Mises
Governments view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases; If it moves, tax it.
If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it...Ronald Reagan
The great virtue of a free market system is that it does not care what color people are; it does
not care what their religion is; it only cares whether they can produce something you want to buy. It is the most effective
system we have discovered to enable people who hate one another to deal with one another and help one another...Milton Friedman
When buying and selling are controlled by ( legislation ) , the first things to be bought or
sold are ( legislators )...P.J. O'Rourke
Common Law
Laws that are consistent with economic and personal liberty are those laws that prevent one person,
or the state, from (encroaching) on the God-given rights to Life, Liberty, and Property of another.
Blacks Law Dictionary defines (encroach) as follows: "To enter by gradual steps or stealth into
the possessions or rights of another; to trespass or intrude; to gain or intrude unlawfully upon the lands, property, or authority
of another".
If the law takes from some persons what belongs to them, and gives it to other persons to whom it
does not belong, it is (perverted). If the law benefits one citizen at the expense of another citizen, it is (perverted).
Life, Liberty, and Property do not exist because men have made laws. On the contrary, it was
the fact that Life, Liberty, and Property existed before-hand that caused men to make laws in the first place...F. Bastiat
Three ways to view property...
1. anyone may take anyone else's property
2. some people may take the property of other people
3. no one may take anyone else's property without that persons permission
Let me offer you my definition of social justice; I keep what I earn and you keep what you earn.
Do you disagree? Well then tell me how much of what I earn belongs to you - and why...Walter Williams
For a law is just, and therefore binding, if its restrictions are (1) necessary to protect the
rights of others and (2) proper insofar as they do not violate the pre-existing rights of the persons on whom they are imposed;
first come rights and then comes law...R. Barnett
As long as a person does not violate Common Law, that person has the right to live his life as he
chooses, the right to engage in free enterprise, free trade, and the right to accumulate the fruits of those trades (property),
and no group of politicians has the right to encroach (control or regulate) these activities.
I believe that every individual is naturally entitled to do as he pleases with himself and the
fruits of his labor, so far as it in no way interferes with any other men's rights...Abraham Lincoln
The policy of the American government is to leave their citizens free, neither restraining nor
aiding them in their pursuits...Thomas Jefferson
As long as you have rules (common law), you have a chance for freedom. Without common law, freedom
and justice will suffer. In fact, freedom without common law is an illusion.
Common Law...necessary for a civilization to develop and advance; laws on which all major religions
and philosophies agree; (1) do all you have agreed to do (2) do not encroach upon other people (3) do not encroach upon
other peoples property.
If you meet people who disagree with these laws, ask if they would like to live in a world where
these laws are not obeyed...Richard Maybury
When a portion of wealth is transfered from the person who owns it, to anyone who does not own
it, then I say that property is violated; that an act of plunder is committed. This is exactly what the Law is suppose to
suppress. When the law itself commits this act that it is suppose to suppress, I say that plunder (legalized theft) is still
committed...F.Bastiat
Equal Rights and Government
Governments are created to protect our rights which come from our Creator. Since these rights come
from our Creator, they (pre-exist) government and no group of politicians has the authority to take away or violate our God-given
rights. Without our Creator, rights are created by government and what the government creates, the government can take away.
We hold these truths to be (self-evident), that all men are created equal, that they are endowed
by their (Creator) with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That
to (secure) these rights, Governments are instituted among men...Thomas Jefferson (the Declaration of Independence)
A theme of prominent political thinking is that our rights are gifts from government. This is
just the opposite of what the American Founders thought. Imagine an adult stranded in the wild where there is no law, no police,
no courts, nothing. Another person attacks him and threatens to take everything he has made to survive. The attacker might
say "since government is the source of our rights, and there is no government out here in the wilds, you have no rights. Not
to your life, your freedom, or your property, and certainly not to self-defense. At least not until a government is established
and grants you these rights."... Tibor Machan
The purpose or role of government should be limited to (1) protecting our God-given rights from those
within our country who would seek to violate, harm or destroy our Life, Liberty, and Property (2) providing a national defense
to protect our God-given rights from those outside our country (3) providing courts where people can peacefully resolve their
disputes.
The federal governments role also includes - protecting our God-given rights from violations
by State and Local governments.
And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis,
a conviction in the minds of people that these liberties are the gift of God...Thomas Jefferson
Each of us has a natural right - from God - to defend his person, his liberty, and his property.
If every person has the right to defend his life, liberty, and property, then it follows that a group of men have the right
to organize and support a common force to protect these rights constantly...F. Bastiat
Property Rights
The State is inevitably at war with property rights. Conflicts are created and maintained by
governmental policies ( laws ) that deprive a property owner of ( decision making control ) over something he or she
owns...Butler Shaffer
Government is instituted no less for the protection of the property than of the persons of individuals;
Persons and property are the two great subjects on which governments are to act; for the protection of which government was
instituted ... James Madison
Property ownership has been undermined through regulations and taxes. True ownership of property
no longer exists...Ron Paul
Smoking Laws...a restuarant, taxi, bar, or mall are all just private places that are frequented by
the public. Just because the public has access to someones (private property) does not mean they may dictate the terms of
access. Politicians have no more business telling you that you can't allow smoking in your business (property) than they do
dictating smoking in your home (property).
Flag Laws...everyone has the right to buy, weave, and therefore own an American flag and to do with
it what he chooses; fly it, burn it, wear it, etc. But no one has the right to burn your flag, or someone else's flag. That
should be illegal, not because its an American flag, but because the arsonist is burning your flag (property) without your
permission. He is violating your (property) rights.
Note the way in which the focus on property rights solves problems. Note also that these two
laws violate - common law ( property owner rights ).
Take for example , the right of free speech. Freedom of speech is supposed to mean the right
of everyone to say whatever he likes. But the (neglected) question is: Where? Where does a man have this right? In short,
he has this right either on his own property or on the property of someone who has agreed to allow him on the premises. But
he has no right to do it on my property without my permission.
As one who makes decisions over my own life and property, I am responsible for the consequences
of my actions. My authority ends at my boundary line. If I want to make decisions regarding your property, I must enter into
a contract with you to do so...B. Shaffer
Money and property are the fruit of one's labor, and the ownership rights attendant therein is
the (root) of freedom and prosperity...G. Giles
As a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be equally said to have a property in
his rights...James Madison
Three Basic Property Rights
1. the right to ( acquire ) property
2. the right to ( use ) property
3. the right to ( dispose ) of property
in any Peaceful, Voluntary, and Honest manner
Under ( common law ) people cannot ( acquire, use, or dispose ) of their property in ways that
damage or encroach upon their neigbors property. Rights of active use end when they encroach on the property ( rights ) of
others. Thus, common law properly ( limits ) a persons - property rights.
Ever seen two children quarreling over a toy? Katherine Klemp tells how she created ( peace )
in her family by assigning property rights to toys. As a young mother she often brought toys home.
She saw how the fuzziness of ownership easily led to arguments. If everything belonged to everyone, then each child felt he
had a ( right ) to use anything. To solve the problem she introduced two simple rules; (1) never bring anything into the house
without assigning clear ownership to one child (2) the owner is not required to share. Now - property
rights - not parents, settle the arguments. Property rights actually promoted sharing since the kids were ( secure
) in their ownership and knew they would always get their toys back ... Janet Beales
Who really owns your property...what happens if you quit paying your property taxes on your home...will
the politicians take your property by force, sell it against your will, to obtain their (rent) taxes?
Republicans + Democrats = Statism
Statism ... the opposite of the original American philosophy. uses political power to encroach
upon other people and their property. create laws that violate common law.
Both republicans and democrats agree that encroachment is a good thing. Both use political power to
encroach on people who have not harmed anyone.
Both want to encroach ( control - regulate ) two areas of your life; (1) your economic conduct
(2) your social conduct. Economic refers to your money, work, trade, etc. Social refers to just about everything else, such
as, gambling, tobacco, entertainment (books, movies, etc).
Conservatives encroach (less) upon your economic life and (more) upon your social life. Liberals
encroach (less) upon your social life and (more) upon your economic life. Moderates compromise, borrowing encroachment laws
from both conservatives and liberals, they seek to control both your economic and social life about the same. Each group works
to erode ( Liberty ) !
Republicans don't want anyone having more fun than they do, and Democrats don't want anyone making
more money than they do. As long as you don't violate (common law) , Libertarians don't care how much money you make or how
much fun you have.
Non-Statist...protects a persons God-given rights of life, liberty, and property. obeys common law
( do all you have agreed to do - do not encroach upon other people - do not encroach upon other peoples property ).
Welfare Statism...a form of socialism (encroachment). the belief that government should provide (food,
shelter, medical care, retirement, schooling, etc.). requires heavy taxes and a large bureaucracy. requires taking money from
one person and giving it to another.
Political Law...created by politicians, and, if they change their minds, the law changes; which means, it
destroys businessmen and investors ability to plan ahead. it's law based on political power, not on common law.
Remember two points; (1) political law has no requirement for logic or morality (2) it changes
anytime powerholders wish to change it, which means constantly; we cannot plan ahead...Richard Maybury
Imagine trying to play a game of baseball while the audience is voting every few minutes to change
the rules. This is the situation employers and investors are in now...Richard Maybury
America's economic system is a result of its legal system. Or, economics is just a symptom,
the cause is law ... Richard Maybury
Political laws that violate Common law are the root cause of America's economic problems.
Life, Liberty, Property - this is man; they precede all human legislation, and are superior to
it ... Frederic Bastiat
It is strangely absurd to suppose that a group of politicians collected together are not under
the same moral laws (common law) which bind them separately.
The people cannot delegate to government the power to do anything which would be unlawful for
them to do themselves...Thomas Jefferson
No power on earth has a right to take our property ( money - land - etc ) from us without our
consent...John Jay...October 1774
We are living in a sick society filled with people who would not directly steal from their neighbor
but who are willing to demand that the government do it for them...William Comer
And as (taxation) and (regulation) of business increase, motivation to produce will die, leading
inevitably to a nationalization of industry; that is the step that will take America from the decaying stage to the death
stage; it happened in every civilization that tried to provide the (free lunch) for its citizens and then blamed businessmen
for its financial collapse...Robert Ringer
Both (statist-parties) republicans and democrats stand for the same ideological ideas; state interventionism,
wealth redistribution, welfare-state programs, government regulations - government control of (social and economic conduct);
they may only disagree on how to manage the welfare state more "cost-efficiently".
The Non-Statist believe; the purpose of government and the law is to see that everyone is protected
in his life, liberty, and property; not to take the fruits of one's labor (money-property) and give it away to someone else;
not to control or regulate economic and social conduct that is - peaceful, honest, and voluntary - between consenting adults.
When the governments boot is on your throat, whether it is a democrat boot or a republican boot
is of no consequence. Both republicans and democrats have embraced and supported every single socialistic, welfare scheme
- all the things that exist in socialist Cuba, Vietnam, and North Korea - that has been implemented in America in the 20th
century.
Electing a few Libertarians (Non Statist) to government, is like having a designated driver in
a car full of drunks.
Republicans and Democrats - what's the difference ? ... please read these two short articles by -
Walter Williams @ ...
Taxes and Government
The more money that remains in the hands of the people , the more will be available to - spend
, save , invest , create jobs - which will benefit the economy - that means all of us. Any tax system that
taxes - income and property - is hostile to economic growth.
What can we do about it ...
1. Abolish the - income and property - tax
2. Replace them with a - sales tax - and close down the IRS
3. Restore our government to its - original function
4. Require a ( super-majority ) vote to raise taxes
Accepting the principle behind the income tax and estate tax concedes the statist notion that
the politicians own the fruits of our labor, as well as our savings, and we are permitted by the politicians generosity to
keep a certain percentage...Ron Paul
I apply a very simple test to any proposal to overhaul the tax code; does it reduce or eliminate
an existing tax? If not, then it amounts to nothing more than a political shell game that pits taxpayers against each other
in a lobbying scramble to make sure the other guy pays ... Ron Paul
The question to ask yourself is this; what would I do with the money withheld from my paycheck
each month? The answer is simple; you would - spend , save , or invest - the money , all of which do more for the economy
and society than sending it to Washington ... Ron Paul
Tax relief is important, but members of Congress need to back up tax cuts with - spending cuts.
If federal spending grows at 5% rather than 7% one year, that's hardly a great achievement on the part of Congress ... Ron
Paul
Political Power and the Rule of Law
Our constititional system was designed to restrain political power and place limits on the size and
scope of government. It is this system, the rule of law, which we should celebrate - not political victories.
I believe the proper role for government in America is to provide a - national defense , a court
system for civil disputes , a criminal justice system for acts of force or fraud , and little else.
Those who hold political power, however, would lose their status in a society with truly limited
government. It simply would not matter much who occupied various political posts, since their ability to - tax , spend , and
regulate - would be severly curtailed.
Lets Sum It Up
Liberty ... NOT ... Statism
Equal Rights ... NOT ... Artificial Rights
Economic Freedom ... NOT ... Mixed Economy
Common Law ... NOT ... Political Law
Please read these ( short articles ) ...
Bogus Rights -
Why We Love Government -
Democracy or Liberty -
