Friday, August 05, 2005

Human rights v. property rights

Check outWalter E. Williams on property rights:
"Creating false distinctions between human rights and property rights plays into the hands of Democrat and Republican party socialists who seek to control our lives. If we buy into the notion that somehow property rights are less important, or are in conflict with, human or civil rights, we give the socialists a freer hand to attack our property.

As President John Adams (1797-1801) put it, 'Property is surely a right of mankind as real as liberty.' Adding, 'The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.'"

During the era of our country's founding many, perhaps most, believed that liberty and property were equivalent. Professor Williams' commentary helps us understand why this is the case.

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