This is my latest column (10-7-2010) in the local paper, which has no website to link to:
I care how Farwell looks. I probably care more than the vast majority of Farwell residents, and I can offer concrete proof of my concern, backed up by my actions, to those who doubt me. However, I care about liberty even more.
All socialism has the myth of "the common good", also known as "the general welfare", at its heart [and nothing but socialism can result from it]. Socialism is wrong, even when you approve and even if you benefit from it. It places the desires of "society", or even just a portion of society, above the inalienable rights of the individual.
So I am particularly appalled by the recent emphasis on "code enforcement". That's socialist-speak for "Violating your property rights on behalf of The Majority using the threat of force". It is wrong even when it has been made "legal". Liberty is sometimes messy, but it is still preferable to, and the ethical opposite of, "neat and orderly" socialism.
I understand that some people get offended when a neighbor has an unkempt lawn or a junky car in their yard. Yet, what another person does with their own property, even to the point of destroying it, is no one else's business as long as no one else is being harmed- and being offended doesn't qualify as harm. If a neighbor's junk is winding up on your property, or causing you harm through attracted vermin or mosquito breeding, you have the right to take action to solve that particular problem or seek restitution. Until that happens their property is none of your business, no matter what.
"Codes" are just a way of taking control of a person's property away from them and giving it to a mythical entity called "the majority". It is wrong even if you like it and even if you can come up with reasonable-sounding justifications. I repudiate this violation of rights. Don't enforce the "codes" against my neighbors on my behalf.
Update: Check out the police chief's response, along with my added comments here.
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ReplyDeleteWatch the Video: Vote for You Economy Now - Essay in Persuasion
Describes the Advantages and the Process of
the Election for an Additional Economy.
Add Jobs, Revenues & Investments.
Prosperous, Fair, Stable & Peaceful.
The only workable solution to our present economic woes.
The Video is Blocked in Certain Countries:
Email me to signal if it is blocked in yours.
I will try a work around.
Note: I am very grateful that the owner of this publication allowed me to publish my ideas. I stand ready to write articles for any publication whatever its political, economic, religious or philosophical ideology and to reciprocate on my blog.
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I would prefer, however, that you find posts that are more relevent to your subject. But that's up to you.
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