More Government Abuse

Meet Francisco Linares of Rolling Hills Estates CA, the man who will very likely be going to jail for six months. Was his crime shoplifting or even armed robbery? No it was much more sinister than that. This man had the nerve to put improvements on his own property with out getting the correct permits.

This crime wave started when Mr. Linares repaired a broken fence that was ultimately the city's responsibility. Of course the city told him that it was his responsibility, but we cant be bogged down with such details. He also had the nerve to add a patio and retaining wall. The question isn't whether the punishment fits the crime, the question is what right does the city have to tell a man what he can or can not do with his property. Why is the permit even needed? When did we allow power hungry thugs to control what we worked for?

The truth of the matter is we have been losing property rights for years. We allow (and call for) smoking bans. Senator Hitlery Clinton even endorses a national smoking ban.

We let the Kelo vs New London pass without even a whimper. For those who don't know this case allows eminent domain to be used to enhance a counties revenue. Meaning if you have a piece of property that the county thinks can generate more tax revenue then it can take it from you (giving you what it feels is market value) and give the land to someone else.

Drug seizures are another abuse of power. A person can lose cash, cars and even property without a trial and ultimately will never get it back. Case in point (courtesy of newsmax)

At Houston’s Hobby Airport, police stopped 49-year-old Ethel Hylton and seized her luggage because a drug dog had scratched it. Agents searched her bags and strip-searched her but found no drugs. They did find $39,110 in cash from an insurance settlement and her life savings, accumulated through over 20 years of work as a hotel housekeeper and hospital janitor. According to the article she never got the money back. No trial, no conviction, but no money. Actually more than $1 Billion of property is confiscated each year without a trial. Welcome to the land of the free.

Even taxes are violation of property rights. Every time the various government thieves take your money they are showing a blatant disregard for private property.

We allow this kind of property violation every day. It is time for Americans to wake up and fight these clear violations of private property before it is too late. We cannot be free if our property is not safe.