Using the Constitution Series: Speaking with a Communist
Does private property exist? If we own property, may we alter it as we see fit? Recently, while discussing property rights, a whole new argument arose…Communism.
Are individuals able to exercise private property rights or does government control property? The first time I encountered this debate was with a libertarian’s husband who felt because we pay property taxes, we don’t own property. The next time, I believe a liberal, was concerned about what his neighbor’s did, playing loud music, water rights and property values. The last argument claimed that the state owns property and we only pay “rent” in the form of taxes.
The argument transitioned to we do not have alodial title. Perplexed by the angle of the argument, I went home and researched “Alodial titles”. I realized that he was not advocating for property rights but for government control of property. In other words, you do not have control and ownership of your own property. The ability to make decisions based off your own decisions of property in land and servicing one another within business also.
Paying taxes is different than a mortgage, as the bank owns your property, you may not be able to tear down your house because the bank actually owns the property. While paying property taxes, you’re paying local government for the common good such as roads, schools, police, etc. This is based on your property value. While apartment complexes and communities pay taxes, some communities enter into a home owners association which is different than your local government. Your local government is not a home owners association.
Our constitutional republic predates Marxism, communism and fascist theories and our founder’s understood the importance of private property. Communism is defined as, “advocating class war and leading to a society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs.” As government does identify property lines and other similar functions, they are making law concerning property rights so advocates for communism use this as a springboard into control of property. This is a far cry from control over your property.
Private property and capitalism are a cornerstone of our nation for over 225 years, this is a right protected by the Fifth Amendment. It reads, “…nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”
…the right to life issue is a whole new discussion.
For private property to be taken, it must exist. Now, there are some who claim that the Bill of Rights only applies to the federal government but communism is communism. Whether it’s a local, state or federal level, property is still taken. Taxing authority is different than owning property; taxes go to paying for common interests.
Private property rights are the most important of our freedoms. People cannot exercise their rights and freedoms without private property…or if they do, it will be with the permission of the property owners.
The ability to redress grievances and exercise the Five Freedoms, freedom of assembly, speech, press, religion or petition cannot be exercised without private property. When a person posts on Facebook, they are using someone else’s property to exercise their freedom of press. When you speak at a city council or public grounds, you are speaking on government property and should abide by their rules.
If government owns your property, then they may conduct “Illegal searches and seizures.” Do you have the right to bear arms if you’re renting your property? When someone invites you to use their property, it is their option to allow you to represent their property as they see fit.
When government owns all property, this economic system is communism. Those with a silver tongue will always advocate for communism over capitalism because their commodity is politics and the art of persuasion. The foundation of our economic system is capitalism. The most vulnerable within our society is…the individual! …and protecting private property rights should be sacrosanct! Without private property and respect for it …then no one is free.
…besides, the “supreme Law of the Land” protects it.
“I would have saved 1,000 slaves if they knew they were slaves.” – Harriet Tubman