Let’s talk briefly about your unalienable rights: “the founders did not believe that the basic rights of mankind originated from any social compact, king, emperor, or governmental authority.” Of course we all know they believed these rights came from God. If a right doesn’t come from God, it can be taken away. And rights like that often are. As a point of clarification, Skousen makes a distinction between unalienable rights and vested rights. A vested right is the “privilege” of hunting during hunting season (because the government has the right to tell you when you can shoot something). Unalienable rights are different: while we can give up our unalienable rights, no one can take them from us “without being subject to God’s justice. In other words, don’t kill babies, even if they’re not born yet.
Three unalienable rights often referenced are life, liberty, and property. I want to focus on the right to property. Some might think that means everyone is “owed” a house by God. No no no no no. That’s liberal thinking—equality of things, not equality of rights.
A correct view of property rights comes from R.J. Rushdoony, who states, “the absolute and transcendental title to property is the Lord’s; the present and historical title to property is man’s. The ownership of property does not leave this world when it is denied to man; it is simply transferred to the state.” State ownership of property is not a good thing: “the family is the major custodian of property in all history. To rob the family of property is to weaken its power.” And of course now you see the problem when the government takes people’s property.
And before you fall into the trap of thinking “property” only refers to your house and your caryou’re your lawnmower, remember this: your hard-earned money is your property, too. So when the government over-taxes you it steals your property. And remember what Skousen said: those who take our property will be subject to God’s justice.
I’m glad I’m not in Congress.
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