When a devotee of private property, free market, limited government principles states his position, he is inevitably confronted with a barrage of socialistic cliches. Failure to answer these has effectively silenced many a spokesman for freedom. Here are suggested answers to some of the most persistent of the “Cliches of Socialism.” These are not the only answers or even the best possible answers; but they may help someone else develop better explanations of the ideas on liberty that are the only effective displacement for the empty promises of socialism. Single-sheet reprints of each answer available at cost. Unless otherwise indicated, books noted in this volume are published by and available from the Foundation for Economic Education
The Great Thanksgiving Hoax
Each year at this time school children all over America are taught the official Thanksgiving story, and newspapers, radio, TV, and magazines devote vast amounts of time and space to it. It is all very colorful and fascinating.
It is also very deceiving. This official story is nothing like what really happened. It is a fairy tale, a whitewashed and sanitized collection of half-truths which divert attention away from Thanksgiving’s real meaning.
Taking Liberty-How Private Property is being Abolished in America
Taking Liberty is a comprehensive look at the lower 48 states showing, region by region,
how the Environmental Movement is rapidly abolishing Private Property in America.
Bureaucracy Quotes
Webster’s 1913 Dictionary
Bu`reau´crat
n. 1. An official of a bureau; esp. an official confirmed in a narrow and arbitrary routine.
The Aftermath of the Kelo Ruling
One year ago, on June 23, 2005, the United States Supreme Court opened the floodgates for the abuse of eminent domain by state and local authorities with its Kelo v. City of New London decision. That decision held that private property could be taken by government agencies and turned over to private developers under the guise of ‘economic development.’
Eminent Hypocrisy
In a June 26 editorial entitled ‘Responsible Use of Eminent Domain,’ the New York Times displays what can only be described as the ultimate in hypocritical chutzpah as it attempts to justify its own nefarious land—grab made under the guise of the principle of eminent domain.
A Supreme Court decision last year on eminent domain caused many people to overreact, most of all Congress. The House of Representatives passed a troubling bill that would severely limit local governments’ ability to clean up blighted areas and promote responsible development. The Senate, which has yet to act, should take a more moderate approach.
Eminent Domain: Being Abused?
Just about everyone knows that under a process called eminent domain, the government can (and does) seize private property for public use – to build a road, a school or a courthouse.
But did you know the government can also seize your land for private use if they can prove that doing it will serve what’s called “the public good”?