Pubdate: Thu, 05 May 2011
Source: Ravalli Republic (Hamilton, MT)
Copyright: 2011 Ravalli Republic
Contact:  http://www.ravallirepublic.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3254
Author: David A. Merrick

PROPERTY RIGHTS

Now that the legislating period is nearly over, it has become, once 
again, clear to me that all our local legislators tend to restrict 
rather than defend rights to property. To be fair however, not in all 
aspects, but in two very important areas: Eminent domain and personal 
property. Both concern the right to own and utilize property in any 
manner that does not infringe or interfere with this same right 
endowed by each individual.

First let me define property as that which a person owns; person as a 
human being; own as belonging to self; and utilize as to put to use; 
all defined in the Random House dictionary. Every human being owns 
property, the most important being his or herself. Even the poorest 
of beings has that as a possession as long as they are alive and has 
the right to use that simple possession in any manner that does not 
harm to any or all other beings. In exercising this personal right, 
individuals tend to gain additional property such as clothes, tools 
and real estate on which to utilize the tools, etc. If in gaining 
additional property one has done so through voluntary and honorable 
actions via other human beings, then one should be thought to own and 
use said properties in any manner chosen.

With this said, let me return to the issues at hand.

The eminent domain bill that was sent to the governor expands the 
present powers of eminent domain allowing private companies to 
condemn private property for a use when deemed as a "public good" 
thus taking this option from the actual owner(s) and thus denying 
them the right to utilize this property in a manner most important to 
them. This bill affects all those who have been fortunate enough to 
extend their properties to the realm of real estate.

The bill to regulate marijuana however, will affect even those who 
have only themselves as property. For if one is the sole owner of the 
body in which one finds their self, then they should be the one to 
utilize this body in any manner that does not harm others. This would 
include the right to eat, drink, inhale or ingest food or medicines 
at their pleasure. Again, without harming these same rights of others.

Until our legislators come to understand that the right to property 
is an inalienable personal right of every human being, then all 
rights will always be in jeopardy of being violated and prosecuted by 
those in authority. Once again, freedom is the issue.

David A. Merrick

Corvallis
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom