Free Republic

In Houston, as in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, looting follows as floodwaters recede. Homeowners already ravaged by Hurricane Harvey are finding themselves ravaged yet again by thugs and looters. Nor is Harvey the only hazard. As we approach the height of hurricane season, Hurricane Irma threatens the Caribbean and, potentially, our Atlantic coast. Even beyond natural disasters, residents of Charlottesville, Charlotte, Baltimore, and elsewhere have suffered from America's increasing propensity for riots, looting, and property destruction. As you probably know, you may legally defend yourself using deadly force if you or your family faces a reasonable fear of imminent...

PEORIA - Caterpillar Inc. and other large companies are being criticized by the Obama administration for reporting now that they will take millions of dollars in hits to their earnings because of one portion of the new health care legislation. Caterpillar and Deere were accused of being “premature and irresponsible” by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke for saying a change to Medicare Part D laws would hurt their earnings in the present quarter. Those companies are also being questioned about the amounts they are claiming — amounts that seem to get larger with every company that makes a report...

Editorial The Limits of Property Rights Published: June 24, 2005 The Supreme Court's ruling yesterday that the economically troubled city of New London, Conn., can use its power of eminent domain to spur development was a welcome vindication of cities' ability to act in the public interest. It also is a setback to the "property rights" movement, which is trying to block government from imposing reasonable zoning and environmental regulations. Still, the dissenters provided a useful reminder that eminent domain must not be used for purely private gain.

U.S. Supreme Court says cities have broad powers to take property.

PIG BOOK Citizens Against Government WasteBy David E. Williams and Kerrie N. Rezac 2002Homepage INTRODUCTION The opening scene of The Godfather depicts the head of a New York "family," Don Vito Corleone, agreeing to perform certain "favors." Corleone does this with the caveat that the favor may have to be returned some day. This scene is reminiscent of what happens when the President's budget gets into the hands of the appropriators. Members of Congress approach the appropriators asking for favors, promising votes in return. They get the goods through a form of legal money laundering, but taxpayers receive only inflated...