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July 4, 2006

John Adams and Independence Day

Posted by Jon Sanders at 10:10 PM

The Founder and second U.S. President was prescient in his July 3, 1776, letter to Abigail. Granted, his prediction for the date of the celebration was off by two days, but that is, as they say, good enough for government work:

The second day of July, 1776, will be memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations, as the great Anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward forever.

Here's a link to the letter. The final paragraph is worth a look.

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Speaking of property rights

Posted by Mitch Kokai at 1:04 PM

Dyersville, Iowa, home of the "Field of Dreams," wants to take an elderly lady's farm for a rail spur project.

Supporters cite the need for jobs. They say the rail spur would help them bring an ethanol plant. (I guess all those people coming to see the ghost of Shoeless Joe Jackson don't generate enough revenue.)

Iowa lawmakers stepped up to the plate to place new restrictions on eminent domain powers in the land of corn, but the governor vetoed their bill.

For a disturbing take on this issue, read this.

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Property rights and Independence Day

Posted by Jon Sanders at 12:16 AM

Last night my family joined Erik Root's family in Fuquay-Varina for the town's celebration of Independence Day. Fuquay has always had a wonderful fireworks display, but since the town has grown tremendously over the past few years, finding parking for the festivities has become increasingly difficult.

There is, however, an old farmhouse within tolerable walking distance to the park that used to charge celebrants for the privilege of parking on the lot. This year, however, there was no sign in the yard for parking, but there were several cars parked there. Not seeing anything else anywhere close, we decided to pull in and check, and sure enough, the woman met us.

I asked her if she were charging. She said no, the town of Fuquay-Varina forbid her from charging because she wasn't a business. She was taking "donations." She told us with note of what-are-ya-gonna-do resignation in her voice (we all know that sound — we all make it when trying to describe clumsy, unnecessary bureaucratic meddling and favoritism) that some locals who ran their own businesses out of their homes didn't have the same problem as her.

The latter bit she told us after we gave her our donation. We pooled together $7, which was considerably more than she charged in previous years, but which was made out of consideration that other drivers likely didn't care to donate. When we "donated," we informed her that we were happy to give because we believed in property rights. "Really?" she said. "Oh, yes ma'am."

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