It is understandable that individuals are more passionate about property rights issues that have a direct impact on their lives. For example, rural Texans are more concerned about eminent domain, water rights, and endangered species regulations, and they have little or no concern about historic preservation or tree protection ordinances. Urban Texans are more concerned about preservation and tree protection ordinances, and they have little or no concern about eminent domain, water rights, or endangered species regulations.
Unfortunately, neither set of Texans understands that a threat to anyone’s property right is a threat to everyone’s property rights. If, in principle, the property rights of rural Texans can be violated, then the property rights of urban Texans can be violated. And vice versa. If we wish to protect our right to property, then we must defend the principle of property rights, no matter the issue, no matter the intended victim.
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