A recent article about short-term rentals (STRs) in Corpus Christi begins with the question: “Should companies like Airbnb be allowed to do business in Corpus Christi?” The principle underlying that question poses a threat to every productive individual.
Individual rights protect our freedom to act as we judge best, so long as we respect the rights of others to do the same. But if we must secure the approval of government before acting, we are not able to act by right. We can only act with the permission of politicians and bureaucrats. The above question implies that we should not be free to act as we choose, but we should only be permitted to act as government thinks best.
If we accept that principle, then we endorse complete government control over our lives.
The opponents of STRs would likely argue that this is an exaggeration. They only want government control over STRs. But countless other groups are applying the same principle to their pet projects. Each wants government to control others, with the effect that everyone and everything eventually comes under government control.
If we don’t want government controlling our life and property, then we cannot demand government control over the lives or property of others. To do otherwise is to be a hypocrite.