We have 44 million rental units in the US. 55% of them are owned by individual landlords who often rent only one unit--perhaps part of their home--and on average rent just three units. A large majority of those landlords are paying off mortgage loans. All pay property taxes. Where is the moratorium on foreclosures? On seizing property for back taxes?
John Locke, who inspired Thomas Jefferson, wrote of "Lives, Liberties, and Estates, which I call by the general Name, Property." James Madison, main author of our Constitution, wrote, "As a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be equally said to have a property in his rights." It is not just real estate. Every right is a property, just as every property is a right.
The Takings Clause of the 5th Amendment says, "Nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation." The Due Process clause of the 14th Amendment says, "Nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law."
SCOTUS did not rule on the merits of the moratorium. It ruled on the legality. It was an illegal taking of property without due process. When first they take our property, next they will take our liberty, and then our lives, just as surely as when first they take Manhattan, next they'll take Berlin.
We have 44 million rental units in the US. 55% of them are owned by individual landlords who often rent only one unit--perhaps part of their home--and on average rent just three units. A large majority of those landlords are paying off mortgage loans. All pay property taxes. Where is the moratorium on foreclosures? On seizing property for back taxes?
John Locke, who inspired Thomas Jefferson, wrote of "Lives, Liberties, and Estates, which I call by the general Name, Property." James Madison, main author of our Constitution, wrote, "As a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be equally said to have a property in his rights." It is not just real estate. Every right is a property, just as every property is a right.
The Takings Clause of the 5th Amendment says, "Nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation." The Due Process clause of the 14th Amendment says, "Nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law."
SCOTUS did not rule on the merits of the moratorium. It ruled on the legality. It was an illegal taking of property without due process. When first they take our property, next they will take our liberty, and then our lives, just as surely as when first they take Manhattan, next they'll take Berlin.
Man. You nailed it in the "My Take" section!