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Rent Control is Theft? (Score:2)
While not generally a fan of Mises, I rather agree with the professor's central tenet that rent control is theft. However, he does himself no favors by actually saying "theft". When trying to be persuasive, calling people thieves -- particularly when they don't realize they are -- does nothing to win them over. I've met far too many Libertarians who don't seem to have the basic social skills to understand that they are doing themselves no favors. They merits of an argument can be useless when the other party is offended.
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Re: (Score:2)
I've met far too many Libertarians who don't seem to have the basic social skills to understand that they are doing themselves no favors.
Kinda like being a geek, huh? :D
I rather agree with the professor's central tenet that rent control is theft.
You know, when I saw the subject of your reply, that was actually the last thing I expected you to say. :)
But actually I was mainly focusing on the ban money thing, as I've heard this for years, and it's always amazed me how people can take Star Trek as a model for potential economic reality.
J. David works really hard, has a passion for writing good software, and knows many of the world's best Perl programmers
Re: (Score:2)
That was my attempt to show how one can be provocative enough to catch one's audience without offending them, though I wonder if my "basic social skills" comment negated all of that :)
Re: (Score:2)
While not generally a fan of Mises, I rather agree with the professor's central tenet that rent control is theft. However, he does himself no favors by actually saying "theft".
It's a loaded word. Strictly speaking, it is true, depending on context and definitions. In criminal law terms, it is not true, as it is only theft if the gov't says it is theft according to the law. In economic terms, it probably is theft. But the word is loaded and unuseful.
A better thing to say is that the property owner, by virtue of owning the property, has the right to charge whatever he wishes. And the government by enforcing rent control therefore takes away some of his property rights. Laws
Re: (Score:2)
It's a loaded word. Strictly speaking, it is true, depending on context and definitions. In criminal law terms, it is not true, as it is only theft if the gov't says it is theft according to the law. In economic terms, it probably is theft. But the word is loaded and unuseful.
I agree it's loaded and often particularly unuseful. It has been useful for me in religious discussions, however, as I attempt to persuade people who share my religious convictions that supporting such actions means they are supporting theft and therefore engaging in something they believe to be a sin.
But that's not generally useful in intra-geek discussions. :)
The question is whether that "theft" of property rights is justified.
Since the ends never justify the means, then if you prove something is theft or infringement of rights, then I'd have to say the answer to t
J. David works really hard, has a passion for writing good software, and knows many of the world's best Perl programmers