THE BASIS OF TRUE GREATNESS

It is astounding today that in this great country of the United States of America a failed philosophy of socialist egalitarianism could ever have taken hold of so many minds of so many intelligent people and transformed them into envious, dependent humans with the expectation of government support and its appropriation of individual decision making by changing morals, changing economic methods, and reducing respect for institutions that built this society and for people who have honestly worked for their own ownership of property and self-support.

In 1776, a War of Independence was fought to free the then New England Colonies from a system of repression of their mother country, England, for the right to pursue happiness and physical security in a land of liberty under the just rule of law to own the property for which they had rightly worked. The hearty little country the colonies fought to establish chose to utilize the successful economic principles of capitalism to produce wealth and the blessings of individual effort that resulted in the magnificent nation we know today. It is observable that the composite of all the individual citizens through two and a quarter centuries has produced a country more powerful and with the most advanced standard of living than has ever existed in known history.

Those who have been indoctrinated to believe the contrary system of coercive redistribution of wealth and forced central control of individuals and the means of production by powerful and large government have chosen to adopt a system of belief that flies in the face of human nature and natural, safe ownership of private and personal property. It is human nature always to seek gain and to try to avoid loss.

To illustrate and clarify the concept of property to begin with, consider the human baby or toddler who has toys. Forcibly to take away such toys results in frustration and anger in that child. This illustrates the innate and natural sense of possession. The next step in appreciation of owning property begins with owning clothing and having a room that is theirs (even if shared with siblings). When taught to work for wages whether at home or in a workplace, the earned wages belong to the little worker. Ultimately, one must learn how to earn one’s own support, which results in the developing and accumulating one’s own property.

From the beginning, the individual soon becomes aware of the need to protect what rightfully belongs to him/her. Locks on doors, the need for self-defense, and learning the laws of the community and country all contribute to that awareness. Police, sheriff departments, and national armies contribute to that security and protection.

So what is property? It is important to understand a few accurate definitions regarding private property. True and accurate definitions, developed by observation and experience, must be understood, accepted and mutually respected for their appreciation and utilization. These add reliability to the importance of life.

So, let us begin by a simple all-encompassing definition: Property is the individual man’s (and woman’s) life and all non-procreative derivatives of his (her) life. Ownership of property is the basis of liberty.

There are three categories of property taught by astrophysicist and philosopher, Andrew J. Galambos, which lend accuracy to thinking and action.
 
1)    Primordial property is life itself. Only the individual owns his life, which excludes
slavery. Children are not property; they have property rights of their own. Parents are their guides. And, men do not own women.

2)    Primary property, thoughts and ideas are the first derivatives of an
      individual’s life (sometimes referred to as “intellectual” property). Thoughts 
      belong to the individual who originates them. [Parenthetically, it is practical to
      consider ideas as successfully-communicated thoughts.]

      All personal actions result from personal thoughts. Ownership of thoughts means 
      ownership of actions, and thus the individual (not society) is responsible for that
      individual’s own actions. By recognizing and accepting the ownership of primary
      property, intellectual freedom arises and inspires expansion of knowledge and
      production.

3)    Secondary property is derived from thoughts and ideas and subsequent actions. This includes inventions and the production, utilization, and enjoyment of material, tangible goods of all kinds such as architecture, the means of transportation, and all consumer goods.

          Further extensions of man’s life and actions lead to voluntary transactions and
          contracts.

Precise and workable definitions lead to accurate thinking and predictably productive action and applications. Honesty and integrity are also essential to successful and lasting development of property.

Ownership of private property is the basis of capitalism, liberty, freedom, and justice; and it is the foundation of the United States of America’s Constitution.

Compiled by David L. Wood, M.D., Long Beach, CA, Aug. 31, 2009.