Property Rights

Most of freedom and of pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world
--Tears for Fears

Natural rights are often equated to property rights. Generally speaking, an individual's property consists of the following:

1) Life
2) Wherewithal to produce
3) Fruits of labor

Each individual a right to his/her property. No individual can forcibly take any of the above from another person. Forcibly taking life from another is akin to murder. Forcibly taking wherewithal to produce from another is akin to slavery. Forcibly taking fruits of another's labor is akin to robbery.

In a free society, government's role is to ensure that property rights are upheld. If individuals cannot defend these rights by themselves, then government is empowered to use force to help individuals defend their rights.

Any expansion of government power beyond this scope necessarily infringes on property rights.

To gain power, of course, government must do precisely this.