Liberty and Property.pdf - The Ludwig von Mises Institute

Liberty and Property 39they call restrictions of liberty in the handsof the government. They attack the institutionof private property and the laws that, asthey say, stand “ready to enforce propertyrights—that is, to deny liberty to anyone toact in a way which violates them.” A generation ago all housewives preparedsoup by proceeding in accordance with therecipes that they had got from their mothersor from a cookbook. Today many housewivesprefer to buy a canned soup, to warmit and to serve it to their family. But, say ourlearned doctors, the canning corporation isin a position to restrict the housewife’s freedombecause, in asking a price for the tincan, it puts an obstacle to her use of it. Peoplewho did not enjoy the privilege of beingtutored by these eminent teachers, wouldsay that the canned product was turned outby the cannery, and that the corporation inproducing it removed the greatest obstacleto a consumer’s getting and using a can,Ibid., p. 5.