The GOP in Derby needs philosophical renewal.
Conservatism is about the defense of the individual’s right to property and one’s ability to mix one’s labor with his land and own the results. It is about preserving freedom from state usurpation and coercion.
These are not the ideals that motivate the GOP in our city.
It is proof of the sad philosophical state of the Derby GOP that I am forced to write about “blight” and a hot-dog cart.
Eugene Driscoll has given us a description of the recent controversy involving our Board of Alderman, our “blight” ordinance, and the now dilapidated Derby property owned by Alderman Stephen Iacuone.
For those interested in the mundane machinations of local bureaucracy one can find the affair spelled out here.
What Mr. Driscoll has spelled out, however, has angered this reader. Citizens of Derby are paying a price for poor leadership that could easily be rectified if the Derby GOP returned to principles of humble government.
Our elected representatives have been spending their time arguing about a “blighted” property one of them owns and a hot-dog cart.
Basic conservative philosophy apparently needs to be restated. One can either make money, or not. Selling hot-dogs is a way one can make money and by doing so one is providing a service to people in a medium of free exchange.
If I own a hot-dog cart it is my right to sell hot-dogs I have prepared.
This is a fundamental part of conservative thinking.
I am not speaking here of the rights of some massive multi-national to engage in unfair “free” trade with China and outsource jobs while enjoying an effective 0% tax rate.
I am speaking here of a small local business owner trying to make a buck. Our “conservatives” are discussing whether or not to fine a business owner for attempting to work for a living.
Would we rather he not run a hot dog cart without deigning to get some bureaucrats permission and instead steal brass plaques?
And what of this blight ordinance, enforced by a former chief of police?
The former chief has said, correctly, that every person whose property is on that list has extenuating circumstances.
Only illness, or poverty, or some other great misfortune would lead someone to let their property become blighted.
Is our best solution to leverage the city’s police power, personified by a former police chief, and charge them $100 a day for their misfortune? Do we truly want to add intimidation, fear, and bankruptcy to their list of troubles?
This is how the city of Derby treats citizens who fall on hard times during the most challenging economy since the Great Depression?
It is clear that it is time for renewal within the Derby GOP. It is time for the party to learn that there are concrete steps it can take to reign in city government, while at the same time seeking to help local enterprises thrive.
The writer is a Derby resident. The views published here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Valley Indy.