Private property is generally respected in the United States. It’s one of the bedrocks of America’s successful political experiment.
However, the 20th century began to witness the US largely deviate from what made it great.
First up, you had the creation of the Federal Reserve and the subsequent imposition of the income tax during the 1910s.
Things worsened under the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who implemented the New Deal and put the US on the path to big government.
While FDR could not get all of his legislative desires passed during the New Deal, he used the US’s entry into World War II to greatly expand his power.
Initially, the Roosevelt administration created the National War Labor Board in 1942 to prevent strikes in industries that were critical for the war effort.
The board adjudicated settlements between management and workers to prevent production shut-downs that could potentially undermine the war effort.
Throughout World War II, the renowned retailer and manufacturer Montgomery Ward provided the Allies with a wide array of goods ranging from automotive parts to clothing — all which were deemed as important items for the war effort.
However, Montgomery Ward was not always on the same page with the unions it had to deal with. Sewell Avery, the chairman of Montgomery Ward, refused to abide by the terms of three separate collective bargaining agreements made with the United Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union between 1943 and 1944.
Sewell became increasingly defiant in April 1944 when he refused to comply with a second board order. This prompted the Roosevelt administration to deploy the Army National Guard to seize the company’s principal plant in Chicago. Later on, National Guard troops had to carry out Sewell from his office.
Subsequently, in December 1944, Roosevelt was tired of Sewell's recalcitrance. On December 27, Roosevelt instructed Stimson to seize Montgomery Ward’s plants and facilities in California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Oregon.
So much for respecting private property….
This is just another reminder of how politicians use a generalized crisis — be it an economic collapse or war — to expand their power.
We’re seeing this play out after Russia invaded Ukraine, with Western governments trampling all over individual and economic liberties to allegedly punish Russia.
Are we destined to see another major loss of individual freedom in the great US of A?
It’s anyone’s guess at this point.
