Yeah, a lot of the details are getting lost in the noise.
Firstly, should the government give the person a right to charge at all for access to the beach? If they have the right, do they have a commensurate responsibility (provide a bathroom)? If they have both, how do we decide what the fair value is?
The problem is someone reading this thinks "no, don't charge, and no bathroom. That works for me!" Someone else thinks "Of course they should charge a fair amount. What are we? Animals?"
But this isn't supposed to be a battle of our moods and desires. Its supposed to be a principled discussion. What is the principle? At least VK puts one forward: he thinks private property rights should trump some others. Surf riders also has a principle: the public should have access to the beaches.
I agree with both. So lets say that we think private property rights should be respected AND beach access preserved. What is the best way to balance it? Perhaps the minimal private property rights consistent with beach access? Or the minimal access consistent with property rights?
Firstly, should the government give the person a right to charge at all for access to the beach? If they have the right, do they have a commensurate responsibility (provide a bathroom)? If they have both, how do we decide what the fair value is?
The problem is someone reading this thinks "no, don't charge, and no bathroom. That works for me!" Someone else thinks "Of course they should charge a fair amount. What are we? Animals?"
But this isn't supposed to be a battle of our moods and desires. Its supposed to be a principled discussion. What is the principle? At least VK puts one forward: he thinks private property rights should trump some others. Surf riders also has a principle: the public should have access to the beaches.
I agree with both. So lets say that we think private property rights should be respected AND beach access preserved. What is the best way to balance it? Perhaps the minimal private property rights consistent with beach access? Or the minimal access consistent with property rights?