America at 250: Property rights remain the foundation of the American dream 

George Washington is credited with saying, “Freedom and property rights are inseparable. You can’t have one without the other.” As America reflects on 250 years of independence, the sentiment feels as relevant as ever. Property rights are not an abstract legal concept. They are the foundation of economic opportunity, personal security, community stability and the American Dream. For millions of families, owning a home represents far more than a financial investment. It is a place to build a life, raise a family, establish roots and create generational wealth. The Founders understood this. John Adams wrote in 1790 that “property must be secured, or liberty cannot exist.” They saw property rights as essential to personal liberty, economic independence and individual autonomy. That principle drew from a long legal tradition stretching back to the Magna Carta and was carried by James Madison into the Fifth Amendment, where property protections stand alongside some of the Constitution’s most important safeguards for individual rights. That promise depends on confidence. A homebuyer must be able to trust that when they purchase a home, they truly own it. A lender must be able to rely on ...