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I actually agree with John to some extent. I acknowledge that owners will sometimes use their property in ways that unjustly pass on costs to other parties. I believe that economists call these "externalities."

The classic example is a manufacturer who pollutes a river by dumping his waste into it. The cost of cleaning the water falls on those who live downstream. I'm not opposed to government arrangements that prevent that sort of thing. Although, I must admit, that I would prefer to see government intervention minimized.