The balance of power in a society accompanies the balance of property in land.

John Adams

Things are different this campaign season, yet they remain the same.

Again there are too few contested legislative races in Highline districts. Only four incumbents face challenges this fall.

And no Tim Eyman-sponsored initiative appears on the Nov. 7 ballot. Still, voters will decide the fate of two important initiatives.

One of these, Initiative 933, would protect private property rights from economic harm caused by excessive government regulation.

The other, Initiative 920, would abolish Washington's inheritance (a/k/a death) tax.

Liberals in our state like neither. Yet there is grass roots support for both measures, which would counter tax-happy, regulation-obsessed government.

The inalienable right of individual citizens to own property is not only an important part of the American dream, it is one of our most cherished freedoms.

Yet the right to own property is under increasing assault by those whose collectivist bent convinces them that government knows best.

King County residents now live with restrictive use regulations that can impact what urban dwellers as well as residents of rural areas can do with their property, reducing both the use and the value of the land.

Those who oppose I-933 want you to believe this measure would put ordinary home and landowners at risk of seeing their property values ruined, for example, by the gravel pit next door.

This hysteria, which misrepresents the ballot measure, is simply anti-property-rights nonsense.

I-933 would neither repeal the state's Growth Management Act nor undo local planning and zoning.

But it would require government to compensation property owners when the use of their land is harmed or damaged by regulatory action-an obligation consistent with U.S. and Washington constitutional guarantees against the taking of private property by government without just compensation.

This measure also would protect property rights by compelling government to consider and explain carefully new regulations that restrict the use of private property.

In so doing, it would strike a blow for freedom.

There should be no argument that the inheritance tax is wrong. Period. Yet government's lust for tax revenue coupled with an elitist abhorrence of inherited wealth perpetuates this assault on acquiring wealth in our state.

Those who earned the money, whether through a profitable enterprise or good investments, should have the right to pass it on to their heirs.

Many who inherit wealth, in turn, will re-invest it, which will benefit the free-enterprise system as it infuses businesses with new capital and creates new jobs.

This is the good that I-920 can accomplish.

Recently over a hundred yard signs for Karen Steele, the Republican candidate for state senator in the 33rd Legislative District, have disappeared (i.e., been stolen).

But it doesn't matter whether the signs belong to Ms. Steele, to Sen. Karen Keiser, her Democratic opponent, or to any other candidate.

It is a misdemeanor to steal yard signs, which cost money to produce and are a legitimate means of campaign advertising.

To those who steal or encourage the stealing of these signs: What is it about the First Amendment that you don't understand?

Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Independents and those of other political stripes, along with all who choose sides in non-partisan races, have a fundamental right to make the case for their candidates -- and to challenge the credibility of the opposition.

We cannot afford for the road to legitimate political victory, which can advance public good in our society, to be paved with dirty tricks that include vandalism and theft.

The views of Ralph Nichols are his own, and do not necessarily reflect those of Robinson Newspapers. He can be reached at newsdesk@robinsonnews.com or 206-388-1857.