Upon arrival in the New World the Pilgrims, complying with their contract with investors, promptly set up a common property arrangement for all to labor in and provide food and goods for the community. They nearly starved to death. Plan B was to assign each family its own plot to provide for their own needs. The fruits of this plan gave us Thanksgiving. That’s the very short version of the story. John Stossel tells it in greater detail today at Townhall.com.

Izzit.org provides current event articles along with discussion questions. Yesterday and today’s topic is “How Private Property Saved the Pilgrims.” I can highly recommend this resource for teaching free-market economics. The current article is adapted from The Noblest Triumph: Property and Prosperity Through the Ages by Tom Bethell. I admit I didn’t hear this part of the story as a kid in school; I wish I had. I think it would have given American kids a more educated perspective on communism and the Soviet way of life. Today, this old story should inform us on China and Cuba.

So, as we go into this great holiday with family, friends and feasting my gratitude is again increased for God’s gracious provision and for our heritage of liberty.

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