Posted on 07/09/2015 1:29:25 PM PDT by reaganaut1
Just over ten years ago, the Supreme Court decided a crucial case involving eminent domain – Kelo v. New London. The dispute was extremely important in the continuing struggle to protect property rights against government encroachment.
Under the Fifth Amendment, governments may take private property, but only if it is done for “public use” and if the owner is paid just compensation. But what if the government wanted to take your property simply to transfer it to another person or organization because politicians thought you weren’t making the best use of it? That is what happened when the New London Development Corporation wanted to seize the homes of Suzette Kelo and several others in 1999.
New London didn’t need their land for a road or bridge that the public would use. Instead, it wanted their land as part of a redevelopment plan worked out in conjunction with the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. Could the government seize and destroy homes that people wanted to remain in just because the big new complex envisioned was supposed to create jobs and bring in more tax revenue? Are such takings for “public use” under the Fifth Amendment?
Ilya Somin’s new book The Grasping Hand tells the story of the legal battle in fascinating detail. Somin, a professor of law at George Mason University, succinctly recounts the facts that many readers will remember, but adds a great deal of additional detail to show many ugly but unknown truths about it. Readers discover that the case was much “dirtier” than it first appeared to be.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
Ping.
The results of Kelo were obvious the day it was announced to anyone with the ability to think critically and long term.
Wasn’t Donald Trump a big Kelo supporter?
“I see dead people.”
I remember that using the criteria to comdemn the homes, the mayor of the town’s home should have been condemned as well as a vast number of homes that weren’t condemned.
I have to say that I predicted that someone would die in a case like this. I’m surprised it hasn’t happened, though in response to the Kelo decision, a number of states did pass legislation banning a situations like Kelo, putting restrictions on government “stealing.”
Mark
Yup he sure was, and still is as far as I know.
“Yup he sure was, and still is as far as I know.”
Oh well...I still think he’s better than JEB BUSH. But, I know, his people are here, pushing him.
That is a pretty low bar you are setting.
Very low bar.....
“Wasn’t Donald Trump a big Kelo supporter?”
Yep. It’s why I will never vote for him.
Ever.
L
The lesson learned is that a business bought some politicians and judges then decided to leave without building anything while destroying a neighborhood.
And how is this at all relevant to our discussion on the other thread?
I’ve set higher...just to be DEFEATED each time, and with NOTHING CHANGING. Now things have changed.
If you don't see the relevance, I am at a loss as how to make it clear to you.
Based on our past conversations I doubt that you could.
What has changed?
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