Posted on 06/23/2005 7:25:32 PM PDT by Tumbleweed_Connection
The Supreme Court's ruling yesterday that the economically troubled city of New London, Conn., can use its power of eminent domain to spur development was a welcome vindication of cities' ability to act in the public interest. It also is a setback to the "property rights" movement, which is trying to block government from imposing reasonable zoning and environmental regulations. Still, the dissenters provided a useful reminder that eminent domain must not be used for purely private gain.
The city of New London has fallen on hard times. In 1998 - when its population was at its lowest since 1920, and its unemployment rate was nearly twice the state average - an effort was begun to turn New London around. State and local officials put together a redevelopment plan, anchored by a $300 million Pfizer research facility, that would bring restaurants, stores and a new Coast Guard museum to one hard-hit neighborhood.
The city authorized a nonprofit development corporation to clear the necessary land by eminent domain, a forced sale in which the seller is given appropriate compensation. The development corporation got control of most of the land it needed, but a few people refused to sell.
Eminent domain allows governments to take property for a public use, such as building a road. The property owners in New London claimed that handing over private property to a private developer cannot be a public use, even if it is part of a comprehensive plan to turn around a depressed city.
...New London, the court held, was within its rights to decide that its development plan was a valid public use. (The New York Times benefited from eminent domain in clearing the land for the new building it is constructing opposite the Port Authority Bus Terminal.)...
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Has any elected official except Tom McClintock spoken out against this?
This is going to cause huge problems for the left and SCOTUS
The uglier thing is that Sleezebag Kennedy used principles from Zimbabwe--home of fascist dictator Robert Mugabe.
For our edification, Mugabe is the same pile of human refuse who's put nearly a quarter million of his own people into utter homelessness and razes orphanages in his lust for absolute power.
What Part of "The Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land" don't these charlatans understand?
And why is SCOTUS pulling plays out of Mugabe's playbook and telling the government it's perfectly OK?
Finally, as Michael Savage points out time after time again, there is a nasty stench on the bench. After this decision, I'm fully convinced this's the case.
Any ideas on how to Constitutionally rectify this situation--other than praying that Stevens, Breyer, and Kennedy retire from the bench?
I still can't believe the Supreme Court did this, I've watched too many TV stories of people losing their homes and land because the cities want to build something.
I won't mind if it causes a problem for the lefties!!
That's GOOD!
Ya, it's cute. I can't take credit for creating it though.
I can't tell you how many times today I've had people say that this decision has made them rethink things, many from those who are fairly apolitical or lean left. Like advocating enforcement of the borders, this could be a hugely popular issue for conservatives who speak out. However, for many moderates (and conservatives) there is too great a temptation to raise revenues via ED redevelopments to avoid tax increases, as opposed to cutting spending. Will it become another opportunity missed?
I've not seen anyone else...so, unless they are circling the wagons, this is outrageous!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1429528/posts
Here we go! GO TEXAS!
PETITION FOR REDRESS OF GRIEVENCES
We the People of the United States, do hereby demand that our duly elected representatives in both houses of Congress, initiate impeachment proceedings against the following Supreme Court Justices:
John Paul Stevens Anthony Kennedy David H. Souter Ruth Bader Ginsburg Stephen G. Breyer
Exactly -- this will not stand. I'm writing and calling everyone I can think of.
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