LIBERAL LAND GRAB (Kelo et al. v. City of New London et al.)

NY POST ^ | June 26, 2005 | EDITORIAL

[Liz]

The stereotype is that conservatives are heartless and in the tank to big business — while liberals are the ones who stand up for the little guy.

So how come the liberal Supreme Court justices just sold a bunch of New London, Conn., homeowners up the Thames River?

In essence, the court expanded the requirement of "public use" — the longtime limit on eminent domain — to anything that supposedly enhances economic activity. No more need for a truly public need — such as highways, parks and bridges.

The liberal bloc — Justices John Paul Stevens, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, David Souter and Stephen Breyer — joined with moderate Anthony Kennedy to state that economic development is a legitimate "public purpose" that can override private property rights.

The court's more conservative members — Chief Justice William Rehnquist and Justices Sandra Day O'Connor, Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia — all dissented.

"The specter of condemnation hangs over all property. Nothing is to prevent the state from replacing any Motel 6 with a Ritz-Carlton......" wrote O'Connor.

Added Thomas: "Losses will fall disproportionately on poor communities. Those communities are not only systematically less likely to put their lands to the highest and best social use, but are also the least politically powerful."

It's ironic that the conservative justices are the ones who sound like the New York liberal voices that rise to block almost any sort of economic development.

Kelo is the logical end product of a political philosophy that seeks generally to expand government power.

It did so this time, in spades.

Both Congress and state governments need immediately to consider what specific limits can be drawn on the concept of "public purpose" — and how best to mitigate the effects of this truly disturbing decision.

[Liz]

...... the court expanded the requirement of "public use" — the longtime limit on eminent domain — to anything that supposedly enhances economic activity. No more need for a truly public need — such as highways, parks and bridges. ....

[Peach]

This is a reverse Robin Hood. Robbing from the poor to give to the rich.

And I can bet my house that the money being given to the Connecticut residents isn't half what they need to buy a comparable house anywhere in the state of Connecticut.

Neil Cavuto mentioned some figures regarding the "just compensation" and it was staggering. And sad.

[Liz]

The majority's arrogance was palpable in its complete insensitivity to the plight of the working class citizens to be displaced by the impact of the ruling.

[Tarpon]

Want to see this reversed in a hurry ...

Go out to Utah, have a city take over an abortion clinic, give the land to Walmart.

Instant repeal. Liberals are so predictable.

[TXBSAFH]

And it is only the beginning, Freeport TX is trying to take a shrimp processing business from a company that has been at that spot since 1948 to make a marina for yachts and trendy restaurants.

[Peach]

We were at a party last night; 2 lawyers were there as well as a former Congressman and a woman running for City Council.

They are all appalled and expecting to see states find a workaround in their own constitutions, although they agree it would be better if the federal Senators wrote legislation.

And when I mentioned that this will primarily affect the poor, they said perhaps initially but that no one's home is really safe now, although they admitted that those with money have the means to make a bigger stink.

[Bostton1]

The libs will eventually eminent domain every Walmart and McDonald's or any other big business that they do not like.

[sergeantdave]

Overnight, we've gone from a democratic republic with individual rights to a fascist state where government now controls all private property for the Marxist "common good."

[PGalt]

America's robed mullahs will eventually litigate/legislate themselves into a coroner.

[Liz]

It amazes me that the USSC Five had no vision as to the several collateral effects of the onerous decision.

[Liz]

28th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America : "Resolved: no government, agency, district, or authority, nor any such entity created under the authority of same, whether public or private, shall have the authority to compel any owner of a property, whether real or virtual, movable or not, to sell same to any other entity, whether public or private, by use of any application or form of law, duress, coercement, or mandate."

[TXBSAFH]

This is the second worst decision the supreme ourt has ever made, second only to Roe V Wade.

[Peach]

I know. It's a good case for conservative SCOTUS appointments was the only good thing we could find in this recent ruling.

[joshhiggins]

take over an abortion clinic, give the land to Walmart.

Absolutely Brilliant response.I would love to see this done.

[Liz]

This issue---as does abortion---will separate the men from the boys---even moreso politcally speaking.

[nathanbedford]

Five aging liberals, so elite they are tone deaf to sounds and tempo which inspire and disturb middle class America, have inadvertently teed up an issue which can turn elections and influence Supreme Court confirmations for critical years to come. Nothing arouses middle America like a threat to home and hearth unless it is a threat to their kids. This is an issue which will bestir suburban burghers in Ohio, Pa, Fl, Mn and etc. like no other short of another strike on the homeland.

This is no time for "can't we all just get along." This is the time to awake America to the existential threat to their culture, the democracy and their property, all committed by liberalism. This is the issue which will resonate. Use it! Demonstrate to middle class home owners how the liberal raid on the Constitution by be-robed tyrants presents a real threat to them.

[clearlight]

This is leftism taken to it's logical conclusion: state seizure of private property, re-distribution of wealth at the whim of the government and those who are politically connected.

[Peach]

Worst decision since Roe v. Wade. And if the president and Republicans don't use it, we're in big trouble.

[Justa]

"And when I mentioned that this will primarily affect the poor, they said perhaps initially but that no one's home is really safe now, although they admitted that those with money have the means to make a bigger stink."

Well I'm glad to see at least they 'get it'. What happens in the coming weeks and months to the stock market, housing market and economy will show a lot more people understand what's afoot. No private property = no private enterprise. Why be invested in an economy without a future?

Imo this ruling was planned and anticipated. I know of some property holders who went to cash recently. There's also Warren Buffet's recent statement (paraphrased) saying there would be great opportunities for what people can do with their money in America in the coming months.

[Liz]

Heheh....beautiful. That oughta get their attention.