[longtermmemmory]

eminent domain is a taking for a public use and after hearing and a process.

There is no “taking just to detroy”.

The memo draws on comparing this to austrailia where there is no tradition of individual rights. (remember the whole continent was essentially an exile jail)

This harkens back to the king confiscating wealth for his own profit.

[expat2]

I pretty much agree. However, large parts of the American colonies were also "an exile jail". A German guy I used to know claimed that the reason that we eat mostly with the fork is because many of the early denizens were not allowed to have knives. ;>)

I think the 'taking by the king' was stomped out by the Magna Carta.