Saturday, July 02, 2005

Eminent Domain

I doubt you could find a socialist who agrees with the recent court decision Kelo v. New London, in which the conservative majority decided that the government can take your land and sell it to commercial and real estate developers. Last time I checked conservatives saw private property as something almost holy, but I guess not anymore. If your land is taken by the state so that the local citizens have better access to a Dollar Store and a Blockbuster, that is not bad. Its only bad if a socialist government does it. If a government that praises free market economies does it, its not bad for some reason.

It is true that you receive just compensation, but some things cannot be compensated. Imagine if a house has been in your family for generations, or if you put a lot of your own energy into building it up over time.


This just proves that the free market junkies will drop all of their convictions for $$$$$$$$$.


Court Ruling Leaves Poor at Greatest Risk

The Actual Ruling (PDF)

Congress assails domain ruling

Even Congress's "lone self-described socialist, Rep. Bernard Sanders of Vermont" doesn't like Kelo

Relevant Cartoons

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