Supreme Court has let us down, actually, more like betrayed us.

[StudioAlex]

Government Power to Take Property Backed by Top Court (Update2)
June 23 (Bloomberg) -- Local governments have broad power to take over private property to make way for shopping malls, office parks and sports stadiums, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled.

The court said government agencies can constitutionally take property in the name of economic development -- and even transfer it to another private party -- as long as the landowners receive compensation. The 5-4 ruling today came in a case involving land near a Pfizer Inc. plant in New London, Connecticut.

I think if this were to happen to me, I'd barricade myself inside my home with a gun. This is absolutely insane and pretty much the most un-american thing I've ever seen our government do. The founding fathers would have a heart attack. Fuck you you massive, imperialist beast. This is a perfect example of why I can't vote democrat, because the liberal mindset leads to stamping out individual rights for the perceived benefit of the government.

[Casper]

And the sad thing is, this is from the left. I don't get it. WTF is happening with the government now? They're going to say it's OK for that city to take away houses to build office complexes? What the hell?

This is a perfect example of why I can't vote democrat, because the liberal mindset leads to stamping out individual rights for the perceived benefit of the government.

FYI - both sides are doing it now. It's not just the lefties, but both parties are taking our rights away with noone being able to do a dam thing about it. Revolution? It's getting near that time...

[StudioAlex]

Yeah, but this is far worse than banning flag burning (who honestly cares) or even barring gay people from getting married. Government is intrinsically evil, and forever wages war against the individual. I'm really upset about this.

What happens to churches, private schools, and charities? None of them produce taxes for the government. Will this allow them to be bulldozed by people who want them gone?

There has to be something that can be done about this. This is so gross and disgusting. I wonder if there is a push to amend the constitution to make this "interpretation" null and void.

I just see this turning ugly. Real ugly.

[Snake Eyez]

Great..... I completely disagree with the courts ruling on this issue. It's one thing to use eminent domain to build a school. But it is being used now to build subdivisions and other projects which increase the tax base. And the kicker is that people are entitled to be payed for the land. However, most of the time the people receive less than market value because the government sets a price for them. This ruling goes against everything that America was founded on.

[StudioAlex]

Can we even be called America anymore? Private property is what this country was founded on.

[Snake Eyez]

Private until the government sees that it can make more money from it by taking it from you and selling it at a discount to someone else.

[Ford Mustang]

That's fucking rediculous. I can't believe they ruled that way. Like you guys said, it's completely un-American and goes against the principles that this country was founded on. I hope people continue to resist it. I know if they tried to take my land away from me they'd have to take me first.

[Casper]

Actually, it's been happening in Westchester, NY for quite awhile, from what I'm hearing at my office right now. Walmart and other mini-malls have done this and removed housing to put in 'buildings that will help the community' - bah, anyone with $$ can now take my house, if I even want to buy one...

[Jafo]

Now you can see why the Democrats spend so much time filibustering judicial nominee's. It was the Democrat appointee's that ruled in favor of this one.

I wish the house would stop wasting time on a flag burning amendment and put their time in on this one. It is ridiculous.

[fiXXXer]

We got plenty of land available up here in Canada.

[Jafo]

What really ticks me off about this is that Foxnews is not even covering this. I guess a rich teenager on summer vacation is more important.

[Sheeyt]

Should read Mark Levin's book Men In Black. It's all about how the Supreme Court is destroying this country.

[Jafo]

I think this poll says it all:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8331958/

[Annex]

The idea of eminent domain can and has been very useful. It makes sense when people's one room house is standing in the way of a highway. The problem is its so abused nowadays; the government rarely gives a fair market value.For example, my friend's father was given the choice between taking $50 for his vacant lot in central Philadelphia or having the government forcfully take it for them to use on welfare housing. If anyone has an idea on what inner-city property is worth(not even close to $50) then you'll realize how abused the system is.

[Shoua]

In the city i live in people along a park have gotten pieces of there property taken away by the city for trails. I feel the governments in democracy have no rights taking away peoples properties, its sick how the seem to be catering towards the rich and powerful.

[Sheeyt]

This damn government was created for the initial sole purpose of defending the people of this country. It's ashame how far from that we have gone.

[duke]

Well it's not surprising the the conservatives went against this. For all the talk, many are not all about OMG JESUS and freedom fries. I am surprised at the decision though and can only think that there has to be some reason I'm not getting for it. (although I've read quite a few "explanations")

In any case, someone, somewhere is armor plating a bulldozer. And to that man I say godspeed.

[StudioAlex]

I haven't spoken to a single person who thinks this a good idea. Cavuto managed to find some idiot talking head who supported this decision to come on his show, and that idiot said this would make the country more capatalist. WTF? This is a prime example of what a free market IS NOT! In a free economy, all contracts have to be voluntarily agreed upon. Niether party can be coerced into an agreement, otherwise it's not a free market.

What a fucking moron. I can only imagine how much money het gets paid to be a complete idiot.

[duke]

Yeah, the only argument I've seen that made sense was something about local gov't making it's own decisions. Really it just sounded like something to rope in the states rights crowd. Sure, it would be that, but for all the wrong reasons.

[StudioAlex]

Even states' rights advocates realize that individual rights should trump any government's rights.

[duke]

Even states' rights advocates realize that individual rights should trump any government's rights.

Of course, which is why I think it's a straw man. Just saying it was the only explanation so far that I thought MIGHT win some people who want to believe over. It's crap. Too bad they can't have guns up there, things might get interesting.

[StudioAlex]

Yeah, if this were happening to me, I'd barricade myself in my house with a weapon.

[Jafo]

I haven't spoken to a single person who thinks this a good idea. Cavuto managed to find some idiot talking head who supported this decision to come on his show, and that idiot said this would make the country more capatalist. WTF? This is a prime example of what a free market IS NOT! In a free economy, all contracts have to be voluntarily agreed upon. Niether party can be coerced into an agreement, otherwise it's not a free market.

What a faping moron. I can only imagine how much money het gets paid to be a complete idiot.

Yeah I watched that guy too and all I got out of it's argument is:

"This will be great for the economy because it will drive the price of real estate down for developers".

Well sure, whenever you STEAL something, it is cheaper!

I have no problem with eminent domain when it is the government compensating people fairly to take the property and build a road, military base, courthouse, but not when anything is taken and givin directly to another private party.

[Snake Eyez]

I guess the whole idea of private property just went down the crapper. The decision sounds a little like communism to me.

[SodaJones]

this will create so much curruption in the government...this is the mob's dream come true....the senate shouldn't be creating laws...but now thats all they do...

[Snake Eyez]

Hopefully the individual states will start to pass laws to help prevent the further erosion of private property rights.

[Darkside]

This isn't a step forward in progress. its 2 steps back

[Annex]

this will create so much curruption in the government...this is the mob's dream come true....the senate shouldn't be creating laws...but now thats all they do...

I dont get what your saying, im pretty sure one of the chief reponsiblities of the senate is to make the laws.

[Sheeyt]

Umm the senates purpose is to create law.

Anyway as someone said earlier the idea of Eminate Domain is an old issue. This is really nothing new. Infact one of the attorneys I work with said there is a question about Eminate Domain on the bar exam.

[StudioAlex]

It is new for the court to allow eminent domain to be interpreted in this way. I have a gut feeling against normal application of eminent domain, but this turn is absolute insanity.

[Sheeyt]

And so it begins.....

June 29, 2005 The Kelo Floodgates, Ct'd...

From an Institute for Justice press release:

# Lake Zurich, Ill. -- Five property owners facing condemnation for private development had asked Lake Zurich officials to hold off until the Kelo decision. The Chicago Tribune reports that City officials are now moving to condemn.

# Arnold, Mo. -- "Arnold Mayor Mark Powell applauded the decision," reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The City of Arnold wants to raze 30 homes and 15 small businesses, including the Arnold VFW, for a Lowe's Home Improvement store and a strip mall--a $55 million project for which developer THF Realty will receive $21 million in tax-increment financing. Powell said that for "cash-strapped" cities like Arnold, enticing commercial development is just as important as other public improvements.

# Baltimore, Md. (West Side) -- The City of Baltimore is moving to acquire shops on the city's west side for private development. Ronald M. Kreitner, executive director of Westside Renaissance, Inc., a private organization coordinating the project with the city's development corporation, told the Baltimore Sun, "If there was any hesitation because of the Supreme Court case, any question is removed, and we should expect to see things proceeding in a timely fashion."

# Baltimore, Md. (East Side) -- Baltimore's redevelopment agency, the Baltimore Development Corp., is exercising eminent domain to acquire more than 2,000 properties in East Baltimore for a biotech park and new residences. BDC Executive Vice President Andrew B. Frank told the Daily Record the Kelo decision "is very good news. It means many of the projects on which we've been working for the last several years can continue."

# Newark, N.J. -- Newark officials want to raze 14 downtown acres in the Mulberry Street area to build 2,000 upscale condo units and retail space. The Municipal Council voted against the plan in 2003, but then reversed its decision eight months later following re-election campaigns in which developers donated thousands of dollars. Officials told the Associated Press that the Mulberry Street project could have been killed if the U.S. Supreme Court had sided with the homeowners in Kelo.

# Lodi, N.J. -- Save Our Homes, a coalition of 200 residents in a Lodi trailer park targeted by the City for private retail development and a senior-living community, goes to court on July 18 to try to prevent a private developer from taking their homes. Lodi Mayor Gary Paparozzi called the Kelo ruling a "shot in the arm" for the town. He told the Bergen County Record, "The trailer park is like a poster child for redevelopment. That's the best-case scenario for using eminent domain."

# Cleveland, Ohio -- Developer Scott Wolstein has planned a $225 million residential and retail development in the Flats district. Wolstein has most of the property he needs, but is pleased that Kelo cleared the way for the City to acquire land from any unwilling sellers. If eminent domain is "necessary," he told the Plain Dealer, "we think this makes it clear that there won't be any legal impediments." Previously, city leaders publicly supported Wolstein’s call for eminent domain.

# Dania, Fla. -- The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that Dania Beach City Manager Ivan Pato "expressed joy" over the ruling in Kelo. Dania plans to buy a block of properties for a private development project, and Pato said the city will use eminent domain to oust unwilling sellers. "Unless we expand the city's tax base . . .our residents are facing rising taxes on their property," Pato said. "Redevelopment is the only way we will be able to make ends meet."

# Memphis, Tenn. -- The Riverfront Development Corp. is planning a massive, 5-mile development effort, including the use of eminent domain to claim a four-block section from the current owners for a mixed-use development. "[Kelo] definitely gives the city more tools in its tool box for dealing with the legal issues surrounding that piece of property," RDC president Benny Lendermon told the Commercial Appeal.

# Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale and Miramar, Fla. -- Broward County officials yesterday cleared the way for new condo and retail development in these three cities. Hollywood residents in the targeted area fear their homes may now be taken for economic development following the Kelo decision. Mayor Mara Giulianti said the City would use eminent domain on a "case-by-case basis" to remove homeowners unwilling to sell.

What a great quote from New Jersey.

"The trailer park is like a poster child for redevelopment. That's the best-case scenario for using eminent domain."

Telling of how the left's lust for government power really affects the poor, isn' it?

[Casper]

And I'm waiting for lower Manhatten (or Hell's Kitchen) to push for razing acres there - for the new Jets / US Olympic stadium.

[Sheeyt]

Although apparently the guy who wants condemn Justice Souters home has picked up alot of support and lots of people are calling the town to express their support.

[Snake Eyez]

I can only hope that this decision will be revisited and a ruling for private property rights is made.

[Nurb]

taking homes for the public good... or whatever big corporation stuffs money into the pockets of local governments.

maybe someone should have taken the judges duck hunting?

[Jafo]

Well, you can buy the line that it is the corporations behind this, but they don't make law and policy. Instead of worrying about corporations, worry about politicians who say things like:

"Many of you are well enough off that ... the tax cuts may have helped you," Sen. Clinton said. "We're saying that for America to get back on track, we're probably going to cut that short and not give it to you. We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/06/28/politics2039EDT0165.DTL&type=printable

[Snake Eyez]

Well, you can buy the line that it is the corporations behind this, but they don't make law and policy. Instead of worrying about corporations, worry about politicians who say things like:

"Many of you are well enough off that ... the tax cuts may have helped you," Sen. Clinton said. "We're saying that for America to get back on track, we're probably going to cut that short and not give it to you. We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/06/28/politics2039EDT0165.DTL&type=printable
Sounds like hippie socialism to me.

[Nurb]

so Sen. Clinton is to blame for the judges' ruling? Or are you trying to find a way to blame someone else outside of the republican controled supreme court (more or less), administration, and capitol hill because you didn't like a result?

man, its great arguing with all you guys again :cheers:

[Jafo]

Republican controlled supreme court? BWAHAHAHA...

[StudioAlex]

Uh, Nurb, it was the conservatives who dissented on both this issue and on medicinal marijuana. You can blame the recent stripping away of our rights on the left and moderate justices.

[Sheeyt]

Studio be prepared for the classic "we'll all those judges where appointed by republican presidents except for 2" comeback.

[Jafo]

Appointed during Democratically controlled Governments that is.