Eminent domain...or...taking other people's property...

[billc]

The Kelo decision was a mess and it will keep affecting the little people...

http://hotair.com/archives/2013/08/24/eminent-domain-and-the-sacramento-kings/

Most of the people reading this were unfortunately around to witness what may have been the worst ruling by the Supreme Court of this generation, that being Kelo v. City of New London. The Rehnquist Court, in a 5-4 decision that seemed destined to have sad and far reaching consequences, essentially rewrote the takings clause of the Fifth Amendment to replace the idea of “public use” with the more vague and corruptible concept of “public benefit” where the “benefit” could be decided by the government entity doing the taking. (It should be noted that Chief Justice Rehnquist was not present for the oral arguments in Kelo owing to health problems, and eventually voted against the decision. It was generally the liberal justices on the court that passed it.)

Nick Sibilla of the Institute for Justice describes Sacramento and Washington, DC’s ill-advised plans to use the threat of eminent domain to acquire property to build sports stadiums on:


In less than a week, two capital cities are preparing to use eminent domain to build professional sports stadiums. Talk about foul play.


The Sacramento city council voted 7-2 on August 13 to help the Sacramento Kings negotiate with the owner of a Macy’s. As the Sacramento Bee points out, “The city’s involvement in the talks carries with it a key negotiating tool: the threat of seizing control of the property through eminent domain.” That Macy’s Men Store is the last property the Kings have yet to acquire for the arena and may be condemned if negotiations fail. But just because they’re called the Kings doesn’t mean they should have the right to seize peasants people’s land…

 

[DennisBreene]

I agree that it basically "sucks". But on the other side of the coin; that's how humanity has acquired territory since pre-history and it's certainly how this country was founded.

 

[Takai]

I agree that it basically "sucks". But on the other side of the coin; that's how humanity has acquired territory since pre-history and it's certainly how this country was founded.

Pre-History and the foundation of our country involved bloodshed not the courts. (Not quite sure which is the scarier instance. ) And yes it does "suck".

 

[DennisBreene]

My impression is that the founding fathers were far more concerned about issues such as "tyranny of the majority" and government or institutional "taking" of private property than the general level of concern today.