Will Bush Side with the Property Thieves? (Eminent Domain Abuse)

[JoeMemphis]

Susette Kelo?s' story is becoming tragically familiar. She and her neighbors are at risk of losing their homes and businesses because the local government has conspired with a corporation to condemn their land under the power of eminent domain. This is happening in New London, Connecticut, the latest place where legal plunder in America is on display for the whole world to see.

The twist is that the Bush administration--self-proclaimed champion of the ownership society--will apparently give its blessing to the land heist. According to the Wall Street Journal, " Administration may file an amicus brief against property owners in an upcoming Supreme Court case concerning eminent domain. Several property-rights advocacy organizations have publicly asked the administration to side with the landowners, but--ominously--there's been no response."

http://baltimorechronicle.com/012105SheldonRichman.shtml

[JoeMemphis]

1. So much for that "ownership society" huh?

Compassionate conservatism strikes again.

[tom_paine]

2. Did you even think for a MOMENT the Bushevik monsters would side

AGAINST theives?

They are NOT Republicans, the Busheviks are Bushputinists, Totalitarians.

Naturally, they sided with THE STATE over the individual.

For all their phony lip service about "freedom" and "liberty", they are virtually indistinguishable from Ferdinand Marcos.

[bluestateguy]

3. Where are the strict constructionists?

The Framers would be mortified. The power of eminent domain being grossly abused and with this Administration's blessing. Forcing landowners off their property to build private office buildings, sports stadiums or factories is anti-capitalist. If a private corporation or a private party wants to bulldoze private homes or businesses they can offer the residents and business owners a price at fair market value. The property owners should be free to accept or reject the offers, or negotiate a fair settlement. But nobody should ever be forced to move for a private development project. I don't care how many jobs it would create. The power of eminent domain was not created for the purposes of creating jobs and tax revenue.

[JoeMemphis]

4. Where are Dems on this, though?

This is a great issue that can really highlight some major differences between the parties.

[bluestateguy]

5. Not to mention, it could appeal to rural western voters

The property rights issue is a very salient one among western ranchers and grazers.

[Igel]

8. Connecticut isn't know for a repub stronghold.

But you can never tell. A quick search turned up no info on party affiliations of the city council and mayor; maybe another DUer knows.

It would be highly unusual for dems to try to make political hay out of something that local dem officials are doing. Not unheard of. But highly unusual. If repubs were doing it, I'd expect to hear shouts of indignation bouncing off the rafters.

[JoeMemphis]

9. New London is Dem territory, AFAIK

But this occurs in GOP territory, too. If Dems actually take a stand for private property rights overall, the local Dems might just fall into line.

[Igel]

12. That would be a good thing. n/t

[bullimiami]

6. oh come on. bush stole land to build his stadium for the rangers

and when he lost in court the taxpayers had to foot the bill while he walked with a tidy profit.

[satya]

7. Eminent Domain made * the millionaire he is...

Most of his profit in the Texas Rangers was due to the value of the land stolen by The Arlington Sports Facilities Development Authority (ASFDA).

[ixion]

10. of course, when BushCo talks about ownership, they don't mean

like, ownership for everyone... just ownership for the Bergermeisters, et. al.

But seems there are those still trying to figure that out. :eyes:

[oppositionmember]

11. This sucks.

Essentially it means that if you are in the path of a corporation they have some kind of God-given right to kick you out of the way and make as much money on the deal as they can - of course they owe it to their shareholders (all genuflect).

[Demeter]

13. Does a Wild Bear Shit in the Woods?

What a dumb question. That's what a pirate does: steal, lie, cheat and kill.