Is it really bothering anyone else that we're seeing more and more cases of government taking people's property in the name of eminent domain, only to turn around and sell it to private developers?
There was another case on Hannity & Colmbs last night (I never watch this show, but I got taken in by the blurb) in which a small town is quietly trying to force a woman from her home so private development can move in and raise the town's tax base.
I don't have a problem with traditional eminent domain, where a public use (street, highway, park, library, school) property modification is the justification. It's still got to be a very big need in the particular location to justify eminent domain, but at least those reasons can be reasonable. But taking property from a private citizen/business in order to give it to another private citizen/business? That's just wrong - and goes against everything that makes America unique and strong.
If private citizens can no longer resort to the law to protect their property, then there are no more property rights. This might sound a bit extreme, but I'm thinking down the road a bit here. If this trend continues, you better have friends in high places if you want to hold onto any property you have in a desirable location.
Check out a Google news search on "eminent domain" - there's quite a bit of this going on all over the country.
http://news.google.com/news?q=eminent+domain
Thoughts?