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Supreme Court Gives Away Your Property Rights
by AntiChimp
Thursday, Jun. 23, 2005 at 7:13 AM
antichimp2005@yahoo.com
The Supreme Court has just issued yet another body-blow to the private citizen, and to the basic principle of property rights.
The Supreme Court has just issued yet another body-blow to the private citizen, and to the basic principle of property rights. In a Constitutionally questionable decision, the Court ruled that local governments may seize people's homes and businesses against their will and subsequently hand it over to developers and big business.
This ruling opens the door to a new feudalism, where the rich have ultimate control over the poor. In a 5-4 decision, the Court has perverted the Fifth Amendment and the concept of eminent domain, which gives the government the right to take properties of private citizens if the seizure of said properties is for the "public use."
The Court has redefined "public use" in such a way that a shopping mall developer or factory owner, for example, can justify their seizure by declaring that it serves the public good, usually meaning that it will increase tax revenues for the local governing bodies.
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor dissented, writing:
"Any property may now be taken for the benefit of another private party, but the fallout from this decision will not be random. The beneficiaries are likely to be those citizens with disproportionate influence and power in the political process, including large corporations and development firms."
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