Jim:
> from SLATE's news summary Feb. 22:
> >State legislatures are considering limiting the government's power of
> eminent domain following a June Supreme Court ruling that
> established that local governments can seize condemned
> private property to foster economic growth. Eminent domain
> empowers cities to seize property for "public use," as well
> as for developments such as malls, offices, and condos, all
> provided the owner is fairly compensated. But fear of eminent
> domain abuses has prompted states to consider several new
> policies, such as banning the use of eminent domain for
> economic development, making it harder to declare a
> neighborhood "blighted," or forcing the government to pay
> above market value when confiscating property.<
>
> there's an interesting idea here: require the payment of a
> premium price for eminent domain forclosures. This could save
> on bureaucratic and legal red tape, by discouraging unusually
> exploitative takings.
>
> It's a little like the Fed's current lender-of-last-resort discount
> policy: they charge a higher interest rate and then make it
> relatively easy for banks to apply and get loans. The premium
> discourages casual borrowing.
This is yet another example of how reactionary the Left has become - defending private property against public use. This is where I really part with the Left altogether - I am not just for the eminent domain, but against private land ownership altogether.
Also, I understand that eminent domain has been largely used against absentee landlords aka slumlords who own run down property that creates urban blight but as soon as they scent development they see an opportunity for profiteering and refuse to sell waiting until prices go sufficiently up so they end up with a hefty windfall. Of course, slumlords never appear to the public in their own true selves, as ruthless profiteers - they usually put forward a spokesperson, and old lady or some activistist wacko to create an impression of 'da people' being 'oppressed' by the 'gummint.'
While we are at that - I think Fitch did an excellent job deconstructing one sacred cow of the Left, the unions, as a storefront for monied interests. I think it is the way to go and start scratching beneath the surface of other sacred cows - faux environmentalists, urban development foes, mental patients' right-to-be-homeless movement, and many more.
Wojtek