The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that local governments may seize people's homes and businesses -- even against their will -- for private economic development.
The 5-4 ruling represented a defeat for some Connecticut residents whose homes are slated for destruction to make room for an office complex. They argued that cities have no right to take their land except for projects with a clear public use, such as roads or schools, or to revitalize blighted areas.
As a result, cities have wide power to bulldoze residences for projects such as shopping malls and hotel complexes to generate tax revenue.
And, incidently, enrich whichever local politicians the developers own.
After all, this is what Bu$hCo really means by an ownership society.
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I like Duncan, but with fame there comes hubris.
Sometimes progressives make the mistake of refusing to consider the role of human greed as a motivating factor behind broad policy agendas.
The principle of eminent domain does have a role in ensuring the common good.
Selling off poor and lower middle class homes to give private developers a chance to make a killing is nothing like the common good.
They'll figure out how to dodge the taxes once those shopping centers are built.
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