Government Pirates
The Assault on Private Property Rights--and How We Can Fight It
Introduction:
Property for the Taking
" . . . nor shall private property be taken for public use
without just compensation."
— Fifth Amendment, U.S.
Constitution (Takings Clause)
June 23, 2005, was a very dark day in our nation's history. It was the day four men and one woman, dressed in black robes and sitting in a marbled temple in Washington, handed the government another weapon to continue its assault on our private property rights.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled five to four in Kelo v. New London, Connecticut that the city could use its powers of eminent domain to promote economic development by "taking" waterfront homes and businesses and handing them over to a private developer to build a luxury hotel and upscale condos. A dangerous legal precedent had been set. The nation was outraged. Newspaper editorials throughout the country attacked the decision:
• A Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA) headline read "Court-Endorsed Theft."
• ... read full excerpt from: Government Pirates ebook
