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July 4, 2005
Eminent Domain Outcry
Happy Fourth!
While we ponder our great experiment in democracy, the Institue of Justice has called upon Americans to raise their voice in support of citizens who are under seige of government taking of their homes and businesses.
The question that enters our mind here at NoLandGrab is, "Would the Founding Fathers approve of the recent US Supreme Court eminent domain ruling?" The answer is found in whether or not you think that those who fought for and formed our nation were staunch idealists or pragmatists.
Though this is a matter for debate we offer you this, John Adams wrote:
"The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is no force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist."
Read "NH Property Owners Have Thwarted Eminent Domain" for an honest and moving portrayal of a reluctanct eminent domain hero whose property, ironically, was saved by the NH State Supreme Court when Justice Souter was serving on the bench (Souter was of five Supreme Court Justices who voted in the majority in Kelo v. New London).
Posted by lumi at July 4, 2005 7:53 AM