Michael White got it right - what's yours is the government's

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Columbia Pulls a Kelo

Submitted by Ron Moore, Chair Manhattan Libertarian Party, Dec 21, 2007 10:20

Eminent Domain is no longer about replacing slums with hospitals (if it ever was). It' s now the latest trick politicians use to feed their unquenchable thirst for more money and more power over every aspect of your life.

A few actually seem to believe the process is moral or productive. Mayor Bloomberg once commented that potential federal limits on eminent domain would limit the NYC's ability to control it's own future. Our mayor seemed to miss the point that eminent domain rather limits property owner's ability to control their futures. Our mayor is famous for thinking he knows best how we wall should live.

But even good soldiers in the war against personal freedom seem to admit that the process by which government seizes people's homes and businesses is flawed at best. In August, Supreme Court Justice Stevens lamented his Kelo position saying that "the free play of market forces is more likely to produce acceptable results in the long run than the best-intentioned plans of public officials." DUH! Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Dan Doctoroff - the guy that said the free market and the interests of the city were incompatible - has now admitted that he never should have agreed to let Bruce Ratner's Atlantic Yards project ignore the City's ULURP process. OOPS - None Killed. A few people lost their homes but who's counting? If they don't like the law - they can just get the Supreme Court to "clarify" it or ignore it altogether.

It almost looks as if they aren't even trying to hide it anymore. They will take your home or your business - because they can. Big government costs big money. Somebody has to sacrifice. And you can bet it won't be Bruce Ratner, or the New York Times, or Columbia or Michael Bloomberg or Dan Doctoroff.

Ron Moore, Chair
Manhattan Libertarian Party
www.ManhattanLP.org

Ron@ManhattanLP.org

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
See this recent related article also in the Sun An Unnecessary Abuse By DICK CARPENTER January 15, 2008 http://www.nysun.com/article/69517 [MORE]	MDDW	Jan 18, 2008 23:31
Throughout the years, I find myself taking note about possibilities such as the use of eminent domain and the possibility... [MORE]	Investor Llew	Dec 27, 2007 09:48
Mr. White seemed to pitch the Atlantic Yards project at the feet of Gov. Spitzer. But, in its seminal stages,... [MORE]	anon3utu	Dec 25, 2007 17:04
Regarding the focus on Governor Spitzer's current responsibility for the Atlantic Yards megadevelopment, (yes Pataki was responsible in earlier days),... [MORE]	MDDW	Jan 19, 2008 00:00
So what is this about having no say in what happens to the Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn? This is from... [MORE]	Bruce Rosen	Dec 23, 2007 00:15
Would someone please discuss the Museum of Modern Art's skillful manipulation of not only eminent domain but zoning and public... [MORE]	Bruce Rosen	Dec 22, 2007 12:56
I just read an article today about how many City Council members are taking funding from the real estate industry.... [MORE]	spag	Dec 21, 2007 16:04
in the past few years it has become apparent that big business has purchased a large portion of our goverment.... [MORE]	mrmocman	Dec 21, 2007 10:56
Eminent Domain is no longer about replacing slums with hospitals (if it ever was). It' s now the latest trick...	Ron Moore, Chair Manhattan Libertarian Party	Dec 21, 2007 10:20

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Columbia Pulls a Kelo