Excellent post by Mary Katherine Ham on Townhall.com's C-Log on the Supreme Court's ruling Thursday in Kelo v. New London:
I own a 2-bedroom, 1,500 sq-ft house.No you don't. Because someone wants to put a 5-bedroom, 4,000 sq-ft house on your lot. It will bring in more property taxes.
I own a 5-bedroom, 4,000 sq-ft house.
No you don't. Because a local BBQ-purveyor wants to turn your lot into a restaurant, which will turn a profit and produce more taxes than your home.
And so on up the chain.
Maybe we could get a "My Home is My Castle" Amendment going? Are you allowed to amend the Constitution to say what it already said?
That's the problem. When we propose countering an overreaching judiciary by passing new laws and constitutional amendments, what's to say those judges won't just ignore the new laws or deconstruct them into oblivion? I'd say impeach justices that ignore the Constitution, but I'm not sure they wouldn't rule the impeachment unconstitutional.
Comments (6)
So how do you determine whether they're ignoring the Constitution? What would be the criteria? Do you have a Bates Doctrine on which to base this?
Remember, justices' rulings are *opinions.* They do the best they can to *interpret* the Constitution. These interpretations and laws have a tendency to change over time -- and do. You don't want to still have blacks count as three-fifths of a person, do you?
Impeaching justices isn't a good idea. That's why they're appointed for life. So they can make rulings and not be as swayed by the whims of politics.
Posted by W. | June 24, 2005 1:59 AM
Posted on June 24, 2005 01:59
It's sad to have this confirmation that in the gub'mint's eyes, our only purpose is to generate taxes. How we are supposed to generate taxes when everything we own and everything we do is subject to governmental approval is beyond me.
Posted by Dan Paden | June 24, 2005 6:04 AM
Posted on June 24, 2005 06:04
You didnt own it before this ruling, you are just leasing it. You pay the gov't property taxes. if you dont pay your "rent", they will take your home...
Posted by mad okie
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June 24, 2005 7:51 AM
Posted on June 24, 2005 07:51
I'm going to have to read the entire opinion because I simply cannot fathom 5 of the biggest minds in our country interpreting this the way they did. It seems contrary to everything I ever believed about America.
Quite literally, now, all a developer has to do is decide he likes your property and the game's over.
So much for 'homeland security'. Doesn't seem to matter much any more.
It also does that without _any_ potential abuse which _may_ be fostered by this capability. PO an elected official (or his developer buddy) and you could soon find yourself homeless.
And, we all know there's people around here who would have no misgivings at all in doing so.
Posted by Anon | June 24, 2005 9:23 AM
Posted on June 24, 2005 09:23
Hey, the same thing is fixin' to happen in Sand Springs courtesy of Vision 2025. And nobody is even complaining. Dozens of homes, 3 churches, 1 school and several businesses. Buldozed for a BIG BOX store.
Posted by theotherguy | June 24, 2005 1:43 PM
Posted on June 24, 2005 13:43
As CEO of Wal-Mart, may I just say that you're all overreacting to this and should the time come when it is necessary, I will be there, holding your hand, as our associates bulldoze your homes to make way for a new Supercenter.
Posted by Lee Scott | June 25, 2005 9:58 AM
Posted on June 25, 2005 09:58