Press Action ::: Here Comes the Judge, and He's Coming for Your House

Friday, June 24, 2005

Here Comes the Judge, and He's Coming for Your House

By Rosemarie Jackowski

”...Any property may now be taken for the benefit of another private party, but the fallout from this decision will not be random. The beneficiaries are likely to be those citizens with disproportionate influence and power in the political process, including large corporations and development firms...”
-Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, writing in dissent

So you worked all of your life and all that you have to show for it is a little place on Elm Street. It’s not much, but it is home. It’s your castle. It’s where you built a lifetime of memories, raised your children, held family gatherings, had friends over for dinner. Well guess what. You better start packing because at any moment there may be a knock on the door. A man will be there saying that he is from the government and he is there to help you. He is there to help you give up your little castle. It is almost as if life in the good ol’ U.S. of A. has become a bad joke.

This whole Eminent Domain issue seems like a nightmare at the moment, but maybe there is a silver lining in this dark cloud. This is one issue where the Left and the Right agree. The combined efforts from all spectrums of the political landscape might be enough to turn this boondoggle for the elite around.

We better not get too optimistic though. This Eminent Domain issue is just one problem. Another issue that leaves every citizen vulnerable is the issue of Sovereign Immunity. Talk to anyone who has ever been injured by a government owned vehicle. If Eminent Domain doesn’t get you, Sovereign Immunity will.

Rosemarie Jackowski is an advocacy journalist living in Vermont. She can be reached at dissent@sover.net.

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