via: ZeroHedge
by: Tyler Durden
July 22, 2012
Submitted by John Aziz of Azizonomics
The Eminent Domain Mortgage Heist
Something very interesting is happening.
There’s been so much corruption on Wall Street in recent years, and the federal government has appeared to be so deeply complicit in many of the problems, that many people have experienced something very like despair over the question of what to do about it all.
But there’s something brewing that looks like it might be a blueprint to effectively take on the financial services industry: a plan to allow local governments to take on the problem of neighborhoods blighted by toxic home loans and foreclosures through the use of eminent domain.I can’t speak for how well the program will work, but it’s certaily been effective in scaring the hell out of Wall Street.
Under the proposal, towns would essentially be seizing and condemning the man-made mess resulting from the housing bubble.
I approach the issue and constitutionality of eminent domain — government seizing of property in exchange for whatever the government defines as just compensation — very suspiciously. While I am altogether hostile to the idea of government being able to declare that what is yours is not yours, it has recently become a device for government to transfer private property from one private owner to another.
In Kelo v. City of New London (2005), the use of eminent domain to transfer land from one private owner to another private owner to further economic development was deemed to be constitutional. In a 5–4 decision, the Court held that the general benefits a community enjoyed from economic growth qualified private redevelopment plans as a permissible public use under the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment.
While seizing land with compensation to build a highway for public use is one thing, seizing property for the private profit of others is quite another.
#1 by Jenna on August 5, 2012 - 1:45 pm
Nice post which the idea of government being able to declare that what is yours is not yours, it has recently become a device for government to transfer private property from one private owner to another. In which the use of eminent domain to transfer land from one private owner to another private owner to further economic development was deemed to be constitutional. Thanks a lot for posting.
#2 by TheRedPillGuide on August 5, 2012 - 2:06 pm
No problem. Glad you appreciate it. Take care.
#3 by Alex on August 7, 2012 - 11:24 pm
Well said. Sometimes it could be confusing when it terms of the law about land properties. Glad in this case you highlight the important points.