One of my Congressmen replies in regards to SCOTUS eminent domain ruling.

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - One of my Congressmen replies in regards to SCOTUS eminent domain ruling.

Posted: 8/3/2005 9:04:17 AM EDT

I've been firing off emails about this bullshit ruling. First reply landed in my inbox today:

Dear (edited out)

Thank you for contacting me with your comments regarding the
recent Supreme Court ruling on eminent domain. It is always good to
hear from you.

Like many of my constituents in Tennessee's Fourth
Congressional District, I was extremely disappointed in the Supreme
Court's 5-4 ruling that State and local governments can use eminent
domain for revitalization projects. I believe that forcibly shifting land
from one private owner to another, even with fair compensation, favors
the most powerful and influential in society and leaves the poorest
amongst us with little protection. Now, a major corporation could take a
family farm or house away from its rightful owners if the local
government believes the new business will create greater tax revenues,
and thus be more beneficial for the public. I, and the majority my
colleagues, feel this is an extremely broad interpretation of the Fifth
Amendment to the Constitution which prohibits the taking of property by
the government except for "public use."

I have taken several steps to combat this ruling. Most recently, I
joined the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Committee on
the Judiciary in cosponsoring H.R. 3135, the Private Property Rights
Protection Act. This legislation would prohibit the Federal Government
from using economic development as a reason for exercising its power of
eminent domain, except as it has been used historically for building
roads, bridges, and public schools. The bill also denies State and local
governments the ability to use economic development as a reason for
exercising eminent domain if federal funds would contribute in any way
to the eminent domain project. I am also looking into other ways in
which I can address this ruling in addition to working for the passage of
H.R. 3135. You can be sure that as your Member of Congress I am
committed to protecting every citizen's private property rights.

Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future about any issue
that concerns you. My door is always open.
Sincerely,

Lincoln Davis
Member of Congress

Posted: 8/3/2005 9:07:01 AM EDT

[#1]

Hmm, a politican with his head screwed on correctly. A rare find these days.

Posted: 8/3/2005 9:10:59 AM EDT

[#2]

Good guy!

HH

Posted: 8/3/2005 9:16:55 AM EDT

[#3]

I wouldn't know why ANYONE would agree with this ruling. DEM or REP. It's the near-downtown "blighted" areas where the poor (that the DEMs claim to represent) are living that will be forced out to move so some developer can put up a mall or high-end housing. Republicans are for less government intervention and individual rights.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - One of my Congressmen replies in regards to SCOTUS eminent domain ruling.

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