Jun 24, 2005 15:16
Holy fuck. Yesterday, Supreme Court ruled on the Kelo v. New London case.
Facts of the Case:
New London, a city in Connecticut, used its eminent domain authority to seize private property to sell to private developers. The city said developing the land would create jobs and increase tax revenues. Kelo Susette and others whose property was seized sued New London in state court. The property owners argued the city violated the Fifth Amendment's takings clause, which guaranteed the government will not take private property for public use without just compensation. Specifically the property owners argued taking private property to sell to private developers was not public use. The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled for New London.
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 against homeowners; what's more- the four most conservative justices (Rehnquist, Scalia, O'Connor and Thomas) gave the only dissents. There's something wrong here.
I'm really conflicted. Something in me tells me this isn't right.