Does anyone own property any more?

[Daniels]

It's getting to the point in America when it just doesn't pay to own property any more.
The latest eminent-domain nightmare in New Jersey illustrates that no matter how long an American lives and works and pays taxes on his real estate, it can be taken away by the government for many reasons or no good reason at all. Larry and Clara Halper first learned of the town's interest in their 75-acre farm about seven years ago, when officials held a press conference across the street from their property, announcing to the whole world that they were buying it to maintain open space in the increasingly developed area.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=51043

 

[Maccie]

And you think the USA is unique in this respect????? Happens all over the world!

 

[Cajun Huguenot]

It's getting to the point in America when it just doesn't pay to own property any more.
The latest eminent-domain nightmare in New Jersey illustrates that no matter how long an American lives and works and pays taxes on his real estate, it can be taken away by the government for many reasons or no good reason at all. Larry and Clara Halper first learned of the town's interest in their 75-acre farm about seven years ago, when officials held a press conference across the street from their property, announcing to the whole world that they were buying it to maintain open space in the increasingly developed area.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=51043

Private property is still pretty save here (though not as save as I would like). After a recent eminent domain court case, there was a big outcry and many states bassed laws to protect prpperty rights.

Kenith

 

[Poke]

On somewhat related issue to a town forcefully buying property to preserve open space, farmers can voluntarily sell development rights to their land. This lets them keep the land for farming and raise a bunch of cash while meeting the community's desire to preserve open space.

In any case, growing populations force cities to use eminent domain for such things as building new roads and preserving open space for runoff.

 

[bliz]

And you think the USA is unique in this respect????? Happens all over the world!

It could not have happened in the US until just recently. A recent Supreme Court ruling has made this possible.

Previously the government had to have a good reason, a good reason for the good of a whole community to buy someone's land even if they were opposed. (A higheway enabling many people to take product to market, land to build a public school, etc.)

But now the government can take the land simply becasue it wants to. It can take the land from one business and sell it to a developer who projects higher tax revenues for the community, or not. This is one of the worst rulings the court has ever made.

 

[Poke]

It could not have happened in the US until just recently. A recent Supreme Court ruling has made this possible.

Previously the government had to have a good reason,

A "good reason" was never needed. Government and good reason is almost an oxymoron. Government has been taking private land for public use, as allowed by the US Constitution, good reason or not.

What the court changed is that now "private use" counts as "public use" if the public receives some benefit, like the pleasure of knowing that your land can be taken from you and given to someone with some influence over the city council.

 

[Cajun Huguenot]

A "good reason" was never needed. Government and good reason is almost an oxymoron. Government has been taking private land for public use, as allowed by the US Constitution, good reason or not.

What the court changed is that now "private use" counts as "public use" if the public receives some benefit, like the pleasure of knowing that your land can be taken from you and given to someone with some influence over the city council.

Can we hear an AMEN?

AMEN and AMEN!!! You speak the truth!

Kenith

 

[bliz]

A "good reason" was never needed. Government and good reason is almost an oxymoron. Government has been taking private land for public use, as allowed by the US Constitution, good reason or not.

What the court changed is that now "private use" counts as "public use" if the public receives some benefit, like the pleasure of knowing that your land can be taken from you and given to someone with some influence over the city council.

You are quite right. I stand corrected.

( I was confusing this with religious freedoms - the government used to have to have a compelling reason to override religious freedoms, now they do not have to have any reason at all.)

 

[Daniels]

Thank you for all your opinions.

 

[FallingWaters]

It's getting to the point in America when it just doesn't pay to own property any more.
The latest eminent-domain nightmare in New Jersey illustrates that no matter how long an American lives and works and pays taxes on his real estate, it can be taken away by the government for many reasons or no good reason at all. Larry and Clara Halper first learned of the town's interest in their 75-acre farm about seven years ago, when officials held a press conference across the street from their property, announcing to the whole world that they were buying it to maintain open space in the increasingly developed area.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=51043

That is absolutely horrible. What a shame!