Welcome to the U.S.S.A.

Life. Liberty. Property.

The Supreme Court today effectively expanded the right of local governments to seize private property under eminent domain, ruling that people's homes and businesses -- even those not considered blighted -- can be taken against their will for private development if the seizure serves a broadly defined "public use."

And now we bring you a quote from the Communist Manifesto:

In this sense, the theory of the Communists may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of private property.

It is time to hold our elected officials' feet to the fire on this one. Americans should demand a Constitutional amendment abolishing the exercise of eminent domain. We should ask of every office seeker "I want a yes or no answer on this; is the exercise of the power of eminent domain EVER justified?" and if they answer yes, let them know they've lost our vote. We should demand local ordinances preventing our cities, counties and all governmental entities never exercise the power of eminent domain. We should send letter after letter to the editor of our local newspaper.

What part of "Thou Shalt Not Steal" don't they understand?

As an aside, I found a great eminent domain blog here.