I call it legalized theft.
The latest round of eminent domain abuse in America is close to home on Long Island in Riverhead, New York. As reported in Newsday, http://www.newsday.com/news/local/suffolk/ny-licond025573748feb12,0,3535573.story, the real estate developer, Apollo Real Estate Advisors, named by the town (which means the politicians and bureaucrats who run it), wants the Town of Riverhead to condemn properties because the owners on East Main Street will not sell at the terms Apollo wants.
Not surpisingly, "Riverhead Supervisor Phil Cardinale said he was excited to get Apollo’s request last week and predicted that just beginning the condemnation process would encourage the current owners to sell." Cardinale is a Democrat, the town board is controlled by Republicans, neither of whom can be counted upon to defend the property rights of the property owners nor of the taxpayers who will be drafted to finance the scheme. The Republicans and Democrats are two wings of the party of legalized theft. This Phil Cardinale’s cardinal sin.
So, our elected officials act as real estate brokers with guns saying "Sell to my friend at his price. Or else."
Let the property owners of East Main Street use, develop or sell their properties to whom they see fit and at a price they see fit. Anything else violates their individual liberty to own property. Let the market decide the future of Riverhead.
Americans must reject not just eminent domain abuse taking private property for developers but the fundamental errors that governments have both the right and the capacity to plan wisely the economic, social and cultural development of the people under their sway.
Let’s get the Empire State off Long Island and out of our lives. Vote Libertarian Party every chance you can. -30-
About the author: Richard Cooper is the export/import manager for a Long Island manufacturing firm and active in fighting eminent domain abuse such as Atlantic Yards, the taking of St. Luke’s Pentecostal Church, and the New York Times headquarters scheme he dubbed "Time$cam." He was an unsuccessful Ron Paul delegate in the Super Tuesday Republican primary.
Cooper is the former Chair of the Libertarian Party of New York. He suggests those who want to fight eminent domain abuse join the following:
Libertarian Party www.lp.org
Libertarian Party of New York www.ny.lp.org
Institute For Justice www.ij.org
Other eminent domain articles by Richard Cooper
https://www.groundreport.com/Opinion/Your-Contribution-Against-NYC-Mayor-Bloomberg-Emin
https://www.groundreport.com/Opinion/Barclays-Bank-Boycott-To-Protest-Eminent-Domain-Ab
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