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While I believe our Constitution allows for State and local governments to execute the power of eminent domain for those purposes that specifically serve the public good, condemning property solely to implement economic development plans is not serving the public good.

— Solomon Ortiz

Sentiment: NEGATIVE

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✓Similar Perspectives

One would expect that private property taken by eminent domain would become land available for public use such as parks and roads. Unfortunately, this decision creates a loophole for government to manipulate the definition of public use simply to generate greater tax revenue.

— Jim Ryun

Governments have monopolies on certain things, like eminent domain and deadly force.

— P. J. O'Rourke

As a former mayor, I know that local governments must have control over land use decisions.

— Elton Gallegly

I deem it established, then, that the Constitution does not recognize property in man, but leaves that question, as between the states, to the law of nature and of nations.

— William H. Seward

While Congress can't overturn the Supreme Court, we can provide carrots and sticks to prevent local governments from unfairly taking property from landowners.

— Stephanie Herseth

So government acts as a safeguard of our property.

— William Weld

I don't see any justification for the federal government owning land, other than the Statue of Liberty and maybe a few parks, maybe a few refuges. But to just own land to do nothing with it I think is a disservice to the Constitution.

— Don Young

I think private ownership is generally superior to public because you care about the land more and it doesn't get trashed.

— John C. Malone

✗Opposing Perspectives

So great moreover is the regard of the law for private property, that it will not authorize the least violation of it; no, not even for the general good of the whole community.

— William Blackstone

Last Thursday, our Supreme Court backed that local governments can co-opt private property, and give it to another private entity, for economic development.

— Cliff Stearns