The Government Seized Her Home for a Project That Never Happened
Is your home your castle?
Not when eminent domain law lets politicians confiscate your property if they claim it’s for “public use.”
Politicians say they need the power to take property to build public projects like roads and railroad tracks.
OK. Seems reasonable. But now, developers collude with politicians to use the law unfairly, to force people to give up their land for private projects.
In 1994, Donald Trump tried to use eminent domain to take a woman’s house so he could create parking spaces for limos outside his casino in Atlantic City.
I confronted him about it, saying: “You’re bullying these people out!”
“To use the word ‘bully,’ John, is very unfair!” He replied. “This is a government case. This is not Donald Trump!”
“Yes, it’s Donald Trump,” I pushed back. “You and your cronies in government working together.”
“Do you want to live in a city where you can’t build schools?” he asked. “A city where you can’t build roads or highways?!”
A court eventually denied Trump’s Atlantic City land grab. That turned out well for everyone, since his casino went bankrupt, and no limos needed to park.
Howe
Article from Reason.com
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