Washblog

The text outlines the shady concept of eminent domain as the gubernment takin our jobs. The BS of this cry outlines the national drive to do away with government regulations on private property in the same manner as I-933. It is key to note that this is a drive to open up markets to suburban sprawl, mineral extraction, and curbing environmental penalties to land owners.

The classic argument is the dairyman who is limited by environmental regulations and cannot expand is dairy operation to more than 50 cows. But in reality it is the feedlot owners who aren't allowed to expand their operations to more than 300,000 head of cattle, or the logging operation that drools over old growth forest and beaver hamburgers, or the oil company in Colorado that wants to scrape off a mountain to retreive some oil sands and copper.

It is important to note that this property rights vs. the common good arguement is not limited to our state and that we're facing a national battle for our ecosystems and communities. Vote NO ON I-933 to ward off this corruption of values.

Full text of email:

In November of 2005, the Members of the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation to begin to correct the injustice done by the Supreme Court in the Kelo v. City of New London decision by a vote of 376 - 38.  Americans from across the country voiced their outrage and a bipartisan group of legislators, ranging from House Judiciary Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) to Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) were able to co-sponsor this legislation and send the measure to the Senate.  This legislation, the "Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2005" (H.R. 4128) will curb eminent domain abuse by withholding all federal economic development funds from states and localities that engage in these practices for a period of two years.

Unfortunately, this legislation has mired in the Senate Judiciary Committee, without a future hearing scheduled.

Too much time has been wasted.  Your Senator needs to hear that the American people won't stand for inaction...they want results.  Please take action and tell the United States Senate and its leadership that they must protect America's homes, farms, businesses and churches by passing the "Private Property Rights Protection Act" when they return from recess.