Here's a satirical op-ed from the Janesville Gazette (WI):
Dear Briar Crest resident:For months, you've resisted, objected and even battled us in court over our plans to build a Wal-Mart Supercenter and Sam's Club adjacent to your subdivision on Janesville's northeast side.
This letter is to inform you that we've found a solution. The good news is we're changing our selected site. The bad news is we've reached agreement with the city of Janesville to acquire your property by eminent domain.
That's right. We no longer will have to listen to your whining.
How can we do this? Well, maybe you missed last week's Supreme Court decision. Led by the liberal wing, the court ruled in a 5-4 decision that cities may bulldoze people's homes to make way for shopping malls or other private developments, such as our Wal-Mart stores.
So you thought property ownership was among your most cherished and protected rights? Guess again. Since our country's founding, government has had the power of eminent domain to condemn land for public projects such as highways and schools. Local governments can take land even if the owners aren't willing to sell, as long as the owners are fairly compensated.
The Supreme Court has expanded that to commercial development in a case involving New London, Conn., homeowners. Liberal Justice John Paul Stevens, writing for the majority, said New London could pursue private development under the Fifth Amendment. That will allow a government to take private property for a private project if the development promises to produce jobs and revenue.We aim to bring more jobs, even if we can't provide all our employees with health care benefits. And our stores will send more property tax revenue to city coffers.
Sure, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor argued that the decision bowed to the rich and powerful at the expense of the middle class. Tough. Sam Wal-Mart's heirs, minus John T. Walton, who died in a plane crash Monday, demand more and more money. And some of you in the middle class may even want to shop our stores once you see our always low prices-always.
So you have 60 days to pack up and leave before we flatten your home. On second thought, we've waited long enough. Make that 30.
Sincerely,
I. Gotcha Nau
Vice President of Property Acquisitions
Wal-Mart Corp.EDITOR'S NOTE: This letter is satire, but it illustrates the absurdity of last week's Supreme Court decision. We are confident that city officials would not consider using eminent domain for the Wal-Mart project, and we would oppose it if they tried.
Posted by Brendan - June 30, 2005 12:41 PM - Humor