A Supreme Case of "What the @*%^# ??"

If you own property in the United States, pray that the government never decides that they have a better use for it than you do. The courts won't even help you.

Today the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the New London Development Corporation to allow them to "condemn" 15 properties that are privately owned in New London Connecticut. NLDC was contracted by the City of New London to develope an area near the closed Fort Trumball. The development came as a result of Pfizer (another heartless American corporation, don't get me started on this and other pharmaceutical companies) announcing plans to build a research facility in the Fort Trumball area. The City of New London realized, "hey the properties adjacent to the new facility would be prime area for businesses that will serve Pfizer employees." They purchased all of the parcels of land that they could, but when 11 owners refused to sell, all of the sudden the development of this area by private businesses is in the public interest. "Hey, we can condemn the properties that we can't buy and seize them under the 'emminent domain' laws if it is in the public interest." Sounds like Communism to me.

One of these families that is being evicted is a couple who have lived in that house for 60 years. The wife was born in the home and it has been in the family for over 100 years. I'm sure that when her parents bought the property they didn't anticipate losing it so the city of New London can lease the properties to fast food restaurants and build a Hotel / Conference Center. "We don't care if this has been your home, it's more important that the Pfizer employees have someplace nearby to buy sub sandwiches and hamburgers for lunch."

If only we could get the 5 Justices who voted in the affirmitive off of the bench. That would truly be in the public interest.