Eminent domain is “the power of the state to take private property for public use with payment of compensation to the owner.” According to dictionary.com (2015). This article talks about how some politicians use eminent domain for their own agenda and not for the good of the people. An example of this is the little pink house they used eminent domain to confiscate from its original owner so the land could be used for supposed public good but now the land sits condemned and unused. As a symbol to the improper use of eminent domain according to Somin (2015) “…a plan to turn the former site of Ms. Kelo’s house into a park that will serve as a memorial to all those adversely affected by the city’s use of eminent domain.” Although there is really nothing anyone can do to change the use of eminent domain because as it is stated in Somin (2015), “The Fifth Amendment allows governments to take private property only for public used.” But the meaning of public use has changed and left people taking stabs at what it covers under this broad, generic term. Eminent domain is something that if we could better regulate how and when it was used it would be one of the most beneficial things in America’s history because it holds so much power and potential if used correctly. See that is the problem, if, most people abuse this power and leave people without homes. While some politicians are not trying to crush these people’s lives, some have no regard for them at all and even without eminent domain would crush their houses so they could build a meaningless road or another utility company just like the one down the road. According to Somin (2015), “Since 2005, 45 states have passed laws reforming eminent domain. Some of these reforms, unfortunately, only pretend to restrict takings for economic development.” So even when we believe that maybe our country is looking out for our well-being we find out that it is just a ploy to make them seem considerate when in all actuality they could not care less about our measly lives. Eminent domain is something that has the potential to become helpful but until we clear up all the confusion surround “public use” and also finally see that sometimes what people think is good for the community is not, we will continue to have our homes taken away without a way to fight for them back.
APA Citations
eminent-domain. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved December 15, 2015 from Dictionary.com websitehttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/eminent-domain
Somin, I. (2015, Jun 22). Lessons from a little pink house, 10 years later. Wall Street Journal Retrieved from http://sks.sirs.com
APA Citations
eminent-domain. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved December 15, 2015 from Dictionary.com websitehttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/eminent-domain
Somin, I. (2015, Jun 22). Lessons from a little pink house, 10 years later. Wall Street Journal Retrieved from http://sks.sirs.com