Defend the Salina 29. By Mark David Blum, Esq.

Last year, the Republican marketing machine said it was the then so-called Liberal Activist Supreme Court that was the enemy of the People by setting a new standard for the law of Eminent Domain. At that time, I argued that it was not a liberal policy but rather a strict read of the Constitution that gave rise to the outcome in Kelo. I told you then and I remind you now that it is the Right Wing Conservatives that are employing Eminent Domain and then hiding from their ways.

Consider just this morning’s local newspaper: “The State Conservative Party and the New York State Builders Association voiced support at the hearing for allowing the use of eminent domain to redevelop such "blighted" areas with adequate compensation to those whose properties are taken.” http://www.syracuse.com/news/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1144141225106510.xml&coll=1

That is the big joke and lie of Eminent Domain.

Let us not forget that our elected ones like Senator John DeFrancisco, Assemblywoman Joan Christensen, and Assemblyman Jeff Brown are among the same folks who passed and have not changed New York’s eminent domain laws. These are the same folks who worked hard to minimize the amount of money and assistance a municipality must provide to property owners whose property is taken.

The rules for property owners to collect anything are onerous and anybody who has gone through the process knows how badly you get screwed. Standards such as ‘fair market value’ are so vague when it comes to the question of business worth. The laws on the books are written to provide as little as possible and still get away with it.

Now, these same cheapskate legislators charge ahead; rushing to the aid of the Salina 29 and the rest of New York – coincidentally – at ELECTION TIME. We are going to be saved from the horrors of the Eminent Domain laws thanks to their soon-to-come heroics in the legislature. Trusting any incumbent on this subject is like putting the wolves in charge of the henhouse; placing angels in the hands of the devil.

Liberals are not about taking your property. Business oriented right wing conservatives are the ones who dominate government. They are the ones who write the laws AND who vote to take property. Do not be hoodwinked into seeing the wrong enemy.

So long as we stand mute and continue to let elected leaders continually search for ways around the constitution, we will continue to be our own worst enemies. So long as we listen to and follow the current NeoCon Republican spin machine, we will surrender more and more of our freedom.