Commentary

Property Rights Attack Continues
By Walter E. Williams

Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court, in its Kelo v. New London decision, ruled that the private property of one American could be taken and given to another American as long as it served a public purpose. Many Americans were angered by this violation of both the letter and spirit of the Fifth Amendment, which in part reads, “. . . nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.” Public purpose is not the same as public use. My response to the Kelo decision was, “See, I told you so.” For decades, Americans have been willing to allow politicians to trample over private property rights, so why should we be surprised when politicians become more emboldened? Read more.