Now that the Supreme Court has paved the way for local government to seize land through eminent domain for just about any economic development, we can do things like this:
Now, perhaps emboldened by Kelo, the mayor of North Hills, Marvin Natiss, wants to confiscate Deepdale [golf club], and has taken some significant preliminary steps--such as hiring consultants and appraisers--toward starting proceedings to do so.Why? Not to put up a public road or a public building, or for some other public use. North Hills doesn't need anything like that: It doesn't need any schools, or police, or firefighters, or libraries and the like because it gets those services from other local governmental units, such as the Manhasset school district, the Town of North Hempstead, and Nassau County.
Nor would the taking fulfill any public need for recreational opportunities. Nassau County teems with golf courses, both private and public.
[...]
No, the mayor of North Hills wants to use the power of government to condemn Deepdale--whose members are a diverse group of people from all over the country and around the world--to make it an exclusive high-end golf course restricted to people who live in his small village and would be willing to pay thousands of dollars in yearly membership fees.
Bully for him, because frankly, I've seen far too many of you middle (and even lower!) class saps out there on the course. Golf is a sport for the wealthy, and some people are just getting way out of line with this 'golf for the masses' drivel. Next thing you know there will be colored people out there playing professional golf, and the fun is all over.
H/T, Jeff.
< /snark>
I don't know anyone who would publicly say the above (privately perhaps), but that the Kelo decision allows this kind of thing to take place should disturb everyone. I'm disturbed that it doesn't.
Posted by Walter at March 29, 2006 06:54 AM