I think you're right. They can take your land, your home, whatever they want, as long as they have a "plan". Any greedy idiot can come up with a plan. That means your property belongs to you only until the government decides to take it. And they will take it for what they think it's worth, not what you think it's worth. The term "just compensation" is in the Constitution but owners often get far less than they expected. Once the threat of eminent domain hangs over a property there is no sane person who will want to buy it. This means that the property value will plummete. Even the owner will be reluctant to spend money on maintenance knowing that the property may soon be taken away. In this circumstance almost anything the land grabber offers you will be "an offer you can't refuse". Try to say 'no' and you may spend more on a lawyer than you will get in compensation.

Minority Deputy Speaker Robert Ward, a local congresscritter spoke quite convincingly of his commitment to end the abuse of eminent domain. State Rep. Steven Mikutel, D-Griswold, also spoke of his devotion to the same cause. His reasons stem in large part from his own families experience at the hands of the Ceasers I mean seizers. The proposed bill has already been killed by the Democrat controlled legislature. Disrespect for the voters knows no party boundaries in Connecticut. The New London fiasco was started under Republican, and now convicted felon, Governor Rowland but the Democrats are in no hurry to protect citizens either. Notice that whenver the politicians discuss this issue they will alqays add the caveat that government must still preserve the right to condem property that is "blighted". Watch out! blighted is another of those weasel words that means anything the silver tounged lawyer wants it to mean. Homes have been declared blighted for lack of a two car garage or "wet leaves on the tennis court"!

Ron Bianco, entertainer, sang This Land Is Your Land.

Alternative lyrics could be sung by Pfizer Corp.:

This land WAS your land
but now it's MY land
I bought the rights from
your town selectman

From your humble driveway
to your bedroom window
this land was stole from you for me

sing it with us now...

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