Monday, August 15, 2005

Is Justice Souter's house "blighted property"

John Babiarz makes the case that Justice Souter's house could be put to better use:
Souter's property in Weare is a somewhat rickety farmhouse on eight undeveloped acres. The assessed value is $108,000, ridiculously low for that much acreage in that area. Souter does not contribute significantly to the local economy, nor does he employ many workers. To a greater degree than the Kelo family residence in New London, Conn., Souter's property fits the very definition of "blighted"that the courts so blithely and regularly accept as a valid reason to take private property and give it to private developers.