Big Government is alive and well in Seattle

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by victorianpunk

Yes, and the democrats are a bunch of right-wing, warmongering hacks who are just slightly less a bunch of right-wing, warmongering hacks than the Republicans. What's your point?

News flash: it is possible to be a progressive and hate George W Obama and hate the Democratic party...hell, if you want to be a REAL progressive, you have to hate the Democratic party and George W. Obama, corporate owned warmonger in chief.

If you would read the OP link you would notice that "Republicans" and "Democrats" are not mentioned at all.

This is all about Big Government abuse of power.

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by Roadking2003

And you are OK with them stealing this woman's parking lot? Is that what they deserve? Is that what makes Seattle an "amazing city"?

You do get paid for eminent domain, so it isn't technically stealing. While I do not agree with everything eminent domain, I do think it is an important thing to have because of all the things that have come from it.

So while I may agree with you that the use of eminent domain was uncalled for in this case, that doesn't change the fact that Seattle is an amazing city with a strong growing economy and growing population. It is a very attractive city to many people, something you can't deny.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by remoddahouse

Actually, it's an educated statement. As middle-aged mom points out, we're always had eminent domain and it's even covered in the constitution. We're all benefit from it and we wouldn't be where we are without it. Otherwise, there'd be no railroads, highways, pipelines, etc. The tin foil hat wearing morons who complain about eminent domain always forget about those things.

Parking is a big issue in downtown Seattle. Business downtown relies on it. For those of us that live here, we want places to park and we want jobs and all of those crazy things. Instead of whining, you could try thinking about that.

Damn commies.

"we want places to park"

So you (the mob) rules over an apparently law abiding citizen who owns land the city wants. If you want it so badly, you (the mob) should offer this lady an obscene amount of money to relinquish it. Otherwise your selfish desire for parking apparently trumps this woman's property rights.

When eminent domain is exercised for suspect reasons (as political bodies are prone to do) not everyone benefits. The beneficiaries may not be ordinary citizens - it may be a corrupt politician and general contractor. The person whose property was seized is clearly a loser.

[rbohm]

Originally Posted by urbanlife78

It was definitely a careless use of eminent domain. Obviously the city was able to justify it for public use due to the construction going on with the highway tunneling going on in the city.

absolutely right. imo eminent domain should only be used when there is no other option, and even then it should have to face the courts before it can be used.

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by urbanlife78

You do get paid for eminent domain, so it isn't technically stealing. While I do not agree with everything eminent domain, I do think it is an important thing to have because of all the things that have come from it.

So while I may agree with you that the use of eminent domain was uncalled for in this case, that doesn't change the fact that Seattle is an amazing city with a strong growing economy and growing population. It is a very attractive city to many people, something you can't deny.

I don't oppose all use of eminent domain, but it should be rare and should never be for the benefit of another business. It's history is full of abuse with lots of Crony Capitalist winners. Here is an interesting site;

Reported Abuses - Stop Eminent Domain Abuse

And I like Seattle. I like to visit there. But I do think their political leaders have a Nanny State complex. They have a history of telling their people how to live their lives.