Court: Cities May Seize Homes For Economic Development

[honeychile]

Frankly, I blame public domain on the rapid decline of many cities I know - Pittsburgh being one of them.

Consider that you have inherited a building & business. When you own your own business, there are many times that you work 24/7 - and still have to pay someone else to do the necessary maintainance etc. Your whole livlihood has been poured into this building & business. But wait! The local government has decided that your business won't look right next to Lord & Taylor's, or the new Cheesecake Factory! They declare public domain, and you are forced to accept roughly half of the building's worth, and next to nothing of what the business is worth. A family business that has florished for as many as ten generations is wiped out on the whim of an inept mayor and/or council. You are forced into the working poor because you're not old enough to retire, and not young enough to get the type of job that you deserve.

If anyone thinks that public domain is so wonderful, just drive down Fifth Avenue in Pittsburgh after 6pm. It makes the case for me!