Ultimate bully: Eminent domain
“If you’ve visited any of our public schools lately, you’ve likely noticed a very active campaign against “bullying.” But have you ever stopped to think about the biggest bully of all – our government(s)? And one of the most heinous expressions of this offensive and morally corrupt behavior lies in the law of Eminent Domain, i.e., the right of “our” government to expropriate “our” property for public use, thereby punishing the very people it is supposed to protect. And, yes, my family is one of the latest victims.
I am referring to the new Greensferry overpass, now under construction, in Post Falls and the absolute disruption it is causing within my family. You see, it is my 93-year-old mother and my 75-year-old sister (her primary caregiver) who are being forced out of their residence at the behest of the city of Post Falls and the Urban Development Agency, all for the “convenience of the public.” (It’ll save a few southside Walmart shoppers about five minutes travel time).
The Cd’A Press recently ran a human-interest story on my mother’s plight; and I want to thank them for bringing this to the public’s attention. As I read the story and have now taken some quiet moments to reflect on the essence of this travesty of social justice, I feel compelled to give a public voice to my dementia-incapacitated mother and any others who might be or who have been affected by this brutal and insensitive law, the consequence of which will become a lasting part of our community legacy.”
Richards, Charles, CDA Press 13 December 2014.