February 16, 2008

Fight is on to stop eminent domain abuse


Missouri Citizens for Property Rights (CPR) is a grass roots organization fighting to put an end to eminent domain abuse in Missouri. Eminent Domain is a process by which the government can take property away from private citizens to put that property to a "public use." However, our elected representatives and courts have expanded the meaning of "public use" to a point in which property is often taken from private citizens to be used for another private purpose. Even when eminent domain is used for a proper purpose, the process is stacked against property owners. Faced with overwhelming public support for a change in how and when government can use eminent domain our elected representatives did what the do best, talk a big game while passing legislation that fails to address the concerns of Missourians.


For this reason CPR is working to correct this issue in one of the purest forms of democracy, an initiative petition to amend the constitution to stop our government from abusing its power of eminent domain. While I think we should be very cautious anytime we are asked to amend our constitution, our elected representatives have shown us time and again that they cannot be trusted with the power of eminent domain. There are many ways to join in this fight including;
  • volunteering to gather signatures

  • donating money to the cause

  • signing the petitions

  • talking about the fight with friends and neighbors

For more information on how to help or to learn about why this is important visit the web site of Missouri Citizens for Property Rights.

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