Kelo vs. New London
Earlier this week, the United States House of Representatives passed a bill that would amend the constitution to protect the American flag from desecration.
Whether flag-burning is an issue serious enough to warrant an amendment to the constitution is debatable. I don’t personally support amending the Constitution to prevent desecrating the flag, as I believe it serves to undermine Constitutional protections of free speech.
I feel that the House would better spend it’s time protecting the freedoms guaranteed to U.S. citizens in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. That’s why I have contacted my Representative urging him to take whatever steps are necessary to reinstate my rights as a property owner after yesterday’s disastrous, erroneous and misguided decision by the United States Supreme Court in the case of Kelo vs. New London.
If the House is going to spend time debating amendments to the Constitution, it should consider amending the document to prevent local governments from seizing private property for the enrichment of other private parties, no matter the compensation.
That’s the sentiment I expressed to my Representative, and I hope that each and every one of you will do likewise. The blogosphere is alive with this debate and it’s an excellent opportunity to show the power of our community in informing debate and defining the issues. If you feel wronged by this decision, contact your U.S. Representative, your Senators, your local representatives or even President Bush and let them know how you feel.
Contact your local media outlet too. Don’t let mainstream media drop this issue.
This is one time that none of us can afford to site idly by and watch our rights be taken from us. Your property may not be on the line now, but will it be safe forever? I urge everyone not to wait until your personal property is threatened.
Enough with the Flag Burning Amendment Already…
If there is one piece of business in Congress that should die a quick death everytime it comes up. It is this stupid, overealous ritual of trying to make it illegal to burn/desecrate the American Flag.