Eminent domain

Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune

After the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court allowing officials in New London, Conn., to take land from one private owner and make it available for development by another, quite a cry erupted around the nation. ... In Missouri, Gov. Matt Blunt formed a task force to study the issue, and the House Rural Democratic Caucus urged the group to ban the taking of land for private development. ...

This is too rigid a concept. In the task force, a more reasonable debate is occurring whether condemnation ever can be used for economic development purposes. Of course, it can and should.

No eminent domain action can be taken without court approval. Politicians will be more than careful, but in extraordinary circumstances they might decide it is in the public's interest to exercise the power of eminent domain.