On Tyranny, Liberty, and Founding Principles

Here is an interesting essay.  Constitution, schmonstitution?

Teachable Moment: Eminent Domain Debate

Sometimes you really do get teachable moments.  In class earlier, we were going as planned, and then we had a digression that turned into an impromptu class debate about eminent domain.  That hadn't been on my lesson plans, but I let it go because I thought it was a great "teachable moment."  The opinions and feelings expressed by the undergrads were actually close to what I personally espouse as an evil center-right enemy of social progress, and I was frankly rather surprised (and delighted) by the debate's results.  So, folks, at least in this one class, the kids are all right ... right down to their defense of property rights and their hostility to the Kelo decision even here in blue state Nerdworld.  Even the strongest defender of eminent domain conceded that it could be readily abused by corrupt politicians.  Well, whaddyaknow?  Glimmers of hope!

Power Imbalance: Liberal vs. Libertarian Economic Perspectives

Hmmmm.  The first bit of it takes a potshot at Paul Krugman --a  shot that, though well-deserved, isn't even sporting anymore since taking down the conceited idiocies of Krugman is like shooting fish in a barrel.  Anyhoo, a blurb:

In fact, when government is given power, nominally to correct such imbalances, they tend to use it to protect those in power as often as they do to protect the disenfranchised. Government restrictive licensing of hair dressers, interior designers, and morticians; bailouts of GM, Chrysler, and AIG; corporate welfare to GE and ADM; and use of eminent domain to hand private property to favored real estate  developers — all are examples of finding government cures for perceived private power imbalances that are worse than the disease.

Hmmm.

Nerd News: More Thoughts on Columbia, Hayek, and Eminent Domain

I posted on Columbia and eminent domain here.  Now take a look at this follow-up.

Nerd News: Is Columbia University a Bully over Eminent Domain?

One law professor seems indeed to think so.  We need strong property rights, he argues, because they protect the little guy ... especially from big guys.