Your tax dollars at work

What an eminent domain funfest this would be!

Dozens of US cities may have entire neighbourhoods bulldozed as part of drastic "shrink to survive" proposals being considered by the Obama administration to tackle economic decline.

The US government is looking at expanding a pioneering scheme in Flint, one of the poorest US cities, which involves razing entire districts and returning the land to nature Photo: GETTY

The government looking at expanding a pioneering scheme in Flint, one of the poorest US cities, which involves razing entire districts and returning the land to nature.

Local politicians believe the city must contract by as much as 40 per cent, concentrating the dwindling population and local services into a more viable area.

Ht to Instapundit.

I am not surprised that some local tinpot politician with delusions of grandeur would think of this idea, but the government is toying with the idea and providing money for him to realize his dream! What brilliant ideas come out of Harvard, to be sure. Are we chessmen, to be moved around the board by our betters at will, for our own good?

Imagine one Kelo in every neighborhood--just one--throwing a monkey wrench into the scheme because for some inexplicable reason she doesn't feel like being forced to move. Imagine moving dozens or hundreds of angry residents out of their homes at once. Neighborhood groups holding protest meetings, picketing City Hall.

I remember when Montclair State University wanted to put a microwave dish on a hill in a little town in New Jersey. The locals were up in arms. Letters flew to editors; meetings were held protesting the plan. And that was just a few people.

Of course, no idea is too hare-brained for the current management.