Tom Price: “Thomas Jefferson said that ``the true foundation of republican government is the equal right of every citizen in his…”

“Thomas Jefferson said that ``the true foundation of republican government is the equal right of every citizen in his person and property,'' and the fifth amendment to the Constitution states ``nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.'' Thanks to a recent Supreme Court ruling on eminent domain, the fifth amendment has been vastly expanded so that it now means ``for the bottom line.'' Public use has been redefined to say simply that tax revenues are more important than neighborhoods. The Founding Fathers did not mean ``public use'' to be defined as potential future economic development to increase tax revenues. Private property rights of our citizens are now competing with tax revenue and private developments. The Constitution is meant to protect the rights of our citizens, not compete with the bottom line, and certainly not to provide the government with an excuse to seize our property. Our system only works with appropriate checks and balances, and this week Congress should exercise its check on a wayward Supreme Court decision and pass legislation that will demonstrate that increasing tax revenues should not trample the rights of private property owners. ____________________”