Solomon Ortiz Quotes

Last Thursday, our Supreme Court backed that local governments can co-opt private property, and give it to another private entity, for economic development.

The power of eminent domain is essential to a sovereign government.

The power of eminent domain is merely the means to an end.

In a polling conducted by the Wall Street Journal, 11 out of 12 Americans said they oppose the taking of private property, even if it is for public economic good.

All private property is held subject to the demands of a public use. The constitutional guarantee of just compensation is not a limitation of the power to take, but only a condition of its exercise.

The exercise of the power of eminent domain is against common right. It subverts the usual attributes of the ownership of property.

The case decided on Thursday, though, seemed promising to takings fans because it wasn't about compensation. It was about the requirement that any government taking must have a 'public purpose.'

One would expect that private property taken by eminent domain would become land available for public use such as parks and roads. Unfortunately, this decision creates a loophole for government to manipulate the definition of public use simply to generate greater tax revenue.

The fifth amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees that no private property shall be taken for a public use without the payment of just compensation.

Private property ought to be subservient to public uses, when necessity requires it; nevertheless, whenever any particular man's property is taken for the use of the public, the owner ought to receive an equivalent in money

Cities may now bulldoze private citizens' homes, farms and small businesses to make way for shopping malls or other developments.

Every man holds his property subject to the general right of the community to regulate its use to whatever degree the public welfare may require it.

We need property dedicated to the general benefit in addition to that intended for private use.

The public power of all society is above every soul contained in the same society.

It is important that there be a uniform, equal citizenry, evenly distributed over the various provinces of the island, and free from extremes in wealth and poverty. His intention, as he phrases it, is “not completely to destroy private property, since this is impossible, but to enclose it within more narrow boundaries, to give it a measure, a rule, a bridle which restrains it, which directs it, which subdues it, and always keeps it subordinate to the public good.

I didn't say wonderful, I say eminent domain is something you need Chris. Eminent domain - if I build a highway - go ahead. I know exactly what you're saying. But if I build a highway, and if something's in the way of the highway, you're going to have to do something with that.

No power on earth has a right to take our property from us without our consent.

So there's always been this clash between what is the public good - that which belongs to all of us in common - and what can be exploited for a private interest.

My belief is the majority of people in politics are just interested in pursuing this career in politics, and doing what's necessary to get themselves re-elected. And if that happens to coincide with the public good, great. But if it doesn't, the public good loses out.

As a former mayor, I know that local governments must have control over land use decisions.

No law can give power to private persons; every law transfers power from private persons to government.

To be interested in the public good we must be disinterested, that is, not interested in goods in which our personal selves are wrapped up.

My public life is before you; and I know you will believe me when I say, that when I sit down in solitude to the labours of my profession, the only questions I ask myself are, What is right? What is just? What is for the public good?

When a profit-seeking company proposes to take citizens' private land away for its own gain, people should stand up for their rights.

Politicians fascinate because they constitute such a paradox; they are an elite that accomplishes mediocrity for the public good.