Property Rights and Eminent Domain
Amendment V to the United States Constitution
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb, nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation (emphasis added).
I respect private property rights. Private property rights and individual freedom form the foundation upon which our economy and our way of life are built.
A private property owner should be able to determine whether or not he will permit smoking, or the possession of guns, on his property. Government bans on smoking in private establishments is an unacceptable infringement of private property rights in my opinion.
"Public use" does not include economic development in my opinion. The power of eminent domain should not be used to help a private developer acquire land for his project, and government should not allow itself to be used as a tool to help a private developer save money.