Clarity on Kelo

I have long been a fan of The Freeman: Ideas on Liberty but the November 2005 issue is a keeper. Mostly devoted to the problems highlighted by the U.S. Supreme Court's Kelo decision, it brings together wonderful analyses by Richard A. Epstein, Donald J. Boudreaux, Andrew P. Morriss and others.

These writers remind us that even if eminent domain (and eminent domain abuse) is Constitutional, it is unnecessary as well as bad policy. Developers assemble parcels all the time without resorting to eminent domain, real urban redevelopment is more likely with property rights intact than not, and takings are generally distasteful if we care about liberty.

How refreshing.