The Founding Fathers understood the importance of Private Property and it's connection to Liberty.
James Otis wrote:
"One of the most essential branches of English liberty is the freedom of one's house. A man's house is his castle."
Thomas Jefferson believed:
"He who is permitted by law to have no property of his own, can with difficulty conceive that property is founded in anything but force."
James Madison espoused:
"Government is instituted to protect property of every sort; as well that which lies in the various rights of individuals, as that which the term particularly expresses. This being the end of government, that alone is a just government which impartially secures to every man whatever is his own."
And John Adams preached:
"The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. If 'Thou shalt not covet" and 'Thou shalt not steal' were not commandments of Heaven, they must be made inviolable precepts in every society before it can be civilized or made free."
If Mr. Adams were alive today he might very well cry "TYRANNY!" from every town square of every city from one end of Missouri to another ....and rightfully so.
Because the Tyrants that hide behind the two party system here in Missouri have set aside their supposed differences long enough to Destroy what was left of Your Property Rights.
By Passing a Bill that changed the definition of "Blighted", allow me to explain.
Recently I discovered an odd definition of the word "Blighted" in the Missouri Aerotropolis bill, It defined "Blighted" as:
"any area which produces or generates or has the potential to produce or generate electrical energy from a renewable energy resource,"
The properties that were to be "Blighted" were then to be used to create 'Renewable Energy Generation Zones' that would supply electric power via:
(b) Solar thermal sources or photovoltaic cells and panels;
(c) Dedicated crops grown for energy production;
(d) Cellulosic agricultural residues;
(e) Plant residues; SCS SB 8 60
(f) Methane from landfills, agricultural operations, or waste water treatment;
(g) Thermal deploy merization or pyrolysis for converting was te material to energy;
(h) Clean and untreated wood such as pallets;
(i) Hydroelectric power, which shall include electrical energy produced or generated by hydroelectric power generating equipment, as such term is defined in section 137.010;
(j) Fuel cells using hydrogen produced by one or more of the renewable resources provided in paragraphs (a) to (i) of this subdivision; or
(k) Any other sources of energy, not including nuclear energy, that are certified as renewable by rule by the department of natural resources;"
As the list above demonstrates, this form of eminent domain is absolute Tyranny because it allows Private Property to be taken for no other reason than the Sun Shines On it or the Wind Blows across it. That form of eminent domain is basically a blank check for the state of Missouri to seize any property that tickles their fancy.
But what is even more terrifying is that this form of eminent domain did not spawn from the Aerotropolis bill, but was just going to be used by it.
Thanks to Van at Blogodidct.blogspot.com, he discovered where this travesty of Liberty was spawned, a Republican/Democrat created bill this year (I added party affiliation):
"The Green Blight language comes from this bill, House Bill No. 737 (more informatively linked here) where the green blighting text is added (which is a story in itself),
"...The term "blighted area" shall also include any area which produces or generates or has the potential to produce or generate electrical energy from a renewable energy resource, and which, by reason of obsolescence, decadence, blight, dilapidation, deteriorating or inadequate site improvements, substandard conditions, the predominance or defective or inadequate street layout, unsanitary or unsafe conditions, improper subdivision or obsolete platting, or the existence of conditions which endanger the life or property by fire or other means, or any combination of such factors, is underutilized, unutilized, or diminishes the economic usefulness of the land, improvements, or lock and dam site within such area for the production, generation, conversion, and conveyance of electrical energy from a renewable energy resource;..."
It was sponsored by Representative Craig Redmon (Republican) and Representative Michael Corcoran (Democrat), and the summary states,
"Changes the laws regarding renewable energy in enhanced enterprise zones and the taxation of hydroelectric power generating equipment"
The green blighting language isn't long standing legislation at all, or even unrelated, it was added earlier this year in the same legislative session, and was intended to be passed along with the Aerotropolis Bill."
This absolute despotic piece of legislation was then signed by the Democratic Governor and even praised by supposed "Conservative" Republicans like Brian Munzlinger. In a press release Mr Munzlinger praised HB 737 as a way to create jobs:
“House Bill 737 is similar to my filed Senate Bill 357, which would enable more renewable energy development — especially in northern Missouri,” Sen. Munzlinger said. “This is a good policy that sets a standard for hydro, wind and solar power around the state. Missouri would also be able to expand the scope and purpose of Enhanced Enterprise Zones.”
With all due respect to Mr. Munzlinger but did he even read or understand all of this Bill?
This Bill wasn't about creating jobs, it was just a way to give the State Government the power to seize Private Property anywhere as long as the Sun Shines on it or the Wind Blows Across it.
That is Tyranny.
So I guess we should be proud to live in Missouri...
Because while the rest of the country is complaining of "partisan" politics causing divides among the populace, here in Missouri we have Democrats and Republicans coming together to help push forward the "Green" agenda.
But don't worry, they aren't letting silly things like....oh.... Your Right To Private Property...... stand in their way.