by Dexter MacBride, JD
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There’s nothing constant in the World. All ebb and flow, and every shape that’s born bears in its womb the seeds of change.” ...Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) 43 B.C.—17 A.D. “Metamorphoses”. In discussing the varied impacts of Katrina upon New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin (testifying before a Senate Panel) stated: “There was an incredible dance going on between the federal government and the state government on who had final authority... impeding the recovery efforts.” Arrogance, Ineptitude and Indifference seem to be in the DNA of current government structures. Consider the observation of Abraham Lincoln: “If this government itself is ever utterly demoralized, it will come from this incessant wriggle and struggle for office, which is but a way to live without work...” The “wriggle and struggle” is not confined to seeking/holding office. It vitiates, contaminates, corrupts local, state, national, international activities, projects, philosophies. For example: The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled (Kelo v. New London) that it is a constitutional right for governments to seize land of private citizens to “spur economic development projects.” Despite the ruling, one of the judges stated that, should a state want to restrict such practices, it should pass appropriate legislation restricting local governments’ eminent domain laws. It should be noted the House passed, in November ‘05 (by a 376 to 38 vote) a Bill that would withhold federal dollars from state/local governments that decide to use eminent domain to force homeowners/businesses to surrender their property for proposed economic development purposes. Note: in California more than 300 cities have created “Redevelopment Agencies” which are vested with eminent domain power...power restrained only by the requirement the “takings” are confined to “blighted” areas. Definitions of what “blight” means are so confusing, the Agencies have been brushing aside the restrictions. It is important to know: because of the Supreme Court Ruling, your “Home” is no longer your “Castle”. Hundreds of U.S. cities (cash hungry) have “Redevelopment Places” which, in essence, promise windfalls for money-starved cities (i.e., greatly increased tax revenues from all types of development, e.g., shopping malls, high-rise condominiums). Your home...and adjoining homes... do not generate enough taxes to satisfy City needs. Brace yourself...a City Redevelopment Agency could be your worst enemy. The issue is so critical that a November “06 Ballot Initiative is being prepared, to amend California’s Constitution – a proposal to protect home owners by restricting eminent domain “takings” to traditional projects such as roadways,highways, schools). **************** On an international scale: consider the “Incredible Dance” facing Japan..... a nation that represents the “World’s Conscience” in the matter of current Iranian pronouncements about producing nuclear weapons. No other nation has suffered a nuclear attack (Hiroshima/Nagasaki bombings; WW-II) and no other super-Power has to import virtually all its energy-oil. It is important to remember: Iran is Japan’s third major oil supplier. |
Add to Japan’s problems: the threat created by neighboring North Korea, currently touting an atomic arsenal and readiness to destroy Japan...as Iran similarly threatens to do to Israel. The proceedings now in progress before the United Nations Security Council (specifically directed against Iran’s stance on nuclear weapons) present immense diplomatic, economic, energy-source challenges to Japan...as well as to other super powers...U.S., Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China. **************** Consider the 3 “I”s of Government: Ineptitude, Indifference, Incompetence: the dismal drama of Katrina is illustrative. New Orleans and other Gulf Coast communities devastated; thousands upon thousands homeless—and 10,270 house trailers, empty and unused, parked at an airport in Hope, Arkansas...dismal tribute to FEMA’s incompetence/ineptitude/indifference. The “Katrina Picture” is as pathetic..and as symbolic...as the “armored vehicles” provided our soldiers in Iraq vehicles inadequately armored; soldiers desperately improvising by using plywood shields for some protection against road bombs. The war in Iraq also presents horrendous “incompetence lessons” in Economics. Originally, the White House economic advisor predicted the proposed War would cost up to $200 billion (rather than the $60 billion originally estimated by the President’s Budget Office). Now for the lesson in governmental economics: Today’s estimate: “between $1 Trillion and $2 Trillion”. If economic data (without reference to dead/wounded casualties) about our current war depresses you: be prepared to accept the very real possibility that we, and our children, face an even more dismal future. The “Quadrennial Defense Review” document recently released by the U.S. Defense Department is reported to contemplate preparation for “The Long War” confronting the United States (actually, the outgrowth of the “Global War On Terror” created by the U.S.). This “Long War” will demand vast expenditures to combat “...counterrorism, counter insurgency and stabilization and reconstruction operations.” The premise: Our “Long War” may be unending. The above review seems to make irrelevant “lesser issues.” e.g., cities using Eminent Domain to “take” their citizens’ homes (thereby planning to create projects that will generate higher tax revenues). Make no mistake: your “home” should be your “castle”...a concept inherited from England and the vast Common Law. Minimizing the concept of “Home” minimizes the concept of “Nation” and the central refuge of “Safety.” When Government is inept, greedy, incompetent, indifferent, it may become “utterly demoralized” as Abraham Lincoln warned and may, in consequence, self-destruct. |