lost rights revisited

So I'm still wading through Lost Rights by James Bouvard, a controversial book that covers all of the rights that we, as citizens of the USA, used to have. It's a tough read. The paragraphs are tightly packed, not only visually but with examples, and it doesn't let you rest much as a reader. He presents some pretty strong cases to make your blood boil...particularly those that involve historical structures, eminent domain and supposed environmental concerns.

For one thing, the book states that the government at this point in time has an almost unchallenged right to seize or restrict just about any piece of land under our wetlands protection programs. It provides some acute examples of many land-owners who have found their property (which strangely enough doesn't resemble wetlands in any way) seized. modified and/or restricted. Or in some cases they just fine the landowner heaps of money to fatten their agency budget. So it sounds like there are some solid examples that prove that the government is overstepping its boundaries, but I don't believe that the answer is to completely get rid of the wetlands protection laws. Then again, I'm not so sure that the author is suggesting that to be a cure, either. He just wants some checks and balances established over what our government can and cannot do to property owners. As someone in a forum recently stated, property "ownership" is nothing more than tax deductible rent. While making my way through this book, I am starting to believe it.

In a land of freedom and justice, it seems as though there is very little justice for many homeowners who find themselves under the wheel of government red tape. Even landowners who pay their permit fees, conduct appropriate Phase I environmental impact studies, and make it through the initial (and secondary in some cases) stage of approvals find their efforts being blocked for no rhyme or reason.

It's all very disheartening and it makes me think twice about buying that piece of land in the country and building my dream home, only to have some government agency decide to seize it via eminent domain.