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By Rep. Virginia Foxx

During my first half year in Washington, we’ve accomplished a great deal. But we have also endured a few disappointments. Among them are the partisan bickering, the vote to fund embryo destruction, the painstaking deliberative nature of the U.S. Senate and the limited amount of time I have to help all of my constituents.

However, one of the greatest and most severe of my frustrations is the Supreme Court’s ruling last week in the case of Kelo vs. City of New London, Connecticut.

In a 5-4 decision, the highest court in the land ruled that cities could use eminent domain to claim private property for commercial business development. The ramifications of this horrible, un-Constitutional court decision are dangerous beyond belief. The ruling contradicts the very ideals of liberty and property rights that have, for 229 years, defined the greatest government on earth.

This weekend we celebrate America’s independence. Our forefathers put their lives on the line and took up arms to obtain the liberties and independence we now enjoy. They left their wives and families to shed blood so that their children would not be subject to British taxation, invasions of privacy and wrongful seizures of property. They fought valiantly… and they won.

After declaring and securing our independence, our forefathers crafted the greatest form of government the world has ever known. They set up a system protecting the newly independent Americans from their own government, and saw to it that Americans would never be subject to the mistreatment the Colonists faced.

The Framers clearly defined the rights to speak freely, bear arms, and hold personal property. However, as a result of the atrocious decision made by the Supreme Court, those liberties are now in jeopardy. The Supreme Court claimed that the city of New London could use eminent domain to replace a residential neighborhood with a hotel, new residences and other business developments.

The concept of eminent domain used to mean the government could purchase property necessary for highways, military installations and other public utilities and infrastructure essential for the greater good. Now, the Supreme Court has ruled that eminent domain can be used to acquire private property for commercial development. The ramifications of that decision are truly horrifying. The Supreme Court seems to be claiming that the government can confiscate private property for non-governmental use, at will, under the veil of eminent domain for the economic interests of the community – or for any other reason they see fit.

Property rights are a hallmark of what separates America from nations whose citizens live in fear of their own government. The opportunity for home ownership is a principal reason that citizens from other nations desperately want to come here. Home ownership is indeed the American dream. Home owners here own a slice of the greatest nation on earth. They are more likely to give back to their community and choose their elected officials responsibly since they hold a stake in the prosperity of their neighborhood and country. And after a decision like this, the importance of choosing elected officials wisely has never been greater.

The Supreme Court must be held in check. As the U.S. Senate refrains from voting on the qualified judges nominated to several Federal Courts, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a Resolution expressing grave disapproval of the Kelo vs. City of New London decision. I voted for that Resolution and am still working with my colleagues to see that even more is done to reverse or minimize the impact of this disastrous ruling.

As Congress recesses for Independence Day, I pray that a workable solution will be reached as soon as possible and I will not give up until something serious is done. I pray that the liberty and independence our forefathers fought for will never be taken lightly. I pray that the soldiers, past and present, who fight for our freedom will always know the appreciation of a grateful nation.

Editor’s Note: Virginia Foxx is a United States Representative from North Carolina’s Fifth Congressional District. You may contact her office toll free at 1-866-677-8968 or e-mail her from her website, www.foxx.house.gov.