In the wake of the Kelo decision, it’s clear that legislative action will be needed at the federal and local level to start restoring property rights in this country.

A piece of legislation (aforementioned on The Corner) put forward by Texas Senator Cornyn looks like an excellent place to start. A press release from the senator’s office reads (in part) as follows: “The legislation would clarify government’s exercise of its power of eminent domain to be limited only for public use. ‘Public use’ shall not be construed to include economic development. This standard of protection would apply only to (1) all exercises of eminent domain power by the federal government, and (2) all exercises of eminent domain power by state and local government through the use of federal funds.”

Sounds good to me, and the bill already has 13 co-sponsors. I am at a loss to understand why any GOP legislator should not be supporting this bill – or something very like it.

Time to follow the ‘no new tax’ pledge with a Kelo pledge?

And to save the time of anyone thinking of writing in, do I think that George W. Bush should be embarrassed by the use some years ago of eminent domain to build the Texas Rangers a new stadium?

Oh yes. Big time.

And as for the New York Times, well, read here…