June 27, 2005
God, make way for CostCo!
When I suggested last week that Churches should feel worried about Kelo, and that they might be replaced by strip clubs and adult book stores for tax revenues, I was intentionally being facetious. I figured it’d take some ballsy politicians to use eminent domain to go after churches.
Of course, I should expect no less from California. Paul Jacob writes:
Churches, Beware
Politicians’ lust for money doesn’t stop with homeowners and small businesses, though. Sometimes churches get in the way. Churches don’t even pay taxes. No revenue stream for politicians at all. Uh-oh.In Cypress, California, the city pushed the Cottonwood Christian Center off its land to make way for a Costco superstore. The church paid no taxes; Costco and its customers would pay plenty.
Steve Greenhut, author of Abuse of Power: How the Government Misuses Eminent Domain (Seven Locks Press, 311 pages, $17.95), highlighted the arrogance of eminent domain power run amok in Cypress:
“City officials did not dress up what they were doing in legalistic language. They were brazen in their goals. They ridiculed church members at public meetings. They bragged about their ability to use eminent domain for whatever reason they chose, and they made it clear that the government’s desires should take precedence over the desires of “a narrow special interest,” which is how city officials repeatedly referred to the church.”
Recently, the Washington Post ran a story about growing friction between churches and government in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Churches and synagogues, mosques and temples are operating on property that, if taxed, would give local politicians $9 million more dollars to spend each year. Already, the council has been using zoning regulations to block the growth of churches.
“We don’t oppose churches,” Council Chairman Samuel Dean told The Post. “The concern we have is that sometimes churches eat up a lot of land that could be used for other things.”
Another council member offered, “None of us are against God.” But added: “We’re losing tax money and retail.”
What protection do the churches have now?
Well, as I’ve said before, I’m not that big on religion. But I know how important it is to virtually everyone who takes part in it. Churches are anchors of communities. They are truly one of those things that, by their nature, improve a community. I’ve seen throughout my life that the bonds between community members are only strengthened by becoming part of a parish, they are a way for someone to truly put down roots and care about a community, and that they are wonderful vehicles for charity and good will. I see no such benefits from CostCo.
So what’s the bigger “public purpose”? An anchor that brings the community together? An anchor that, no doubt, improves the lives of its members, creates a sense of community and the sort of atmosphere that gives people pride in where they live? Pride that may help to stem the flow of gangs, graffiti, and general nastiness flowing from south central LA county into a place like Cypress? Or tax revenue? Surprise, surprise, the local thieves government chooses tax revenue every time.
Hat Tip: Quincy
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Brad, Whoa! If the liberals think that the religous right will sit down for this one, they have another thing coming. I hope this blows up in their face. You should hear the words flying around in my mind at the minute. They are unprintable!