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DEJÁ VU ALL OVER AGAIN August 1, 2005 Susan Bates

Between 1805 and 1832, Georgia held seven lotteries to distribute land that the state had stolen from the Creek and Cherokee Peoples to white "settlers." The fees to participate in these lotteries were small and the state didn't make any money on the scheme. But they did replace the original Red tenants with tax paying whites. The Creeks were the first to feel the sting of removal in 1805, while the 1832 Land Lottery and the infamous Gold Lottery held the same year, sent the Cherokee on the Trail of Tears. So what? This is all ancient history, right? It can't happen again. Certainly not to you. Your Grandmother wasn't even a Cherokee Princess. Don't be so sure. Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that local governments can seize citizen's homes and lands and turn the property over to private developers. Let me say that again. If someone with money decides they want to build something that would provide more income for the state than your home or business does, the state now has the right to force you to leave. According to an article released by the Associated Press, "Justice John Paul Stevens said local officials, not federal judges, know best in deciding whether a development project will benefit the community.... The city has carefully formulated an economic development that it believes will provide appreciable benefits to the community, including - but by no means limited to - new jobs and increased tax revenue." Justices Anthony Kennedy, David Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer voted for the measure while Chief Justice William Rehnquist, as well as Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Sandra Day O'Connor opposed the ruling. Writing for the minority, Justice O'Connor said, "Any property may now be taken for the benefit of another private party, but the fallout from this decision will not be random. The beneficiaries are likely to be those citizens with disproportionate influence and power in the political process, including large corporations and development firms." Couple this new law with soaring property values and a grim picture emerges. With the median priced home now selling for a whopping $207,000, it is easy to see that rising property costs will result in higher tax rates which many of us will not be able to meet. A kinder, gentler land grab.... You won't even have to be an Indian to feel the pain. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Anthem - A Song By Leonard Cohen The birds they sang at the break of day Start again I heard them say Don't dwell on what has passed away or what is yet to be. Ah the wars they will be fought again The holy dove She will be caught again bought and sold and bought again the dove is never free. Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack in everything That's how the light gets in. We asked for signs the signs were sent: the birth betrayed the marriage spent Yeah the widowhood of every government -- signs for all to see. I can't run no more with that lawless crowd while the killers in high places say their prayers out loud. But they've summoned, they've summoned up a thundercloud and they're going to hear from me. Ring the bells that still can ring ... You can add up the parts but you won't have the sum You can strike up the march, there is no drum Every heart, every heart to love will come but like a refugee. Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, a crack in everything That's how the light gets in. Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, a crack in everything That's how the light gets in. That's how the light gets in. That's how the light gets in. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

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