There is a law on the ballot in four states that says if I want to open a hog farm or a chemical plant next door to your house and you don't want me to do that, then YOU have to PAY ME not to -- you have to pay me ALL THE MONEY I MIGHT HAVE MADE. I am not kidding. This new law says that if you want to stop a corporation from dumping toxic waste into the river from which you get your drinking water, or stop them from venting dangerous chemicals into the air, then YOU have to PAY that company not to. I am NOT kidding!
The far right says that a government stopping a company from dumping waste into a river is "taking" money from that company. I am not kidding. And you had better take this seriously or YOU will be PAYING companies to not harm you and your families.
Along with EVERYTHING else going on in this election, the far right has managed to get stealth "takings" initiatives on the ballot in four states. In California it is Proposition 90. In Washington it is Initiative 933. In Idaho it is Proposition 2. In Arizona it is Proposition 207.
This is a "private property" and "takings" amendment disguised as a limit to "eminent domain." This means that it is supposed to be about keeping the government from seizing property so it can be used by commercial interests. But what this really does is prevent the states from ANY regulation of property, including ANY environmental regulations, ANY zoning laws, etc.
These ballot initiatives are all funded by one person - a New York real estate tycoon named Howie Rich. And he did this through front groups - organizations disguised as something else. See if you can guess what he plans to do the day after these laws pass? (Hint -- think "hog farm next door to your house.")
See Calitics: Soapblox California :: Prop 90: A Battle we MUST Win and
The Left Coaster: Deceptive Initiatives Designed To Blackmail Your Community and TomPaine.com Monster Stomping The States and The Nation: Rich's Stealth Campaign.
I am not kidding. I understand that saying the things I am saying here makes ME sound like the extremist, but you'd better go read up on these laws right now and see for yourself.
So here is ONE MORE THING to worry about this election. ONE MORE THING to tell friends and family to watch out for. ONE MORE THING to spread the word about. But it's one more IMPORTANT thing so get the word out.
(AP) TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Ousted President Manuel...
The nation's largest insurers, hospitals and medical groups...
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! The American flag has been painted on bathing...
If it's a rainy weekend and you want to channel that summer feeling, you can rent...
***SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO OF PALIN'S RESIGNATION SPEECH...
I wish Hunter S. Thompson had lived to see this. As Hunter said, "When the going gets weird, the...
Anyone who is in any way surprised by Sarah Palin's announcement today that she will...
Reporters are beginning to piece together an explanation for Sarah Palin's...
The first lady's garb is a great way to gauge what's hot for summer style. Michelle...
As Jon Stewart pointed out last night, Mark Sanford is the luckiest man in the world:...
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has...
I'm liveblogging the latest Iran election fallout. Email me with any news or thoughts, or follow me...
During his interview with ABC's This Week on Sunday, Vice President Joe Biden made...
The Cruise family is down under at the moment, and Sunday Tom, Katie and Suri went to the stage production...
A long weekend, parties, crazy hats, fireworks, and fun...
DENVER — Casket makers catering to natural burials have offered biodegradable coffins made of...