George,

Rich Collins is one of the few who got it right. The Kelo decision was his decision, our decision, the Democrat decision.

Kelo put us face-to-face with one of our cherished party planks, the embracing of social planning to accomplish public good. Kelo affirmed the good of the community over the property rights of the individual.

Removing urban blight, protecting an unspoiled environment, and yes, tearing down private homes to replace them with something creating jobs and generating taxes - like it or not - are what our party stands for.

We Democrats have maintained for generations that forced sale of individual homes and business to enable broader economic development will, if done properly, benefit all. That's _our_ trickle down theory.
Help the overall community and the benefits trickle down.

Does it work? Did benefits trickle down after the Vinegar Hill and Garrett Street neighborhoods were bulldozed? I guess that depends on your point of view.

We should be aware that Democrats dominate the New London city council.
Don't wring your hands and back-peddle from a Supreme Court decision that reinforces what the Democratic Party has stood for and fought for.

It has a dark side? Well now you know.

Rey Barry (electronic mail, July 1, 2005)