THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
An Online Journal of Political Commentary & Analysis
Volume VII, Issue # 163, July 29, 2005
Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr., Editor
Government Committed to & Acting in Accord with Conservative Principles
Ensures a Nation's Strength, Progress, & Prosperity
CREATION OF "PROPERTY RIGHTS FIRST!"
A COALITION NEEDED TO STOP "KELO II"
By J. Peyton Knight
PROPERTY RIGHTS FIRST! -- FORMATION OF A NEW COALITION TO DEFEND PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS AGAINST THE RADICAL
ENVIRONMENTALISTS & THEIR POLITICAL ALLIES IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS -- A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO PROTECT
AMERICAN PROPERTY OWNERS, PREVENT CONGRESSIONAL ENACTMENT OF THE THREATENED & ENDANGERED SPECIES
RECOVERY ACT OF 2005, & DEFEAT THE PERNICIOUS FORCES OF STATISM, SOCIALISM, & RADICAL ENVIRONMENTALISM
FULL STORY:
In Washington, D.C., on July 28, 2005, the American Policy Center joined several organizations concerned with property rights to
help form “Property Rights First!,” a coalition designed to push private property rights to the center of the debate over the
Endangered Species Act. APC is warning that draft legislation released by Congressman Richard Pombo (R-CA) titled “The
Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2005” (TESRA 2005) would do more harm than good to American property
owners. The American Policy Center has dubbed Pombo’s draft bill “Kelo II,” as it represents a massive sellout to landowners.
“I don't want the worst piece of legislation since the progressive income tax to be ‘updated and strengthened’ -- I want it repealed,”
said APC President Tom DeWeese. “When lawmakers refuse to stand up for what’s right, it’s our duty to stand up to lawmakers.”
Property Rights First! is a collaborative effort of the American Policy Center, the National Center for Public Policy Research, the
American Land Foundation, the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Stewards of the Range, and Liberty Matters. The foregoing
organizations, now joined together in the Property Rights First! coalition, had recent success in postponing the debut of TESRA
2005, which had been expected to be approved by the U.S. House Resources Committee two weeks ago. The coalition vows to
fight for full and complete private property rights protections with regard to the Endangered Species Act.
“If grassroots property rights advocates want something they must demand it,” said DeWeese. “It may be that, in the end, you
don't get your way, but what you have to settle for is a whole lot better than if you had never tried.”
TESRA 2005 allows the U.S. national government to take up to 50 percent of a landowner’s property before the government ever
has to pay the landowner a dime. “Can Americans make do with half of their property?” asked DeWeese. “Stealing 50 percent of a
person’s lifeblood is theft, but Congressman Pombo wants to codify it as federal law.”
Incredibly, TESRA 2005 even “provides new authority to protect listed species from harmful invasive species.” DeWeese calls this
“an outrage,” noting that radical environmentalists have sought regulatory authority over socalled "invasive species" for years.
Such authority would lead to property rights abuses far and above what the current Endangered Species Act allows.
According to an Executive Order signed by President Bill Clinton in 1999, invasive species are broadly defined as “any species,
including seeds, eggs, spores, or other biological material capable of propagating that species, that is not native to that
ecosystem.” Kentucky bluegrass and English ivy, found on most lawns and golf courses, are just two examples of common
invasive species that could open the door to government regulation and control of a person’s property.
“I guess, when Congressman Pombo talks about the need to ‘strengthen’ the Endangered Species Act, he means it,” said DeWeese.
“Add invasive species language, and you’ll wish you had the old ESA back.”
Considering that Republicans hold firm majorities on Capitol Hill, the current uproar against the U.S. Supreme Court's dreadful
decision in Kelo v. City of New London (2005), and the overwhelmingly successful ballot initiative in Oregon to compensate
victims of state land use regulations, this recent sellout on property rights is inexcusable.
DeWeese notes that the grassroots property rights community is appalled by this latest effort to strengthen the Endangered Species
Act.
“Why are our socalled champions on the Hill so afraid to do what is right and start a campaign to repeal the ESA?” asks DeWeese.
“It’s time to stop the ESA from destroying any more American lives.”
LINKS TO RELATED TOPICS:
Policy Issues Relating to Energy, Environment,
& Natural Resources
U.S. Economic Policy -- Government & the Economy
J. Peyton Knight is Executive Director of the American Policy Center, a nonprofit grassroots organization headquartered in
Warrenton, Virginia, and dedicated to advancing the principles of private property rights, free markets, and constitutionally
limited government.
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