the power of the government to take private property (land) for the public good.  

Consider eminent domain, that is, the power of the government to take private property (land) for the public good.  Historically, the exercise of eminent domain has been limited to the taking of private land for public works projects—roads, railroads, schools, water facilities, etc.  In the northeastern US, a city took, via its power of eminent domain, private land to be used for private commercial development as a means to increase the municipality’s tax base.  Certainly, the property owners were compensated based on the appraised fair market value of their land and improvements, but most did not want to lose their family homes to commercial development.  The US Supreme Court upheld the city’s action reasoning that the State had not limited a municipality’s power of eminent domain.

Is the use of eminent domain for the purpose of converting privately owned lands to commercial use a justifiable use of such power?  What are the pros and cons? about 100 words

NOTE: please then responding to the postings of three classmates