The Local Underground Issue That Might Change National Politics



During my long life, some decades as a participant and later an observer, there has been an especially powerful issue that morphed in support between liberals and conservatives. It is mostly not in the news and has not spilled into broad political influence. That seems to be changing.

The issue is eminent domain. As readers know, eminent domain happens when some level of government, local, state or federal, takes land or other property from private citizens for some broader purpose. Those whose land is taken usually are paid some version of a "fair price." Because of this payment the practice usually is not seen as controversial.

Along with members of the governing board, I exercised eminent domain powers several times. There is, as one might expect in the job of Mayor, a constant din of people giving you their opinions. With eminent domain, lots of older liberal people expressed approval. They were from the era of government doing good things for the public and needing those powers. It was about highways, airports, etc. Conservative people at the same time supported it also because it was about business development. In time uses of eminent domain expanded from using it for highways and airports to taking houses and businesses to make way for bigger shopping centers and businesses. I once supported taking some downtown property for a new hotel.

According to the local paper, Republicans in Iowa are between a rock and a hard place on eminent domain. Ethanal plants need to get rid of carbon. There is a proposal to put the carbon in pipelines and ship it to North Dakota which will dump it into underground cavities. The pipelines need eminent domain to cross farmland. Many farmers are fighting it. South Dakota has said no. A bill stopping the eminent domain in Iowa was vetoed by the outgoing Governor who was joined in support by most Republicans in the state legislature. Republican farmers not wanting the pipeline, or any other project, to cross their land are hoppin' mad and are joined by Democrats. Three special elections have seen upset victories by Democrats. 

We can't know the future, but if this arcane issue gave the hard-core Republican states of Iowa, North and South Dakota to Democrats it might tip a close election.  

 

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