Last year in a controversial blow to the rights of homeowners, the United States Supreme Court ruled that governments can condemn individual properties solely to make way for private development. While eminent domain has long been a privilege of governments, its exercise had been restricted to public uses, like freeways.
Californians (in many cases, the most liability-exposed homeowners in the Country) are protected by a state constitutional limitation on eminent domain.
Nevertheless, proponents of civil and economic liberties in all states are watching activists in Concord, New Hampshire. They have obtained the 25 signatures necessary to put condemnation of the private residence of Justice Souter (one of the judges who voted in favor of government expansion) on the ballot.
To read more, go to Activists Seek to Evict Souter From Home.