Carl Sutherland, Jr. – 7/10/05

This page was last updated on July 10, 2005.

Don’t call it communism; Carl Sutherland, Jr.; Beaver County Times; July 10, 2005.

I’m not sure, but it appears Mr. Sutherland tries both to defend communism and oppose the government taking property.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“In response to Rod Belsky’s letter to the editor (‘Justices should be impeached,’ Tuesday):

“Communism itself is an economic system advocating financial equality. The three negative traits of government that Mr. Belsky listed are traits present in totalitarian and fascist political systems.”

[RWC] Mr. Sutherland appears to have a benign and historically inaccurate view of communism. The three traits presented by Mr. Belsky are hallmarks of communism.

Here are definitions of communism according to the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary.

1. a theory advocating elimination of private property

2. a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production

Finally, what “financial equality” takes place in any communist country? Though the USSR was a military superpower, it was little more than a third-world country in which only Communist Party leaders had a shot at economic success.

“The traits do indeed have a very limited place in democracy, even if it is a social-democracy.”

[RWC] What is a “social-democracy?”

“This horrible mutilation of eminent domain that was recently OK’d by the U.S. Supreme Court allows for private property to be seized for private development.”

[RWC] A noted above, communism doesn’t allow private property.

“This certainly is not giving to each according to his need, but rather taking from those that need and giving to those that already have.”

[RWC] Mr. Sutherland appears to be dodging the core reason for taking property from one citizen and giving it to another. The core reason is to generate greater tax revenues because the government believes that serves the greater need. Again, this is a hallmark of communism.

“Certainly, this is neo-imperialism at its worst.”

[RWC] What the heck is “neo-imperialism?”

“We the people - the majorities who are the middle and lower classes in America - need to fight against such encroachments upon our civil rights. Fortunately many of those we have elected to political office are fighting with us.

“U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, is already planning legislation protecting our private property rights in the form of the Empower Act. I hope every one of you look for this act to be introduced in the near future. Once we know more about it, I urge you write to our own senators (Santorum and Specter) telling them how you feel.”

[RWC] Though I applaud federal lawmakers who support doing something about this ruling, there isn’t anything they can do when federal dollars aren’t involved in an eminent domain project. The vast majority of eminent domain cases are at the state and local levels so this is where the battle must be joined.

Given what appears to be Mr. Sutherland’s political leaning, I’m surprised he mentioned Sen. Hatch. I suspect Mr. Sutherland did so out of necessity. You see, some Democrats in leadership positions – such as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) – oppose taking action.

“Right now, impeaching all the justices that favored this ruling would only give our current administration too much power. They would be tasked with replacing a majority of the justices.”

[RWC] One point needs to be made. You can’t impeach a justice for making a bad decision. Impeachment requires a criminal act.

Here’s a translation of Mr. Sutherland’s position. I like a liberal majority on the Supreme Court except for this one ruling.

“Ironically, there are worse things than impeachment resulting already from their own ruling. Logan Darrow Clements, of Freestar Media plans to use this court case to seize Justice Souter’s New Hampshire property for the building of The Lost Liberty Hotel, aimed at promoting civil liberties.”

[RWC] I like Mr. Clements’ idea, but I’ll be shocked if it ever gets anywhere.