Giving Up Property Rights
While this doesn’t look like it relates to the Eminent Domain issue it is, in reality, virtually the same thing. Property rights, intellectual rights and eventually individual rights don’t matter in the face of “public need”. Senator Charles Schumer wrote:
I deeply respect the investment Roche has made in order to bring Tamiflu to market, but am confident that there is a way to both serve the public need and ensure that your company receives compensation. (emphasis mine)
This is the ultimate justification for any public policy decision. There is no tax, no public policy decision and no government imposition that cannot be justified in such a manner. It is all based upon the fallacy of the “common good”. Whole article here.
(dn)