The name and tagline I chose for this site reflects the information I want to share with whomever may read it: The Fast Lane — Personal Development, Self-Help, and Peak Performance Articles, Tips, and How-to’s. So what I’m about to relate is a little off the reservation, I suppose. And like Steve Olson, at one time I was very passionate in the political arena. I have mostly cured myself of that, but sometimes, something comes across the radar that really pisses me off.

I bruised the bottom of my chin when the decision in Kelo v. New London came down from the Supremes. I really couldn’t believe it. You remember–the decision that basically backed the government in taking anyone’s personal property for what amounts to any reason they can dream up, as long as they can make it look like it’s a ‘public use’. It wasn’t even for a public works project, like a dam or something. They took the Kelo’s property and gave it to a developer to build some damn something-or-other. Sorry for the french.

I ran across this today. An 88-year-old woman, Ruth Strang, will most likely lose her home and property which she and her husband have owned for over 50 years, because the property across the street would be more expensive to buy. Oh, the ‘planning officials’ and such are so compassionate about having to take someone’s home. But they talk like it’s a foregone conclusion. They’ve made their decision, and that’s that. From the article on the azcentral.com web site:

“They have to make a lot of decisions, and we are more than willing to work with them through this process,” said Metro’s project planning manager, Jim Mathien.

Metro spokeswoman Marty McNeil added, “We’re hoping to have the conversation with Mrs. Strang and her family early enough to figure out what is the best approach. We are all really cognizant how sad and difficult it is for her.”

It’s a nice thing to say. It’s also easy, because for most of us, the price of “progress” is the few minutes we lose in traffic at light-rail construction sites. Ruth will lose 56 years.

All to build a light rail.

The power of government needs to be reined in. Unfortunately, the key to make that happen is that more people start taking responsibility for their own lives and stop depending on government for just about everything. But there are so many people who would rather be robots and have someone else take care of them that I just don’t see that happening.

I’m afraid for where we’re heading.

I know that ‘Abraham’, through Esther Hicks, says that giving your attention to something you don’t want to see only strengthens it, and I know that’s true. But I’m at a loss as to how to think about this. Help, anyone? Leave a comment and tell me what you think.