I have been told that there are currently bills that may become laws in every state regarding Eminent Domain. In fact, there are in excess of 150 bills which means an average of three per state. I can tell you that in the states I keep track of, that is not hard to believe because it is often a topic of conversation. It appears that most of our state policy makers believe that Eminent Domain is absolutely the best tool available to remove our property rights. Once again, the state of South Dakota is trying to be a leader in keeping property rights as the fundamental Constitutional Right that enables freedom. While it is not a given yet, if the Senate passes SB 1052, we will have a rare victory for property rights.

Let me contrast that with a video that I have just watched of Iowa State Senator Annette Sweeney from District 27 in central Iowa. The video was forwarded to me from a Town Hall meeting that took place in Hardin County, IA with her constituents. Let me also add that I have been friends for a long time with Annette and even drove to Iowa when she decided she wanted to be in state government and spoke at her fund raiser. I share this only to give background as to how people who are once grounded get elected and lose their way.

When questioned by citizens in her district about Eminent Domain and CO2 pipelines, Sen Sweeney said, “I look at it as two separate issues. We can really disagree on some of it.” Excuse me, maybe Annette missed this in June 2024 when the Iowa Utilities Board granted Summit Carbon Solutions the ability to use Eminent Domain to take land from unwilling landowners. At least 470 are still holding out and won’t sign the easements, thus subjecting themselves to Eminent Domain.

Sweeney goes on to say, “I don’t want to shut our minds off, constantly screaming Eminent Domain and sending the message that Iowa is not open for business.” Hello Annette! Eminent Domain is NOT a tool for Economic Development. It is to be utilized only in projects deemed for “Public Use.” Check out the 5^th Amendment in a little document called the U.S. Constitution.

However, my least favorite Sweeney quote was, “I don’t disparage anybody for some capitalism.” WHOA up the stagecoach lady. That statement displays the true scenario here. This CO2 pipeline is 100% funded by the taxpayers. When you use taxpayer funds and eminent domain to take land away from everyone in your path, that is not capitalism. It is the Soviet Union in the 1920’s creating surfs on the land.

Then of course she had to display her ignorance of the Renewable Fuels Standard as she spouts off the tiring, false narrative that this CO2 capture is going to increase the value of corn to the farmer by a $1/bushel. If you remember, the 2005 passing of the MANDATED Renewable Fuel Standard was going to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, clean up our environment and increase crops prices for the farmer. Since that standard was passed and farmers invested in farmer-owned ethanol plants, of the top 10 plants left in the country, only ONE is owned by farmers!

The renewable fuel standard is mostly a success story because ethanol is gaining a foothold. Why do we need more supplementation for this industry? Since 2005, the United States has become the world’s largest oil producer at 13.2 million barrels/day. Saudi Arabia is a distant second, for those wondering, followed by Russia. More good news is that we are now producing 35 billion gallons of ethanol in the US annually. The United States has become a net exporter when it comes to fuel and that is great news no matter how you look at it.

I do have one final question. Why is every gas station selling ethanol blended gas at a 35-70 cent per gallon discount compared to straight petroleum-based gas?

Why is the petroleum industry so committed to getting all the ethanol plants on the CO2 pipeline and helping ethanol maintain an even greater share of the consumers gas dollar? Because the oil companies want the farmer to get another $1/bushel for corn right? I don’t think so!

In closing, I have used the example of one elected state official to make my point in the 2025 Legislative Session but Sweeney is just one example, not the exception. The full court press is on by both sides of the aisle to follow the play of Vladimir Lennin and take your land away because they believe life will be easier for you if you just work for the state. As a final reminder, 5 million Russian citizens died from famine between 1921-1922. How’s your pantry looking?

Original Article: https://trentloos.substack.com/p/before-the-belly-button-bangs-the?r=makqj&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true

Also see:
https://trentloos.substack.com/p/dakota-trails-and-tales-feb-24-2025?r=makqj&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false&triedRedirect=trueMAR 02, 2025
Shared with Permission from Mr. Loos

And the Public Meeting Townhall Video:
https://freesoilfoundation.com/mtg-with-sen-sweeney-and-rep-meggers-14-feb-2025/