I was disheartened when I read the recent article, "Utah ranked 20th in overall freedom (June 8). The study by George Mason ranked Utah third in the nation for freedom from regulation and 20th overall (third in the regulatory policy category measured by labor regulation, health-insurance coverage mandates, occupational licensing, eminent domain, the tort system, land-use regulation and utilities).
The eminent domain portion is immoral. Our current state leaders have proven their alliance in supporting for-profit private companies pirating land at the expense of the private property owner in Utah. Many of these companies are not public utilities, they are private corporations making money off eminent domain laws in Utah.
A perfect example is the recent event in Nine Mile Canyon, Utah. Bill Barrett Corporation (BBC), a for-profit multi-billion dollar company, is threatening the private property owner in condemnation because it can. There is no government oversight, no regulation, and state lawmakers say there is nothing they can do. BBC has unbridled authority to do what it wants to private land.
A state government that allows this to occur and boasts the success of Utah bringing in this type of business is indisputably an example of not "for the people." As I see it, Utah and America are fast becoming the land of "for corporations and by corporations" and we're all allowing it to happen. Someday it may be your land, and you'll have no recourse.
Steven Moser
Draper