Executive Action

A story in the Wall Street Journal, that bastion of the liberal Democrat-controlled media, describes how, under the administration of Mayor Sarah Palin, the town of Wasilla managed to bring in this ambitious sports complex with an additional $1.3 million in costs and legal penalties, due to the fact that they began construction before they had clear title to the land.

There was a court case over ownership of the land, and, after the town won, Palin's administration proceeded to clear land and build roads, despite a pending appeal. Which they subsequently lost, which triggered more legal hilarity over their impetuous improvements to the land.

There was a happy ending, however. The town took the land by eminent domain, proving that the government can muscle its way to whatever it wants, over the property rights of the individual. Perhaps the McCain/Palin campaign could make use of that in its appeal to the conservative base.

Anyway, I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a "community organizer," except that you have actual responsibilities. Like keeping your town out of foolish, costly litigation.