The use of eminent domain to get property for public use was specifically addressed in our Constitution. The founders of our nation were firm believers in individual property rights, and knew that government takings of property was a potential danger.
For much of our nation's history, government took property only for truly "public use", meaning that the taken property would be used BY the citizenry, for streets, parks, etc. Gradually, "public use" has come to be defined as anything that would benefit the government. As a result, property is being taken simply because it can generate more tax revenue if used for a different purpose. It has gotten completely out of hand.
