Posted on 11/11/2015 4:31:11 AM PST by Kaslin
Sometimes I like Donald Trump. He makes me laugh when he mocks reporters' stupid questions.
Sometimes he's smart. When Maryland's lefty governor said a tax on rich people would "raise revenue," Trump told me why it wouldn't. The taxpayers would just flee: "I know these people! They're international people! Whether they live here or in a place like Switzerland, it doesn't really matter to them!"
Perfect TV sound bite. And accurate. Maryland's tax on the rich brought in less revenue.
When Trump makes billions by giving people things they want in voluntary exchanges -- via casinos or real estate or the chance to watch him "fire" people on TV shows -- I applaud him. Free trade is mutually beneficial. Everybody wins.
That's why it's appalling when Trump calls trade agreements a "disaster" and says he'd "punish" Mexico with higher tariffs (tariffs really punish Americans).
And it's appalling when Trump uses connections with government to take things from others. I confronted him about that once.
In Atlantic City, an elderly woman named Vera Coking owned a home near Trump's casino. Trump wanted to take down her house so he could expand his casino parking lot.
People had offered to buy Vera's house, but she said no. In America, property rights mean you get to tell people, "You can't use my things without my permission."
But Trump wouldn't take no for an answer. He got some New Jersey politicians to grant him the right to take Vera's house. Politicians can do that under a law called "eminent domain." Trump recently called eminent domain "wonderful!"
Eminent domain can be wonderful if it's put to important public use, say, claiming land for highways, railroads or a pipeline. But Trump got New Jersey pols to use it so he'd have a better space for limousines to park.
Also, under eminent domain, the state is supposed to pay the property owner "just compensation." But Vera had turned down a million-dollar offer. Instead of raising the bid, Trump got politicians to force Vera to sell for even less. Trump would have to pay just $251,000, a fourth what she'd been offered.
That made Trump a manipulative bully. So I told him that.
"In the old days, developers came in with thugs with clubs. Now you use lawyers!"
"Excuse me! Other people maybe use thugs today. I don't!" was Trump's angry answer. "For you to use the word 'bully,' John, is very unfair. ... It's a pretty sick assumption, and I think it's pretty jaded for you to make it."
Vintage Trump.
He is right. I'm pretty jaded. Watching big shots violate people's property rights tends to do that.
Fortunately, after a long legal battle, an appeals court ruled that Trump could not take Vera's property. That worked best for everyone since it turned out that Trump didn't need a bigger parking lot. Trump and New Jersey pols hadn't predicted the future. His casino, like others in Atlantic City, went bankrupt.
Bankruptcy happens in business all the time, and only investors lose. But when business "partners" with government, innocent people get trampled.
Trump also tried to use his "get politicians to grab someone's land" scheme in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he promised a "world-class" development that never happened.
This is "a powerful, politically influential person using his power to steal, essentially, somebody else's private property for his own private profit," says Tim Sandefur of the Pacific Legal Foundation.
But Trump said that his development might bring the city extra tax money, making it "public" use.
"By that logic," says Sandefur, "you can use the power of eminent domain to kick all poor people out of your city. ... The whole purpose of protections against eminent domain in our Constitution -- in fact, the very purpose of a Constitution -- is to protect people who don't have political influence and can't persuade politicians to do their bidding."
I wish Trump understood that. He isn't the only one whose ego is huge. So is government's -- always thinking it knows best.
Let property owners decide, not the bullies.
IMHO, John Stossel is a fair and objective reporter.
Duck and cover...
Yes he is.
For crying out loud.
BOTH parties. Everyone in fact, have sold out our country now for so long, that Trump is the only one saying that we need to bring jobs back to America.
He is completely right about that.
I agree as well.
When you peel off the immigration plank, Trump’s positions aren’t that much different than Rudy Gulliani. That is why daily I am just shocked at the love for this guy here at FR. He’s PT Barnum indeed. Kudos for the dupe.
Sadly, not too many conservatives in the GOP bunch, other than for Cruz.
Trump is saying that both parties, are completely sold out to China.
I agree completely.
“He isn’t the only one whose ego is huge.”
Up against the self-aggrandizement of all the candidates last night, Trump came off as humble. This universal knee-jerk take on Trump’s ego is amazing.
Stossell is a libertarian loser who would sell America to the highest bidder if he could.
I’m sorry—he reminds me of a snake oil salesman. I know a lot (most?) Freepers are all out for him, but I just can’t get on his bandwagon.
Everyone running for office reminds me of a snake oil salesman.
Every single one.
Trump is at least, taking the right positions for America.
Actually, if you look at the entire FR community, I think you will find more Cruz supporters. Problem is that our candidate is not getting any significant traction.
They are trying to get us hard core conservatives to buy in........ but I'm not.
No...Trump has taken ONE right position for America.The man has thrown out some red meat to conservatives about illegal immigration and the majority of the Trump lap-dogs disregard EVERYTHING else he’s ever said in his whole freakin’ life...well, prior to when he decided he’d run for President SIX MONTHS AGO!
He is a bloviating narcissist; the electoral equivalent of a Kardashian. Prior to six months ago every dang one of his FR supporters would have scoffed at the notion of him even RUNNING AS A REPUBLICAN! But because he vomits forth what they want to hear about illegal immigration, they fawn at his feet. The man is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. If he were to win the election (he won’t) he would be the last Republican president for at least a generation.
I’ve tried to like the guy, especially when I see how many Freepers seem to be all in for him—but I just can’t.
Mrs Coking stubbornly refused the million dollar offer for her
pre-WW11 abode. Holding out allowed the casino to be built around
her property She figured she could extract even more money for the
postage-stamp size property. Stossel should have mentioned that.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.