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.
My guess is Casey meant there was never an offer on paper, signed, sealed and delivered.
Otherwise I have no idea what he meant.
Seriously. What an amateur. The quality of TV journalism has really taken a dive since Brian Williams left.
I must take back some of my agreement with Stossel. I agree some of the time, not always. I didn’t know enough to agree with his eminent domain or disagree with him.
Trump is the guy who can bring disparate groups to the booths pulling the "R" lever.
Nice projection...you're basing this on what exactly, other than your own man-crush?
I am so sick of the whining about Trump having some less conservative positions. Firstly by working against him you are working for Rubio or Hillary and with that choice I’ll stay home in Nov 2016.
Guess what, chief? There is no way in hell I will vote for the Donald Kardashian Trump pretender-conservative wolf in sheeps clothing. No way in hell. And I'm quite confident I'm not alone. If you're gonna make me choose between the fast road to hell and the slow road...let's roll.
LOL-—NICE SWIPE AT BRIAN.
The woman would be a millionaire several times over...and would have beaten Donald at his own game.
The internet is an interesting place. For example the pharmaceutical industry has paid employees who surf the net and pretend to be Joe Sixpacks whose lives have been immeasurably helped by this or that brain-destroying drug. Businessmen post lies about competitors on review websites. The net is really a technical wild west. There’s no doubt in my mind that there are paid GOPe pros on the FR trying torpedo Trump.
I’ve no illusions about Trump. He’s got feet of clay like the rest of us. However he (and Carson) have actually done things rather spend lives as wonks and looters and moochers spending OPM and ruining lives in courtrooms like the rest of the pols running for Prez. I think that he isn’t owned lock, stock and barrel by Soros or Rockefeller.
It’s impossible to be sure about anything. I’ll stick with Trump for now. Electing lifelong pols hasn’t gotten us anything since Reagan.
I'll take Trump and eminent domain all day long...
If you read my comment I am basing it on the crowds that show up every time he speaks 10-100 fold those of any other candidate. Cruz is courageous but in his position he will owe favors.
Stossel is not a conservative. He is a liberal-tarian so if he had no problem with Trump that would be a bad sign.
Trumps bandwagon is to save America...Everyone else's bandwagon is to sell America to the highest bidder...And right now, China is the highest bidder...
Guess you'll be going for Rubio, or Hillary then...
We know that's not true??? I expect that kind of trash from Democrats and Rinos...Kinda hard hearing it from FReepers...
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.
Again, you're being disgustingly dishonest...Everyone besides Trump supports the North American Union...Do you know what that is??? It's this hemisphere's version of the EU...Does that appeal to you???
Not bothered by illegal immigration/amnesty??? Talk about a wolf in sheep's clothing...
Who cares if you like him or not??? This is not a personality contest...Our Country is at stake...We can't even be sure we'll make it to the next election...
I never liked the guy. Too self righteous. Makes Oreilly look humble.
You may have noticed that he has been on the road or the wing, using his own aircraft, making appearances all over the country just about every single day since mid-summer when he announced. I have only heard of him cancelling one speaking date in that time frame due to a business matter.
When he wins, he will have to surrender or restructure his business interests, as Cheney and Bush had to do, divesting themselves of jobs and holdings. He has been grooming his three adult children for years to take over his businesses, and they are already in charge of large parts of his operations. There is a video of them talking about it on the Trump International web site. If he wins the presidency, no doubt all the paperwork will have been drawn up and the ownership transfers will happen between Nov 2 and Jan 20. Government agencies such as the election commission are empowered to monitor those filings and his accounts.
I like the internet, because unlike written or tv press, there are many ideas and opinions to read. I think it makes anyone interested in a subject to look for the real answer. I’ll be going to Barnes and Noble tomorrow and pick up all of the books Donald Trump has written. I have one, “Time To Get Tough”. It seems to me he’s been concerned for America for some time. He is brash with his statements, as a lot of us are. I’m a nit picker and heaven help when something isn’t done right. I am concerned about the road our professional politicians has put America on. I look for “Made In America”, but it is difficult to find such an item.
Moving to the White House would be a step down for Donald Trump. Washington DC would be as alien as the moon to him.
Sure Trumpet.... Keep thinking Trump is more conservative than Cruz. You fool no one.
Wow.
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