Posted on 02/16/2016 2:51:21 PM PST by Theo
WOW! If People Don't Understand Eminent Domain Abuse, They Will Now
Ted Cruz Goes Bare-Knuckled Against Donald Trump on Eminent Domain Abuse -- "A Pattern of Sleaze Stretching Back Decades"
They say the political gloves are about to come off in South Carolina, whose primary on February 20 and which is crucial to building momentum for the upcoming Super Tuesday or "SEC Primary" states on March 1.
"They" are correct, as one of the most brutal ads of the political campaign, thus far, has just been released by the Ted Cruz presidential campaign, an ad that CNN reports will be a "six-figure ad buy," running on TV in South Carolina next week.
The scathing campaign ad hits Donald Trump hard in the area of cronyism, buying favoritism from politicians, and for abusing the constitutional principle of eminent domain for private gain.
Moreover, the ad powerfully and directly explains eminent domain by using the example of Vera Coking, an elderly woman whose house Trump wanted to destroy, using the power of big government, so that the bombastic billionaire could build a limousine parking lot for one of his casinos.
Trump's abuse of eminent domain wasn't eminent domain at all, the ad contends, nor was it used for "public" use, as is required in the U.S. Constitution, but instead was an attempt to line Trump's own pockets.
"Vera Coking's home was all she had left but it stood in Donald Trump's way and the limousine parking lot he wanted for his casino," the narrator in the Ted Cruz-approved ad says. "To him, she was a nobody."
The ad shows an exchange between free market advocate John Stossel and Trump discussing the situation during an interview at the time:
JOHN STOSSEL: "You're bullying these people out because..."
DONALD TRUMP: "Excuse me. This is a government case. This not Donald Trump."
STOSSEL: "Yes it's Donald Trump. It's you and your cronies in government working together."
"I offered her a lot of money out of this -- my heart," Trump then told Stossel in the ad.
"Heart? He doesn't have no heart, that man." ~ Vera Coking in describing Donald Trump
"Trump bankrolled politicians to steamroll the little guy -- a pattern of sleaze stretching back decades," the ad contends. "Trump uses power for personal gain. Imagine the damage he could as president."
Donald Trump is correct in that eminent domain is in the Constitution, and is authorized for "public use," like highways, public buildings, national defense readiness, etc. That our Founding Fathers had "casinos" in mind is absurd and he knows it.
The ad is especially difficult to refute considering Trump's well-known statements, bragging that he has bought off politicians for personal favors.
LOL, that’s been tried repeatedly to no effect.
What makes Cruz think it’s going to be different this time?
excellent ad.
“... another nasty attack by Cruz.”
Yes. The truth feels “nasty” to those in the Trump cult.
I’m genuinely puzzled as to what Cruz is expecting to get out of this?
It’s like his campaign team is phoning it in. Who the hell sees this (regardless of your position) as an important issue?
The ad criticizes Trump for using government power for personal gain. That I think would be on the "No" list for voters.
Is who lying? Turns out ... you are lying. Those words aren’t Cruz’s.
They are “attributed to the Institute for Justice.”
Of course, you know that. And you’re simply wanting to throw as much slime toward Cruz as you can, knowing that you are lying.
Maybe homeowners see it as an important issue?
Not particularly.
Most states after Kelo clamped down on ED rules so that any concerns vanished quickly.
I think you're right, but not necessarily because of eminent domain.
Warren Buffet, who owns the railroads that are needed if Keystone isn't built, also owns Cruz.
Cruz won't be allowed to support Keystone.
His puppet strings won't let him go there.
I am much more concerned with illegals taking my Land than the gubment taking my land.
Not a soul on the debate stage disageed that eminent domain would be needed. I assume you are not an engineer. Imagine the cost of routing and rerouting and it would go in to someone’s property. Another Cruzer protecting him from reality.
Buffet is why Obama fought it to. Another DC insider thing.
And you're worried about a lady who was offered $1.8 million, a lady who owed $25,000 in back taxes on her pig sty.
Several states have now written "blight" into their eminent domain clauses.
I don’t care about Eminent Domain, Little, Bitty, Tiny Theo.
It’s still there and there is a parking area all around it.
And she should be able to ask what she wants for her own property.
Stupid, non-sensical or not. It’s hers to do with as she wants.
Right?
Complaining to wrong person I want Keystone, the jobs and a real president... Trump
As a former Cruz supporter, I am beginning to detest the man. For those who don’t believe I used to be one of his supporters, you can go back into my posting history. I can’t even stand to hear him or look at him any more. He is so sleazy.
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