I watched Bret Baier interview Donald Trump about eminent domain. I am one of many Americans whose property is under assault by government (NJ), that thinks it can redistribute private property among private parties, absolutely forbidden by the U.S. Constitution. I’ve been in a unique position to observe the disturbing alliance between government and big business that rides roughshod over constitutionally protected property rights of individuals and small business under the guise of “public benefit.” I’d like to put forth my thoughts about statements made by Mr. Trump.

Trump on eminent domain

Donald Trump speaking to the 2011 Conservative Political Action Conference. Photo by Gage Skidmore; CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported License.

Mr. Trump thinks “…when you’re building something you can’t have a hold out. . . . eminent domain is good . . . . for massive projects where you’ll create thousands of jobs . . . .” Truth is it’s about making truckloads of money for multi-million dollar corporations, giving casinos tax breaks on taxpayers’ backs, and increasing tax revenue for towns. We know this, because corporations let go of failed investments. Mr. Trump agrees, “ I had a hotel in Atlantic City. I did really great. I made a lot of money. I got out 7 years ago, great timing . . . .”

Mr. Trump is a clear example of the corporate empire building mindset. As attorney Jennifer Kruckeberg writes: “Corporations . . . are proposing the following assignment: ‘Find me your most prominent location, get rid of what is on it, help me pay for it, and maybe you will be lucky enough to have me move to your city.’” Multimillion-dollar companies establish close relationships with government officials in communities across the nation where they squeeze out, come hell or high water, any opposition. When Vera Coking declined Mr. Trump’s offer to purchase her home, he convinced the government of Atlantic City to condemn the home of an elderly widow so he could build a limousine parking lot.

“The little guy sometimes gets a lot of money. 4 – 5 times what their property is worth.” Mr. Trump thinks money is a cure-all, but often money is not the issue. Property rights have a moral significance. A home is more than wood and bricks. Home is our personal sphere of privacy where it’s okay to be ourselves, and not okay to be there without permission. How we decorate our homes is an expression of ourselves and differentiates one from others. Business owners too express their individuality through how they run their businesses and find deep personal meaning from creating a successful business. When at some point a person decides to put his time, labor, money and unique abilities into building a home or business, he transfers part of himself. To take away one’s property without one’s consent means government has the right to take one’s labor, body and liberty against one’s will and that is tyranny.

John Adams on life, liberty and property

Our Founders understood liberty meant one could keep what one earned through one’s own labor. The Founders devised a government to protect people from those who would forcibly deprive us of our property. Those protections are being swept away by government that has itself become the instrument of injustice. John Adams knew the results if a nation starts to nullify property rights: “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God . . . anarchy and tyranny commence. Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist.”

Mr. Trump tries to defend the indefensible. His opposition to private property rights takes America in a very dangerous direction.

We all know what is right and who is lying. We are loosing more of our liberty every day because we are loosing the Constitution. The last thing America needs is another bloated ego in the White House who ignores the Constitution.

https://youtu.be/oEUICfzT1Vo?t=3m24s