In 2018, The New York Times ran a long story with the punchline that Donald J. Trump was staked to a much larger inheritance by his father, Fred Trump. In 2024, just six years later, Judge Endorgan single-handedly determined that Trump’s real estate holdings were worth far less than Mr. Trump represented to banks.
I believe the New York Times investigation and story on Trump showed that he not only overvalued his properties for beneficial loans, etc., but also undervalued his properties for other purposes like paying taxes, or such. He clearly was playing the system then, much as he is playing the voters who have yet to see through his con man schemes.
I agree with you that the court decision about Trump's real estate was grotesque overreach, and if the courts consistently apply their novel application of the law in the future, many who own property will be in jeopardy.
However, I can't agree that democracy is in jeopardy because of Trump. He is incorrigibly controversial, but at least his policies, chaotically implemented as they were, were much better than the damaging ones coming from Biden and his handlers. If we were to suffer under multiple terms from liberal administrations, democracy might be lost, but it will take more than a term or two.
Never been a Trump fan, but he has had some effectiveness. Having said this, I concur with the tome of your piece: this sets the foundation for the establishment to go after the everyday joe who does not have the 3 C’s to battle this tyranny:
Cash
Connections
Clout.
We as the ordinary citizen are being set up for an inquisition of historic proportions relating to civil liberties
I believe the New York Times investigation and story on Trump showed that he not only overvalued his properties for beneficial loans, etc., but also undervalued his properties for other purposes like paying taxes, or such. He clearly was playing the system then, much as he is playing the voters who have yet to see through his con man schemes.
I agree with you that the court decision about Trump's real estate was grotesque overreach, and if the courts consistently apply their novel application of the law in the future, many who own property will be in jeopardy.
However, I can't agree that democracy is in jeopardy because of Trump. He is incorrigibly controversial, but at least his policies, chaotically implemented as they were, were much better than the damaging ones coming from Biden and his handlers. If we were to suffer under multiple terms from liberal administrations, democracy might be lost, but it will take more than a term or two.
Great point Ray. Attempt to drain Trump of Cash, Connections and Clout devastates another C - Courts.
Who would want to be the accused in this scenario?
Never been a Trump fan, but he has had some effectiveness. Having said this, I concur with the tome of your piece: this sets the foundation for the establishment to go after the everyday joe who does not have the 3 C’s to battle this tyranny:
Cash
Connections
Clout.
We as the ordinary citizen are being set up for an inquisition of historic proportions relating to civil liberties
Agree!
True, careful what you wish for.
I'm not a big fan of Trump, especially the personality part.
But........... this reminds me of the "First they came for, and I said nothing" expression.