3 ms·

Traditionally governments take a slice of any purchase and it's not viewed as extortion it's called taxes. Trump can talk all he wants but he doesn't have the u

Traditionally governments take a slice of any purchase and it's not viewed as extortion it's called taxes. Trump can talk all he wants but he doesn't have the unilateral power to block a sale or issue a tax on that sale. If the comment is interpreted as a suggestion that taxes should be made then that is something to be considered as there are always positive and negative implications to any tax.

Slartie 6y ago
The difference between this and a tax is that the taxes' exact height is known beforehand, and the government is not actively involved in creating the reason why the taxable sale is taking place. "Sell your business below value, give us a nice cut, or otherwise we'll destroy your business" is not a tax, it is extortion, exactly the same thing that those mafia gangsters supposedly do to restaurants.
mcphage 6y ago
> Traditionally governments take a slice of any purchase and it's not viewed as extortion it's called taxes. Do you believe that's what Trump was referring to?
- elmerfud 6y ago
  I believe he's referring to exactly what he refers to most of the time. Just talk. He has the power to do nothing directly in the case of the sale. So people crying "extortion" are falling in to the hyperbole trap that was set. What it might do is prompt a conversation on taxes, but likely nothing at all will change.
  - mcphage 6y ago
    > So people crying "extortion" are falling in to the hyperbole trap that was set. By trap you mean, “pointing out that what he is suggesting is illegal?”
    - AnimalMuppet 6y ago
      Sure, go ahead and point that out, loudly and often. It needs to be pointed out. (And, if and when other presidents do the same, point it out loudly then, too.) But "suggesting" is different from "doing" or "ordering". Trump is wishful thinking out loud. True, he's wishing for things beyond his power and authority. But until he actually tries to make it happen instead of just blowing hot air, I'm content to just shake my head. I see no need to be alarmed... yet.
      - bryanlarsen 6y ago
        A "suggestion" from a person in power is considered an order by many. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_no_one_rid_me_of_this_turbulent_priest%3F https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_no_one_rid_me_of_this_tur...

Slartie 6y ago

The difference between this and a tax is that the taxes' exact height is known beforehand, and the government is not actively involved in creating the reason why the taxable sale is taking place. "Sell your business below value, give us a nice cut, or otherwise we'll destroy your business" is not a tax, it is extortion, exactly the same thing that those mafia gangsters supposedly do to restaurants.

mcphage 6y ago

> Traditionally governments take a slice of any purchase and it's not viewed as extortion it's called taxes. Do you believe that's what Trump was referring to?

elmerfud 6y ago
I believe he's referring to exactly what he refers to most of the time. Just talk. He has the power to do nothing directly in the case of the sale. So people crying "extortion" are falling in to the hyperbole trap that was set. What it might do is prompt a conversation on taxes, but likely nothing at all will change.
- mcphage 6y ago
  > So people crying "extortion" are falling in to the hyperbole trap that was set. By trap you mean, “pointing out that what he is suggesting is illegal?”
  - AnimalMuppet 6y ago
    Sure, go ahead and point that out, loudly and often. It needs to be pointed out. (And, if and when other presidents do the same, point it out loudly then, too.) But "suggesting" is different from "doing" or "ordering". Trump is wishful thinking out loud. True, he's wishing for things beyond his power and authority. But until he actually tries to make it happen instead of just blowing hot air, I'm content to just shake my head. I see no need to be alarmed... yet.
    - bryanlarsen 6y ago
      A "suggestion" from a person in power is considered an order by many. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_no_one_rid_me_of_this_turbulent_priest%3F https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_no_one_rid_me_of_this_tur...