Corperate State of America

[dblack]

Where in the Constitution is the "permitted bribery" clause? Lobbyists are not permitted to bribe, at least not directly. They are allowed to arrange donations to political parties and PACs, as are any other citizens. Unions, non-profits, and individuals also make or arrange donations to influence the political process. This is much different than bribery, which implies a specific payment for a specific action. And while I agree that the politicians can be swayed to provide benefits to favored constituents, that works both for and against the corporations...

It doesn't really matter whether it's straight up bribery, or other forms of influence. As long as congress is in the business of deciding winners and losers in the economy, instead of letting the market do it, they will be the target of ambitious people looking to influence them.

 

[Old Rocks]

From buying military goods to aiding those in stress because of natuaral disasters, the government cannot help but decide loosers and winners. What is important, is that the decision be dictated by the interests of the nation, not those of the corporations.

It is not in the interest of this nation to destroy our middle class. Many now running the major corporations believe it is in their interest to reduce the blue collar middle class to the working poor. And many on this board seem to believe that is in the best interest of this nation.

 

[dblack]

From buying military goods to aiding those in stress because of natuaral disasters, the government cannot help but decide loosers and winners. What is important, is that the decision be dictated by the interests of the nation, not those of the corporations.

I disagree. It's one thing to acknowledge that government will often have a secondary impact on the economy. It's quite another to unleash it with the intent of doing so - and that's what we've indulged in. As long as we grant government the power to manipulate us with discriminatory taxation, to manipulate interest rates by controlling the money supply, to bailout and grant favors to corporations that 'play ball' - we'll continue to see unabashed collusion between government and powerful economic interests.

We need to create a wall of separation between economy and state.

 

[georgephillip]

From buying military goods to aiding those in stress because of natuaral disasters, the government cannot help but decide loosers and winners. What is important, is that the decision be dictated by the interests of the nation, not those of the corporations.

I disagree. It's one thing to acknowledge that government will often have a secondary impact on the economy. It's quite another to unleash it with the intent of doing so - and that's what we've indulged in. As long as we grant government the power to manipulate us with discriminatory taxation, to manipulate interest rates by controlling the money supply, to bailout and grant favors to corporations that 'play ball' - we'll continue to see unabashed collusion between government and powerful economic interests.

We need to create a wall of separation between economy and state.

"What’s the issue that unites the occupiers and the city they’re occupying? Getting corporate money out of politics.

"On December 3, just two days before Occupy L.A. was evicted by police, the General Assembly of the occupation passed a unanimous resolution calling for a constitutional amendment to end corporate personhood.

"Today, the City Council of Los Angeles also voted, also unanimously, for a resolution making the same appeal."

LA and Occupy LA Agree: It's Time to End Corporate Personhood | Truthout

That wall you mentioned between economy and state is similar to an OLA demand for separation of wealth and state...'jus sayin...

 

[Sactowndog]

OF COURSE the Democrats get part of the largesse. What good would it do for the plutocrats to buy off only ONE party? They'd face democracy (i.e., from their perspective, catastrophe) every time the Democrats won an election, and they'd also increase the chances of the Democrats doing so (because they'd be offering the people representation that actually serves the public interests). Government of the people, by the people, and for the people would become a real danger if only the Republicans were corrupted by the cash flow.

The only way the scam can work is if they buy off BOTH parties so that the people aren't offered any choice about it: government of the corporations, by the corporations, and for the corporations is what they're voting for no matter who they vote for.

The problem I have with the democrats is they lump small and medium business into this group when in reality the issue is with the multi-national corporations.

We need new policies that favor investment and jobs in the US and not overseas... Policies that favor small and medium business who are the local jobs creators...

I would love to see us...

1) Eliminate the corporate income tax...
it is so easily avoided anyway.... the only people who get hit are small and medium businesses who are trying to grow and create jobs.

2) Institute a wealth transfer tax based on cash flow......
It is simple to measure and hard to hide...It doesn't discriminate against foreign or domestic firms.... Bring in $100,000,000 in sales or other sources of cash in the US then you must spend $100,000,000 in US based expenses or other uses of cash in the US. If you export cash from the US, (acquire $100,000,000 and spend $90,000,000) you pay a 20% tax on the $10,000,000 you exported.

 

[Sactowndog]

The corporations also have significant foreign operations, and by treaty we do not permit double taxation for companies who are taxed by a foreign government. We tax Toyota on its US income because of the treaty with Japan, and they don't; also nothing unusual.

And here lies the problem. Most of the these corporations have been set up as different legal entities in one country or another. It is fairly easy for Toyota USA to set internal transfer pricing such that the bulk of profits occur in Toyota Japan or elsewhere for that matter.

That is why cash flow is the only way to tax.... as any accountant will tell you the income statement is easily manipulated. The cash flow statement is what matters.

 

[westwall]

From buying military goods to aiding those in stress because of natuaral disasters, the government cannot help but decide loosers and winners. What is important, is that the decision be dictated by the interests of the nation, not those of the corporations.

It is not in the interest of this nation to destroy our middle class. Many now running the major corporations believe it is in their interest to reduce the blue collar middle class to the working poor. And many on this board seem to believe that is in the best interest of this nation.

And government is aiding and abetting them. Socialism the world over has failed yet you guys think you can make it work. Now, what was that definition of insanity again?

 

[dblack]

From buying military goods to aiding those in stress because of natuaral disasters, the government cannot help but decide loosers and winners. What is important, is that the decision be dictated by the interests of the nation, not those of the corporations.

I disagree. It's one thing to acknowledge that government will often have a secondary impact on the economy. It's quite another to unleash it with the intent of doing so - and that's what we've indulged in. As long as we grant government the power to manipulate us with discriminatory taxation, to manipulate interest rates by controlling the money supply, to bailout and grant favors to corporations that 'play ball' - we'll continue to see unabashed collusion between government and powerful economic interests.

We need to create a wall of separation between economy and state.

"What’s the issue that unites the occupiers and the city they’re occupying? Getting corporate money out of politics.

"On December 3, just two days before Occupy L.A. was evicted by police, the General Assembly of the occupation passed a unanimous resolution calling for a constitutional amendment to end corporate personhood.

"Today, the City Council of Los Angeles also voted, also unanimously, for a resolution making the same appeal."

LA and Occupy LA Agree: It's Time to End Corporate Personhood | Truthout

That wall you mentioned between economy and state is similar to an OLA demand for separation of wealth and state...'jus sayin...

Absolutely. i'm fairly hopefully some of those folks will see the light. But much like the Tea Party, most of them don't get it. Most of them are just looking for a way to get there cut of the booty, rather than putting a stop to the thieving.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

State corperatism, the GOP dream

30 Major U.S. Corporations Paid More to Lobby Congress Than Income Taxes, 2008-2010 - International Business Times

By employing a plethora of tax-dodging techniques, 30 multi-million dollar American corporations expended more money lobbying Congress than they paid in federal income taxes between 2008 and 2010, ultimately spending approximately $400,000 every day -- including weekends -- during that three-year period to lobby lawmakers and influence political elections, according to a new report from the non-partisan Public Campaign.


Despite a growing federal deficit and the widespread economic stability that has swept the U.S since 2008, the companies in question managed to accumulate profits of $164 billion between 2008 and 2010, while receiving combined tax rebates totaling almost $11 billion. Moreover, Public Campaign reports these companies spent about $476 million during the same period to lobby the U.S. Congress, as well as another $22 million on federal campaigns, while in some instances laying off employees and increasing executive compensation.

How is this the Republicans fault? Because you only found stats for two years you think it never happened before?

 

[Quantum Windbag]

Since Dims also share in the largesse it's their dream too.

Any other smart thing you'd like to opine on?

It is quite obvious that you lack some reading comprehension skills and your vile hatred is sticking out.
No where in the post was a partisan comment made, only you could bring it up.
Lobbyists are a scourge on our goverment. It seems however, you find it fitting for your beloved neo-cons to have it their way with heavy lobbying influence, yet only choose to smit one party.
Nice retort dummy.

How was the OP calling it a GOP dream non partisan? Maybe the problem is you are such a hack you cannot see others being a hack on the left.

 

[Barb]

This current President isn't even hiding the fact he's completely Corporate-Owned. He understands most of his followers are just too ignorant to know any better. So he's actually right in their faces with it. Yea,GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt a "Jobs Czar?" My God,what a scam. It's actually pretty funny but than again it's not funny at all. People really can be easily duped for the most part. Obama's devoted followers prove that.

Oh, for fuck sake. ANY pol at the national level is corporate owned. Some more than others, and historically it has always been the republicans that get the majority of corporate lobby dollars.
They split it up to hedge their bets.
Corporations should never have been considered people.
Money should never have been considered speech.
Neither of those was what was intended, and sticking to what was intended as far as corporations are concerned could have saved we little people a whole lot of shit. It didn't happen, and it looks like a whole other revolution is in order to set things to rights.

 

[Unkotare]

State corperatism, the GOP dream.

Is it your dream to one day master the English language?

 

[Unkotare]

historically it has always been the republicans that get the majority of corporate lobby dollars. .

No it has not. You're a fucking idiot.

 

[Unkotare]

it looks like a whole other revolution is in order to set things to rights.

Yeah, good luck with that. Do you feel important now? (you're not)

 

[dblack]

Unkotare. Trying to think.

Ain't it cute?

 

[Barb]

historically it has always been the republicans that get the majority of corporate lobby dollars. .

No it has not. You're a fucking idiot.

It has. Read a book. Any book.

 

[Barb]

it looks like a whole other revolution is in order to set things to rights.

Yeah, good luck with that. Do you feel important now? (you're not)

Why do I need to feel important? Do YOU feel impotent? That's the important thing.

 

[Unkotare]

Unkotare. Trying to think.

Ain't it cute?

Try to keep up, hack.

 

[Unkotare]

historically it has always been the republicans that get the majority of corporate lobby dollars. .

No it has not. You're a fucking idiot.

It has. Read a book. Any book.

Try reading a book with actual facts.

 

[Unkotare]

it looks like a whole other revolution is in order to set things to rights.

Yeah, good luck with that. Do you feel important now? (you're not)

Why do I need to feel important?

Because you're a little nobody with nothing but juvenile political hysteria to make your irrelevant little life feel significant. It's not working, huh?