No, if growth is the goal, the investment should be where the return is highest. There were no requirements for investment in growth in the legislation.
So, that's what you're bitching about.
Okay. you're actually considering the influx of cash to potentially cause expansion. That's a positive step. We're getting to the same page.
Now, consider that it may take several fiscal cycles for a business to pay off enough debts and make enough purchases for growth to manifest itself. How would you carve out eligibility for tax rate reductions? How are you going to tell a corporation how it must use its money, when each corporation is different, has different liabilities, different obligations, is under different market conditions for their particular industry, etc.
Some companies need to purchase back some of the stock because it is too watered down to be considered a wise investment, which companies need--investors. They need to increase the stock value, which will entice long-term investment, which could allow them to expand in 5 years, not just the next fiscal cycle. It's not just a greedy play. It has practical implications toward growth.
A blanket rule will be highly ineffective.
Again, corporations do not simply sit on money. It gets spent. Individuals eventually end up with that money. They don't just sit on it either.
So, you want to tell corporations how they must use the extra cash they get to keep. What if it takes a while for them to get to that point of re-investment or expansion? They don't get the tax cut? When will they EVER be able to afford it?
I have my own business. If I could hire 2 more employees, I could make a lot more money (which is taxed), and employ 2 people (who will be taxed). I could do it if I could get 4-5 years of a little extra revenue NOT going to the Federal Government. I would use it to pay off loans, which frees up monthly cash flow, which will help me make payroll for 2 new employees. Instead, that money is paying off loans that will take much longer to pay off, unless I get to keep an extra bit of my revenue.
Do you really think I am going to just spend that extra money on cigars and hooch? Maybe a little, but I am looking at how much MORE I could make by employing 2 people.
Every business person is looking at ways to increase revenues. Yes, the desire to have more profit is the motivation. Call it greed if you want. Tomato, Tomaaato.
Fear of losing everything by taking on NEW debt to hire these employees keeps me from doing it. Fear and greed are motivators. No government can control them. Human nature will never be tamed. Harness that human nature.
What I could do in 4-5 years without servicing that debt every month.
Point is -- my situation is unique. Only I know how to best use the extra cash. Nobody in Washington knows my situation. They don't know my business. They have no idea what I need to expand, but they know it takes money. Too many variables are involved to realistically legislate the use of that money.