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Honest question: do you think more wealth/jobs/long term economic growth is created by Google having that $60 Billion or the government having the $60 Billion?

• wipt 16y ago
  So far this seems to be the consensus of the comments here: Google is doing this legally (as are other companies), and that the article is misleading. Sure, it says that it's legal, but then it turns around and sympathizes for the US government that can't keep from spending money that it hasn't made (and has no hopes to make). I know everyone hates Wall Street, but they /do/ know how to make money - thievery or not. Reduce costs, increase profit by increasing market by dropping taxes. Companies are moving away from the states, and law is remaining stagnant for a evolving market.
• pedanticfreak 16y ago
  Money gets taxed multiple times. That's not the point. I earn $50. I pay taxes on it. Then I buy something from you for $30. You pay taxes on that $30. Then you buy something for Jim for $10. Jim is taxed on that $10 you paid him. That same $50 got taxed three times in my example and will continue to get taxed until someone stuffs what's left under a mattress. To your second point: Yes, obviously corporations are owned by people. But nothing forces a corporation to pay a dividend. So if you don't tax the corporation itself, the corporation becomes a tax free investment vehicle. People would just keep everything in a corporation including investments, cash reserves, houses, cars, jets, yachts, etc. I find Google's behavior to be sociopathic and Enron-like. While it's perfectly "legal" it is socially irresponsible. If Google wants to withhold monies because it thinks corporate expansion is better for society, it should withhold from its charitable contributions rather than its taxes. Otherwise pay your goddamn taxes. I pay mine, I don't want to pay Google's, too.