[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Government 101 - in order for government to group together the funds needed to start and finish BIG projects that can NOT be handled by small neighborhoods or clubs or other SMALL entities - these funds MUST come from taxes paid into government by LARGE numbers of taxpayers. Tax revenue in ........becomes costs out to fund LARGE PROJECTS!

Again, you continue to change the subject because you cannot make an argument against what I stated...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by GrumpyOldMan

Yes, but, living in TV, I expect you are not a multi-billion dollar public company. So, yes, MOST corporations/companies pay taxes, but their taxes are a drop in the bucket compared to what the big boyees would be paying... without the big money advantages...

The US Corporate tax rate WAS one of, if not THE highest in the world...

That is why so many companies went overseas...

(I guess I had to answer that for you...)

And do you know WHY certain companies can often pay no taxes?

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by jdulej

It amazes me how people defend the 1% and look down on the poorest 20% as do nothing low-life. Where else do the richest get away with just about anything (maybe Russia). Occasionally, one of them really screws up (Jeffery Epstein come to mind) and is dumb enough to get caught. Otherwise, they are free to make an endless pile of money, hide behind their corporate walls and complain if asked to pay a little closer to their fair share. The people who benefit the most and have the most to lose should pay the most. That is the spirit behind progressive taxation (which is what we currently have with the Ryan/Trump tax plan is)

It amazes me how you could take what I posted and infer that I actually "look down on the poorest 20% as do nothing low-life."

Project much?

And Jeffery Epstein has ZERO to do with the conversation at hand... He was a pedophile and a sex trafficker...

And the people who "benefit the most"? Benefit in what way?

[jdulej]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

It amazes me how you could take what I posted and infer that I actually "look down on the poorest 20% as do nothing low-life."

Project much?

And Jeffery Epstein has ZERO to do with the conversation at hand... He was a pedophile and a sex trafficker...

And the people who "benefit the most"? Benefit in what way?

Jeffery Epstein, Bill Gates, Donald You-Know-Who are just examples of how it is the richest who benefit the most from our government. They have bought their way into an environment custom made to allow them to operate unchecked unless they really cross the line, and then get caught. Does not happen much. They should at least toss some spare change into the tax coffers.
I did not mean to imply that you, personally, look up or down at anything or anyone. I do think the middle class in general look down on the poorest more than they look down on the richest.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by jdulej

Jeffery Epstein, Bill Gates, Donald You-Know-Who and just examples of how it is the richest who benefit the most from our government. They have bought their way into an environment custom made to allow them to operate unchecked unless they really cross the line, and then get caught. Does not happen much. They should at least toss some spare change into the tax coffers.
I did not mean to imply that you, personally, look up or down at anything or anyone. I do think the middle class in general look down on the poorest more than they look down on the richest.

Nice backpedal...

[YankeesFan]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

Do we make anything in America anymore? Seems like everything is made in other countries.

There is a store up north where everything, down to the bolt, has to be made In America

[GrumpyOldMan]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

The US Corporate tax rate WAS one of, if not THE highest in the world...

That is why so many companies went overseas...

(I guess I had to answer that for you...)

And do you know WHY certain companies can often pay no taxes?

It is only one of the reasons, not the reason. But, yes, at some point it is advantageous.

Please, why do some companies often pay no taxes (I know, but I am interested in your take on it. I hope you won't imply they all don't for the same reason...)

[GrumpyOldMan]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

The US Corporate tax rate WAS one of, if not THE highest in the world...

And the US Corporate tax rate went from 1% in 1910 to 52% in 1968. A period of massive growth in the US economy. There is little evidence that high tax rates are a disincentive to investment in America. But, I agree also that at 52% there was a lot of motivation to move the "profit" centers offshore.

[Caymus]

Originally Posted by GrumpyOldMan

And the US Corporate tax rate went from 1% in 1910 to 52% in 1968. A period of massive growth in the US economy. There is little evidence that high tax rates are a disincentive to investment in America. But, I agree also that at 52% there was a lot of motivation to move the "profit" centers offshore.

WW1 and WW2 had something to do with the "massive" growth.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by GrumpyOldMan

It is only one of the reasons, not the reason. But, yes, at some point it is advantageous.

So tell me, what are some of the other reasons?

Please, why do some companies often pay no taxes (I know, but I am interested in your take on it. I hope you won't imply they all don't for the same reason...)

Because they deduct their expenses, such is investment in machinery, R&D, etc, which may total more than their profit.

The only real change in the tax laws was that corporations could deduct those expenses when the money was spent, rather than have to do it over time...

In my case, If I bought an new piece of equipment, I had to delay the tax deductions for years...

Now, some companies are given temporary tax by the local municipalities, in order to entice them to come to their town. They know that the tax revenues now and in the future will more than make up for the initial breaks...

Well, most of them knew that... One NY Congress critter, for example, complained so much about a short term tax break for Amazon, when they wanted to build a huge corporate site in their district, providing thousands of jobs, millions in tax revenue, that they simply went elsewhere. They are now building in my neck of the woods, in Northern VA, where office rental and real estate revenues are skyrocketing, adding to the tax coffers with waaay more money than they would have gotten if Amazon never came...

But Bezos has a big boat, so...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Caymus

WW1 and WW2 had something to do with the "massive" growth.

And The Viet Nam "conflict"...

And don't forget about the massive wave of LEGAL immigration, bringing in innovators and entrepreneurs...

[jdulej]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

And The Viet Nam "conflict"...

And don't forget about the massive wave of LEGAL immigration, bringing in innovators and entrepreneurs...

Yes, war is usually good for business. That's why "they" cook up a phony reason to have one every few years.

[GrumpyOldMan]

Originally Posted by Caymus

WW1 and WW2 had something to do with the "massive" growth.

I didn't say the higher tax rate caused the growth, I am saying we became the worlds largest economy despite it. It did not prevent or discourage people from finding ways to make even more money.

[GrumpyOldMan]

Originally Posted by jdulej

Yes, war is usually good for business. That's why "they" cook up a phony reason to have one every few years.

Sadly, we have "been at war" for 220 of the past 240 year. America LOVES war, dispite our vocal disclaimers.

[jdulej]

Originally Posted by GrumpyOldMan

Sadly, we have "been at war" for 220 of the past 240 year. America LOVES war, dispite our vocal disclaimers.

You are correct, IMO. I should have added to my comment - not only do "they" come up with phony reasons to start a war, but "we" keep falling for the same BS over and over. We all get to act all patriotic while someone else fights and dies. I was somewhat surprised to find that only about 1% of Americans actually participate in the military. Maybe we need the draft again, but no deferments (none!) and kids are drafted in order of their parents adjusted gross income - high to low.