Tax Avoidance

[custosnox]

No. What bothers me are calling those with less money "less fortunate". The implication is that whatever success I have achieved was a result of being "fortunate", and not sacrifice and hard work. In my opinion, everyone should contribute equally, but that ain't going to happen any time soon.

I just love how you make it out to be that if some one makes least money than you it's because they haven't worked hard enough. Something I'm curious about, did you save up to pay your way through TU, or did you just work a couple of jobs and paid as you went?

[we vs us]

You get what you pay for.

GE has spent almost $500,000 in campaign contributions in 2008.

$40 million in lobbying in 2010 (more than twice what they spent under previous administrations).

2/3 of what they spend in 2008 went to Democrats.

They've paid for this prosperity, and have been duly rewarded.

How about in 2010?

2008 was a Presidential election year where it was pretty obvious early on that the Dems were going to do very well.  It's not surprising that GE would give disproportionately to the D's in that cycle.  This is not to say that Dems are blameless in the DC money game, but it is to say that corps like GE are politically agnostic, and will make sure no matter which party is in power that their bases will be covered. 

[we vs us]

To me that indicates that the system itself is corrupt, rather than the individuals that make it up.  When we're confronted with things like this, the standard call is to vote the bums out -- no more incumbents! -- but I think GE makes the case very straightforwardly and plainly:  they will make sure no matter who drives things that their interests are taken care of. 

And unless we take all money out of politics, or decide that corporations don't have a right to free political speech (ahem, Citizens United), then this is an unavoidable problem, and no matter how much personnel churn we introduce into the system, the new folks will continue to be corrupted because the system still demands it. 

[Conan71]

Jeffrey Immelt is now seated at the right hand of the father.  I'm quite sure his advice to our President is purely altruistic and not to the benefit of GE shareholders.

[we vs us]

Jeffrey Immelt is now seated at the right hand of the father.  I'm quite sure his advice to our President is purely altruistic and not to the benefit of GE shareholders.

Oh I'm sure.  Though what an amazing synergy if it were to benefit both!