Ah Finally... Naming The Names!

That is THE question, isn't it?

There's the IPS petition on the link above. Of course that's going to a bought congress. Then there's the individual act of rebellion by boycotting companies on the list - with some of them that will be next to impossible - like Google perhaps.

The best thing to do with the list is to go with the concept that corporations are people. Connect the CEO with the company doing bad things - use their names interchangeably or give the CEO top billing! There is a substantial backlash against the Koch Brothers now, a few years ago no one knew who they were. This list and the list of the top earners in Congress were shocking bits of information that the MSM keeps from view for reasons of self interest. So blowing the lid off that has some value I hope.

The whole question of how to engage the public and stimulate them into action is very problematic right now, and I'm not sure why. Trying to get folks past the point of endless discussion and organized and motivated enough to participate in civil disobedience is the issue.

Scouring the net for bits of truth about current events is time consuming, so is blogging with the additional seduction of venting, arguing, etc. At the end of the day it may be raising awareness somewhat but it's not very effective in influencing social change and it can leave one rather depleted when perhaps the energy could have been channeled into acts of civil disobedience and actually connecting to like minded people in the flesh.

For my part I will be doing less analysis of news bits on the net and will be using the net to look for stuff going on within driving distance that seem worthwhile to attend.

So - you got me - it really doesn't do much good to parrot this stuff without a plan does it?

No , it does not . For many years i have followed a personal plan . Buy as much local and home made as i can , electric vehicle . The communication companies are a challenge . At least i do not feel like i contribute much to their glory . If we all did this , they would shrivel to nothing . Convictions need to be backed up with actions . A lot of people talk , but that is it . Good luck , at what ever you choose to do . Thanks for the thoughtful response .

Yeah well you should be happy then. You are paying them. You pay for the infrastructure they use for free, the damage they do to public health and the environment with your excess or barely adequate income, that is if you pay taxes.

You mean like the war in Iraq...General?

Also let's not forget to do away with public school teachers, firefighters, the police, the USPS, and of course social services, and who the hell needs disaster relief? While we're at it - screw veteran assistance, hey military service is voluntary - tough s**t if you're disabled. Yeah OK we see where you're coming from, no gov't, let business run things, the lobbyists got our backs, we got it.

We'll see ya on the other side...

That's kinda what I hope for too, but it's really a job for all of us. As Gloria Steinhem used to say, "This is not about reform, it's about revolution".

Thanks, but I picked it up from AmpedStatus. David Degraw's highlight on the IPS piece - that these companies pay lobbyists more than they pay in taxes, says it all - the system is rigged beyond belief. That's why petitioning Congress is a joke. We should be targeting these companies with boycotts and activist actions.

You are correct, Flick. Petitions do nothing. Boycotts are the answer. David DeGraw is one of the best, that's for sure. He's a guy to pay attention to....no matter how bleak the outlook is.

The fun has just begun. Some of us are itching for payback.

That's for sure, Flick. Enough is enough!

There are 26.8 million businesses listed in America today. Roughly 1.3 million of these businesses paid no taxes. How many pay the full 35%? I would hazard a guess that very few actually pay the full percentage but pay with deductions taken out of that percentage. That said, offshoring profits combined with incredible loopholes and accounting tricks definitely game the system. And that is widespread to the point of being endemic. But if you are a business without employees or shareholders or few employees on a contract basis you can just claim personal income and avoid business taxes altogether. So it is obvious that the whole to do about the US tax rate on business is a straw man, since very few pay the high rate of 35%. And the fact they are the heaviest users of the infrastructure while contributing no revenues to maintain them is why we are literally crumbling to the ground. The monopoly on the rail lines by Big Coal for example, who pay not a penny for maintaining it, makes building high speed rail next to impossible.

Here's some data on US businesses:
http://www.census.gov/econ/smallbus.html

Another link to business tax avoidance:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/08/12/news/economy/corporate_taxes/

You can also file as an S-Corp if you are "employee owned". This means that you just have to pay taxes on salaries and if there is extra money at the end of the year (profit), then you can just pay it to your employees as a stock dividend which is taxed at 0% or 15% income tax rate.

I don't get so upset about the these specifics, because everyone can file their company as an S-corp or take deductions for expenses. I do get upset about offshoring and special interest breaks though.

Right, but some gaming of ESOP is out there as well, there being no real business at all other than the S-Corp status itself, money in the bank and a claim of some service provided for that money.

I don't know the total number of companies that paid out that much, but even those 500 jobs you mention that they could create are salaries barely above poverty level at 24K, unless you live at home with your folks...

But you're right, it's hard to imagine why jobs can't be created with that kind of money floating around.

Wrong! In a weak economy businesses are not going to hire for the sake of hiring. They hire when they see the need to produce, distribute and market product. They would sit on the money. Busineeses do not have the social responsibility to employ people solely for the purpose of paying them. Until we get a president with a long term economic plan nothing will change. Corporations can't plan long term.

yes... they hire in china and indonesia... they pay them in bowls of rice and chopsticks...

Demand that America works, not India

Theres always work that needs to be done. Plants need the latest technology to reduce waste in money and reduce icky waster cause I'm not in the believe that they like waste but they will dump it anywhere they can. Hell, you could hire a cook to cook for workers instead of them having to go get something to eat which takes up time (drive to lunch, drive back). Eat in fifteen minutes and sleep for 45 mins instead of going through a drive-thru and wondering why the hell the guy in front of you doesn't know what to order. Cause well rested, stressless worker gives out much productivity.

I would agree with the "we"... being those of us aware of the inequities but too disgusted and cynical to fight. C'mon, don't you feel angry enough to start a ruckus?

+^d

And THAT , is exactly why it is crumbling , just like Ancient Rome .