Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Most companies paid no taxes during the boom

twotimesadingo · 04-07-2004, 09:57 AM

I think, ART, you've made it more complex than it needs to be.

I read this article, and I don't think "this must be due to the globalization trends within industry, and the manufacture of comparative advantage which includes the current method of outsourcing labor," nor do I theorize "tax code law is as it is, and it's currently legality is not in question." I do think "huh, this seems like a lack of taxation. What in the hell? Regardless of your view concerning progressive/regressive/flat taxes, there is no tax here."
And to introduce my own personal bias, I think taxation should be applied based on ability to pay, rather than receipt of public good. Therefore, when the 1% of corporations that owns an astounding 93% of corporate assets does not pay anything, I get a bit miffed.

I view your position, ART, as an extension of the argument that the legality of something and the morality of something do not necesssarily have to coincide. That's a valid point; but when businesses, more than people, benefit from the public goods provided by government as much as, if not more than, the individual, and have the ability to pay, then they should. That is equal application of the legal taxation.

And if you really want to get into the legality of the situation, I'm more than willing to discussing GAAP, and what they do and do not cover, and the fucking expanse of space between what is legal and what it morally reprehensible, yet possible.

04-07-2004, 09:57 AM	#22 (permalink)
twotimesadingo Psycho Location: that place with the thing	I think, ART, you've made it more complex than it needs to be. I read this article, and I don't think "this must be due to the globalization trends within industry, and the manufacture of comparative advantage which includes the current method of outsourcing labor," nor do I theorize "tax code law is as it is, and it's currently legality is not in question." I do think "huh, this seems like a lack of taxation. What in the hell? Regardless of your view concerning progressive/regressive/flat taxes, there is no tax here." And to introduce my own personal bias, I think taxation should be applied based on ability to pay, rather than receipt of public good. Therefore, when the 1% of corporations that owns an astounding 93% of corporate assets does not pay anything, I get a bit miffed. I view your position, ART, as an extension of the argument that the legality of something and the morality of something do not necesssarily have to coincide. That's a valid point; but when businesses, more than people, benefit from the public goods provided by government as much as, if not more than, the individual, and have the ability to pay, then they should. That is equal application of the legal taxation. And if you really want to get into the legality of the situation, I'm more than willing to discussing GAAP, and what they do and do not cover, and the fucking expanse of space between what is legal and what it morally reprehensible, yet possible. __________________ I'll be the one to protect you from your enemies and all your demons. I'll be the one to protect you from a will to survive and voice of reason. I'll be the one to protect you from your enemies and your choices, son. They're one and the same I must isolate you, isolate and save you from yourself." - A Perfect Circle