This Graphic Says that Most Discussions about Our Spending Priorities are Bullshit

Corporate taxes and profits

This chart renders most of the discussions we have about fiscal matters irrelevant.

Anytime we say that we don’t have enough money to do something good, this chart shows why that’s a lie.  It depends on the definition of “we.”  “We” have plenty of money, much of it stashed overseas; “we” have just given in to the lobbying efforts of those who don’t want it taxed.

“We” can decide what we require of corporations in exchange for the benefits granted them by the limited liability, potential eternal life, ability concentrate poisons into appendages and then have them amputated, bankruptcy laws, and other goodies conferred by law.

“We” just choose not to — and “we” is in quotes because the limitations on our representative system mean that it’s not really “our” choice.

(Feeling Occupyish this weekend — you?)


About Greg Diamond

Somewhat verbose attorney, semi-disabled and semi-retired, residing in northwest Brea. Occasionally ran for office against jerks who otherwise would have gonr unopposed. Got 45% of the vote against Bob Huff for State Senate in 2012; Josh Newman then won the seat in 2016. In 2014 became the first attorney to challenge OCDA Tony Rackauckas since 2002; Todd Spitzer then won that seat in 2018. Every time he's run against some rotten incumbent, the *next* person to challenge them wins! He's OK with that. Corrupt party hacks hate him. He's OK with that too. He does advise some local campaigns informally and (so far) without compensation. (If that last bit changes, he will declare the interest.) His daughter is a professional campaign treasurer. He doesn't usually know whom she and her firm represent. Whether they do so never influences his endorsements or coverage. (He does have his own strong opinions.) But when he does check campaign finance forms, he is often happily surprised to learn that good candidates he respects often DO hire her firm. (Maybe bad ones are scared off by his relationship with her, but they needn't be.)