MPs condemn Amazon executive over tax payments

[LeMarchand]

I sometimes feel that those in power are so out of touch with how angry us "commoners" are that we're inching closer to revolution. Unfortunately, while the idea doesn't sound too bad, history suggests that we'd be no better off. Mind you, as long as the majority of the public aren't starving and have enough drivel on the TV to amuse them they'll stay relatively docile. Am I the only one who suspects "Downton" is in fact subtle brainwashing for the coming days when going into service is a common career choice?

[sted]

 

If the "make as much money as possible" ethos is actually a legal requirement in the US, how do they justify having offices that are anything but basic, or the salaries/perks of executives?

happy workers are productive workers

if you dont pay those salaries/benefits the top people move to someone else who will and so you lose (for want of a better word) expertise

 

How are lawyers allowed to work pro bono?

 

it generates "good will" publicity which makes the company look good so people are more likely to use them so they make more money

[LeMarchand]

happy workers are productive workers

if you dont pay those salaries/benefits the top people move to someone else who will and so you lose (for want of a better word) expertise

 

A theory that, strangely, only seems to apply to those nearer the top of the food chain.

 

it generates "good will" publicity which makes the company look good so people are more likely to use them so they make more money

 

Proof that this is so? Or is it just a feeling? I have a feeling that if companies were paying their taxes in would generate far greater good will. Also, in the US at least, surely giving free services away is next to Communism? Look at the response Obama has had to his healthcare ideas.

[sted]

im not saying i agree with it thats just my read

 

A theory that, strangely, only seems to apply to those nearer the top of the food chain.

presumably its harder to replace a ceo than an assembly line worker is the thinking esp with high unemployment

 

Proof that this is so? Or is it just a feeling?

can you ever prove advertising goodwill?

 

 

I have a feeling that if companies were paying their taxes in would generate far greater good will. Also, in the US at least, surely giving free services away is next to Communism? Look at the response Obama has had to his healthcare ideas.

the health issue over there has got silly with people on both sides just making up scaremongering stories (though fox news does seem very good at this) and if you looked at the "visitors" to republicans in washington and donations id bet a lot of them get money from healthcare providers so its not in their personal interest to change the system even if it would work out cheaper/better for everyone so they fight tooth and nail to keep their "paymasters" happy. Look at romney argues forcefully against obamacare institutes something very similar in the state he was/is governor of

[LeMarchand]

presumably its harder to replace a ceo than an assembly line worker is the thinking esp with high unemployment

 

Possibly (though I have reservations), but it's not just at CEO level that people apply that theory. It seems to be that once people are paid more than £50k (wild guess) they seemingly become "difficult to replace" and have to be pandered to. I suspect that in reality many people could do an equally good/bad job but don't have the contacts to get the job.

 

can you ever prove advertising goodwill?

 

No, so they are failing in their duty to make as much moolah as possible.

 

the health issue over there has got silly with people on both sides just making up scaremongering stories (though fox news does seem very good at this) and if you looked at the "visitors" to republicans in washington and donations id bet a lot of them get money from healthcare providers so its not in their personal interest to change the system even if it would work out cheaper/better for everyone so they fight tooth and nail to keep their "paymasters" happy. Look at romney argues forcefully against obamacare institutes something very similar in the state he was/is governor of

 

It was more the people you'd see in various vox pops that I was thinking about. The sort of people who would almost certainly benefit from Obama's ideas, but who found them "un-American",

[sted]

Possibly (though I have reservations), but it's not just at CEO level that people apply that theory. It seems to be that once people are paid more than £50k (wild guess) they seemingly become "difficult to replace" and have to be pandered to. I suspect that in reality many people could do an equally good/bad job but don't have the contacts to get the job.

 

again youre probably right but i suspect thats the perceived logic if fred has worked here for 10 years got to level x he must know what hes doing wed better keep him happy/not rock the boat

 

No, so they are failing in their duty to make as much moolah as possible.

possibly but as its not quantifiable and possibly tax deductible who knows

 

It was more the people you'd see in various vox pops that I was thinking about. The sort of people who would almost certainly benefit from Obama's ideas, but who found them "un-American",

again probably "cherry picked" fox news viewers who only ever hear the it will cost money argument rather than in the long run it will save money and lives

 

(same as tarp apparently all the money loaned out has come back with interest so the government made money on giving away cash (banks are different though)

[Andrew_C]

I sometimes feel that those in power are so out of touch with how angry us "commoners" are that we're inching closer to revolution.

 

Mind you, as long as the majority of the public aren't starving and have enough drivel on the TV to amuse them they'll stay relatively docile. Am I the only one who suspects "Downton" is in fact subtle brainwashing for the coming days when going into service is a common career choice?

More soma for Lemarchand!

[LeMarchand]

More soma for Lemarchand!

 

I'm sure most politicians look on BNW as a manual rather than a warning!