GE Profits

[Gipper]

That would make sense if convincing donors you are right for the job didn't mean convincing them that you would take their side regardless of what would be best for the country at large.

Take ethanol, for example. Was that one a good idea for the country, or just for a few big growers?

Yes and GE is promoting it's BS energy products such as solar and wind. No doubt, they will make billions selling these inefficient and ineffective products thanks to their political payoffs and tax credits.

Big uncontrolled PROGRESSIVE government (such as the one we have now) distorts the free market with it's constant unfair and inconsistent intrusions, which ultimately lead to market inefficiencies and failures.

And, libs will claim capitalism does not work.

 

[pocketfullofshells]

You and THC consistently misrepresent my posts. Why do libs always do that?

As Reagan tried to do (and this was mentioned in the article...read it THC), these outrageous tax loopholes need to closed. That is not a tax increase. It is merely imposing taxes consistently and fairly. GE and many other large American multinationals have used their money to buy off stinking politicians to get their very own tax credits.

What about the the companies not large enough to lobby with lots of cash to get their way? They are at a competitive disadvantage and without competition, we are stuck in a corrupt and socialist hell.

Now with BO's ties to the big multinationals, I do not think he intends to do anything about it.

Whirlpool also paid zero federal income tax...

Funny any time a Dem says close a loophole..Republicans cry Tax Increase....

 

[pocketfullofshells]

By and large, the ethanol lobby has not really won a ton of large victories, and let's not pretend there are not interests out there lobbying (and donating to politicians) that oppose ethanol.

how many of those happen to be From Iowa ?

We all know why corn Ethanol gets big subsidies...the Iowa Primary. Policians bought and sold by special interest.

And who is the big special interest against Ethenal? I know of none of the top of my head...do I know people against it? sure..but no one that spends money in any real way to say not to.

 

[Gipper]

Funny any time a Dem says close a loophole..Republicans cry Tax Increase....

Once again you are wrong.

Reagan did close out many of the unfair corporate tax credits, it was a combination of Dems and Rs that pushed these unfair credits back into law.

And, all were PROGRESSIVES like you.

 

[BigRob]

how many of those happen to be From Iowa ?

We all know why corn Ethanol gets big subsidies...the Iowa Primary. Policians bought and sold by special interest.

And who is the big special interest against Ethenal? I know of none of the top of my head...do I know people against it? sure..but no one that spends money in any real way to say not to.

Off the top of my head these groups actively oppose ethanol.

The National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, The Sierra Club, The American Lung Association, Engine Manufacturers Association, Grocery Manufacturers Association, various meat associations etc...there are a ton.

 

[PLC1]

Off the top of my head these groups actively oppose ethanol.

The National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, The Sierra Club, The American Lung Association, Engine Manufacturers Association, Grocery Manufacturers Association, various meat associations etc...there are a ton.

I'm sure there are, as well there should be. So, who supports it, and why is it continuing?

 

[BigRob]

I'm sure there are, as well there should be. So, who supports it, and why is it continuing?

Growth Energy is the big one I think, but the Farm Bureau likes it, The National Corn Growers Association etc....

I know Newt Gingrich is a big supporter (I think he had been a lobbyist for them lately)....but what do you mean "continuing"? Do you mean in general, or the whole E-15 issue?

 

[PLC1]

Growth Energy is the big one I think, but the Farm Bureau likes it, The National Corn Growers Association etc....

I know Newt Gingrich is a big supporter (I think he had been a lobbyist for them lately)....but what do you mean "continuing"? Do you mean in general, or the whole E-15 issue?

I mean the practice of driving up the cost of food by adding ethanol to gasoline.

Of course, the National Corn Grower's Assn likes it, lobbied for it, paid for it, and is reaping the benefits of it. That is a perfect example of how special interests keep things going that benefit them, even when it is a detriment to the rest of us, and why money is corrupting out political system.

 

[pocketfullofshells]

Off the top of my head these groups actively oppose ethanol.

The National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, The Sierra Club, The American Lung Association, Engine Manufacturers Association, Grocery Manufacturers Association, various meat associations etc...there are a ton.

and with all the pressure they may put ( and I doubt its alot)...do you think it even comes close to that of Farmers in Iowa?...during the Iowa Primaries? I think you know as well as I do, that if Iowa Primary was later...Ethanol subsidies would be far less.

( note that I do think it has a place and can be good, but we have better sources I think avalible if we put the funds there instead , and those sources would be none food based bio fules)

 

[BigRob]

I mean the practice of driving up the cost of food by adding ethanol to gasoline.

Of course, the National Corn Grower's Assn likes it, lobbied for it, paid for it, and is reaping the benefits of it. That is a perfect example of how special interests keep things going that benefit them, even when it is a detriment to the rest of us, and why money is corrupting out political system.

Most oil companies don't like ethanol, and I would argue they are a pretty powerful special interest group opposing any influence the corn growers might have....essentially evening it out overall.

 

[BigRob]

and with all the pressure they may put ( and I doubt its alot)...do you think it even comes close to that of Farmers in Iowa?...during the Iowa Primaries? I think you know as well as I do, that if Iowa Primary was later...Ethanol subsidies would be far less.

( note that I do think it has a place and can be good, but we have better sources I think avalible if we put the funds there instead , and those sources would be none food based bio fules)

No doubt that plays a role, but the overall point of competing factions mitigates special interests influence to a large degree I think.

 

[pocketfullofshells]

No doubt that plays a role, but the overall point of competing factions mitigates special interests influence to a large degree I think.

maybe if it was equal factions...Farmers and those that bennifit from it give to both sides....the Seira club...yea Doubt they give to republicans...and doubt endedin ethinal ranks as a real high issue ( where as its a top one for farmers) and so on.

If 2 sides gave equal money and pushed just as hard...sure...but I don't see that as likey,

Lucky for me, my party does not get money from any of them, and while overall supporting green energy..we specificy made a point when updating the party constitution ..to not say anything specific to ethanol...we debated the merits of ethinal a bit but all agreed that it was best to leave it open and let each candidate decided for them self how to go push for more green energy..and not push hard for ethinal ( who has a major influence in my state as well as we have large amounts of corn growers...we are just not a early vote)

also oil companies are laced with kick backs and tax breaks....they may not like ethanal...but they can be made to shut up about it alot easier then farmers. Also Oil gives money..farmers give money and organize votes.

 

[BigRob]

maybe if it was equal factions...Farmers and those that bennifit from it give to both sides....the Seira club...yea Doubt they give to republicans...and doubt endedin ethinal ranks as a real high issue ( where as its a top one for farmers) and so on.

If 2 sides gave equal money and pushed just as hard...sure...but I don't see that as likey,

Lucky for me, my party does not get money from any of them, and while overall supporting green energy..we specificy made a point when updating the party constitution ..to not say anything specific to ethanol...we debated the merits of ethinal a bit but all agreed that it was best to leave it open and let each candidate decided for them self how to go push for more green energy..and not push hard for ethinal ( who has a major influence in my state as well as we have large amounts of corn growers...we are just not a early vote)

also oil companies are laced with kick backs and tax breaks....they may not like ethanal...but they can be made to shut up about it alot easier then farmers. Also Oil gives money..farmers give money and organize votes.

Farmers get a ton of tax breaks and a ton of subsidies as well....I don't see why it would be different when they get them and when oil companies get them?

 

[TruthSeeker]

The whole government-subsidized ethanol program has underlined something that the fat cats in D.C. simply can't grasp. Corn is a very important food source, not just for humans but for farm animals.

When the price of a bushel of corn doubles, it affects a whole host of other things that are in the "crop circle". Feed prices, which affects the price of meat, and prices for a whole host of corn-based products that humans consume, are just a couple of the most obvious examples. From there, it's a slippery slope.

But there's nothing to worry about, since the D.C. government doesn't count food and fuel in their inflation calculations. Just don't peak behind the curtain, OK?

 

[pocketfullofshells]

Farmers get a ton of tax breaks and a ton of subsidies as well....I don't see why it would be different when they get them and when oil companies get them?

I am against Farm most Farm subsidies as well.