The Trickle Down Standard

            According to some politicians, America’s gouging of corporations is taxing our country into third-rate producer status.  However, America’s corporate tax is providing the smallest portion of our tax revenue in history.  Should we blame foreign tax havens?  Seems like I read recently that Wal Mart had billions of dollars of income in Luxembourg, a place where they have NO stores.  And don’t forget all the companies whose home offices are now in tax paradises instead of here where the money comes from.  Corporations are reportedly just drowning in taxes and regulations.  And some politicians say, with great sincerity, that the fix is to reduce those taxes and restore the American Dream.

            Meanwhile, every stadium, arena, performance venue, and other public facility supported by taxpayers, but bearing a corporate name or logo, is unmistakable evidence that we are not taxing corporations enough.  They have enough to give huge (tax deductible) civic gifts, but not enough money to make things or create jobs.  Sort of puts the lie to the spin masters who want to restore America to the days of the trickle-down standard.  By the way, with our current egregious income inequality in America, how’s that trickle-down concept working for you?  Theoretically, it should be much easier now for you to make ends meet and build a solid middle-class future for yourself and your family.  Is that working?   

            Around here, we think it takes incredible cheek to pump such nonsense into air we are already struggling to keep clean.