Althouse: "I'm offended by a $4 trillion government bullying, berating and badgering one of America’s greatest success stories."

May 22, 2013

"I'm offended by a $4 trillion government bullying, berating and badgering one of America’s greatest success stories."

"If anyone should be on trial here, it should be Congress... I frankly think the committee should apologize to Apple. The Congress should be on trial here for creating a Byzantine and bizarre tax code."

61 comments:

Anthony said...: I thought something similar when Congress hauled up financial industry *giggle* executives to testify on their *guffaw* fiscal mismanagement *crazed laughter*; 5/22/13, 3:29 PM
Revenant said...: I hope the Republicans do the smart thing and nominate Paul in 2016.; 5/22/13, 3:33 PM
Nonapod said...: "Byzantine" isn't a strong enough descriptor. Our current tax system is a sloppy mess that is unnecessarily complicated for the regular layperson taxpayer, downright punitive for the wealthier taxpayer, and full of holes, strange exceptions, and absurd strictures for the corporate taxpayer.; 5/22/13, 3:35 PM
traditionalguy said...: Rand Paul hits a ten ring again.; 5/22/13, 3:37 PM
Scott M said...: Can't vote for him. He said "mirror" too many times in the same interview yesterday.; 5/22/13, 3:38 PM
Leland said...: I think Rand Paul remembers what happened to the economy when the Clinton Administration got a Federal Judge to rule against Microsoft. If Apple is persecuted, companies like them will figure out that making money and being in business is a bad thing.; 5/22/13, 3:42 PM
KCFleming said...: Rand doesn't give out free phones, free health care, and free voting and isn't black, female or gay.

The grabby Americans despise him, and they far outnumber the leave-me-the-hell-alones.; 5/22/13, 3:42 PM
cold pizza said...: The coastal implosions can't come soon enough for me. -CP; 5/22/13, 3:43 PM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: He has the political instincts... coinciding with the base pissed at the IRS... Who are the tea parties more likely to remember in November?; 5/22/13, 3:44 PM
ricpic said...: Rand Paul against the Ogress in 2016. My vote will cancel out Althouse's. At least there's that.; 5/22/13, 3:53 PM
MadisonMan said...: Can't argue with a thing he says.; 5/22/13, 3:55 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: There are a bunch of ancient vampires in the Senate so a mirror won't be very effective.; 5/22/13, 3:56 PM
The Godfather said...: Of course Paul is right (that doesn't mean he should be president). What the Senate has done here is truly despicable, but it's so common nobody pays much attention to it: It's just the Dems getting themselves some free publicity.; 5/22/13, 3:56 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Althouse responds to Ricpic:

"oooh but I must cast my historic vote for the first female president"; 5/22/13, 3:58 PM
Rumpletweezer said...: When we've reached the point where an average person, with average income and average intelligence, can't do his own taxes anymore, we've gone too far. Congressmen and Senators should be locked in a room on April 14th with a pencil, pad of paper, and maybe a calculator (I'm in a generous mood this afternoon). They get out when their taxes are done. We'll have a tax code that will fit on a postcard on April 16th.; 5/22/13, 4:01 PM
MarkD said...: Companies don't pay taxes, their customers do. We'd be far better off if we just eliminated the corporate tax code. Gotta have the revenue? Tax the phone.

It will never pass - less chance for graft for the legislature and friends.; 5/22/13, 4:01 PM
Rumpletweezer said...: Oh, and more on point, I own Apple stock. I expect its officers to avoid as much tax as they can and to do everything in their power to increase the value of my holdings. Levin, you can kiss my pasty white ass!; 5/22/13, 4:03 PM
AllenS said...: There will always be this option: "How Rand Paul lost me."; 5/22/13, 4:04 PM
Farmer said...: Revenant said...
I hope the Republicans do the smart thing and nominate Paul in 2016.

So does every Democrat in America.; 5/22/13, 4:09 PM
David said...: Pretty much what I said in the comments here a day or two ago. And I'm not running for President.

Congress made this mess. Isn't willing to fix it either.

Also, bye-bye Jeb Bush.; 5/22/13, 4:09 PM
Bryan C said...: I can't fault any person or corporation for keeping as much of their own money as possible. The IRS doesn't play fair or even pretend to obey the law, and there's no ethical dilemma in cheating a rigged game. I wish Apple would be less hypocritical with their political donations and public policy stances, but that's there's a marketing component to that.; 5/22/13, 4:09 PM
Brian Brown said...: Under what authority does Congress badger Apple about how they manage their operations and cash flow?; 5/22/13, 4:10 PM
jacksonjay said...: Reverent sez:

I hope the Republicans do the smart thing and nominate Paul in 2016

Aqua Buddha will never survive being vetted as a Republican.; 5/22/13, 4:11 PM
Anonymous said...: Levin then hissed, apparently blinded by the shafts of sunlight piercing through the Capitol Dome, and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Other lawmakers suspect Senator Levin may soon be found bent over other legislative bodies, seeking
the revenue-juice which keep his musty ideals and political career alive.

One lawmaker noted: "Sometimes, when it's quiet, we can even hear the state of Michigan softly moaning."

"It's unsettling."; 5/22/13, 4:14 PM
jr565 said...: This is the sort of Rand Paul I can get behind. He's still a bit spotty on the foreign policy, and he needs to tone down the libertarianism a bit. But this is right on.; 5/22/13, 4:19 PM
edutcher said...: Paul/Cruz '16.

That'll work.

And the second thing they can do is repeal ObamaTax.

The first (if necessary) is repeal Chuckie Schumer's AmnestyCare (although I don't see it passing the House).

Farmer said...

I hope the Republicans do the smart thing and nominate Paul in 2016.

So does every Democrat in America.

Riiight.

More flop sweat like we saw about Benghazi up until a month ago.

The only way the Democrats can win anymore is vote fraud. That's why Choom lost every state with voted ID laws.

Anybody really believe the Hildabeast can do any better in 2 years?

Or Shotgun Joe?

Or Andy Cuomo?; 5/22/13, 4:25 PM
Franklin said...: The ol' Double Irish.

Look it up - it's actually quite an inventive strategy.; 5/22/13, 4:25 PM
Hammond X. Gritzkofe said...: Well, yes. If Apple broke the law, then sock-it-to-'em.

But most folks - and I speak here of those who actually, ya know, PAY taxes - think our Legislators deserve bamboo splints under the fingernails for a tax code of the Byzantine complexity that we have.; 5/22/13, 4:28 PM
X said...: me too Rev.

Farmer sounds like he's crapping his overalls.; 5/22/13, 4:29 PM
Larry J said...: Rumpletweezer said...
They get out when their taxes are done. We'll have a tax code that will fit on a postcard on April 16th.

That, or move election day to April 16th.; 5/22/13, 4:32 PM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: Why isn't GE under scrutiny?

Oh yeah- HUGE democrat donor.; 5/22/13, 4:33 PM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: "This committee will admit: Apple has not broken any laws. Yet, they are forced into a show trial at the whims of politicians, when in fact; Congress should be on trial for chasing the profits of great American companies overseas. You haul before this committee one of America’s greatest success stories and you want applause?

I say, instead of Apple executives, you should have brought in a giant mirror, so we could look at the reflection of Congress because this problem is solely and completely created by the awful tax code.

If you want to assign blame, the Committee needs to look in the mirror and see who created this mess, see who created the tax code that drives American companies overseas.

Our corporate tax is more than double Canada’s. I never thought I would be complimenting Canada’s tax code – our tax code is double Canada’s. Our corporate tax is over ten points higher than Europe. Instead of saying theirs is too low, why don’t we set about to work that ours is too high.

SOOOOO - Is this Democrats attempting to intimidate and shake down Apple?
come on Apple - democrat campaign coffers need filling.

Stupid Americans, old rotted out democrats who have lived in congress their entire lives and John McCain should seriously think about eating shit.; 5/22/13, 4:42 PM
KCFleming said...: Nothing a massive DNC donation won't fix.; 5/22/13, 4:43 PM
Hammond X. Gritzkofe said...: Perhaps the reason for the Feral Gummit announcing IRS malfeasance is to astroturf a movement for simplification of the Tax Code.

We would need, of course, enough revenue to match balance the budget without deficit - say maybe a simple flat 45% of gross income.

This, of course, would be 'adjusted' later by an accumulation of special targeted legislation.

Net result, in five years, a Tax Code of complexity equal to that of today, and an overall tax rate 80-100% higher.; 5/22/13, 4:44 PM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: "Our corporate tax is more than double Canada’s. I never thought I would be complimenting Canada’s tax code – our tax code is double Canada’s. Our corporate tax is over ten points higher than Europe. Instead of saying theirs is too low, why don’t we set about to work that ours is too high."; 5/22/13, 4:46 PM
Chip Ahoy said...: Three instances of "mirror"

The beginning of a clause/phrase

The next beginning of clause/phrase (there is only one in that paragraph)

Repetition in the conclusion.

So two types of rhetorical repetition.

*pulls down window shade roll* types of rhetorical repetition listed on the face of shade.

You see, two instances of conduplicatio.

*whap* Anaphora, repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of a clause and

*whap* Epanalepsis the repetition at the end. Very effective rhetorical conclusion.

Oh! You saw that. Smart one. "A" for you. Symploce, repetition at the start and end. There's a word for everything innit.

*tugs string* spring-loaded roll snaps up closed.; 5/22/13, 4:48 PM
cubanbob said...: Too bad an executive brought for a dog and pony show like this can't be ballsy and ask the worthless senators a simple question: are you accusing me and my company of tax evasion? Yes or no? After the senator(s) crap themselves and offer some vague and stupid reply said CEO should then say his legal and fiduciary duty is to the owners of the company to pay the least amount of tax possible on the maximum amount profit possible. And if they have a problem with that that is their problem not his and they are free to change the laws if they have the courage to do so.

Then he should stand up and walk out and while doing so say only an idiot would overpay by so much as one dollar especially when assholes and whores like you will just squander the money. One can dream.; 5/22/13, 4:52 PM
Tom said...: Somebody buy that Senator a beer!; 5/22/13, 4:53 PM
Michael K said...: At least we know what his grades were. Also, he can probably do math.; 5/22/13, 4:53 PM
Robert Holmgren said...: And when the odious John McCain answered Paul with a ringing endorsement of Carl Levin's bullying it sent a shiver to my sphincter.

Rand Paul for President. I will accept no substitutes.; 5/22/13, 5:00 PM
SteveR said...: I don't know about president but I like him as a senator.; 5/22/13, 5:03 PM
edutcher said...: McCain's gone full RINO.

He's one of Chuckie Schmer's "Republicans".

He sure ain't anybody else's.; 5/22/13, 5:28 PM
edutcher said...: Something about which we can all be offended:

Choom has droned more American citizens than Dubya waterboarded terrorists.

Makes you feel safe, don't it?; 5/22/13, 5:38 PM
Fr Martin Fox said...: Robert Holmgren said...

And when the odious John McCain answered Paul with a ringing endorsement of Carl Levin's bullying it sent a shiver to my sphincter.

Rand Paul for President. I will accept no substitutes.

edutcher said...

McCain's gone full RINO.

He's one of Chuckie Schmer's "Republicans".

He sure ain't anybody else's.

See what a bullet we dodged?; 5/22/13, 5:40 PM
Rocco said...: Rumpletweezer said...
They get out when their taxes are done. We'll have a tax code that will fit on a postcard on April 16th.

Or on April 16th Congress will exempt themselves from tax laws.; 5/22/13, 5:52 PM
Methadras said...: Paul has an excellent MOA.; 5/22/13, 5:58 PM
Titus said...: I agree with Paul.

tits and thanks.; 5/22/13, 6:21 PM
Strelnikov said...: This sort of witch hunting by self-righteous assholes like Levin and McCain is just the thin end of the wedge as the government begins to desperately seek more money to do good. This type of thing usually precedes efforts to impose capitol controls so that people are no longer able to take the money out of the country in the first place. See, for example, Argentina, Cuba, USSR, Cyprus, etc, etc, ad nauseum.; 5/22/13, 6:30 PM
Michael K said...: Intel faced a similar hearing some years ago and did tell them the real facts.

I like Rand Paul the more I see of him.

I wonder what the IRS hearings will do for Issa's career. He is tough as nails but some IRSers going to jail might be a great image for him. Maybe he wants to be California governor after the state goes broke. I don't know.; 5/22/13, 6:37 PM
edutcher said...: Fr Martin Fox said...

McCain's gone full RINO.

He's one of Chuckie Schmer's "Republicans".

He sure ain't anybody else's.

See what a bullet we dodged?

In place we got a man-portable low yield nuke.

Forgive my familiarity, padre, but that's no bargain.; 5/22/13, 7:12 PM
Titus said...: I like Rand Paul.

I wonder if his pube batch looks like his hair on his head.

Wouldn't that be weird if someone's pube bush was that unwielding?

tits and thanks.; 5/22/13, 7:50 PM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: See what a bullet we dodged?

NO.

McCain is dim-witted cattle. Obama is a dangerous mobster.
No bullets were dodged.; 5/22/13, 8:46 PM
Fr Martin Fox said...: Edutcher:

If it had been McCain instead of Obama, we'd have the same lousy economy, the same health-care takeover, only the Dems would have benefited from McCain's mistakes, and this would be now be Obama's first term.

I'm not seeing how that would be better?; 5/22/13, 9:10 PM
Quaestor said...: There will always be this option: "How ______* lost me."

Working title of the Althouse post at 5:45PM CDT, September 23, 2016

*insert Republican candidate's name here.; 5/22/13, 9:13 PM
Quaestor said...: Apple is not at fault morally, ethically or otherwise. It has simply figured out that the system is eminently game-able. The tax code is rigged to serve the interests of tax lawyers, accountants and politicians. And no one else, least of all the Federal government. If maximum revenue was the goal we'd have a flat tax, or a miniscule progressive tax with no exemptions or credits. The goal of the tax code is to guarantee a lifetime bonanza for the lawyers and accountants, and to provide a cheap benefice the powerful can grant the weak when the time comes for such things (Want tax relief? Vote for me. Want the evil rich humbled? Vote for the other guy)

Apple, like many other wealthy entities, has discovered that they can spend X in taxes or 81% of X to hire skilled advice and avoid the tax completely. Ethically Apple is obliged to save the 19% for their shareholders.; 5/22/13, 9:31 PM
Quaestor said...: The byzantine tax code also creates the need for a collection and enforcement agency, which can double as a convenient gestapo when the watchdogs take a powder --- another way the tax laws serve the few at the expense of the many.; 5/22/13, 9:35 PM
Fr Martin Fox said...: Edutcher:

You know what? I don't mean to re-litigate the last two elections. I am just explaining my comment. Obviously you don't have to see it as I did.; 5/22/13, 9:48 PM
Popville said...: (1) Corporations do not pay taxes. They simply pass on tax costs to their customers.

(2) Funny that John McCain is the first quoted politico after Paul. The Republican most clueless of the fundamentals of Commerce, thus #Fail_08.

(3) As a country we F'd up big time not electing our best hope for Commerce clueful pols in 2012.

Thank goodness we have plenty of natural resources, fracking tech, etc. Because it's gonna get really ugly in a few years.; 5/22/13, 11:28 PM
cubanbob said...: The money Apple has stashed overseas is after tax income from Apple's foreign sales. Apple paid taxes on the sales it made in those countries to those countries governments. The US government provided no services to Apple's foreign subsidiaries and isn't entitled to tax that money.; 5/22/13, 11:39 PM
Kirk Parker said...: Rumpletweezer,

You're not generous, you're pathetically--nay, quite harmfully--generous. Let me Fix It For You™:

Congressmen and Senators should be locked in a room on April 14th with a pencil, pad of paper, and nothing else. If (and ONLY if) they have a complete and accurate tax form done by the end of April 15, they get out. Otherwise they get to stay in the room for the remainder of their pathetic, miserable, brutish, and short existences.

Fr. Martin,

"See what a bullet we dodged?"

In a little thou persuadest me to forgive Althouse for her 2008 vote.; 5/23/13, 3:04 AM
Rumpletweezer said...: Kirk Parker--

I accept what you've written as a friendly amendment.; 5/23/13, 7:39 AM