> Dana wrote: >couple billion in taxes not collected and costs borne by the community, this is not a handout?
No. Here's why: If I offer to sell you a car for 20% below market cost because I need to get rid of the burden fast, is that a handout to you? No. You just happen to be in the right place at the right time. Let's say you turn around and sell it for market cost and realize a profit. Have you profited from a handout? No. That's just plain ole garden variety arbitrage. In the case of Wal-mart, there's simply been a transaction; services rendered for a fee. Wal-mart has agreed to take on the risk and cost of building, stocking, and staffing a store in exchange for a break on its taxes, etc. Wal-mart lowers it's risks and costs and the community gets the store with the associated jobs. As far as I can tell Wal-mart has never extorted anybody; they're simply been the result of a business transaction between a city and private business entered voluntarily by both parties. Unless you have some evidence that these business transactions weren't done voluntarily, you have absolutely no case. Ever see the Antiques Roadshow? Many of those people buy things for WAY below market. THE GALL! They've made a profit! What right do they have to take that hand-out! Let's tax the crap out them! No, let's throw them in jail and seize their property. It's really the only humanitarian thing to do. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Message: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=i:5:192685 Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/threads.cfm/5 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=s:5 Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=11502.10531.5 Donations & Support: http://www.houseoffusion.com/tiny.cfm/54
