You make good points about subsidizing the start-ups… and an even better comparison to start ups being the new yeoman farmer of the 21st century. Good work. I feel that subsidizing any business is a band-aid for a bullet-hole.

http://www.fairtax.org This process would allow for some fair capitalism within the states. Subsidizing corporations and businesses will be topics of an unfinished future book called “The History of Failed Economies.”

In referencing the Jefferson quote: “The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.”
–Thomas Jefferson

I was referring to the potential of socialized medicine and all those other programs that I am taxed for that I will most likely not realize in my future…Thank you baby boomers…

One commet: Re Boise bribing (yes, that is the correct word) TF cops to leave their jobs. There seems to be a firm belief among all Boise and Idaho officials that the Gem State and its capital city are lousy places to work, live and/or run a business.
They’re always offering bribes (usually in the form of tax breaks, etc.) to businesses that move here. (“you’d have to pay me to move to Boise”) Many of these officials, including those at BSU, think all Idahoans are too stupid and/or inept to be useful.

When BSU or another Idaho higher-ed outfit needs a new president, or Boise needs a new police chief, or other such high positions, they quickly announce that “a nationwide search will begin” in the effort to find someone suitable.

Oh, and let’s not forget BSU deciding that a bronco is not a good symbol for the Broncos, and thus hiring someone from elsewhere to design a … er … um…. well, nobody I’ve talked to can figure out whatthehell that thing is.
Yep, the list goes on and on, and on.

The idea of contributing more to society as your own fortunes rise is an ethical derivation that dates back to Aristotle. For those raised on American pop culture, our first encounter with it may have been in the Spider Man comics, where it was phrased “with great power comes great responsibility.” The opposite attitude would be the “predatory capitalism” referenced by Jack, the prevailing ethic being: “I’ve got mine, now give me more and the rest of you can go hang!” An unfettered capitalist system in which the already wealthy are further enriched at the expense of the middle class and poor is ethically bankrupt. Success and wealth are their own rewards– Larry Johnston and Steve Appleton certainly don’t need any of my our your tax dollars on top of the profits they already achieve on their own.

I’m puzzled as to why you include the Jefferson quote about “tak(ing) away from those who are willing to work and giv(ing) to those who are not”— unless you think that starting a small business is a way for goldbrickers to quit their jobs and lounge around on some sort of mythical public dole. Because my point was that if the government is to subsidize any sort of business at all, it should be the start-ups who could use a helping hand, not the big corporations that can help themselves. Small entrepreneurs do indeed work– they bust their butts 24/7 often just to survive into the next month. I’d wager that the average small business owner works longer and harder than most overpaid CEOs with their stock options and golden parachutes. And unlike the big CEO, if a small business owner mismanages his company it can mean personal financial ruin. The stakes are a lot higher on the ground floor, and anyone who truly believes in the free market system should support and encourage those with the fortitude to dive into it on their own.

As I said before, I’m not talking about any “welfare” whatsoever– rather, tax breaks for small businesses, matching funds for SBA loans or even a low-interest business loan program administered by the state. Giving breaks to big businesses can be a risk– and the GUARDIAN has done a great job of watchdogging how vested in Idaho “hometown heroes” like Micron really are. But a successful small local business is an unquestionable economic asset to the state– not only does it contribute to a general economic expansion, but it also turns around and puts its profits right back into that same economy.

Ryan, as a Jefferson fan you know that he envisioned an America of yeoman farmers. Well, today’s yeoman farmer is the start-up entrepreneur, the small business owner. Encouraging them hews closer to a Jeffersonian ideal than kicking back to the large corporations.

First off; terrible false analogy comparing Socialism+Capitalism to China’s Communism with $.50/ hour attempt at Capitalism. Next thing said might be that America’s moral fabric is based on Christianity.

I’m assuming you mean socialized health care when referring to Canada? If their socialist system is so effective why do Canadians travel south and pay out of pocket for health services in the States? Could it be poor health care in Canada? Could it be the long waits for necessary surgery? Also, what countries are the leaders in medical research? Aren’t they free market economies. Without free market health care there will be no desire for companies to improve. No incentive. No reward.

Socialism = More Government. Agreed? Do any of us want or need more government?

“The more you make the more you contribute back.”–TG. Where did you come up with that?

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
–Thomas Jefferson

To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.
–Thomas Jefferson

“Taxation is theft.”

Others say, taxes are the price one pays for an organized society. To rail against taxes used to manage society is to demand something for nothing.

I agree with Joe, and reiterate what I said in the movie business post– why not focus on the little guy? Tax breaks and incentives should be for the homegrown start-ups. Sure, Ryan, we can celebrate the success of the big guys, but success equals responsibility. The more you make the more you contribute back. The big boys don’t need breaks, but the new entrepreneur does. Let’s ditch corporate welfare and instead focus on– not start-up welfare– but start-up encouragement and support. Put that “Buy Idaho” money where your mouth is.

When you really take a close look at the small group of economic elitists that control 95% of the wealth in Idaho while impoverishing the people you begin to understand what capitalism is all about-GREED, pure and unadulterated with no room for a healthy general fund or a well educated younger generation.

The fact that our “leaders”, people like Dirk, Kustra, et al, keep offering Idaho and its amenities at discount prices to anyone willing to grap a piece and run tells you what they think of the place.

“Idaho, a corporate whore, and cheap too.”