Posted on 06/06/2009 8:18:43 PM PDT by Flavius
It takes an incredibly powerful company to threaten the U.S. government in hopes of impacting a significant decision, but that's precisely what Microsoft is doing. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer made headlines when he publicly attacked President Barack Obama's plan to cut tax breaks on U.S. companies' foreign profits, a plan which is currently awaiting Congressional approval.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailytech.com ...
Microsoft stood up to Butch Reno DoJ because they didn’t contribute to the Xlintons so I’m hoping they’ll prevail again.
Good for Microsoft.
Atlas shruggin’, a little.
Hey Gates and Ballmer - you are part owner in MSNBC ie the MS of MSNBC.
Maybe if you did not have a bunch of leftist fawning over O and marxism. Microsoft appears to be clueless especially after tha abortion called Vista.
This is no threat. It is a simple statement of economic fact.
Good point. I have zero sympathy for Americans who supported Obama and then complain when his policies bite them in tha a$$.
Countdown to antitrust action...5...4...3...2...
Actually Balmer is just giving ZerO the best advice he is likely to get. Unfortuneately ZerO is not likely to take it.
which is why growth is not going to resume until he has been out of office for a number of years.
MS shuld reap what they sow. Ballmer contributed $100,000 to Obama’s campaign and Gates gave the same. F’ em.
No threats, no promises and very little publicity the jobs are gone.
It is Capitalism saying to hell with 0bama's socialism.
It’s about time!!
So what would this entail? Microsoft physically and legally changing the corporation from a US business to say a business incorporated in another country? And if so, what would prevent Obama from taxing their products to death when they sell them to US customers?
Torn by this.
Glad to see someone standing up to Obama.
OTOH, we’ll end up with even crappier junk from Microsquish.
You are clueless who owns MSNBC. Microsoft has divested from it long ago. They simply did not change the trademark.
What does Ballmer care what Obama charges you in taxes? You don't think Microsoft is going to pay it, do you? Where would they get the money, if not from customers? Customers are where all companies get their money. Raise taxes on companies, you raise taxes on customers. Your next computer goes up in price by $500 to cover the "Obama tax". What are you gonna do, buy a Mac?
Living in Microsoft-land my experience is that MS employs many, many liberals (plus a few conservatives).
Awwww, what’s the matter Microsoft, not getting your money’s worth. You helped to elect him, are you changing your mind? Wasn’t that the change you can believe in?
Here's the rundown on what Microsoft employees, former employees, and their wives have given:
“What are you gonna do, buy a Mac? “
Uh...sure!
I suddenly like my operating system a lot more.
I don’t think you understand the global economy and the TAX that obama is proposing. He wants US business to pay taxes on EVERYTHING they earn even stuff made by their subsidary’s in foreign countries and sold to those foreign countries. Curently they only have pay tax on that IF/WHEN they move that money back to the US.
Well to remain competitive they should move their HQ to a more busines friendly country...like...believe it or not CANADA. They don’t tax businesses that much instead they tax the crap out of their people. Which is a better way because then you can really see what you’re paying in taxes and it keeps businesses at home.
Way to go socialists!
It’s not just Microsoft. It’s any multinational company that will trim jobs to pay the additional taxes to stay competitive.
They won’t raise prices. They will move jobs overseas.
The US has some of the highest corporate tax rates in the world. The Democrats want to raise it even higher on the misguided notion it will somehow save jobs. How freaking idiotic is that?
And you all are cheering the demise of Microsoft. Unfreakingbelievable.
...aren’t the guys at Microsoft big libs?
They’re just getting what they voted for.
I wish I was rich enough to get out before the Socialist hammer falls. :(
They employ two less conservatives since my husband and I both lost our jobs in the recent lay-off.
its equivalent of the geniuses with O stickers on their SUV’s
How he can give one red cent to a Communist and sleep at night is beyond me. They do it for political favors, but still.....
After Vista, that’s what I did.
However, the more any business moves its assets outside the country, the less effect when the government decides to nationalize(steal) the company's assets.
Well shut my little mouth. . . .
Barack Obama’s plan to cut tax breaks.That isn’t going to be a happy ending what could go wrong?
Actually, that has been happening lately. Dubai and Brazil are quietly becoming the headquarters for the World's largest Oil companies. There is also lots of Coal there that has not even been considered. Methanol production from coal may be the next fuel to take the place of the US burning and shortening the supply of food. (Ethanol) Asia is also taking over rapidly.
Actually, that has been happening lately. Dubai and Brazil are quietly becoming the headquarters for the World's largest Oil companies.
We will not hear about these companies moving to other countries. If you, I, a friend or a neighbor loses a job, then we will know it.
I would assume these moves have been talked behind closed doors across the US for quite some time.
Bond holders that have been preferred creditors in past bankruptcies are another group that may have second thoughts about investing in the US is my guess.
We even have shortages of ammo based on past performances of the liberals (socialists). Why wait for big government to act or depend upon them to protect our families has fueled buying.
Will we hear about it in the MSM? No. Only on Talk Radio, Internet Blogs and word of mouth will we hear bits and pieces about the lack of confidence in 0bama's Socialism.
In the long run Capitalism will prevail is my hope, but we have not nor will we turn the corner for months if not years with the present policies of the WH.
Let's face it. Even if a more business-friendly administration and Congress were elected in 2010 and 2012, what company is going to go through the trouble of moving back to the US. Four years later another Obama fiasco could take over the country and the companies would be thinking about moving overseas again.
America is too turbulent right now. Businesses want to produce - not spend valuable time and resources packing moving boxes. I don't blame them for thinking the heck with the US and her stupid citizens.
Obama is too busy destroying the country to notice Microsoft's CEO. Honestly I wouldn't shed a tear if Microsoft left the country or, for that matter, went out of business. Don't let the door hit ya on the way out!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.