Where's YOUR Tax Haven, Sucker?

"But it's MY money!" "It's Government Theft!" That's what people who don't like the concept of paying taxes usually say when the subject comes up. The issue is also usually divided between left and right, or at least is used to be. These days, it seems like no one wants to pay taxes, and no candidate for any office will even begin to suggest that he'll raise taxes. Now it's all about "tax cuts". The United States borrows money from China, Japan & the United Kingdom to pay for our debt while at the same time gives tax cuts to wealthy Americans. I guess it's cool that we don't hate Communists anymore, but does that seem right? Borrowing money to float our debt, while giving tax cuts? If you make over $1 Million per year, then it may not sound so bad.



Other than borrowing money from other countries, you could finance a tax cut by reducing government spending, but this administration has been super-spendy. We've spent over $435 billion in Iraq so far. You could also increase the number of exports and reduce imports, but we're not doing that either.

Corporate America is doing its part to get out of paying its taxes. The U.S. Congress has enabled them to do it. According to Lucy Komisar of the Tax Justice Network-USA (taxjustice-usa.org) "During the 1950s, U.S. corporations accounted for 28 percent of federal revenues. Now, corporations represent just 11 percent... The tax haven racket is the biggest scam in the world. Tax havens, also known as offshore financial centers, are places that operate secret bank accounts and shell companies that hide the names of real owners from tax authorities and law enforcement. They're run by the international banks with the cooperation of the world's financial powers for the benefit of corporations and the mega-rich... Offshore is where most of the world's drug money is laundered, estimated at up to $500 billion a year... The other major purpose of offshore is for tax evasion, estimated to reach another $500 billion a year. That's how corporations and the rich have opted out of the tax system."

"In 1996-2000, Goodyear's profits were $442 million, but it paid no taxes and got a $23-million rebate. Colgate-Palmolive made $1.6 billion and got back $21 million. Other companies that got rebates in 1998 included Texaco, Chevron, PepsiCo, Pfizer, J.P. Morgan, MCI Worldcom, General Motors, Phillips Petroleum and Northrop Grumman. Microsoft reported $12.3 billion U.S income in 1999 and paid zero federal taxes. (In two recent years, Microsoft paid only 1.8 percent on $21.9 billion pretax U.S. profits.) "

We've spent $435 billion on the war, and every year we lose $500 billion in tax evasion. Corporate America makes billions and pays nothing. We borrow money from China to pay for tax cuts for wealthy citizens, and the strength of our economy is measured by the amount of cheap goods we buy from China and Wal-Mart.

And there you have it. It's understandable if you're angry about paying taxes, no one likes to. It's also frustrating to know that you're not rich enough to get out of it. In some countries, they get complete medical care with the taxes they pay. Our taxes would go much further if these companies paid their share. Speak up! Tell your congressional representatives that you find this unacceptable and ask for laws that hold corporations responsible for paying their taxes.