Scientists, Engineers and Technicians (school, college, wages)

[bbkaren]

Regardless, it's the company's prerogative to move to a more beneficial area. If the existing area wants to keep it there, they need to improve the incentives. I hear about this all over.

Govts are always trying to bring business into their area; it's competitive and not a bad thing, in my opinion.

[SandyOne]

Originally Posted by bbkaren

Regardless, it's the company's prerogative to move to a more beneficial area. If the existing area wants to keep it there, they need to improve the incentives. I hear about this all over.

Govts are always trying to bring business into their area; it's competitive and not a bad thing, in my opinion.

You mean you like giving your tax money to a private entity?

Your argument that it is the company's prerogative to move is a straw-man. Nobody is arguing they don't have a right to move. The argument is whether or not it is right for them to demand a taxpayer subsidized move and whether or not the taxpayers should agree (or fall all over themselves doing so, which seems to be the case).

[JMT]

Originally Posted by bbkaren

Regardless, it's the company's prerogative to move to a more beneficial area. If the existing area wants to keep it there, they need to improve the incentives. I hear about this all over.

Govts are always trying to bring business into their area; it's competitive and not a bad thing, in my opinion.

I agree. And short of turning our government into some Soviet style of government where jobs are regulated and the freedom of choice is removed, things like this will continue to happen.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by SandyOne

You mean you like giving your tax money to a private entity?

My tax money is given to private entities all the time. Housing projects, tax credits to people with kids, food stamps, etc.

If my local government would rather use my tax dollars to lure jobs to the area so that fewer people will have to live in government housing projects or get free food, then I say go for it. I'd much rather see Tennessee use my tax dollars for new jobs rather than keeping people on the dole.

[bbkaren]

zackly.

The govt can say "no" and the people can determine that decision.

[bbkaren]

Not to mention our tax dollars going directly into the Mexican economy via illegal immigrants. There's something to be ticked off about.

[SandyOne]

Originally Posted by JMT

My tax money is given to private entities all the time. Housing projects, tax credits to people with kids, food stamps, etc.

If my local government would rather use my tax dollars to lure jobs to the area so that fewer people will have to live in government housing projects or get free food, then I say go for it. I'd much rather see Tennessee use my tax dollars for new jobs rather than keeping people on the dole.

In theory we give to the needy because they need our help and are part of our community. Bridgestone is not a needy family who can't feed or house themselves.

For the record, I don't believe in tax breaks just because you have a big family. That's your choice, often religious in nature, and we should not subsidize it.

And again, this Bridgestone business isn't creating jobs. It is about moving them from one part of the country to another part. There is no net gain for America here. The net gain is all Bridgestone's. In the end, American taxpayers somewhere will end up subsidizing a foreign corporation.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by SandyOne

In theory we give to the needy because they need our help and are part of our community. Bridgestone is not a needy family who can't feed or house themselves.

For the record, I don't believe in tax breaks just because you have a big family. That's your choice, often religious in nature, and we should not subsidize it.

And again, this Bridgestone business isn't creating jobs. It is moving them from one part of the country to another part. There is no net gain for America here. The net gain is all Bridgestone's.

But it IS a gain for Tennessee, and it is Tennessee, not the federal government, that is providing the tax incentives. It's a competitive world out there. Corporations compete against each other, and so do cities and states.

We may not like competition, but that's how it works. If we don't like it, then we can always try Fidel Castro's way of making sure everyone has jobs.

[SandyOne]

Originally Posted by JMT

But it IS a gain for Tennessee, and it is Tennessee, not the federal government, that is providing the tax incentives. It's a competitive world out there. Corporations compete against each other, and so do cities and states.

We may not like competition, but that's how it works. If we don't like it, then we can always try Fidel Castro's way of making sure everyone has jobs.

That is not only absurd, it is patently offensive.

[Kim918]

We are quickly losing our competitive edge in this world. We cannot survive solely on consumerism, we absolutely must manufacture as well. Look at what happens to areas where they lose large manufacturing plants. Those areas become undesirable and depressed. It effects everything from soup to nuts. People start to move where the jobs are. A healthy and diversified job market constitutes a prosperous economy. You cannot have that without manufacturing or other large employers. We have done the American people a tremendous misdeed by importing so much from other countries. We must get back our competitive edge by whatever means necessary and begin to lure business and jobs back to this country. I for one, am so sick of calling companies and getting someone from India or elsewhere to help solve my problem. Not only can I not understand them half the time, but due to the language barrier, my problem rarely gets solved on the first call. I am also tired of everything I buy having a label inside "Made in China" You almost can't avoid it anymore. I drive only American made cars, but I'm sure some of those parts are made in Korea and only put together in this country. I remember a commercial from my childhood (showing my age here) that said...."Look for the Union label when you are buying that coat dress or blouse, Remember somewhere our union's sewing, our wages going to feed the kids, and run the house." etc. What it boiled down to was it was made in the USA! Those jobs supported American families. I would love to see that restored by trying to bring back large manufacturing or any other big employers back to this country. It can only help us to reduce welfare spending and increase independence. As it stands right now, we are supporting countries like India and China with our hunger for cheap goods. I think if we don't begin to reverse this soon, in years to come there will be more and more poverty and homelessness in this great United States. Just my opinion.