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The Nevada Rural Democratic Caucus reminds us of all the things the GOP would like to cut, slash, and eliminate. Ever so much of which we could easily afford IF corporations had not “mastered the art of not paying their fair share of taxes,” and we’ve known a large majority of corporations are paying no income taxes since 2008. [NYT] Further, the figures can be substantiated by GAO study issued in July 2008, on tax liabilities between 1998 and 2005. The 2008 study should have come as no surprise since the GAO had already reported a study in March 1999 reporting that a majority of corporations, both foreign and domestic, didn’t pay any income taxes, between 1993 and 1998. This is certainly a skewed form of “shared sacrifice?” The corporations don’t pay any taxes and middle class Americans have to face program and services cuts so the corporations can continue to this nice arrangement — like turning the entire nation into one big “Nevada” where corporate incomes aren’t taxed.
Those corporate apologists who would like to continue the myth that current budget shortfalls are the “fault of union member state workers,” need to be reminded that for Nevada state employees there are no negotiations on wages, benefits, and working conditions. Nevada state employees get only what the Legislature gives them. [NSEF] (NSEF links to the statutes that apply) Governor Sandoval will have to find another scapegoat.
The budget issues faced at the state and national level are only so great as the level of GOP intent to place a higher priority on providing low taxes for corporations, corporate executives, Wall Street and hedge fund operators, than on providing services for the majority of the American people.
