A-hole posted some typical self-alienating defense of those poor poor corporations, which are so put upon. He also does the usual "liberals think they're evil!" thing, which is the book-end set-piece to the "liberals want to sing kum-bay-ah with the terrorists!" meme -- you know, the one that really stupid right-wingers believe because they've never actually talked to anybody who knows anything, but instead simply parrot whatever stupid cliche is spat out by the nearest talk radio station. But for those keeping score, that's: liberals hate corporations and are naively accepting of terrorists. Seriously, think about it: can any belief system more perfectly declare its own abject stupidity and ignorance? Can someone possibly scream more loudly, "I DRINK THE KOOLAID!" than a right-winger who says this stuff?
But while we're at it, let's continue our campaign to educate A-hole:
In 2005, the most recent year for which there is comprehensive information, more than 25% of the biggest corporations PAID NO INCOME TAXES AT ALL.
In the 1950s, corporate taxes accounted for more than a quarter of government revenue; now IT IS LESS THAN TEN PERCENT.
Here and here.
A-hole writes: "The really funny one is the one about taxing corporate profits paid out as dividends twice. This despite the fact many folks feel those big, evil companies don't pay any taxes...when the truth is, they often pay twice...just because."
Guess what? He's wrong again! What a surprise! But here's the secret: HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO READ VERY WELL. He thinks corporations "often pay twice" on their dividends. Let's explain something: corporations pay once, IF AT ALL, on their INCOME. They also pay out dividends, if at all, whether or not (in most cases) they've had any income in recent quarters. then, when the dividends are paid, STOCKHOLDERS are taxed on THEIR dividends. So the corporations pay ONCE, if at all. Of course, dumb-ass A-hole, having been hypnotized, would respond "The stockholders ARE the corporation!" In fact, most stockholders are institutional investment corporations, which, on average, hold stocks for less than one month at a time. If they so happen to hold the stock when it goes ex-dividend during one quarter, chances are they will no longer be holding it the next.
Regardless, let's repeat: CORPORATIONS ARE NOT TAXED ON DIVIDENDS. THEY ARE TAXED, ONCE, IF AT ALL, ON INCOME. THEY PAY OUT DIVIDENDS TO STOCKHOLDERS, WHO ARE TAXED ONCE, IF AT ALL, ON THE DIVIDENDS.
His belief: "the truth is, they often pay twice."
Dear A-hole: You're a stupid right-wing dick. Fucking learn something.
