(04-01-2022 10:01 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Somewhere back there we had a discussion on taxes, and this relates to that.

Yesterday, I went to the grand opening of a branch store owned by an acquaintance. I estimate that it took $5 million to open this branch. I could be wrong - it could be much higher, but not much lower -I am not conversant with current prices, but using that estimate, I would say $1m for land, $3M for construction, and $1m for stocking. he had about 40 new employees on hand for the Grand Opening.

Would he have still done the expansion if his taxes were doubled? This is his eighth branch.

I can say that if the money and incentive to expand had been taken from him though higher taxes and tax rates, he probably would not have done this. I can say that because I asked him.

If the increased taxes had deterred him, then 40 or so people would still be looking for jobs. Hundreds of plumbers, carpenter, and other construction workers would have missed out on contracts. The county would have an empty lot to tax instead of a giant building. And the owner of that empty lot would not have his new Winnebago, which he bought from a local dealer, who employs local people.

I note all the economic activity and benefits that have resulted and will result from one rich man making a decision to expand because so often these benefits to the overall economy are ignored by left wing tax the rich activists. The prevailing attitude there is that higher taxes will be ignored by the rich,, and not affect any decisions. It's as if they think rich people keep their money in an old swimming pool and will never notice a few extra shovelfuls being gone.

With few exceptions, the wealthy are not resting on their laurels, but trying to get richer. The key for proposed projects is after-tax returns - literally that is the bottom line. Raising taxes lowers the bottom line, and will result in that capital finding alternative uses - perhaps on another country, or in less risky uses - but less likely to result in 40 people getting jobs.

THIS is why I advocate tax reform. Not because I am selfish or greedy, as left wing propaganda would have you think, but because I think economic growth is good for everybody. You, me, AND the man behind the tree. Blind and/or foolish attempts to increase taxation though tax the rich rhetoric are counterproductive.

"No, No, No, OO, inflation is GOOD, High Taxes are GOOD, helps with "climate change", we don't need no stinkin' rich people spending money expanding businesses, don't they have enough already?" So sayeth the Leftists, Globalist, Communist liars from the Demokkratic Party in Amerika! (and they publik skewl edumakated sheeple agreeze while they stare at phones and facebooks, hence Former Vice prezidon't Biden*)