I'm guessing this one's the local union steward

Nobody said anything about them being buddies except you. But, you can't beat corporations into the ground, and expect that it's good for the country. Figuring out what the best tax rate is to get corporations to provide the most jobs and products, and have the best GNP possible is an example of what was meant. Government can work with business, but must always have the final say.

I'd be fine with it if it were automated. But if it requires more government workers, I'm generally opposed. I've been around enough government slugs to know that most of them are just glorified welfare recipients.

I'm with the parent on this, graduating 8 yrs earlier, learning metric in Detroit public schools. If your schools were worse than Detroit's, you really should get a refund of your tax dollars.

If you can't do the conversion in your head, you need to turn in your geek card.

Are you familiar with the difference between hourly and salaried employees? Professionals aren't clock watchers. There are plenty of laws on the books to cover this.

Pro tip 2: Always ask for more than you really are willing to accept. Just don't overdo it, or you may be seen as having unrealistic expectations.

How did that work out for Eric Holder and Lois Lerner, both of whom have been found in contempt?

That worked well for them when they got the answers they wanted, right? Yeah, they got answers, and the companies played the game of telling them what they felt like. Yes, they can be "forced" to reply, but they didn't have to give the correct/accurate/truthful answer.

Fascism requires an authoritarian government. I wasn't in any way suggesting that. And, I also didn't suggest Corporatism.

I think we're pretty much in agreement. I'd like to add that in order to get to the desired state, we'll have to simplify the tax code. It could be flat or tiered for income, and profit levels...I don't care. But that would help remove the huge money wasting bureaucracy that the IRS has become, along with a few million lobbyists, CPAs, and tax attorneys, all of whom produce nothing useful.

Damnit, I should have read the comments before posting about the aqueduct.

Maybe California can make an aqueduct.

I'd take the position that what is best for any nation is more of a symbiotic relationship with corporations. This is because while the nation provides the benefits you stated, that nation couldn't do so without the support of corporations...products and jobs. The determination of a "fair" taxation rate will never end, but it should be based upon what is best for the nation as a whole...what rate provides the most jobs, GNP, etc., and makes us the most competitive globally.

It's either legal, or it's not. If it's not illegal, calling it abuse is inaccurate.