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(Spiegel) Obvious Turns out some US companies actually like socialism - but only in other countries and if they can abuse the system to make a quick $   (spiegel.de) divider line 45
More: Obvious, North Rhine-Westphalia, EUR.1, Amazon, temporary workers, social democrats, distribution center, washing machines  
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2149 clicks; posted to Business » on 28 Nov 2011 at 4:14 PM   |  Favorite    |   share:  Share on Twitter share via Email Share on Facebook   more»   |    Get this fabulous T-Shirt and impress the methane out of your friends! shirt it!



45 Comments   (+0 »)
   
 
2011-11-28 02:28:54 PM
Sure, other countries. Right.

www.laprogressive.com
 
2011-11-28 02:46:55 PM
They like to privatize the profits and socialize the risks.
 
vpb [TotalFark]
2011-11-28 02:51:57 PM
They like socialism here as long is it is for them and not us.
 
2011-11-28 02:57:03 PM
NutWrench: They like to privatize the profits and socialize the risks.

NutWrench: They like to privatize the profits and socialize the risks.

NutWrench: They like to privatize the profits and socialize the risks.

NutWrench: They like to privatize the profits and socialize the risks.

NutWrench: They like to privatize the profits and socialize the risks.

NutWrench: They like to privatize the profits and socialize the risks.

NutWrench: They like to privatize the profits and socialize the risks.

NutWrench: They like to privatize the profits and socialize the risks.

NutWrench: They like to privatize the profits and socialize the risks.
 
2011-11-28 03:50:34 PM
This just in, companies like making money.

Next up, water is wet, and our weather forecast has the sen setting in the west. . ..
 
2011-11-28 04:16:45 PM
And who said Marx was wrong when he pointed out that capital tends to control government and not the other way around?
 
2011-11-28 04:27:15 PM
coco ebert: And who said Marx was wrong when he pointed out that capital tends to control government and not the other way around?

Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly...
 
2011-11-28 04:35:53 PM
BroVinny: This just in, companies like making money.

And that certainly justifies all manner of shady practices.
 
2011-11-28 04:41:08 PM
CygnusDarius: coco ebert: And who said Marx was wrong when he pointed out that capital tends to control government and not the other way around?

Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly...


Capital tends to control those folks too.
 
2011-11-28 04:41:38 PM
can we just stop kidding ourselves, and adopt our new symbol already?

1bi.us
 
2011-11-28 04:42:04 PM
HotWingConspiracy: And that certainly justifies all manner of shady practices.

No, not at all. It just doesn't register as surprise when I hear report of shady practices in play. Almost like hearing about yet another pedophile priest. Prosecute both the companies and the priests to the fullest extent of the law.
 
2011-11-28 04:42:22 PM
HotWingConspiracy: BroVinny: This just in, companies like making money.

And that certainly justifies all manner of shady practices.


They are creating on the order of 1.5 jobs per person, you can't argue with those results! Plus they are making doubly and trebaly sure the person is trained to move the boxes and affix the labels, so your order gets shipped right and on time.

/How the hell did no one see this coming??
 
2011-11-28 04:42:41 PM
Man On Fire: can we just stop kidding ourselves, and adopt our new symbol already?

[1bi.us image 288x292]


The Cash Cow
 
2011-11-28 04:56:18 PM
HotWingConspiracy: BroVinny: This just in, companies like making money.

And that certainly justifies all manner of shady practices.


Shady, but apparently legal. Technically speaking, there isn't a problem. There is an ethical issue, but if you're not violating any laws....
 
2011-11-28 04:56:35 PM
This is nothing new. Welfare has always been fine and dandy as long as it is going to the rich and powerful. It's only when the dirty poors get a government handout that it becomes evil socialism.
 
2011-11-28 05:26:44 PM
I know I am breaking 1% dogma here, but just so you all know the reason we need so much money is that we're trying to save all your ignorant asses for 2012. Yeah yeah, we know the date isn't exact but there is something big coming and our greed is what is going to fund the thing we need to save us all. So it's not about us having private jets and drinking 100 year old scotch. The mother farking aliens are coming and our army of robots is the only thing that's gonna keep em from slinging giant moon comets at us. And none of you idiots have the damn will power to save enough money for farking food half the time let alone 10 years worth of crystal technology powered glass machines. So just shut the hell up already and keep buying your different plastic mold objects. We need those as our back up plan.
 
2011-11-28 05:33:44 PM
Evil Kirk vs Bad Ash: I know I am breaking 1% dogma here, but just so you all know the reason we need so much money is that we're trying to save all your ignorant asses for 2012. Yeah yeah, we know the date isn't exact but there is something big coming and our greed is what is going to fund the thing we need to save us all. So it's not about us having private jets and drinking 100 year old scotch. The mother farking aliens are coming and our army of robots is the only thing that's gonna keep em from slinging giant moon comets at us. And none of you idiots have the damn will power to save enough money for farking food half the time let alone 10 years worth of crystal technology powered glass machines. So just shut the hell up already and keep buying your different plastic mold objects. We need those as our back up plan.

I read this in Denis Leary's voice. Thought you might like to know.
 
2011-11-28 05:35:39 PM
If they made triple the money by cheating the system, fine them quadruple.
This "It's technically not illegal" stuff has to farking stop. Business is "make and sell a product or service", not "see what we can get past the regulators."
Hope Germany cracks down. The US would also do well to severely inhibit the rights of corporations. The government has a constitution that limits what it's allowed to do, not what it's not allowed to do. So should it be the same for the corporation.
 
2011-11-28 05:54:41 PM
Free money is always popular.

Finding a way to pay for it all often isn't*.

*the exception seems to be: pass the buck to the next generation and let's max out our credit cards before we die.
 
2011-11-28 06:00:28 PM
Sergeant Grumbles: If they made triple the money by cheating the system, fine them quadruple.
This "It's technically not illegal" stuff has to farking stop. Business is "make and sell a product or service", not "see what we can get past the regulators."
Hope Germany cracks down. The US would also do well to severely inhibit the rights of corporations. The government has a constitution that limits what it's allowed to do, not what it's not allowed to do. So should it be the same for the corporation.


Sounds like the used the system in a legal, albeit sneaky, manner. And from the looks of it this was a fairly obvious loophole to exploit.

You can't penalize companies for following the laws you write but in ways you never intended. Laws aren't general advice, they're very strict instructions; do this and that will happen to you. That's why something simple like "don't litter" may take 100+ pages to codify. If the government left open a loophole it's fairgame. Penalizing people for following the law but not in a way you'd like is opening up a crazy can of worms that you really aren't going to like.
 
2011-11-28 06:15:14 PM
Amazon treating its workers like crap?

Someone call Rick Romero.

/although, one could also blame the staffing agency for getting employees hopes up
 
2011-11-28 06:15:43 PM
I'm pretty sure they are trying to make a quick €, subby.
 
2011-11-28 06:25:40 PM
Sergeant Grumbles: If they made triple the money by cheating the system, fine them quadruple.
This "It's technically not illegal" stuff has to farking stop. Business is "make and sell a product or service", not "see what we can get past the regulators."
Hope Germany cracks down. The US would also do well to severely inhibit the rights of corporations. The government has a constitution that limits what it's allowed to do, not what it's not allowed to do. So should it be the same for the corporation.


In other words, screw the law, courts, and that 'due process' stuff, we'll just let bureaucrats decide on their own if you've done something wrong and make up whatever penalty they see fit. I'm glad you're not in charge, although enough people who think like you seem to be.
 
2011-11-28 06:25:59 PM
BroVinny: No, not at all. It just doesn't register as surprise when I hear report of shady practices in play. Almost like hearing about yet another pedophile priest. Prosecute both the companies and the priests to the fullest extent of the law.

Funny how that just doesn't happen. It's almost like these corporations breaking the law have enough money to deal their way out of consequences. I don't know how the Vatican gets away with it though. They're just a church and couldn't possibly have enough money to...never mind.
 
2011-11-28 06:54:19 PM
jjorsett: In other words, screw the law

The corporations, who are in charge, utter that at the start of every transaction.

This isn't a farking case of tax avoidance, or incorporating in another state, or some other creative bookkeeping. It's outright theft. Ignores the in-good-faith spirit of the law to profit from the letter of the law. Amazon shouldn't get a free pass because the German government forgot to cross that particular T. There is no excuse for abuse of the law.
 
2011-11-28 07:14:15 PM
As a former seasonal Amazon employee who was "let go" the first workday after Christmas I will say the schadenfreude is delicious. Don't remind the Germans that books burn or something untoward may occur
 
2011-11-28 07:36:40 PM
Evil Kirk vs Bad Ash: I know I am breaking 1% dogma here, but just so you all know the reason we need so much money is that we're trying to save all your ignorant asses for 2012. Yeah yeah, we know the date isn't exact but there is something big coming and our greed is what is going to fund the thing we need to save us all. So it's not about us having private jets and drinking 100 year old scotch. The mother farking aliens are coming and our army of robots is the only thing that's gonna keep em from slinging giant moon comets at us. And none of you idiots have the damn will power to save enough money for farking food half the time let alone 10 years worth of crystal technology powered glass machines. So just shut the hell up already and keep buying your different plastic mold objects. We need those as our back up plan.

Your newsletter, subscription etc..
 
2011-11-28 07:48:25 PM
I know a company that does not hire US citizens anymore, but has opened offices in Canada and Sweden so they don't have to pay for employee health care plans.
 
2011-11-28 08:06:41 PM
Contents Under Pressure: I know a company that does not hire US citizens anymore, but has opened offices in Canada and Sweden so they don't have to pay for employee health care plans.

But... but... but... SOCIALISM!!!111
 
2011-11-28 08:08:39 PM
Another George Soros thread?
 
2011-11-28 08:40:19 PM
jjorsett: Sergeant Grumbles: If they made triple the money by cheating the system, fine them quadruple.
This "It's technically not illegal" stuff has to farking stop. Business is "make and sell a product or service", not "see what we can get past the regulators."
Hope Germany cracks down. The US would also do well to severely inhibit the rights of corporations. The government has a constitution that limits what it's allowed to do, not what it's not allowed to do. So should it be the same for the corporation.

In other words, screw the law, courts, and that 'due process' stuff, we'll just let bureaucrats decide on their own if you've done something wrong and make up whatever penalty they see fit. I'm glad you're not in charge, although enough people who think like you seem to be.


The government literally creates corporations. They wouldn't exist without the buisiness organization code. the agencies that they file under, and the tax code. It is MUCH easier to provide oversite for corporations than it is the government. What I mean to say is that the constitution is the broad, ambiguous document and the laws forming corporations (and other business entities) are the long drawn out limitations of power and rights.
 
2011-11-28 09:49:05 PM
Man On Fire: can we just stop kidding ourselves, and adopt our new symbol already?

[1bi.us image 288x292]


Already have:


farm1.staticflickr.com
 
2011-11-28 09:57:23 PM
NutWrench: They like to privatize the profits and socialize the risks.

4.bp.blogspot.com
 
2011-11-28 11:18:30 PM
Those Chinese investments are tax-deductible. Booyah General Electric.

Apply 9-9-9 to GE and you'll be as farked as Herman's FWBs.
 
2011-11-29 12:10:38 AM
GaryPDX: Another George Soros thread?

DRINK!
 
2011-11-29 12:11:11 AM
Strangely enough the commiest companies in America are Goldman Sachs and their ilk.

There's no company or corporation or business in the world that has a communal pay scale as socialistic as the big investment banks. The profit sharing arrangements of even the big tech companies pale in comparison to the rainmaking that goes on within the trading desks of Goldman Sachs.

/frkking commies
 
2011-11-29 12:40:36 AM
They like it because said businesses can operate with a pliant pool of labor, and not have to worry much about labor-related disputes. When a country allows too much freedom to the least of its people, it's considered "too high cost" and work is sent to another less free nation.

See China for an example. They aren't really moving outside of communism except for bread and circuses type measures - the lack of freedom still exists for those of non-favored families.
 
2011-11-29 12:40:48 AM
plcow: The government literally creates corporations. They wouldn't exist without the buisiness organization code.

The mob is a goddamn corporation. No legal government mechanisms required.
 
2011-11-29 01:05:59 AM
watson.t.hamster: That's why something simple like "don't litter" may take 100+ pages to codify.

No, "don't litter" takes 100+ pages because of all the loopholes. A typical law on the books looks like this:

"Don't litter, except..." with 100 pages after "except".

If it was only "don't litter" it would be far simpler and more difficult for loopholers to wiggle their way around.
 
2011-11-29 03:01:31 AM
sethstorm: They like it because said businesses can operate with a pliant pool of labor, and not have to worry much about labor-related disputes. When a country allows too much freedom to the least of its people, it's considered "too high cost" and work is sent to another less free nation.

See China for an example. They aren't really moving outside of communism except for bread and circuses type measures - the lack of freedom still exists for those of non-favored families.


The solution to this problem is to stop allowing imports from these countries. Companies can't go with the low cost countries if they can't find places to sell the goods in the first place.
 
2011-11-29 05:50:07 AM
COMALite J: ScreamingHangover: Man On Fire: can we just stop kidding ourselves, and adopt our new symbol already?

[1bi.us image 288x292]

Already have:


[farm1.staticflickr.com image 500x441]

And Christians actually prayed to it not so long ago:
[www.homepagedaily.com image 470x351]
(Because, y'know, the LORD God took it so well the last time people who claimed to be His worshipers prayed to a yellowish metallic statue of a bovine.)


llwproductions.files.wordpress.com
 
2011-11-29 07:41:21 AM
Sergeant Grumbles: If they made triple the money by cheating the system, fine them quadruple.
This "It's technically not illegal" stuff has to farking stop. Business is "make and sell a product or service", not "see what we can get past the regulators."
Hope Germany cracks down. The US would also do well to severely inhibit the rights of corporations. The government has a constitution that limits what it's allowed to do, not what it's not allowed to do. So should it be the same for the corporation.


The GOP has gone so far down their own sphincter with their "EVILLE GUMMNT REGALASHUNS!!" dogma that you have the frontrunner for their presidential
nomination unironically proposing that we start tossing out laws against child labor.

You think that these people would ever consider cracking down on corporate personhood?
 
2011-11-29 09:01:24 AM
plcow: jjorsett: Sergeant Grumbles: If they made triple the money by cheating the system, fine them quadruple.
This "It's technically not illegal" stuff has to farking stop. Business is "make and sell a product or service", not "see what we can get past the regulators."
Hope Germany cracks down. The US would also do well to severely inhibit the rights of corporations. The government has a constitution that limits what it's allowed to do, not what it's not allowed to do. So should it be the same for the corporation.

In other words, screw the law, courts, and that 'due process' stuff, we'll just let bureaucrats decide on their own if you've done something wrong and make up whatever penalty they see fit. I'm glad you're not in charge, although enough people who think like you seem to be.

The government literally creates corporations. They wouldn't exist without the buisiness organization code. the agencies that they file under, and the tax code. It is MUCH easier to provide oversite for corporations than it is the government. What I mean to say is that the constitution is the broad, ambiguous document and the laws forming corporations (and other business entities) are the long drawn out limitations of power and rights.


You aren't going to educate Jorsett - he learned everything he knows about politics from Rush&Glenn, and thinks corporations sprang from the loins of Jesus or something. You're wasting your time, which would be better spent attempting to communicate with a tree stump.
 
2011-11-29 01:01:36 PM
jjorsett: In other words, screw the law, courts, and that 'due process' stuff, we'll just let bureaucrats decide on their own if you've done something wrong and make up whatever penalty they see fit. I'm glad you're not in charge, although enough people who think like you seem to be.

If your company can't describe what it does in 1 sentence it's farking illegal.

/Lewis Black
 
2011-11-30 05:11:11 AM
Contents Under Pressure: I know a company that does not hire US citizens anymore, but has opened offices in Canada and Sweden so they don't have to pay for employee health care plans.

No you don't.

As for the article, the same happens in Sweden. Temp agencies are dicey enough in the US, but in Sweden (and the EU in general) they're little more than a way to take advantage of State benefits for getting the unemployed back to work.
 
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