Will They Let Me Have a Piece of the Pie?

July 27, 2023

 

Boeing wants a huge tax break for expanding its business and making money for itself. Oh, they project big profits for the area, but we all know how that works: Projections are based on best-case scenarios, and never seem to include cost overruns during expansion.

 

For years, employees everywhere heard, “Times are hard, so we can’t give you a raise this year, but hang in there.” When are shareholders going to hear, “We’re using the profits to expand the business, so your returns may be lighter this year, but hang in there—it’ll be worth it in the end.”?

 

Any tax breaks granted to any company should be accompanied by a contract guaranteeing that the jobs promised will pay at least mid-range salaries, that they will increase with the cost of living, and that the company will stay for 20 years after the tax breaks have expired. In other words, workers will make a living wage, and the company won’t scoop up the money, then run.*

 

However, should Boeing fund a pet project of mine that is guaranteed to bring me a nice profit, I may change my mind. Have their people call mine.

 

 

*If you’ve been reading since 2015, you’ll know I’ve said this before.