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Jeffrey Immelt, the jobs czar from hell
San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 4/5/11 | Debra J. Saunders

Posted on 04/05/2011 7:55:53 AM PDT by SmithL

The New York Times reported last month that General Electric earned $14.2 billion in international profits, including, $5.1 billion in the United States. Yet GE did not pay a dime in federal income taxes last year. Oddly, President Obama chose GE Chairman and Chief Executive Jeffrey Immelt to head his President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness.

According to the Associated Press, Immelt's compensation package doubled to $15.2 million last year, while this year GE is seeking major concessions from the unions that represent its shrinking American workforce. That makes Immelt the wrong guy for the job of jobs czar.

Or as former Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold wrote, "Someone like Immelt, who has helped his company evade taxes on its huge profits - and is now looking to workers to take major pay cuts after his compensation was doubled - should not lead the administration's effort to create jobs."

No lie.

After all, what kind of economic advice can Immelt give?

Probably advice like this:

Don't push for lower corporate tax rates. Reformers want Washington to lower the U.S. corporate tax rate of 35 percent, so that America can compete with low-tax countries like Ireland and Singapore, where GE offshored significant profits. Immelt says corporate tax reform "deserves a healthy debate," but he knows the big money is in loopholes.

Hire an army of tax lawyers. GE's tax department has 975 employees - and make no mistake, they contribute to the economy.

Never stint on lobbyists. In the past decade, GE spent more than $200 million on lobbyists, many of them tax-law specialists. Remember, the best way to play by the rules is to ghostwrite them.

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: inmelt; jobsczar

1 posted on 04/05/2011 7:55:59 AM PDT by SmithL
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To: SmithL

Yes,he’s the job czar-for India!


2 posted on 04/05/2011 7:57:57 AM PDT by Dr. Ursus
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To: SmithL

tax lawyers don’t contribute to the economy


3 posted on 04/05/2011 8:02:17 AM PDT by 4rcane
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To: SmithL

Wonder what Joe “PLUGS” “CHOPPERS” Biden thinks about GE not paying any taxes... since according to Good ol’ CHOPPERS, paying taxes is the patriotic thing to do.


4 posted on 04/05/2011 8:05:56 AM PDT by Trajan88 (www.bullittclub.com)
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To: SmithL

Bill the Ego hates Immelt. But did he slam obama about him? Bill O the Ego is the same person as Bill O the O-boot licker.


5 posted on 04/05/2011 8:10:12 AM PDT by Terry Mross (Only a SECOND party will get my vote.)
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To: SmithL

Why is no one running clips of Obama’s comments about not being elected to take care of the “fat cats”, or sometimes “enough money is enough”?


6 posted on 04/05/2011 8:33:53 AM PDT by Spok
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To: SmithL

Because Soros said so!


7 posted on 04/05/2011 8:52:41 AM PDT by Portcall24
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To: SmithL

Big money is in loopholes and the democrats are going to keep it that way,kick backs would end if they don’t keep them.


8 posted on 04/05/2011 9:01:31 AM PDT by Vaduz
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To: SmithL

Think of all the jobs businesses could create if they didn’t have to pay any federal taxes. I’m all for this, although I sold my GE stock when they were doing business with Iran.


9 posted on 04/05/2011 9:26:56 AM PDT by bballbob
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To: SmithL
On a related note....

GE CEO says will help Japan nuclear plant operator supply power

10 posted on 04/05/2011 9:30:10 AM PDT by mewzilla (Were members of both political parties in on the Lockerbie bomber deal?)
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To: SmithL

The irony reeks of Obama


11 posted on 04/05/2011 9:43:12 AM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed .. Monthly Donor Onboard .. Obama: Epic Fail or Bust!!!)
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To: Dr. Ursus

And it looks like for Brazil!!


12 posted on 04/05/2011 10:22:58 AM PDT by orinoco
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