Symbolism is everything in the first months.
Sure, the Carrier deal does not, in objective terms, make any fiscal sense at all, as it was a combination of bribes and arm-twisting (carrot and stick) that propelled the deal. But because the right tools are not in place (lowered tax rates and lifting of onerous but meaningless regulatory burdens), only incentives in the short term and threats of financial chastisement if the move is actually completed, forced the reconsideration.
Crony capitalism? Well, it would be, if the persons compelling the deal were in a position to actually PROFIT from the proceeds. But the incentives offered so far are supposedly to be a direct boost to the persons actually affected, not an under-the-table kickback to the people demanding the deal be carried out. And people actually NEED air conditioners, while something like the Solyndra solar power scam, producing only marginally useful products, was an out-and-out diversion of US Treasury funds into an unworkable business plan, but greatly rewarding the “investors”.
"while something like the Solyndra solar power scam, producing only marginally useful products, was an out-and-out diversion of US Treasury funds into an unworkable business plan, but greatly rewarding the “investors”."
Hard to disagree with anything in your post.
Your Solyndra example is right on the mark. Solyndra vs Carrier is Apples to Oranges. Not even in the same league. Trump's motivation was to save jobs. Obama's motivation was to pay off his friends and impress his naive greenie supporters.
Do some bookkeeping here—
Give up $700,000 a year in Indiana taxes.
GET $35,000,000 ++ in gross payroll, Federal Income taxes—State income taxes—and net payroll being spent in the community. Mortgages—cars—schools—groceries—insurance—entertainment—vacations—repairs & maintenance.
If I promised to give you $2.5 million dollars if you gave me $700,000—you would jump for it.
Also- those 1000 people won’t be getting unemployment money & certain kinds of welfare—
Think a company doesn’t mean anything to a town?
Ask the population of Newton, Iowa what happened to that town when Whirlpool bought out Maytag & CLOSED the plant.
Can you list the bribes that Trump offered for us?