<article>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#article10_02_15_1957205</id>
	<title>Microsoft To Get $100M Annual Tax Cut and Amnesty</title>
	<author>ScuttleMonkey</author>
	<datestamp>1266224400000</datestamp>
	<htmltext>reifman writes <i>"Despite a $2.8 billion deficit, Washington State's House Bill 3176 would provide Microsoft with an effective <a href="http://microsofttaxdodge.com/2010/02/washington-state-about-to-give-microsoft-a-100-million-tax-cut-annually.html">$100 million tax cut annually</a> and possible amnesty on its $1.27 billion Nevada tax maneuverings. Under current law, all of Microsoft's worldwide licensing revenues of approximately $20.7 billion annually are taxable at .484 percent. Under the new law, only the portion of software licenses sold to Washington state customers would be taxable. Ironically, after slashing Microsoft's tax burden, HB3176 directs the Department of Revenue to crack down on 'abusive tax transactions' like those in Nevada &mdash; except for a loophole that may provide Microsoft amnesty on its twelve year practice. The bill's lead sponsor is Ross Hunter of Medina, home to Bill Gates and a number of current and former Microsoft billionaires and multi-millionaires, and other areas around Microsoft's corporate campus."</i></htmltext>
<tokenext>reifman writes " Despite a $ 2.8 billion deficit , Washington State 's House Bill 3176 would provide Microsoft with an effective $ 100 million tax cut annually and possible amnesty on its $ 1.27 billion Nevada tax maneuverings .
Under current law , all of Microsoft 's worldwide licensing revenues of approximately $ 20.7 billion annually are taxable at .484 percent .
Under the new law , only the portion of software licenses sold to Washington state customers would be taxable .
Ironically , after slashing Microsoft 's tax burden , HB3176 directs the Department of Revenue to crack down on 'abusive tax transactions ' like those in Nevada    except for a loophole that may provide Microsoft amnesty on its twelve year practice .
The bill 's lead sponsor is Ross Hunter of Medina , home to Bill Gates and a number of current and former Microsoft billionaires and multi-millionaires , and other areas around Microsoft 's corporate campus .
"</tokentext>
<sentencetext>reifman writes "Despite a $2.8 billion deficit, Washington State's House Bill 3176 would provide Microsoft with an effective $100 million tax cut annually and possible amnesty on its $1.27 billion Nevada tax maneuverings.
Under current law, all of Microsoft's worldwide licensing revenues of approximately $20.7 billion annually are taxable at .484 percent.
Under the new law, only the portion of software licenses sold to Washington state customers would be taxable.
Ironically, after slashing Microsoft's tax burden, HB3176 directs the Department of Revenue to crack down on 'abusive tax transactions' like those in Nevada — except for a loophole that may provide Microsoft amnesty on its twelve year practice.
The bill's lead sponsor is Ross Hunter of Medina, home to Bill Gates and a number of current and former Microsoft billionaires and multi-millionaires, and other areas around Microsoft's corporate campus.
"</sentencetext>
</article>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31152710</id>
	<title>PSA</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1266261360000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>We are the state of Washington and we would like all the tech companies to know this important fact:</p><p>We swallow.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>We are the state of Washington and we would like all the tech companies to know this important fact : We swallow .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>We are the state of Washington and we would like all the tech companies to know this important fact:We swallow.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148782</id>
	<title>Just Like Google?</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1266229440000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Flamebait</modclass>
	<modscore>-1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>http://www.prlog.org/10491956-internet-marketing-ireland-news-the-google-tax-dodge.html</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>http : //www.prlog.org/10491956-internet-marketing-ireland-news-the-google-tax-dodge.html</tokentext>
<sentencetext>http://www.prlog.org/10491956-internet-marketing-ireland-news-the-google-tax-dodge.html</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31151182</id>
	<title>Re:i dont see any problem</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1266244500000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>"if you don't like capitalism and the way politics work in america, then take your bloody liberal ass somewhere else and stop bitching."</p><p>"The people have spoken, and basically they're all pussies that just want the government to take care of them."</p><p>Putting those 2 together it sounds like *you* should be the one leaving.</p><p>asshole</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>" if you do n't like capitalism and the way politics work in america , then take your bloody liberal ass somewhere else and stop bitching .
" " The people have spoken , and basically they 're all pussies that just want the government to take care of them .
" Putting those 2 together it sounds like * you * should be the one leaving.asshole</tokentext>
<sentencetext>"if you don't like capitalism and the way politics work in america, then take your bloody liberal ass somewhere else and stop bitching.
""The people have spoken, and basically they're all pussies that just want the government to take care of them.
"Putting those 2 together it sounds like *you* should be the one leaving.asshole</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148716</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148864</id>
	<title>Free market? Democracy?</title>
	<author>RobVB</author>
	<datestamp>1266229860000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Where are your ideals now, America?</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Where are your ideals now , America ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Where are your ideals now, America?</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31150014</id>
	<title>Re:Geese and golden eggs</title>
	<author>10101001 10101001</author>
	<datestamp>1266235320000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><blockquote><div><p>The state of Washington is not $2.8 billion in debt because corporate taxes are too low or because Microsoft makes too much money. The state government is in debt because they insist on spending vastly more money than they actually have available.</p></div></blockquote><p>No one has claimed Microsoft makes too much money.  Corporate taxes should not be raised currently because that's bad for the recession.  The state government is in debt in part because of the recession, in part because virtually no state is well structured to continue taking in sufficient taxes for programs during a recession, in part because tax payers are unwilling to create a "recession fund" in the event of a recession, and in part because politicians are unwilling to leave alone a "recession fund" seeing as it'd amount to a large amount of money that could be abused for their own political objectives.</p><p>Acknowledging all the that, the seeming best course of action would seem to be to cut spending in the short term, have the federal government borrow money to pay for the budget short falls in the short term (they already did that for last year, although it didn't cover all of the budget short falls), having the federal government pay off the effective loan to the states with higher taxes after the recession, and for people to acknowledge that the federal governments powerful ability to borrow money for the whole of the United States is a valuable asset and not simply a huge deficit crisis* (although there is one already, but then that's based heavily on absurd federal level politicians (Democrats and Republicans) who were unwilling to raise taxes in good economic times to actually start paying off the national debt and significantly cut spending (both entitlements and military spending)).</p><p>In short, it's been a cluster fuck of tax payers unwilling to pay higher taxes and their elected representatives who will keep raising their spending anyways.  All-in-all, I'd say the problem is the citizens.</p><p>*This is something Alexander Hamilton (and presumably others before him) realized.  For all the complaints about China owning so much of the US's debt, they're clearly now even more committed in the United States succeeding so the US may pay off that debt in the future.</p></div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>The state of Washington is not $ 2.8 billion in debt because corporate taxes are too low or because Microsoft makes too much money .
The state government is in debt because they insist on spending vastly more money than they actually have available.No one has claimed Microsoft makes too much money .
Corporate taxes should not be raised currently because that 's bad for the recession .
The state government is in debt in part because of the recession , in part because virtually no state is well structured to continue taking in sufficient taxes for programs during a recession , in part because tax payers are unwilling to create a " recession fund " in the event of a recession , and in part because politicians are unwilling to leave alone a " recession fund " seeing as it 'd amount to a large amount of money that could be abused for their own political objectives.Acknowledging all the that , the seeming best course of action would seem to be to cut spending in the short term , have the federal government borrow money to pay for the budget short falls in the short term ( they already did that for last year , although it did n't cover all of the budget short falls ) , having the federal government pay off the effective loan to the states with higher taxes after the recession , and for people to acknowledge that the federal governments powerful ability to borrow money for the whole of the United States is a valuable asset and not simply a huge deficit crisis * ( although there is one already , but then that 's based heavily on absurd federal level politicians ( Democrats and Republicans ) who were unwilling to raise taxes in good economic times to actually start paying off the national debt and significantly cut spending ( both entitlements and military spending ) ) .In short , it 's been a cluster fuck of tax payers unwilling to pay higher taxes and their elected representatives who will keep raising their spending anyways .
All-in-all , I 'd say the problem is the citizens .
* This is something Alexander Hamilton ( and presumably others before him ) realized .
For all the complaints about China owning so much of the US 's debt , they 're clearly now even more committed in the United States succeeding so the US may pay off that debt in the future .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The state of Washington is not $2.8 billion in debt because corporate taxes are too low or because Microsoft makes too much money.
The state government is in debt because they insist on spending vastly more money than they actually have available.No one has claimed Microsoft makes too much money.
Corporate taxes should not be raised currently because that's bad for the recession.
The state government is in debt in part because of the recession, in part because virtually no state is well structured to continue taking in sufficient taxes for programs during a recession, in part because tax payers are unwilling to create a "recession fund" in the event of a recession, and in part because politicians are unwilling to leave alone a "recession fund" seeing as it'd amount to a large amount of money that could be abused for their own political objectives.Acknowledging all the that, the seeming best course of action would seem to be to cut spending in the short term, have the federal government borrow money to pay for the budget short falls in the short term (they already did that for last year, although it didn't cover all of the budget short falls), having the federal government pay off the effective loan to the states with higher taxes after the recession, and for people to acknowledge that the federal governments powerful ability to borrow money for the whole of the United States is a valuable asset and not simply a huge deficit crisis* (although there is one already, but then that's based heavily on absurd federal level politicians (Democrats and Republicans) who were unwilling to raise taxes in good economic times to actually start paying off the national debt and significantly cut spending (both entitlements and military spending)).In short, it's been a cluster fuck of tax payers unwilling to pay higher taxes and their elected representatives who will keep raising their spending anyways.
All-in-all, I'd say the problem is the citizens.
*This is something Alexander Hamilton (and presumably others before him) realized.
For all the complaints about China owning so much of the US's debt, they're clearly now even more committed in the United States succeeding so the US may pay off that debt in the future.
	</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148866</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31152612</id>
	<title>wait, what?</title>
	<author>Nyder</author>
	<datestamp>1266260280000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Let me get this correct.</p><p>MS is a huge ass company, and it's making money, so it gets a tax break?</p><p>Oil companies, during a time with demand for oil was high, and it seem the oil in the market was low, breaks in record profits, and nothing happens.</p><p>Banks do bad, lose everyones money, and gets bailed out.   (I like it this way:  The banks parents said we are going out of town, don't have a party, and your watching yourself for the next 2 days.  parents come home to a burnt down house, kids get a new car.   Or my favorite:  Junkie spends rent on drugs, and you give the junkie more rent money)</p><p>k, i'm not like an expert in most anything, but common sense tells me this is called our goverment is enabling corporations to be not responsible.</p><p>Granted I can't stand MS, so maybe everything i say about them is biased, but since I live in Washington State, and MS, who is based here, has their corporation out of arizona or somewhere too hot for me to like, so they don't even pay taxes to our state like they should.</p><p>The problem is, we have a very irresponsible government, and it's getting time that we, the people, punish it.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Let me get this correct.MS is a huge ass company , and it 's making money , so it gets a tax break ? Oil companies , during a time with demand for oil was high , and it seem the oil in the market was low , breaks in record profits , and nothing happens.Banks do bad , lose everyones money , and gets bailed out .
( I like it this way : The banks parents said we are going out of town , do n't have a party , and your watching yourself for the next 2 days .
parents come home to a burnt down house , kids get a new car .
Or my favorite : Junkie spends rent on drugs , and you give the junkie more rent money ) k , i 'm not like an expert in most anything , but common sense tells me this is called our goverment is enabling corporations to be not responsible.Granted I ca n't stand MS , so maybe everything i say about them is biased , but since I live in Washington State , and MS , who is based here , has their corporation out of arizona or somewhere too hot for me to like , so they do n't even pay taxes to our state like they should.The problem is , we have a very irresponsible government , and it 's getting time that we , the people , punish it .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Let me get this correct.MS is a huge ass company, and it's making money, so it gets a tax break?Oil companies, during a time with demand for oil was high, and it seem the oil in the market was low, breaks in record profits, and nothing happens.Banks do bad, lose everyones money, and gets bailed out.
(I like it this way:  The banks parents said we are going out of town, don't have a party, and your watching yourself for the next 2 days.
parents come home to a burnt down house, kids get a new car.
Or my favorite:  Junkie spends rent on drugs, and you give the junkie more rent money)k, i'm not like an expert in most anything, but common sense tells me this is called our goverment is enabling corporations to be not responsible.Granted I can't stand MS, so maybe everything i say about them is biased, but since I live in Washington State, and MS, who is based here, has their corporation out of arizona or somewhere too hot for me to like, so they don't even pay taxes to our state like they should.The problem is, we have a very irresponsible government, and it's getting time that we, the people, punish it.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31149148</id>
	<title>Re:This really doesn't horrify me that much.</title>
	<author>Locke2005</author>
	<datestamp>1266231420000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Right... and if his district was chock full of pedophiles, then it would basically be his job to propose legislation lowering the age of consent to 2, right? Yes, if the system works, the rest of Washington state's congresscritters SHOULD tell him to <a href="http://www.dourish.com/goodies/see-figure-1.html" title="dourish.com">see figure 1</a> [dourish.com]</htmltext>
<tokenext>Right... and if his district was chock full of pedophiles , then it would basically be his job to propose legislation lowering the age of consent to 2 , right ?
Yes , if the system works , the rest of Washington state 's congresscritters SHOULD tell him to see figure 1 [ dourish.com ]</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Right... and if his district was chock full of pedophiles, then it would basically be his job to propose legislation lowering the age of consent to 2, right?
Yes, if the system works, the rest of Washington state's congresscritters SHOULD tell him to see figure 1 [dourish.com]</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148780</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148780</id>
	<title>This really doesn't horrify me that much.</title>
	<author>Mongoose Disciple</author>
	<datestamp>1266229380000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Insightful</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I mean, if the summary is right that this dude's district is chock full of Microsoft people, isn't it basically his job to propose legislation that his constituents favor?</p><p>Now, if the rest of the state's representatives actually go along with it, you have a different story.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I mean , if the summary is right that this dude 's district is chock full of Microsoft people , is n't it basically his job to propose legislation that his constituents favor ? Now , if the rest of the state 's representatives actually go along with it , you have a different story .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I mean, if the summary is right that this dude's district is chock full of Microsoft people, isn't it basically his job to propose legislation that his constituents favor?Now, if the rest of the state's representatives actually go along with it, you have a different story.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31149012</id>
	<title>Campaign contributions ruling</title>
	<author>plopez</author>
	<datestamp>1266230700000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Now that the US SCOTUS has removed all barriers to corporate campaign contributions, kiss what few rights you had left goodbye. Look for huge amounts of funds funneled into campaigns in the next few months.</p><p>There is a move to limit contributions by:<br>1) Gov't contractors including military contractors,<br>2) TARP recipients,<br>3) Corporations with foreign money invested in them,<br>TARP and other gov't bailout recipients.</p><p>But we need to hurry.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Now that the US SCOTUS has removed all barriers to corporate campaign contributions , kiss what few rights you had left goodbye .
Look for huge amounts of funds funneled into campaigns in the next few months.There is a move to limit contributions by : 1 ) Gov't contractors including military contractors,2 ) TARP recipients,3 ) Corporations with foreign money invested in them,TARP and other gov't bailout recipients.But we need to hurry .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Now that the US SCOTUS has removed all barriers to corporate campaign contributions, kiss what few rights you had left goodbye.
Look for huge amounts of funds funneled into campaigns in the next few months.There is a move to limit contributions by:1) Gov't contractors including military contractors,2) TARP recipients,3) Corporations with foreign money invested in them,TARP and other gov't bailout recipients.But we need to hurry.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148866</id>
	<title>Geese and golden eggs</title>
	<author>5KVGhost</author>
	<datestamp>1266229860000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Insightful</modclass>
	<modscore>3</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I have no problem with this. The state of Washington is not $2.8 billion in debt because corporate taxes are too low or because Microsoft makes too much money. The state government is in debt because they insist on spending vastly more money than they actually have available. The state could take every single penny MS owns and they'd soon find themselves back in the exactly the same situation, looking for someone else's money to take.</p><p>Creating a hostile environment for employers only encourages them to leave your state and set up shop somewhere else. Like another state where they're not punished for being successful.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I have no problem with this .
The state of Washington is not $ 2.8 billion in debt because corporate taxes are too low or because Microsoft makes too much money .
The state government is in debt because they insist on spending vastly more money than they actually have available .
The state could take every single penny MS owns and they 'd soon find themselves back in the exactly the same situation , looking for someone else 's money to take.Creating a hostile environment for employers only encourages them to leave your state and set up shop somewhere else .
Like another state where they 're not punished for being successful .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I have no problem with this.
The state of Washington is not $2.8 billion in debt because corporate taxes are too low or because Microsoft makes too much money.
The state government is in debt because they insist on spending vastly more money than they actually have available.
The state could take every single penny MS owns and they'd soon find themselves back in the exactly the same situation, looking for someone else's money to take.Creating a hostile environment for employers only encourages them to leave your state and set up shop somewhere else.
Like another state where they're not punished for being successful.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148778</id>
	<title>Microsoft has a say</title>
	<author>twistedcubic</author>
	<datestamp>1266229380000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>The representatives are afraid Microsoft will leave Washington if it doesn't have its way.  They probably assume the tax revenue from MS employees is better than nothing.</htmltext>
<tokenext>The representatives are afraid Microsoft will leave Washington if it does n't have its way .
They probably assume the tax revenue from MS employees is better than nothing .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The representatives are afraid Microsoft will leave Washington if it doesn't have its way.
They probably assume the tax revenue from MS employees is better than nothing.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31150064</id>
	<title>See this?</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1266235560000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>This is why we can't have nice things.</htmltext>
<tokenext>This is why we ca n't have nice things .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>This is why we can't have nice things.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31149744</id>
	<title>Being Punished for Being Successful!!!</title>
	<author>mpapet</author>
	<datestamp>1266233880000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Insightful</modclass>
	<modscore>4</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Parent marries two flawed ideas that don't belong together and then somehow calls this a justification.</p><p>1. Local Government is somehow a spendthrift.  This is a Sarah Palin explanation.  The people with little comprehension of what their government does whip this explanation out to beat down their enemies.  My civics class from grammar school taught me that local government provides public services and infrastructure. You know those awful spendthrifts just wasting our taxes on roads, and sewage systems...  Let's do away with law enforcement.  Courts too.  People that use this kind of thinking have one goal, a return of the truck system. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truck\_system" title="wikipedia.org">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truck\_system</a> [wikipedia.org]</p><p>2. Parent makes the leap that a high-tax environment is somehow hostile to business.  The goal of the comment is to make the Corporate Welfare State as big as possible. Shift the entire tax burden away from the corporation to the employee. (not the Owner of the business, the employee)</p><p>It is much more expensive, and almost impossible for Microsoft to leave.  This is true with any giant-sized super-mega corp. facility.  I'm not saying it doesn't happen.  I'm saying it happens nowhere near the level of fear the remark generates.  The goal behind the fear mongering is to complete the Corporate Welfare State.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Parent marries two flawed ideas that do n't belong together and then somehow calls this a justification.1 .
Local Government is somehow a spendthrift .
This is a Sarah Palin explanation .
The people with little comprehension of what their government does whip this explanation out to beat down their enemies .
My civics class from grammar school taught me that local government provides public services and infrastructure .
You know those awful spendthrifts just wasting our taxes on roads , and sewage systems... Let 's do away with law enforcement .
Courts too .
People that use this kind of thinking have one goal , a return of the truck system .
http : //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truck \ _system [ wikipedia.org ] 2 .
Parent makes the leap that a high-tax environment is somehow hostile to business .
The goal of the comment is to make the Corporate Welfare State as big as possible .
Shift the entire tax burden away from the corporation to the employee .
( not the Owner of the business , the employee ) It is much more expensive , and almost impossible for Microsoft to leave .
This is true with any giant-sized super-mega corp. facility. I 'm not saying it does n't happen .
I 'm saying it happens nowhere near the level of fear the remark generates .
The goal behind the fear mongering is to complete the Corporate Welfare State .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Parent marries two flawed ideas that don't belong together and then somehow calls this a justification.1.
Local Government is somehow a spendthrift.
This is a Sarah Palin explanation.
The people with little comprehension of what their government does whip this explanation out to beat down their enemies.
My civics class from grammar school taught me that local government provides public services and infrastructure.
You know those awful spendthrifts just wasting our taxes on roads, and sewage systems...  Let's do away with law enforcement.
Courts too.
People that use this kind of thinking have one goal, a return of the truck system.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truck\_system [wikipedia.org]2.
Parent makes the leap that a high-tax environment is somehow hostile to business.
The goal of the comment is to make the Corporate Welfare State as big as possible.
Shift the entire tax burden away from the corporation to the employee.
(not the Owner of the business, the employee)It is much more expensive, and almost impossible for Microsoft to leave.
This is true with any giant-sized super-mega corp. facility.  I'm not saying it doesn't happen.
I'm saying it happens nowhere near the level of fear the remark generates.
The goal behind the fear mongering is to complete the Corporate Welfare State.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148866</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148716</id>
	<title>i dont see any problem</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1266229080000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>dude, this is just how politics in this country is.  there are certain drawbacks to have a free-market system, if you don't like capitalism and the way politics work in america, then take your bloody liberal ass somewhere else and stop bitching.</p><p>Now my serious response is below:</p><p>This is just another example of what's wrong with our country today, its corporatism.  Business and government in bed together... its kinda what Obama likes to call "free-market" economics.  Really what it amounts to is two-fold:  A.) Business is allowed all the benefits of success while being permitted by peddling influence in washington to escape all culpability for its failures (i.e. AIG). B.) A misappropriation of the burden of funding the federal government towards the poor/middle class through both inflation, and what essentially amounts to legal tax evasion by way of again... peddling influence in washington.</p><p>But hey, the people have spoken, and basically they're all pussies that just want the government to take care of them... forget about personal responsibility, i'll give my uncle sam all the money and power needed to just keep terrorism out, and the welfare checks rolling in and i'm content.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>dude , this is just how politics in this country is .
there are certain drawbacks to have a free-market system , if you do n't like capitalism and the way politics work in america , then take your bloody liberal ass somewhere else and stop bitching.Now my serious response is below : This is just another example of what 's wrong with our country today , its corporatism .
Business and government in bed together... its kinda what Obama likes to call " free-market " economics .
Really what it amounts to is two-fold : A .
) Business is allowed all the benefits of success while being permitted by peddling influence in washington to escape all culpability for its failures ( i.e .
AIG ) . B .
) A misappropriation of the burden of funding the federal government towards the poor/middle class through both inflation , and what essentially amounts to legal tax evasion by way of again... peddling influence in washington.But hey , the people have spoken , and basically they 're all pussies that just want the government to take care of them... forget about personal responsibility , i 'll give my uncle sam all the money and power needed to just keep terrorism out , and the welfare checks rolling in and i 'm content .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>dude, this is just how politics in this country is.
there are certain drawbacks to have a free-market system, if you don't like capitalism and the way politics work in america, then take your bloody liberal ass somewhere else and stop bitching.Now my serious response is below:This is just another example of what's wrong with our country today, its corporatism.
Business and government in bed together... its kinda what Obama likes to call "free-market" economics.
Really what it amounts to is two-fold:  A.
) Business is allowed all the benefits of success while being permitted by peddling influence in washington to escape all culpability for its failures (i.e.
AIG). B.
) A misappropriation of the burden of funding the federal government towards the poor/middle class through both inflation, and what essentially amounts to legal tax evasion by way of again... peddling influence in washington.But hey, the people have spoken, and basically they're all pussies that just want the government to take care of them... forget about personal responsibility, i'll give my uncle sam all the money and power needed to just keep terrorism out, and the welfare checks rolling in and i'm content.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148806</id>
	<title>Corporate Welfare</title>
	<author>wintercolby</author>
	<datestamp>1266229620000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Interestin</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>The most interesting part of this amazing corporate welfare is that Microsoft has to offer no concessions for it.  Usually I read about corporations getting offered tax incentives for moving into a state, or building a new facility in one.  This is more of a pat on the back and a thank you.  This sure reminds me of <a href="http://www.iwise.com/335St" title="iwise.com" rel="nofollow">Leona Helmsley</a> [iwise.com].</htmltext>
<tokenext>The most interesting part of this amazing corporate welfare is that Microsoft has to offer no concessions for it .
Usually I read about corporations getting offered tax incentives for moving into a state , or building a new facility in one .
This is more of a pat on the back and a thank you .
This sure reminds me of Leona Helmsley [ iwise.com ] .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The most interesting part of this amazing corporate welfare is that Microsoft has to offer no concessions for it.
Usually I read about corporations getting offered tax incentives for moving into a state, or building a new facility in one.
This is more of a pat on the back and a thank you.
This sure reminds me of Leona Helmsley [iwise.com].</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148950</id>
	<title>Re:Bill's Sponsor Also Ex-Microsoft Employee</title>
	<author>Nadaka</author>
	<datestamp>1266230340000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>No it didn't. It got contracts alright, but it had to bid on them like everyone else. With old Dick, they did away with that pesky issue of bidding and selecting the lowest cost, best value. They just gave it to Halliburten.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>No it did n't .
It got contracts alright , but it had to bid on them like everyone else .
With old Dick , they did away with that pesky issue of bidding and selecting the lowest cost , best value .
They just gave it to Halliburten .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>No it didn't.
It got contracts alright, but it had to bid on them like everyone else.
With old Dick, they did away with that pesky issue of bidding and selecting the lowest cost, best value.
They just gave it to Halliburten.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148662</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148488</id>
	<title>Bill's Sponsor Also Ex-Microsoft Employee</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1266228060000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Insightful</modclass>
	<modscore>5</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><div class="quote"><p>The bill's lead sponsor is Ross Hunter of Medina<nobr> <wbr></nobr>...</p></div><p>The article's update notes:</p><p><div class="quote"><p>Update: Rep. Hunter is a former Microsoft general manager.</p></div><p>As does <a href="http://housedemocrats.wa.gov/members/hunter/bio.asp" title="wa.gov">his bio</a> [wa.gov]:</p><p><div class="quote"><p>PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:<br>
I retired from Microsoft in 2000 after 17 years of service ranging from program manager for Microsoft Access to general manager of the Microsoft Commercial Internet System.</p> </div><p>At this point apathy consumes the rage that would normally well up inside me<nobr> <wbr></nobr>... Halliburten got contract after contract with a former employee as vice president of the United States<nobr> <wbr></nobr>... should this sponsorship surprise me?  I guess it doesn't fall under conflict of interest though a large part of me feels it should<nobr> <wbr></nobr>...</p></div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>The bill 's lead sponsor is Ross Hunter of Medina ...The article 's update notes : Update : Rep. Hunter is a former Microsoft general manager.As does his bio [ wa.gov ] : PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE : I retired from Microsoft in 2000 after 17 years of service ranging from program manager for Microsoft Access to general manager of the Microsoft Commercial Internet System .
At this point apathy consumes the rage that would normally well up inside me ... Halliburten got contract after contract with a former employee as vice president of the United States ... should this sponsorship surprise me ?
I guess it does n't fall under conflict of interest though a large part of me feels it should .. .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The bill's lead sponsor is Ross Hunter of Medina ...The article's update notes:Update: Rep. Hunter is a former Microsoft general manager.As does his bio [wa.gov]:PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
I retired from Microsoft in 2000 after 17 years of service ranging from program manager for Microsoft Access to general manager of the Microsoft Commercial Internet System.
At this point apathy consumes the rage that would normally well up inside me ... Halliburten got contract after contract with a former employee as vice president of the United States ... should this sponsorship surprise me?
I guess it doesn't fall under conflict of interest though a large part of me feels it should ...
	</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31150348</id>
	<title>Re:Bill's Sponsor Also Ex-Microsoft Employee</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1266237480000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Once again, Halliburton got no bid contracts under Clinton.</htmltext>
<tokenext>Once again , Halliburton got no bid contracts under Clinton .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Once again, Halliburton got no bid contracts under Clinton.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148950</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148662</id>
	<title>Re:Bill's Sponsor Also Ex-Microsoft Employee</title>
	<author>Attila Dimedici</author>
	<datestamp>1266228780000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Redundant</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><div class="quote"><p>Halliburten got contract after contract with a former employee as vice president of the United States</p> </div><p>Of course, it got the same sorts of contracts when Bill Clinton was President.</p></div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>Halliburten got contract after contract with a former employee as vice president of the United States Of course , it got the same sorts of contracts when Bill Clinton was President .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Halliburten got contract after contract with a former employee as vice president of the United States Of course, it got the same sorts of contracts when Bill Clinton was President.
	</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148488</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31149354</id>
	<title>Amnesty??</title>
	<author>CrimsonAvenger</author>
	<datestamp>1266232200000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><blockquote><div><p>possible amnesty on its $1.27 billion Nevada tax maneuverings.</p></div></blockquote><p>So, Washington is proposing that Microsoft get amnesty on a completely legal activity (yes, the Nevada activities are completely legal)?  And here I thought we usually gave amnesties for criminal acts, not legal acts.
</p><p>Note, by the way, that NOT giving them amnesty on their perfectly legal past activities amounts to an ex post facto law - which is perfectly unconstitutional....</p></div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>possible amnesty on its $ 1.27 billion Nevada tax maneuverings.So , Washington is proposing that Microsoft get amnesty on a completely legal activity ( yes , the Nevada activities are completely legal ) ?
And here I thought we usually gave amnesties for criminal acts , not legal acts .
Note , by the way , that NOT giving them amnesty on their perfectly legal past activities amounts to an ex post facto law - which is perfectly unconstitutional... .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>possible amnesty on its $1.27 billion Nevada tax maneuverings.So, Washington is proposing that Microsoft get amnesty on a completely legal activity (yes, the Nevada activities are completely legal)?
And here I thought we usually gave amnesties for criminal acts, not legal acts.
Note, by the way, that NOT giving them amnesty on their perfectly legal past activities amounts to an ex post facto law - which is perfectly unconstitutional....
	</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31151382</id>
	<title>What's surprising.</title>
	<author>Eskarel</author>
	<datestamp>1266246720000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>States do this all the time.</p><p>The long and the short of it is most likely a threat from Microsoft to move. They don't have to stay in Redmond, it would be expensive for them to move, and inconvenient, but not by any stretch of the imagination impossible. I mean half of 1\% isn't exactly high, but on 70 billion dollars it's still 280 million a year, and it wouldn't take all that long for that to pay for the costs of relocation. </p><p>In all likelihood Microsoft went to the Washington State government and made the point that the tax benefits from Microsoft staying in Redmond were greater than the revenue generated from this tax, which they wouldn't have if Microsoft moved to a state which didn't have this royalties tax(of which there are plenty).</p><p>States quite often give tax breaks to large companies in order to have their corporate headquarters located in that state. Microsoft hires an awful lot of people on high salaries who then pay state income tax, buy products and pay state sales tax, buy homes and pay local property tax. Those purchases pay other peoples wages who also pay tax. Add in all the other kinds of tax Microsoft would pay(Washington is not a zero corporate tax state) and they bring in a lot more than 280 million dollars for the state.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>States do this all the time.The long and the short of it is most likely a threat from Microsoft to move .
They do n't have to stay in Redmond , it would be expensive for them to move , and inconvenient , but not by any stretch of the imagination impossible .
I mean half of 1 \ % is n't exactly high , but on 70 billion dollars it 's still 280 million a year , and it would n't take all that long for that to pay for the costs of relocation .
In all likelihood Microsoft went to the Washington State government and made the point that the tax benefits from Microsoft staying in Redmond were greater than the revenue generated from this tax , which they would n't have if Microsoft moved to a state which did n't have this royalties tax ( of which there are plenty ) .States quite often give tax breaks to large companies in order to have their corporate headquarters located in that state .
Microsoft hires an awful lot of people on high salaries who then pay state income tax , buy products and pay state sales tax , buy homes and pay local property tax .
Those purchases pay other peoples wages who also pay tax .
Add in all the other kinds of tax Microsoft would pay ( Washington is not a zero corporate tax state ) and they bring in a lot more than 280 million dollars for the state .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>States do this all the time.The long and the short of it is most likely a threat from Microsoft to move.
They don't have to stay in Redmond, it would be expensive for them to move, and inconvenient, but not by any stretch of the imagination impossible.
I mean half of 1\% isn't exactly high, but on 70 billion dollars it's still 280 million a year, and it wouldn't take all that long for that to pay for the costs of relocation.
In all likelihood Microsoft went to the Washington State government and made the point that the tax benefits from Microsoft staying in Redmond were greater than the revenue generated from this tax, which they wouldn't have if Microsoft moved to a state which didn't have this royalties tax(of which there are plenty).States quite often give tax breaks to large companies in order to have their corporate headquarters located in that state.
Microsoft hires an awful lot of people on high salaries who then pay state income tax, buy products and pay state sales tax, buy homes and pay local property tax.
Those purchases pay other peoples wages who also pay tax.
Add in all the other kinds of tax Microsoft would pay(Washington is not a zero corporate tax state) and they bring in a lot more than 280 million dollars for the state.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31149250</id>
	<title>Re:Geese and golden eggs</title>
	<author>internettoughguy</author>
	<datestamp>1266231840000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>No, they need to be setting up a hostile environ for unproductive, rent-seeking monopolists like Microsoft. If they decide they have enough money left over in the budget, all of it should be spent on venture capital.</htmltext>
<tokenext>No , they need to be setting up a hostile environ for unproductive , rent-seeking monopolists like Microsoft .
If they decide they have enough money left over in the budget , all of it should be spent on venture capital .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>No, they need to be setting up a hostile environ for unproductive, rent-seeking monopolists like Microsoft.
If they decide they have enough money left over in the budget, all of it should be spent on venture capital.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148866</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148970</id>
	<title>Is this a great country or what?</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1266230460000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I don't understand why intelligent, progressive people all over the world are not thrilled we're trying to convert them to our democratic ways.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I do n't understand why intelligent , progressive people all over the world are not thrilled we 're trying to convert them to our democratic ways .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I don't understand why intelligent, progressive people all over the world are not thrilled we're trying to convert them to our democratic ways.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31153920</id>
	<title>Roadmap to Failure - Microsoft a drop in the ocean</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1266323520000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>This country better get it's head out of it's ass, and start deploying common sense.</p><p>While a lot of people reading will probably blame Microsoft, we should be shutting down DC in protest on other issues.<br><i>If you want to bitch at microsoft, try getting IE patched up or make it removable!</i><br>Microsoft's 100 billion tax loophole (hedge) ain't nothing compared to $65 Trillion damage these banks, mortgage people, and oath breaking termites in our Senate <i>who are supposed to be regulating them</i> have gotten away with and indeed are <a href="http://market-ticker.org/archives/1964-Now-The-Games-Afoot-Greece-and-Goldman.html" title="market-ticker.org" rel="nofollow">still getting away with</a> [market-ticker.org].</p><p>The problem here is <a href="http://market-ticker.org/archives/1957-How-Far-Does-It-Go-Before-Indictments-Issue.html" title="market-ticker.org" rel="nofollow">there's no COPS</a> [market-ticker.org], and the laws change from day to day.<br>Microsoft's 100 billion tax loophole ain't nothing compared to 65 Trillion damage these banks, mortgage people, and oath breaking termites in our Senate have gotten away with, or pretend to exist in some secret vault which no citizen may check on. It's all classified it's so dangerous. It's no wonder the markets are unstable, trust is completely vaporized. What's next a <b>false flag at the olympics or <a href="http://www.infowars.com/haskell-family-fbi-has-changed-accounts-4-times-our-story-is-the-same-since-day-one/" title="infowars.com" rel="nofollow">false flagged up with an underwear bomber who someone (sic) let on the plane</a> [infowars.com] </b> (Oft called the "Christmas Day Bomber" (sic) by the fascist zero information spun corporate owned media--enjoy the body scanners though!)  Meanwhile.. while the dow saws the market up with 500 <i>potentially 5000</i> point daily (Okay I exaggerate) changes which wreak havoc (fact) on unsuspecting 401K's <i>with the $USD / Treasury / Bond manipulation they ought be called a 201K's now like ticker-guy says anyway it'll be worse when it's cashed in, if there is even a monetary system left, and if that's the case it won't be long until our government fails.</i></p><p><i>- I lean on the side of it's "already failed now" myself<br>Na leave Microsoft alone.</i></p><p><i>Unless the next lawsuit is not about suing for money, but instead suing to force them to fix their os's, or make IE / AX removable or something damn it..Linux up the compatibility and these stupid proprietary frickin standard nonsense.  OPEN  FTP.MICROSOFT.COM AGAIN FOR UPDATES!  no more "official" malware which cripples or spys the os. WAG/WAT</i></p></htmltext>
<tokenext>This country better get it 's head out of it 's ass , and start deploying common sense.While a lot of people reading will probably blame Microsoft , we should be shutting down DC in protest on other issues.If you want to bitch at microsoft , try getting IE patched up or make it removable ! Microsoft 's 100 billion tax loophole ( hedge ) ai n't nothing compared to $ 65 Trillion damage these banks , mortgage people , and oath breaking termites in our Senate who are supposed to be regulating them have gotten away with and indeed are still getting away with [ market-ticker.org ] .The problem here is there 's no COPS [ market-ticker.org ] , and the laws change from day to day.Microsoft 's 100 billion tax loophole ai n't nothing compared to 65 Trillion damage these banks , mortgage people , and oath breaking termites in our Senate have gotten away with , or pretend to exist in some secret vault which no citizen may check on .
It 's all classified it 's so dangerous .
It 's no wonder the markets are unstable , trust is completely vaporized .
What 's next a false flag at the olympics or false flagged up with an underwear bomber who someone ( sic ) let on the plane [ infowars.com ] ( Oft called the " Christmas Day Bomber " ( sic ) by the fascist zero information spun corporate owned media--enjoy the body scanners though !
) Meanwhile.. while the dow saws the market up with 500 potentially 5000 point daily ( Okay I exaggerate ) changes which wreak havoc ( fact ) on unsuspecting 401K 's with the $ USD / Treasury / Bond manipulation they ought be called a 201K 's now like ticker-guy says anyway it 'll be worse when it 's cashed in , if there is even a monetary system left , and if that 's the case it wo n't be long until our government fails.- I lean on the side of it 's " already failed now " myselfNa leave Microsoft alone.Unless the next lawsuit is not about suing for money , but instead suing to force them to fix their os 's , or make IE / AX removable or something damn it..Linux up the compatibility and these stupid proprietary frickin standard nonsense .
OPEN FTP.MICROSOFT.COM AGAIN FOR UPDATES !
no more " official " malware which cripples or spys the os .
WAG/WAT</tokentext>
<sentencetext>This country better get it's head out of it's ass, and start deploying common sense.While a lot of people reading will probably blame Microsoft, we should be shutting down DC in protest on other issues.If you want to bitch at microsoft, try getting IE patched up or make it removable!Microsoft's 100 billion tax loophole (hedge) ain't nothing compared to $65 Trillion damage these banks, mortgage people, and oath breaking termites in our Senate who are supposed to be regulating them have gotten away with and indeed are still getting away with [market-ticker.org].The problem here is there's no COPS [market-ticker.org], and the laws change from day to day.Microsoft's 100 billion tax loophole ain't nothing compared to 65 Trillion damage these banks, mortgage people, and oath breaking termites in our Senate have gotten away with, or pretend to exist in some secret vault which no citizen may check on.
It's all classified it's so dangerous.
It's no wonder the markets are unstable, trust is completely vaporized.
What's next a false flag at the olympics or false flagged up with an underwear bomber who someone (sic) let on the plane [infowars.com]  (Oft called the "Christmas Day Bomber" (sic) by the fascist zero information spun corporate owned media--enjoy the body scanners though!
)  Meanwhile.. while the dow saws the market up with 500 potentially 5000 point daily (Okay I exaggerate) changes which wreak havoc (fact) on unsuspecting 401K's with the $USD / Treasury / Bond manipulation they ought be called a 201K's now like ticker-guy says anyway it'll be worse when it's cashed in, if there is even a monetary system left, and if that's the case it won't be long until our government fails.- I lean on the side of it's "already failed now" myselfNa leave Microsoft alone.Unless the next lawsuit is not about suing for money, but instead suing to force them to fix their os's, or make IE / AX removable or something damn it..Linux up the compatibility and these stupid proprietary frickin standard nonsense.
OPEN  FTP.MICROSOFT.COM AGAIN FOR UPDATES!
no more "official" malware which cripples or spys the os.
WAG/WAT</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31149008</id>
	<title>Another corrupt practice - does it have a name?</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1266230700000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Here's something that must be killed off in every democracy - embedded clauses that have nothing to do with the main bill or its stated purpose.<br>I've heard that the Credit Card bill that Obama passed contained a clause permitting carrying loaded weapons in national parks.<br>How does shit like this get justified? Can you even do this with a straight face without being a psychopath?</p><p>Several years ago, an attempt was made in the EU to pass legislation that would curb or prohibit the sale of natural health products.<br>It didn't get through thanks to the veto of the Polish representative - he struck it down because he felt such a provision had no place<br>in a bill on FISHERIES!!</p><p>His is an example that all politicians should follow and those that try the above-mentioned practice should be made a felony with a mandatory<br>minimum sentence of at least a year with no good behavior or other time credits - you do the full year, no exceptions. If you're sick, too bad - I fully support<br>you get the necessary healthcare but no matter what, you MUST do 365 days in jail.</p><p>If the author of said provision can't be identified, then 5 members of the party that tables the bill will be chosen by straw ballot to do a full year each.</p><p>It's well past time to stop the pigs at the trough from fucking with the system.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Here 's something that must be killed off in every democracy - embedded clauses that have nothing to do with the main bill or its stated purpose.I 've heard that the Credit Card bill that Obama passed contained a clause permitting carrying loaded weapons in national parks.How does shit like this get justified ?
Can you even do this with a straight face without being a psychopath ? Several years ago , an attempt was made in the EU to pass legislation that would curb or prohibit the sale of natural health products.It did n't get through thanks to the veto of the Polish representative - he struck it down because he felt such a provision had no placein a bill on FISHERIES !
! His is an example that all politicians should follow and those that try the above-mentioned practice should be made a felony with a mandatoryminimum sentence of at least a year with no good behavior or other time credits - you do the full year , no exceptions .
If you 're sick , too bad - I fully supportyou get the necessary healthcare but no matter what , you MUST do 365 days in jail.If the author of said provision ca n't be identified , then 5 members of the party that tables the bill will be chosen by straw ballot to do a full year each.It 's well past time to stop the pigs at the trough from fucking with the system .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Here's something that must be killed off in every democracy - embedded clauses that have nothing to do with the main bill or its stated purpose.I've heard that the Credit Card bill that Obama passed contained a clause permitting carrying loaded weapons in national parks.How does shit like this get justified?
Can you even do this with a straight face without being a psychopath?Several years ago, an attempt was made in the EU to pass legislation that would curb or prohibit the sale of natural health products.It didn't get through thanks to the veto of the Polish representative - he struck it down because he felt such a provision had no placein a bill on FISHERIES!
!His is an example that all politicians should follow and those that try the above-mentioned practice should be made a felony with a mandatoryminimum sentence of at least a year with no good behavior or other time credits - you do the full year, no exceptions.
If you're sick, too bad - I fully supportyou get the necessary healthcare but no matter what, you MUST do 365 days in jail.If the author of said provision can't be identified, then 5 members of the party that tables the bill will be chosen by straw ballot to do a full year each.It's well past time to stop the pigs at the trough from fucking with the system.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31153946</id>
	<title>.484\% &amp; still dodging them?!</title>
	<author>AmonTheMetalhead</author>
	<datestamp>1266324180000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>"all of Microsoft's worldwide licensing revenues of approximately $20.7 billion annually are taxable at<nobr> <wbr></nobr><b>.484 percent</b>"<br>
<br>
My income taxes in Belgium are about <b>55\%</b><nobr> <wbr></nobr>:(</htmltext>
<tokenext>" all of Microsoft 's worldwide licensing revenues of approximately $ 20.7 billion annually are taxable at .484 percent " My income taxes in Belgium are about 55 \ % : (</tokentext>
<sentencetext>"all of Microsoft's worldwide licensing revenues of approximately $20.7 billion annually are taxable at .484 percent"

My income taxes in Belgium are about 55\% :(</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31149132</id>
	<title>Power corrupts</title>
	<author>HikingStick</author>
	<datestamp>1266231360000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Power corrupts.<br> <br>Absolute power corrupts absolutely.<br> <br>Big money translates to big power.<br> <br>Billions and billions of dollars of influence will make any politician paint on a smile, disrobe, bend over, keep smiling, and say "<i>Is there anything else I can do for y'all?</i>"</htmltext>
<tokenext>Power corrupts .
Absolute power corrupts absolutely .
Big money translates to big power .
Billions and billions of dollars of influence will make any politician paint on a smile , disrobe , bend over , keep smiling , and say " Is there anything else I can do for y'all ?
"</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Power corrupts.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Big money translates to big power.
Billions and billions of dollars of influence will make any politician paint on a smile, disrobe, bend over, keep smiling, and say "Is there anything else I can do for y'all?
"</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31151328</id>
	<title>WA is screwed because of Olympia, NOT Microsoft...</title>
	<author>LynnwoodRooster</author>
	<datestamp>1266246120000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Insightful</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext>Seriously, in the last 5 years State spending has grown by 40\%.  The State's shortfall isn't from giving Microsoft or other mega-employers (those who employ 100,000+ in the State) tax breaks; it's from growing spending at an insane rate way beyond inflation plus population growth PLUS state GDP growth.
<p><nobr> <wbr></nobr>.<br>
But class warfare is always a good way for the politicians to shirk their responsibility for the financial meltdown of WA State...  Blame the MegaCorps, not the budget-busting increases we've seen over the last 5 years...</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Seriously , in the last 5 years State spending has grown by 40 \ % .
The State 's shortfall is n't from giving Microsoft or other mega-employers ( those who employ 100,000 + in the State ) tax breaks ; it 's from growing spending at an insane rate way beyond inflation plus population growth PLUS state GDP growth .
. But class warfare is always a good way for the politicians to shirk their responsibility for the financial meltdown of WA State... Blame the MegaCorps , not the budget-busting increases we 've seen over the last 5 years.. .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Seriously, in the last 5 years State spending has grown by 40\%.
The State's shortfall isn't from giving Microsoft or other mega-employers (those who employ 100,000+ in the State) tax breaks; it's from growing spending at an insane rate way beyond inflation plus population growth PLUS state GDP growth.
.
But class warfare is always a good way for the politicians to shirk their responsibility for the financial meltdown of WA State...  Blame the MegaCorps, not the budget-busting increases we've seen over the last 5 years...</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31149560</id>
	<title>Revolution</title>
	<author>Cornwallis</author>
	<datestamp>1266233100000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>This is the kind of shit that is going to be responsible for blood in the streets. Like this year.</p><p>After reading about the crap that Goldman-Sachs pulled in Greece I'm all in favor now of violent overthrow of the gubmint.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>This is the kind of shit that is going to be responsible for blood in the streets .
Like this year.After reading about the crap that Goldman-Sachs pulled in Greece I 'm all in favor now of violent overthrow of the gubmint .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>This is the kind of shit that is going to be responsible for blood in the streets.
Like this year.After reading about the crap that Goldman-Sachs pulled in Greece I'm all in favor now of violent overthrow of the gubmint.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31150314</id>
	<title>microsofttaxdodge.com?</title>
	<author>harlows\_monkeys</author>
	<datestamp>1266237240000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>No way a site called microsofttaxdodge.com would be biased, right?</p><p>It's quite common for companies to structure transactions so that they are taxed in a jurisdiction with a low tax rate. Just as Microsoft is doing with Nevada, Google does with Ireland to save on UK taxes. Microsoft also uses Ireland for European stuff, as does, I believe Apple. These are just the tip of the iceberg.</p><p>There's nothing shady about it. All of those companies are international companies with a presence in many different jurisdictions.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>No way a site called microsofttaxdodge.com would be biased , right ? It 's quite common for companies to structure transactions so that they are taxed in a jurisdiction with a low tax rate .
Just as Microsoft is doing with Nevada , Google does with Ireland to save on UK taxes .
Microsoft also uses Ireland for European stuff , as does , I believe Apple .
These are just the tip of the iceberg.There 's nothing shady about it .
All of those companies are international companies with a presence in many different jurisdictions .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>No way a site called microsofttaxdodge.com would be biased, right?It's quite common for companies to structure transactions so that they are taxed in a jurisdiction with a low tax rate.
Just as Microsoft is doing with Nevada, Google does with Ireland to save on UK taxes.
Microsoft also uses Ireland for European stuff, as does, I believe Apple.
These are just the tip of the iceberg.There's nothing shady about it.
All of those companies are international companies with a presence in many different jurisdictions.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31150386</id>
	<title>Re:Another corrupt practice - does it have a name?</title>
	<author>Shimbo</author>
	<datestamp>1266237720000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><div class="quote"><p>Here's something that must be killed off in every democracy - embedded clauses that have nothing to do with the main bill or its stated purpose.</p></div><p>It does happen at the EU level, but not so much in the UK, I think. Could someone explain to me why the offending clauses don't just get struck out when the detail of the bill is discussed? Most bills end up significantly different from the original draft - is that not the case in the US?</p></div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>Here 's something that must be killed off in every democracy - embedded clauses that have nothing to do with the main bill or its stated purpose.It does happen at the EU level , but not so much in the UK , I think .
Could someone explain to me why the offending clauses do n't just get struck out when the detail of the bill is discussed ?
Most bills end up significantly different from the original draft - is that not the case in the US ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Here's something that must be killed off in every democracy - embedded clauses that have nothing to do with the main bill or its stated purpose.It does happen at the EU level, but not so much in the UK, I think.
Could someone explain to me why the offending clauses don't just get struck out when the detail of the bill is discussed?
Most bills end up significantly different from the original draft - is that not the case in the US?
	</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31149008</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31150912</id>
	<title>Republicans?</title>
	<author>roc97007</author>
	<datestamp>1266241680000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>
This story gets tagged "republicans"?  Washington State is Democrat controlled.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>This story gets tagged " republicans " ?
Washington State is Democrat controlled .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>
This story gets tagged "republicans"?
Washington State is Democrat controlled.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148748</id>
	<title>$100 million? Shit, The Fed Doesnt need my TAXES</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1266229260000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I think I'll contact my congressman so that perhaps he could sponsor a bill that would give me a $20,000 tax break.... Just in case I find a job this year.</p><p>America is fucked in the head.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I think I 'll contact my congressman so that perhaps he could sponsor a bill that would give me a $ 20,000 tax break.... Just in case I find a job this year.America is fucked in the head .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I think I'll contact my congressman so that perhaps he could sponsor a bill that would give me a $20,000 tax break.... Just in case I find a job this year.America is fucked in the head.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31153658</id>
	<title>Government giving tax breaks to encourage business</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1266318960000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>This has never happened before!</p><p>Microsoft is evil, etc.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>This has never happened before ! Microsoft is evil , etc .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>This has never happened before!Microsoft is evil, etc.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31152112</id>
	<title>It's the jobs, stupid!</title>
	<author>dirkdodgers</author>
	<datestamp>1266254880000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Microsoft is Washington's 3rd largest employer, behind only the university and the Seattle international.</p><p>Washington can:<br>a) take money from successful companies and redistributing it to less productive members of society<br>b) take and redistributing it according to the whims and interests of politicians who think they can make better investment decisions than a successful company like Microsoft<br>c) let Microsoft keep the money it earned to create jobs and increase wages,</p><p>I will take (c) every time. It's not a difficult decision if you aren't living on the government dole.</p><p>I doubt, however, that Washington will see it that way. There's a reason Washington's economy is in the crapper.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Microsoft is Washington 's 3rd largest employer , behind only the university and the Seattle international.Washington can : a ) take money from successful companies and redistributing it to less productive members of societyb ) take and redistributing it according to the whims and interests of politicians who think they can make better investment decisions than a successful company like Microsoftc ) let Microsoft keep the money it earned to create jobs and increase wages,I will take ( c ) every time .
It 's not a difficult decision if you are n't living on the government dole.I doubt , however , that Washington will see it that way .
There 's a reason Washington 's economy is in the crapper .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Microsoft is Washington's 3rd largest employer, behind only the university and the Seattle international.Washington can:a) take money from successful companies and redistributing it to less productive members of societyb) take and redistributing it according to the whims and interests of politicians who think they can make better investment decisions than a successful company like Microsoftc) let Microsoft keep the money it earned to create jobs and increase wages,I will take (c) every time.
It's not a difficult decision if you aren't living on the government dole.I doubt, however, that Washington will see it that way.
There's a reason Washington's economy is in the crapper.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<thread>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#thread_10_02_15_1957205_1</id>
	<commentlist>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31150386
http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31149008
</commentlist>
</thread>
<thread>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#thread_10_02_15_1957205_5</id>
	<commentlist>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31149148
http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148780
</commentlist>
</thread>
<thread>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#thread_10_02_15_1957205_2</id>
	<commentlist>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31149250
http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148866
</commentlist>
</thread>
<thread>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#thread_10_02_15_1957205_6</id>
	<commentlist>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31150348
http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148950
http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148662
http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148488
</commentlist>
</thread>
<thread>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#thread_10_02_15_1957205_0</id>
	<commentlist>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31151182
http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148716
</commentlist>
</thread>
<thread>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#thread_10_02_15_1957205_4</id>
	<commentlist>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31150014
http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148866
</commentlist>
</thread>
<thread>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#thread_10_02_15_1957205_3</id>
	<commentlist>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31149744
http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148866
</commentlist>
</thread>
<conversation>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#conversation10_02_15_1957205.12</id>
	<commentlist>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31150912
</commentlist>
</conversation>
<conversation>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#conversation10_02_15_1957205.8</id>
	<commentlist>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148864
</commentlist>
</conversation>
<conversation>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#conversation10_02_15_1957205.10</id>
	<commentlist>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31149560
</commentlist>
</conversation>
<conversation>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#conversation10_02_15_1957205.9</id>
	<commentlist>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31152112
</commentlist>
</conversation>
<conversation>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#conversation10_02_15_1957205.7</id>
	<commentlist>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148748
</commentlist>
</conversation>
<conversation>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#conversation10_02_15_1957205.6</id>
	<commentlist>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148866
-http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31149250
-http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31149744
-http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31150014
</commentlist>
</conversation>
<conversation>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#conversation10_02_15_1957205.4</id>
	<commentlist>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31149012
</commentlist>
</conversation>
<conversation>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#conversation10_02_15_1957205.2</id>
	<commentlist>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148778
</commentlist>
</conversation>
<conversation>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#conversation10_02_15_1957205.0</id>
	<commentlist>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148716
-http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31151182
</commentlist>
</conversation>
<conversation>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#conversation10_02_15_1957205.5</id>
	<commentlist>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31149008
-http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31150386
</commentlist>
</conversation>
<conversation>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#conversation10_02_15_1957205.3</id>
	<commentlist>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148780
-http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31149148
</commentlist>
</conversation>
<conversation>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#conversation10_02_15_1957205.1</id>
	<commentlist>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31150064
</commentlist>
</conversation>
<conversation>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#conversation10_02_15_1957205.11</id>
	<commentlist>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148488
-http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148662
--http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31148950
---http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_15_1957205.31150348
</commentlist>
</conversation>
