Last week, someone in Georgia won the Powerball lottery and became an overnight multi-millionaire. The jackpot was over $478 million and the winner had two options for collecting their prize — a smaller (though still hefty) lump sum cash payment of $230 million immediately, or an annuitized prize for the full $478 million over almost 30 years. For an individual, this is a once-in-a-lifetime gift, but big corporations across all 50 states are regularly winning the “lottery” and collecting on both payment options — the immediate large lump sum and the yearly longterm payments. Taxpayers didn’t always pay big for-profit companies hundreds of millions of dollars whenever they opened a factory in their state. But something has changed over the past few years. For the worse.  Consider these older examples. Wisconsin lawmakers offered Foxconn $4.8 billion in tax breaks to open a factory in the state. Amazon opened bids for its second headquarters and the win went to Virginia for $800 million. And so on and so forth. (READ MORE: Amazon’s IRS Prime Deal) Look behind the headlines, and you’ll see that the companies didn’t get to collect one big check from taxpayers. Foxconn got a deal with the state that will deliver cash over 15 years, plus other tax breaks and favors. Amazon receives trickles of checks and refundable tax credits — which also give it other people’s money — over 10 years. (RELATED: The United States of Amazon) It adds up to a lot over time, and headlines make it seem like the money changes hands all at once. But that isn’t the case and delaying payments over decades keeps taxpayer costs down when companies fail to deliver. It is similar to the lottery winner taking an annuitized prize after winning. Here’s what has changed though. States are now also handing out hundreds of millions in taxpayer cash upfront — just like the lottery lump sum payment option. Take these deals from 2022: General Motors got $666 million from Michigan. Nucor got $315 million from West Virginia. Intel got $600 million from Ohio.  The companies collect other assorted favors, too. For instance, Intel received a big check but also gets smaller checks over the next 30 years. The companies still get to collect the old smaller payments over a long period of years, plus the new big payments over the short-term too. This would be like wining the lotto and getting to collect both prize options at the same time. The reason for the unfortunate policy change goes to shifts in the Overton Window — policies within the window are those widely accepted throughout society. Previously, political favors for big corporations had been politically infeasible. But then corporate officials started asking for tax breaks and got elected officials to approve them on the promise of job creation in their communities. Then they started asking for small payments over time and got them. And now, it is acceptable to give companies large subsidies. Just like boiling a frog. Illinois legislators gave Gov. J. B. Pritzker a $400 million fund to write big checks to companies that promise new jobs. Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion was its first beneficiary, receiving a $125 million payment, plus other favors over the next 30 years. It wasn’t always this way. State constitutions prohibit special treatment for private companies. Judicial doctrine ensured that public policy benefits the public rather than someone’s private interest. The prohibition on public support of private interests gradually gave way to Publishers Clearing House–style cash bonanzas. First, state governments started letting some companies pay less in taxes. Then they started using tax policy to give companies other people’s money over lengthy periods of time. And now it also includes quick and large cash transfers of other people’s money. Extra cash payments have made state’s more enticing to corporations. However, states do not succeed when they write the biggest checks to the biggest companies. Selective subsidies fail to create jobs and are unfair to both the taxpayers who have to foot the bill and the businesses that must compete with subsidized companies. Economists studying the economic effects of corporate welfare confirm that it just doesn’t work. The economic ineffectiveness of corporate welfare doesn’t stand in the way of its political effectiveness. Politicians know that headlines about job creation are popular, regardless of whether subsidies deliver on the promised job growth. Big business lobbyists know that they have something politically valuable to offer when they open a new office or factory. The lobby for special benefits has succeeded at pushing states a little bit further over time — from offering abatements to handing out big cash payments.  Things have gone too far.  Enough is enough. State lawmakers should start telling companies “no” when they ask for taxpayer money. Governors should get together to negotiate an interstate compact to agree with each other to stop competing over who can write the biggest checks. Selective assistance has gone from letting some companies pay less in taxes to massive transfers of taxpayer cash. The double-dipping lotto wins for big business are expensive and ineffective, and lawmakers should stop. James Hohman is the director of fiscal policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a free-market research and educational institute in Michigan. READ MORE from James M. Hohman: The Mirage That’s Driving Mass Transit Expansion Gretchen Whitmer’s Double Standards Are Exposed Yet Again With Her TikTok Usage   The post Corporate Subsidies Are Out of Control appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.

from The Red Elephants – Vincent James:  TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/

by Alastair Crooke, Strategic Culture: A major war between Israel and Iran is soon likely to erupt – so says Israel’s Defence Minister Gallant. It will be initiated when Israel launches its long mooted strike on Iran. Gallant has promised that Israel’s strike on Iran will be “lethal, precise and especially surprising”, adding that Iran “won’t understand what […]

Donald Trump had a huge rally at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden on Sunday.  The 20,000 seat arena was sold out in 3 hours, with tens of thousands viewing the remarkable event on big screens outside.  Deep Blue Midtown Manhattan was a sea of red, MAGA hats. “Experts” writing off any chance of the […] The post How Donald J. Trump Can Win New York State appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Many of us grew up wishing we had magical powers, right? One sitcom taught us that not only are witches good but their magic comes simply and naturally—Bewitched. We spent hours in front of the mirror trying to get our Samantha Stephens-esque nose to wiggle. We never could quite get it right, but that didn’t stop us from loving Bewitched and following Samantha, Darrin, Tabitha, and the gang get in and out of trouble. For those of us who’ve missed the show for too long, fear not, a reboot is finally on the way. @police.light.usa Samantha Is Caught Doing Magic ❥ PART 1 – Bewitched #bewitched #bewitchedfamily #tvseries #comedytv #tvshows #ElizabethMontgomery #Samantha ♬ original sound – Comedy TV Show – COPS The “Bewitched” Reboot May Not Be The Show We Remember Though details are limited, Parade reported writer-producer Judalina Neira paired up with Sony Pictures Television to bring Bewitched back for a whole new generation. The original sitcom ran for eight seasons and had a bit of a cult following. Even those who didn’t watch the original run in the 1960s and 1970s likely caught reruns on Nick at Nite. We loved Samantha and that she used her magic for good and sometimes to teach the bad guys a lesson. Many witchy shows seem to be getting rebooted right now including, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and a new Hocus Pocus movie. The timing seems perfect to bring Samantha and Bewitched back. However, we might not see the comedy we once loved. Deadline reported the show could have a dark premise similar to Bel-Air, the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot streaming on Peacock. According to Deadline, the project is a perfect marriage for Judaline and Sony. “Judalina joined the Sony family with her work on The Boys, and we are incredibly proud of her contributions to supporting creator Eric Kripke’s vision,” said head of creative at Sony Pictures Television, Lauren Stein. “She brings passion and authenticity and has been such a champion for the representation and growth of Latinx writers—we knew we had to make a deal with her! We are so excited to have her call Sony home and can’t wait for what is to come as we deepen our relationship.” No word on where Bewitched will land or when, but we can’t wait. This story’s featured image is by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Image. The post “Bewitched” Is FINALLY Getting A Reboot! Here’s Everything You Need To Know appeared first on InspireMore.

Sadly, domestic violence is an epidemic in the United States. Many women find themselves in abusive relationships but fear there is no way out. They often remain with their abuses and continue to suffer. Celebrities are not immune to domestic violence, and Sarah Hyland recently spoke about her relationship, crediting Julie Bowen for helping her escape. Sarah accepted the Courage Award at Variety‘s Power of Women Honors in Los Angeles on October 24. People reported that she was honored for her work in animal welfare and domestic abuse awareness. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sarah Hyland (@sarahhyland) Her Modern Family Co-Star, Julie Bowen, Introduced Sarah Hyland Sarah began, “I didn’t think that this would be as emotional,” she said with tears in her eyes. “I love you.” She went on to explain why she decided to speak out. Sarah said, “”October is domestic violence awareness month, and while it is not the easiest topic to talk about, it is of the utmost importance that we do,” Hyland said. “I have been open about my experiences as a survivor, and I want to support others in the way that Julie and all of my close ones have done for me.” During another emotional moment, Sarah shared her dog helped her through a dark time. “There was a time where the only being that I could trust with my true feelings and felt the safest with was with my dog, Barkley. He got me through the worst years of my life and I know I wouldn’t have been able to make it out without him.” Julie Bowen commended Sarah Hyland for her bravery and sad, “It took real courage for Sarah to ask for help,” she said. “Courage because getting out of her situation puts Sarah at risk at further physical, psychological, and emotional abuse. And courage because being a beautiful and successful actress brings a spotlight with it. And a spotlight can highlight a glorious, fearless performance and it’s also a spotlight that can open one up to the scrutiny and criticism with anyone with a keyboard.” This story’s featured image is by Kathy Hutchins via Shutterstock. The post “Modern Family” Star Sarah Hyland Cries As She Credits Julie Bowen For Helping Her Leave Abusive Relationship appeared first on InspireMore.