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DannyB chased by a bunch of wild rabid kangaroos writes . . .
Bernie Sanders introduces 'Stop BEZOS' bill to tax Amazon for underpaying workers
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) have introduced a bill that would tax companies like Amazon and Walmart for the cost of employees' food stamps and other public assistance. Sanders' Stop Bad Employers by Zeroing Out Subsidies Act (abbreviated "Stop BEZOS") . . . would institute a 100 percent tax on government benefits that are granted to workers at large companies.
The bill's text characterizes this as a "corporate welfare tax," and it would apply to corporations with 500 or more employees. If workers are receiving government aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps), national school lunch and breakfast programs, Section 8 housing subsidies, or Medicaid, employers will be taxed for the total cost of those benefits. The bill applies to full-time and part-time employees, as well as independent contractors that are de facto company employees.
Sanders announced his plans for the proposal last month. He emphasized today that "this discussion is not just about Amazon and [Amazon CEO] Jeff Bezos." But as the bill's name would suggest, he's been particularly critical of Amazon and Bezos who became the richest person in the world (and modern history) last year. "The taxpayers in this country should not be subsidizing a guy who's worth $150 billion, whose wealth is increasing by $260 million every single day," [ . . . rest omitted . . . ]
Food stamps, School Lunch, Medicaid, great . . . but what about employees who must shop at Walmart?
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Thursday September 06 2018, @10:38AM (4 children)
Erm... The three bedroom house I'm living in now is less than that. The 4K+ square foot church The Roomie just bought to remodel into a house is as well. Get out of major cities if you don't want all your money going to rent.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by tangomargarine on Thursday September 06 2018, @02:55PM (3 children)
Yes, but you had to acquire that house. How realistic is this for people living hand-to-mouth, without saddling themselves with a bunch of debt?
Such a "let them eat cake" statement
"Is that really true?" "I just spent the last hour telling you to think for yourself! Didn't you hear anything I said?"
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Thursday September 06 2018, @04:46PM (2 children)
It didn't take much acquiring. First and last month's rent plus a smaller than one month's rent security deposit. You know, like everyone in the US who has a place to live had to do.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 2) by tangomargarine on Thursday September 06 2018, @06:55PM (1 child)
Your post is ambiguous...are you talking about renting, or owning?
would seem to indicate owning, but
and
is talking about rent.
"Is that really true?" "I just spent the last hour telling you to think for yourself! Didn't you hear anything I said?"
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Thursday September 06 2018, @07:30PM
The place I'm in now is a rental. The place TR just bought is an ownership thing. The reason they got lumped together is they're both less than $800/month for a good sized place in a nice neighborhood. For that matter, TR is renting his three bedroom house back in OK for a lot less than $800/month.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.