Apple CEO Tim Cook and CFO Peter Oppenheimer Testify In Front of Senate Committee on Tax Strategies [Hearing Over]

[Amazing Iceman]

Another colossal waste of taxpayer money. Rather than hold hearings that amount to little more than political posturing, the lawmakers should actually do their jobs and close the loopholes.

They complain about loosing money due to loopholes Apple is taking advantage...

They should primarily focus on the giant loopholes in Medicare and Medicaid and all related services, how doctors and hospitals take advantage to bill huge amounts of money, due to loopholes in the system.

I've have seen it with my own eyes, happening to people I know who require those services. For example:

- A Dr. treating a UTI, prescribes a random (and extremely expensive antibiotic) to the patient without first ordering a Urine Culture with sensitivity. in the end, the patient in question was prescribed two antibiotics that didn't cure her, until finally the Dr. ordered the Urine Culture with Sensitivity and then prescribed the correct antibiotic. This costed the Medicare a lot of money; also the patient had to pay out of her pocket for each visit, from her miserable Social Security allowance that's not enough to support her simple way of living.

- A patient needing surgery for Gall Bladder is denied an Appendectomy because the Dr. claims it's a separate procedure. So after the surgery, she still experiences pains. A real Dr. would know that both procedures should be performed as one problem is usually followed by the other. But no, the Doctors want to milk the system out of their last drop.

I have even more examples, but I'm so angry that I'll get out of topic...

 

[JPark]

Wow. You get the feeling this professor was destined to be a professor. I can't imagine him being anything else.

 

[ECUpirate44]

Wow. You get the feeling this professor was destined to be a professor. I can't imagine him being anything else.

I was thinking the same thing

 

[Scrub175]

You are a whole new level of lost.

They dealt with HUMAN NATURE. Human nature hasn't changed much at all in 1000's of years. The wisdom of the the US founding fathers is the most precious thing this nation holds. Their lessons and their blood IS who we are and it drives and defines who we are.

Government like the one we have now is nothing this nation hasn't seen and defeated before. It's a shame that it is our government that is the enemy of the citizens and not the ally.

Well said. Agree 100%

 

[Judas1]

I hope the liberals on this board will listen to the message of this committee and rethink who they stand with.

edit.. who am I kidding?

I think you have it backward. The problem shown by this hearing is not that the tax rate is too high (imo, I think it is, but thats not the problem). The problem is that the tax system is broken with too many loopholes. And if you didn't know for some reason, Republicans are the ones against changing the tax code, because they keep crying about a tax increase.

 

[Mr.damien]

To all saying that Apple is ok because they are using "legit" loopholes, it doesn't means this is the right thing to do.

In some countries, rape are not punished, and raping is still not a good things to do. But eh, it's not illegal or punished in those countries, so it's "ok" right ?

 

[JoEw]

Why isnt this meeting being called about bi-partisian tax reform?

 

[Grimace]

These dirty liberals are just drooling at the thought of getting a chunk of that 100 billion. What a shame. This isn't what our founding fathers wanted when they formed this government.

The committee is made up of prominent Republican and Democratic congressional leaders.

While I'd like to punch all of them for not doing their jobs, it is ludicrous to say that this is being pushed forward by one side or the other.

 

[Mr.damien]

Well said. Agree 100%

But 100% wrong. During US history, taxes were even higher before the fifty last years cames with their selfish people...

But yeah US changed...

 

[HarryPot]

To all saying that Apple is ok because they are using "legit" loopholes, it doesn't means this is the right thing to do.

In some countries, rape are not punished, and raping is still not a good things to do. But eh, it's not illegal or punished in those countries, so it's "ok" right ?

So now we are comparing being smart and paying less taxes to raping someone?

In taxes, what is not wrong is right.

 

[Jovian9]

To all saying that Apple is ok because they are using "legit" loopholes, it doesn't means this is the right thing to do.

In some countries, rape are not punished, and raping is still not a good things to do. But eh, it's not illegal or punished in those countries, so it's "ok" right ?

Did you just compare a company using the actual laws available to them to pay less taxes and maximize profit to rape?!!!!!!!!!! Money vs Rape?!!!!!!

WoW!!!!

 

[shaunp]

Blame the politicians, blame ourselves.

All organisations that exist to make money are 'coin operated' and will by their very nature look to make as much cash as possible. If this means by paying less tax they will. It's not right, but they are only living by the rules set out by the politicians of this world, some of whom are in the pockets of these organisations anyway.

We need to either change the way politicians are paid so they aren't as easily influenced hoping they will bring in credible tax laws, or make the whole concept of money redundant. Even then greed will manifest itself into a search for power instead.

We are just as much to blame though as we keep buying products from corporations that don't pay their taxes and we keep voting in the same political parties time and time again.

 

[Ryth]

Levin says domestic companies that are not in a position to offshore their tax burden are at a competitive disadvantage. He accuses Apple of being partially responsible for the sequester and other budget cuts because of its tax avoidance strategies.

Seriously..someone hit this guy in the face.

Apple is partially responsible for the sequester....liberals man...completely off the planet in logic.

 

[ed724]

According to you, the republicans are the answer, right?

LOL and LOL

No, it's our government in general. They're all guilty of raping the progress of this country for their own desires. It's the government that causes all of this kind of crap to go on. Whether its Republican or Democrat, they're all in the same game. Get it ?

 

[Ryth]

Did you just compare a company using the actual laws available to them to pay less taxes and maximize profit to rape?!!!!!!!!!! Money vs Rape?!!!!!!

WoW!!!!

Liberal probably comparing that.

 

[spazzcat]

Just stop for one minute and think about what's happening. Apple has been summoned to explain themselves for avoiding as much of our government's overbearing tax as possible (in a completely legal way). Our government wants to punish them anyway (or perhaps make an example of them), but since they have committed no crimes, all they can do is smear and harass Apple like this. Insanity. How long can we go on with a government like this?

Exactly, instead of them doing their job and fixing the system, they are wasting even more tax money on a witch hunt.

 

[Scrub175]

But 100% wrong. During US history, taxes were even higher before the fifty last years cames with their selfish people...

But yeah US changed...

Negative. The forefathers would have declared war on our current system and government. Besides you think rape and tax loop holes are the same thing. Instant ignore...

 

[youknome]

We also have a problem with corporations paying tax in the UK. We've got the media with their sensationalist news, they seem to forget that it's legal. These corporations will always find a way around paying tax, they will always find loop holes.

There may be ethical issues here but in the world of business no one cares about ethics.

 

[noodle654]

To all saying that Apple is ok because they are using "legit" loopholes, it doesn't means this is the right thing to do.

In some countries, rape are not punished, and raping is still not a good things to do. But eh, it's not illegal or punished in those countries, so it's "ok" right ?

Wow this might be the dumbest thing I have read here, and I almost never post on topics like this.



"What is EBT?" Oh god...

 

[AustinIllini]

We're talking about Apple, not GM.

I've been in position to decide to send subcontracting to firms that then send the work to India or firms that keep the work in the US. You're damn straight I use the firms that employ locally. Nice to know your loyalties.

A previous post called out companies that send their jobs overseas. For instance, when you call Dell customer service, you get someone overseas. I drive by Apple customer service every day.

by the way, it's not about loyalty, it's about bottom line.

 

[shaunp]

Just stop for one minute and think about what's happening. Apple has been summoned to explain themselves for avoiding as much of our government's overbearing tax as possible (in a completely legal way). Our government wants to punish them anyway (or perhaps make an example of them), but since they have committed no crimes, all they can do is smear and harass Apple like this. Insanity. How long can we go on with a government like this?

Yep, change the people we vote for if we are unhappy about it. Most businesses only exists to make money anyway.

 

[SAD*FACED*CLOWN]

These dirty liberals are just drooling at the thought of getting a chunk of that 100 billion. What a shame. This isn't what our founding fathers wanted when they formed this government.

the committee is headed by CONSERVATIVES

 

[Mr.damien]

Did you just compare a company using the actual laws available to them to pay less taxes and maximize profit to rape?!!!!!!!!!! Money vs Rape?!!!!!!

WoW!!!!

Just an example, but I was sure that somebody would come here and fake to see the point which is: it's not because something is not forbidden by the law that it means it's right .

"If anyone should be on trial here, it should be Congress. I frankly think the committee should apologize to Apple."

Well, no, both you them...

 

[spazzcat]

I love how Teabaggers and Conservatives use "liberal" like it's a dirty word. I wear it proudly as a badge of honor. At least in the end, I'll know I was on the right side of history when the books are written.



Fixed that for you. Funny how if you change just a few words, it describes an entirely different atrocity.

The best part if our founding fathers were the first liberals in this country.

 

[Ryth]

- Rand Paul (R-KY) is up and saying he is "offended" by the hearing. "Tell me a politician who is up here and doesn't try to minimize his taxes… Tell me what Apple has done is illegal. I am offended by a government… that convenes a hearing to bully one of America's greatest success stories… If anyone should be on trial here, it should be Congress. I frankly think the committee should apologize to Apple."

- Instead of Apple executives, we should have brought in a giant mirror. This problem is solely and completely caused by our tax code. This committee should look in the mirror. "I find it abominable."

Seriously Rand Paul is the only one that 'gets it'