To the Editor:
A recent news story in the Washington Post references a trend in U.S. corporations moving to other, more business-friendly countries – similar to what happens when businesses choose to leave Illinois for the same reason.
President Barack Obama’s response is to call them “corporate deserters” and say that they should stay and pay more in taxes just because. That won’t work. We need businesses to stay here, provide jobs and pay taxes, but they won’t if they can do it somewhere else more efficiently. In the long term, it’s bad for business, the economy and our way of life.
If they have a choice, individuals will not choose to pay higher taxes just because the government wants them to. Neither will businesses. That’s why Illinois is losing both businesses as well as financially secure individuals and families.
In the long run, those who think corporations will pay for all of the government giveaways are in for a shock.
Bob Mehl
Crystal Lake
