I completely agree that the tax code could use a lot of sensible revision, including incentives for keeping business (especially manufacturing) here in the US. Where I live, at least one large manufacturer farmed the federal and state governments for payments–bribes–to keep jobs here, only to more production to the third world because their plant had gotten outmoded. I believe those payments were intended to encourage improvements in capacity.

While I'm kind of sympathetic to the complaints Austin Roth made, I have to note that we've spent ourselves into enormous an deficit because we were unwilling to collect the tax revenue required for government services we needed (or, maybe, just wanted, but the deficit is still there).

I'm also more in favor of free trade than Jazz, but it's hard to believe that these 7,000 mile-long supply chains are sustainable without the intervention of someone's government.

May be the common people should call them 'business brats' and not leaders.

I greatly enjoyed reading this post. Good for you for interviewing an expert, especially one with whom you don't completely agree — that's definitely something I need to do as well (interviewing experts, and some with whom I don't agree, both). I think that gave your post greater authority and depth. I liked that you gave space to both points of view. Maybe I end up feeling this way because I fall on your side of the opinion divide, but I really do think the dispassionate way you approached this made it a much more interesting and informative read.

Thank you.

Then, when they pull back, re-incorporate in foreign companies, or just flat out lose to foreign companies who are tax-advantaged over them, we can all cry about the continuing loss of American economic prowess.

Seriously, between disastrous spending initiatives, repressive tax plans, and anti-business populism, could any government that set out in a conscious attempt to knee-cap America financially even more do any better a job than what the Obama administration is accomplishing with what they are trying to foist upon us?

Big messes require big fixes. I always chuckle when those made filthy rich by bending America over at the waist and having their way with her suddenly cry foul when the handcuffs are slapped on hard..

Oh Boo-Friggin-Hoo…

But yeah, we can settle for this compromise and possibly stiff prison sentences for selling out America.