Another conservative is calling “crony capitalism” on Donald Trump’s deal with Carrier, albeit an unexpected one — Sarah Palin.
In an op-ed for the website Young Conservatives, the former Alaska governor allowed that the details behind the manufacturer’s decision to keep some 1,000 jobs in Indiana at the president-elect’s behest, rather than move them to Mexico, are not yet clear. But touting the value of free markets, Palin signaled her disapproval if it was a case of “political intrusion using a stick or carrot to bribe or force one individual business to do what politicians insist.”
“When government steps in arbitrarily with individual subsidies, favoring one business over others, it sets inconsistent, unfair, illogical precedent,” she asserted.
And in an apparent jab at Trump, whom she famously endorsed in a rambling speech earlier this year, she asked: “Republicans oppose this, remember? Instead, we support competition on a level playing field, remember? Because we know special interest crony capitalism is one big fail.”
The op-ed is not subtle: Palin described such government intervention as a “hallmark of corruption” and “socialism,” and then compared it to policies of the Obama administration, which she regularly rails against.
“A $20 trillion debt-ridden country can’t afford this sinfully stupid practice,” she cautioned, “so vigilantly guard against its continuance, or we’re doomed.”
Some establishment conservatives, like The Wall Street Journal editorial board, have come out against the Carrier deal, arguing that it sacrifices free market principles. But Palin’s criticism is more surprising because of her vocal support for Trump and her own populist, anti-establishment appeal. Her name has also been floated as a possible head of Veterans Affairs in the Trump administration.
Palin — who is being considered to run the Department of Veterans Affairs — did stop short of a full-out rebuke of Trump, writing, “Gotta’ have faith the Trump team knows all this.”
“I’ll be the first to acknowledge concerns over a deal cut by leveraging taxpayer interests to make a manufacturer stay put are unfounded — once terms are made public,” she wrote.
Although some details behind the deal remain unclear, the state of Indiana offered Carrier $7 million in tax subsidies over 10 years to stay.
#1: Hondo68 To: Willie Green, *Bill of Rights-Constitution* (#0)
Ya, she didn't come right out an call Trump and Pence fascists, which is what they are.
'Crony Capitalism' is the polite way of saying, Fascism.
The government is not supposed to make deals, and pay out bribes. It's not supposed to be a business.
Hondo68 posted on 2016-12-02 22:02:38 Reply Private Reply
#2: Deckard To: Willie Green (#0)
Fixed it.
Deckard posted on 2016-12-02 22:11:27 Reply Private Reply
#3: Fred Mertz To: Willie Green (#0)
She couldn't wrap her pea brain around the enormity of that position.
Hopefully they'll find a competent body to fill the slot.
Fred Mertz posted on 2016-12-02 23:31:04 Reply Private Reply
#4: sneakypete To: Willie Green (#0)
sneakypete posted on 2016-12-03 08:09:05 Reply Private Reply
#5: misterwhite To: Willie Green (#0)
-- States do this ALL THE TIME to attract business. Why not use the incentive to KEEP business?
-- Trump doesn't run the State of Indiana and can make no tax deal. Why is Sarah Palin blaming Trump?
-- Trump probably told Carrier that that that their corporate tax rate would drop to 15% (along with other corporations) and if they moved to Mexico would pay a 35% tariff (along with other corporations which moved). Where's the "crony capitalism"?
misterwhite posted on 2016-12-03 13:30:58 Reply Private Reply
#6: Willie Green To: misterwhite (#5)
Why is Trump claiming credit?
Willie Green posted on 2016-12-03 15:26:53 Reply Private Reply
#7: Roscoe To: Willie Green (#6)
Because he earned it.
Roscoe posted on 2016-12-03 15:56:03 Reply Private Reply
#8: Deckard To: Roscoe, misterwhite, Willie Green (#7)
Deckard posted on 2016-12-03 16:29:10 Reply Private Reply
#9: GrandIsland To: Willie Green (#6)
Because you Chimp pal didn't save the jobs.
GrandIsland posted on 2016-12-03 18:41:42 Reply Private Reply
#10: nolu chan To: misterwhite (#5)
Because she and other critics are too dumb to realize that, or realize who the governor of Indiana is. Allegedly, Carrier was promised breaks on State taxes.
nolu chan posted on 2016-12-03 19:02:57 Reply Private Reply
#11: misterwhite To: nolu chan (#10)
Which is done all the time by all the states. Trump probably added that federal corporate taxes would be lowered and that Carrier would pay a price on imports.
misterwhite posted on 2016-12-04 10:22:13 Reply Private Reply