AMERIQUE:


A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: It is the unspoken statistic, but it is as real as anything to do with the lingering U.S. war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to the military, 1,800 American servicemen have killed themselves since the initial invasion of Baghdad. That is in addition to the more than 4,000 who died in battle. This week, families of the soldiers who committed suicide asked President Barack Obama to change the government policy of not forwarding letters of appreciation to mothers and fathers of these servicemen. By week's end, the White House had reversed the policy and agreed that such letters are needed, as well... - Eduardo Paz-Martinez, Editor of The Tribune

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Ah, Taxes: They'll Break Your Wallet...How Much Do You Pay?...GE Pays Nothing...

By EDUARDO PAZ-MARTINEZ
Editor-In-Chief

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - The most popular sport here is not soccer. It's not baseball or football, either. No, not adultery or political games. Try taxes, or, really, the non-payment of taxes - for services rendered, we mean.

The capitalistic system we live under in this country says every citizen - including citizen corporations - shall pay a certain amount of their income to the national treasury. It varies, of course, yet we're all supposed to pay something or another to fund services from law enforcement to social programs. It's the law.

So, when you see a side-of-the-road mechanic doing gangbusters business along the frontage road here, there under a craggy mesquite where he's posted his badly-scribbled poster saying, perhaps: "Discount brake work!"...well, chances are that guy is taking your money for the work, but not charging taxes, which, if he did, he'd have to funnel to the state or federal tax offices. That's cheating, but it happens up and down the Rio Grande Valley every day. We're not telling you anything you don't know.

But when we raise Hell against these free enterprise dudes or outfits, we ignore the larger abuser.

Take General Electric, for example.

It remains the largest corporate income generator in the U.S., but it pays no taxes. Not one dime. Zip. Zilcho. Nada. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), GE reported worldwide profits of $14.2 billion last year, and said $5.1 billion of those profits came from the U.S. So, how much did it have to pay Uncle Sam?

Nothing.

In fact, GE, which is co-owner of the NBC-TV network, claimed a tax benefit of $3.2 million! How is that possible, you ask? Well, GE has an army of lobbyists working in Washington D.C. to twist the arms of Congress in an effort to get legislation helping it avoid taxes. The company's budget for those lobbyists: $200 million, which translates into a truckload of free dinners and other perks for congressmen and their aides. How serious is GE about not wanting to pay taxes? It has a tremendous Tax Department employing 975 lawyers and accountants.

So, next time you're at the flea market and you pay $10 for a suit and you ask about taxes and the old woman giving you change from that twenty is laughing, well, you'll know why...

- 30 -

34 comments:

Luisa said...

Mr. Paz-Martinez, their income tax return was 24,000 pages long, and you are right they didn't pay any taxes this year. uuuggghhhhh!!!

Anonymous said...

Just what exactly does the Veterans Board do in the city of Harlingen?? Sometime back they were talking about doing away with some boards, because they had too many.

Cable Guy said...

I have a GE frigerador. I hate it now! They should pay taxes and help the country. What a loser organization. They've lost a lot of respet from me.

El De Los Fresnos said...

Freddy Fender next to me in the cemetery! LOL!! How about Elizabeth taylor? Not interested, Freddy. Sorry, bro

Liza Montemayor said...

Mr. Martinez, I wholeheartly agree with the editor's note, but I do warn you, that your bloggers like myself, won't allow that little punk to throw mud at the Trib.
I think your bloggers have demonstrated that they won't put up with his bullshit, and if he doesn't like it, he can go and f**^*k himself, "pardon my French."
Luisa you are, sooo right, ouch, ouch, ouch, I had a liability this year, $800.00 dollars.

Patrick Alcatraz said...

LIZA:...We believe he knows how far he can go. It all seems to depend on how many readers he has on any given day. When he gets desperate, he comes after The Tribune. We don't mind. He opens himself up on many angles. As for our Bloggers responding to his attacks, well, we're okay with it. It would be different if Chapa operated a respectable blog. He doesn't. It is one soiled rag now, and he's to blame for it... - Editor

sal said...

Damn, people will sell their soul for Money, thanks but no thanks, those plots ought to be save for Freddy Fenders relatives.
Oh boy, only in South Texas.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Paz-Martinez, I am heading for Mexico to find the killers of Agent Zapata, $5.000.000 dollars cash, is a lot of money, it sure would help me replace my $2.800.00 Luni-nox watch, I lost in Vegas, among other things.

Anonymous said...

I agree with completely with Liza. Chapaneco better not trash the Trib. He'll get fire from all of us. Es mejor que te calles el osico, chaparro!

Ralph said...

Chapaneco is claiming victory. LOL!!! He's the biggets loser in the hemisphere. He's lost his Blog. It's nothing but dirt over there. Chaparro cannot be tristed. He still doesn't get it.

Patrick Alcatraz said...

RALPH & OTHERS:...As always, Toy Blogger Tony Chapa jumps to his weird, misguided conclusions. We have signed no truce with him, nor would we. He cannot be trusted, as Jerry Deal will attest after Chapa betrayed us last year. He'll crow that he's won, but what has he won? His Blog lies in ruins, self-smeared into being a useless rag. No one believes anything he posts, because few people choose hatred and racism as a reason to live. We'll keep exposing his ass with full prejudice, as harsh judges like to say in court... - Editor

Low rider Y que said...

Chapaneco can claim anything he wants, the Tribune has crucified his worthless blog. The commentary section destroyed his credibility, he might be part of the law-suit for inciting hatred.
No to offend any ladies, but my Grand dad who came from Mexico use to say this saying and it applies a este pinche viejo burro:
CHAPANECO, A TI TE QUEDO LO QUE AL BURRO, "NOMAS EL PEDO Y EL REBUSNIDO."
jajajajajajaja!!!!!
(Mr. Martinez, no more jokes about the idiot, well not untill he starts his attacks on the Tribune)

Liza said...

Mr. Martinez, Rick Perry wants to outsource everything in Texas, outsourcing means firing people.
I wonder if Texans like myself could suggest outsourcing the Governor??? Just a thought.
That SOB Chapa, just f$#$*ng ignore him, dumb ass.

Anonymous said...

Hey, just a thought. but while Chapaneco is 24/7 on his computer, where is his wife? Is Jake with her in the backseat of his Ford? Pobre sonso le pusieron los cuernos al cabron. Anyone know the word for that in English?

Hector/Harlingen said...

Sorry I'm late this morning. Busy day. Glad to hear The Trib is moving on from the Chapaneco crapola. he should be watched and attacked when he says anything stupid. But we all know his Blog is now worthless. The only news that come sout of there is hate and racism. Largate, mendigo! y no regreses!!!

Mr. Brownsville said...

hey, Jake isn't blogging on Chapaneco's blog. Has he come to his senses? LOL!!!

Anonymous said...

Don't know about those two, or maybe his buddy saw the light, sooner later people get tired of his same old f***#@ed up stories. Or maybe he is having fun con la chola nalgas de manteca. who knows.
But he is not bad mouthing the Trb. withouth getting a response, that's for sure.

Gilbert Longoria/harlingen said...

Had to make sure everyone got their meal, just got in. Great, getting away from Shrimper and his 3 buddies, and no good stories.
Good for you Mr. Paz-Martinez, I don't know who "M" is, but attacking a woman, just because she doesn't agree with your philosphy is shameful, but then this cyber bully, has no cajones.
Wow, G.E. payed no taxes, uh...I am stunned.

Patrick Alcatraz said...

ALL:...Tony Chapa's misguided blogger Jake's real name is Ralph Garcia (ral-phy15@hotmail.com). He has been sent this notice: "Mr. Garcia, I am adding your name to the lawsuit being filed in Cameron County against Tony Chapa. Your comments on MyHarlingenNews.com are actionable, according to my attorney. I wish to send you this note asking that you stop posting comments that damage my reputation. Indeed, I suggest you ask Mr. Chapa to remove all of your comments directed at me. This is not a game. I will seek compensation from you, as well. You have been served notice, sir. Signed, Eduardo Paz-Martinez" This morning, he persisted with his comments on MyHarlingenNews.com, which are being copied and stored for the appropriate time... - Editor

Anonymous said...

well that's the end of Chapaneco's comments. all he had was jake and his 15 fake names. isidro, Look, all of those loser fake comments. Chapaneco has nothing left. He's been knocked out. LOL!!!

Patrick Alcatraz said...

ALL:...Jake is not off the hook altogether. We reserve the right to add him to the lawsuit at a later date if he continues, even if it's under another name. Chapa's hard drive will convict him. He should know that, and he should insist in telling Chapa to erase his Blogs ASAP. That would be the smart thing to do. But we'll see. Old habits are hard to break. He's been given a second chance, something Chapa will NOT get... - Editor

Anonymous said...

Chapis, is no more than an instigator, not worth the piss of the day.
As for the idiot jake, that guy, I think is blogging here under an anonymous.

Anonymous said...

Synthetic Marijuana, damn , what are they going to come up with next. Synthetic, people.

Anonymous said...

$2.000.00 to get a plot to next to Mr. Fender, I don't think so, is this some kind of joke, or something??

Anonymous said...

Liza, Liza, for heaven's sake, don't worry,$800,00 is nothing to the IRS.
Glad to see the Stock Market is up, hate to say this, but I have to make for the loss of my $2.600 Luni-nox watch.
Mr. Editor, I think you will sympthaized with me. I lost the watch and a bracelet during an evening with a friend from Viet-nam, my tour guide in New Jersey by way. To much whiskey, got lost a couple of times, Yang, was very patient with yours truly.

The flight to the Valley was a drag, untill I arrive in Harlingen, than I really got depressed. My Lincoln had a flat tire. What else can go wrong???
By the way, you have the best blog in town, I mean it, numero uno.

Anonymous said...

(Mr.Lumi-nox)Anon, was that a hire guide, or a hire date? Check around the pawn shops, I bet Yang's boyfriend is using the watch, or has pawned it.
While you are at it, a Viet Nam tour guide, just out of courosity, how much were the fees for the tours, I bet $100.00 an hour.
If I were you I go and pay a co-pay and get myself a couple of anti-botic shots. Just a suggestion, you know, what I mean.
I don't care how gorgeous she was.

Anonymous said...

Just visited t/c just about every comment is from him, jakle, look, isidro. and two legitamate bloggers, no one is blogging on his rag line blog, not even with 4 police paragraphs, he calls stories. You have tamed the draggon,
Y la chola nalgas de manteca, in the back seat of a car, opps ford. Que lindo par de peladitos.

Anonymous said...

(Anti-botics) Anon, Yang, wouldn't stoop so low, French/viet Namese educated, business degree from Yorktown.
Working for a big bank, 5'ft 9"in and a 132 lbs.
She could teach many locals the etiquette in politeness, and attire, none of this sandal stuff, wall mart feet as they say in slang.
Tomorrow, I will replace the watch and the memories of Yang will remain somewhere in the subconcious.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Editor, I will no longer mention the blog, which has caused, horrible days at the TRib. Mr.Paz-Martinez, you can rest assure "low rider," will keep his comments strictly related to the topic at hand.
I ask, Liza and Luisa, Mary Lou, and everyone else to do the same.
I believe like Mr. Martinez, better days are ahead for the Trib.
"el row rider"

sal said...

Mr. Anonymous, Yang sounds more like a rented date, agree with Mr. Rider.
Mostly, police stories covered by the local media, phueyy.

Anonymous said...

So when does the Whitewings get the season going?? Any good news, last time they owed something like $40.000.00 to the city.

Anonymous said...

G.E. shouldn't have to pay any taxes because they contribute to the global economy via jobs, products, cool buildings ect...

Alot of companies are leaving the U.S. because the high taxes.

Value added tax to replace the status quo is the way to go.

Just give me that Govt. cheese so I be fat, dumb, and happy!

Anonymous said...

Like tonie's chola, saw both of them the other day, damn, that chola needs to loose about 90lbs. The pair looked like the number 10 Tonie one chola 0 no waist, just big.

The Daily R.G.V. Rancherito said...

But of Course My Dear... I really Love Muenster Cheese, it's one of the best Quesos - besides of the Ladies!!!