Democrats Criticize The Amazon HQ2 Bidding War

[AaronB]

https://www.inquisitr.com/4757531/democrats-criticize-the-amazon-hq2-bidding-war/

"The cities should not compete against each other in a race to the bottom. It's absurd for the taxpayers to offer subsidies to one of the richest companies in the world."

Totally agree with this, and not just with this HQ2. Anytime a warehouse or distribution center is offered, these communities bend over backward to give them every possible subsidy and tax break available.

 

[Socivol]

I agree with this. My city is still in the running and what they have offered them is pretty ridiculous to me. In a state that is strapped for cash with ever increasing taxes giving a company over a billion dollars in tax cuts in addition to other incentives is outrageous.

 

[Jersey_Tom]

The entire thing has been gross. That the Democrats are finally mentioning something over this I think is a "too little, too late" sort of thing. Anyone should have seen that this would be an absolute disgrace when considering how much good HQ2 could possibly add to a community with all of the consolations offered to it.

At this point Amazon might as well just offer to symbolically buy a town or city and rename is Amazonia.

 

[whytemyke]

That's totally fine and if the cities don't want to participate nobody is forcing them to.

Matter of fact, there are literally thousands of cities around the world that didn't participate, all on their own, without the DNC telling them to abstain. Go figure.

 

[Sampson]

HQ2 is only attracting attention because it's high profile. Cities and states do this all the time for all sorts of companies and it never gets mentioned.

We need a national law that requires local governments to treat all companies operating in their jurisdictions equally under the law. Maybe an amendment.

 

[nihilence]

Maybe a small break, but one of the richest companies shouldn't need a hand out.

Bidding wars have generally been bad in my experience. A race to the bottom typically effects the intended results.

 

[Syriel]

HQ2 is only attracting attention because it's high profile. Cities and states do this all the time for all sorts of companies and it never gets mentioned.

We need a national law that requires local governments to treat all companies operating in their jurisdictions equally under the law. Maybe an amendment.

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Congress will manage that right after they ban pork barrel spending.

 

[Shard Shinjuku]

Congress will manage that right after they ban pork barrel spending.

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That actually got banned but they are thinking of bringing it back.

 

[Ether_Snake]

Can't the local governments not be treated like children and take their responsibilities? No city has to make an offer than isn't favorable to itself. This is truly the age of always blaming businesses instead of the governments that are responsible to the people. If any city makes a dumb offer, it's on the local government's hands.

 

[numble]

Congress will manage that right after they ban pork barrel spending.

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Earmarks have been banned for awhile. Some say that it has led to more difficulties in Congress.

 

[ShaheedMalik]

Is it really a bidding war if they are going to Atlanta but Atlanta doesn't want them?

 

[Hollywood Duo]

I must have missed the part where bidding was mandatory.

 

[Quazar]

Blah blah. If cities wanna make bids it's in their right to do so. It's also in the right of the consumer to not support a company like Amazon as well.

 

[SupremeWu]

The only difference between this Amazon HQ2 process and the process of most large corporations moving to a city/state, is that this process is transparent and open to public scrutiny.

Literally this happens all the time and it's always behind closed doors, with suits and cigars and golf.

For once we peasants get to watch it unfold and folks can't STAND it.

 

[rambis]

While I agree on principal, isn't the whole reason because what they gain will be far more than what have to give up? It seems disingenuous to leave that factor out.

 

[Phrozenflame500]

So I don't really take any issue with cities making themselves more attractive to business investments. What I do take issue with is a level playing field - Amazon personally shouldn't get any more advantages then any other business looking to set up in the area.

 

[Titik]

The serious cities are not giving them that much concessions if you notice the bids. Only the medium tier cities are the ones falling all over themselves witw generous offers.

 

[Bronx-Man]

I pray this thing doesn't come to Raleigh. That place is gentrified enough as is.

 

[PanickyFool]

Literally this happens all the time and it's always behind closed doors, with suits and cigars and golf.

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Yup, before I selected Eastern Europe for my second office, we did some preliminary investigation domestically. Pittsburgh, South Carolina, etc. Find the local economic development corporation and get a package.

 

[Syriel]

Earmarks have been banned for awhile. Some say that it has led to more difficulties in Congress.

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Earmarks are just one form of it.

 

[TJG662]

I agree. We all understand why it's bad and there needs to be a law against it on this level.

 

[RationalGinger]

Well...yeah?

I mean this happens in sports too..and is just as stupid. Ostensibly the logic is that jobs will be created...but it isn't like Amazon is hurting for money and can just build wherever the hell they want.

 

[Razgriz-Specter]

Amazon isn't remotely special in this,
Besides just generally all the big entertainment companies get states to do the exact same thing for years.

 

[SupremeWu]

I pray this thing doesn't come to Raleigh. That place is gentrified enough as is.

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I really wouldn't lose any sleep.

(I am monster who confesses being entertained, when folks from places that have *no chance* try to pretend like they're the ones doing the rejecting)

 

[SupremeWu]

'ermagerd don't come to tuskaloosa! we got like, mild traffic issues'

 

[SupremeWu]

'Please don't come to devils-butt-hole, Indiana! We're like, so swole already'

E - sorry, I'm settled down.

 

[AmethystArcana]

Is it really a bidding war if they are going to Atlanta but Atlanta doesn't want them?

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Wait; did Atlanta not place a bid? I did hear we were in the top 3 and that Amazon sent a lobbyist, but what "we" bid (if anything) hasn't been disclosed.

edit: SupremeWu stop multiposting, what the Hell?

 

[Nassudan]

Philly has a growing startup culture and already is home to an absolute shit company (Comcast).

It also can't afford whatever billions in subsidies Amazon is looking for.

 

[Zelas]

It's why I'm hoping Canada wins it.

 

[Deleted member 14002]

Yeah, incentives are bullshit.

 

[Opto]

Remember that one city that was going to give Amazon the employee's income tax?

 

[captive]

That's totally fine and if the cities don't want to participate nobody is forcing them to.

Matter of fact, there are literally thousands of cities around the world that didn't participate, all on their own, without the DNC telling them to abstain. Go figure.

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Did these cities take a vote of their citizens as to whether or not their city bids? Seems to me if my city wants to give a handout, especially to a company that doesnt need one, they should ask their constituants first.

 

[GoldenKings]

It was interesting to see Ohio take a state wide stance to try and convince Amazon to come to any of the three major cities in the State.

But my City is currently too preoccupied trying to land a MLS franchise so Amazon is on the back burner lol

 

[RationalGinger]

Did these cities take a vote of their citizens as to whether or not their city bids? Seems to me if my city wants to give a handout, especially to a company that doesnt need one, they should ask their constituants first.

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Large cities are bad about this. Ostensibly local officials should represent their constituents but then capitalism happens and democracy takes a back seat.

The Robocop movies have gone from extreme parody to prophetic satire...

 

[SSJSEPHIROTH666]

Nice headline.

Columbus - Democrat mayor
Indianapolis - Democrat mayor
Chicago - Democrat mayor
Denver - Democrat mayor
Nashville - Democrat mayor
Los Angeles - Democrat mayor
Dallas - Democrat mayor
Austin - Democrat mayor
Boston - Democrat mayor
New York City - Democrat mayor
Newark - Democrat mayor
Pittsburgh - Democrat mayor
Philadelphia - Democrat mayor
Washington DC - Democrat mayor
Raleigh - Democrat endorsed mayor
Atlanta - Democrat mayor
Miami - Republican mayor

 

[OrdinaryPrime]

Nice headline.

Columbus - Democrat mayor
Indianapolis - Democrat mayor
Chicago - Democrat mayor
Denver - Democrat mayor
Nashville - Democrat mayor
Los Angeles - Democrat mayor
Dallas - Democrat mayor
Austin - Democrat mayor
Boston - Democrat mayor
New York City - Democrat mayor
Newark - Democrat mayor
Pittsburgh - Democrat mayor
Philadelphia - Democrat mayor
Washington DC - Democrat mayor
Raleigh - Democrat endorsed mayor
Atlanta - Democrat mayor
Miami - Republican mayor

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Other Democrats are criticizing it. I don't see what's wrong with the headline. If you read it, you'll read a quote from Keith Ellison, a Democrat, criticizing it.

 

[Ecotic]

I'm dying to know what Atlanta's proposal was. I know it's disgusting, but I really don't care how cheaply we sold ourselves. It could transform this state from a rural backwater into the next blue-leaning Virginia.

 

[rambis]

Is it really a bidding war if they are going to Atlanta but Atlanta doesn't want them?

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Atlanta absolutely wants Amazon. Hell Bottoms held a presser just to congradulate people for becoming a finalist.

 

[ShaheedMalik]

Atlanta absolutely wants Amazon. Hell Bottoms held a presser just to congradulate people for becoming a finalist.

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Correction: The City of Atlanta does. Atlanta doesn't.

 

[Gwenpoolshark]

Good. They should.

 

[You Are Viewtiful]

I'm glad Toronto did not offer them any special incentives. If we get picked, it's on our own merits, and even if we don't, it's amazing that we made it to the Top 20 without bribes like the $7 billion from Newark (yikes).

 

[numble]

Nice headline.

Columbus - Democrat mayor
Indianapolis - Democrat mayor
Chicago - Democrat mayor
Denver - Democrat mayor
Nashville - Democrat mayor
Los Angeles - Democrat mayor
Dallas - Democrat mayor
Austin - Democrat mayor
Boston - Democrat mayor
New York City - Democrat mayor
Newark - Democrat mayor
Pittsburgh - Democrat mayor
Philadelphia - Democrat mayor
Washington DC - Democrat mayor
Raleigh - Democrat endorsed mayor
Atlanta - Democrat mayor
Miami - Republican mayor

Click to shrink...

It's fine to criticize a systemic issue while still engaging in an activity that would be detrimental if others do it and you do not do it. It's similar to a tragedy of the commons situation. Similarly, many states do not like the way electoral votes are winner-take-all and have signed on to an interstate compact to change the way their electoral votes are assigned, but it will not take effect until there is a critical mass of states that have signed on, otherwise they would be disadvantaging themselves in the current system. Campaign finance advocates are the same, politicians that criticize Citizens United will not try to shut down groups set up to take advantage of Citizens United to help their elections, etc.

 

[Josh378]

OMG, PLEASE do not come to Atlanta. I was planning to move back to my home state and now this crap. Please go to NC...we have plenty of businesses and Job opportunities in Atlanta...

 

[SegFault]

I mean yea capitalism is gross especially now that companies can hold jobs over politicians heads to enable theft from citizens (and even workers! See what Chicago offered for a good example of actual literal wage theft!)

 

[hurlex]

This honestly reminds me of when Boeing was 'deciding' on where to build the new 777x. It was pretty obvious after the fact that they had no intention of actually doing it, but they used the threat of it to convince the machinist union to give up a lot in the next contract.

When corporations get so large they easily have the leverage to force people/states/cities into a 'race to the bottom' that will ultimately make things worse.

 

[Mezentine]

Would any of them like to propose legislation to stop this?

 

[Deleted member 8257]

This kind of stuff has to have been written in dystopian novels, right? Corporations grown so large and powerful that governments would give them entire cities?

And I say this after just buying something off Amazon an hour ago :(

 

[rambis]

Correction: The City of Atlanta does. Atlanta doesn't.

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Maybe you don't. Maybe you know some people that don't. But I know plenty of people who do...


Granted, nobody really knows the effects of the big companies' in these cities and they mostly just have $$ in their eyes but I don't know many balking at more jobs in this city.

 

[ShaheedMalik]

Maybe you don't. Maybe you know some people that don't. But I know plenty of people who do...


Granted, nobody really knows the effects of the big companies' in these cities and they mostly just have $$ in their eyes but I don't know many balking at more jobs in this city.

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The traffic. We full.

 

[Deleted member 2171]

Nice headline.

Columbus - Democrat mayor
Indianapolis - Democrat mayor
Chicago - Democrat mayor
Denver - Democrat mayor
Nashville - Democrat mayor
Los Angeles - Democrat mayor
Dallas - Democrat mayor
Austin - Democrat mayor
Boston - Democrat mayor
New York City - Democrat mayor
Newark - Democrat mayor
Pittsburgh - Democrat mayor
Philadelphia - Democrat mayor
Washington DC - Democrat mayor
Raleigh - Democrat endorsed mayor
Atlanta - Democrat mayor
Miami - Republican mayor

Click to shrink...

Eh, city level Democrats aren't generally the same as national level. I mean, the one running here openly supported banning abortion. And it's good that a party is criticising people that belong to their own party?