We have a lot of valid criticisms of the current GOP-Baggers, but we need to stop trying to

[Atticus]

address all of them.

Yes, they are selfish and racist and homophobic and simple-minded and downright mean, but if we rail about all of that, peoples' eyes glaze over and they shift their attention to sports, "Dancing", or the amazing likeness of Jesus found on a sanitary napkin in Poughkeepsie.

We need to select a sledge hammer and POUND these cretins with it again and again and again and---pause only to catch your breath or hand the sledge to a replacement.

I propose that the absolutely AMORAL conduct of US corporations and the IMMORAL preferences our government accords them, if hammered into the consciousness of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Sixpack, could mortally wound any GOP-Bagger who dares to defend them.

Exhibit Number One could be the fact that Exxon-Mobil, a mega-corporation that made an all-time record profit this year of over 370 BILLION dollars paid US taxes of---wait for it---wait for it---ZERO DOLLARS!!!!

Folks if that doesn't frost your ass, you need a new proctologist!

People reading this who made $20K, $35K, $60K---ALL paid more income tax than this fat parasitic slug of a corporation and, in all probability, most of the fat-cats who own and control it.

Other mega-corporations which, thanks to Citizens United and the Roberts Rubber Stamp Company, can ANONYMOUSLY spend UNLIMITED amounts to elect their "friends", include General Electric and Google. Both of these giants paid NO US TAXES for the past year.

This is simple.

It is easily understood and unquestionably unjust.

It is also undeniably the result of Republicans "taking care of their base".

There should be countless editorials about how outrageous this is.

Anyone with any reputation for objective reporting should be talking about the unfairness of corporate prosperity in a time of personal privation should be talking about this on the radio, on TV, at every opportunity to address any segment of the population.

Buttons, caps and bumper stickers should boast "I paid more taxes than Exxon/GE/Google!"

We have plenty of facts on our side, but we should focus on just a handful and bludgeon the GOP-Baggers with them until they are mere stains on the carpet.

[DCKit]

1. Nicely said, but we can't agree on any one thing.

However effective a single-issue attack might be, I don't think we could use corporate welfare as our best tactic.

They'd just say it was all Obama's fault.

[KansDem]

2. Not doubting you thesis, but could you provide links for the "no taxes paid" by these corps?

I know representatives of these "new persons" claim they are responsible for a certain tax rate or could pay a large amount in taxes, but, if I understand correctly, tax loopholds and such reduces their liability a great deal.

However, when confronted with someone who uses this argument (about how much tax these corps are liable for), what documentation can be used to offset their claims?

[Atticus]

4. My "link" is Cenk---Uygur, that is.

Cenk was guest-hosting for Ed Schultz this evening and those corporations were identified by him in his opening remarks as having paid no taxes this past year.

I admit I assumed he was correct, but I have not known him to falsify or be grossly incorrect in his arguments.

If he was wrong, I was wrong and I will dine on crow.

[handmade34]

6. google search gives info

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2010/dec/10/bernie-s/bernie-sanders-filibuster-exxon-mobil/

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Tax/ge-exxon-paid-us-income-taxes-09/story?id=10300167

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/04/06/exxon-tax/

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Tax/ge-exxon-paid-us-income-taxes-09/story?id=10300167

http://climateprogress.org/2010/04/06/exxon-mobil-paid-no-federal-income-tax-in-2009/

[CTyankee]

3. But wouldn't we be wasting our breath? I mean, these people don't REALLY care.

Oh, they SAY they do, but do they? REALLY? Look how they voted! Scott Brown is their darling? Wasn't he the champion for Wall St. bonuses? Remember that?

Give up on these so called tea partiers. They are nothing more than re-warmed over repukes. Screw 'em.

Let's concentrate on getting our people elected...forget THEM!!!

[Atticus]

5. I totally agree. I did not intend to advocate persuading these idiots. My intent is to expose them

for the amoral nincompoops they are.

[CTyankee]

11. Yes, I think we should fashion our argument to where it directly cuts against their

faux rationale. Frontally challenging their points with actual facts DOES expose them, without it looking like we're just "beating up" on them. That doesn't work as well as presenting our side rationally and forcefully, w/o attacking the Tea Baggers as a group.

We have to work smarter, not harder!

[butterfly77]

7. We need to hit them with everything they got...

we need make sure people we know who believe their lies,are aware of what they really are doing. That one issue thing has been what they have been doing to the Dems all along. Throwing out some nonsense and the media starts the day with it then the other stations latch on and it is on everything the serious issues that affect us all on a daily basis is never talked about for a week and if it is, the TEABAGGERS talking points are what the media talks about.

Dems hit the wrong points and show up on tv talking in nuances and niceties because they don't want to offend but the CONS are beating you across the head with a bat.They have so many things that they are doing that is wrong or proves that they are on the side of corporations and the rich.

I was just looking at countdown and Sam Seder was talking about how the CONS have add something to a bill where they take away funds for homeless shelters,day care centers,checkin ships and cargo among other things and you wonder why they are screaming these things from the hill. It seems like Dems don't talk to each other...

[freshwest]

9. That's what I think.

[woo me with science]

8. I agree with you. The economy and struggling families must be highlighted

above EVERYTHING. The rape of American family bank accounts is the single issue that is going to drive this election.

[silver10]

10. I agree with you...

But to the average repuke, attacking corporations is sour grapes - corporations stand for the American way - capitalism - which provides jobs.

If you are angry with corporations (they believe), you are just lazy and unwilling to work hard enough to earn what they have earned, and are jealous and communistic. Since they believe that they have a chance if they work hard too to become millionaires, they can't be hypocritical because they don't want high taxes when they make it (seriously).

Most of the people I work with at a corporation make a lower-than-market-value wage for the hard work, and yet are 99.9% white republicans who have children, siblings, parents, etc. out of work and blame poor people on welfare and illegal immigrants for spending too much of their hard workingman's tax money, because they have to support so many of these parasites.

You can't tell them, and they won't hear, that corporations have too much control over government policy and are not paying their fair share of taxes, and neither are the top 2%. That this control is the scariest thing of all - it has sold America out and has weakened us (while greatly enriching a small minority). This small minority has a great PR communications machine and are geniuses at creating an extremely strong brand-name image that hides the real product - a load a shit for the rest of us, including the great majority of the idiots who vote repukian.

I hate them with the fire of a million suns for the pain so many of us have to go through so unnecessarily. I hate working 55 hours a week and not getting a raise for two years while the companies are increasing their profits by double-digit percentage points. Please don't mistake me, I am very grateful for my job.

I cannot agree enough with your post, thank you very much.

[kentuck]

12. Is it just a coincidence?

That gas prices start up as soon as Repubs take back the Congress?

And that for every penny gas prices go up, the oil companies make over $1 billion dollars?