State of Michigan Archives: on Corporations

Marcia Squier: I favor people over corporations and CEO billionaires

A: Somewhat Liberal. I am a leftist in that I favor people over corporations and workers' rights over CEO billionaires. I am antiestablishment because the establishment is a cesspool of corruption, and we need to evolve as a society away from materialism and violence.

John James: Trump tax cuts encourage companies to do business in America

John James (R): Yes. Says they encourage companies "to do business right here in America."

Debbie Stabenow (D): No. Don't cut taxes for the wealthy at the expense of middle-class families.

Debbie Stabenow: Supported recession bailouts saving the auto industry

Gretchen Whitmer: Government can help small business thrive

Gretchen Whitmer: Shift tax burden to corporations

Bob Young: Cut corporate taxes; tax those who pay zero taxes

Bob Young: Regulatory overreach hurts small businesses

A: "[On my tour of Michigan businesses], all of those businesses complained about regulatory overreach. The federal government in the last five years has spun out more business crushing regulation than is imaginable. And what people don't understand is that 70% of people employed in our country isn't employed by the GM's or Ford's of our country, it's by small businesses."

Bob Young: Regulation hurts liberty AND hurts communities

"Our founders created a limited federal government because they understood that unchecked government deprived the people of their liberty," Young said. "Ordinary people understand that our federal government is bloated and out of control. It broke our healthcare system. It lets our veterans die and it spends our money recklessly and attempts to regulate our every, acting decision. Debbie is the chief offender of this and its chief cheerleader."

Bob Young: I believe in limited government (but not no-government)

Marcia Squier: Taxes & fees for overseas corporations; incentives at home

A: If an American auto company wanted to open a plant in another country in order to reduce costs and increase its competitiveness worldwide, it should be able to do so, just as any other company in any other industry.

Q: Should it have to pay additional taxes or fees for work performed overseas?

A: It should have to pay additional taxes and fees. I believe, by the way, that all vehicle manufacturers, should become fossil fuel-free by 2030, as we move towards exclusively using renewable energy like solar and wind power. I would offer incentives to those who achieve that goal early, including companies, as well as cities, counties, states, and even other countries (who abide by international human rights laws).

Debbie Dingell: Don't bash the domestic auto industry

A: Some people say I'm too passionate about too many things. [laughs] But, first, I care about manufacturing and auto production because they are the backbone of our state. And I know we don't need to send one more person to Washington that's going to bash the domestic auto industry. That's why there is a clear choice in Michigan's Senate race. So that's obviously going to be one of my main issues.

Gary Peters: I supported auto bailout; my opponent opposed it

Romney's anti-bailout stance haunted him in Michigan. Democrats hope Land pays a similar price in a race to replace Sen. Carl Levin. When asked about Romney's position, Land said at the Republican National Convention that she was "with" Romney and said Ford survived without the bailout. Land's campaign says something had to be done to address the auto crisis, but she wasn't convinced on the plan proposed.

Mark Schauer: Build economy that works for everyone--not just the wealthy

Mark understands what the economy looks like not just to corporate CEOs, but to the hard-working Michiganders who make our economy tick. Growing up, Mark saved for college with his paper route, pumping gas, and flipping burgers.

As Governor, Mark will work to build an economy that works for everyone--not just the wealthy and the special interests.

Rick Snyder: Pure Michigan Business Connect: match-making for purchasing

What's the concept? It's not about the government spending money, it's about asking Michiganders to do more business with Michiganders. Simply doing match-making. Getting people signed up and working together.

We started it a couple years ago, on the buying side, in terms of purchasing more with our two big utilities. Happened on the lending side with two banks. Since 2010, there has been over $800 million more purchasing done in the state of Michigan than was otherwise done and there has been almost $2 billion of additional loans made in the last two years because of these programs.

It's going so well and so exciting that I was proud yesterday to announce that Ford and Chrysler are also joining the program. Let's keep this going; let's get Michiganders buying more from Michiganders, because that's more jobs.

Rick Snyder: One Tough Nerd: venture capitalist & high-tech executive

Nerds have active, curious minds. They seek input from many sources. Nerds pay attention to what's going on around them. Nerds don't take "no" for an answer--and they quickly tire of those who say "this is the way we've always done it." Nerds aren't concerned with taking credit. While still in public school in Battle Creek, Rick knew he wanted to acquire the education necessary to succeed in a variety of endeavors. How has he done?
• Rick was named President and COO of Gateway, an upstart computer company.
• As a successful venture capitalist, Rick led investments in a wide variety of technology-based start up companies.
• First Chairman of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Rick Wade: Last 10 years were good for rich, but not for middle class

The reality is that if you worked on Wall Street or daytraded technology stocks or flipped houses, the last 10 years may have looked pretty good to you. But if you got up every day trying to carve out a living in a factory or a retail store or a restaurant, your life probably wasn't materially better than it was at the turn of the century.

We should have known, even before the recession hit, that something was wrong. But we ignored the warning signals, and by the time President Obama took office, the economy was in free fall. Everyone knows what followed. This administration took some difficult and sometimes unpopular steps.

Fred Thompson: Do better than world’s second-highest corporate tax penalty

Fred Thompson: Don’t intervene with automakers unless drastic circumstances

A: No.

Q: Why?

A: Well, I think the government has to have a good reason to step in. I think it has to be something that drastically affects our economy or our national security. But I don’t think the government ought to step in and have people know that the government will step in if they walk out an create that kind of situation.

Q: Even if they say that they are at a disadvantage to foreign automakers?

A: Well, of course, they are. But that has nothing to do with the government stepping in. The government ought to relieve that disdavantage that we’ve got as far as foreign automakers are concerned, make them open up their markets and make certain markets quit devaluing their currency. That’s where the pressure needs to be applied.

Mitt Romney: Don’t apply Sec. 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley to smaller companies

A: Is London going to replace New York? Of course not. Should we fix Sarbanes-Oxley and take out Section 404 as it applies to smaller companies? Of course we should. Is this country the hope of the world? Absolutely.

Rudy Giuliani: Business goes abroad when we overregulate and overtax

A: No how, no way. It’s not going to happen. Give me a break. Of course, London’s not going to replace New York.

Q: Well, the number of IPOs is higher in London in 2007 than in New York.

A: This is the strongest economy on earth. If this generation can’t keep it that way, shame on us. What country do millions of people want to come to--the United States. China and India are trying to develop themselves to be like us, which is why we’ve got a heck of a lot we can sell to them

Q: So how do you explain the loss of business in New York going to London?

A: I explain it based on some of the mistakes that we make when we overregulate and we overtax. Our corporate tax rate is the second highest in the world. Everybody around the world wants to lower corporate tax rates but the leading Democratic candidates, who want to raise taxes 25% or 30%. That would be a disaster for this country.