The moral of the Amazon fiasco

Jacksonville submits bid for Amazon's second headquarters

With Amazon reversing it's plans to open a second headquarter in NY under intense opposition by local politicians and unions, there is a great debate raging. The debate focuses on whether Amazon coming to NY would  have brought prosperity for its residents.

The bigger lesson to be learned here is how the general public is largely blind to cronyism (and happy to attribute its ill effects to 'capitalism' - whatever that means). 

You may think that the amazon deal would have benefited NY, or harm it. But it sure as hell stinks of cronyism. Why is one big corporation able to get the mayor and governor to negotiate in secret and get a tax break for investment and job creation? all this while hundreds of other businesses are drowning in taxes? Are they not investing money in NY and creating jobs?

If the people were fair in their thinking, the concern voiced above (regarding the cronyism of the whole thing) would be the first thing to notice. Unless we make morally sound decisions, prosperity is an elusive goal.

So what is the solution? If you think the high taxes are getting in the way of prosperity of NY, everyone deserves a tax break -not just Amazon!

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