“While Apple’s success has earned rock-star status in Silicon Valley, its low-wattage approach in Washington is becoming more glaring to policymakers. Despite its increasing influence over consumers’ use of technology — most recently with the iPad and iPhone 4 — Apple has kept a particularly low profile inside the Beltway,” Hart reports. “‘It’s unfortunate because they are a major player in this area, and we are going to continue to have a long, in-depth conversation,’ on these topics, said Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), who presided over theprivacy hearing, referring to Apple’s empty seat at the witness table.”
MacDailyNews Take: Wonder if they’re really concerned about the lack of Apple’s presence or presents?
Hart continues, “It is one of the few major technology companies not to have a political action committee. While CEO Steve Jobs supported the presidential campaigns of Bill Clinton and Al Gore, he hasn’t been especially active in political fundraising or races. Gore now sits on Apple’s board of directors.
“Compared with other tech giants, Apple’s lobbying expenditures are small,” Hart reports. “In 2009, Apple spent only $1.5 million to lobby the federal government, less than Amazon, Yahoo and IBM. In 2009, Google, for example, spent $4 million, Microsoft $7 million and AT&T $15 million… In the first quarter of this year, Apple spent $560,000 on lobbying, according to disclosure reports. During the same period, Google spent $1.4 million and Microsoft spent $1.7 million. ‘They’ve been very focused on their own innovation, and they don’t have a history of coming to town to get their competitors regulated,’ said Jonathan Zuck, president of the Association for Competitive Technology. ‘But they’re expanding into so many areas that they’re going to find themselves in other companies’ cross hairs, so they probably should be ready to play defense.'”
MacDailyNews Take: Lack of presents, as suspected.
“‘They don’t have the arrogance of Google, nor does Steve Jobs think he’s in the Obama cabinet like Eric Schmidt does,’ one tech industry lobbyist said,” Hart reports. “To handle discussions on the Hill, Apple hired Franklin Square Group, a technology-focused lobbying firm started by Josh Ackil, former White House aide in the Clinton administration and tech adviser to former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle. Paul Margie of Wiltshire & Grannis does much of the company’s work at the FCC. Apple has visited the FCC only four times in the past three years, according to agency records.”
Hart reports, “Apple may be forced to change that strategy as it pushes into new markets.”
There’s much more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Alternate headline: “Washington insiders concerned about their palms’ lack of Apple grease.”
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “JB” for the heads up.]
MDN take – exactly what I was thinking.
If I were Apple, I’d “stiff” all the corrupt politicians in Washington.
They’re crook anyway.
I wouldn’t give them one cent.
Watch out for big brother. They just want to control and get into every aspect of your life.
I hope they end up with their palms full of Apple butter….
Sadly, I think MDN’s take is an accurate one. Washington is again nosing in to areas it does not belong. Now it’s getting pissy because Apple has no interest in playing the game. Since Apple doesn’t take government monies, I don’t see where the govt. has issue to complain.
Astonishing that people complain that Apple seeks to curry less political favor than other companies. The arrogance of people like Rockefeller and Pryor oozes like slime on a fetid, liberty-suffocating swamp.
I am shocked, Apple doesn’t have to buy off our honest Congress men and women to get their innovative devices and services to market. I guess you just have to give one or two of them an iPad or iPhone an they step aside.
Isn’t it more interesting that people expect to have to “Pay to Play”.
Washington is rotten to the core.
Show Congress the money and they’ll shut up.
What a low state our government has hit.
Well, Congress sure irks me! They can take their lack of freebies and suck it.
Ya know seriously… This is just gross. Is Apple doing anything wrong? NO. But if you don’t homage to the powers that be, you’re screwed.
The US government really has no say in Apple, why should Apple have to lobby for anything? Giving money to scumbag politicians isn’t the Apple way. I say screw em’ all and let Microsoft pay for it. They are the business men, not innovators, that enjoy the game.
-Pi
…and congress’ secrets cost the American taxpayer billions.
ef those sunzabitches and their disturbing hairstyles.
get fat and die on your own kickbacks and selfserving egos
….and now I’ll read the article.
Congress snakes leave Apple alone!
APP you!
Steve Jobs is a liberal because of where he lives and an idealism common to his generation, but an idealism that is not based on reality, but fashion. In San Francisco, you are a leper if you are a conservative. By his actions, Steve Jobs is a conservative. His company has zero debt and a huge cash horde (versus the Fed government), he is an entrepeneur (strike one against him from the worldview of liberals), his company is extremely profitable (strike two), he does not seek competitive advantage through lobbying but rather through product excellence (strike three). Steve Jobs by his actions is what we should wish all American businessmen were – willing to live or die by his accomplishments. Much like Howard Roark or John Galt of Ayn Rand novels. So, his liberal government tit-sucking groupies, some in Congress, don’t understand why he does not fawn over them and shower them with money. The man actually has self-respect and an understanding (still developing) that he is a “producer” and the government hacks and the choruses of government lovers are “non-producers” who live of his sweat, work, vision and risk.
So, kudos to Apple for not attending the moronic government meeting about children. Apple does not promote porn, like Hollywood and all the leftists there who would attend such a waste of time meeting. I wish GM and many Banks would have had the balls to tell the Federal Government to keep their nose out of private business. Maybe we would still have an American automobile industry. Go Steve. You are doing a great job.
If Apple won’t “pay” attention to lawmakers, occasionally genuflecting, they’ll bring pressure to bear. Pigs at the trough, looking for a cut of Apple’s success.
It just gets more and more ridiculous with each passing day…
What should really “irk” US Congress is Google`s secrecy and antics…
http://precursorblog.com/
Yes, Congressman are all powerful these daze.
You don’t DARE question them!
http://www.breitbart.tv/congressman-assaults-student-on-washington-sidewalk/
A government that routinely hides and even lies about what it does with taxpayers money is concerned about the secrecy of a company that makes *cell phones*. Think about that the next time someone tells you there are such huge differences between the only two choices of political party the US has…
I wouldn’t take a $1,000 bribe. But I might be bribed by a shiny new iPad.
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Norrin Radd said, “suck it”.
Bravo my man!
Who the hell do these guys think they are (congress, not Apple)? I would understand if Chavez reacted this way to someone not showing up when “asked”.
I wonder how many iPads it takes to make a SEC investigation go away.
@Kent
Classic example, you are. Conservatives don’t lobby? Conservatives don’t take gov cash as often and as much as they can get? Are you $&@king serious? Apple is a great company *because* Jobs is a liberal. Your sad attempts to pidgeon hole the entire range of human behaviour into two camps is a perfect example of the schizophrenia that poisons USAnians political views. You seriously believe, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that your childish binary worldview passes for keen insight. Hilarious.
One the one hand, Apple’s lack of sharing a bit of their wealth with Washington irritates the legislators who mostly get far wealthier during their “service to the nation.” But I also imagine those congressmen will eagerly do the bidding of Apple’s competitors who lobby more generously.
I have always thought the institution of lobbying amounts to formalized corruption.
Actually, if you think about it, this is rather perfect: It’s 1984 again, and Apple has another Big Brother as a nemesis…
MDN, I love your play on words. I think you nailed it. What is happening? These scumbags should be careful. The governments used to be able to print history in the textbooks as they saw fit. With the internet and every citizen equiped with cameras and access to post to the net and the world’s eyes, there is no more business as usual. Society has been given real time access to what these jerks are up to. Can’t these idiots see the freight train heading towards them?
“His company has zero debt and a huge cash horde (versus the Fed government)”
But when you look back you’ll find it was the conservatives (ie: Republicans like Reagan Bush) who drove up massive government debts. Not Democrats.
My take is Steve Jobs is Steve Jobs and like most people, is neither conservative nor liberal. Why people feel the need to label someone as this or that is beyond my comprehension.
I thought congress had more important things to worry about. Like which baseball players are using performance enhancing drugs.
Scum. All of them.
@ApplePi
“Ya know seriously… This is just gross. Is Apple doing anything wrong? NO. But if you don’t homage to the powers that be, you’re screwed.”
Yeah, this sickens me too. Is this what the Gov’t has come to? Very sad indeed.
Why make a big deal about Apple’s secrecy? They are required to be tight-lipped about future products by the Securities Commission. It helps promote an effiecient market. Hence, all the speculation being done by (potential) investors.
We need to lose the Kenyan Muzzie moron
MDN’s take hits the nail squarely on the head – these Politicos are more concerned that their palms aren’t being greased than for anything else…
Today, I disagree with the MDN Take. I would like to know what the privacy issues are going to be. If Apple and Google don’t show up, then they should not complain if Congress makes some rules about privacy that are below par.
@ kent
Apple also collects taxes on sales to all 50 states and sends that money to the government regardless of if they have business in that state or not.
All in all, the entire post was a very weak attempt at… something.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” /> I’m not sure what, but regardless of what IT was, the attempt was weak.
Congress had better watch out. Apple could retaliate by bringing its technical prowess to bear on the vote counting mess, or better yet develop online, real time democracy to eliminate the failing, always for sale to the highest bidder representative form of democracy. Lobbyists would have to learn to grow tomatoes if they couldn’t buy off congressmen.
Government of, by and for the people should be open source. I think I’ll call up iVote on my iPhone right now and vote yes.
The US Congress irks me, especially that Rockefeller fella from West Virginia.
Congress is “concerned”?!? WE have been concerned for over a year now (some for longer) about their actions and they’re blowing us off. They shouldn’t be surprised when they get blown off. Admittedly, Apple is not attending for different reasons, but, nonetheless, is blowing it off and, I would hope, is trying to stay out of politics.
When a government has slid down to these depths of depravity it’s time to throw the bums out and start fresh. Too bad it’s big business inside the beltway.
Apple is poised to become bigger than oil, and we all know how well the oil industry takes care of Wasington.
Apple is like BP, a company with deep pockets and thus a target for the politicians in Washington. The political risk is significant and immeasurable, given the climate in kick-ass Washington.
There can be no question but that the politicians and bureaucrats are engaged in warfare against successful U.S. companies, to the point where political risks have become the greatest business risk faced by large corporations. Under the circumstances, the deeper the pockets, the higher the risk. Hence, Apple should divest itself of excess cash, which means declaring significant dividends to its present shareholders. One suspects the main reason it doesn’t is it is using stock options to favour insiders and employees; that’s conflict of interest and unfair to the shareholders. In addition it should split the stock to get wider stockholder participation and thus more citizen participation against the political class. It should also move its head office to Canada, where corporate taxes are being reduced, and where the government does not permit corporate contributions to political campaigns.
@HisShadow
You did not refute a single thing I said. Apple is a great company purely because Steve Jobs acts conservatively. Face it – liberals HATE private entitities that make money. They hate the private sector. They love the government.
Steve Jobs IS the private sector.
@ DISPOSABLE IDENTITY – you say “But when you look back you’ll find it was the conservatives (ie: Republicans like Reagan Bush) who drove up massive government debts. Not Democrats.”
Partly true. When Bush left office, after 2 years of a Democrat controlled Congress, the annual deficit was about $450 billion. Now, after 2 year of FULL DEMOCRAT control, the deficit is roughly 4 times that – about $1.9 TRILLION. So, next time check the facts. Both parties spend way too much. Democrats spend at lest 4 times more, and are not done yet.
Two idiot Democrats looking for a handout and for some free press. They are terrified about the elections this year and need some more capital.
I am a Democrat and this just pisses me off.
our current goverment as a whole just sickens me…. arrogant and selfish are the 2 main words that come to mind…..
@His Shadow
Touché. Couldn’t have said it better myself. I’m so tired of the seeming lack of ability or interest in having a reasoned discussion. Instead, vilifying and pigeon holing the opposition is the rule of the day. Infantile, IMHO, especially when politicians of every stripe are just as corrupt and just as likely to spend money that isn’t there, reduce our freedoms and get wildly rich doing it.
Just another illustration that Apple represents everything that is going well for this country and Congress represents everything that is going wrong.
Unfortunately, the tea-partiers can’t solve this alone, we need a populist uprising across the entire political spectrum.
lack of PAC and low end lobbying efforts are all a GOOD thing…unlike all the other so-called capitalists who are continually trying to get congress to pass more $$ their way
if Apple doesn’t need it to succeed why do others?
Union of Soviet Socialist Democrats
Too much government that is full of itself …. they feel they have to be in everybody’s business whenever they want when in fact they work for us the people.
Be glad in the fact that Apple behaves like medium and smaller companies and does what it does… on it’s own. The problem is that way too many industries take use their money to make their money easier by lining the pockets of BOTH parties.
It seems that the consensus is mostly the same. Our corrupt politicians aren’t getting their fair share out of Apple. So now they want investigate. Is Steve Jobs a subversive, or is Apple involved in unlawful activities? If not, then start to focus on BP and the oil industry. Actually, you should investigate yourselves for corruption. Doesn’t the definition for corruption refer you to the definition for politician?
The bunch of scumbags in our Government are the worst
What shameless a$$es. Googloid’s sleazy Eric Smithers fits right in.
Yuck!
Excuse me @stollhow, you are equating Apple to BP? You elude to one similarity but totally neglect to focus on the incredible differences.
@kent – Liberals do not hate the private sector. Liberals prize justice and human dignity above all. I think SJ fits in that category.
As far as Apple being the epitome of conservatism, yes, perhaps of the old school conservatism (Barry Goldwater perhaps) but not of the new branch conservatism. The similarities are the difference between Apple and BP.
I salute Apple for staying out of Washington and say to Mr. Rockefeller that you are the reason the new school conservatism and tea baggers are making any headway. You sir are no democrat but a leach and opportunist who, like many politicians, would serve us all well if you just kept your mouth shut.
Scumbags in our government are just money hungry lowlife that just think they’re the f….kin mafia ………. I say to Apple don’t fall to there tactics if anything give them some old 1st generation Ipod. Recycle one lol
This aproach apple is taking with DC. Politics is refreshing. Way to go Steve for refusing to play the corrupt Washington political games.
Proud to me a customer!
Apple is a private company and nobody is compelled to buy one damn thing they make , while we haven choice of government and very little real input or voice.
I am so happy that the sentiment from the commenters matches the MDN take, it gives me some faith that maybe we can pull out of this tailspin at some point. I couldn’t agree more.
How can congress rule over the serfs if the serfs refuse to acknowledge that power? Shame on Apple for not kneeling before the ruling class
(MDN Magic Word = “free”, how perfect)
How much Apple spends in Washington compared to other tech companies:
http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-lobbying-spending-for-tech-companies-2010-5
If people doubt most of Washington is corrupt, probably at it’s most corrupt ever, watch the movie “Casino Jack and the US of Money.” I knew no good would come from someone promising everything under the moon.
If people doubt most of Washington is corrupt, probably at it’s most corrupt ever, watch the movie “Casino Jack and the US of Money.” I knew no good would come from someone promising everything under the moon.
If people doubt most of Washington is corrupt, probably at it’s most corrupt ever, watch the movie “Casino Jack and the US of Money.” I knew no good would come from someone promising everything under the moon.
If people doubt most of Washington is corrupt, probably at it’s most corrupt ever, watch the movie “Casino Jack and the US of Money.” I knew no good would come from someone promising everything under the moon.
If people doubt most of Washington is corrupt, probably at it’s most corrupt ever, watch the movie “Casino Jack and the US of Money.” I knew no good would come from someone promising everything under the moon.
If people doubt most of Washington is corrupt, probably at it’s most corrupt ever, watch the movie “Casino Jack and the US of Money.” I knew no good would come from someone promising everything under the moon.
If people doubt most of Washington is corrupt, probably at it’s most corrupt ever, watch the movie “Casino Jack and the US of Money.” I knew no good would come from someone promising everything under the moon.
This thread is a very clear indication that something tectonic had happened here at MDN. Neither was MDN’s “take” some thinly-veiled political flame bait (as it often used to be), nor were comments here political slugfest between supporters of Democrats and Republicans. With very few exceptions (which were fairly mild), most comments were united in the (fairly negative) opinion about the American government in general, without specifically isolating one or the other side. This isn’t the first time that an article that comes fairly close to a political subject does not instigate an irrelevant five-page political flame war. Looks like something is substantially changing here, both with MDN’s tone, as well as the participants’ contributions.
I guess we needed to lose some of the brighter contributors to these forums in order to refrain from inane political shoutouts…
iGraft
I can see a potential problem for Apple here, and a very big one. American government (specifically, congress/senate) has an immense amount of power. They can easily legislate a company into bankruptcy, even as successful and as powerful as Apple, if they so choose. American politicians are an extremely greedy bunch, primarily because corruption is legal in USA (via lobbying). This give them sense of entitlement, so when they feel they aren’t receiving the massive amounts of cash to which they believe they’re entitled to, they will do whatever is necessary in order to get their expected share.
It is very unfortunate, but I believe Apple will very soon have to bring their federal government bribes inline with other major players, in order to make sure they are allowed to continue to build “insanely great products”.
Veil of Secrecy???
How many ‘closed door’ veil of secrecy sessions did these idiots attend doing the people’s business.
Heck some of these ‘closed door’ meetings became ‘locked door’ meetings where literally Representatives of the people were barred because others had the LOCKS changed!
Your Chicago Thug-ocracy on STEROIDS! Is it November yet?
– C2
http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2009/10/dems-lock-out-republicans-literally.html?cid=6a00d8341c4df253ef0120a6101e59970b
F*#! these politicians! They get these huge benefits and have all these lobbyist meetings and now they’re upset that Apple doesn’t grease them too.
Guess what, I’m tired of Congress’ secrecy. Let’s have them post their meeting schedules online so we can all see who they’ve got appointments with and then post up video of all these meetings. How would you guys like that kind of non-secrecy?
Sign the petition to fix the biggest threat to our democracy:
http://www.termlimits.org/
While it is NOT right, it is a fact of life.
A perfect example: Microsoft.
Microsoft did very, very little lobbying in Washington, D.C. in the 80s and 90s. It had virtually no political presence there and gave virtually nothing to political campaigns. Then the anti-trust lawsuits (there was more than one).
Microsoft changed its tactic. Significantly more lobbying in Washington, D.C. and significanly more given to political campaigns. Note no more anti-trust actions.
Apple may have to do the same. It’s not right. It shouldn’t even be legal. But it is a fact of life in Washington, D.C.
Wow. They should be praising Apple for their adult, hands-off approach, not criticizing it. Pathetic.
I’m so proud of you all I could just cry.
How in the Hell do you get off comparing Apple to BP? I hope Steve personally opens a can of woopass on you, asshat!
If Congress wants to look into companies, start with ones WE own, like GM and what became of the EV1.
And for you pathetic rich people wannabes, stop with the glorification of the almighty dollar. Politicians of any party and the CEOs of US Industry don’t give a shit about you lemming peons. You’re in debt and that’s the way They want to keep it. “You owe your soul to the company store….”
Amizin1: “Liberals prize justice and human dignity above all.”
I will concur… you are an amazing one…
You say ‘Liberals prize justice and human dignity above all’ and then in your last paragraph from the same post you decry, ‘tea baggers are making any headway’.
So much for Liberals prizing that “human dignity” cockamamy bull you try to pass off as Liberal core values!
“It [Apple] is one of the few major technology companies not to have a political action committee”.
And please keep it this way!
People judge you by the company you keep – respect yourself.
“Apple has kept a particularly low profile inside the Beltway” – and that’s a bad thing how?
Those who care to look into the issue will find a positive correlation between government involvement and political lobbying. The more government meddles – through regulation, favoritism, and largess – the more businesses lobby either to protect what they have or to get a bigger piece of the pie.
I’m a politician and this might affect some possible future TV time (cry, cry, sob, sob). Apple, I’m ashamed of you.
Term limits please and no special perks. It’s a privilege to serve not a right.
When I see these kind of people on TV, I like to do the old trick of picturing them in their underwear. Scary I know, but puts them in the right perspective.
@Kirkp
Awesome!!!!!
And MDN’s take is right on the mark.
This sounds like the beginning of a new version of an old book: “Apple Shrugged”. Let’s hope not.
IDIOCRACY
I don’t know if term limits would get at the problem. You’d just have ineffective rubes passing thru a revolving door owned by established kingpin lobbyists. The movie suggests public funding of elections would have kept at least one of the movie’s politician clean. Elected officials supposedly have to beg every week or so for money. That voracious need seems like the problem.
I don’t know if term limits would get at the problem. You’d just have ineffective rubes passing thru a revolving door owned by established kingpin lobbyists. The movie suggests public funding of elections would have kept at least one of the movie’s politician clean. Elected officials supposedly have to beg every week or so for money. That voracious need seems like the problem.
I don’t know if term limits would get at the problem. You’d just have ineffective rubes passing thru a revolving door owned by established kingpin lobbyists. The movie suggests public funding of elections would have kept at least one of the movie’s politician clean. Elected officials supposedly have to beg every week or so for money. That voracious need seems like the problem.
I don’t know if term limits would get at the problem. You’d just have ineffective rubes passing thru a revolving door owned by established kingpin lobbyists. The movie suggests public funding of elections would have kept at least one of the movie’s politician clean. Elected officials supposedly have to beg every week or so for money. That voracious need seems like the problem.
I don’t know if term limits would get at the problem. You’d just have ineffective rubes passing thru a revolving door owned by established kingpin lobbyists. The movie suggests public funding of elections would have kept at least one of the movie’s politician clean. Elected officials supposedly have to beg every week or so for money. That voracious need seems like the problem.
I don’t know if term limits would get at the problem. You’d just have ineffective rubes passing thru a revolving door owned by established kingpin lobbyists. The movie suggests public funding of elections would have kept at least one of the movie’s politician clean. Elected officials supposedly have to beg every week or so for money. That voracious need seems like the problem.
I don’t know if term limits would get at the problem. You’d just have ineffective rubes passing thru a revolving door owned by established kingpin lobbyists. The movie suggests public funding of elections would have kept at least one of the movie’s politician clean. Elected officials supposedly have to beg every week or so for money. That voracious need seems like the problem.
What if there was this huge, powerful company that gave nothing to political campaigns. Talk about threatening government as we know it! Probably some form of sedition.
Apple probably recognizes a dog and pony show when they see one and just decided not to play. The government has done more to undermine privacy on the internet than any group of companies that could be called on to blather (and contribute) to Congress.
Or maybe Apple just took a lesson from the Bush White House. Congressional hearings? Hell no, we won’t go!
Bush’s Investment banks tanked the economy. Is Congress investigating Bush’s investment banks?
No? Maybe it’s because they are too big to investigate. Apple is just small and sexy enough to investigate. It’s a bite-sized morsel that even a stupid congressman can handle.
congress can’t get its own shit together, they should keep their noses out of areas they belong in
Gotta love government hustling of successful companies who don’t contribute enough to politicians and the DNC.
@Mark. Politicians have to because campaigns costs can run into the billions.
@Kent…paint everyone with the same brush do we? Love to generalize do we?
Kudos to the bulk of the people on here that crapped on congressmen or politicians in general without saying liberal this or conservative that. You have renewed my faith in the intelligence of the human race.
The average Congressional campaign costs $1M-$2M, the average Senate campaign costs $3M-$5M. In any given election year there are 435 House seats and 33 Senate seats being voted on. Using the upper end of costs, that would mean $870M on the House and $165M on the Senate. Total $1.035B.
What if there was suddenly and Apple party in the US political landscape, backed by a company with 40x the money to run a candidate in every race?
Re. Congress; Even the most honest of men can be fooled by highly paid skilled lobbyists who inundate them with lies and innuendo. If all you get is one side of the story 24 hours a day, then what do you expect?
It is a dysfunctional system. The current system that allows Lobbyists the freedom they have is obviously in need of revision.
The concept that a company which does not have the same obligations as a citizen is given all the rights of a citizen needs a complete re-think.
Here endeth the lesson!
It isn’t about left, center, or right. It is about corruption.
The Committee want to “get its beak wet”. They are all for privacy as long as they know what’s going on.
The Democrat Party is based on corruption. Chicago Daley Machine last 50 years. The pure Democrat machines in Detroit, DC, Cleveland, Philly, Newark, etc. The SEIU is pure thug politics 24/7/365. Labor unions are 100% Democrat and operate based on intimidation and now want to wipe out the secret ballot in their own elections. Democrats support corruption as a way to achieve their goal of increasing state power and reducing individual liberty. This is a generalization – and it is true.
@Kent
You’re full of crap. I’m a liberal and I don’t hate private enterprise. I know lots of people who have their own businesses, all of whom are democrats and quite liberal in their views, and they obviously don’t hate private enterprise. You should not believe your side’s propaganda so thoroughly.
What most liberals despise is big businesses like insurance, banks, pharma, wall street, tipping the balance their way ALL THE TIME, getting laws enacted that eviscerate their competition and enhance their own finances. I do not consider those places to be true businesses, but rather rackets.
I’m so tired of the conservative/liberal crap people spew. Most of the time, as in Kent’s case, people spouting it haven’t the slightest notion of what they’re talking about.
I’m so proud of you all I could just cry.
These days we live in a bizarro Michael Moore world in which every corporation is evil, a demonic outpost for Satan, and every CEO is some kind of low life swine who is supposed to kowtow to Congressional arrogance and delusional grandeur. And of course offer substantial bribes. Apple has $40 billion cash in the bank and you know Congress just looks at that money and salivates.
Sooner or later though, you even run out of other people’s money.
@Kent…I am glad you are gifted with such penetrating and all-encompassing inside knowledge. I am sure political groups in Canada and Japan and in other democratic countries base their platform of ‘corruption’. Why support social programs and education and clean environments when you can ‘support corruption’!
Clearly people think that corruption is a good thing so we vote them in.
If you want a generalization, how about Alll people named Kent are dumbasses (oh oh, sorry superman).
Wasn’t this a scene from Iron Man 2?
The government didn’t like Stark having so much power without government intervention. Stark’s main competitor was behind the manipulation of the government in order attempt to control Stark’s technology.
Is it just me, or are our elected and appointed “representatives” in Washington beginning to sound more and more like blackmailers and extortionists?
Of course this is nothing new.
The same sort of thing was going on in the British Parliament during King George’s reign.
Lobbying ? Isn’t that a fancy word for bribery ?
And most of the time, its always the Democrats who are looking for the cash…
congress really needs term limits, the less they do, the better off we are.
Our ‘politicians’ are addicted to fame and attention.
Doesn’t matter if it originates from love or hate.
But they go bat shit crazy if people ignore them.
This oligarchy sitting in Washington has the audacity to complain about Apple’s secrecy about their own business when congress just recently passed a health care reform law in the dark of night, keeping secret to this day, the details of the plan. We don’t even know what will and will not be covered because of their secret machinations and a host of intra-congressional bribes.
Apple is one of the most creative and innovative companies in the world. All these congressional crooked deal makers should be investigating their own corruption and stay out of other people’s business.
BTW: What good works did Jay Rockefeller ever contribute to American society?
lobodave,
Don’t worry, that piece of shit bill will never see the light of day.
Steve Jobs is a conservative Democrat, not a liberal Republican.
Doesn’t the mob kinda operarte like this too?
LOL this is stupid. Apple will be punished because the ppl in washington dosnt think Apple spends enough lobbying?
That’s what I take away from this.
So to summarize the situation: Apple is not interested in contributing to the degeneration of the USA by being part of its corporate OLIGARCHY.
I like that.
You can bet that a lot of this polyTard noise is transmitted via puppet strings from jealous, envious, FAILing, Marketing-As-Management run corporations. Village idiots will drool.
“The Democrat Party is based on corruption…”
A clue for you all:
If you don’t think the Republican party is ALSO based on corruption, you’re a polyTard.
Sorry to wake you up.
Derek Curie
Sorry – you are wrong. Republican Party , though it does have corrupt individuals, is based on the idea of Limited Government, the Constitution, the innate fallen nature of man which requires checks and balances and restraints on government power, because power unchecked will lead to tyranny. Democrats reject all of this, including the Constitution. That is why they select jurists who believe in a “living Constitution” unrestrained by the actual document. Democrats are the proof of the idea that power corrupts. The idea of 2000 page bills regulating vast areas of individual decision making, passed without being read would have made our Founders revolt. Today’s Democrats don’t mind eliminating freedoms in health care or other areas as long as the guiding policy is increased government control. Of course most Democrats today admire Castro, Che Guevarra and other dictators, so what do you expect. Derek – you need to read more and stop with the infantile notion that everything is the same.
As a non-American it chills me to see the amount of government hatred in your country. Evidence in the comments above. Sure, your government isn’t perfect, but who’s is? Remember, that without widespread support, democratic governments can quickly be undermined and the consequences for individuals and countries alike can be devastating (See WWII). Rather than pouring out all that vitriol, why don’t you people (yes, you know the one’s I mean from the comments above), get off your butts and do something about it, such as creating a new party that stands for all the things you want, or joining an existing party and changing it from within? Or maybe it’s just easier to stand on the sidelines and moan.
@Democracyaintagame
So, you are “shocked”. Were you shocked by the amount of hatred of George Bush, Dick Cheney and Ronald Reagan that came out of Europe?? Or is that “acceptable” hatred?
@Kent…’Of course most Democrats today admire Castro,’
There you go again…did you just pull that out of your very tiny hat?
And since you asked…yes, the dislike (hate is a strong word) against GWB was acceptable considering the invasion of a country based of false premises. How does that differ from other leaders that have done the same?
Canada refused to do it, not because we are wimps (we are getting our asses shot off in Afghanistan rememeber), its because you do NOT go in like that, based on what a lot of people considered a lie.
@Buster
The invasion of Iraq was supported by a large number of UN resolutions voted on by many countries based on Iraq’s failure to live up to UN resolution requirements. Also, most of the Democrats in the Senate voted for the invasion, including John Kerry and Hillary Clinton. Obama did not – but he did promise to close Guatanemo immediately and also to get us out of Iraq within 18 months. Neither is done. Both were lies.
“the dislike (hate is a strong word) against GWB was acceptable considering the invasion of a country based of false premises”
Buster-
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Your ‘über’ is showing…
You are right TT…idiots like Kent brings out the worst in me…I should exercise more restraint.
Buster
You must be Canadian. Our 51st state.
Hey MDN will you please forward all the above comments to the Committee?
@kent
No I wasn’t surprised, there are small minded people everywhere. My gripe is not about Democrats versus Republicans – robust debate between parties is healthy in a vibrant democracy. It’s also not about what Europeans might or might not think. It’s about the seemingly widespread hatred of your government from within your own country, regardless it seems, of who is in power. When the majority of people disconnect from their government, as seems to be happening in the US, democracy itself is in danger. I wonder how many people who express their hatred on these boards, have actually contributed to their communities in meaningful ways. Or are most of my fellow Apple devotees too interested in me, me, me to actually contribute to society?
@democracyaintagame
Very good comments. I don’t hate our government, but I do have have an intense dislike for those who abuse our incredible system of limited Constitutional government. We have done very well when followed the system set up by our Founders. The current administration does not like this system, they dislike the Founders and believe in implementing socialist utopian structures, that work in their fantasies but not in reality. The US is veer divided now between those who want the government to do the limited things set out in the Constitution like national.defense and international relations and not much more and those who.want the federal government to do.everything including deciding what we can eat and what cars we can drive. The two positions are not reconcilable. One is.Freedom – the other is tyranny
@Kent….yup Canadian to the core.
And your witty 51st State joke? Get some new material…that one is old and tired and shows all those around you that you do not really believe the drivel you come out with but that you clearly just like to stir crap.
A sad pathetic joke.
Good night and goodbye….last post on this.
How About A Real Fact:
The current members of Congress who run the Senate Intelligence Committee and who therefore are responsible for encouraging, abetting, and covering up the fbi/cia murders and tortures globally are:
111th Congress (2009-2010)
Democrats
Republicans
Dianne Feinstein, California ,Chairman
Christopher S. Bond,Missouri ,Vice Chairman
John D. Rockefeller IV,West Virginia
Orrin Hatch, Utah
Ron Wyden, Oregon
Olympia J. Snowe, Maine
Evan Bayh, Indiana
Saxby Chambliss, Georgia
Barbara A. Mikulski, Maryland
Richard Burr, North Carolina
Russell D. Feingold, Wisconsin
Tom Coburn, Oklahoma
Bill Nelson, Florida
James Risch, Idaho
Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island
Harry Reid, Nevada, Ex Officio
Mitch McConnell, Kentucky, Ex Officio
Carl Levin, Michigan, Ex Officio
John McCain, Arizona, Ex Officio