For offering two Senators a tongue-in-cheek $2 million bribe to vote against the Republican tax bill, comedian Rosie O’Donnell could face a $12 million fine and as much as 15 years in federal prison. But when big corporations promised bribes if the same bill becomes law, they get free publicity and the adoration of the president of the United States.
While O’Donnell never showed the money, five Fortune 500 companies have already put up real cash in the form of promised bonuses and wage bumps for their employees. Quid pro quo with a second step, the money goes to the worker but the real bribe goes to politicians and all the significant benefits goes to the corporations.
Granted, only a Grinch would complain about employees getting bigger take home pay after the holidays. More money means less problems for the workers. It should mean a troubled conscience for capital because corporations are using their labor force as unwitting props. There just aren’t any coincidences when that much cash is involved.
Is it a coincidence that Boeing announced $300 million in workforce investments on the very same day the Commerce Department places an almost 300 percent duty on bitter Canadian competitor Bombardier?
Or how about AT&T offering 200,000 U.S. employees a special $1,000 bonus just as the Justice Department considers their pending merger with Time Warner?
And what are Comcast, Fifth-Third Bank, and Wells Fargo angling for? Whatever the answer, the administration couldn’t be happier.
With year one almost done and with his Congressional majorities in the balance, President Trump needs tax reform to be a win. These corporations have come through with ready-made talking point. How could Democrats attack the bill as a handout to the rich Kellyanne Conway recently asked on Fox and Friends, “when just today you had major companies say they are going to give bonuses and other charitable contributions to their employees.”
That’s a persuasive argument, one that is louder than any Democrat messaging. With more money in their pocket, voters are more likely to look favorably on the GOP. No one can begrudge them for it. But corporations are clearly though indirectly greasing the politician palms by lining constituent pockets around Christmas time. It’s shady and it’s creepy and it’s the definition of crony capitalism. At least O’Donnell had the decency to be upfront.
