This is what oligarchy looks like.

[LiberalLovinLug]

26. What I don't understand is that they could also benefit from agreeing to this tax

They could use it in advertising. Showing homes being built, former homeless persons happier, complete with soaring violin music. I would never criticize them for using a contribution like this, not fighting city hall on it, to market themselves to make more profits. Heck, I'd look to use their sevices more if they had done that.

But to Bezos, its all about using the power of his empire and the damage he could do to the community if local government doesn't do what he wants, damn the homeless. Just because he can. As long as he squeeze out those few extra dollars to top up his giant pile of money. Its mostly of course the principle for him. Not the money. Its a warning to other councils across the country to give him whatever he wants, or else.

If that hog dog stand decided to donate a few of their hot dogs to the homeless. Maybe a one day a week free one hot dog to any homeless person that asked. I don't know, something that won't cost too much. Then a news reporter comes down and does a story on them, and suddenly they have lineups at their stand. Which more than pays for their contributions to the community.


The thing is, if we don't want a Socialist government, who makes sure everyone has a decent place to live, and we are all in for Capitalism, then our only way for local governments to do things for the underprivileged, to give them the boost that just might be enough to propel st least some of them into the tax paying working class, then demanding more from the billionaire owned mega corps who rise rents, cause gentrification by their very nature, is the only way to do it.