Groveling for business

In the not too distant past, new companies were formed by innovative people like Sam Walton, Henry Ford, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, to name a few. These companies were formed and became successful, as their time had come to benefit mankind without government subsidies and outright prostituting state and local governments. Not only have disasters such as Solyndra happened, but businesses today solicit cities and states asking for unbelievable tax breaks, free land and many other incentives in exchange for locating their company.

The cities and states that fall into the trap remind me of prostitution: “We know what you are; now we must settle on the price.” Many cities and states have fallen into these schemes, resulting in taxpayers losing their shirts.

If Sam Walton and Henry Ford could create new successful companies by finding investors and using their own money, it can be and still is done today.

Any time a business needs subsidies or makes cities and states compete for mythical long-term benefits, we should be cautious of the promises. Why should wind energy projects be subsidized when wind may be totally replaced by future energy sources such as solar? Many businesses have been subsidized by government but other comparable competing businesses are not, and therefore are under unfair competition.

I think it’s totally inappropriate to use financial might to make cities and state grovel for their business. Thank you, Little Rock and Arkansas, for pulling out of the bidding for Amazon’s new headquarters. In 10 years a new business approach may make Amazon old news. Remember camcorders, 35mm cameras and Blockbuster, to name a few? JACK McKINNEY Hot Springs Village