No more subsidies for big businesses

The taxpayers of St. Charles are certainly fortunate that they can "afford" to forgo over $8 million in potential revenue to lure another big box store to Randall Road (Not yet city's "crown jewel" 5/28). What an opportunity for a store owner who can afford to pay their own way to receive a multimillion dollar gift at the expense of the taxpayers. Where do I sign up?

It's funny how people scream when they're asked to pay more money for schools but stand by when their leaders give away millions for the prospect of a few low paying jobs. I just don't understand the mindset of our leaders when they feel the need to enrich the rich at the expense of everyone else.

Legitimate business owners who built their own businesses with no financial incentives are repeatedly being put out of business by businesses being offered large sums of money to move in. Tax paying businesses often end up closing and the business that is now paying no taxes establishes itself, offering low wage jobs and often no benefits. It's a giant step backward and down.

Stores like Cabela's and Wal-Mart are two prime examples of businesses that have profited in the millions because of city leaders bending over backward to entice them with money that could and should be spent on schools and infrastructure (orˆ  reducing taxes). The Walton family has pocketed millions of the public's money in the form of free land, long-term leases at below-market rates, waived sales taxes and worker training at government expense. In return, communities got low wage jobs mostly without benefits, an eroded tax base and the closing of businesses that couldn't compete because they paid their own way. When the subsidies dry up, the big stores close and move on, to another town foolish enough to do the same, leaving an empty ugly big box behind.

"Free Lunch," by David Cay Johnston should be mandatory reading for all government leaders. It provides a real explanation of what's happening in this country as the rich get richer and the rest of us fall behind forced to pay the debt. Our city, state and federal leaders are throwing us all under the proverbial bus for a small piece of the pie. Enough subsidies for multimillion dollar companies. They have the money to pay their own way and if there truly is a profit to be made, then no incentive would be required. Our leaders need to wake up or be cast aside.

Robert B. Morgan

Elburn