On Tuesday, KY Sen. Rand Paul launched a spirited defense of Apple, whose tax strategies were subject to a hearing of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. “I frankly think the committee should apologize to Apple,” Paul said. Paul went on to accuse the committee of “bullying” one of America’s greatest companies, prompting Sen. John McCain to quickly defend the inquiry and say that Paul’s remarks were “frankly, offensive.”
On Monday, the committee released a report alleging that Apple improperly sheltered $44 billion in profits overseas. Sheltering profits outside the United States, which has one of the world’s highest corporate tax rates, is a common practice among US corporations. The committee’s report, however, singled out Apple for increased scrutiny.
In addition to his remarks in committee, Paul took to twitter for an epic defense of the company.
To the Apple executives here, I apologize for this theater of the absurd.
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) May 21, 2013
I am offended by the spectacle of dragging in here executives from Apple using the brute force of government to bully a great success story.
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) May 21, 2013
Instead of doing the right thing we drag businessmen and women in here to berate them for trying to maximize their profits for shareholders.
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) May 21, 2013
Instead of examining our broken tax system, the US Senate is about to harass Apple-one of the greatest business success stories in history.
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) May 21, 2013
If you want to chase companies like Apple away, continue to vilify them. Congress should be giving Apple an award today.
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) May 21, 2013
If you want to chase companies like Apple away, continue to vilify them. Congress should be giving Apple an award today.
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) May 21, 2013
In addition to an apparently necessary defense of free-market capitalism, Paul’s remarks again brought to light how out of touch John McCain has become from the base of the party. Just over 4 years ago, he was the standard bearer of the GOP against Barack Obama, but today he reserves his harshest criticism for fellow Republican Senators Paul and Cruz.
Say what you will about President Obama, at least we know where he stands.
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