Klarinet Archive - Posting 000593.txt from 2002/01

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: RE: [kl] re: CNN Headline News
Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2002 13:47:50 -0500

Bill says <<Don't American companies get a tax break for their giving? If it were not for this fact, I can't imagine why American Mega-corps would have given even a penny-perhaps to propagandize the public or their own employees. The 'bottom line' is all that counts for corporate America>>

Bill, I think that's overly harsh.

We have certainly seen HORRIBLE corporate greed in this country, over and over. Look at the "leveraged buy-out" craze of the '80's, and the dot-com boom and bust of last year.

But it is also true that many, many corporations try to be "good citizens" and give at least something back to their communities; local, regional, and national.

I can think of dozens of classical music organizations that would have died on the vine with out business support. Yes, the corporations get good-will publicity, and a bit of a tax break.

But remember, it's still their money to spend, and hundreds of thousands, millions, of dollars, go into charities, good causes, and arts, every year.

Walter Grabner
www.clarinetXpress.com

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