Boycott Firms that Receive Government Aid

The Wall Street Journal writes of another homeless corporation that is panhandling for $3.5 billion from the federal government: American Express. According to the Journal:

"The card issuer is the latest company not directly hit by the housing crisis to request cash from the federal government. While retailers, car companies and others hit by the slowdown in consumer spending haven't gotten the government money, financial firms of all kinds are getting federal bailouts."

There are about 130 million Americans who file tax returns but about one third of these pay no taxes, so the number of taxpayers is about 86 million. With a bailout of $750 billion, each taxpayer pays on average $8,720 to subsidize inept millionaire investment bankers, slothful auto executives and now, if they have their way, the people who bring you the American Express card.

I take it personally that my taxes are being raised to subsidize bozos at badly managed firms. I think that all Americans should just say no to any firm that receives a subsidy. The American car companies have been indifferent to the plight of their employees for decades. Now, they claim public subsidies. Investment bankers have been overpaid for decades. Now, they want average earners to subsidize their inept practices.

Boycott American Express. Boycott General Motors. Boycott the lot of them.