( posting again, last one seems to have been erased by touchy touch screen)

I usually try not to get involved in political discussions, as they often turn antagonistic and persuade no one. But while sitting through ( and sitting out of) the discussion on Nike sneakers and the Betsy Ross flag, I was struck by a different issue. And that is how routine it seems to be for cities to beg a large business to move to their place with tax breaks, waivers and other incentives.

This happened not too long ago in New York City too with a controversy over Amazon. My question is - when did this policy of über breaks to lure in wealthy corporations
start ? Is it really prudent to let a multimillion dollar business skate on their taxes- certainly no such provision is given to a plethora of smaller businesses and mom and pop stores. Are they really giving the community that worthwhile a gift of jobs, while staying exempt from paying their fair share to the city/county / state?

I do admit that I was on the fence for this issue for a while, as job creation is a great thing to happen to any community. But I have since come to view this practice as a somewhat seedy way to do business. Maybe I' m too old school- and I certainly am no expert in economics - but I seem to remember a time when a thriving business could set up practice and succeed; without this form of polished bribery.

Your thoughts??? , and hopefully not much venom tossed about in the exchange of ideas.

M