In a recent study, researchers Raquel Alexander and Susan Scholz calculated what has heretofore been a nearly impossible thing to track: the return on investment companies get from working with a lobbyist. The catalyst was The American Jobs Creation Act, which dropped the corporate tax rate on profits earned abroad from 35 percent to just over 5 percent. The ROI for corporations who lobbied for this law: a whopping 22,000 percent, which means that for every dollar spent on lobbying, the companies got $220 in tax benefits. This high of a payoff surprised even Alexander, who said she checked the math a good twenty times before believing her own findings. Of course, not every lobbying effort is this lucrative, but it does point to a problem in the political system, in which companies are essentially invited to buy their own tax rate.
Forget Stocks or Bonds, Invest in a Lobbyist (NPR)
Comments
Special Features
2013 Outlook As we move into a transition year, check out LifeHealthPro's conjectures for the life, annuities, health and disability markets.
100 Best Sales & Marketing Ideas Whether you want ideas for referrals, generating leads or just listening to your clients better, we have the sales and marketing tips you need.
The Complete ELNY Saga For more than two decades, the Executive Life Insurance Company of New York (ELNY) has been bled for billions of dollars while languishing in a state-imposed purgatory.
Life Insurance A-Z This alphabetical-themed infographic will help your clients feel more comfortable discussing life insurance protection concepts.
2012 Advisor of the Year Through a very thorough nomination process we look to find a top producer who is a true cornerstone of a community.
Senior Survey 2011 In this special section, find out how seniors build their nest egg, make an estate plan, finance their health care and where they live.
