You misunderstand me.
I absolutely agree that it's sick.
But it is 100% legal because the government allows it to occur. If you are expecting private organizations to not act in their own interest, you're basically fighting gravity.
Lets suppose that a country wised up, and tried to crack down on this sort of thing. Or better yet, all countries did this at the same time! What would happen?
At first, things would be sweet - the "proper" amount of tax (by proper, i mean similar taxing schemes for corporate entities as well as individuals) means more money to the gov't for social services etc.
However, a country might start thinking that they could attract move investment by making these laws a little more lax - tax incentives? tax breaks, or whatever else you name it. The thing is, companies that operate in a particular country does provide that country with useful output (in terms of jobs etc). It's in a country's best interest to attract as many businesses as possible. This leads to the sort of behaviour we see today - lobby groups have power, because they actually do!
I don't think equality is achievable. Not realistically.
Of course. I also agree here.
Which is why all of this complaining is just barking up a tree.
That could work out wonderfully in the US: The rich would pay taxes, somehow then.
These companies pay almost no taxes yet feed off our public universities, court systems, patent and trademark offices, copyright offices, public airwaves, highways, federal banking infrastructure, etc. It's sick.