Tax insanity near and far

An emailer sends an article preceded by a short, pithy commentary:

Spain "invested" heavily into the "Green Technology" industries,...and with the taxpayers money of course.
For every "green job" created, it cost several Million Euros and three "non-green jobs" were lost.
Many of the "green jobs" turned out to be temporary, as soon as the subsidy ran out, the industry failed.
You can see the same happening here in the US with the solar panel industry.
Now the fruits of their "investments" are paying their dividends.

On 29 March 2012, millions of people across Spain went on strike. The strike, which was the first general strike since September 2010, brought the country to a near halt. The situation in Spain has grown increasingly difficult with 1 in 4 people out of work and many struggling to make rent or mortgage payments.

Watch this short film about the events of the day (in english):
http://globaluprisings.wordpress.com/2012/04/11/barcelona-march-29th-general-strike/

Pretty dramatic scenes! Looks like the third world in ferment, which, of course, is exactly what Europe is working hard to become.

............From Carolina Journal, a report on phenomena that have to be widespread way beyond the borders of the Tarheel State:

RALEIGH — North Carolina’s courts have ruled it is legal for local governments to use taxpayer resources to lobby the General Assembly on legislation, and that’s exactly what nearly two dozen cities and counties are registered to do as the May 16 legislative short session nears.

As of March 28, eight North Carolina counties and 10 municipalities were listed as principals in the North Carolina General Assembly Lobbying Directory, reports Carolina Journal. The local governments are sprinkled among more than 660 lobbyists and 700 principals registered to lobby on behalf of businesses, industries, and advocates for and against specific causes and issues.

The legality of local government lobbying is addressed in an April 2011 “N.C. Local Government Law Blog” by UNC School of Government Professor of Public Law and Government Robert Joyce. He reviews three cases — North Carolina ex rel Horne v. Chafin, Bardolph v. Arnold, and Dollar v. Cary. Joyce concludes:

“So, it appears, local governments may use public funds to try to influence the General Assembly in a particular direction and to put out informational materials regarding issues. They may not, however, use public funds to try to influence the outcome of an election — either an election for office or a referendum on a public issue.”

While the legality of local government lobbying is settled, the question of whether the practice is appropriate isn’t.

What do you know, the next link in that email is about a state official openly channeling taxpayers' funds into her own "green" nonprofit!

http://www.carolinajournal.com/exclusives/display_exclusive.html?id=8957
Another Commerce Official Involved In Sustainability Nonprofit
McKoy still employed at Commerce; future at agency unclear

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