Digressing, I know, but Walmart tried Germany in the '90s (by buying-out the huge Wertkauf company), but quit in short order. Walmart is an odious corporation, who do not treat their employees well, to put it mildly. The German people employed by them in this brief spell soon 'advised' them, together with their main union Ver.di, as to how to treat workers half-decently. Walmart didn't like that at all, and buggered off in 2006. Good riddance! I should also add that the rapid fall in basic standards after Walmart took over was quite unbelievable, as beforehand, Wertkauf ran a superb business. I know, I was a customer. Here is the full account of Walmarts brief spell in Germany if anyone's remotely interested! It will correct any errors I might have made, and, give Walmart a fair crack of the whip? Although Wertkauf were apparently, according to this lengthy report, 'failing', their stores were just great, superb fruit and veg. sections (always fresh) for example, etc., etc. The decline in standards under Walmart was, as I have already said, simply extraordinary. http://journalofinternationalmanage...16/walmarts-downfall-in-germany-a-case-study/ Anyway, now back to Scottish Independence, a subject in which, after all that has been said here, I have absolutely nothing to add!
I just thought I would write and say thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread which I started a good while back. It has by and large been discussed very passionately but properly most of the time, which is not easy to achieve within a subject with the ability to rouse such strong views on either side. There have been some good points made by all and countered with equal finesse often. I enjoy when the good people of the forum can debate something other than racing from time to time. As it's all done and dusted (at least for now) it's probably a good time to put this one on the shelf while we all watch what happens next. I am sure the question will come about again in the not too distant future and we can get it down from the shelf and dust it off again, thanks again. Now any Catalans on here?
Well said, Bluesky! Dunno about Catalans, but there's a Basque,...............................and a few Welsh, Irish (N), and English, for sure!
I have already applauded the conduct on this sensitive thread so I won't repeat that, but thanks Blue for those final words.
That's right, Oddy, quite a battle. What really chaps my ass is that these multinationals hardly pay any taxes where they operate, so I understand? If this is true, then we really have to presume that massive backhanders are in the offing? To whom, not so difficult to work out? Capitalism can be just bloody ridiculous sometimes. Apple, for example: http://www.independent.co.uk/voices...fairs-that-deserve-a-double-take-9763417.html
Yes Swanny, Capitalism can indeed be bloody ridiculous. I think it's about time we moved on, so maybe we should push for a full Nationalising of economies. How fair would that be? Maybe we could call it Swannyism, or better still, Oddyism. Don't know if it's been tried before but it might be worth a shot.
It has been done before but it was not named after any of the venerable members of this forum. They called it Communism. They still do a form of it in North Korea if you fancy it. China do not really qualify anymore but Cuba might. The U.S.S.R. finally crumbled and all the satellite states that they forced to partake are now in the E.S.S.R. (aka E.U.) so that the workers of their impoverished economies can come here and live ten to a house and send the money home. Apologies, I failed to mention the Jocks there. Alex Salmond only wanted the Nanny State (aka Socialism).
That is not 'Swannyism' (thank you Cyc ). Now, QMII, and how do we make these multinational corporations pay their proper corporate tax dues to the countries in which they operate? They are a bunch of shysters, as are the people who get backhanders from them. You said recently that you only deal in 'facts', then let's hear some 'facts' from you, please. Personally, I have no idea what the solution to this ongoing scandal is.
Ban money and go back to the barter system. It would be great - you could give William Hills 1 apple and if Tagrooda wins the Arc they'll give you 2 oranges, a pineapple and a greengage.
If you look hard enough you can get 10 peaches to a walnut Tapestry and 3 steak meals to a Chinese for Treve. A Chinese each way could be interesting
Oh yes, that's brilliant, and David Cameron gets a small leather thong for services rendered? And Mrs. Merkel, a little white rabbit?
Yes the system needs some tinkering but I think we could make it work. Do you and swanny want to join my committee?
Facts and opinions are two different things, Swanny. In this case you have summed up the ‘facts’ in a couple of sentences. The problem is that a handful of small countries offer these corporations havens where the tax rate is lower than where they actually operate. The International community as a whole could put pressure on these few havens to bring their tax regimes into line with the norm. Of course individual nations could just enact laws that force any corporation operating in their jurisdiction to register said part of their business where it actually operates and pay the local tax rates. The likes of Starbucks and Amazon could then decide whether to do business in those countries or not. That is just an opinion. Now when does the debate on the Catalan Referendum begin?
That is clear, QMII. Quite honestly, they should be forced to pay their proper corporate taxes in any country they wish to operate in? In a strange way Catalonia and Texas are in the same boat. Having worked with loads of Texans for many years in the past, I feel certain that this State would secede from the Union tomorrow if they had half a chance. Texans to a man detest the 'north', but the obstacles in the U.S. constitution against the referendum process on this subject is, apparently, almost insurmountable? I reckon the United Kingdom must take great credit in supporting the Scottish Referendum process, surely true democracy? http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/16/us-usa-texas-independence-idUSKBN0HB2LI20140916
