If this past year has shown us anything, it’s that our economy is about as stable and resilient as me, an influencer – meaning it’s in desperate need of help. When I heard President Biden has an infrastructure plan funded by tax hikes on multinational corporations, he had my full support, especially on taxing corporations that have never sent me free stuff to promote on my Instagram. These businesses utilizing public goods to operate should not get a free ride at our expense.
However, let me make it abundantly clear: if any brand reading this and wants to reach out to me about promoting your product (particularly any palettes or travel packages), I vow to pull a full 180 and defend your right to pay $0 in federal taxes.
The disparity between the wealthy and the lower and middle classes is not sustainable. America’s richest have kept a tight clutch on their wealth by evading corporate taxes, causing less revenue for the government to spend on infrastructure, schools, research, and more. I am not above naming and shaming these corporations (like Salesforce or Duke Energy, you stupid fucking bitches) that have done nothing for everyday people like us, but also everyday people like me who are super relatable and have a modest but loyal following.
Despite this, I am suggesting–no, BEGGING–corporations collab with me. I promise to LOVE the results and share my life-changing journey thanks to your AMAZING products in posts that my loyal followers WILL like and share.
Since 2017 when Republicans overhauled the tax system to reduce the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, half the corporations of the Fortune 500 haven’t paid any taxes in 3 years. The three richest men in the world are paying zero state income tax. People have to pay income taxes on unemployment AND Nike won’t send me any sneakers?! Where is the justice?
Conservatives spreading fear that corporate taxes will make American companies less competitive are ignoring Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen’s call for a global minimum tax rate. Don’t let these people stop the government from collecting trillions of dollars for essential public goods and crisis response funds. Unless Delta wants to put me on a flight somewhere, then they can have a freebie on this one.
Listen, am I an influencer? Maybe on a micro-level. Have I gone viral? Unclear. Can I promise exposure and popularity? Irrelevant. Just like President Biden stated about his American Jobs Plan: “It’s big, yes. It’s bold, yes. And, we can get it done.” So, Corporate America: simply give me shit for free so I have content to promote and I will publicly absolve you of paying taxes (unless someone raises you with a better offer).
