The Chicago Defender supports Dick Durbin for his bold and courageous acumen to do what is best for Illinois and the U.S. When Walgreens threatened to move, Mr. Durbin sent an astounding letter to Walgreens CEO Gregory Wasson stating the facts. Republicans didn’t like it because the second highest-ranking Senator Durbin had the audacity to tell the CEO the obvious.
He did not bite his tongue on recognizing that the company could dodge an estimated 4 billion in U.S. taxes over the next five years by moving its headquarters to Switzerland and that the potential windfall is an attractive option for shareholders. He was smart and direct in reminding Walgreens CEO that customers have choices about where to shop and have their prescriptions filled. “I believe that you will find that your customers are deeply patriotic and will not support Walgreen’s decision to turn its back on the U.S.’ and warned that “deeply patriotic” customers would not “support Walgreen’s decision to turn its back on the United States.” He added, subtly, that “nearly all of your $2.5 billion in profits earned last year were from sales to U.S. taxpaying customers.” Thank God for Dick Durbin who has the guts to speak for the people. We are tired of being used by companies that take from us, get rich and fail to except their corporate responsibility as an entity and pay their fair share.
Durbin reminded them that, “Much of it’s financial success was built on programs and infrastructure provided by the U.S. government and paid for by the U.S. taxpayers.” A fact that too many corporations fail to see. Apparently a quarter of the company’s profits were collected from U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs alone.
Republicans Jim Oberweis, Durbin’s opponent and gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner would have you think that the shareholders’ rights were bullied. We say let the shareholders cry. What kind of logic does the Republican perspective present? That every U.S. corporation should be allowed to dodge taxes whenever they think they are too high? Well it Is not acceptable. This sort of Republican one-sided flawed logic is what people are tired of getting from republicans. All Hail to Senator Durbin who stands up for the people every opportunity he gets. He voted YES on repealing tax subsidy for companies, which move US jobs offshore.
He supports the preservation of women’s reproductive rights; voted NO on ending special funding for minority and women-owned business; voted YES on reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act and his stand on Civil Rights has always championed the African American and advocates a pro-affirmative-action stance. He stands firm on Budget and Economic issues. He advocated to1) Require full disclosure about subprime mortgage;) to 2) Reform mortgage rules to prevent foreclosure & bankruptcy; 3) More enforcement of mortgage fraud and TARP fraud and to 4) Ban abusive credit practices & enhance consumer disclosure.
Senator Durbin is a straight shooter as politicians go. His record on Education, Families/Children, Welfare and poverty, Crime, Drugs, Gun Control, Free Trade, Environment, Energy and oil are all an open book. Go to his website and check for yourself. He’s consistent in his commitment to the betterment of society our communities and understands that change takes time. He has the Presidents back and the people’s back. We have his back and we hope that you do too!
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