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Business Quote by Noam Chomsky

“Like, suppose Massachusetts were to increase business taxes. Most of the population is in favor of it, but you can predict what would happen. Business would run a public relations campaign―which is true, in fact, it's not lies―saying, "You raise taxes on business, you soak the rich, and you'll…” quote by Noam Chomsky
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““Like, suppose Massachusetts were to increase business taxes. Most of the population is in favor of it, but you can predict what would happen. Business would run a public relations campaign―which is true, in fact, it's not lies―saying, "You raise taxes on business, you soak the rich, and you'll find that capital is going to flow elsewhere, and you're not going to have any jobs, you're not going to have anything." That's not the way they'd put it exactly, but that's what it would amount to: "Unless you make us happy you're not going to have anything, because we own the place; you live here, but we own the place." And in fact, that's basically the message that is presented, not in those words of course, whenever a reform measure does come along somewhere―they have a big propaganda campaign saying, it's going to hurt jobs, it's going to hurt investment, there's going to be a loss of business confidence, and so on. That's just a complicated way of saying, unless you keep business happy, the population isn't going to have anything.””

Noam Chomsky

About This Quote

Source Speech: Interview on tax policy, 2015

Businesses claim that higher taxes will drive away investment and jobs, using fear tactics to protect their interests.

In simple terms: Businesses warn taxes hurt jobs to keep power.

Key Takeaway

Question policies, not rhetoric.

Themes

politics economics power dynamics

Mood

skeptical critical

Type

analytical political

When to use this quote

  • legislative debates
  • campaign messaging
  • public forums

Key Concepts

public relations propaganda tax policy

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you evaluate claims about tax impacts?
  • What evidence counters fear‑based arguments?
A Different Perspective

Businesses may exaggerate impacts to influence opinion.

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