It's like deja vu all over again.  The fiscal cliff bill, H.R. 8, was drafted behind closed doors, and lawmakers were given six minutes to read the 154-page bill before voting on it.  Once again, we apparently had to pass the bill to find out what's in it.

Two weeks ago, the Oregon legislature was called into special session by Governor Kitzhaber to consider a bill that would allow the Governor exclusive rights to unilaterally negotiate future tax terms with any corporation considering expansion in the state. This bill was being considered in a rush because Nike reportedly was being courted for a large expansion in other states.

FreedomWorks has signed onto the following coalition letter:Taxpayers Won't Harvest Farm Bill SavingsDecember 7, 2012Dear Member of Congress,

Solyndra is the latest in the long list of “green energy” companies that have failed after being artificially propped up by the Obama administration. The solar panel manufacturer that received more than $500 million in federal “stimulus” loans declared bankruptcy a couple weeks ago.

Every day in Washington D.C. is filled to the brim with sound bites delivered by our incompetent leaders, devoid of any facts or reason, but fit for media consumption. The Obama administration is no exception to this unfortunate, but ironclad, rule of politics. Take the predictable spiel about “green jobs,” for instance we always hear rosy scenarios of a growing green industry, flush with high-paying jobs.

General Electric reported that its first-quarter earnings have increased by 77 percent compared to the fourth-quarter of 2010.  This comes as the New York Times reported that GE paid zilch on their taxes, while raking in over $14 billion in profits in 2010.  Even worse, GE actually received $3.2 billion in tax benefits.

Business Week does a great job of outlining GE's tax code shenanigans. In sum, the company has laid out big money to powerful DC lobbyists to take advantage of and keep various breaks and loopholes in the tax code.  This isn't anything new or particularly surprising, but it is a great example of what happens when you have a toxic combination of a long and complex tax code and rent-seeking corporations who have been able to carve out special treatment at the expense of individuals.