You know you want it. (In response to Aislyn's post)

I just read and blogged about how Apple is using every trick in the book to dodge taxes, and I have to admit, I still want a new Mac. They are a guilty pleasure that I even relish. They rule the world through design. Their products are sleeker, sexier, better engineered, faster, and more reliable than any made by their competition. While their products show the responsibility of a sustainable business model, their corporate ethics do not. Do you think that multi-billion dollar corporation such as Apple has a responsibility to contribute a higher share of their earnings than 9.8%? April 28, 2012 9:11 PM

Is Apple investing in profitable businesses while maintaining the ethics of an evil corporation?

Wall street analysts predict that Apple could earn as much as $45.6 billion this year, and yet they are dodging taxes like they are ENRON. By setting up their subsidiary investments firm Braeburn Capital in Reno Nevada, they dodge California's 8.84% corporate tax rate. Apple also has subsidiaries set up in Ireland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the British Virgin Islands. Apple's dealings make clear the glaring deficiencies in US tax code. They pioneered a technique called the "Double Irish With a Dutch Sandwich," which lowers taxes by routing profits through Irish Subsidiaries and then the Netherlands and the Caribbean. Hundreds of other corporations now use this scheme. It is estimated that Apple saved 2.4 billion in taxes with it's dastardly chicanery. Apple did pay $3.3 billion in taxes on its profits of $34.2 billion Last year. That comes out to a tax rate of 9.8%. Walmart, often ranked among top evil corporations paid 24% tax last year. How long can Apple conduct its operation in such a greedy irresponsible manner without repercussions? Does this knowledge affect your desire to buy Apple?

A widespread campaign of bribery orchestrated by Wal-Mart of Mexico has been reported on by the New York Times today. Wal-Mart sent investigators to Mexico following a tip off from a former Wal-Mart of Mexico executive. The former executive sent names dates and bribe amounts in a email to a Wal-Mart lawyer in September 2005. This executive had in fact been the lawyer in charge of obtaining the construction permits for Wal-Mart of Mexico. Wal-Mart's investigators were able to verify the whistle blower's claims in just days. They uncovered a paper trail involving bribes totaling more than $24 Million. They also became aware that Wal-Mart of Mexico had taken steps to conceal the illicit dealings from US headquarters. Wal-Mart's lead investigator, a former FBI agent reported that it was very likely that both US and Mexican laws had been broken, and went on to recommend that the investigation be expanded. Instead, Wal-Mart's top management shut it down. A great disparity between Wal-Mart's claims of a commitment to high moral and ethical standards, and actions taken in their quest for global domination has been revealed once again. Can such a massive corporate entity exist as a benevolent entity?

In response to Jaycelyn's post

I believe that Facebook will continue to grow. While there are people who still refuse to join Facebook, they are definitely dwindling in number. Everything that I have seen indicates that there is still plenty of room for Facebook to grow. As high speed internet and technology spread Facebook numbers will continue to grow. Google is trying to play catch-up by launching their own social media platform but it is catching on very slowly. My Space has been mostly forgotten. Facebook's expected IPO next month could put $100 billion in their pockets. With that kind of power, they will be nigh unstoppable. Have you signed up for any other social networking sites?

Nokia shares fall to 14 year low

Nokia fell dramatically this week following their stated expectations of not reaching their projected earnings. Nokia's stock fell 16% to close at $4.24, the lowest trading price since February 1998. Nokia was able to sell 2 million Lumia smartphones but still suffered losses due to heavy global competition. Stephen Elop, CEO of Nokia in a prepared statement announced that Nokia would be dropping it's phone operating system and would begin shipping phones with Microsoft's Windows Phone OS. Adding significantly to Nokia's troubles were reports that Lumia 900 phones were shipped with a software error that made internet connection impossible. The company is offering a $100 credit to all customers. Elop in an attempt to reassure investors went on to say that they were acting quickly to ramp up marketing, make cost cuts, adjust prices, and even restructuring. Nokia is projecting further losses in the second quarter citing again the global competition, as well as bad product launch timing and the bad economy. Nokia is in a position of having to react to a market that is clearly driven by Apple. How can Nokia get off of the ropes?

In response to Dan Olivera

Great post Dan, I agree, this is a difficult call to make. It reminds me of the child labor issues faced in the developing world. Sometimes children have to work or they will starve. While the idea of children losing their childhood to a life of drudgery is terrible, I would say that a child dying due to malnutrition is an even greater tragedy. The junk-food advertising in schools issue is much less serious than the child labor issue, but it is certainly an important one. I guess that I would support the ads for the time being, but I would put pressure on the schools to seek out healthy sponsors. Who do you think would make a good sponsor?

In response to Matt's ipad posting

I believe that their record sales have been earned. Apple has been making the most reliable computers for decades. They have shown that their products are better built, faster, less susceptible to viruses and hacking, and they are much more attractive than their competition. All apple products that I have owned have lasted much longer than I would have expected a competing product to last. While Apple is more expensive than their competition, when you consider the high performance and long life, it really is worth it. I have owned 2 mac's several ipods, and about 4 PC's. The Mac's each lasted about as long as 2 PC's. I believe that Apple's stellar sales are the dividend of many many years of delivering on their promise. In times where money is tight, people look for products that they don't expect will need replacing. I am sure that their sleek modern design is helping as well. Do you think that Steve Jobs's death has had a significant impact on sales?