The article "Probe: Apple offshored cash," May 21, makes it clear that jurisprudence sorely lags behind current economic realities. The fluidity of global capital movements eludes national and international efforts to bring about a modicum of justice.
It is simply unbelievable that a corporation can squirrel at least $74 billion from American tax authorities and still be regarded as having committed no crime. We have clear and harsh laws concerning political treason. Why don't we have similar laws covering economic treason? That's what this is.
Apple, other corporate officials and private individuals, should be regarded as treasonous when they commit this odious act, i.e. keeping vast sums of money in "safe havens" to avoid taxes and other legal constraints. This is an affront to common- sense, decency and honesty. They should be made criminally liable.
Of course, there is a global, supra-national aspect to all this. But changes favoring the interests of the general public need to start somewhere. We need to recognize that theft is theft, pure and simple. Let's not allow these dishonest people to patronize us by retorting that "this is too complex for common folks to begin grasping it." Keeping profits in the offshore outhouse does not do away with the stench.
Where are our local, state and federal lawmakers? Are there too many of them in the pockets of corporations, lobbyists and wealthy donors?
Wander Braga, M.D.
Clarksville