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There Will Be A Huge New 'Panama Papers' Data Dump (businessinsider.com)
An anonymous reader writes: The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists said in an email that on May 9 it would "publish what will likely be the largest-ever release of information about secret offshore companies and the people behind them," based on data from the Panama Papers investigation. "The searchable database will include information about more than 200,000 companies, trusts, foundations, and funds incorporated in 21 tax havens, from Hong Kong to Nevada in the United States." The ICIJ said in the email, "The impact of Panama Papers has been epic." The investigation has caused Icelandic Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson to resign following revelations about his personal finances. It has caused Putin to point fingers at the West, accusing the U.S. of trying to weaken Russia. It has even created drama in the UK with calls for Prime Minister David Cameron to resign after his connections to offshore companies became evident. In addition, the ICIJ said, "[The Panama Papers investigation] sparked a new sense of urgency among lawmakers and regulators to close loopholes and make information about the owners of shell companies public."
Prime Minister of Iceland forced to resign?! Shouldn't he really be called the mayor of Iceland...it's like the head of Anaheim stepping down...only really news in Anaheim.
And look how they nabbed Putin! Finally proved that he is a billionaire....is there anyone inside or outside of Russia that didn't know that.
Short story is almost nothing will come of this. Snowden's leak got some very minor things done, but the world populace is too distracted to care about any of this anymore.
AND? How is 'tax avoidance' a crime? I'm not talking about 'outright lying' on a tax return but moving money in such a way as to minimize the tax paid...people do this ALL the time. I haven't outright moved money but I look for every legal angle to reduce my tax bill, does that make me a 'bad person'? A 'criminal'? (heck I have purposely NOT taking a deduction that I felt I was 'morally'/ethically entitled to but didn't because of the potential fallout on others who are struggling) I'm not going to get all 'high & mighty' over someone or some company doing something that anyone would do if the rules were in their favor.
There may in fact be 'illegal activity' going on with some people & corporations stashing money in these accounts but not EVERYONE here is doing anything illegal. You can argue that the 'rules of the game' are rigged, and if true than the 'rules' need to be changed but don't blame people for taking advantage of the rules. I mean shit, its not like Hilary & Bill are all 'above board' on where their Foundation money comes from or how its used.
Shit, we KNOW 100% for a fact that the British government with backing by the US overthrew the democratically elected government of Iran & put the Shah back in place way back in the '70s just because the Prime Minister (or whatever they called him) wanted to 'nationalize the oil fields' which would have resulted in a major 'renegotiation' of oil rights for British Standard OIl...and yet NOBODY was really punished or sent to jail over that and we're still dealing with the fallout today because the people REALLY revolted & put in their current government of religious leaders.
The US fought TWO wars in Iraq costing many hundreds of billions of dollars (maybe a trillion...I'm not up on the exact figures) and continues to spend STUPID amounts of money on 'undeclared wars' and 'security theatre' and you're all high & mighty about companies & people 'avoiding taxes'? Wake up. Unless your prepared to actually stand & fight for what you think should be done than your just a whining little puke hoping for 'the man' to throw a crumb or two your way.
'Of course the game is rigged, but if you don't play you can't win'...figure out how the game is rigged in YOUR favour & use it.