profits

[blackpowder]

I see quite a few $55,000+ pickups at the arena. More than enough to cover the morgtage.
Our world would look quite different without corporate tax write offs.

[Braveheart]

Personally, I like the philanthropy of companies like Richardsons, Paterson, etc. These companies leave a legacy (hockey arenas, curling rinks) in small communities that would struggle to provide facilities without help. When I go into our own facility with an arena sponsored by Paterson, I feel grateful for their generosity. The place is full of kids of all ages. It's new, clean, safe, and also brings loads of people to town for tournaments or games. If a grain co isn't there to help provide help like this, who will? How many AV'ers would pony up a sizeable donation?

Giving money to benefit an entire community is a positive thing, but what I can't abide is companies, like Bayer, taking their independent dealers to Mexico, like they did. These dealers already get 15% on seed sales for doing basically sweet **** all. In fact, most of the work, like loading seed, deliveries, etc, is done by the lower down workers, not the blow dried, blow hards that get the Mexico trips.

Profit is not a dirty word; it's wonderful, give me more. If profit helps an entire community that's great. If it is a closed loop for undeserving dealers I see it in a bad light.

[farmaholic]

We could sure use a donation to our local fire department.... the fire truck failed the safety---frame issues. But we don't have a Grain Terminal Company in our community. We are surrounded by some but none on our doorstep(suppose it depends on what distance you consider on your doorstep). Fund raising other ways... . I will gladly pass on the photo op for the donation I gave... I prefer to be anonymous and fly under the radar on those issues. I'm not even on the volunteer department but am beating the drum for them locally.

If we get too many corporate donations the fire truck will look like a formula one racing car with all the Company advertising logos on it.

[Kinger]

You are right a lot of it is for publicity from the higher ups but a lot of the donations are to things that need it. Curling Rinks, hockey rinks, food drives, schools, etc.

Don't forget in those elevators are people who live in the communities surrounding and if they and the company can do something to help not just there lives but the rest of the areas then for sure they are going to do it or at the least try to do something even at just a elevator like a $2 jean day that goes to the local kids club or food bank.

Sure margins may be good for these elevators but i'd rather them give some money back to the community and get there name painted somewhere than hoard it and never give a nickel to anything.

If you are actually interested in what these companies do other than what you see in your town give them a call and ask. You'd be probably surprised with what you find.

[bucket]

Give most farmers an extra buck a bushel and the communities will thrive with more people. ..young people come back if there is money to be made....don't be fooled into the generosity of the families. ....

[Retired]

Whats the difference between phlantraphy and taxes, someone took too much and gave a little back to those of there chosing. Dollar gone is dollar gone. One gets a tax write off and the other gets bitched at because they paid off there friends instead of yours.

[4GFarms]

I think if you gave the farmer anymore money they would not spend it on local communities (some might). It would be spent on that new pickup or piece of equipment as it is easier to say that you need that piece of equipment and not donate to the local rink for example. If you think land and equipment prices are high give the farmer some more disposable income! Let the big companies do the donating. I give what I can, albeit probably not as much as it should be.

[Richard5]

I see quite a few $55,000+ pickups at the arena. More than enough to cover the morgtage.
Our world would look quite different without corporate tax write offs.

A $55,000 pickup is a cheap one in today's world. Try 85,000, maybe even $95,000 one all the crap is hung on it and its been lifted x amount. This is pretty close to the average when you go to a crop production show. The ones that say Denali and Super King or whatever Ford calls its now make me chuckle.

If its paid for great but really, what's the point. Oops, I forgot, it could be leased (biggest scam of the century). They are fuel guzzlers and so many complain about carbon tax on here.

Gotta pull the sleds and 40ft 5th wheel, wakeboard boat somehow I guess

[blackpowder]

Just bought a 55k 2013 1500 for $21k. My 07 has 290k. My 94 has 325k. Thats all I need to make bushels, but I'm outdated I guess.


Some posters here seem to be in a bubble.

[Rareearth]

You nailed it Braveheart.