Jonathan Chaitt writes for the LA Times, that when the World Trade Organization declared Washington's $5 billion a year export subsidy violated treaties the US had signed, it freed up $5 billion for Washington to spend. Congress and the Bush administration decided to use it for corporate tax cuts. But not for ALL corporations -- just manufacturers.
This being Washington, special interests unchained their lobbyists. Suddenly, lobbyists for agriculture, construction, and the recording industries began twisting Congressional arms to get their business declared "manufacturing."
Congress, having a low tolerance for this arm twisting pain, agreed.
The bill wound up targeting tax breaks -- including $189 million to General Motor's Oldsmobile division. Interesting, because GM closed that division last year. (LAT -- Opinion)
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