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Moore corporate welfare in Michigan

February 03, 2010

Michael Moore, director of Capitalism, A Love Story, is all about the unholy links between business and government. Like his:

Moore isn't just any filmmaker. He is a current member of the Michigan Film Office Advisory Council, a state organ created to advise the Michigan Film Office, which is responsible for approving applications for Michigan's film incentive program. I do not believe it strains credulity to suggest that Moore's very presence on the council may have led to the film office approving special tax treatment for his work.

Giving an advisory council member's project tax credits makes this government "jobs" program look like a good ole' boys network where "la familia" takes care of its own - and with taxpayer dollars. This is not the only instance of high-ranking state officials appearing to benefit directly from the state program in which they play (or played) a role.

While Mr. Moore thinks capitalism is terrible, I understand you do have to pay to see the movie. It's good that Michigan is doing so well that it can afford to give money to somebody to explain how awful capitalism is. Oh, wait...