You know several years ago when the Clinton Administration was investigating Microsoft and accusing them of being all sorts of evil I suggested that Bill Gates should go to the congressional hearings- listen to all the accusations- and then with a look of deep contrition on his face say-

“You know what – you’re right. You’ve convinced me of how bad the company I run is. Effectively immediately Microsoft will cease production and sales of all products and services.”

My guess is if Tobacco Companies, Big Oil, anybody who was under the onerous self-righteous puffery of a governmental moral crusade did this a couple of times that Congress would learn their lesson very quickly and keep their money grubbing hands out of the pockets of businesses.

I doubt any of these companies would have to shut down- too much loss of tax revenue. A simple threat to shift their headquarters off-shore and cease US trade would cripple the confiscatory tendencies of the hypocrites who decry with moral outrage the evils of big business, but bathe in the filthy lucre of their tax dollars and contributions.

Exxon should say- you want to reduce our profits- no problem- we’ll move to Mexico where we can own the government- not sell in the US- and make more money than we’ll net if you get your way.

I love the idea of going ‘all in’ when you’re stone cold bluffing. Play the opponent not the cards!

I completely will. I just need to engineer a swap between my 401K and my mortgage. Once that is completed, defaulting to myself only incurs tax obligations, which I could pay if necessary. After that, they can bite me.