Friday, February 05, 2010

Anti-Greed Michael Moore Wants Taxpayer Money

Filmmaker Michael Moore would like to fill that bag with Michigan taxpayer money.
"A Michigan Republican state senator is calling out filmmaker Michael Moore for requesting $1 million in tax subsidies for his movie “Capitalism: A Love Story,” in which the filmmaker decried the government bailout of Wall Street executives.

State Sen. Nancy Cassis, R-Novi, is asking Moore to withdraw his application from the Michigan Film Office, which would reimburse up to 42% for costs associated with filming in the state. Cassis, who is chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said Moore shouldn’t be treated differently from any other filmmaker applying for the tax credits, but said his public criticisms of corporate welfare ring hollow if he asks for taxpayer dollars. Cassis said the Michigan Film Office told her Moore qualified for $1 million in tax credits.

“He got caught in his own rhetoric and double standards,” Cassis said. “He decried capitalism and big corporations getting government handouts, and he asked for a handout himself from all the taxpayers of Michigan. He presented himself as a defender of the poor and downtrodden, and government should not be supportive of corporate welfare, but he himself is taking money from taxpayers.

She continued, “Michael Moore, if you stand by your position in 'Capitalism: A Love Story,' then withdraw your application from the film office for refunds at the expense of and subsidized by Michigan taxpayers.”

Moore has not responded to media attempts to get his comments, and appears to be "just as elusive as the subject of his breakthrough movie ‘Roger and Me' " according to Kathy Hoekstra of the Mackinac Center who
broke the story last week that Moore applied for the tax subsidy."

10 Comments:

At 2/05/2010 1:35 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mark Steyn had the best take on Moore several years ago: "if they ever remake Roger and Me, he'll make a great Roger."

 
At 2/05/2010 2:02 PM, Anonymous John said...

Shouldn't the title of this post be "Greedy Filmaker Moore Wants More Taxpayer Money"?

Michael Moore isn't against corporate welfare as long as he's the one depositing the checks.

 
At 2/05/2010 2:03 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Of course he wants taxpayers money, isn't that what socialism is all about - spending other people's money?

 
At 2/05/2010 2:05 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

As a Michigan taxpayer, I strongly dislike the idea of Michael Moore receiving a penny of our tax dollars. But I think this is simply another result of unintended legislative consequences. We'd all be better off if the state legislature spent more time golfing and less time spending our money and passing new legislation.

 
At 2/05/2010 2:16 PM, Blogger Bloggin' Brewskie said...

It's funny how people, after they become successful, become the very thing they hate.

 
At 2/05/2010 2:25 PM, Anonymous Stephen said...

Wasn't Moore likely bankrolled by a production studio, or does he front all the costs of his films? It would be the production studio that would be claiming the credit, no?

Also, it isn't necessarily hypocritical to want these types of subsidies repealed yet take advantage of them if offered, is it? It would only be really hypocritical if he supported the existance of the subsidy.

 
At 2/05/2010 3:20 PM, Anonymous m said...

using a subsidy that you condemn to condemn the subsidy itself - why, it's practically warhol.

 
At 2/05/2010 3:55 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I believe I read somewhere that Moore claimed the studio pressured him to apply for the grant, which I believe is true. Any studio would be foolish not to ask for this "free" money.

But a man of principle directing this movie would either refuse, find another studio to work with, or refund the money to Michigan taxpayers.

But that would be a man of principle.

 
At 2/05/2010 4:08 PM, Blogger F. said...

Moore being a hypocrite? Shocking! Next thing we'll read a story about him not going to Cuba for medical care.

 
At 2/06/2010 12:11 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Moore refusing the subsidy is about as likely as him walking past a doughnut shop.

 

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