Rent Seeker!
generally implies the extraction of uncompensated value from others without making any contribution to productivity, such as by gaining control of land and other pre-existing natural resources, or by imposing burdensome regulations or other government decisions that may affect consumers or businesses.
Here's one for you:
From his op-ed in Fortune magazine, a BIG rent seeker:
Bill Ford Jr., Chairman of Ford
The good news is that lawmakers in Washington have pledged to pass a bill based on programs that have already proved effective around the world. The idea is simple: Trade in your old car. Get a voucher for a discount toward a new, more fuel-efficient vehicle. The old one gets scrapped, recycled, and permanently removed from the road...
...Taxpayers are rightly concerned about the federal deficit, given the significant resources already spent on stimulus measures. And that's why at Ford (F, Fortune 500) we agree with the President that the cost of this initiative should be paid for with a small portion of the stimulus funds already approved by Congress.
Improved auto sales will be one of the key indicators that America is on the road to economic recovery. We urge lawmakers to quickly implement this market-based incentive. It constitutes a clear win for the consumer, the economy, and the environment.
Like I said - rent seeking. In this case, advocating taxpayer funds (that we really don't have so we have to finance it) will directly benefit his company and his family (yes, he is THAT Ford).
Look, lots of companies do the same thing....all the time...but I'm tired of people and companies seeking and sucking from the taxpayer teat...
