McCain: 'Why the hell' do iPhone apps need updating?
(CNN) - After questioning Apple CEO Tim Cook in a congressional hearing Tuesday, Sen. John McCain ran out of time and didn't get to ask one pressing question on his mind.
"What I really wanted to ask is why the hell I have to keep updating the apps on my iPhone all the time and why you don't fix that," McCain, an active Tweeter, said–prompting some laughs in the room.
[twitter-follow screen_name='politicalticker']
"Sir, we're trying to make them better all the time," Cook responded in kind.
Lawmakers grilled Apple executives over their company's tax strategy, examining why Apple shifts income to an Irish subsidiary to avoid paying U.S. taxes.
Apple officials said the company moved the money to its overseas operations, such as those in Ireland, not to avoid taxes but because of the growth of Apple's sales overseas.
Michigan Sen. Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and McCain, the committee's ranking member, both started the hearing with withering criticism of Apple's tax practice.
- CNN's Ashley Killough and CNNMoney.com's Senior Writer Chris Isidore contributed to the report.
Can't wait until Bill Maher gets hold of THIS one!!! New Rule: Criticizing corporations for taking advantage of tax loopholes is not allowed when your political party is steadfastly against raising taxes on corporations and the wealthy.
really didn't qualify as a "rant" I mean yes McCain is a dimwit who is past his time but so is Barbara Boxer, Reid, Maxine Waters and that is just the Senate. The real story is how no one mentions GE dodging taxes STILL and Tim Geithner was in Obama administration. This must fall under the "do as I say not as I do" which seems to be the Obama mantra. Guess CNN will move from Boston to Cleveland to Oklahoma as long as they don't have to report the other stories such as Benghazi, IRS scandal and AP wiretapping. Keep covering for your boy and you all will be exposed soon enough.
Every time McCain opens his mouth,the world hears just how stupid and out of touch he is.He unleashed Sarah Palin and her litter on us,we can expect anything from him.
It would appear that tax loopholes that allow corporations to pay an effective tax rate of 0.05% is a joke to Senator McCain. He should be asking how those loopholes came into existence.
Hey McCain you nimrod! You should be asking about them hiding our tax dollars in Ireland! Not joking with the Corp. that is raping we the people!
Oh just shut up Mccan't!
@Sniffit
Next up: John McCain found yelling at a garden gnome to "GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!!"
=====
Ohhh man
What about those free jet rides you got to the ball games John? Hiding in the shadows at Learjet in Tucson doesn't work. You cheated. You accepted free rides in exchange for goodies in Mexico is what we hear. DBag.
This is from the guy that almost sank the Forrestal.
Do none of you joke at your job? People joke at their jobs, even serious jobs. We are all human, and a little bit of levity won't kill us. Just to help fend-off the attacks, I didn't vote for McCain, and wish he would have vetted out Palin before bringing her to the stage...now she won't shut up...though we got a good racy movie due to it 🙂
Good old McCranium... "Who stole my keys again?" Where's my pill?" Back in my day we played with rocks, and we were lucky to have them." "Where is that damned zipper"? "I want taquitos!"
Jay
Apple getting rich exploiting Chinese workers while overcharging Americans for the goods produced AND avoiding paying taxes to boot ! Awesome !
-–
i don't see people putting guns to peoples heads forcing them to buy apple products. i also don't see americans protesting that their iphones should cost $500 more so chinese workers can make more money. got anymore irrelevant whines you need to get off your chest?
Good old McCranium... "Who stole my keys again?" Where's my pill?" Back in my day we played with rocks, and we were lucky to have them." "Where is that damned zipper"? "I want taquitos!"
John "I crashed every plane I flew" McCain has lost all credibility. I'm surprised the AARP hasn't disavowed him for making senior citizens look so bad!
Find "Mary Ann" post from May 21, 2013 04:20 pm at 4:20 pm.
That sums up John McCain to a 'T'
-just sayin
Dutch/Bad Newz, VA -aka- Take Back The House -aka- No Redemption Votes
"Tell me what Apple has done that is illegal?" – Sen. Rand Paul
----––
Technically what they're doing is corporate tax evasion
-––
technically you don't know what you are talking about. it is actually called minimizing your taxes which is exactly what every well run company does. contrary to leftists beliefs, these companies do not exist to fund the ever growing government bureacracy. they are not piggy banks to be raided at your leisure. every individual does, or should be doing, the very same thing.
the money (POST TAX) to create the company was provided by private investors looking to get a return on their investment. that money is how a lot of people live in the retirement years, you know, the 401ks that you lefties are always bragging about doing so well with obama.
these hearings are nothing less than a democrat shakedown of these corporations. i hope several of them pack up and leave to teach you leftists a lesson. of course, the people you pretend to care about will pay the real price for your leftist lust for other peoples money.
****************
There is a huge difference between minimizing taxes and tax evasion. We have no problem with investors getting their money back, but a company ducking its obligations to the government that allows it to operate is equally wrong as a permanant government takeover of a business or industry. You assume that is what we want, which is not the case. There is no" leftist lust for other people's money" (except in your mind), only a desire to see the law properly executed and that people and companies that cheat are not rewarded. Apparently, obeying the law is conditional to some people on the Right, since they feel they owe nothing to the free society that gives them the liberty to operate. If they have done nothing wrong, they will have proven that the government's concern is unwarrented: if they are are guilty, they will pay. You, as usual, have no point.
Quite frankley I'am surprised this old coot knows how to use an I-phone
If the Congress was forced to actually read and understand the bills they vote for, then these loopholes would not exist. It's kind of hypocritical for Congress to castigate these companies for taking advantage of the laws that they passed.
It's a little like the government getting the AP phone records: the real scandal is that is was legal. Why could Apple legally pay 5 cents tax of ever $100 in profit? Because somebody made some major campaign contributions and got an innocuous looking loophole inserted into the tax code. We have a legal system of organized bribery of Congress, and Apple took advantage of a result. We really need to overhaul the entire tax code, but in meantime we need to close every loophole Apple, GE, and others are using.
Why would a republican who supported these offshore loop holes created by GWB even come to the microphone in the chamber? Hypocrite!!
@The Common Denominator – Stop drinking the koolaid. Benghazi – bottom line their is NOTHING that could have been done to stop what happened. The U.S. didnt have resources in place and the sequestration cuts forced on America by the GOP congress cut any funding to support reinforcing the consolate. The IRS SHOULD be targeting 501 C (4)s specifically they are trying to AVOID taxes. Its the IRS's job to see if they are valid claims. The fact that a MAJORITY of the claims since citizens united have been from Tea Party and Patriot named groups is NOT a Scandal it is a fact. I agree they went about it wrong and sharing of lists from FB contacts is wrong but NOT illegal and NOT a scandal. Save our tax money already alright Congress and get to work. Stop trying to repeal ACA (Obama Care) 37 attempts IS ENOUGH waste of our money. Your AP wire tapping issue might be the only thing you have listed that has any merit and even that is questionable.
I am sorry for those of you who are angry with APPLE – they abided by the law! I bet each of you that are complaining are more than fine with recieving tax benefits such as $ 1,000 child tax credit for every kid you have that is under 17. Thats all APPLE did – its just on a larger scale because they make a lot of money. If you are angry be angry with the lawmakers who wrote the law not those who comply with it!
What McCain asked is totally a reflection of who he is. He is a man who lives in the past – 50s. Updating anything could be a challenge to his way of life. To keep him sane, please roll back everything from computer to typewritter etc. Maybe a note pad is more comforting to him than an Ipad.
"Mr Cook, I just have one question for you. I'd like to know why you believe that your tax strategy, which is clearly composed of moving money around in a shell game to avoid paying taxes is legal, given that we, as members of Congress, have created all the loopholes and special deals that allow you to do that? Don't you think the special deals we've provided for you should be illegal?"