[NewsPoster]

Apple is "not destroying the fabric of America," according to Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders in an interview about his stance on major corporations. While Apple isn't guilty of being one of the main companies Sanders believes are working against society's best interests, it didn't come out of the interview with a clean bill of health, as Sanders admits he wishes the iPhone producer would perform more of its manufacturing within the United States instead of abroad.

Speaking to the New York Daily News, Sanders suggests Apple is not one of the top three "corporate giants" ruining the "national fabric," with JPMorgan Chase and "virtually every other major bank" in the US causing bigger problems, with citizens "suffering the results of the greed, recklessness, and illegal behavior on Wall Street." Away from the financial sector, Sanders suggests a company is doing more damage to the country "if you are a corporation and the only damn thing you are concerned about is your profits," moving jobs abroad "to make even more money."

On the subject of Apple's global operations, Sanders mused "I do wish they'd be manufacturing some of their devices, here, in the United States rather than in China." Sanders echoes a similar base sentiment proclaimed by Republican candidate Donald Trump in January, though at that time Trump claimed he would force compliance by applying a hefty tax on imported goods. Despite the bulk of production occurring overseas, Apple does perform some manufacturing work in the United States, such as for the Mac Pro.

Lastly, Sanders touches upon Apple's financial situation, wishing "that they would not be trying to avoid paying their fair share of taxes." Apple and other major corporations have been under considerable scrutiny over their tax affairs, with CEO Tim Cook previously calling the investigations "total political crap."

[Inkling]

Notice Sanders muddled logic. He uses it so often, he could get a trademark on it. Banks, large and small, keep our money safely, make financial tranactions easier, and loan us money when we need it. They also offer many, many jobs across this country. Breaking the larger ones up won't change that or create more jobs. Yet Sanders wants to break them up, even if he has to do so illegally. On the other hand, while Apple does provide us with useful gadgets, it has huge profits because it makes its stuff where the labor is cheapest, typically China. Unlike banks, Apple creates almost no manufacturing jobs in this country and most of the jobs it does create are in only a few locations such as Cupertino. Logic would suggest that Apple is far more deserving of government action to make it benefit the country that banking. And yet Sanders, the would-be breaker-up of banks can do no more than "wish" Apple would behave differently. I think Trump and Sanders both belong in the looney bin, but in this particular case Trump, wanting to pressure Apple to create manufacturing jobs here, is certainly less of a loon than Sanders. At least Trump's goal makes sense, however flawed his methods.

[PolyEx]

Banks are crooks, they were bailed out by the US taxpayer when they should have failed. Many of their executives should be in prison now.

[Mr. Strat]

Comrade Sanders - please get an education in the real world. Maybe then you'll see that your ideology has been a failure every time it's been tried.

[Charles Martin]

The problem with corporations generally avoiding tax payments -- and, for the record, Apple has been investigated on this by Congress and given a clean bill of health -- is not the corporations. They are following the law. It is not their fault that Congress keeps giving them legal grounds to reduce their taxes (which they actually have a legal, fiduciary responsibility to shareholders to do). The fault with the repatriation issue on foreign-made profits lies squarely with Congress, not the companies.

You and your tax preparer look for every legal means to reduce your taxes this time of year; that's exactly what the corporations do.

[pottymouth]

I've never heard another politician more in line with my personal positions on nearly every single issue. It's kinda scary, actually. The dude's reading my brain, man.

[Charles Martin]

pottymouth: I find it odd that after EVERY election, Americans always SAY they want a politician who is honest, will tell them the truth, will tackle the big problems, will use tax money to improve infrastructure/create jobs/invest in America.

Then they consistently -- almost without fail -- vote for exactly the opposite; someone they know is lying to them, but telling them what they want to hear.

Draw your own conclusions.

[Flying Meat]

On the subject of Banks, I gotta tell you there are more than just a few politicians that want to break them up. I think it's likely to go the way of ye ol' AT&T break up, in that they'll just find another way to recombine over time.
It's neither entirely bad, or entirely good, but the good of it would be that smaller institutions could fail without dragging the entire world's economy down with them.

It should not be considered the only solution however, as regulation still needs to occur.

Regarding Apple's off-shoring of much manufacturing, and repatriating some money earned from operations over seas, I agree with Charles Martin. Congress apparently doesn't want that money unless it's going toward their election coffers. Then they'd REALLY work to come to an agreement that would otherwise be seen by most people as beneficial