Dear Mr. Chambers,

Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum proposes zero tax on all repatriated corporate cash, as long as it's put into plants and equipment... Nevada Democrat Shelley Berkley proposes a reduced repatriation tax if companies promise to increase U.S. payrolls... Good old NY Democrat Chuck Schumer, along with Andy Stern (former union president), proposes using a low 5% repatriation tax to fund an infrastructure bank...

While all other developed nations allow their corporations to bring home foreign-earned(and taxed) profits, either tax-free or at 2%, without condition, the U.S. policymaker would reduce Washington's cut in exchange for control over how a company would deploy that cash - or - as an opportunity (for he/his union pals) to grow the size of our ever-growing government... In thinking he can coerce job growth, and, most importantly, his own political success, the politician would have you and me believe that government, with its $1.6 trillion budget deficit and its $15 trillion debt would best direct private sector profits... Operative words being "his own political success"...

Here's a pretend letter from congresswoman Aty Pical (she would be your 'atypical' politician) to Cisco Systems CEO John Chambers with a message that would bring foreign-held capital back to the U.S. and [potentially] do wonders for our economy:

Dear Mr. Chambers,

Congratulations on your success abroad. We are proud that you, the CEO of a United States corporation, had the foresight [and freedom] to develop profitable ventures worldwide. Should you see opportunity in the U.S. market going forward, we encourage you to invest, free of repatriation tax, those earnings herein, however you see fit. And we promise to stay out of your way in the process. For all evidence strongly suggests that you are substantially more adept at allocating capital than we here in Washington...

We wish you continued success in the years ahead...

Sincerely,
Rep. Aty Pical