Despite Hollywood’s disdain for a significant portion of the country—often labeling them as ignorant or backward—there’s a growing movement advocating for federal tax credits aimed at supporting this struggling industry.
Essentially, we’re footing the bill for an industry that seems intent on undermining our values, promoting agendas that many oppose, including the sexualization of children.
What’s particularly frustrating is the stark contrast in attitudes toward tax cuts. While the industry generally resists cuts for others, it seems to favor tax breaks when it comes to its own interests.
Senator Schiff of California has introduced a bill that would provide a 15% federal credit on payroll expenses, mirroring incentives found in Canada. The Motion Picture Association is pushing for a 20% incentive with an additional 5% bonus for filming in disaster-affected areas, which would apply across places like Los Angeles County due to the wildfires.
The report notes that bipartisan support is crucial for the bill’s success. Some Republicans, including Rep. Brian Jack from suburban Atlanta, may be open to co-sponsoring the bill, but others seem to be waiting for direction from the White House.
This leads to an important question: why should a coal miner in West Virginia or a rural Wal-Mart clerk in Pennsylvania help fund an industry that seems bent on their cultural destruction? It’s an industry that promotes messaging many find objectionable.
Ten years ago, I might have viewed Hollywood’s left-leaning tendencies as manageable. Back then, the industry was left-leaning in a more classically liberal way, promoting coexistence. But now, it appears to be actively working toward the moral decay of children through sexualization, which feels exploitative and harmful. I honestly think Hollywood’s relevance is dwindling, and maybe that’s a good thing.
To make matters worse, the proposed federal tax credits—which many see as a break for the affluent—also appear to be a way to bail out the struggling state of California.
California has nearly $300 billion in annual tax revenue but only allocates around $750 million for film and television incentives. This is a tiny fraction, making up about a quarter of one percent of the state’s budget. Given California’s challenges, including rising homelessness and struggles in education, why should those who are often criticized by Hollywood be expected to support it financially?
While it’s true that these federal tax credits extend beyond California, it’s clear which areas would gain the most from such measures. The notion that Hollywood is on a path to becoming the next Detroit is something only those within the industry seem to consider a negative outcome.
