Fully agreed that praise is an incredibly weak tool. Its all the weaker if its viewed as done with ulterior motives, like here.
RE: governments’ relationship with high tax payers. I think this is highly variable. My hometown in Iowa had a very positive relationship with the largest taxpayers/businesses/business owners. I think the Midwest has an understanding that there are many options for business owners, and so actively try to woo them.
In contrast, a large tech hub like San Francisco is much less replaceable, and so can afford to squeeze businesses much harder.
Fully agreed that praise is an incredibly weak tool. Its all the weaker if its viewed as done with ulterior motives, like here.
RE: governments’ relationship with high tax payers. I think this is highly variable. My hometown in Iowa had a very positive relationship with the largest taxpayers/businesses/business owners. I think the Midwest has an understanding that there are many options for business owners, and so actively try to woo them.
In contrast, a large tech hub like San Francisco is much less replaceable, and so can afford to squeeze businesses much harder.