U2 offshores = hypocrisy personified

by Dennis Howlett on August 9, 2006

Hot on the heels of the Rolling Stones tax avoidance story and we now find that U2 has transferred a chunk of its assets to Holland. Which is all pretty rich (sic) when you consider lead singer Bono spends a disproportionate amount of his time lecturing the rest of us about the plight of poor countries.

alastair

Dennis, I don't believe you support mob rule!

There is little doubt that it is private charities rather than governments that make a difference to the lives of those unfortunate enough to live in poor countries.

Bono has made a significant contribution to such causes, in both time and money. Your little snippet hardly presents a balanced view.
Dennis Howlett

Whether any of us like it or not, there is a perceived connection between taxes paid, wealth and charitable donations. In this case, U2 is in a position where it can directly benefit as a result of its wealth which allow it access to services 98% of the rest of us cannot.
alastair

Er ben, what do you think governments spend our money on? Pledges of support make fine political soundbites, but never deliver benefit to poverty striken countries.
ben

Er Alastair - where do you think governments get their money from?
alastair

OK - Ive heard this before and I still don't get it. what has tax avoidance got to do with poverty relief?

At least Bono gets up and does something about that which he pontificates on!