These salaries and bonuses are often so large today that they constitute disguised profits. Twenty years ago the average top executive made 34 times the wages of the firm's lowest paid workers. Today the ratio is l40 to one. Chicken McNuggets and Other Vital Matters Taxes are but one form of wealthfare. Subsidised use of public resources, as with JR Simplot's grazing and American Barrick's mining, is also widespread.
Many corporations also receive direct payments from the federal government.
Agriculture subsidies typically flow in greater quantities the larger is the recipient firm. Farm subsidies, for example, could be limited to only small farmers. The government also pays for scientific research and development, then allows the benefits to be reaped by private firms. This occurs commonly in medical research. Beyond corporate subsidies, the government also spends far more than necessary to help support the lifestyles of wealthy individuals.