The modern version of this is the "bribes" state politicians offer to companies to build facilities in their states. Voters always seem to only care about "the jobs".

Even though it was their money that paid the bribe. The companies usually wind up paying no state taxes for years, even decades.

All of the increased tax revenue for the state comes from the taxes the voters/workers pay.

The companies get wealthy, the elites get wealthier, and "the people" pay for the entire bill. So, they can have the privilege of jobs that generally pay just enough to get by on.

You would think people would be smarter by now.