Ronald Reagan said it best when he stated:
"Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives."
Our growing intolerance, in the name of tolerance…
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A former cashier for The Home Depot who has been wearing a "One nation under God" button on his work apron for more than a year has been fired, he says because of the religious reference. The company claims that expressing such personal beliefs is simply not allowed. Guess Home Depot won’t be accepting US currency due to its bearing the word GOD on it?
As I write in my Regaining Personal Freedom report, there is a lot of stupidity and intolerance (usually in the name of tolerance) growth in this country – anyone got a spare country I can buy?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_god_button_home_depot
One of our interesting subscribers, Steve Gillman, maintains several useful websites you might find interesting…
Wanted to let you know about a new website I have created. It is all about money, but more about the meaning and purpose than about how to make it - although it covers that and how to save it or invest it as well. If this is of any interest, you can go check it out and sign up for the free Money Matters newsletter on the homepage here: http://www.themeaningofmoney.com
“Much of what government does is based on the premise that people can't do things for themselves. So government must do it for them. More often than not, the result is a ham-handed, bumbling, one-size-fits-all approach that leaves the intended beneficiaries worse off. Of course, this resulting failure is never blamed on the political approach -- on the contrary, failure is taken to mean the government solution was not extravagant enough." --columnist John Stossel
From our readers (intriguing thoughts to share)
“A challenge…show me a government bureaucracy whose primary goal has not become its own continued existence. Show me a government-run program that is economical and efficient. Show me a government solution that is simple and directly corrects a problem without creating a new set of problems. Think about it.” –Kathleen R.
“Homer Simpson, Bart’s dad, once toasted, ‘Here’s to alcohol-the cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems.’
I think Homer got it wrong; it’s trial lawyers. They are the elephant in the room when it comes to defensive medicine and the ever-rising cost of other types of insurance. We all know it. They are certainly the preferred solution for Pres. Obama, and the ACLU, and the entire Democratic Party. As a society, we’re addicted to them. Alcohol, move over.” –Tres W.
Feel free to send your thoughts to us at: bedavid@yahoo.com
It puzzles me how a state-sponsored economy can fuel the stock market. What happens when the stimulus funds come to a halt? Who will prop up the economy then? During the Great Depression, a small number of bankers did just that and the rally lasted one weekend…before everything crashed!
>>><<<
The Spy in the waiting in the job interview room
Here are a few ‘interview’ techniques you should be aware of when seeking that next job.
· You may be interviewed before you walk in the door. It’s not unusual for employers to have someone glance at the inside of your car to see how dirty it is. Clean your car before the interview or they may think your untidiness is an indication of you might perform on the job.
· Some interviewers purposely keep folks waiting in the lobby for up to an hour in order too see how you react to stressful situations. Earn points by reading quietly and stay off the cell phone.
· Seal the deal when an interviewer asks if you have anymore questions by asking ‘what’s the first problem I could tackle for you?’
· Learn about the company and focus on their needs…ask the interviewer to describe the perfect candidate for you.
· Do not lie on your resume. If you have gaps, explain them as simply as possible
FINALLY-Get rid of juvenile social networking stuff… hiring managers have a cadre of maneuvers. Many are now using social networking sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook to dig up dirt. Others are calling references you never OK'd. Still others are grilling past employers on your reference list in the hopes of getting them to slip. Some firms are also asking job candidates to sign waivers promising not to sue a former boss if he or she says bad things about you.
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Inflation to return?
Massive federal stimulation dollars created a situation where the US dollar became less valuable as seen on the world market. If you collect Social Security, for instance, you didn’t see a COLA increase this year-first time in 30-years. Inflationary pressures seem to have diminished. The Consumer Price Index shows a more modest deflation set in over the past 12 months.
Most Americans today haven’t lived through net deflation; but it could happen this year or early next year. The fed is pumping a ton of money into the system, inflation hasn’t happened because most banks aren’t lending money. Instead, they are sitting on those funds, collecting interest from the Federal Reserve (a great income on essentially free money). Therefore, there is no growth. All of this could easily lead to a rise of inflationary pressure in the coming year according to most economists.
Winners and losers for whichever scenario takes place…homeowners and other current debtors, for example, are helped by inflation in that they pay off loans with cheaper dollars. Future borrowers could be hurt by rising inflation because it will likely lead to higher interest rates.
Gold, everyone’s investment darling right now, could go either way…as the fed pumps more fiat money into the system, gold will likely increase in price for the near term… 80 experts see $2,200/oz. average gold price ahead according to David Bradshaw, Editor - Real Money Perspectives…Basic economics with many variables – a crapshoot, if you will. This has been your two-minute economic lesson!
>>><<<
Today, the U.S. Dollar is falling in value like a lead balloon.
That means importers around the world can buy U.S. products for less that ever before.
The opportunities are growing exponentially everyday.
Get into today's HOTTEST business ... right now.
http://www.businesslyceum.com/exporting.html
>>><<<
If you want total security, go to prison. There you're fed, clothed, given medical care, and so on. The only thing lacking ... is freedom." -- U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969)
The Art of Minimizing
We co-founded the not-for-profit Minimalist Group in 1999 with the goal of minimizing dependence on government while maximizing self-reliance skills. At one point, due to the Y2K fear, we had members throughout the world. Once that fear faded, so did the majority of our membership (it lives on however-see minimalistgroup.org for more).
The group still donates to a wide range of other non-profit groups and our current cross-country move reminds me of our need to minimize. Since giving up my publishing business, I’ve made my primary living as a book dealer and it hurt to give up the majority of the 10,000 books I had in my collection. Donations of thousands of books were made to area libraries, prison libraries and other non-profit groups. Still, our move included 6,000 lbs of books from my personal collection.
I’m repeating that cycle again. This week we donated more than 1,000 books (hardbacks) to area charities. The Salvation Army, my favorite charity (I once served as a volunteer board member & even rang the bell during the holidays) is coming by with a truck this week to pick up a dozen bookshelves and other items.
The lesson I’ve learned over the years is twofold. One, most material goods, if truly needed, can be replaced. Second, the more you give the more you receive.
Our Mission: To protect and promote your freedom, civil rights, financial well being and overall self reliance in these turbulent times.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Become an Expatriate, New Resources, Etc.
"'He who goes a-borrowing, goes a-sorrowing'...quote from Ben Franklin.
Order from chaos…of which there is plenty!
· Reuters
NEW YORK (Reuters) - President Barack Obama chastised Wall Street firms on Tuesday for resisting tighter regulations of their industry and said they had not done enough to boost lending to small businesses…so why hasn’t he pumped up the small business administration to take the lead? Typical government lack of help to the small guy!
Recession Creates New Holiday Shopping Trends
PriceGrabber.com's annual Holiday Forecast Consumer Behavior
Report reveals that 53 percent of consumers polled are taking
coworkers off of their gift lists, and 36 percent anticipate
holiday spending of between $100 and $499.
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y09/m10/i20/s04
Donate your old cell phone and make a difference!
Verizon Wireless collects phones to aid victims of domestic abuse via:
www.Aboutus.vzw.com/communityservice/hopeline.html
Send outdated phones to Secure the Call which converts phones to 9-11 only devices for needy families. www.SecuretheCall.org
Keep your children safe from scammers
Many of us order an annual credit report to check for errors. Now, you should order one for your children too as scammers can use their Social Security numbers to open fraudulent accounts. Go to: www.annualcreditreport.com
Cut your heating bill this winter by an average of 10%Hard to imagine that I’ll be living in a cold climate again (see below) but here are a few tips for cutting that bill.
--turn on your ceiling fan. Turn the rotor so blades run upward…hot air rises so this will circulate the heat down the walls.
--Seal the leaks in your home. Pay particular attention to windows and doors.
--Vacuum heating vents or heaters every few weeks – could save as much as $20 a month!
Fiat Currency: Using the Past to See into the FutureFiat Money -Toilet Paper Money
The history of fiat money, to put it kindly, has been one of failure. In fact, EVERY fiat currency since the Romans first began the practice in the first century has ended in devaluation and eventual collapse, of not only the currency, but of the economy that housed the fiat currency as well. Get the rest of the story: http://dailyreckoning.com/fiat-currency/
>>><<<
Government Officials Inclined To Cut Popular Programs First
In Attempt to Build Support for Tax Increases
It isn't on the national radar screen quite yet, but state and local government budgets across the country are falling apart after expanding to lofty levels during the recent "salad years" of sky-high tax revenues.
With meaningful cutbacks blocked by government union bosses and other political parasites, public-sector budgets are getting squeezed in the wake of failed businesses, job losses, and collapsing tax revenues.
But rather than cut useless bureaucrats and extravagant pensions, you may have noticed that government officials are more inclined in many states to punish the public with basic service cuts the populace really likes – hoping that doing so will lead to more political support for higher taxes. It’s happening here in AZ and in MI and other states. That means jails are emptied, criminal sentences shortened, police patrols pared back, parks closed, after-school programs axed, and corners cut on basic government services.
Even the pro-Obama Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute now admits state government tax revenues are sinking fast and are the worst seen in at least five decades, when such statistics first started being compiled. This is one of the biggest under-reported stories ever.
It is no wonder the October 20 edition of Wall Street Journal notes that one of the few private businesses with enough strength to "go public" recently is a gun maker enjoying a surge in buyers concerned about self-defense.
The Ultimate Estate Plan: How You Can Escape Taxes (and Possibly Tyranny) Forever
October 23, 2009 by Robert E. Bauman J.D.
Americans find it difficult, in a nation with constitutionally guaranteed civil rights, to imagine that our freedoms could one day be taken away by government.
Yet in my lifetime, and that of many others now living, that is what we witnessed in Germany, Poland and the occupied territories during World War II. There was at first a gradual, and then the total, erasure of civil and economic rights. By war’s end in 1945, millions had died. But millions more, those lucky enough to survive, were displaced refugees who lost everything—property, homes and family.
Yet, when this turmoil began in the 1930s, there were those who were smart enough to realize early on what was happening. These people planned accordingly and escaped with their lives and their fortunes. They got out before asset confiscation, currency controls and financial restrictions were clamped down in their home country.
I don’t mean to belittle the heroic sacrifices of those who lived and died in that era. Nor do I want to overstate the seriousness of the current situation in the U.S. But I believe sovereign individuals have to accept the fact that our rights and liberties now are under attack by our own government. Equally alarming is the perilous economic state of not only our government, but our country as well.
Why You Need a Plan in Place
Consider the facts: Between financial rescue missions and the economic stimulus program, government spending accounts for a bigger share of the nation’s economy—26 percent—than at any time since World War II. Facing a $2 trillion deficit in 2009, a $12 trillion national debt and a declining dollar, the president calls for more and bigger programs for healthcare and just about everything else.
Higher taxes, inflation and economic collapse seem all but inevitable.
Given this dangerous state of affairs, common sense dictates that you should have an escape plan in place for your family and your assets. If the worst comes to pass, you will be ready.
While it may seem like an extreme step, expatriation—the process of giving up one’s citizenship—might not just save your wealth. It may save your life.
And the process, while dramatic, is relatively straightforward.
Every year about 250,000 U.S. citizens and resident aliens leave America to make a new home in some other country. More than 5 million Americans now live abroad. Only a tiny fraction of these people give up their U.S. citizenship, and of those, most do so for non-tax reasons.
Step #1: Find a New Place to Call Home
One of the first steps toward expatriation and escaping U.S. taxation is finding a new home country that best suits you and your personal tastes.
If you have a genuine interest in living offshore it’s best to take a “test drive” of at least several months by living in your chosen country before you make a final decision. Be sure to pick a country with a “territorial tax system” that does not tax offshore income—only income earned—within the country.
Most countries will welcome you as residents, but on their own terms. Some countries, such as Switzerland and Austria, prefer wealthy entrepreneurs willing to invest and create jobs in exchange for special tax and residency deals.
Other countries, notably Panama, Uruguay and Belize, take a different approach. They have special laws to attract foreign retirees of more modest means to take up residence. They welcome you, not just with a lower cost of living, by also with real estate and import tax exemptions, discounts on many goods and services, tax-free offshore income, and quick approval of resident applications.
While these so-called “pensionado” programs in Panama and Belize require minimal guaranteed annual income from established pensions, neither program leads to eventual citizenship. However, many of their immigration programs do. Uruguay’s retiree program does grant eventual citizenship.
Step #2: Secure a Second Citizenship
A second major step on the road to expatriation is acquiring a second citizenship. Simply put, this means that you are legally a citizen of two countries at the same time, qualified as such under each nation’s law. The U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed Americans’ right to hold dual nationality, although some countries do not permit it.
Millions of American citizens potentially qualify for various reasons—ethnic heritage, religion, country of birth or where their spouse was born. While it’s impossible to know exactly how many Americans have acquired another passport, experts put the number of U.S. citizens who either have, or are entitled to have a second passport at more than 40 million.
Based on your ancestry (parents, grandparents), several countries encourage foreigners to apply for citizenship. The most notable are Ireland, Italy, Poland, and with some qualifications, the United Kingdom, Spain and Israel.
If you don’t qualify for a citizenship thanks to your bloodlines, economic citizenships are available. If you want a fast second passport, two countries, St. Kitts & Nevis and Dominica, sell quick “economic citizenship” but at very high prices. However, both programs are perfectly legitimate.
It’s also important to note that dual citizenship might result automatically for some people. This can occur, for example, when a child is born in a foreign country or if a U.S. citizen acquires foreign citizenship through marriage to a person from another nation. Often these types of automatic options are overlooked, so check to see if you qualify.
Keep in mind that you can’t end your U.S. citizenship without having a valid second passport. You cannot be a proverbial “man without a country.”
The final step to freedom is to go to a U.S. embassy or consulate and hand in your U.S. passport. You will also need to sign an official document stating that you are renouncing your rights to U.S. citizenship.
Ultimate Estate Plan
Expatriation is indeed “the ultimate estate plan” in the very real sense that it gives you the legal right to stop paying U.S. taxes forever. However, it is a major step that will separate you from family and friends and treat you as a foreigner when you travel to the U.S.
Expatriation works best for those who have substantial liquid assets that can be transferred to the low tax country of choice. This process requires professional assistance for coordination of assets planning, assessing tax consequences and acquiring a second nationality.
A drastic plan? You bet. But for the person who wants a permanent and legal way to stop paying U.S. taxes, expatriation is the only option—and it could be a lifesaver in a crisis.
For information on offshore residence and dual citizenship, see my new 7th edition of The Passport Book. It covers some of the best offshore jurisdictions for whatever needs you have.
http://www.escapeartist.com/Sovereign_Society/Avoidance.html
A quick note on the passing of Soupy Sales…
As a kid I was on the Soupy Sales show (and Milky the Clown & others) and he was a lot of fun. All of us got paid at the end of the show by dipping our hands into a bowl filled with silver dollars. We could keep whatever we were able to grab – which wasn’t much. Those silver dollars are worth quite a bit now!
Due to the passing of my father, we’ll be moving back to MI in the coming weeks…so there may be a delay in postings. Once in MI, we’ll be working on our free How to Live Better on Less programs, which will probably begin in late Jan or Feb. Once final details have been worked out, dates and locations will be posted on our website.
Happy Halloween!
Bruce “the Poor Man” Wachter der Freiheit-thanks to those who have downloaded our free report on Restoring Personal Freedom which is still available & you’ll find the link at our site.
http://www.poormansurvival.com
Order from Chaos
Order from chaos…of which there is plenty!
· Reuters
NEW YORK (Reuters) - President Barack Obama chastised Wall Street firms on Tuesday for resisting tighter regulations of their industry and said they had not done enough to boost lending to small businesses…so why hasn’t he pumped up the small business administration to take the lead? Typical government lack of help to the small guy!
Recession Creates New Holiday Shopping Trends
PriceGrabber.com's annual Holiday Forecast Consumer Behavior
Report reveals that 53 percent of consumers polled are taking
coworkers off of their gift lists, and 36 percent anticipate
holiday spending of between $100 and $499.
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y09/m10/i20/s04
Donate your old cell phone and make a difference!
Verizon Wireless collects phones to aid victims of domestic abuse via:
www.Aboutus.vzw.com/communityservice/hopeline.html
Send outdated phones to Secure the Call which converts phones to 9-11 only devices for needy families. www.SecuretheCall.org
Keep your children safe from scammers
Many of us order an annual credit report to check for errors. Now, you should order one for your children too as scammers can use their Social Security numbers to open fraudulent accounts. Go to: www.annualcreditreport.com
Cut your heating bill this winter by an average of 10%Hard to imagine that I’ll be living in a cold climate again (see below) but here are a few tips for cutting that bill.
--turn on your ceiling fan. Turn the rotor so blades run upward…hot air rises so this will circulate the heat down the walls.
--Seal the leaks in your home. Pay particular attention to windows and doors.
--Vacuum heating vents or heaters every few weeks – could save as much as $20 a month!
Fiat Currency: Using the Past to See into the FutureFiat Money -Toilet Paper Money
The history of fiat money, to put it kindly, has been one of failure. In fact, EVERY fiat currency since the Romans first began the practice in the first century has ended in devaluation and eventual collapse, of not only the currency, but of the economy that housed the fiat currency as well. Get the rest of the story: http://dailyreckoning.com/fiat-currency/
>>><<<
Government Officials Inclined To Cut Popular Programs First
In Attempt to Build Support for Tax Increases
It isn't on the national radar screen quite yet, but state and local government budgets across the country are falling apart after expanding to lofty levels during the recent "salad years" of sky-high tax revenues.
With meaningful cutbacks blocked by government union bosses and other political parasites, public-sector budgets are getting squeezed in the wake of failed businesses, job losses, and collapsing tax revenues.
But rather than cut useless bureaucrats and extravagant pensions, you may have noticed that government officials are more inclined in many states to punish the public with basic service cuts the populace really likes – hoping that doing so will lead to more political support for higher taxes. It’s happening here in AZ and in MI and other states. That means jails are emptied, criminal sentences shortened, police patrols pared back, parks closed, after-school programs axed, and corners cut on basic government services.
Even the pro-Obama Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute now admits state government tax revenues are sinking fast and are the worst seen in at least five decades, when such statistics first started being compiled. This is one of the biggest under-reported stories ever.
It is no wonder the October 20 edition of Wall Street Journal notes that one of the few private businesses with enough strength to "go public" recently is a gun maker enjoying a surge in buyers concerned about self-defense.
The Ultimate Estate Plan: How You Can Escape Taxes (and Possibly Tyranny) Forever
October 23, 2009 by Robert E. Bauman J.D.
Americans find it difficult, in a nation with constitutionally guaranteed civil rights, to imagine that our freedoms could one day be taken away by government.
Yet in my lifetime, and that of many others now living, that is what we witnessed in Germany, Poland and the occupied territories during World War II. There was at first a gradual, and then the total, erasure of civil and economic rights. By war’s end in 1945, millions had died. But millions more, those lucky enough to survive, were displaced refugees who lost everything—property, homes and family.
Yet, when this turmoil began in the 1930s, there were those who were smart enough to realize early on what was happening. These people planned accordingly and escaped with their lives and their fortunes. They got out before asset confiscation, currency controls and financial restrictions were clamped down in their home country.
I don’t mean to belittle the heroic sacrifices of those who lived and died in that era. Nor do I want to overstate the seriousness of the current situation in the U.S. But I believe sovereign individuals have to accept the fact that our rights and liberties now are under attack by our own government. Equally alarming is the perilous economic state of not only our government, but our country as well.
Why You Need a Plan in Place
Consider the facts: Between financial rescue missions and the economic stimulus program, government spending accounts for a bigger share of the nation’s economy—26 percent—than at any time since World War II. Facing a $2 trillion deficit in 2009, a $12 trillion national debt and a declining dollar, the president calls for more and bigger programs for healthcare and just about everything else.
Higher taxes, inflation and economic collapse seem all but inevitable.
Given this dangerous state of affairs, common sense dictates that you should have an escape plan in place for your family and your assets. If the worst comes to pass, you will be ready.
While it may seem like an extreme step, expatriation—the process of giving up one’s citizenship—might not just save your wealth. It may save your life.
And the process, while dramatic, is relatively straightforward.
Every year about 250,000 U.S. citizens and resident aliens leave America to make a new home in some other country. More than 5 million Americans now live abroad. Only a tiny fraction of these people give up their U.S. citizenship, and of those, most do so for non-tax reasons.
Step #1: Find a New Place to Call Home
One of the first steps toward expatriation and escaping U.S. taxation is finding a new home country that best suits you and your personal tastes.
If you have a genuine interest in living offshore it’s best to take a “test drive” of at least several months by living in your chosen country before you make a final decision. Be sure to pick a country with a “territorial tax system” that does not tax offshore income—only income earned—within the country.
Most countries will welcome you as residents, but on their own terms. Some countries, such as Switzerland and Austria, prefer wealthy entrepreneurs willing to invest and create jobs in exchange for special tax and residency deals.
Other countries, notably Panama, Uruguay and Belize, take a different approach. They have special laws to attract foreign retirees of more modest means to take up residence. They welcome you, not just with a lower cost of living, by also with real estate and import tax exemptions, discounts on many goods and services, tax-free offshore income, and quick approval of resident applications.
While these so-called “pensionado” programs in Panama and Belize require minimal guaranteed annual income from established pensions, neither program leads to eventual citizenship. However, many of their immigration programs do. Uruguay’s retiree program does grant eventual citizenship.
Step #2: Secure a Second Citizenship
A second major step on the road to expatriation is acquiring a second citizenship. Simply put, this means that you are legally a citizen of two countries at the same time, qualified as such under each nation’s law. The U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed Americans’ right to hold dual nationality, although some countries do not permit it.
Millions of American citizens potentially qualify for various reasons—ethnic heritage, religion, country of birth or where their spouse was born. While it’s impossible to know exactly how many Americans have acquired another passport, experts put the number of U.S. citizens who either have, or are entitled to have a second passport at more than 40 million.
Based on your ancestry (parents, grandparents), several countries encourage foreigners to apply for citizenship. The most notable are Ireland, Italy, Poland, and with some qualifications, the United Kingdom, Spain and Israel.
If you don’t qualify for a citizenship thanks to your bloodlines, economic citizenships are available. If you want a fast second passport, two countries, St. Kitts & Nevis and Dominica, sell quick “economic citizenship” but at very high prices. However, both programs are perfectly legitimate.
It’s also important to note that dual citizenship might result automatically for some people. This can occur, for example, when a child is born in a foreign country or if a U.S. citizen acquires foreign citizenship through marriage to a person from another nation. Often these types of automatic options are overlooked, so check to see if you qualify.
Keep in mind that you can’t end your U.S. citizenship without having a valid second passport. You cannot be a proverbial “man without a country.”
The final step to freedom is to go to a U.S. embassy or consulate and hand in your U.S. passport. You will also need to sign an official document stating that you are renouncing your rights to U.S. citizenship.
Ultimate Estate Plan
Expatriation is indeed “the ultimate estate plan” in the very real sense that it gives you the legal right to stop paying U.S. taxes forever. However, it is a major step that will separate you from family and friends and treat you as a foreigner when you travel to the U.S.
Expatriation works best for those who have substantial liquid assets that can be transferred to the low tax country of choice. This process requires professional assistance for coordination of assets planning, assessing tax consequences and acquiring a second nationality.
A drastic plan? You bet. But for the person who wants a permanent and legal way to stop paying U.S. taxes, expatriation is the only option—and it could be a lifesaver in a crisis.
For information on offshore residence and dual citizenship, see my new 7th edition of The Passport Book. It covers some of the best offshore jurisdictions for whatever needs you have.
http://www.escapeartist.com/Sovereign_Society/Avoidance.html
A quick note on the passing of Soupy Sales…
As a kid I was on the Soupy Sales show (and Milky the Clown & others) and he was a lot of fun. All of us got paid at the end of the show by dipping our hands into a bowl filled with silver dollars. We could keep whatever we were able to grab – which wasn’t much. Those silver dollars are worth quite a bit now!
Due to the passing of my father, we’ll be moving back to MI in the coming weeks…so there may be a delay in postings. Once in MI, we’ll be working on our free How to Live Better on Less programs, which will probably begin in late Jan or Feb. Once final details have been worked out, dates and locations will be posted on our website.
Happy Halloween!
Bruce “the Poor Man” Wachter der Freiheit-thanks to those who have downloaded our free report on Restoring Personal Freedom which is still available & you’ll find the link at our site.
http://www.poormansurvival.com
Order from Chaos
Monday, October 19, 2009
Restoring Your Freedom-Free Report
Read & Share!
"It is well enough that the people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system for, if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning."
— Henry Ford
Poor Man’s Guide to Freedom
Perhaps the most important piece I’ve ever written. Even though it’s a concise 27-pages, it is packed with essential how-to steps you need to take to restore your personal freedom during these socialistic and financially devastating times. Many online resources included too. No charge!
Unless you’ve been asleep for the last 30-years, you may have witnessed the slow, but sure, erosion of our Bill of Rights. No-knock warrants, seizure laws, anti-gun laws, spying on citizens and more have undermined our Constitution and the government has become the master instead of the servant.
Few will argue that severe consequences of our government’s debt binge are looming…deflation/inflation, more government controls, etc. Spending our country into oblivion doesn’t seem the right course of action to me. More countries favor dumping the dollar as the international currency of choice and that usually means a borrower becomes a servant or slave of sorts (meaning you and I). If OPEC, for instance, chooses another currency as its standard, watch for cataclysmic changes in this country.
Virtually every government administration lies about economic statistics. For example, government stats show average unemployment figures at less than 10% but in reality (due to their faulty accounting methods) it’s probably closer to 20%. Personal bankruptcies are growing and soon, commercial real estate will take a major hit. Private Property rights have been one of the key elements to the success of this country. Are we doomed to becoming serfs or ‘tenant farmers’ on our property?
You’ll find some of my ideas thought provoking at the very least. Feel free to pass this along to your friends.
Poor Man’s Guide to Restoring Your Freedom
http://tinyurl.com/FreedomPDF
>>><<<
More Money-Saving Resources
Stick with store brands to save money. Retailers today wish to be seen as offering the best value, so they’ve invested in better quality and variety. A recent survey found that 75% o shoppers now rate store brands as better than many national brands and savings average 30%.
Although you can save money by signing up for a store’s newsletter, you can often save even more by following that store on Twitter or Facebook. No Twitter account? No problem. Check out www.cheaptweet.com or www.coupontweet.com for deals.
Holidays can ruin a budget (and it’s hard to believe they are already approaching – analysts believe retail sales will be one percent lower than last year). When shopping online or at retail, remember to forego the extras such as gift wrapping. Shipping and taxes add up costs quickly so seek out those offering free shipping and online sales rarely incur sales taxes.
Unusual uses for mouthwash. Keep houseplants healthy by filling a spray bottle with one part alcohol-based mouthwash to three parts water. Spray directly onto plant leaves and into the soil. It will protect them from fungi.
Your toilets will gleam when you pour a ¼ cup into the bowl and let it sit for 30-minutes.
After shampooing, pour a capful of alcohol-based mouthwash onto your scalp for five minutes, then rinse and condition; it kills the fungus that causes dandruff!
You can also use mouthwash to disinfect a cut (alcohol-based).
More alternative DIY marketplaces to sell your stuff.
www.bonanzle.com
Kind of an online garage sale where you can negotiate.
www.dealitlive.com
Still in its beta stage, anyone with a webcam & mike can star in this version of the Home Shopping Network.
www.buymytronics.com
Sell used, new and even broken gadgets.
www.secondspin.com
Sell used CDs, DVDs and video games.
www.abebooks.com
New & used books, both rare & common (one of my favorites)
Energy Saving Casa has a comprehensive list of ways to save energy and water at home. Our list provides the most cost-effective and convenient ways to save energy, money, and the environment. Energy Efficiency Tips at: http://www.energysavingcasa.com/Energy_Efficiency_Tips.html
>>><<<
Secret agenda behind the push for a national health care plan?
This may prove another ‘conspiracy theory’ however, there is a ring of truth to this…for years the feds have been attempting to implement a national ID program for purposes of more population control. The last attempt, via a biometric drivers license was thwarted because states couldn’t afford the program. Rumor now has it Obama’s health care bill will make it mandatory (or face fines/jail time) for citizens to sign on. Obviously, such a card will have an RFID strip embedded in it which will provide government and healthcare officials instant access to your medical history, social security number, etc. and eventually, who knows what else? Some are even suggesting these flu shots will also contain a grain-sized chip in it that will be injected into each recipient without their knowledge…this one has me saying no, but a national ID card in the name of mandatory health care access, would not surprise me.
>>><<<
A society of free and responsible individuals who are able to form voluntary associations will solve the social dilemmas they confront through various means of self-governance.
— “Elinor Ostrom's Nobel Prize in Economics” October 15, 2009
The Reckoning…
10/16/09 London, England
Higher stock prices; fewer jobs…
And don’t forget the foreclosures. They’re running 23% ahead of last year…even though they weren’t as bad last month as last month.
Associated Press:
“The number of households caught up in the foreclosure crisis rose more than 5 percent from summer to fall as a federal effort to assist struggling borrowers was overwhelmed by a flood of defaults among people who lost their jobs.
“The foreclosure crisis affected nearly 938,000 properties in the July-September quarter, compared with about 890,000 in the prior three months, according to a report released Thursday by RealtyTrac Inc. That puts foreclosure-related filings on a pace to hit about 3.5 million this year, up from more than 2.3 million last year.”
What an economy!
For the rest of this eye-opening piece, go to:
http://dailyreckoning.com/a-retirement-society/
>>><<<
Washington's Secret War on the Dollar, turn up your computer speakers and click this link. The video is free — a service to help you survive. http://weiss.streamlogics.com/Oct1-2pm/
Make no mistake about it — the world's monetary system is on the verge of dramatically changing. And the chief reason behind it all is ...
Washington's Tower of Debts
The total amount of U.S. government debts and obligations is far greater than what most people realize.
Uncle Sam is saddled with ...
· An officially recognized national debt of $11.8 trillion, which will likely exceed $12 trillion sometime this month.
· Unfunded national obligations of $104 trillion!
· Another $9 trillion in cumulative deficits over the next ten years.
· Plus another trillion dollars for health care reform, no matter what bill finally makes it through Congress.
Grand total: $125.8 TRILLION of public debts!
All told, that means that each and every household in America is now indirectly responsible for more than 1 MILLION DOLLARS in government debts and obligations.
Sorry to be such a scare-monger, but I am frightened over what the government is doing to us & feel it is important to bring you such resources!
Bruce – ‘the getting even poorer, Poor Man’
http://www.poormansurvival.com
Please share this bulletin with your friends!
"It is well enough that the people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system for, if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning."
— Henry Ford
Poor Man’s Guide to Freedom
Perhaps the most important piece I’ve ever written. Even though it’s a concise 27-pages, it is packed with essential how-to steps you need to take to restore your personal freedom during these socialistic and financially devastating times. Many online resources included too. No charge!
Unless you’ve been asleep for the last 30-years, you may have witnessed the slow, but sure, erosion of our Bill of Rights. No-knock warrants, seizure laws, anti-gun laws, spying on citizens and more have undermined our Constitution and the government has become the master instead of the servant.
Few will argue that severe consequences of our government’s debt binge are looming…deflation/inflation, more government controls, etc. Spending our country into oblivion doesn’t seem the right course of action to me. More countries favor dumping the dollar as the international currency of choice and that usually means a borrower becomes a servant or slave of sorts (meaning you and I). If OPEC, for instance, chooses another currency as its standard, watch for cataclysmic changes in this country.
Virtually every government administration lies about economic statistics. For example, government stats show average unemployment figures at less than 10% but in reality (due to their faulty accounting methods) it’s probably closer to 20%. Personal bankruptcies are growing and soon, commercial real estate will take a major hit. Private Property rights have been one of the key elements to the success of this country. Are we doomed to becoming serfs or ‘tenant farmers’ on our property?
You’ll find some of my ideas thought provoking at the very least. Feel free to pass this along to your friends.
Poor Man’s Guide to Restoring Your Freedom
http://tinyurl.com/FreedomPDF
>>><<<
More Money-Saving Resources
Stick with store brands to save money. Retailers today wish to be seen as offering the best value, so they’ve invested in better quality and variety. A recent survey found that 75% o shoppers now rate store brands as better than many national brands and savings average 30%.
Although you can save money by signing up for a store’s newsletter, you can often save even more by following that store on Twitter or Facebook. No Twitter account? No problem. Check out www.cheaptweet.com or www.coupontweet.com for deals.
Holidays can ruin a budget (and it’s hard to believe they are already approaching – analysts believe retail sales will be one percent lower than last year). When shopping online or at retail, remember to forego the extras such as gift wrapping. Shipping and taxes add up costs quickly so seek out those offering free shipping and online sales rarely incur sales taxes.
Unusual uses for mouthwash. Keep houseplants healthy by filling a spray bottle with one part alcohol-based mouthwash to three parts water. Spray directly onto plant leaves and into the soil. It will protect them from fungi.
Your toilets will gleam when you pour a ¼ cup into the bowl and let it sit for 30-minutes.
After shampooing, pour a capful of alcohol-based mouthwash onto your scalp for five minutes, then rinse and condition; it kills the fungus that causes dandruff!
You can also use mouthwash to disinfect a cut (alcohol-based).
More alternative DIY marketplaces to sell your stuff.
www.bonanzle.com
Kind of an online garage sale where you can negotiate.
www.dealitlive.com
Still in its beta stage, anyone with a webcam & mike can star in this version of the Home Shopping Network.
www.buymytronics.com
Sell used, new and even broken gadgets.
www.secondspin.com
Sell used CDs, DVDs and video games.
www.abebooks.com
New & used books, both rare & common (one of my favorites)
Energy Saving Casa has a comprehensive list of ways to save energy and water at home. Our list provides the most cost-effective and convenient ways to save energy, money, and the environment. Energy Efficiency Tips at: http://www.energysavingcasa.com/Energy_Efficiency_Tips.html
>>><<<
Secret agenda behind the push for a national health care plan?
This may prove another ‘conspiracy theory’ however, there is a ring of truth to this…for years the feds have been attempting to implement a national ID program for purposes of more population control. The last attempt, via a biometric drivers license was thwarted because states couldn’t afford the program. Rumor now has it Obama’s health care bill will make it mandatory (or face fines/jail time) for citizens to sign on. Obviously, such a card will have an RFID strip embedded in it which will provide government and healthcare officials instant access to your medical history, social security number, etc. and eventually, who knows what else? Some are even suggesting these flu shots will also contain a grain-sized chip in it that will be injected into each recipient without their knowledge…this one has me saying no, but a national ID card in the name of mandatory health care access, would not surprise me.
>>><<<
A society of free and responsible individuals who are able to form voluntary associations will solve the social dilemmas they confront through various means of self-governance.
— “Elinor Ostrom's Nobel Prize in Economics” October 15, 2009
The Reckoning…
10/16/09 London, England
Higher stock prices; fewer jobs…
And don’t forget the foreclosures. They’re running 23% ahead of last year…even though they weren’t as bad last month as last month.
Associated Press:
“The number of households caught up in the foreclosure crisis rose more than 5 percent from summer to fall as a federal effort to assist struggling borrowers was overwhelmed by a flood of defaults among people who lost their jobs.
“The foreclosure crisis affected nearly 938,000 properties in the July-September quarter, compared with about 890,000 in the prior three months, according to a report released Thursday by RealtyTrac Inc. That puts foreclosure-related filings on a pace to hit about 3.5 million this year, up from more than 2.3 million last year.”
What an economy!
For the rest of this eye-opening piece, go to:
http://dailyreckoning.com/a-retirement-society/
>>><<<
Washington's Secret War on the Dollar, turn up your computer speakers and click this link. The video is free — a service to help you survive. http://weiss.streamlogics.com/Oct1-2pm/
Make no mistake about it — the world's monetary system is on the verge of dramatically changing. And the chief reason behind it all is ...
Washington's Tower of Debts
The total amount of U.S. government debts and obligations is far greater than what most people realize.
Uncle Sam is saddled with ...
· An officially recognized national debt of $11.8 trillion, which will likely exceed $12 trillion sometime this month.
· Unfunded national obligations of $104 trillion!
· Another $9 trillion in cumulative deficits over the next ten years.
· Plus another trillion dollars for health care reform, no matter what bill finally makes it through Congress.
Grand total: $125.8 TRILLION of public debts!
All told, that means that each and every household in America is now indirectly responsible for more than 1 MILLION DOLLARS in government debts and obligations.
Sorry to be such a scare-monger, but I am frightened over what the government is doing to us & feel it is important to bring you such resources!
Bruce – ‘the getting even poorer, Poor Man’
http://www.poormansurvival.com
Please share this bulletin with your friends!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
A New-Old Way of Restoring Democracy
'Binding arbitration': Consumers find frustration
A parallel universe of justice for hire has existed in the world of consumer finance for some years now, fueled by the fine print of credit-card applications and other financial-service agreements.
The practice known as "mandatory binding arbitration" was created by a lawsuit-weary corporate America to bypass the costly courtroom. It diverts unhappy customers into a process in which they settle their disputes through an arbitrator paid for, and often chosen by, the company they're at odds with.
But mandatory arbitration is now under fire, as evidence mounts that it favors corporate interests and leaves many consumers out in the cold.
Critics argue that it's wrong to force people to give up their right to sue as a pre-condition for buying a product or service — before they even know what the dispute might involve. Consumers must agree to the company's terms or forget about getting that credit card, cell phone, car loan, bank account, brokerage fund, insurance policy or — in some cases — even medical care.
Among the reasons the practice is a hot-button issue this year:
•The Arbitration Fairness Act of 2009, which would bar companies from forcing prospective customers to waive their legal rights and submit to arbitration first, is gaining momentum in Congress. Companion bills are moving forward in both the House of Representatives and Senate.
•A big industry player, the National Arbitration Forum, stopped doing consumer debt-collection arbitration in July after Minnesota authorities accused it of deceptive business practices and serving as a pawn for debt-collection companies. The NAF ruled for companies in 94 percent of its cases during a four-year period, according to a 2007 study by Public Citizen, a Washington, D.C.-based consumer-advocacy group.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-asecarbitration-under-fire-10060100609oct06,0,1925758.story
>><<<
Beware Some Pre-paid Debit Card Gouging Schemes
A cottage industry only 10 years ago, reloadable prepaid cards have tapped into the vast pool of about 80 million consumers who have little or no access to bank accounts. The market includes college students who do not want to carry around wads of cash and others.
Because it is a relatively new industry, prepaid cards have not undergone the Congressional and regulatory scrutiny of credit and debit cards. In the spring, lawmakers restricted interest rate increases and hidden fees on credit cards, and regulators are now examining stricter rules on overdraft fees on checking accounts. Even gift cards, which expire when the money runs out, will soon be subject to new rules limiting monthly fees and expiration dates.
Congress has asked regulators to determine if prepaid cards warrant the same protections extended to debit and credit cards. The industry’s trade association says such measures are unnecessary and would make cards more expensive.
But consumer advocates say the lack of regulation means that prepaid card users can continue to be blindsided by hidden fees, and have few legal protections to recover their money if a card is lost. More at: http://www.gainesville.com/article/20091006/znyt01/910063020&tc=yahoo
>>><<<
Ever wonder just how astronomical our national debt is getting or what to do about it? Check this group’s site for useful insights.
www.defeatthedebt.com
Find a job via partying. Social events (networking) can prove helpful. Try these sites to find events near you.
www.laidoffcamp.com
www.slipsquad.com
AARP Tax-aide is training volunteers for next year’s tax season (you don’t have to be a tax preparer; they need greeters and technology coordinators too).
www.aarp.org/taxaide or call 888-687-2277
Find a yard sale near you by simply entering your starting address and how many miles you are willing to travel and the day of your treasure hunt. It’s a free service.
www.YardSaleTreasureMap.com
>>><<<
Easy Ways to Perk up Someone’s Day
• Pay them a compliment
• Give them the go ahead – as in letting another driver pass you or move ahead of you in the supermarket line. It can be contagious.
• Turn off the tech – show a friend they are a priority by turning of your cell phone or computer when speaking with them.
• Perform a secret act of kindness – leave a coffee on a co-workers desk, put some change into a parking meter ready to expire, etc.
Become inspired and discover ways to spread kindness in your area by visiting:
www.ActsofKindness.org
>>><<<
“Let the people think they govern & they will be governed.”
--William Penn
If you’ve lived in the United States for any length of time, you’ve probably come to the realization our election system offers little choice,that both parties have created laws which make it virtually impossible for 3rd party candidates to get on a ballot or to raise the insane amounts of money candidates now spend on elections.
Democracy is a fine form of government so long as the people don’t participate in the process. Leave that to the corporations who buy and sell politicians and leave us with the illusion of a democratic ideal.
Rarely a week goes by where we don’t learn of some crooked elected leader. It’s unfortunate, but too many of them are liars and cheats and are bought and sold by Wall Street. According the Bureau of National Affairs, corporate crime is 20 times greater than all of the larceny committed by individuals and they are rarely prosecuted thanks to their political influence…most get a slap on the wrist. After all, ‘free enterprise’ is the state religion.
Freedom in America, like our justice system, works best for those who can afford it. It seems the goal is to keep the average American broke; mere serfs. Few will argue that our government (mostly owned by Wall Street) has become the master instead of the servant.
A New-Old Way to Restore Democracy
I believe George Bush spent over $200 million during his last re-election effort. That is wrong. Politicians spend more time and effort on securing funding for their next election run than they do on the people’s business. That is wrong.
Plato argued that representatives should be selected at random from the entire population, that from a fund of qualified voters we simply draft our representatives who would be required by law to serve. That would draw equally from rich and poor, women and minorities as well. We essentially draw our juries in this fashion. Of course, these folks would be paid for their time serving and their jobs would be held secure. And, I would limit their term to no more than two – regardless of state or national service.
From this group we would form a committee who would in turn, select candidates for president. Such leaders would have a far greater potential to have values consistent with themselves – they would be more likely to put people ahead of profit.
Some might argue that we’d be electing non-qualified individuals to our highest office. I contend we’ve been doing that for decades. This is a much more democratic system than what we currently use.
I’ve added a We The People petition to the website which urges term limits.I’m also working on a new ebook which will show people how to regain their freedom; probably ready within a month. Check it out and feel free to forward it to your politicians and friends.
www.poormansurvival.com/WeThePeople
Good Ideas Don’t Always Make for Good Laws
While writing this week’s bulletin I was listening to a call-in radio show on Canadian radio, CKLW. The topic revolved around the Provincial government’s ban on smoking in commercial trucks, usually operated by one person. The fine is a whopping $300; more than most other infractions.
As most of the callers stated, “enough is enough with the laws already and the fines…it’s simply another money grab by the government.”
I couldn’t agree more. It seems our governments have the philosophy that make enough laws and you create more lawbreakers, so courts can become another taxing authority.
The US has more laws on the books than any other nation and more people in jail than any other nation; few can keep up with the amount of laws created at the state and national level anymore!
Most laws are passed without a vote and it’s an expensive and time consuming proposition to band together to shoot down these laws…but it sure is time people began exercising their civil discontent just as they have in the past for other stupid laws (civil rights laws for instance). The power is supposed to be with the people.
Each week the average person breaks 21 laws. Each time a so-called crisis is declared by the government, (drug laws come to mind) more laws are passed; usually abrogating our civil rights under the guise of “it’s for the greater good.” Personally, I fear the government more than I do drug dealers.
As more behavior becomes criminalized, the greater the erosion of due process becomes. Our government loves to ‘declare war’ on all kinds of things, but I feel they’ve declared war on citizens rights. That’s my opinion, what’s yours?
Yours for better living,
Bruce “The Poor Man”
http://www.poormansurvival.com
A parallel universe of justice for hire has existed in the world of consumer finance for some years now, fueled by the fine print of credit-card applications and other financial-service agreements.
The practice known as "mandatory binding arbitration" was created by a lawsuit-weary corporate America to bypass the costly courtroom. It diverts unhappy customers into a process in which they settle their disputes through an arbitrator paid for, and often chosen by, the company they're at odds with.
But mandatory arbitration is now under fire, as evidence mounts that it favors corporate interests and leaves many consumers out in the cold.
Critics argue that it's wrong to force people to give up their right to sue as a pre-condition for buying a product or service — before they even know what the dispute might involve. Consumers must agree to the company's terms or forget about getting that credit card, cell phone, car loan, bank account, brokerage fund, insurance policy or — in some cases — even medical care.
Among the reasons the practice is a hot-button issue this year:
•The Arbitration Fairness Act of 2009, which would bar companies from forcing prospective customers to waive their legal rights and submit to arbitration first, is gaining momentum in Congress. Companion bills are moving forward in both the House of Representatives and Senate.
•A big industry player, the National Arbitration Forum, stopped doing consumer debt-collection arbitration in July after Minnesota authorities accused it of deceptive business practices and serving as a pawn for debt-collection companies. The NAF ruled for companies in 94 percent of its cases during a four-year period, according to a 2007 study by Public Citizen, a Washington, D.C.-based consumer-advocacy group.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-asecarbitration-under-fire-10060100609oct06,0,1925758.story
>><<<
Beware Some Pre-paid Debit Card Gouging Schemes
A cottage industry only 10 years ago, reloadable prepaid cards have tapped into the vast pool of about 80 million consumers who have little or no access to bank accounts. The market includes college students who do not want to carry around wads of cash and others.
Because it is a relatively new industry, prepaid cards have not undergone the Congressional and regulatory scrutiny of credit and debit cards. In the spring, lawmakers restricted interest rate increases and hidden fees on credit cards, and regulators are now examining stricter rules on overdraft fees on checking accounts. Even gift cards, which expire when the money runs out, will soon be subject to new rules limiting monthly fees and expiration dates.
Congress has asked regulators to determine if prepaid cards warrant the same protections extended to debit and credit cards. The industry’s trade association says such measures are unnecessary and would make cards more expensive.
But consumer advocates say the lack of regulation means that prepaid card users can continue to be blindsided by hidden fees, and have few legal protections to recover their money if a card is lost. More at: http://www.gainesville.com/article/20091006/znyt01/910063020&tc=yahoo
>>><<<
Ever wonder just how astronomical our national debt is getting or what to do about it? Check this group’s site for useful insights.
www.defeatthedebt.com
Find a job via partying. Social events (networking) can prove helpful. Try these sites to find events near you.
www.laidoffcamp.com
www.slipsquad.com
AARP Tax-aide is training volunteers for next year’s tax season (you don’t have to be a tax preparer; they need greeters and technology coordinators too).
www.aarp.org/taxaide or call 888-687-2277
Find a yard sale near you by simply entering your starting address and how many miles you are willing to travel and the day of your treasure hunt. It’s a free service.
www.YardSaleTreasureMap.com
>>><<<
Easy Ways to Perk up Someone’s Day
• Pay them a compliment
• Give them the go ahead – as in letting another driver pass you or move ahead of you in the supermarket line. It can be contagious.
• Turn off the tech – show a friend they are a priority by turning of your cell phone or computer when speaking with them.
• Perform a secret act of kindness – leave a coffee on a co-workers desk, put some change into a parking meter ready to expire, etc.
Become inspired and discover ways to spread kindness in your area by visiting:
www.ActsofKindness.org
>>><<<
“Let the people think they govern & they will be governed.”
--William Penn
If you’ve lived in the United States for any length of time, you’ve probably come to the realization our election system offers little choice,that both parties have created laws which make it virtually impossible for 3rd party candidates to get on a ballot or to raise the insane amounts of money candidates now spend on elections.
Democracy is a fine form of government so long as the people don’t participate in the process. Leave that to the corporations who buy and sell politicians and leave us with the illusion of a democratic ideal.
Rarely a week goes by where we don’t learn of some crooked elected leader. It’s unfortunate, but too many of them are liars and cheats and are bought and sold by Wall Street. According the Bureau of National Affairs, corporate crime is 20 times greater than all of the larceny committed by individuals and they are rarely prosecuted thanks to their political influence…most get a slap on the wrist. After all, ‘free enterprise’ is the state religion.
Freedom in America, like our justice system, works best for those who can afford it. It seems the goal is to keep the average American broke; mere serfs. Few will argue that our government (mostly owned by Wall Street) has become the master instead of the servant.
A New-Old Way to Restore Democracy
I believe George Bush spent over $200 million during his last re-election effort. That is wrong. Politicians spend more time and effort on securing funding for their next election run than they do on the people’s business. That is wrong.
Plato argued that representatives should be selected at random from the entire population, that from a fund of qualified voters we simply draft our representatives who would be required by law to serve. That would draw equally from rich and poor, women and minorities as well. We essentially draw our juries in this fashion. Of course, these folks would be paid for their time serving and their jobs would be held secure. And, I would limit their term to no more than two – regardless of state or national service.
From this group we would form a committee who would in turn, select candidates for president. Such leaders would have a far greater potential to have values consistent with themselves – they would be more likely to put people ahead of profit.
Some might argue that we’d be electing non-qualified individuals to our highest office. I contend we’ve been doing that for decades. This is a much more democratic system than what we currently use.
I’ve added a We The People petition to the website which urges term limits.I’m also working on a new ebook which will show people how to regain their freedom; probably ready within a month. Check it out and feel free to forward it to your politicians and friends.
www.poormansurvival.com/WeThePeople
Good Ideas Don’t Always Make for Good Laws
While writing this week’s bulletin I was listening to a call-in radio show on Canadian radio, CKLW. The topic revolved around the Provincial government’s ban on smoking in commercial trucks, usually operated by one person. The fine is a whopping $300; more than most other infractions.
As most of the callers stated, “enough is enough with the laws already and the fines…it’s simply another money grab by the government.”
I couldn’t agree more. It seems our governments have the philosophy that make enough laws and you create more lawbreakers, so courts can become another taxing authority.
The US has more laws on the books than any other nation and more people in jail than any other nation; few can keep up with the amount of laws created at the state and national level anymore!
Most laws are passed without a vote and it’s an expensive and time consuming proposition to band together to shoot down these laws…but it sure is time people began exercising their civil discontent just as they have in the past for other stupid laws (civil rights laws for instance). The power is supposed to be with the people.
Each week the average person breaks 21 laws. Each time a so-called crisis is declared by the government, (drug laws come to mind) more laws are passed; usually abrogating our civil rights under the guise of “it’s for the greater good.” Personally, I fear the government more than I do drug dealers.
As more behavior becomes criminalized, the greater the erosion of due process becomes. Our government loves to ‘declare war’ on all kinds of things, but I feel they’ve declared war on citizens rights. That’s my opinion, what’s yours?
Yours for better living,
Bruce “The Poor Man”
http://www.poormansurvival.com
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
I'm Frugal-You're Stingy!
“I have enough money to last me the rest of my life…
Unless I buy something.”
--Jackie Mason
I’m frugal – you’re stingy!
Cheap is one of those words which prove ‘fuzzy.”
>>Frugal: Drives 25 miles to save 25 cents on dishwashing liquid
>>Stingy: Makes $80K a year but allows unemployed friends to pick up restaurant tab
>>Sparing: Reuses dental floss
>>Cheesy: Watches PBS but never makes a donation
>>Cheapskate: Gives free magazine subscriptions as wedding gift
>>Skinflint: Tips 5% for good service
Speaking of frugal…if you ever watched Tim the Tool Man or the Red Green Show, you know how useful duct tape can be. Here are a few other uses you might consider…
>>Use it to bind a splint on a dog’s injured leg, repair tomato stems broken off, or double as athletic tape.
It also works as a temporary fix for torn screens and windows; a wrap for bicycle handle bars or as quick temporary fix for your canoe or kayak.
Here are a couple of other money-saving ideas…
>>Cut steel wool pads in half to get more use.
>>In winter, leave the bath water in your tub after you bathe until it reaches room temperature. Its heat & moisture will go into the room rather than down the drain.
>>Use discarded broom and mop handles for a variety of things including – use them to tie your tomotoe plants, extended paint roller handle or even as a rolling pin.
Solar Hot Water Heaters
Here is information on solar hot water heaters. There's an overview about the different types and which ones are better. Other plans as well…You can find it here:
http://www.bringaboutgreen.com/solar/solar-water-heater/how-solar-water-heaters-work
http://www.bringaboutgreen.com/building-wind-generator
Save gas & money by shipping online.
You can print your postage online and save up to 10% with the Post Office’s Click n Ship and get free delivery confirmation.
www.usps.com
More tricks to save on meds…
--Ignore the expiration date. Most OTC drugs such as Tylenol and Advil can be used six to nine months past their expiration dates if they’re not stored in the bathroom where humidity can damage their effectiveness.
--Compare prices to find the lowest medication cost by visiting these sites:
www.rxexaminer.com
www.destinationRx.com
www.CRBestBuyDrugs.org
Studies show online job searches are more effective…make a good impression by using the following site which has been shown to be used by 75% of hiring managers.
www.linkedin.com
Despite a push by eBay to encourage sellers to offer free shipping, a study shows you should charge for shipping. The study shows when the same product is offered, the one with a lower opening bid and a reasonable shipping charge, outsells those who charge more upfront but offer free shipping…folks are more likely to bid up those with the lower initial bid. eBay now offers up to five free listings per month without an insertion fee.
>>><<<
Consumer debt continues to contract, but this is being more than offset by the expansion in federal debt. Over the past year alone, federal debt in America has surged from US$9.645 trillion to US$11.813 trillion. In other words, during the past twelve months, American federal debt has risen by a shocking 24.47% and it now stands at 83.52% of GDP! Now, given the ability of the American government/Federal Reserve to essentially create dollars out of thin air, I have no doubt in my mind that it be able to inflate the economy. However, this will come at a huge cost and the victim will be the American currency.
>>>consumer bankruptcies for 2009 topped 1 million - the most since 2005. That's up 35% from the same time last year.
"Bankruptcy filings continue to climb as consumers look to shelter themselves from the effects of rising unemployment rates and housing debt," said ABI executive director Samuel Gerdano.
The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have begun adding their voices to the international choir calling for a new global reserve currency:
• Last week, World Bank President Robert Zoellick warned that the dollar's status will be challenged and shouldn't be taken for granted.
• According to Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, it's likely that the role of special drawing rights (SDRs) based on a basket of currencies will be discussed as an alternative to the dollar during meetings of the World Bank and IMF in Istanbul next week.
• Meanwhile, global governments, central banks, companies and investors continue to slash their dollar holdings. According to the IMF, in April through June of this year, the greenback's share of global currency reserves fell to the lowest level in a decade. Holdings of euros, in contrast, rose to a new all-time record high.
Three recently released government reports now point to fiscal doomsday for America; and one of the reports, issued by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), says so explicitly:
• The CBO paints two future scenarios for the U.S. budget deficit and the national debt. But it plainly declares that fiscal disaster will strike in EITHER scenario. Furthermore ...
• The CBO states that its fiscal disaster scenarios could cause severe economic declines for decades to come, including hyperinflation and destruction of retirement savings.
• The CBO then proceeds to admit that even its worse-case scenario could be understated by a wide margin due to panic in the financial markets or vicious cycles that are beyond control.
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/102xx/doc10297/06-25-LTBO.pdf
That’s it for this week. This issue is dedicated to my father who passed away this week. He was known to be very frugal!
Bruce “the Poor Man”
http://www.poormansurvival.com
Unless I buy something.”
--Jackie Mason
I’m frugal – you’re stingy!
Cheap is one of those words which prove ‘fuzzy.”
>>Frugal: Drives 25 miles to save 25 cents on dishwashing liquid
>>Stingy: Makes $80K a year but allows unemployed friends to pick up restaurant tab
>>Sparing: Reuses dental floss
>>Cheesy: Watches PBS but never makes a donation
>>Cheapskate: Gives free magazine subscriptions as wedding gift
>>Skinflint: Tips 5% for good service
Speaking of frugal…if you ever watched Tim the Tool Man or the Red Green Show, you know how useful duct tape can be. Here are a few other uses you might consider…
>>Use it to bind a splint on a dog’s injured leg, repair tomato stems broken off, or double as athletic tape.
It also works as a temporary fix for torn screens and windows; a wrap for bicycle handle bars or as quick temporary fix for your canoe or kayak.
Here are a couple of other money-saving ideas…
>>Cut steel wool pads in half to get more use.
>>In winter, leave the bath water in your tub after you bathe until it reaches room temperature. Its heat & moisture will go into the room rather than down the drain.
>>Use discarded broom and mop handles for a variety of things including – use them to tie your tomotoe plants, extended paint roller handle or even as a rolling pin.
Solar Hot Water Heaters
Here is information on solar hot water heaters. There's an overview about the different types and which ones are better. Other plans as well…You can find it here:
http://www.bringaboutgreen.com/solar/solar-water-heater/how-solar-water-heaters-work
http://www.bringaboutgreen.com/building-wind-generator
Save gas & money by shipping online.
You can print your postage online and save up to 10% with the Post Office’s Click n Ship and get free delivery confirmation.
www.usps.com
More tricks to save on meds…
--Ignore the expiration date. Most OTC drugs such as Tylenol and Advil can be used six to nine months past their expiration dates if they’re not stored in the bathroom where humidity can damage their effectiveness.
--Compare prices to find the lowest medication cost by visiting these sites:
www.rxexaminer.com
www.destinationRx.com
www.CRBestBuyDrugs.org
Studies show online job searches are more effective…make a good impression by using the following site which has been shown to be used by 75% of hiring managers.
www.linkedin.com
Despite a push by eBay to encourage sellers to offer free shipping, a study shows you should charge for shipping. The study shows when the same product is offered, the one with a lower opening bid and a reasonable shipping charge, outsells those who charge more upfront but offer free shipping…folks are more likely to bid up those with the lower initial bid. eBay now offers up to five free listings per month without an insertion fee.
>>><<<
Consumer debt continues to contract, but this is being more than offset by the expansion in federal debt. Over the past year alone, federal debt in America has surged from US$9.645 trillion to US$11.813 trillion. In other words, during the past twelve months, American federal debt has risen by a shocking 24.47% and it now stands at 83.52% of GDP! Now, given the ability of the American government/Federal Reserve to essentially create dollars out of thin air, I have no doubt in my mind that it be able to inflate the economy. However, this will come at a huge cost and the victim will be the American currency.
>>>consumer bankruptcies for 2009 topped 1 million - the most since 2005. That's up 35% from the same time last year.
"Bankruptcy filings continue to climb as consumers look to shelter themselves from the effects of rising unemployment rates and housing debt," said ABI executive director Samuel Gerdano.
The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have begun adding their voices to the international choir calling for a new global reserve currency:
• Last week, World Bank President Robert Zoellick warned that the dollar's status will be challenged and shouldn't be taken for granted.
• According to Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, it's likely that the role of special drawing rights (SDRs) based on a basket of currencies will be discussed as an alternative to the dollar during meetings of the World Bank and IMF in Istanbul next week.
• Meanwhile, global governments, central banks, companies and investors continue to slash their dollar holdings. According to the IMF, in April through June of this year, the greenback's share of global currency reserves fell to the lowest level in a decade. Holdings of euros, in contrast, rose to a new all-time record high.
Three recently released government reports now point to fiscal doomsday for America; and one of the reports, issued by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), says so explicitly:
• The CBO paints two future scenarios for the U.S. budget deficit and the national debt. But it plainly declares that fiscal disaster will strike in EITHER scenario. Furthermore ...
• The CBO states that its fiscal disaster scenarios could cause severe economic declines for decades to come, including hyperinflation and destruction of retirement savings.
• The CBO then proceeds to admit that even its worse-case scenario could be understated by a wide margin due to panic in the financial markets or vicious cycles that are beyond control.
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/102xx/doc10297/06-25-LTBO.pdf
That’s it for this week. This issue is dedicated to my father who passed away this week. He was known to be very frugal!
Bruce “the Poor Man”
http://www.poormansurvival.com
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
7 Success Secrets, feeBay, Legit Online Work
We didn't starve, but we didn't eat chicken unless we were sick, or the chicken was.
A quote about poverty by Bernard Malamud
7 Secrets for Success in Life
Are there sure-fire secrets to leading a successful life? I believe there are a few and they’re not truly secret.
1. Have a passion in life. It could be your family, your job, or your hobby. Zeal for such activities in life will keep you young and invigorated.
2. Take care of your health. Nothing diminishes optimism like poor health. Remember and keep the old adage of “all things in moderation.” A diet poor in nutrients and a lifestyle without exercise is the bane of modern society…too much fast food, pre-packaged foods and a couch potato lifestyle hampers your body and your mind.
3. Feed your brain daily. Most of television is crap. Reading, writing, and verbal discourse act as vitamins for your mind.
4. Problems in life. Everyone faces challenges and often they seem insurmountable. Keep in mind most problems have multiple solutions. I try to always have a Plan B (in many cases, a Plan C or D is required as well). Indeed, something I’ve been working on for months just fizzled and that had been my Plan B. Now, it’s back to the drawing board but I know persistence will eventually create the reward I desire.
5. Live within your means. Modern living, via banks and Madison Avenue, has trapped us into the use of easy credit over the years. When I was a volunteer counselor, the top three factors of marital discord featured money problems as the number one area of contention. This is especially important today.
6. Spend 20 minutes a day just for yourself. Find some quiet time each day to meditate, read, or simple to spend alone. There is a lot of noise in the world today, which often drowns out the important things in life…self reflection is important.
7. Give of yourself. I’ve always liked Zig Ziglar’s line about help enough other people get what they want and you’ll get what you want.
Finally, and here’s a bonus…take time to try new things, have an adventure, enjoy life even it is something as simple as playing music you enjoy at top volume or watching an old movie. It will perk you up! Be thankful for what you have…Order ab Chao!
>>><<<
Three Legitimate Online Work Sources
You are a world-class expert. Yes, you are, just like Stephen Hawking is a world-class expert on the Big Bang and Martha Stewart is a world-class expert on making festive party favors out of tissue paper.
Your personal interests, life and work experiences and education add up to real expertise in a number of subjects. Do you tinker with cars? Read Shakespeare for fun? Beat your buddies at chess? Lecture your friends about proper diet, or Web design, or Star Wars collectibles?
Then you're an expert, and there's a place online that can help you turn that avocation into hard cash.
There are at least three types of Web-based businesses that can help you earn cash in your spare time -- and a fourth type you shouldn't go near.
Get the inside scoop here:
http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/107808/three-real-ways-to-make-money-from-home-in-your-spare-time.html
Also, see 10 Ways to Moonlight at: http://www.minyanville.com/articles/7/16/2009/index/a/23585
>>><<<
Compare auto insurance rates to save at this site:
www.carinsuranerates.com or www.CarInsurance.org
Find Police Speedtraps by going here:
www.speedtrap.org
Interesting body toxins experiment…
Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It is porous so be careful what chemicals (makeup, sunscreen, etc.) you put on it. Prove it by taking a piece of garlic and rubbing it on the sole of your foot. Within 15 minutes you’ll taste the garlic in your mouth! Perhaps those TV ads pitching products which detox your body with ‘ancient Asian’ foot pads are true.
September is National Preparedness Month. Learn some simple steps at:
www.ready.gov
100 Best firms to work for as a working mother…
http://www.workingmother.com/BestCompanies/node/1671/list
Best safety tips when operating a portable generator during emergencies.
http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/corporate/newsroom/storyideas/stormsafety/generators/
>>><<<
FIGHT BEGINS OVER NEW CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY
It would be the most sweeping change to American consumer protection in decades, perhaps since 1930. It would wrest power away from major banking regulators and the Federal Trade Commission and place it in the hands of five appointees charged with putting consumers first.
And apparently it scares the heck out of the banking industry and other business interests.
http://redtape.msnbc.com/2009/09/it-would-be-the-most-sweeping-change-to-american-consumer-protection-in-decades-perhaps-since-1930-it-would-wrest-power-awa.html
>>><<<
The Business Insider, Goldman Sachs is warning that "when the economy kicks into gear, supply shortages will become problematic, and the price of oil will spike." Expect oil prices to spike and gasoline to hit $4 per gallon soon.
>>><<<
A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves." — Edward R. Murrow.
Why Trusting the Government is so difficult…
Despite having served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, I participated in protest rallies along with my college friends at Kent State University (I attended after the infamous National Guard killings of students). Police were present at these rallies to protect the status quo of mainstream politics just as they’re present at today’s anti-government rallies. Our government has a long history of violating civil rights, today using today’s Patriot Act…back then, they used COINTELPRO…
COINTELPRO (an acronym for Counter Intelligence Program) was a series of covert, and often illegal, projects conducted by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) aimed at investigating and disrupting dissident political organizations within the United States. The FBI used covert operations from its inception, however formal COINTELPRO operations took place between 1956 and 1971.[2] The FBI's stated motivation at the time was "protecting national security, preventing violence, and maintaining the existing social and political order."
The program was secret until 1971, when an FBI field office in Media, Pennsylvania was burglarized by a group of left-wing radicals calling themselves the Citizens' Commission to Investigate the FBI. Several dossiers of files were taken and the information passed to news agencies, many of which initially refused to publish the information. The Church Committee, in 1976, investigated these activities and released their findings (depite million of pages of still unreleased documents)…
In the Final Report of the Select Committee, COINTELPRO was castigated in no uncertain terms:
Many of the techniques used would be intolerable in a democratic society even if all of the targets had been involved in violent activity, but COINTELPRO went far beyond that...the Bureau conducted a sophisticated vigilante operation aimed squarely at preventing the exercise of First Amendment rights of speech and association, on the theory that preventing the growth of dangerous groups and the propagation of dangerous ideas would protect the national security and deter violence.[7]
The final report of the Church Committee concluded:
Too many people have been spied upon by too many Government agencies and too much information has been collected. The Government has often undertaken the secret surveillance of citizens on the basis of their political beliefs, even when those beliefs posed no threat of violence or illegal acts on behalf of a hostile foreign power. The Government, operating primarily through secret informants, but also using other intrusive techniques such as wiretaps, microphone "bugs", surreptitious mail opening, and break-ins, has swept in vast amounts of information about the personal lives, views, and associations of American citizens. Governmental officials -- including those whose principal duty is to enforce the law --have violated or ignored the law over long periods of time and have advocated and defended their right to break the law. For the entire story-see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COINTELPRO
>>><<<
eBay-Less fun, less profitable
I’ve used eBay for 10 years and like many others, have become frustrated with them to the point, where I’m thinking of dumping it from my marketing mix.
The clincher for me is their decision to dump blogs from the lineup. Although it seems somewhat inconsequential, these blog postings have boosted sales and have driven traffic to my website.
Over the years, eBay has become much more expensive and complicated too. There isn’t a month that goes by where they don’t seem to announce major changes and frankly, I’m tired of the non-stop changes…it’s like trying to keep up with the government.
Once the premier site for selling, its numbers have been falling off (especially compared to Amazon-which I plan to begin testing soon) dramatically – even before the recession.
Another bone of contention for me is their policy of arbitrarily pulling items because it “might” be against their POLICY. Their prohibited items policies make them one of the most heavily censored sites on the net…AND they pull items before they have a solid clue as to what’s being sold. (Recent example includes our Poor Man Guide to Homestead Defense, much of which was gathered from police and government agencies and in the public domain).
Other examples include WWII Nazi memorabilia, gun parts, ivory, information items it deems unsuitable, etc….despite the fact these are all LEGALLY sold in the United States.
Finally, their fee structure is becoming nearly incomprehensible rightfully earning the nickname of “feeBay.”
That’s it until next week. I’m leaving town again for a couple of weeks in an attempt to resurrect a business project which keeps stalling out on me.
Visit our sponsor link for an interesting business you can run from home
https://www.eXfuze.com/Optimum
Bruce “the Poor Man”
http://www.poormansurvival.com
A quote about poverty by Bernard Malamud
7 Secrets for Success in Life
Are there sure-fire secrets to leading a successful life? I believe there are a few and they’re not truly secret.
1. Have a passion in life. It could be your family, your job, or your hobby. Zeal for such activities in life will keep you young and invigorated.
2. Take care of your health. Nothing diminishes optimism like poor health. Remember and keep the old adage of “all things in moderation.” A diet poor in nutrients and a lifestyle without exercise is the bane of modern society…too much fast food, pre-packaged foods and a couch potato lifestyle hampers your body and your mind.
3. Feed your brain daily. Most of television is crap. Reading, writing, and verbal discourse act as vitamins for your mind.
4. Problems in life. Everyone faces challenges and often they seem insurmountable. Keep in mind most problems have multiple solutions. I try to always have a Plan B (in many cases, a Plan C or D is required as well). Indeed, something I’ve been working on for months just fizzled and that had been my Plan B. Now, it’s back to the drawing board but I know persistence will eventually create the reward I desire.
5. Live within your means. Modern living, via banks and Madison Avenue, has trapped us into the use of easy credit over the years. When I was a volunteer counselor, the top three factors of marital discord featured money problems as the number one area of contention. This is especially important today.
6. Spend 20 minutes a day just for yourself. Find some quiet time each day to meditate, read, or simple to spend alone. There is a lot of noise in the world today, which often drowns out the important things in life…self reflection is important.
7. Give of yourself. I’ve always liked Zig Ziglar’s line about help enough other people get what they want and you’ll get what you want.
Finally, and here’s a bonus…take time to try new things, have an adventure, enjoy life even it is something as simple as playing music you enjoy at top volume or watching an old movie. It will perk you up! Be thankful for what you have…Order ab Chao!
>>><<<
Three Legitimate Online Work Sources
You are a world-class expert. Yes, you are, just like Stephen Hawking is a world-class expert on the Big Bang and Martha Stewart is a world-class expert on making festive party favors out of tissue paper.
Your personal interests, life and work experiences and education add up to real expertise in a number of subjects. Do you tinker with cars? Read Shakespeare for fun? Beat your buddies at chess? Lecture your friends about proper diet, or Web design, or Star Wars collectibles?
Then you're an expert, and there's a place online that can help you turn that avocation into hard cash.
There are at least three types of Web-based businesses that can help you earn cash in your spare time -- and a fourth type you shouldn't go near.
Get the inside scoop here:
http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/107808/three-real-ways-to-make-money-from-home-in-your-spare-time.html
Also, see 10 Ways to Moonlight at: http://www.minyanville.com/articles/7/16/2009/index/a/23585
>>><<<
Compare auto insurance rates to save at this site:
www.carinsuranerates.com or www.CarInsurance.org
Find Police Speedtraps by going here:
www.speedtrap.org
Interesting body toxins experiment…
Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It is porous so be careful what chemicals (makeup, sunscreen, etc.) you put on it. Prove it by taking a piece of garlic and rubbing it on the sole of your foot. Within 15 minutes you’ll taste the garlic in your mouth! Perhaps those TV ads pitching products which detox your body with ‘ancient Asian’ foot pads are true.
September is National Preparedness Month. Learn some simple steps at:
www.ready.gov
100 Best firms to work for as a working mother…
http://www.workingmother.com/BestCompanies/node/1671/list
Best safety tips when operating a portable generator during emergencies.
http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/corporate/newsroom/storyideas/stormsafety/generators/
>>><<<
FIGHT BEGINS OVER NEW CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY
It would be the most sweeping change to American consumer protection in decades, perhaps since 1930. It would wrest power away from major banking regulators and the Federal Trade Commission and place it in the hands of five appointees charged with putting consumers first.
And apparently it scares the heck out of the banking industry and other business interests.
http://redtape.msnbc.com/2009/09/it-would-be-the-most-sweeping-change-to-american-consumer-protection-in-decades-perhaps-since-1930-it-would-wrest-power-awa.html
>>><<<
The Business Insider, Goldman Sachs is warning that "when the economy kicks into gear, supply shortages will become problematic, and the price of oil will spike." Expect oil prices to spike and gasoline to hit $4 per gallon soon.
>>><<<
A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves." — Edward R. Murrow.
Why Trusting the Government is so difficult…
Despite having served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, I participated in protest rallies along with my college friends at Kent State University (I attended after the infamous National Guard killings of students). Police were present at these rallies to protect the status quo of mainstream politics just as they’re present at today’s anti-government rallies. Our government has a long history of violating civil rights, today using today’s Patriot Act…back then, they used COINTELPRO…
COINTELPRO (an acronym for Counter Intelligence Program) was a series of covert, and often illegal, projects conducted by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) aimed at investigating and disrupting dissident political organizations within the United States. The FBI used covert operations from its inception, however formal COINTELPRO operations took place between 1956 and 1971.[2] The FBI's stated motivation at the time was "protecting national security, preventing violence, and maintaining the existing social and political order."
The program was secret until 1971, when an FBI field office in Media, Pennsylvania was burglarized by a group of left-wing radicals calling themselves the Citizens' Commission to Investigate the FBI. Several dossiers of files were taken and the information passed to news agencies, many of which initially refused to publish the information. The Church Committee, in 1976, investigated these activities and released their findings (depite million of pages of still unreleased documents)…
In the Final Report of the Select Committee, COINTELPRO was castigated in no uncertain terms:
Many of the techniques used would be intolerable in a democratic society even if all of the targets had been involved in violent activity, but COINTELPRO went far beyond that...the Bureau conducted a sophisticated vigilante operation aimed squarely at preventing the exercise of First Amendment rights of speech and association, on the theory that preventing the growth of dangerous groups and the propagation of dangerous ideas would protect the national security and deter violence.[7]
The final report of the Church Committee concluded:
Too many people have been spied upon by too many Government agencies and too much information has been collected. The Government has often undertaken the secret surveillance of citizens on the basis of their political beliefs, even when those beliefs posed no threat of violence or illegal acts on behalf of a hostile foreign power. The Government, operating primarily through secret informants, but also using other intrusive techniques such as wiretaps, microphone "bugs", surreptitious mail opening, and break-ins, has swept in vast amounts of information about the personal lives, views, and associations of American citizens. Governmental officials -- including those whose principal duty is to enforce the law --have violated or ignored the law over long periods of time and have advocated and defended their right to break the law. For the entire story-see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COINTELPRO
>>><<<
eBay-Less fun, less profitable
I’ve used eBay for 10 years and like many others, have become frustrated with them to the point, where I’m thinking of dumping it from my marketing mix.
The clincher for me is their decision to dump blogs from the lineup. Although it seems somewhat inconsequential, these blog postings have boosted sales and have driven traffic to my website.
Over the years, eBay has become much more expensive and complicated too. There isn’t a month that goes by where they don’t seem to announce major changes and frankly, I’m tired of the non-stop changes…it’s like trying to keep up with the government.
Once the premier site for selling, its numbers have been falling off (especially compared to Amazon-which I plan to begin testing soon) dramatically – even before the recession.
Another bone of contention for me is their policy of arbitrarily pulling items because it “might” be against their POLICY. Their prohibited items policies make them one of the most heavily censored sites on the net…AND they pull items before they have a solid clue as to what’s being sold. (Recent example includes our Poor Man Guide to Homestead Defense, much of which was gathered from police and government agencies and in the public domain).
Other examples include WWII Nazi memorabilia, gun parts, ivory, information items it deems unsuitable, etc….despite the fact these are all LEGALLY sold in the United States.
Finally, their fee structure is becoming nearly incomprehensible rightfully earning the nickname of “feeBay.”
That’s it until next week. I’m leaving town again for a couple of weeks in an attempt to resurrect a business project which keeps stalling out on me.
Visit our sponsor link for an interesting business you can run from home
https://www.eXfuze.com/Optimum
Bruce “the Poor Man”
http://www.poormansurvival.com
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Living on a Dime
- Inflation hasn't ruined everything. A dime can still be used as a screwdriver. - Quoted in P.S. I Love You, compiled by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.·
10 Things Warehouse Clubs Won't Tell YouBelow is an excerpt from the book "1,001 Things They Won't Tell You,"
· 1. "You paid your dues? Good, now get in line."
More than 100 million Americans now shop in warehouse clubs including BJ's, Costco, or Sam's Club each year. That's 50 million more than in 2002. The attraction? For the annual membership price of $35 to $100, discount hunters can spend their weekends stocking up on 36-roll packages of toilet paper and nuclear-canister-size boxes of detergent. Too bad they also spend plenty of time doing anything but shopping. Michelle Wilkes says she usually waits in lines of no less than 15 minutes on the weekend at her Lake Zurich, Ill., Costco. There are often four to five shoppers ahead of her at the register, she says-and that's despite what Costco CFO Richard Galanti claims is a company-wide checkout policy of "no more than one in line and two behind." What further frustrates Wilkes is that her store never has all its registers open. "I have never seen it fully staffed," she complains. More at:
http://customsites.yahoo.com/financiallyfit/shopping/article?id=10
>>><<<
Are We Really Depriving Our Kids?Living On A Dime
By Jill Cooper
Copyright © 2009
Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from the Living On A Dime Newsletter at www.LivingOnADime.com, reprinted with permission.
I often hear ladies complaining that they want to stay at home with their kids but that they "have to work since it is so expensive to raise kids these days." One of the main questions I get asked about Simple Living is, "Won't I be depriving my children if I live the frugal life?" Maybe I can answer that question with a few questions.
Am I depriving my children by having them drink water for every meal instead of juice or soda? Isn't one thing doctors are always complaining about is that we don't drink enough water? Cutting out just one glass of soda per person per day for a family of four would save $547.50 a year and make them healthier.
Am I depriving my children by having them eat an apple or homemade granola bar for a snack instead of a bag of chips? Obesity is a major problem among children in the United States. If you cut out just one bag of chips a week you would save $104.00 a year and make them healthier.
Am I depriving my children by having them walk to school or to a friend's house instead of my always driving them there? Lack of exercise is a big problem. You would save time and wear and tear on your car by having them walk, and make them healthier at the same time.
Am I depriving my children when I don't buy them every toy they see and want? We wouldn't dream of giving a baby all the chocolate that he wants because we know it would make him sick. His body can not tolerate that much chocolate even if he desires it.
In the same way, an older child can't emotionally deal with the overload of toys. I as an adult become stressed just from trying to buy a bottle of shampoo. Have you ever noticed how many options you have? Trying to make a decision can be overwhelming. Do I get it for thin, fine, dry and damaged or colored and permed hair? The list goes on and on.
When a young child looks at piles of toys, he can become very stressed over choosing which one to play with. If you watch, you will notice that they tend to play with the same couple of toys over and over. If you didn't give them all the toys they asked for and bought one less brand new toy at $10 a week, you would save $520.00 in one year and you would help relieve them of some stress.
It is no wonder our children stay confused. We insist that they should eat healthy, yet we take them out to eat 3-5 times a week at McDonald's. We give them a bag of carrot sticks in their lunch because it's healthy and then give them a bag of chips when they get home from school to get them off our backs.
We want them to have strong character, yet the moment they whine or cry for another toy or some candy at the store we give in out of guilt. We are afraid that if we don't give them what they want, they won't love us; so to rid ourselves of uncomfortable feelings, we say yes. How can we teach them to be strong in character when we are so weak?
How could our thinking have gotten so mixed up that we think a child is deprived if a mom chooses to stay home and not go to work? We have come to believe that moms should work outside the home so that children can have the most expensive clothes, education or material things. (Note I didn't say best but rather most expensive, since the most expensive doesn't mean the best.) If a mom goes to work so a child can have all those things it's not considered depriving the child of anything but their mom. Which do you think does a child more harm: being deprived expensive things, or their mom?
For you stay-at-home moms: Before you become too puffed up with pride, be aware that too many social, church and school activities can deprive your children of you just as much as working. Do all things in moderation.
It's better to give your kids the values you have than the valuables you can't afford.
About The Author
As a single mother of two, Jill Cooper started her own business without any capital and paid off $35,000 debt in 5 years on $1,000 a month income. She then raised two teenagers alone on $500 a month income after becoming disabled with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Together with Tawra Kellam, she writes about frugal living on the www.LivingOnADime.com website.
>>><<<
House moves to extend unemployment benefits
By JIM ABRAMS, Associated Press Writer Jim Abrams, Associated Press Writer – Mon Sep 21, 3:32 pm ET
WASHINGTON – Despite predictions the Great Recession is running out of steam, the House is taking up emergency legislation this week to help the millions of Americans who see no immediate end to their economic miseries.
A bill offered by Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., and expected to pass easily would provide 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits for more than 300,000 jobless people who live in states with unemployment rates of at least 8.5 percent and who are scheduled to run out of benefits by the end of September.
Stettner predicted that Congress will likely have to continue extending jobless benefits through 2011. More at:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090921/ap_on_go_co/us_unemployment_benefits
>>><<<
Be sure to pick up a copy of the ’09 issue of Popular Mechanics…the self reliance issue. Interesting issue with some how-to and interviews on housing and other usable information on surviving disasters…Hurricane Katrina taught us not to depend on the government for assistance…lots of off-the-grid information too. Or visit their site at:
www.popularmechanics.com
Inst. Of Urban Homesteading…resources for self sufficiency
http://www.sparkybeegirl.com/iuh.html
>>><<<
Urban Squatters Increase
Tent cities under an overpass. Wooden shanties invading vacant lots. Squatters illegally occupying empty houses. This is not Rio, Dhaka or Nairobi. Rather, scenes like this have begun to appear in Fresno, Seattle, Miami and other American cities, where thousands of people are resorting to illegal means to find shelter.
Illegal settlements of homeless people have recently sprung up in around a dozen American cities as people have lost their jobs and homes and run out of options. As Where noted in a previous post on creative residential responses to the economic crisis, many families have refused to vacate or have illegally occupied foreclosed homes – which makes sense when 1 in 9 (14 million) homes fall in that category. In Miami, Take Back the Land is one of several groups either openly or covertly moving homeless families into empty foreclosed homes. In 2006, the group responded to a deepening housing shortage in Liberty City, Miami, by erecting a shantytown on a vacant lot that had held low-income housing, until the city demolished it 8 years earlier. Known as Umoja Village, the shantytown housed up to 50 homeless people until it burned down in 2007.
America spends billions each day on wars but the growth of homeless families in this country is deeply disturbing. You can find more information (& can help) at:
http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/How_Many.html
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Gee, Do you think so?MANCHESTER, Ky. – When Bill Sparkman told retired trooper Gilbert Acciardo that he was going door-to-door collecting census data in rural Kentucky, the former cop drew on years of experience for a warning: "Be careful."
The 51-year-old Sparkman was found this month hanged from a tree near a Kentucky cemetery with the word "fed" scrawled on his chest, a law enforcement official said Wednesday, and the FBI is investigating whether he was a victim of anti-government sentiment.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090924/ap_on_re_us/us_census_worker_hanged
Yours for better living,
Bruce “The PoorMan”
http://www.poormansurvival.com
10 Things Warehouse Clubs Won't Tell YouBelow is an excerpt from the book "1,001 Things They Won't Tell You,"
· 1. "You paid your dues? Good, now get in line."
More than 100 million Americans now shop in warehouse clubs including BJ's, Costco, or Sam's Club each year. That's 50 million more than in 2002. The attraction? For the annual membership price of $35 to $100, discount hunters can spend their weekends stocking up on 36-roll packages of toilet paper and nuclear-canister-size boxes of detergent. Too bad they also spend plenty of time doing anything but shopping. Michelle Wilkes says she usually waits in lines of no less than 15 minutes on the weekend at her Lake Zurich, Ill., Costco. There are often four to five shoppers ahead of her at the register, she says-and that's despite what Costco CFO Richard Galanti claims is a company-wide checkout policy of "no more than one in line and two behind." What further frustrates Wilkes is that her store never has all its registers open. "I have never seen it fully staffed," she complains. More at:
http://customsites.yahoo.com/financiallyfit/shopping/article?id=10
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Are We Really Depriving Our Kids?Living On A Dime
By Jill Cooper
Copyright © 2009
Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from the Living On A Dime Newsletter at www.LivingOnADime.com, reprinted with permission.
I often hear ladies complaining that they want to stay at home with their kids but that they "have to work since it is so expensive to raise kids these days." One of the main questions I get asked about Simple Living is, "Won't I be depriving my children if I live the frugal life?" Maybe I can answer that question with a few questions.
Am I depriving my children by having them drink water for every meal instead of juice or soda? Isn't one thing doctors are always complaining about is that we don't drink enough water? Cutting out just one glass of soda per person per day for a family of four would save $547.50 a year and make them healthier.
Am I depriving my children by having them eat an apple or homemade granola bar for a snack instead of a bag of chips? Obesity is a major problem among children in the United States. If you cut out just one bag of chips a week you would save $104.00 a year and make them healthier.
Am I depriving my children by having them walk to school or to a friend's house instead of my always driving them there? Lack of exercise is a big problem. You would save time and wear and tear on your car by having them walk, and make them healthier at the same time.
Am I depriving my children when I don't buy them every toy they see and want? We wouldn't dream of giving a baby all the chocolate that he wants because we know it would make him sick. His body can not tolerate that much chocolate even if he desires it.
In the same way, an older child can't emotionally deal with the overload of toys. I as an adult become stressed just from trying to buy a bottle of shampoo. Have you ever noticed how many options you have? Trying to make a decision can be overwhelming. Do I get it for thin, fine, dry and damaged or colored and permed hair? The list goes on and on.
When a young child looks at piles of toys, he can become very stressed over choosing which one to play with. If you watch, you will notice that they tend to play with the same couple of toys over and over. If you didn't give them all the toys they asked for and bought one less brand new toy at $10 a week, you would save $520.00 in one year and you would help relieve them of some stress.
It is no wonder our children stay confused. We insist that they should eat healthy, yet we take them out to eat 3-5 times a week at McDonald's. We give them a bag of carrot sticks in their lunch because it's healthy and then give them a bag of chips when they get home from school to get them off our backs.
We want them to have strong character, yet the moment they whine or cry for another toy or some candy at the store we give in out of guilt. We are afraid that if we don't give them what they want, they won't love us; so to rid ourselves of uncomfortable feelings, we say yes. How can we teach them to be strong in character when we are so weak?
How could our thinking have gotten so mixed up that we think a child is deprived if a mom chooses to stay home and not go to work? We have come to believe that moms should work outside the home so that children can have the most expensive clothes, education or material things. (Note I didn't say best but rather most expensive, since the most expensive doesn't mean the best.) If a mom goes to work so a child can have all those things it's not considered depriving the child of anything but their mom. Which do you think does a child more harm: being deprived expensive things, or their mom?
For you stay-at-home moms: Before you become too puffed up with pride, be aware that too many social, church and school activities can deprive your children of you just as much as working. Do all things in moderation.
It's better to give your kids the values you have than the valuables you can't afford.
About The Author
As a single mother of two, Jill Cooper started her own business without any capital and paid off $35,000 debt in 5 years on $1,000 a month income. She then raised two teenagers alone on $500 a month income after becoming disabled with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Together with Tawra Kellam, she writes about frugal living on the www.LivingOnADime.com website.
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House moves to extend unemployment benefits
By JIM ABRAMS, Associated Press Writer Jim Abrams, Associated Press Writer – Mon Sep 21, 3:32 pm ET
WASHINGTON – Despite predictions the Great Recession is running out of steam, the House is taking up emergency legislation this week to help the millions of Americans who see no immediate end to their economic miseries.
A bill offered by Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., and expected to pass easily would provide 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits for more than 300,000 jobless people who live in states with unemployment rates of at least 8.5 percent and who are scheduled to run out of benefits by the end of September.
Stettner predicted that Congress will likely have to continue extending jobless benefits through 2011. More at:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090921/ap_on_go_co/us_unemployment_benefits
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Be sure to pick up a copy of the ’09 issue of Popular Mechanics…the self reliance issue. Interesting issue with some how-to and interviews on housing and other usable information on surviving disasters…Hurricane Katrina taught us not to depend on the government for assistance…lots of off-the-grid information too. Or visit their site at:
www.popularmechanics.com
Inst. Of Urban Homesteading…resources for self sufficiency
http://www.sparkybeegirl.com/iuh.html
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Urban Squatters Increase
Tent cities under an overpass. Wooden shanties invading vacant lots. Squatters illegally occupying empty houses. This is not Rio, Dhaka or Nairobi. Rather, scenes like this have begun to appear in Fresno, Seattle, Miami and other American cities, where thousands of people are resorting to illegal means to find shelter.
Illegal settlements of homeless people have recently sprung up in around a dozen American cities as people have lost their jobs and homes and run out of options. As Where noted in a previous post on creative residential responses to the economic crisis, many families have refused to vacate or have illegally occupied foreclosed homes – which makes sense when 1 in 9 (14 million) homes fall in that category. In Miami, Take Back the Land is one of several groups either openly or covertly moving homeless families into empty foreclosed homes. In 2006, the group responded to a deepening housing shortage in Liberty City, Miami, by erecting a shantytown on a vacant lot that had held low-income housing, until the city demolished it 8 years earlier. Known as Umoja Village, the shantytown housed up to 50 homeless people until it burned down in 2007.
America spends billions each day on wars but the growth of homeless families in this country is deeply disturbing. You can find more information (& can help) at:
http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/How_Many.html
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Gee, Do you think so?MANCHESTER, Ky. – When Bill Sparkman told retired trooper Gilbert Acciardo that he was going door-to-door collecting census data in rural Kentucky, the former cop drew on years of experience for a warning: "Be careful."
The 51-year-old Sparkman was found this month hanged from a tree near a Kentucky cemetery with the word "fed" scrawled on his chest, a law enforcement official said Wednesday, and the FBI is investigating whether he was a victim of anti-government sentiment.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090924/ap_on_re_us/us_census_worker_hanged
Yours for better living,
Bruce “The PoorMan”
http://www.poormansurvival.com
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