Sunday, August 9, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
How I Feel Every Day
Of course I see the customer not as the victim but deserving of this treatment.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Train Cuts Town In Two
Not to sound too cold hearted but if that's the worst thing happening to you then you're doing pretty damn good.
Dealership charges potential employee for job training
Another Nissan Store...what gives?
Unemployed Lisle resident Will Zellner saw the ad in the paper and thought he had struck gold.
"SALARY! COMMISSION! BONUSES! NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!"
Health insurance, a 401(k) program, the opportunity for job security in the "highest paid profession without a formal education," the ad continued.
It even claimed to pay a "generous salary" during training.
But amid the exclamation marks and screaming capital letters, the help-wanted ad for Arlington Nissan failed to mention one significant detail: If you show up for an interview, you'd better bring your checkbook.
Zellner said he was hired on the spot Jan. 21 but was told he had to prove his commitment to the job. The price: $629 for training materials, which he says consisted of a thin paperback book.
At first, the 35-year-old hesitated, but he was desperate for a job. Besides, he said, he was told he would get his money back after a 90-day probationary period.
The problem was, Zellner was fired after two weeks.
Last week, he e-mailed What's Your Problem? hoping to get his money back.
"I've had a number of jobs in the past and I've never had to put any money down for training," he said. "The whole thing from the beginning was just smoke and mirrors."
Zellner said he worked for Arlington Nissan about 10 days and received $836.81, which included a $116.24 commission for selling a 2008 Nissan Versa. After subtracting what he paid for training materials, his net was $207.81.
"I think they're looking for people who are desperate for work in a crappy economy and they're taking advantage of it," Zellner said.
The Problem Solver called Bob Rohrman of The Bob Rohrman Auto Group, which owns the Arlington Nissan dealership. Rohrman said the practice of requiring potential employees to pay for training is common in the industry.
He said the dealerships do not profit from the payments. The money goes to an outside training agency, in this case Charlotte-based Worldwide Consulting Services.
Of his 26 dealerships in Illinois and Indiana, all have used a training agency at some point, Rohrman said. In most cases, the training agencies are able to get more potential employees through the door, he said.
"It's worth our time, our management time, to have them train [employees] for a week rather than have us training them," he said.
Even so, Rohrman said he's toyed with the idea of getting rid of training agencies. But his general managers have told him it's often the best way to hire.
Jon Kommel, general manager of Arlington Nissan, likened the practice to paying college tuition.
"If you go through college, why are you going through college? To get a good job, right?" he said. "You're not guaranteed getting a good job."
Kommel said Zellner was let go because he didn't have what it took to be a salesman. After shadowing another salesman for more than a week, Zellner was put on his own for two days, Kommel said.
"In that time, we observed that he really didn't take any customers," Kommel said. "He sat in the back with the guys."
Kommel said he would have rather it worked out.
"I'm not looking to let people go," he said. "I'm looking to hire people."
Kommel and Rohrman said that if Zellner wants his $629 back, he has to get it from Worldwide Consulting Services.
The Problem Solver called Logan Bentley, Worldwide Consulting's placement director. Bentley said his agency trains potential employees at about 50 U.S. and Canadian dealerships each week.
"We don't charge students for a job," he said. "They pay for materials, which we feel is very necessary to be successful."
Bentley said the $629 Zellner paid provides him with "lifetime placement assistance," and he offered to help Zellner find another auto sales job.
Zellner declined.
"At this point, I think I could get a job on my own," he said. "I'd rather just get my money back."
On Thursday, Zellner called Bentley. He said Bentley said he would consider a refund if he asked for it in writing. Zellner typed up the letter that afternoon.
"He just said to sign the letter and he'll see what he can do," Zellner said. "It doesn't sound real reassuring."
HAVE A PROBLEM? E-mail your story, providing as many details as possible, to yourproblem@tribune.com or write to What's Your Problem?, Newsroom, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. Please include your name and a way to contact you. We cannot respond to everyone, but we'll get to as many as we can and publish the results Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
Original story here.
Unemployed Lisle resident Will Zellner saw the ad in the paper and thought he had struck gold.
"SALARY! COMMISSION! BONUSES! NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!"
Health insurance, a 401(k) program, the opportunity for job security in the "highest paid profession without a formal education," the ad continued.
It even claimed to pay a "generous salary" during training.
But amid the exclamation marks and screaming capital letters, the help-wanted ad for Arlington Nissan failed to mention one significant detail: If you show up for an interview, you'd better bring your checkbook.
Zellner said he was hired on the spot Jan. 21 but was told he had to prove his commitment to the job. The price: $629 for training materials, which he says consisted of a thin paperback book.
At first, the 35-year-old hesitated, but he was desperate for a job. Besides, he said, he was told he would get his money back after a 90-day probationary period.
The problem was, Zellner was fired after two weeks.
Last week, he e-mailed What's Your Problem? hoping to get his money back.
"I've had a number of jobs in the past and I've never had to put any money down for training," he said. "The whole thing from the beginning was just smoke and mirrors."
Zellner said he worked for Arlington Nissan about 10 days and received $836.81, which included a $116.24 commission for selling a 2008 Nissan Versa. After subtracting what he paid for training materials, his net was $207.81.
"I think they're looking for people who are desperate for work in a crappy economy and they're taking advantage of it," Zellner said.
The Problem Solver called Bob Rohrman of The Bob Rohrman Auto Group, which owns the Arlington Nissan dealership. Rohrman said the practice of requiring potential employees to pay for training is common in the industry.
He said the dealerships do not profit from the payments. The money goes to an outside training agency, in this case Charlotte-based Worldwide Consulting Services.
Of his 26 dealerships in Illinois and Indiana, all have used a training agency at some point, Rohrman said. In most cases, the training agencies are able to get more potential employees through the door, he said.
"It's worth our time, our management time, to have them train [employees] for a week rather than have us training them," he said.
Even so, Rohrman said he's toyed with the idea of getting rid of training agencies. But his general managers have told him it's often the best way to hire.
Jon Kommel, general manager of Arlington Nissan, likened the practice to paying college tuition.
"If you go through college, why are you going through college? To get a good job, right?" he said. "You're not guaranteed getting a good job."
Kommel said Zellner was let go because he didn't have what it took to be a salesman. After shadowing another salesman for more than a week, Zellner was put on his own for two days, Kommel said.
"In that time, we observed that he really didn't take any customers," Kommel said. "He sat in the back with the guys."
Kommel said he would have rather it worked out.
"I'm not looking to let people go," he said. "I'm looking to hire people."
Kommel and Rohrman said that if Zellner wants his $629 back, he has to get it from Worldwide Consulting Services.
The Problem Solver called Logan Bentley, Worldwide Consulting's placement director. Bentley said his agency trains potential employees at about 50 U.S. and Canadian dealerships each week.
"We don't charge students for a job," he said. "They pay for materials, which we feel is very necessary to be successful."
Bentley said the $629 Zellner paid provides him with "lifetime placement assistance," and he offered to help Zellner find another auto sales job.
Zellner declined.
"At this point, I think I could get a job on my own," he said. "I'd rather just get my money back."
On Thursday, Zellner called Bentley. He said Bentley said he would consider a refund if he asked for it in writing. Zellner typed up the letter that afternoon.
"He just said to sign the letter and he'll see what he can do," Zellner said. "It doesn't sound real reassuring."
HAVE A PROBLEM? E-mail your story, providing as many details as possible, to yourproblem@tribune.com or write to What's Your Problem?, Newsroom, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. Please include your name and a way to contact you. We cannot respond to everyone, but we'll get to as many as we can and publish the results Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
Original story here.
Friday, March 20, 2009
New Cars Now Cheaper Than Used Ones
For cash-strapped consumers shopping for a car, used would seem like the place to start. Not necessarily. A new one might actually be cheaper.
Consider this: The average cost of a used 2008 Honda Accord EX sedan, certified by the dealership, was $21,544 earlier this month, according to Edmunds.com, a car-buying Web site. A new 2009 model cost $80 less.
It’s simple supply and demand. With new car sales at a 27-year low and desperate dealers piling on rebates and incentives, prices are plummeting. At the same time, demand is up for used cars and their values are rising.
“The intuitive logic has been that a used car buy is a better buy,” said Edmunds CEO Jeremy Anwyl. “But consumers need to check reality. It’s very contradictory.”
Used cars still generally cost less than new ones, but a mix of drastic price cuts, rebates and financing incentives is narrowing the gap.
Automakers are subsidizing zero-percent or low-interest loans on new cars, while the average rate on a three-year used car loan is about 7.5%, according to Bankrate.com. Factor in the lower cost of financing and the total cost of the new car can be less.
For example, a $30,000 car with an annual percentage rate of 2.9% would cost $662.70 a month over four years. By comparison, a used car with an APR of 7% would cost $718.38, a total of $2,673 more over the same period.
Automakers like Ford Motor Co. are banking on the phenomenon to drive consumers back to new car showrooms.
“There is an equilibrium level which we believe we are getting back to between the value of used vehicles and the transactional price of new,” said Ken Czubay, Ford’s sales and marketing vice president, when the company announced its February sales fell 48% from a year earlier. “This also portends, we believe, a favorable future for the new business.”
Even with the best of terms, however, the monthly payments for a new car are out of some people’s reach. That’s why leasing became popular. But many auto finance companies have stopped offering that option because it became unprofitable, and where it is available it may still be out of reach to many consumers.
Original story here.
Consider this: The average cost of a used 2008 Honda Accord EX sedan, certified by the dealership, was $21,544 earlier this month, according to Edmunds.com, a car-buying Web site. A new 2009 model cost $80 less.
It’s simple supply and demand. With new car sales at a 27-year low and desperate dealers piling on rebates and incentives, prices are plummeting. At the same time, demand is up for used cars and their values are rising.
“The intuitive logic has been that a used car buy is a better buy,” said Edmunds CEO Jeremy Anwyl. “But consumers need to check reality. It’s very contradictory.”
Used cars still generally cost less than new ones, but a mix of drastic price cuts, rebates and financing incentives is narrowing the gap.
Automakers are subsidizing zero-percent or low-interest loans on new cars, while the average rate on a three-year used car loan is about 7.5%, according to Bankrate.com. Factor in the lower cost of financing and the total cost of the new car can be less.
For example, a $30,000 car with an annual percentage rate of 2.9% would cost $662.70 a month over four years. By comparison, a used car with an APR of 7% would cost $718.38, a total of $2,673 more over the same period.
Automakers like Ford Motor Co. are banking on the phenomenon to drive consumers back to new car showrooms.
“There is an equilibrium level which we believe we are getting back to between the value of used vehicles and the transactional price of new,” said Ken Czubay, Ford’s sales and marketing vice president, when the company announced its February sales fell 48% from a year earlier. “This also portends, we believe, a favorable future for the new business.”
Even with the best of terms, however, the monthly payments for a new car are out of some people’s reach. That’s why leasing became popular. But many auto finance companies have stopped offering that option because it became unprofitable, and where it is available it may still be out of reach to many consumers.
Original story here.
US Mint Suspends Production of More Gold and Silver Coins
The United States Mint has officially announced the suspension of another slate of gold and silver products. The affected products are 2009 dated American Gold and Silver Eagle coins produced for collectors. These coins are considered collectible versions of the bullion coins.
Although these are collectible coins, they represent a sizable amount of precious metals sales and represent a method of gold and silver investment for many individuals. Last year, the US Mint sold 1,157,911 ounces of silver in the form of Silver Eagle coins minted for collectors. They also sold 155,740 ounces of gold in the form of Gold Eagle and Gold Buffalo coins minted for collectors.
The following message was posted on the US Mint's website in the space where the collectible Gold Eagle coins typically appear. The proof coins has been offered uninterrupted since 1986. The uncirculated version has been offered since 2006.
Production of United States Mint American Eagle Gold Proof and Uncirculated Coins has been temporarily suspended because of unprecedented demand for American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins. Currently, all available 22-karat gold blanks are being allocated to the American Eagle Gold Bullion Coin Program, as the United States Mint is required by Public Law 99-185 to produce these coins “in quantities sufficient to meet public demand . . . .”
The United States Mint will resume the American Eagle Gold Proof and Uncirculated Coin Programs once sufficient inventories of gold bullion blanks can be acquired to meet market demand for all three American Eagle Gold Coin products. Additionally, as a result of the recent numismatic product portfolio analysis, fractional sizes of American Eagle Gold Uncirculated Coins will no longer be produced.
A similar message is posted in the section where collectible American Silver Eagle coins would typically appear. The proof coins have also been offered uninterrupted since 1986 and the uncirculated coins since 2006.
Production of United States Mint American Eagle Silver Proof and Uncirculated Coins has been temporarily suspended because of unprecedented demand for American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins. Currently, all available silver bullion blanks are being allocated to the American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin Program, as the United States Mint is required by Public Law 99-61 to produce these coins “in quantities sufficient to meet public demand . . . .”
The United States Mint will resume the American Eagle Silver Proof and Uncirculated Coin Programs once sufficient inventories of silver bullion blanks can be acquired to meet market demand for all three American Eagle Silver Coin products.
This adds to the lengthy list of 2009 dated precious metals products that have been "temporarily delayed" or suspended by the US Mint. In my previous post Actions of the US Mint Discourage Gold Ownership, I mentioned the delayed release of 2009 Gold Eagle fractional coins, 2009 Gold Buffalo coins, and all 2009 Platinum Eagle coins. The delay, which was first announced in November 2008, continues with no further explanation provided.
For those keeping track, here is a list of the US Mint's 2009 precious metals products that have been "temporarily delayed" or suspended:
* 2009 American Gold Eagle 1/2 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Gold Eagle 1/4 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Gold Eagle 1/10 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Platinum Eagle 1 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Platinum Eagle 1/2 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Platinum Eagle 1/4 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Platinum Eagle 1/10 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Gold Buffalo 1 oz. (bullion)
* 2009-W Proof American Gold Eagle 1 oz. (collector)
* 2009-W Proof American Gold Eagle 1/2 oz. (collector)
* 2009-W Proof American Gold Eagle 1/4 oz. (collector)
* 2009-W Proof American Gold Eagle 1/10 oz. (collector)
* 2009-W Proof American Gold Eagle 4 Coin Set (collector)
* 2009-W Uncirculated American Gold Eagle 1 oz. (collector)
* 2009-W Proof American Silver Eagle (collector)
* 2009-W Uncirculated American Silver Eagle (collector)
In addition, the following precious metals related products were discontinued by the US Mint for 2009. These discontinuations were announced in November 2008. Amidst the environment of unprecedented demand for precious metals, the US Mint determined that these products were "unpopular."
* Uncirculated American Gold Eagle 1/2 oz. (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Eagle 1/4 oz. (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Eagle 1/10 oz. (collector)
* Unriculated American Gold Eagle 4 Coin Set (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Buffalo 1 oz. (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Buffalo 1/2 oz. (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Buffalo 1/4 oz. (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Buffalo 1/10 oz. (collector)
* Unriculated American Gold Buffalo 4 Coin Set (collector)
* Proof American Gold Buffalo 1/2 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Gold Buffalo 1/4 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Gold Buffalo 1/10 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Gold Buffalo 4 Coin Set (collector)
* Uncircualted American Platinum Eagle 1 oz. (collector)
* Uncircualted American Platinum Eagle 1/2 oz. (collector)
* Uncircualted American Platinum Eagle 1/4 oz. (collector)
* Uncircualted American Platinum Eagle 1/10 oz. (collector)
* Uncircualted American Platinum Eagle 4 Coin Set (collector)
* Proof American Platinum Eagle 1/2 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Platinum Eagle 1/4 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Platinum Eagle 1/10 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Platinum Eagle 4 Coin Set (collector)
That makes a total of 38 precious metals products which have been delayed, suspended, or discontinued by the US Mint.
As it currently stands, investors or collectors looking to purchase newly minted American Eagle or American Buffalo precious metals products have only two options available. These are the 2009 1 oz. American Gold Eagle and the 2009 1 oz. American Silver Eagle. Both of these products continue to be subject to rationing.
Original story here.
Although these are collectible coins, they represent a sizable amount of precious metals sales and represent a method of gold and silver investment for many individuals. Last year, the US Mint sold 1,157,911 ounces of silver in the form of Silver Eagle coins minted for collectors. They also sold 155,740 ounces of gold in the form of Gold Eagle and Gold Buffalo coins minted for collectors.
The following message was posted on the US Mint's website in the space where the collectible Gold Eagle coins typically appear. The proof coins has been offered uninterrupted since 1986. The uncirculated version has been offered since 2006.
Production of United States Mint American Eagle Gold Proof and Uncirculated Coins has been temporarily suspended because of unprecedented demand for American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins. Currently, all available 22-karat gold blanks are being allocated to the American Eagle Gold Bullion Coin Program, as the United States Mint is required by Public Law 99-185 to produce these coins “in quantities sufficient to meet public demand . . . .”
The United States Mint will resume the American Eagle Gold Proof and Uncirculated Coin Programs once sufficient inventories of gold bullion blanks can be acquired to meet market demand for all three American Eagle Gold Coin products. Additionally, as a result of the recent numismatic product portfolio analysis, fractional sizes of American Eagle Gold Uncirculated Coins will no longer be produced.
A similar message is posted in the section where collectible American Silver Eagle coins would typically appear. The proof coins have also been offered uninterrupted since 1986 and the uncirculated coins since 2006.
Production of United States Mint American Eagle Silver Proof and Uncirculated Coins has been temporarily suspended because of unprecedented demand for American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins. Currently, all available silver bullion blanks are being allocated to the American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin Program, as the United States Mint is required by Public Law 99-61 to produce these coins “in quantities sufficient to meet public demand . . . .”
The United States Mint will resume the American Eagle Silver Proof and Uncirculated Coin Programs once sufficient inventories of silver bullion blanks can be acquired to meet market demand for all three American Eagle Silver Coin products.
This adds to the lengthy list of 2009 dated precious metals products that have been "temporarily delayed" or suspended by the US Mint. In my previous post Actions of the US Mint Discourage Gold Ownership, I mentioned the delayed release of 2009 Gold Eagle fractional coins, 2009 Gold Buffalo coins, and all 2009 Platinum Eagle coins. The delay, which was first announced in November 2008, continues with no further explanation provided.
For those keeping track, here is a list of the US Mint's 2009 precious metals products that have been "temporarily delayed" or suspended:
* 2009 American Gold Eagle 1/2 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Gold Eagle 1/4 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Gold Eagle 1/10 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Platinum Eagle 1 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Platinum Eagle 1/2 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Platinum Eagle 1/4 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Platinum Eagle 1/10 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Gold Buffalo 1 oz. (bullion)
* 2009-W Proof American Gold Eagle 1 oz. (collector)
* 2009-W Proof American Gold Eagle 1/2 oz. (collector)
* 2009-W Proof American Gold Eagle 1/4 oz. (collector)
* 2009-W Proof American Gold Eagle 1/10 oz. (collector)
* 2009-W Proof American Gold Eagle 4 Coin Set (collector)
* 2009-W Uncirculated American Gold Eagle 1 oz. (collector)
* 2009-W Proof American Silver Eagle (collector)
* 2009-W Uncirculated American Silver Eagle (collector)
In addition, the following precious metals related products were discontinued by the US Mint for 2009. These discontinuations were announced in November 2008. Amidst the environment of unprecedented demand for precious metals, the US Mint determined that these products were "unpopular."
* Uncirculated American Gold Eagle 1/2 oz. (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Eagle 1/4 oz. (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Eagle 1/10 oz. (collector)
* Unriculated American Gold Eagle 4 Coin Set (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Buffalo 1 oz. (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Buffalo 1/2 oz. (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Buffalo 1/4 oz. (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Buffalo 1/10 oz. (collector)
* Unriculated American Gold Buffalo 4 Coin Set (collector)
* Proof American Gold Buffalo 1/2 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Gold Buffalo 1/4 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Gold Buffalo 1/10 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Gold Buffalo 4 Coin Set (collector)
* Uncircualted American Platinum Eagle 1 oz. (collector)
* Uncircualted American Platinum Eagle 1/2 oz. (collector)
* Uncircualted American Platinum Eagle 1/4 oz. (collector)
* Uncircualted American Platinum Eagle 1/10 oz. (collector)
* Uncircualted American Platinum Eagle 4 Coin Set (collector)
* Proof American Platinum Eagle 1/2 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Platinum Eagle 1/4 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Platinum Eagle 1/10 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Platinum Eagle 4 Coin Set (collector)
That makes a total of 38 precious metals products which have been delayed, suspended, or discontinued by the US Mint.
As it currently stands, investors or collectors looking to purchase newly minted American Eagle or American Buffalo precious metals products have only two options available. These are the 2009 1 oz. American Gold Eagle and the 2009 1 oz. American Silver Eagle. Both of these products continue to be subject to rationing.
Original story here.
Roll Your Own Cigarettes about to Skyrocket
I roll my own cigarettes to save $, but starting April 1st the cost advantage will all but disappear. At the company I buy from a pound of loose tobacco is rising from approximately $15 to as high as $50. One pound will make approximately 3 cartons. Once you factor in the tubes and the time involved it is a no win situation. Thanks for nothing government.
Full story here.
Where I buy my smokes here.
Full story here.
Where I buy my smokes here.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
In My Home State No Less
Alex Jones has received a secret report distributed by the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) entitled “The Modern Militia Movement” and dated February 20, 2009. A footer on the document indicates it is “unclassified” but “law enforcement sensitive,” in other words not for public consumption. A copy of the report was sent to Jones by an anonymous Missouri police officer.
The MIAC report specifically describes supporters of presidential candidates Ron Paul, Chuck Baldwin, and Bob Barr as “militia” influenced terrorists and instructs the Missouri police to be on the lookout for supporters displaying bumper stickers and other paraphernalia associated with the Constitutional, Campaign for Liberty, and Libertarian parties.
“Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) provides a public safety partnership consisting of local, state and federal agencies, as well as the public sector and private entities that will collect, evaluate, analyze, and disseminate information and intelligence to the agencies tasked with Homeland Security responsibilities in a timely, effective, and secure manner,” explains the MIAC website. “MIAC is the mechanism to collect incident reports of suspicious activities to be evaluated and analyzed in an effort to identify potential trends or patterns of terrorist or criminal operations within the state of Missouri. MIAC will also function as a vehicle for two-way communication between federal, state and local law enforcement community within our region.”
MIAC is part of the federal “fusion” effort now underway around the country. “As of February 2009, there were 58 fusion centers around the country. The Department has deployed 31 officers as of December 2008 and plans to have 70 professionals deployed by the end of 2009. The Department has provided more than $254 million from FY 2004-2007 to state and local governments to support the centers,” explains the Department of Homeland Security on its website. Missouri is mentioned as a participant in this federal “intelligence” effort.
Last month, the ACLU issued a news release highlighting the activity of a fusion center in Texas as the “latest example of inappropriate police intelligence operations targeting political, religious and social activists for investigation,” in particular “Muslim civil rights organizations and anti-war protest groups.”
The MIAC report does not concentrate on Muslim terrorists, but rather on the so-called “militia movement” and conflates it with supporters of Ron Paul, Chuck Baldwin, Bob Barr, the so-called patriot movement and other political activist organizations opposed to the North American Union and the New World Order. The MIAC document is a classic guilt by association effort designed to demonize legitimate political activity that stands in opposition to the New World Order and its newly enshrined front man, Barack Obama.
In September of 2008, Missouri sheriffs and prosecutors organized truth squads to intimidate people opposed to Obama and threatened to arrest and prosecute anybody who ran “misleading television ads.” Missouri governor Matt Blunt eventually denounced the use of “police state tactics” on the part of the Obama-Biden campaign.
MIAC claims members of a “rightwing” militia movement organized in the 1990s — generally in response to the Oklahoma City bombing and the events at Waco — “continuously exploit world events in order to increase participation in their movements. Due to the current economical and political situation, a lush environment for militia activity has been created” and supposedly exploited by “constitutionalists” and “white supremacists,” the latter an oft-employed canard used to demonize activists as dangerous and potentially violent lunatics.
MIAC notes many of the political issues cited by the so-called patriot movement — the Ammunition Accountability Act, the impending economic collapse of the government, the possibility of a constitutional convention, the North American Union, Obama’s “Universal Service Program,” and the implementation of RFID, issues that are not limited to the patriot movement but are shared by a wide array of political activists.
The MIAC document includes a map of the North American Union not dissimilar from one released by NASCO, the North America SuperCorridor Coalition (see the NASCO map here).
The MIAC report is similar to one created by the Phoenix Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Joint Terrorism Task Force during the Clinton administration (see page one and page two of the document). The FBI document explicitly designates “defenders” of the Constitution as “right-wing extremists.” The MIAC report expands significantly on the earlier document.
Original story here.
The MIAC report specifically describes supporters of presidential candidates Ron Paul, Chuck Baldwin, and Bob Barr as “militia” influenced terrorists and instructs the Missouri police to be on the lookout for supporters displaying bumper stickers and other paraphernalia associated with the Constitutional, Campaign for Liberty, and Libertarian parties.
“Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) provides a public safety partnership consisting of local, state and federal agencies, as well as the public sector and private entities that will collect, evaluate, analyze, and disseminate information and intelligence to the agencies tasked with Homeland Security responsibilities in a timely, effective, and secure manner,” explains the MIAC website. “MIAC is the mechanism to collect incident reports of suspicious activities to be evaluated and analyzed in an effort to identify potential trends or patterns of terrorist or criminal operations within the state of Missouri. MIAC will also function as a vehicle for two-way communication between federal, state and local law enforcement community within our region.”
MIAC is part of the federal “fusion” effort now underway around the country. “As of February 2009, there were 58 fusion centers around the country. The Department has deployed 31 officers as of December 2008 and plans to have 70 professionals deployed by the end of 2009. The Department has provided more than $254 million from FY 2004-2007 to state and local governments to support the centers,” explains the Department of Homeland Security on its website. Missouri is mentioned as a participant in this federal “intelligence” effort.
Last month, the ACLU issued a news release highlighting the activity of a fusion center in Texas as the “latest example of inappropriate police intelligence operations targeting political, religious and social activists for investigation,” in particular “Muslim civil rights organizations and anti-war protest groups.”
The MIAC report does not concentrate on Muslim terrorists, but rather on the so-called “militia movement” and conflates it with supporters of Ron Paul, Chuck Baldwin, Bob Barr, the so-called patriot movement and other political activist organizations opposed to the North American Union and the New World Order. The MIAC document is a classic guilt by association effort designed to demonize legitimate political activity that stands in opposition to the New World Order and its newly enshrined front man, Barack Obama.
In September of 2008, Missouri sheriffs and prosecutors organized truth squads to intimidate people opposed to Obama and threatened to arrest and prosecute anybody who ran “misleading television ads.” Missouri governor Matt Blunt eventually denounced the use of “police state tactics” on the part of the Obama-Biden campaign.
MIAC claims members of a “rightwing” militia movement organized in the 1990s — generally in response to the Oklahoma City bombing and the events at Waco — “continuously exploit world events in order to increase participation in their movements. Due to the current economical and political situation, a lush environment for militia activity has been created” and supposedly exploited by “constitutionalists” and “white supremacists,” the latter an oft-employed canard used to demonize activists as dangerous and potentially violent lunatics.
MIAC notes many of the political issues cited by the so-called patriot movement — the Ammunition Accountability Act, the impending economic collapse of the government, the possibility of a constitutional convention, the North American Union, Obama’s “Universal Service Program,” and the implementation of RFID, issues that are not limited to the patriot movement but are shared by a wide array of political activists.
The MIAC document includes a map of the North American Union not dissimilar from one released by NASCO, the North America SuperCorridor Coalition (see the NASCO map here).
The MIAC report is similar to one created by the Phoenix Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Joint Terrorism Task Force during the Clinton administration (see page one and page two of the document). The FBI document explicitly designates “defenders” of the Constitution as “right-wing extremists.” The MIAC report expands significantly on the earlier document.
Original story here.
3 Car Dealership Executives, Dozens of Vehicles Missing
OMAHA, Neb. — Scores of new cars vanished from a western Nebraska car dealership and a prosecutor said Wednesday that some had turned up in other states and warrants had been issued for three missing executives.
The 81 Fords and Toyotas taken from Legacy Auto Sales in Scottsbluff were valued at about $2.5 million.
The Fords were put on transporter trucks and taken away Saturday and the Toyotas were shipped out late Monday, John Childress, Scotts Bluff County's chief deputy county attorney, said Wednesday.
Childress said arrest warrants had been issued for owner Allen Patch, controller Rachel Fait and general manager Rick Covello, who are wanted on suspicion of theft.
"Employees were expecting these people to be in Tuesday morning, and they were surprised no one was there," Childress said. "It is not an expected departure."
Covello called Scottsbluff police on Wednesday afternoon and said he would meet with investigators on Thursday, Capt. Kevin Spencer said. The whereabouts of Patch and Fait remained unknown, Spencer said.
Miranda Cervantes, the dealership's title manager, told the Scottsbluff Star-Herald she returned to work Tuesday after a day off and found the lot was virtually empty. She said the desks of Patch, Fait and Covello had been cleaned out.
The FBI traced two dozen vehicles to Salt Lake City, including 16 that had been sold at one auto auction, Spencer said. He said police also found six at the Scottsbluff airport, and the FBI located other vehicles in Las Vegas, but he didn't know how many.
Spencer refuted an earlier report from Childress that some of the vehicles had been found in Arizona.
Justin Leach, a spokesman for Toyota Financing in Torrance, Calif., said Patch financed the Toyotas and Fords through his company.
Legacy has had financial problems, Childress said, and authorities suspect Patch and his associates were looking to sell the vehicles to auction houses and keep the proceeds rather than pay Toyota Financing. He said the three have no criminal records in Nebraska.
All three previously lived in Utah, and the FBI and law enforcement agencies in several western states were searching for them, Childress said.
Leach said there are some provisions that would allow a dealer to move vehicles.
"But if the dealer and the cars go missing, there's an issue," he said.
Most of the missing cars were Toyotas, but Childress didn't have an exact number.
All 81 cars had valid temporary titles, as required by state law, Childress said.
Despite the missing new cars and executives, Legacy Auto Sales remained open Wednesday. Cervantes did not respond to calls seeking additional comment.
Scottsbluff is 470 miles west of Omaha.
Original story here.
The 81 Fords and Toyotas taken from Legacy Auto Sales in Scottsbluff were valued at about $2.5 million.
The Fords were put on transporter trucks and taken away Saturday and the Toyotas were shipped out late Monday, John Childress, Scotts Bluff County's chief deputy county attorney, said Wednesday.
Childress said arrest warrants had been issued for owner Allen Patch, controller Rachel Fait and general manager Rick Covello, who are wanted on suspicion of theft.
"Employees were expecting these people to be in Tuesday morning, and they were surprised no one was there," Childress said. "It is not an expected departure."
Covello called Scottsbluff police on Wednesday afternoon and said he would meet with investigators on Thursday, Capt. Kevin Spencer said. The whereabouts of Patch and Fait remained unknown, Spencer said.
Miranda Cervantes, the dealership's title manager, told the Scottsbluff Star-Herald she returned to work Tuesday after a day off and found the lot was virtually empty. She said the desks of Patch, Fait and Covello had been cleaned out.
The FBI traced two dozen vehicles to Salt Lake City, including 16 that had been sold at one auto auction, Spencer said. He said police also found six at the Scottsbluff airport, and the FBI located other vehicles in Las Vegas, but he didn't know how many.
Spencer refuted an earlier report from Childress that some of the vehicles had been found in Arizona.
Justin Leach, a spokesman for Toyota Financing in Torrance, Calif., said Patch financed the Toyotas and Fords through his company.
Legacy has had financial problems, Childress said, and authorities suspect Patch and his associates were looking to sell the vehicles to auction houses and keep the proceeds rather than pay Toyota Financing. He said the three have no criminal records in Nebraska.
All three previously lived in Utah, and the FBI and law enforcement agencies in several western states were searching for them, Childress said.
Leach said there are some provisions that would allow a dealer to move vehicles.
"But if the dealer and the cars go missing, there's an issue," he said.
Most of the missing cars were Toyotas, but Childress didn't have an exact number.
All 81 cars had valid temporary titles, as required by state law, Childress said.
Despite the missing new cars and executives, Legacy Auto Sales remained open Wednesday. Cervantes did not respond to calls seeking additional comment.
Scottsbluff is 470 miles west of Omaha.
Original story here.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Goodbye....For now
Well it looks inevitable that for the immediate future I no longer have a job with the railroad.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Bill creates detention camps in U.S. for 'emergencies'
The proposed bill, which has received little mainstream media attention, appears designed to create the type of detention center that those concerned about use of the military in domestic affairs fear could be used as concentration camps for political dissidents, such as occurred in Nazi Germany.
Full Story here
Full Story here
Rule by fear or rule by law?
"The power of the Executive to cast a man into prison without formulating any charge known to the law, and particularly to deny him the judgment of his peers, is in the highest degree odious and is the foundation of all totalitarian government whether Nazi or Communist."
- Winston Churchill, Nov. 21, 1943
Since 9/11, and seemingly without the notice of most Americans, the federal government has assumed the authority to institute martial law, arrest a wide swath of dissidents (citizen and noncitizen alike), and detain people without legal or constitutional recourse in the event of "an emergency influx of immigrants in the U.S., or to support the rapid development of new programs."
Rest of the story here
- Winston Churchill, Nov. 21, 1943
Since 9/11, and seemingly without the notice of most Americans, the federal government has assumed the authority to institute martial law, arrest a wide swath of dissidents (citizen and noncitizen alike), and detain people without legal or constitutional recourse in the event of "an emergency influx of immigrants in the U.S., or to support the rapid development of new programs."
Rest of the story here
Could it all be Propoganda?
I believe a lot of what we are seeing is planted there purposely or plainly made up. Read carefully and take EVERYTHING with a grain (or two) of salt.
Story here.
Story here.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Feds grant eminent domain as collateral to China for US debts.
Scariest thing I've read in a while.
February 26, 2009
FEDS GRANT EMINENT DOMAIN AS COLLATERAL TO CHINA FOR U.S. DEBTS!
Beijing, China -- Sources at the United States Embassy in Beijing China have just CONFIRMED to me that the United States of America has tendered to China a written agreement which grants to the People's Republic of China, an option to exercise Eminent Domain within the USA, as collateral for China's continu More..ed purchase of US Treasury Notes and existing US Currency reserves!
The written agreement was brought to Beijing by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and was formalized and agreed-to during her recent trip to China.
This means that in the event the US Government defaults on its financial obligations to China, the Communist Government of China would be permitted to physically take -- inside the USA -- land, buildings, factories, perhaps even entire cities - to satisfy the financial obligations of the US government.
Put simply, the feds have now actually mortgaged the physical land and property of all citizens and businesses in the United States. They have given to a foreign power, their Constitutional power to "take" all of our property, as actual collateral for continued Chinese funding of US deficit spending and the continued carrying of US national debt.
This is an unimaginable betrayal of every man, woman and child in the USA. An outrage worthy of violent overthrow.
I am endeavoring to obtain images or copies of the actual document but in the interim, several different sources both in the US and in China have CONFIRMED this to me.
More details as they become available. . . . . spread the word ASAP.
Original story here.
February 26, 2009
FEDS GRANT EMINENT DOMAIN AS COLLATERAL TO CHINA FOR U.S. DEBTS!
Beijing, China -- Sources at the United States Embassy in Beijing China have just CONFIRMED to me that the United States of America has tendered to China a written agreement which grants to the People's Republic of China, an option to exercise Eminent Domain within the USA, as collateral for China's continu More..ed purchase of US Treasury Notes and existing US Currency reserves!
The written agreement was brought to Beijing by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and was formalized and agreed-to during her recent trip to China.
This means that in the event the US Government defaults on its financial obligations to China, the Communist Government of China would be permitted to physically take -- inside the USA -- land, buildings, factories, perhaps even entire cities - to satisfy the financial obligations of the US government.
Put simply, the feds have now actually mortgaged the physical land and property of all citizens and businesses in the United States. They have given to a foreign power, their Constitutional power to "take" all of our property, as actual collateral for continued Chinese funding of US deficit spending and the continued carrying of US national debt.
This is an unimaginable betrayal of every man, woman and child in the USA. An outrage worthy of violent overthrow.
I am endeavoring to obtain images or copies of the actual document but in the interim, several different sources both in the US and in China have CONFIRMED this to me.
More details as they become available. . . . . spread the word ASAP.
Original story here.
California Unemployment Rate Tops 10 Percent
SACRAMENTO (AP) -- California's unemployment rate jumped to 10.1 percent in January, the state's first double-digit jobless reading in a quarter-century.
The jobless rate announced Friday by the state Employment Development Department represents an increase from the revised figure of 8.7 percent in December. It also is 2.5 percentage points higher than the national jobless rate in January of 7.6 percent.
A year ago, California's unemployment rate was 6.1 percent. Since then, steep declines in the construction, finance, information and retail industries have put thousands out of work.
Rest of the story here.
The jobless rate announced Friday by the state Employment Development Department represents an increase from the revised figure of 8.7 percent in December. It also is 2.5 percentage points higher than the national jobless rate in January of 7.6 percent.
A year ago, California's unemployment rate was 6.1 percent. Since then, steep declines in the construction, finance, information and retail industries have put thousands out of work.
Rest of the story here.
Church deacon, soccer coach, father -- bank robbery suspect
(CNN) -- Bruce Windsor is known as many things: church deacon, soccer coach, father of four. But facing potential financial problems, he's now known as something else: suspected bank robber. Police say the 43-year-old owner of a real estate company walked into the Carolina First Bank in Greenville, South Carolina, late Thursday with a mask and a handgun.
Full story here.
Full story here.
Apartment Buyers Abandoning 6-Figure Deposits
THE real estate market in Manhattan has become so unnerving to buyers that some are forfeiting six-figure deposits rather than close on deals they have made.
Full story here.
Full story here.
Escape From City 17
Fan made video inspired by Half Life. I just like it because of the shootout at the rail yard.
Jobless hit with bank fees on benefits
(AP) - For hundreds of thousands of workers losing their jobs during the recession, there's a new twist to their financial pain: Even as they're collecting unemployment benefits, they're paying bank fees just to get access to their money.
Thirty states have struck such deals with banks that include Citigroup Inc., Bank of America Corp., JPMorgan Chase and US Bancorp, an Associated Press review of the agreements found. All the programs carry fees, and in several states the unemployed have no choice but to use the debit cards. Some banks even charge overdraft fees of up to $20 — even though they could decline charges for more than what's on the card.
"It's a racket. It's a scam," said Rachel Davis, a 38-year-old dental technician from St. Louis who was laid off in October. Davis was given a MasterCard issued through Central Bank of Jefferson City and recently paid $6 to make two $40 withdrawals.
The banks say their programs offer convenience. They also provide at least one way to tap the money at no charge, such as using a single free withdrawal to get all the cash at once from a bank teller. But the banks benefit from human nature, as people end up treating the cards like all the other plastic in their wallets.
The fees are raising questions from lawmakers who just recently voted to infuse banks with taxpayer money to keep them afloat.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., a member of the House Financial Services Committee, said the situation points to "yet another example of how we need to regulate the ways in which banks charge overdraft and other fees."
"Banks, particularly ones that have received federal help, should not be imposing endless fees and charges on the unemployed in this time of economic crisis," said Maloney, who has written a bill to require that consumers be notified at the point of sale if they're about to incur overdraft fees.
Some banks, depending on the agreement negotiated with each state, also make money on the interest they earn after the state deposits the money and before it's spent. The banks and credit card companies also get roughly 1 to 3 percent off the top of each transaction made with the cards.
Neither banks nor credit card companies will say how much money they are making off the programs, or what proportion of the revenue comes from user versus merchant fees or interest. It's difficult to estimate the profits because they depend on how often recipients use their cards and where they use them.
But the potential is clear.
In Missouri, for instance, 94,883 people claimed unemployment benefits through debit cards from Central Bank. Analysts say a recipient uses a card an average of six to 10 times a month. If each cardholder makes three withdrawals at an out-of-network ATM, at a fee of $1.75, the bank would collect nearly $500,000. If half of the cardholders also dial customer service three times in any given week (the first time is free; after that, it's 25 cents a call), the bank's revenue would jump to more than $521,000. That would yield $6.3 million a year.
Rachel Storch, a Democratic state representative, received a wave of complaints about the fees from autoworkers laid off from a suburban St. Louis Chrysler plant. She recently urged Gov. Jay Nixon to review the state's contract with Central Bank with an eye toward reducing the fees.
"I think the contract is unfair and potentially illegal to unemployment recipients," she said.
Central Bank did not return two messages seeking comment.
Glenn Campbell, a spokesman for Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-Mo., said the congressman would support a review of the debit card programs nationwide.
Another 10 states — including the unemployment hot spots of California, Florida and South Carolina — are considering such programs or have signed contracts. The remainder still use traditional checks or direct deposit.
With the national unemployment rate now at 7.6 percent, the market for bank-issued unemployment cards is booming. In 2003, states paid only $4 million of unemployment insurance through debit cards. By 2007, it had ballooned to $2.8 billion, and by 2010 it will likely rise to $10.5 billion, according to a study conducted by Mercator Advisory Group, a financial industry consulting firm.
The economic stimulus plan signed by President Barack Obama this week will increase federal unemployment benefits by $40 billion this year. Subsequently, there will be more money from which banks can collect fees. The U.S. Department of Labor allows the fees as long as states create a way for recipients to get their money for free, spokeswoman Suzy Bohnert said.
"Beyond that, the individual decides how to manage his drawdowns using the debit card," she said in an e-mail.
A typical contract looks like the agreement between Citigroup and the state of Kansas, which took effect in November. The state expects to save $300,000 a year by wiring payments to Citigroup instead of printing and mailing checks.
Citigroup's bill to the state: zero. The bank collects its revenue from fees paid by merchants and the unemployed.
"If you use your card the right way, you're not going to pay fees at all," said Paul Simpson, Citigroup's global head of public sector, health care and wholesale cards.
But that's not always practical.
Arthur Santa-Maria, a laid-off engineer who lives just outside Albuquerque, N.M., said he didn't pay any fees the first time he was laid off, for several months in 2007. His unemployment benefits were paid by paper checks. He found a new job last year but was laid off again last fall.
This time, he was issued a Bank of America debit card — a "prepaid" card in industry lingo — but he was surprised to learn he had to pay fees to get his money. He asked the bank to waive them. It said no. That's when Santa-Maria called back to ask how to check his account online. He logged on and saw that the call cost him a half dollar. To avoid more fees, Santa-Maria found a Bank of America ATM at a strip mall and withdrew $80 at no charge. When he got back to his car, he decided to take out the rest of his money — $250 — and deposit it in his bank account.
Afterward, Santa-Maria logged on to his account and saw a charge of $1.50 for two withdrawals in one day.
"They're trying to use my money to make money," Santa-Maria said. "I just see banks trying to make that 50 cents or a buck and a half when I should be given the service for free."
New Mexico authorities bargained with Bank of America to get lower fees for unemployment recipients, said Carrie Moritomo, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Workforce Solutions. The state saves up to $1.5 million annually by switching from checks to debit cards.
Bank of America spokeswoman Britney Sheehan pointed out that the fees charged in New Mexico are similar to those charged in the 29 other states with unemployment debit cards. The bank believes "the fee schedule is reasonable and consistent with similar programs," she said.
Banks could issue unemployment debit cards with no fees for cardholders, but that would likely mean that states would have to pay more of the administrative costs, said Mark Harrington, director of marketing for Citigroup's prepaid card services. If a state demanded no cardholder fees and could pay the difference, Citigroup might enter such a contract.
"We would be open to that," Harrington said. "We're not looking to structure any programs where we would lose money, but we're definitely flexible."
Simpson noted that the cards can save money for jobless workers who have no bank accounts. In the past, these people had to use corner check-cashing shops that charged fees as high as 2 percent, or $6 for a $300 check. Now, they can swipe their cards at McDonald's, Wal-Mart or elsewhere for free.
Kenna Gortler, a laid-off paper mill worker in Oregon, said her union is advising members to avoid the debit cards and sign up to get their benefits through direct deposit. More than 300 of her fellow workers have lost their jobs at the mill in the last three months, and horror stories about ATM fees and overdraft charges are starting to filter back to others who are just now signing up for their benefits.
"It's discouraging," Gortler said. "People have limited funds and they don't need to be giving money to the banks. They need to be keeping that money to feed their families and pay bills."
Original Link here
Thirty states have struck such deals with banks that include Citigroup Inc., Bank of America Corp., JPMorgan Chase and US Bancorp, an Associated Press review of the agreements found. All the programs carry fees, and in several states the unemployed have no choice but to use the debit cards. Some banks even charge overdraft fees of up to $20 — even though they could decline charges for more than what's on the card.
"It's a racket. It's a scam," said Rachel Davis, a 38-year-old dental technician from St. Louis who was laid off in October. Davis was given a MasterCard issued through Central Bank of Jefferson City and recently paid $6 to make two $40 withdrawals.
The banks say their programs offer convenience. They also provide at least one way to tap the money at no charge, such as using a single free withdrawal to get all the cash at once from a bank teller. But the banks benefit from human nature, as people end up treating the cards like all the other plastic in their wallets.
The fees are raising questions from lawmakers who just recently voted to infuse banks with taxpayer money to keep them afloat.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., a member of the House Financial Services Committee, said the situation points to "yet another example of how we need to regulate the ways in which banks charge overdraft and other fees."
"Banks, particularly ones that have received federal help, should not be imposing endless fees and charges on the unemployed in this time of economic crisis," said Maloney, who has written a bill to require that consumers be notified at the point of sale if they're about to incur overdraft fees.
Some banks, depending on the agreement negotiated with each state, also make money on the interest they earn after the state deposits the money and before it's spent. The banks and credit card companies also get roughly 1 to 3 percent off the top of each transaction made with the cards.
Neither banks nor credit card companies will say how much money they are making off the programs, or what proportion of the revenue comes from user versus merchant fees or interest. It's difficult to estimate the profits because they depend on how often recipients use their cards and where they use them.
But the potential is clear.
In Missouri, for instance, 94,883 people claimed unemployment benefits through debit cards from Central Bank. Analysts say a recipient uses a card an average of six to 10 times a month. If each cardholder makes three withdrawals at an out-of-network ATM, at a fee of $1.75, the bank would collect nearly $500,000. If half of the cardholders also dial customer service three times in any given week (the first time is free; after that, it's 25 cents a call), the bank's revenue would jump to more than $521,000. That would yield $6.3 million a year.
Rachel Storch, a Democratic state representative, received a wave of complaints about the fees from autoworkers laid off from a suburban St. Louis Chrysler plant. She recently urged Gov. Jay Nixon to review the state's contract with Central Bank with an eye toward reducing the fees.
"I think the contract is unfair and potentially illegal to unemployment recipients," she said.
Central Bank did not return two messages seeking comment.
Glenn Campbell, a spokesman for Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-Mo., said the congressman would support a review of the debit card programs nationwide.
Another 10 states — including the unemployment hot spots of California, Florida and South Carolina — are considering such programs or have signed contracts. The remainder still use traditional checks or direct deposit.
With the national unemployment rate now at 7.6 percent, the market for bank-issued unemployment cards is booming. In 2003, states paid only $4 million of unemployment insurance through debit cards. By 2007, it had ballooned to $2.8 billion, and by 2010 it will likely rise to $10.5 billion, according to a study conducted by Mercator Advisory Group, a financial industry consulting firm.
The economic stimulus plan signed by President Barack Obama this week will increase federal unemployment benefits by $40 billion this year. Subsequently, there will be more money from which banks can collect fees. The U.S. Department of Labor allows the fees as long as states create a way for recipients to get their money for free, spokeswoman Suzy Bohnert said.
"Beyond that, the individual decides how to manage his drawdowns using the debit card," she said in an e-mail.
A typical contract looks like the agreement between Citigroup and the state of Kansas, which took effect in November. The state expects to save $300,000 a year by wiring payments to Citigroup instead of printing and mailing checks.
Citigroup's bill to the state: zero. The bank collects its revenue from fees paid by merchants and the unemployed.
"If you use your card the right way, you're not going to pay fees at all," said Paul Simpson, Citigroup's global head of public sector, health care and wholesale cards.
But that's not always practical.
Arthur Santa-Maria, a laid-off engineer who lives just outside Albuquerque, N.M., said he didn't pay any fees the first time he was laid off, for several months in 2007. His unemployment benefits were paid by paper checks. He found a new job last year but was laid off again last fall.
This time, he was issued a Bank of America debit card — a "prepaid" card in industry lingo — but he was surprised to learn he had to pay fees to get his money. He asked the bank to waive them. It said no. That's when Santa-Maria called back to ask how to check his account online. He logged on and saw that the call cost him a half dollar. To avoid more fees, Santa-Maria found a Bank of America ATM at a strip mall and withdrew $80 at no charge. When he got back to his car, he decided to take out the rest of his money — $250 — and deposit it in his bank account.
Afterward, Santa-Maria logged on to his account and saw a charge of $1.50 for two withdrawals in one day.
"They're trying to use my money to make money," Santa-Maria said. "I just see banks trying to make that 50 cents or a buck and a half when I should be given the service for free."
New Mexico authorities bargained with Bank of America to get lower fees for unemployment recipients, said Carrie Moritomo, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Workforce Solutions. The state saves up to $1.5 million annually by switching from checks to debit cards.
Bank of America spokeswoman Britney Sheehan pointed out that the fees charged in New Mexico are similar to those charged in the 29 other states with unemployment debit cards. The bank believes "the fee schedule is reasonable and consistent with similar programs," she said.
Banks could issue unemployment debit cards with no fees for cardholders, but that would likely mean that states would have to pay more of the administrative costs, said Mark Harrington, director of marketing for Citigroup's prepaid card services. If a state demanded no cardholder fees and could pay the difference, Citigroup might enter such a contract.
"We would be open to that," Harrington said. "We're not looking to structure any programs where we would lose money, but we're definitely flexible."
Simpson noted that the cards can save money for jobless workers who have no bank accounts. In the past, these people had to use corner check-cashing shops that charged fees as high as 2 percent, or $6 for a $300 check. Now, they can swipe their cards at McDonald's, Wal-Mart or elsewhere for free.
Kenna Gortler, a laid-off paper mill worker in Oregon, said her union is advising members to avoid the debit cards and sign up to get their benefits through direct deposit. More than 300 of her fellow workers have lost their jobs at the mill in the last three months, and horror stories about ATM fees and overdraft charges are starting to filter back to others who are just now signing up for their benefits.
"It's discouraging," Gortler said. "People have limited funds and they don't need to be giving money to the banks. They need to be keeping that money to feed their families and pay bills."
Original Link here
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Top 15 Quotes By Famous Atheists
Original here
1. Creationists make it sound like a ‘theory’ is something you dreamt up after being drunk all night — Isaac Asimov
2. I don’t believe in God. My god is patriotism. Teach a man to be a good citizen and you have solved the problem of life. — Andrew Carnegie
3. All thinking men are atheists. — Ernest Hemingway
4. Lighthouses are more helpful then churches. — Benjamin Franklin
5. Faith means not wanting to know what is true. — Friedrich Nietzsche
6. The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one. — George Bernard Shaw
7. Say what you will about the sweet miracle of unquestioning faith, I consider a capacity for it terrifying and absolutely vile. — Kurt Vonnegut
8. I believe in God, only I spell it Nature. — Frank Lloyd Wright
9. Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest. — Denis Diderot
10. A man is accepted into a church for what he believes and he is turned out for what he knows. — Samuel Clemens
11. The whole thing is so patently infantile, so foreign to reality, that to anyone with a friendly attitude to humanity it is painful to think that the great majority of mortals will never be able to rise above this view of life. — Sigmund Freud
12. Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful. — Edward Gibbon
13. The church says the earth is flat, but I know that it is round, for I have seen the shadow on the moon, and I have more faith in a shadow than in the church. — Ferdinand Magellan
14. Not only is there no god, but try getting a plumber on weekends. — Woody Allen
15. It’s an incredible con job when you think about it, to believe something now in exchange for something after death. Even corporations with their reward systems don’t try to make it posthumous. — Gloria Steinem
1. Creationists make it sound like a ‘theory’ is something you dreamt up after being drunk all night — Isaac Asimov
2. I don’t believe in God. My god is patriotism. Teach a man to be a good citizen and you have solved the problem of life. — Andrew Carnegie
3. All thinking men are atheists. — Ernest Hemingway
4. Lighthouses are more helpful then churches. — Benjamin Franklin
5. Faith means not wanting to know what is true. — Friedrich Nietzsche
6. The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one. — George Bernard Shaw
7. Say what you will about the sweet miracle of unquestioning faith, I consider a capacity for it terrifying and absolutely vile. — Kurt Vonnegut
8. I believe in God, only I spell it Nature. — Frank Lloyd Wright
9. Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest. — Denis Diderot
10. A man is accepted into a church for what he believes and he is turned out for what he knows. — Samuel Clemens
11. The whole thing is so patently infantile, so foreign to reality, that to anyone with a friendly attitude to humanity it is painful to think that the great majority of mortals will never be able to rise above this view of life. — Sigmund Freud
12. Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful. — Edward Gibbon
13. The church says the earth is flat, but I know that it is round, for I have seen the shadow on the moon, and I have more faith in a shadow than in the church. — Ferdinand Magellan
14. Not only is there no god, but try getting a plumber on weekends. — Woody Allen
15. It’s an incredible con job when you think about it, to believe something now in exchange for something after death. Even corporations with their reward systems don’t try to make it posthumous. — Gloria Steinem
Friday, February 13, 2009
HSR a Winner in Stimulus Bill
# High-speed and inner-city rail: Went from $300 million in House bill to $2.25 billion in Senate to $8 billion in final version. There also is a $6.9 billion provision for public transit.
# Amtrak: Picked up $500 million from both House and Senate versions to total $1.3 billion. The bill stipulates that no more than 60 percent can go to the Northeast Corridor.
Full Story here
# Amtrak: Picked up $500 million from both House and Senate versions to total $1.3 billion. The bill stipulates that no more than 60 percent can go to the Northeast Corridor.
Full Story here
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Do Not Take Pictures of the Federal Reserve Twofer
Ron Paul Introduces Bill To End The Fed
Before the US House of Representatives, February 4, 2009, introducing the The Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act, H.R. 833.
Madame Speaker, I rise to introduce legislation to restore financial stability to America's economy by abolishing the Federal Reserve. Since the creation of the Federal Reserve, middle and working-class Americans have been victimized by a boom-and-bust monetary policy. In addition, most Americans have suffered a steadily eroding purchasing power because of the Federal Reserve's inflationary policies. This represents a real, if hidden, tax imposed on the American people.
From the Great Depression, to the stagflation of the seventies, to the current economic crisis caused by the housing bubble, every economic downturn suffered by this country over the past century can be traced to Federal Reserve policy. The Fed has followed a consistent policy of flooding the economy with easy money, leading to a misallocation of resources and an artificial "boom" followed by a recession or depression when the Fed-created bubble bursts.
With a stable currency, American exporters will no longer be held hostage to an erratic monetary policy. Stabilizing the currency will also give Americans new incentives to save as they will no longer have to fear inflation eroding their savings. Those members concerned about increasing America's exports or the low rate of savings should be enthusiastic supporters of this legislation.
Though the Federal Reserve policy harms the average American, it benefits those in a position to take advantage of the cycles in monetary policy. The main beneficiaries are those who receive access to artificially inflated money and/or credit before the inflationary effects of the policy impact the entire economy. Federal Reserve policies also benefit big spending politicians who use the inflated currency created by the Fed to hide the true costs of the welfare-warfare state. It is time for Congress to put the interests of the American people ahead of special interests and their own appetite for big government.
Abolishing the Federal Reserve will allow Congress to reassert its constitutional authority over monetary policy. The United States Constitution grants to Congress the authority to coin money and regulate the value of the currency. The Constitution does not give Congress the authority to delegate control over monetary policy to a central bank. Furthermore, the Constitution certainly does not empower the federal government to erode the American standard of living via an inflationary monetary policy.
In fact, Congress' constitutional mandate regarding monetary policy should only permit currency backed by stable commodities such as silver and gold to be used as legal tender. Therefore, abolishing the Federal Reserve and returning to a constitutional system will enable America to return to the type of monetary system envisioned by our nation's founders: one where the value of money is consistent because it is tied to a commodity such as gold. Such a monetary system is the basis of a true free-market economy.
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand up for working Americans by putting an end to the manipulation of the money supply which erodes Americans' standard of living, enlarges big government, and enriches well-connected elites, by cosponsoring my legislation to abolish the Federal Reserve.
Madame Speaker, I rise to introduce legislation to restore financial stability to America's economy by abolishing the Federal Reserve. Since the creation of the Federal Reserve, middle and working-class Americans have been victimized by a boom-and-bust monetary policy. In addition, most Americans have suffered a steadily eroding purchasing power because of the Federal Reserve's inflationary policies. This represents a real, if hidden, tax imposed on the American people.
From the Great Depression, to the stagflation of the seventies, to the current economic crisis caused by the housing bubble, every economic downturn suffered by this country over the past century can be traced to Federal Reserve policy. The Fed has followed a consistent policy of flooding the economy with easy money, leading to a misallocation of resources and an artificial "boom" followed by a recession or depression when the Fed-created bubble bursts.
With a stable currency, American exporters will no longer be held hostage to an erratic monetary policy. Stabilizing the currency will also give Americans new incentives to save as they will no longer have to fear inflation eroding their savings. Those members concerned about increasing America's exports or the low rate of savings should be enthusiastic supporters of this legislation.
Though the Federal Reserve policy harms the average American, it benefits those in a position to take advantage of the cycles in monetary policy. The main beneficiaries are those who receive access to artificially inflated money and/or credit before the inflationary effects of the policy impact the entire economy. Federal Reserve policies also benefit big spending politicians who use the inflated currency created by the Fed to hide the true costs of the welfare-warfare state. It is time for Congress to put the interests of the American people ahead of special interests and their own appetite for big government.
Abolishing the Federal Reserve will allow Congress to reassert its constitutional authority over monetary policy. The United States Constitution grants to Congress the authority to coin money and regulate the value of the currency. The Constitution does not give Congress the authority to delegate control over monetary policy to a central bank. Furthermore, the Constitution certainly does not empower the federal government to erode the American standard of living via an inflationary monetary policy.
In fact, Congress' constitutional mandate regarding monetary policy should only permit currency backed by stable commodities such as silver and gold to be used as legal tender. Therefore, abolishing the Federal Reserve and returning to a constitutional system will enable America to return to the type of monetary system envisioned by our nation's founders: one where the value of money is consistent because it is tied to a commodity such as gold. Such a monetary system is the basis of a true free-market economy.
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand up for working Americans by putting an end to the manipulation of the money supply which erodes Americans' standard of living, enlarges big government, and enriches well-connected elites, by cosponsoring my legislation to abolish the Federal Reserve.
Suicidal urged not to choose Paris metro
France’s state rail company launches campaign to discourage would-be suicides from jumping to their deaths on rail tracks after figures show surge in suicides on Paris train network.
Full Story here.
Full Story here.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
China Now #1 in Auto Sales
China's monthly auto sales overtake US for 1st time in January, helped by shrinking US market
Full Story here.
Full Story here.
Kissinger Referring to NWO
Referring to crisis in Gaza
"he can give new impetus to American foreign policy ... I think that his task will be to develop an overall strategy for America in this period, when really a 'new world order' can be created. It's a great opportunity. It isn't such a crisis."
"he can give new impetus to American foreign policy ... I think that his task will be to develop an overall strategy for America in this period, when really a 'new world order' can be created. It's a great opportunity. It isn't such a crisis."
Monday, February 9, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
You Try to Live on $500k in this Town
I almost feel sorry for the bankers. OK, actually not at all. Great little article to put in perspective how it is for the rest of us in the real world. Important to understand how our middle class is nearly extinct. We will miss it when it's gone.
Here
Here
Either The Economy is Getting Worse...
Or I'm getting really lazy. Either way I don't feel like posting all this stuff individually. So here is a list of stuff that is going on right now generally involving the downward spiral we are experiencing.
http://www.bizcovering.com/Employment/Recession-Proof-Your-Business.509881
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-w1nqzYTS4
http://www.speaker.gov/img/jobsrecessions.jpg
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/06/AR2009020603195.html?hpid%3Dopinionsbox1&sub=AR
http://www.pubrecord.org/law/672-halliburton-unit-to-plead-guilty-to-massive-cheney-era-bribery-scheme.html
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/02/02/food.stamps.economy/index.html
http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/04/news/economy/city_troubles/index.htm
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20090207/tbs-business-us-financial-bankfailure-7318940.html
I guess you'll just have to copy and paste them. Like I said I'm feeling pretty lazy
http://www.bizcovering.com/Employment/Recession-Proof-Your-Business.509881
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-w1nqzYTS4
http://www.speaker.gov/img/jobsrecessions.jpg
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/06/AR2009020603195.html?hpid%3Dopinionsbox1&sub=AR
http://www.pubrecord.org/law/672-halliburton-unit-to-plead-guilty-to-massive-cheney-era-bribery-scheme.html
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/02/02/food.stamps.economy/index.html
http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/04/news/economy/city_troubles/index.htm
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20090207/tbs-business-us-financial-bankfailure-7318940.html
I guess you'll just have to copy and paste them. Like I said I'm feeling pretty lazy
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Quote of the Day
Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take away everything you love........the course of history shows that as a government grows liberty decreases.
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Monday, February 2, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Incredible Story About When A Police Raid Goes Wrong
Police raid a house basically without any reason, terrorize a family, kill their two labs, never apologize. Think it can't happen to you. Read the article to find out more here. BTW he was the mayor.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Obama "White" House
I'm actually a Obama supporter but would like to make this papercraft for a friend of mine.
Looks like an easy assembly.
Looks like an easy assembly.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Scott Adams (Dilbert) Made Me Cry a Little
Saddest thing I've read today. Makes me dread what I will have to do soon. Read here.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
President Obama Making a Reasonable Speach on Religion
I can live with this and I think this is how many of us feel. Nice to have someone who can actually express themselves and get the point across without alienating everyone.
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