POLITICAL: Let’s get the “unfunded liabilities” out of the shadows

Friday, November 13, 2015

http://blog.independent.org/2015/10/20/milton-friedmans-solution-for-social-security-would-work-for-government-pensions-too/

Milton Friedman’s Solution for Social Security Would Work for Government Pensions Too
By Lawrence J. McQuillan  •  Tuesday October 20, 2015 3:16 PM PDT  

*** begin quote ***

Friedman’s approach to Social Security can also be applied to ending the state and local government pension crisis. The programs are very similar: Social Security and state and local public pensions have massive unfunded liabilities; and they promise a stream of benefits after retirement.

Applying Friedman’s solution, state and local governments across the country would close their defined-benefit pension plans and issue bonds to beneficiaries equal to the current expected value of the stream of benefits owed. The bonds would be due today or at retirement depending on the beneficiary’s stage of life.

As with Social Security, this approach would ensure that people receive what they have been promised. It would force governments to acknowledge the true extent of the unfunded pension liabilities and establish a specific financing plan (something they refuse to do today). And it would permanently close these politically mismanaged defined-benefit plans.

*** end quote ***

The current 18T+ national debt and the guesstimated 200T+ in unfunded liabilities is what our posterity will have to deal with.

“When there’s an elephant in the room introduce him!” From his “Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch (RIP 2007 at age 47)

Just pretending it’s an “off balance sheet” entry is reminiscent of Enron.

Take the medicine now when it’s just disgusting; rather than dies a horrible death from a self0inlicted wound.

Take off the blinders and wake the flock up. 

“We, The Sheeple” are heading for a slaughter!

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POLITICAL: Fiorina doesn’t need to give a written detail of her tax plan

Thursday, November 12, 2015

https://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/carly-fiorina-written-tax-plans-never-implemented/2015/11/08/id/701168/

Fiorina: No Need for Written Tax Plan
By Greg Richter
Sunday, 08 Nov 2015 12:04 PM

*** begin quote ***

Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina said in an interview televised Sunday that she doesn’t need to give a written detail of her tax plan since such plans are never implemented exactly as written anyway.

“Politicians put out detailed plans for all kinds of things; it never happens,” Fiorina said on “Meet the Press.”  

Instead, she said, people should got to her website where she answers questions from all comers about her plans as president.

*** end quote ***

So why doesn’t she put her three pages on the website?

I bet at HP she certainly had written plans. How else do you communicate what you will at least attempt to do?

She lost ground in my “measuring”!

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VETERANS: Don’t “thank me for my service”; do bring the troops home

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

2015-Nov-11

As a stateside vet from 1970-1973 during the Viet Nam ‘war”, I am keenly aware of all the KIAs, MIAs, the maimed, and those forever changed vets. I think that the way society treats them — dusts them off for Veterans Day and then puts their problems out of sight and mind back in the closet until next year — is hypocritical.

When the “Wounded Warriors” charity has to advertise to help them, that’s a symptom of the problem. When we let politicians and bureaucrats — of both parties — send the future vets to war without a vote, that’s a symptom of the problem. When the politicians are too busy to ‘welcome’ every returning vet and ‘bury’ every body coming home, that’s a symptom of the problem.

So please don’t “thank me for my service”, in the grand scheme of things, my sacrifice was so modest compared to the others, it’s not worth mentioning. Instead use that effort to solve some of the problems. Most notably, demand that the politicians and bureaucrats bring the girls and boys home immediately like Ron Paul suggested in the last two Presidential campaigns.

On Wall Street, there’s an old maxim that so true and applies here. “When in a hole, stop digging!” You want to honor all the Vets, stop making new ones. We should not be sending girls and boys to fight unless the Congress votes an old fashioned declaration of war because our liberty is the threatened and we have no choice.

Dona Nobis Pacem!

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VETERANS: The Commander In Chief should be vetted if we have “boots” getting killed or maimed

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

2015-Nov-11

Release the Records: Ben Carson vs. Barack Obama, College Edition
Nov. 9, 2015 7:34am
Wayne Root

*** begin quote ***

The mainstream media just opened the door for conservatives to demand President Barack Obama release his Columbia University records immediately. How nice of them! Thank you!

The media decided to investigate Dr. Ben Carson’s claims about getting a scholarship offer from West Point. They say Dr. Carson made a “false claim.”

Did he?

I don’t know. It’s muddled and debatable, although clear that one of the world’s most prominent brain surgeons certainly doesn’t need to exaggerate any claims about his education. Dr. Carson claimed he was “offered” a scholarship by a well-known Army general if he applied to West Point. He wanted to be a doctor and chose not to. Was it an actual scholarship offer, or just a casual conversation? Politicians exaggerate or remember things to their benefit all the time. But his claim, however interpreted, didn’t cost taxpayers a dime.

The same can’t be said of Obama’s whoppers. Obama’s lies about Obamacare alone have cost American taxpayers millions, even billions in higher premiums and medical costs. Like millions of others, I lost my insurance based on Obama’s lies, and now I’m paying far more and getting far less. Obama promised the world and delivered disaster.

Now THAT’S a significant lie.

Jonathan Gruber, the architect of Obamacare, even admitted fraud was committed to fool the “dumb voters.”

But, let’s compare apples to apples. The media is going after Dr. Carson for supposedly making false claims about his college record. So isn’t this the perfect time to demand fair, unbiased and equal treatment of Obama’s college record? As any good trial lawyer would say, “The media opened the door to this one.” If you can investigate Dr. Carson, then you must investigate Obama’s claims about college as well.

Apples to apples. The media is trying to disqualify Dr. Carson’s right to the presidency based on his college records. Why did they never check Obama’s college records? Why are Obama’s Columbia records STILL sealed seven years into his presidency?

The media anxiously called West Point demanding to verify Dr. Carson’s claims, but never called Columbia to verify Obama’s claims. Why? If claims about college from 30 or 40 years ago are important for Dr. Carson, why not Obama?

Did Obama make false claims about his college experience? No one can prove it (yet) because his college records are sealed. Why? What is he hiding? If it matters for Carson, it should even more for a man already sitting in the White House with his fingers on the economy and the nuclear button.

It’s time to DEMAND that Obama release his Columbia college records.

*** end quote ***

I am shocked that this has never been exposed before.

We know why.

BHO44 is crazy radical leftist democrat. So no vetting was required.

See my rants on war, and you’ll know why I want the “Nobel Peace Prize winner” to be vetted BEFORE he gets girls and boys maimed and killed.

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GOLDBUG: China acts like gold is NOT a “barbarous relic”

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

https://www.newsmax.com/Finance/StreetTalk/china-gold-tons-metal/2015/11/07/id/701062/

China Probably Raised Gold Hoard Again by Adding 14 Tons
Saturday, 07 Nov 2015 12:52 PM

 *** begin quote ***

China probably boosted central-bank gold holdings yet again in October, raising them by about 14 metric tons, as it seeks to diversify its foreign exchange reserves.

The value of gold assets was $63.26 billion at the end of last month from $61.19 billion at end-September, according to data on the People’s Bank of China website released Saturday. That works out to 55.38 million troy ounces or about 1,722.5 tons, based on the London Bullion Market Association afternoon price auction on Oct. 30, Bloomberg calculations show. The stash was 54.93 million ounces a month earlier.

China ended six years of mystery in July over how much gold it’s hoarding as it seeks to spur greater global use of its currency and pushes for the yuan to be included in the International Monetary Fund’s Special Drawing Rights basket.

Efforts to promote the yuan have boosted speculation the government is stockpiling gold as part of a plan to diversify its $3.53 trillion in foreign-exchange reserves.

*** end quote ***

Unless you think that the Chinese are “dumb” — according to the Keynesian economists — gold is more valuable than fiat currencies.

Silver and gold were money long ago — prior to the 1932 in the USA — thanks FDR — and probably will be again. 

When the <synonym for excrement> hits the proverbial fan, how will you protect your wealth. 

Real estate can be taxed to death. Savings are ravaged by inflation and zero interest rates. Technology is eliminating unskilled labor at $15 per hour. And outsourcing is killing white collar and high paying blue collar work. Also, just in case there’s anything left, HB1 visas are allowing foreigners to replace American workers.

Trump is tapping into the anger and frustration of “We, The Sheeple”.

And, the Chinese are “diversifying” out of US Treasury debt and into gold.

What should you do? I know what I’m doing.

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LIBERTY: A libertarian view of when to go to war

Monday, November 9, 2015

https://liberty.me/audio-video/the-jason-stapleton-program-war-is-pure-evil-it-is-not-to-be-used-lightly/

Jason Stapleton

2015-Nov-03
US blows 43M$ on a gas station
at a little past the 2 minute mark

*** begin quote ***

Speaking about this Afgan thing, I made a comment the other day something to the effect that if you have to go to war … … … and I explained what an ugly business war is … … how violent it is, how innocent people wind up getting killed, we should never ever ever ever go to war unless our liberty is directly threatened, unless the risk to our way of life exists. And, I use that as the standard to go. The liberty within our shores. What I advocate on this show is a defensive posture. A defensive military. A miltary that defends our borders much the way that Japan had for many years after World War 2. … … But if you have to fight, if Liberty is directly threatened, well then there are no holds barred. If we are going to go out and we know where the enemy is, then we bomb the city and then we bomb it again and rearrange the pieces because we understand that we will lose the greatest gift that God has given us if we don’t stand up and fight.”

*** end quote ***

This is the best description of my feelings on “war”. As a little L libertarian, a porcupine, a Free State Project mover, this is what I want the “Department of Defense” to be.

Sorry but we never needed “Homeland Security” if the “Department of Defense” was doing its job.

Argh!

The Zero Aggression Principle doesn’t mean you don’t fight. It means you never start one. But if you get into one then you just win.

Argh!

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POLITICAL: “Truth in Accounting” for ALL Goofermental units

Sunday, November 8, 2015

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2015/11/john-w-whitehead/no-one-talking/

The Real Issues You Won’t Hear from the 2016 Presidential Candidates This Election Year
By John W. Whitehead
The Rutheford Institute
November 6, 2015

*** begin quote ***

The national debt.

Why aren’t politicians talking about the whopping $18.1 trillion and rising that our government owes to foreign countries, private corporations and its retirement programs? Not only is the U.S. the largest debtor nation in the world, but according to Forbes, “the amount of interest on the national debt is estimated to be accumulating at a rate of over one million dollars per minute.” Shouldn’t the government being on the verge of bankruptcy be an issue worth talking about?

*** end quote ***

It’s worse than that.

The current 18T$+, on its way to 20T$, national debt in only the tip of the iceberg!

Let’s not forget the guesstimated 200T+ in unfunded liabilities that our posterity will have to deal with.

And, what about the States, County, and Municipalities?

Sounds like we need a “Truth in Accounting” law for ALL Goofermental units to follow.

I know in NJ the state pension fund is underfund.

There’s a reason that corporations have gone away from “defined benefit” plans. The Gooferment must do the same.

The Taxpayer can’t be on the hook for an unlimited tab.

Argh!

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POLITICAL: Will “The Mistress of Deception” become President?

Saturday, November 7, 2015

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2015/11/andrew-p-napolitano/mistress-deception/

The Mistress of Deception
By Andrew P. Napolitano
November 5, 2015

*** begin quote ***

So, in violation of federal law and the U.N. arms embargo on Libya she authorized the shipment of American arms to Qatar, knowing they’d be passed off to Libyan rebels, some of whom were al-Qaida, a few of whom killed Ambassador Stevens using American-made weapons. When asked about this, she said she knew nothing of it. The emails underlying this are in the public domain. Clinton not only knew of the arms-to-Libyan-rebels deal, she authored and authorized it. She lied about this under oath.

*** end quote ***

The Judge presumes that the FBI will not be politicized.

Is Hillary to big to topple?

By comparison to other cases, this is bigger and “worser” than any to date.

Go big or go home?

Who will have the hues muchos grande to make the charge?

If there is no patriot to come forward, then she may well get away with it.

Time will tell!

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So, in violation of federal law and the U.N. arms embargo on Libya she authorized the shipment of American arms to Qatar, knowing they’d be passed off to Libyan rebels, some of whom were al-Qaida, a few of whom killed Ambassador Stevens using American-made weapons. When asked about this, she said she knew nothing of it. The emails underlying this are in the public domain. Clinton not only knew of the arms-to-Libyan-rebels deal, she authored and authorized it. She lied about this under oath.

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GUNS: I’d like one of these; maybe a case

Friday, November 6, 2015

http://bearingarms.com/refugee-invasion-spurs-gun-rush-europe/

“Refugee” Invasion Spurs Gun Rush In Europe
Posted by Bob Owens on November 3, 2015 at 7:11 am

*** begin quote ***

Most of Europe lacks Austria’s relative freedom, and so the only way to acquire firearms is on the black market. When firearms ownership is treated harshly and legal firearms are not an option a curious thing happens.

Instead of purchasing a difficult to hide shotgun, a concerned citizen will purchase a submachine gun, such as as a Vz.61 Skorpion, which is becoming increasing popular in “gun free” Great Britain.

Cz skorpion

*** and ***

Every human being is born with an innate human right to armed self-defense, and people will seize that natural right—even if denied that right by government—when threatened.

It’s going to get sporty in Europe, folks.

*** end quote *** 

Sounds right to me.

Everyone who wants one should have one!

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Most of Europe lacks Austria’s relative freedom, and so the only way to acquire firearms is on the black market. When firearms ownership is treated harshly and legal firearms are not an option a curious thing happens.

Instead of purchasing a difficult to hide shotgun, a concerned citizen will purchase a submachine gun, such as as a Vz.61 Skorpion, which is becoming increasing popular in “gun free” Great Britain.

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Posted by reinkefj

TINFOILHAT: Metrojet Flight 9268 speculation

Thursday, November 5, 2015

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2015/11/jack-perry/us-drone-russian-metrojet/

Did a U.S. Sentinel Drone Hit Doomed Russian Metrojet?
By Jack Perry
November 3, 2015

*** begin quote ***

They say this plane broke up in mid-air. Aviation experts say that planes could break up in midair usually because of one of three reasons: a catastrophic weather event, a midair collision, or an external threat, such as a bomb or a missile. But if it hit a drone, wouldn’t we find wreckage of the drone? Not necessarily, at least not immediately. It’ll be mingled with the wreckage of the aircraft. It probably would have gone INTO the aircraft, rather like a bullet into a window. If it ran into the cockpit as its point-of-entry, there would’ve been no radio distress calls or even any register of anything that may point to the crew having seen the drone.

But wouldn’t the drone have been picked up on radar? Not necessarily. The U.S. RQ-170 Sentinel drone is a stealth drone capable of evading radar. Therefore, it would also be manufactured from mostly composites, thus the wreckage of one will take a lot of time to discover if it collided with this airliner. We know these drones are in the Middle East because Iran captured one back in 2011. It has an operational ceiling of up to 50,000 feet. The plane impacted something at around 31,000 feet, well within the altitude range of a Sentinel drone. The latest is that the crew was incapacitated. Yes, and that’s why I think the airliner ran into the drone head-on. They also say the plane lost speed rapidly, again pointing to a head-on midair collision.

*** end quote ***

This will be “interesting” if true!

How will this be covered up?

I’m speechless.

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