A Christian Alternative to Health Insurance (ObamaCare Exempt)

"As nonprofits, health care sharing ministries aren't required to follow the same state and federal regulations as health insurance companies. The Affordable Care Act has a section that exempts members of health care sharing ministries from purchasing insurance. The Amish, Mennonite, and Indian tribe communities also are exempt from the penalty that will be incurred on Americans who fail to purchase health insurance by 2014. Since the law was passed in 2010, membership for Medi-Share and Samaritan Ministries has risen by about 40 percent. Christian health sharing ministries are largely unregulated, except by themselves." Continue reading

Continue ReadingA Christian Alternative to Health Insurance (ObamaCare Exempt)

A Christian Alternative to Health Insurance (ObamaCare Exempt)

"As nonprofits, health care sharing ministries aren't required to follow the same state and federal regulations as health insurance companies. The Affordable Care Act has a section that exempts members of health care sharing ministries from purchasing insurance. The Amish, Mennonite, and Indian tribe communities also are exempt from the penalty that will be incurred on Americans who fail to purchase health insurance by 2014. Since the law was passed in 2010, membership for Medi-Share and Samaritan Ministries has risen by about 40 percent. Christian health sharing ministries are largely unregulated, except by themselves." Continue reading

Continue ReadingA Christian Alternative to Health Insurance (ObamaCare Exempt)

Insurers predict 100% to 400% Obamacare rate explosion

"Internal cost estimates from 17 of the nation's largest insurance companies indicate that health insurance premiums will grow an average of 100 percent under Obamacare, and that some will soar more than 400 percent, crushing the administration's goal of affordability. New regulations, policies, taxes, fees and mandates are the reason for the unexpected 'rate shock,' according to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which released a report Monday based on internal documents provided by the insurance companies. The 17 companies include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Kaiser Foundation." Continue reading

Continue ReadingInsurers predict 100% to 400% Obamacare rate explosion

Insurers predict 100% to 400% Obamacare rate explosion

"Internal cost estimates from 17 of the nation's largest insurance companies indicate that health insurance premiums will grow an average of 100 percent under Obamacare, and that some will soar more than 400 percent, crushing the administration's goal of affordability. New regulations, policies, taxes, fees and mandates are the reason for the unexpected 'rate shock,' according to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which released a report Monday based on internal documents provided by the insurance companies. The 17 companies include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Kaiser Foundation." Continue reading

Continue ReadingInsurers predict 100% to 400% Obamacare rate explosion

Dutch firm Eliantie offers staff holiday pay in bitcoins

"An ICT recruitment firm based in the Netherlands is offering its employees holiday pay in the form of bitcoins, according to Dutch news sources. Eliantie announced in a press release today that staff members will receive their vacation pay in bitcoins, the news site NU reported. The company has reportedly been mining bitcoins since 2010, and has now amassed enough of the digital currency to begin using it for holiday pay. Eliantie employees were initially reluctant to accept bitcoins, reported the Dutch-language publication Automation Guide. Following several informational meetings, however, 'they are almost all convinced of the benefits,' it reported." Continue reading

Continue ReadingDutch firm Eliantie offers staff holiday pay in bitcoins

Bitcoin Hardware Wallet: Alpha Software Demonstration

"This is a demonstration of the alpha version of my Bitcoin Hardware Wallet, code-named the Bitcoin Titan. All of the necessary features are implemented and working correctly. The software is undergoing final polish and testing. The first board spin is underway. Obviously, excuse the crude graphics and wonky font; those will be cleaned up during the polishing." Continue reading

Continue ReadingBitcoin Hardware Wallet: Alpha Software Demonstration

Bill Bonner: This is not a normal economy at all

"'Normal' is what you get when you don't experiment. So, how can you get to 'normal' from a 'Great Experiment?' We will leave that for the philosophers of tomorrow. Today, we'll merely suggest that maybe this economy isn't so normal. What's normal about an economy where the major financial institutions can borrow money at zero real cost? What's normal about an economy in which people who have run their businesses so recklessly that they had to be bailed out by the government are still running their businesses...and can now borrow at lower rates than good businesses?" Continue reading

Continue ReadingBill Bonner: This is not a normal economy at all

Japan stocks and consumer spending storm back on weak yen

"Growth jumped to a 3.5pc rate in the first quarter, vindicating the government’s efforts to break Japan’s deflation psychology and lift the country out of its 20-year ice age. 'Abe’s kickstart appears to have succeeded,' said Flemming Nielsen from Danske Bank. Retail sales are soaring as a 'wealth shock' electrifies the economy. The Nikkei index has risen has 70pc since November, with foreign hedge funds among the first to jump on the bandwagon. The weaker yen is already delivering a powerful punch, accounting for almost half the growth. The currency has dropped 30pc against the dollar and China’s yuan since August, and 37pc against the euro." Continue reading

Continue ReadingJapan stocks and consumer spending storm back on weak yen