Federal Judge Eviscerates Albuquerque’s ‘Asset Forfeiture’ Racket

"A federal judge has ruled that Albuquerque's civil asset forfeiture program violated residents' due process rights by forcing them to prove their innocence to retrieve their cars. Under civil forfeiture laws, police can seize property suspected of being connected to criminal activity, even if the owner isn't charged with a crime."

Continue ReadingFederal Judge Eviscerates Albuquerque’s ‘Asset Forfeiture’ Racket

Whirlpool profits strangled by the tariffs it once supported

"The U.S. company was a major advocate for legislation to protect against what Bitzer last year called a 'long story of dumping' by foreign competitors LG and Samsung in the washing machine business. Now the company cites U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium as contributing to the increased cost in Whirpool's raw materials."

Continue ReadingWhirlpool profits strangled by the tariffs it once supported

Missouri senator’s husband reaped $131 million in federal subsidies over 10 years

"Shepard's personal income from the investments grew considerably since McCaskill took office in 2007. He reportedly made between $1,608 and $16,731 in 2006. But in 2017, Shepard reportedly earned between $365,374 and $1.1 million 'from investments in housing projects that received federal subsidies.'"

Continue ReadingMissouri senator’s husband reaped $131 million in federal subsidies over 10 years

More and More of What We Do Depends on Government Permission

"That permission, unsurprisingly, is contingent on keeping government officials happy. Rub those officials the wrong way and they'll strip you of permission to travel the roads, leave the country, or even make a living. That's not a recipe for a free country."

Continue ReadingMore and More of What We Do Depends on Government Permission

US breaks up phone scam where fake government agents believably extorted victims

"The fraudulent calls came suddenly and frequently while the scam was active from 2012 to 2016, according to court documents. A person posing as an Internal Revenue Service or immigration official was on the phone, threatening arrest, deportation or other penalties if the victims did not immediately pay their debts with prepaid cards or wire transfers."

Continue ReadingUS breaks up phone scam where fake government agents believably extorted victims