Bandit Gang Writ Large

Regulator on Bitcoin: Same Rules Apply

"The top U.S. anti-money-laundering regulator on Monday told a Bitcoin trade group that exchanges for the virtual currency must follow the same rules as established financial institutions, highlighting the government's efforts to keep tabs on a small but growing segment of the financial world. The Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or Fincen,hosted the Bitcoin Foundation and other regulators and law-enforcement officials as the sides grapple with the rise of virtual currencies. Such digital money isn't backed by a central government and often, as with Bitcoin, isn't controlled by any central entity." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRegulator on Bitcoin: Same Rules Apply

Even Eurocrats Realize that Taxes Can Be Too High

"Tax increases imposed by the Socialist-led government in France have reached a 'fatal level', the EU's commissioner for economic affairs said today. Olli Rehn warned that a series of tax hikes since the Socialists took power 14 months ago – including €33bn in new taxes this year – threatens to 'destroy growth and handicap the creation of jobs'. President Hollande has kept his electoral promise to attack French deficits and accumulated debt. He has done so, however, almost entirely by tax increases rather than by cuts in a state apparatus which swallows 56.6 per cent of the country’s GDP. It has emerged that final budget plans for 2014 will include at least €6bn in tax rises." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEven Eurocrats Realize that Taxes Can Be Too High

Southern California Cities Further Reject Red Light Cameras

"Embattled red light camera vendor Redflex Traffic Systems has lost another contract. The Escondido, California city council voted unanimously Wednesday to allow the Australian company's right to issue near $500 tickets expire on December 12, and ticketing will cease even sooner. Councilmen were swayed by the $89,000 cost per intersection to run cameras compared to $2400 to coordinate signal timing and $5000 per year to add protected left-hand turns. Escondido loses $177,000 a year on the program while Redflex and the county and state governments profit from it. That turned out to be too high a financial cost for other city officials who otherwise support photo ticketing." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSouthern California Cities Further Reject Red Light Cameras

Stop Cops’ Carjacking

"Civil asset forfeiture became law over 40 years ago as part of the failed and insane 'War on Drugs.' But seizures from ACTUAL drug couriers are a small expense for the drug lords. Police also have an incentive to ALLOW drug deals to be made so they can seize more money afterward. That's because the wealth they steal helps fund their departments and often pays for their bonuses. As a result, cops become carjackers. Police stole a woman’s car because she loaned it to her son, who was carrying a handgun. Police stole $28,500 in church offerings. Police stole FORTY cars in one night at an art gallery event. An outdated Detroit 'speakeasy' law was the excuse. Of course, the police also steal houses and other valuables. In Philadelphia, the police steal 100 houses each year." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingStop Cops’ Carjacking

Stop Cops’ Carjacking

"Civil asset forfeiture became law over 40 years ago as part of the failed and insane 'War on Drugs.' But seizures from ACTUAL drug couriers are a small expense for the drug lords. Police also have an incentive to ALLOW drug deals to be made so they can seize more money afterward. That's because the wealth they steal helps fund their departments and often pays for their bonuses. As a result, cops become carjackers. Police stole a woman’s car because she loaned it to her son, who was carrying a handgun. Police stole $28,500 in church offerings. Police stole FORTY cars in one night at an art gallery event. An outdated Detroit 'speakeasy' law was the excuse. Of course, the police also steal houses and other valuables. In Philadelphia, the police steal 100 houses each year." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingStop Cops’ Carjacking

Stop Cops’ Carjacking

"Civil asset forfeiture became law over 40 years ago as part of the failed and insane 'War on Drugs.' But seizures from ACTUAL drug couriers are a small expense for the drug lords. Police also have an incentive to ALLOW drug deals to be made so they can seize more money afterward. That's because the wealth they steal helps fund their departments and often pays for their bonuses. As a result, cops become carjackers. Police stole a woman’s car because she loaned it to her son, who was carrying a handgun. Police stole $28,500 in church offerings. Police stole FORTY cars in one night at an art gallery event. An outdated Detroit 'speakeasy' law was the excuse. Of course, the police also steal houses and other valuables. In Philadelphia, the police steal 100 houses each year." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingStop Cops’ Carjacking

Stop Cops’ Carjacking

"Civil asset forfeiture became law over 40 years ago as part of the failed and insane 'War on Drugs.' But seizures from ACTUAL drug couriers are a small expense for the drug lords. Police also have an incentive to ALLOW drug deals to be made so they can seize more money afterward. That's because the wealth they steal helps fund their departments and often pays for their bonuses. As a result, cops become carjackers. Police stole a woman’s car because she loaned it to her son, who was carrying a handgun. Police stole $28,500 in church offerings. Police stole FORTY cars in one night at an art gallery event. An outdated Detroit 'speakeasy' law was the excuse. Of course, the police also steal houses and other valuables. In Philadelphia, the police steal 100 houses each year." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingStop Cops’ Carjacking

Stop Cops’ Carjacking

"Civil asset forfeiture became law over 40 years ago as part of the failed and insane 'War on Drugs.' But seizures from ACTUAL drug couriers are a small expense for the drug lords. Police also have an incentive to ALLOW drug deals to be made so they can seize more money afterward. That's because the wealth they steal helps fund their departments and often pays for their bonuses. As a result, cops become carjackers. Police stole a woman’s car because she loaned it to her son, who was carrying a handgun. Police stole $28,500 in church offerings. Police stole FORTY cars in one night at an art gallery event. An outdated Detroit 'speakeasy' law was the excuse. Of course, the police also steal houses and other valuables. In Philadelphia, the police steal 100 houses each year." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingStop Cops’ Carjacking

Stop Cops’ Carjacking

"Civil asset forfeiture became law over 40 years ago as part of the failed and insane 'War on Drugs.' But seizures from ACTUAL drug couriers are a small expense for the drug lords. Police also have an incentive to ALLOW drug deals to be made so they can seize more money afterward. That's because the wealth they steal helps fund their departments and often pays for their bonuses. As a result, cops become carjackers. Police stole a woman’s car because she loaned it to her son, who was carrying a handgun. Police stole $28,500 in church offerings. Police stole FORTY cars in one night at an art gallery event. An outdated Detroit 'speakeasy' law was the excuse. Of course, the police also steal houses and other valuables. In Philadelphia, the police steal 100 houses each year." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingStop Cops’ Carjacking