CLibertyC

Renewing Your US Passport? BEWARE — – State Department Now Transmits Your SSN & Location to the IRS

"Traditionally, the functions of the US Treasury and the Department of State were completely separate. However, we are seeing a continued erosion of this distinction as troubling economic times continue. The US passport renewal form mandates that the applicant supply his Social Security Number (SSN) if he has one. A $500 penalty applies for failure of a passport applicant to provide the SSN, unless reasonable cause can be established. In addition, the statute mandates that the State Department must provide your SSN and foreign residence information to the Department of Treasury, and to notify the IRS if you refuse. So, you lose either way." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRenewing Your US Passport? BEWARE — – State Department Now Transmits Your SSN & Location to the IRS

Americans: One Divorce You’ll Never Get

"Some people are worried about the future of the U.S. dollar and they believe that moving from the States is a way to distance themselves from its possible decline. Well, yes and no. While diversifying your asset holdings by currency is often a wise move, the truth is that if you're a U.S. citizen you'll never be able to walk away from the dollar completely -- even if you move overseas. Likewise if you're a Canadian or citizen of any other country -- it's hard to totally divorce yourself from your national currency. Here are two reasons why." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAmericans: One Divorce You’ll Never Get

Americans: One Divorce You’ll Never Get

"Some people are worried about the future of the U.S. dollar and they believe that moving from the States is a way to distance themselves from its possible decline. Well, yes and no. While diversifying your asset holdings by currency is often a wise move, the truth is that if you're a U.S. citizen you'll never be able to walk away from the dollar completely -- even if you move overseas. Likewise if you're a Canadian or citizen of any other country -- it's hard to totally divorce yourself from your national currency. Here are two reasons why." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAmericans: One Divorce You’ll Never Get

Swiss government signs tax compliance deal with US

"Switzerland and the United States have signed a controversial deal aimed at cracking down on wealthy American tax dodgers. The accord further undermines Switzerland’s tradition of banking secrecy. Finance Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf told a news conference that Switzerland had decided to agree to a bilateral deal with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which allows for certain exceptions, notably for the Swiss insurance sector, pension funds and the Swiss National Bank. Swiss banks active in international financial markets have no choice but to apply the US rules, according to Widmer-Schlumpf." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSwiss government signs tax compliance deal with US

Swiss government signs tax compliance deal with US

"Switzerland and the United States have signed a controversial deal aimed at cracking down on wealthy American tax dodgers. The accord further undermines Switzerland’s tradition of banking secrecy. Finance Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf told a news conference that Switzerland had decided to agree to a bilateral deal with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which allows for certain exceptions, notably for the Swiss insurance sector, pension funds and the Swiss National Bank. Swiss banks active in international financial markets have no choice but to apply the US rules, according to Widmer-Schlumpf." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSwiss government signs tax compliance deal with US

Americans find it difficult to open bank accounts in UAE

"The recently enacted Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (Fatca) by the US government is the reason for banks to close its doors to US citizens. When institutions fail to report or disclose information the consequences can be grave, one of the penalties being the withdrawal of US Dollar clearing rights in New York, a penalty feared by banks. Meanwhile, US citizens are reported to have been refused by banks when they wanted to open a new bank account." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAmericans find it difficult to open bank accounts in UAE

Americans find it difficult to open bank accounts in UAE

"The recently enacted Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (Fatca) by the US government is the reason for banks to close its doors to US citizens. When institutions fail to report or disclose information the consequences can be grave, one of the penalties being the withdrawal of US Dollar clearing rights in New York, a penalty feared by banks. Meanwhile, US citizens are reported to have been refused by banks when they wanted to open a new bank account." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAmericans find it difficult to open bank accounts in UAE

Projections re Cost of Medicaid Expansion: Too Good to Be True

There are a lot of Latin phrases you learn when you’re in law school. Some of them have even made their way into common, everyday English! One of those is the warning caveat emptor, “Let the buyer beware.” Expressed in more modern terms, caveat emptor serves the same purpose as the reminder that, if a… more

Continue ReadingProjections re Cost of Medicaid Expansion: Too Good to Be True

Police Officer Shoots a Trainee

"Should he still be a trainer? Still be a cop? Probably not, but let the investigation proceed and let his full record be taken into account as higher-ups decide how to handle the incident. But let’s consider how an ordinary citizen would be treated under similar circumstances. Let’s say an NRA instructor had been 'playing around,' picked up a loaded weapon, and accidently fired at some spectators during a training session. Would reckless endangerment charges be brought?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPolice Officer Shoots a Trainee

Police Chief Admits: Our Guns are Offensive Weapons Used to Commit Aggression

"'A gun is not a defensive weapon,' insists Emeryville, California Police Chief Ken James, who claims that his mind, which most likely boggles easily, is 'boggled' by the idea that guns could serve a defensive purpose. 'That is a myth. A gun is an offensive weapon used to intimidate and used to show power. Police officers do not carry a gun as a defensive weapon to defend themselves or their other [sic] officers. They carry a gun in order to do their job in a safe and effective manner, and face any oppositions [sic] that we may come upon.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPolice Chief Admits: Our Guns are Offensive Weapons Used to Commit Aggression