for life and liberty

A Helping Hand for Bernanke and Co.

"Especially in the spirit of Mr. Bernanke’s commitment to transparency and accountability, his concluding remarks surely encourage the prospects for passage of the pending legislation introduced by Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX), chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, to constitute a Centennial Monetary Commission, HR 1176. The legislation’s purpose: 'To establish a commission to examine the United States monetary policy, evaluate alternative monetary regimes and recommend a course for monetary policy going forward.' The duties set forth for the commission fully coincide with Mr. Bernanke’s public call." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingA Helping Hand for Bernanke and Co.

The US student loan problem – facts, charts, thoughts

"The unlimited availability of student loans has allowed colleges to sharply raise tuition and fees over the past few years - often simply because they could (as they kept on hiring). The rising cost of higher education in turn forced students to take out larger loans and in greater numbers, increasing the overall loan balances. This feedback loop is clearly unsustainable, particularly as household income growth remains weak. Higher delinquencies are inevitable and as long as the government funds this program, there really is only one way to arrest rising levels of student debt." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe US student loan problem – facts, charts, thoughts

86 Congressional signers demand an end to the FDA’s ban on gay blood donors

"Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and a group of 86 other signatories from Congress sent a letter on Thursday to call for an end to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s ban on blood donors who are 'men who have had sex with other men (MSM), at any time since 1977,' a policy the FDA has had in place since the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis in 1992. The American Medical Association, widely regarded as the most mainstream medical organization in the country, recently joined the chorus of those who oppose the FDA’s ban on gay and bisexual blood donors." Continue reading →

Continue Reading86 Congressional signers demand an end to the FDA’s ban on gay blood donors

State Department ends ban on visas for same sex spouses of American citizens

"U.S. officials paved the way on Friday for same-sex spouses to visit or live in the United States, announcing the State Department will give equal treatment to visa applications of gays and lesbians who want to travel with their partner. Secretary of State John Kerry said the shift will allow the department to start processing requests from married gay couples the same way it handles those from heterosexual spouses. The move would help U.S. citizens live and travel with their same-sex spouse in the United State as well as allow married couples from other countries to visit the United States." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingState Department ends ban on visas for same sex spouses of American citizens

Countries with the world’s most libertarian laws

"In 2001, Portugal became the first European country to decriminalise possession of all drugs for personal use. The country introduced state-funded therapy programmes for abusers which have seen record number of people seeking help. Rates of HIV infection and drug-related deaths have also halved in the ten years since the new legislation. But it is in fact the Czechs that have the most liberal laws when it comes to personal use. Citizens can legally be in possession of up to half an ounce of marijuana, 40 ‘magic mushrooms’, four tabs of LSD or Ecstasy and one gram of cocaine." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCountries with the world’s most libertarian laws

Did cops need to kill a 95-year-old veteran with a Taser, riot shield and shotgun?

"When John Wrana was a young man, fit and strong and fighting in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps, did he ever think he'd end this way? Just a few weeks shy of his 96th birthday, in need of a walker to move about, cops coming through the door of his retirement home with a Taser and a shotgun. The old man, described by a family member as 'wobbly' on his feet, had refused medical attention. The paramedics were called. They brought in the Park Forest police.First they tased him, but that didn't work. So they fired a shotgun, hitting him in the stomach with a bean-bag round. Wrana was struck with such force that he bled to death internally." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDid cops need to kill a 95-year-old veteran with a Taser, riot shield and shotgun?

Private Investor and Trader Joe Lewis Not Backing Bitcoin Ventures, Contra WSJ

"Noted private investor and trader Joe Lewis is not backing any Bitcoin ventures, as previously reported today. 'I have no investments whatsoever in any Bitcoin ventures,' said Lewis. A story widely reported in several publications inaccurately stated that Lewis is supporting the virtual currency through Phoenix Fund, a fund with no affiliation to Lewis or Tavistock Group. 'Unfortunately, many immature investments and investors would like the association of private investors like Joe Lewis. They bring instant credibility,' said Douglas McMahon, senior managing director of Tavistock Group, a private investment organization founded by Lewis." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPrivate Investor and Trader Joe Lewis Not Backing Bitcoin Ventures, Contra WSJ

Why bitcoins are 60% more expensive in Argentina than the US

"The country’s citizens, faced with an annual inflation rate of around 25%, are turning their backs on their national currency. Official figures put the annual rate of inflation at around 10%, but private economists estimate it to be more than double this. In February 2011, the government started issuing fines of up to 500,000 pesos ($123,442) to economists and consulting firms that refuted the official figures. To access dollars legally in Argentina, buyers have to make a request through the central bank and AFIP (the tax revenue office), which check how much the buyer is requesting and what it is for." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhy bitcoins are 60% more expensive in Argentina than the US

Norway Gets U.S. Help Chasing Citizens Dodging Income Taxes

"Federal courts in six states have allowed the Internal Revenue Service to issue summonses to U.S. banks at the request of the Norwegian government, and the banks may now have to give up information on people who used some kinds of credit and debit cards. The development signals increasing cooperation between governments to stop offshore tax evasion. The U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act may lead to dozens of agreements between countries to exchange information on bank accounts. The development is significant because the U.S. government went to federal court in eight states at Norway (NOUE)’s request." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNorway Gets U.S. Help Chasing Citizens Dodging Income Taxes