Land Of The Flea

Another California scheme to fleece motorists and eviscerate their rights

"AB666 would require that these tickets be prosecuted through an administrative hearing conducted by the jurisdiction running the camera program rather than through an independent traffic court. ...AB666 makes the vehicle owner responsible for violations committed by someone else unless you can prove who was driving the vehicle...And if you don't, they will put a hold on your registration until you pay up. Not bad enough? The hold on your registration gets applied as soon as they mail you the ticket, not after you are found guilty. It gets worse. The tickets are considered Prima Facie evidence against you. No other evidence has to be submitted against you." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAnother California scheme to fleece motorists and eviscerate their rights

War Without End

"There has been much in the news over the past two weeks commemorating the 10th anniversary of the beginning of the pre-emptive Iraq War. The above YouTube video commemorates the ending of an even greater conflict, World War I, which began in 1914 and ended in 1918. This is one of the most powerful and heart-wrenching documentaries you will ever watch, especially the never-to-be-forgotten recitation of the Siegfried Sassoon poem, Aftermath, by actor Jeremy Irons at the end of the program (which garnered an Emmy Award)." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWar Without End

Actuarial study: Obamacare law to bring double-digit percent increases to insurance premiums

"Medical claims costs — the biggest driver of health insurance premiums — will jump an average 32% for Americans' individual policies under the Affordable Care Act health care law, according to a study out Tuesday by the nation's leading group of financial risk analysts. While some states will see medical claims costs per person decline, the report prepared by the Society of Actuaries concluded that the overwhelming majority will see double-digit increases in their individual health insurance markets, where people purchase coverage directly from insurers. Much of the reason for the higher claims costs is that sicker people are expected to join the pool, the report said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingActuarial study: Obamacare law to bring double-digit percent increases to insurance premiums

Obama Admin. Ignores Nullification: Federal Agents Will Enforce ObamaCare

"President Obama will not wait on states to enforce ObamaCare. The Obama administration has announced its intent to disregard state laws and state constitutional amendments prohibiting the enforcement of ObamaCare. Federal agents from the Department of Health and Human Services will assume absolute control over states’ health insurance industry and regulation in states that refuse to comply with the federal healthcare mandates." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama Admin. Ignores Nullification: Federal Agents Will Enforce ObamaCare

Are You A Good Candidate For Expatriation?

"I’ve discovered the motivations for our expatriation clients to take this step are more nuanced than mere tax avoidance. A case in point is the overwhelming compliance burden U.S. taxpayers living overseas face. The information reporting regime they face is complex, overlapping, and constantly evolving. Even minor violations are subject to draconian penalties. What’s more, U.S. laws force foreign banks and other financial institutions to enforce U.S. tax and reporting rules with respect to their U.S. clients. In many cases, it’s easier for foreign banks to 'fire' U.S. clients than deal with this risk." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAre You A Good Candidate For Expatriation?

Internationalization and the Libertarian Principle

"A quiet exodus has begun. Increasingly, citizens of the troubled First World are investigating the possibility of expatriating to more favourable destinations. At present, a 'flood' has not occurred into any jurisdiction; however, the numbers are unquestionably on the rise in quite a few countries. Many of these people come from those countries that, until recently, were considered to be the best places to be. Of greater interest than the actual percentages, however, is the description of those expatriating." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingInternationalization and the Libertarian Principle

NJ Police Lieutenant: Meeting Ticket Quotas A Daily Exercise In “Creative Writing”

"'Creative writing,' is how one East Orange police lieutenant described a typical day on the job. In order to tally a high number of tickets he might break up a fight just over the Newark border and report it occurred in East Orange, issue jaywalking tickets or cite a parent who has double-parked outside an elementary school to run in to pick up her child. Seven members of the East Orange Police Department said during in-person interviews that in the past two years, and most aggressively in recent months, the chief has instituted a quota system, demanding more summonses, arrests, pedestrian and motorist stops with little justification." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNJ Police Lieutenant: Meeting Ticket Quotas A Daily Exercise In “Creative Writing”

Poll shows huge support for Rand Paul’s filibuster stance on drone attacks

"When Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) filibustered for nearly 13 hours two weeks ago, he had the American people on his side. A new Gallup poll shows a huge majority of Americans — 79 percent — supported Paul’s position that drone strikes should not be used on American soil against Americans suspected of terrorism. Just 13 percent say it would be okay. Americans also don’t support drone strikes against any suspected terrorist on American soil (25 percent support, 66 percent oppose) or against U.S. citizens suspected of terrorism abroad (41 percent support, 52 percent support)." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPoll shows huge support for Rand Paul’s filibuster stance on drone attacks

Mike Bloomberg: “I do think there are certain times we should infringe on your freedom”

"'I do think there are certain times we should infringe on your freedom,' Mr. Bloomberg said, during an appearance on NBC. He made the statement during discussion of his soda ban — just shot down by the courts — and insistence that his fight to control sugary drink portion sizes in the city would go forth." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMike Bloomberg: “I do think there are certain times we should infringe on your freedom”

Swiss expats unhappy with FATCA deal

"Swiss citizens who live abroad have made their displeasure with their home country known regarding its planned implementation of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). The U.S. law has been agreed to by Switzerland and is set to go into effect in 2014. Some 76,000 Swiss citizens who currently reside in the U.S. are being told they cannot hold Swiss bank accounts, or are now being charged higher fees, according to the OSA." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSwiss expats unhappy with FATCA deal