sound money

U.S. ‘influenced British government’s decision to introduce secret courts’

"The government argues that CMPs are needed to prevent courtroom disclosure of sensitive evidence from causing damage to the so-called 'control principle' governing intelligence shared between states. Secret evidence, which is already used in terrorism-related immigration tribunals, allows government lawyers to rely on evidence that cannot be seen by victims or claimants, or their lawyers. The evidence can be seen by security-vetted barristers known as special advocates, but they cannot discuss what they have seen. The system is widely regarded as inherently unfair and would inevitably lead to legal challenges." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. ‘influenced British government’s decision to introduce secret courts’

Goldman Sachs Revenue More Than Doubles

"Being a crony capitalist bankster organization pays. Lose money? Get the Federal Reserve to print up $$$$ to bail you out. Make money? Divide it amongst the banksters. Goldman Sachs reported earnings of $1.5 billion, or $2.85 per share, compared with a loss of $428 million, or 84 cents per share, a year earlier. Net revenue rose 133 percent to $8.35 billion from $3.6 billion. Goldman also raised its quarterly dividend to 50 cents per share from 46 cents per share." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGoldman Sachs Revenue More Than Doubles

Mitt Romney: The Great Deformer – David Stockman

"Having a trader’s facility for knowing when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em has virtually nothing to do with rectifying the massive fiscal hemorrhage and debt-burdened private economy before the American electorate. Indeed, the next president’s overriding task is restoring national solvency—an undertaking that will involve immense societywide pain, sacrifice, and denial and that will therefore require “fairness” as a defining principle. And that’s why heralding Romney’s record at Bain is so completely perverse. The record is actually all about the utter unfairness of windfall riches obtained under our anti-free market regime of bubble finance." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMitt Romney: The Great Deformer – David Stockman

$1.3 billion flowing through 2012 presidential race

"Barack Obama may not like asking for money, but the hundreds of people willing to pay upwards of $40,000 a pop to attend star-studded fundraisers in his honor show there are plenty willing to reach deep into their pockets on his behalf. Since May, the president has gone to 69 fundraisers, each with ticket prices topping tens of thousands of dollars. His opponent, Republican Mitt Romney, has held 105 of the donor events, in a frenzied race for money that has already pushed this year’s presidential campaign coffers past $1.3 billion." Continue reading →

Continue Reading$1.3 billion flowing through 2012 presidential race

Romney rakes in $170 million for September; Obama $181 million

"Republican Mitt Romney raised more than $170 million in September, aides said Monday — a record for his campaign but shy of President Barack Obama’s $181 million haul for the same period. With the latest fundraising figures, the Romney campaign and the Republican National Committee (RNC) plus state party participants now have more than $191 million cash on hand just 22 days before the general election." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRomney rakes in $170 million for September; Obama $181 million

Leaked Debate Agreement Shows Both Obama and Romney are Sniveling Cowards

"The 21-page memorandum of understanding that the Obama and Romney campaigns negotiated with the Commission on Presidential Debates establishing the rules governing this month's presidential and vice presidential face-offs shows that both campaigns are terrified at anything even remotely spontaneous happening. They aren't permitted to ask each other questions, propose pledges to each other, or walk outside a 'predesignated area.' And for the town-hall-style debate tomorrow night, the audience members posing questions aren't allowed to ask follow-ups (their mics will be cut off as soon as they get their questions out). Nor will moderator Candy Crowley." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLeaked Debate Agreement Shows Both Obama and Romney are Sniveling Cowards

U.S. Payroll Tax Will Be Higher in 2013

"The Social Security tax withholding rate is expected to return to 6.2% after two years at 4.2%. So far neither party has expressed much interest in another extension, reports WSJ. For someone earning the 2011 median income of $50,054 that translates into $1,001.08 a year or about $40 less in a biweekly paycheck. Below is a WSJ Calculator that will tell you how much more you will pay in taxes." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. Payroll Tax Will Be Higher in 2013

Student protest in Mexico turns violent, 176 arrested

"Mexican students protesting a new curriculum threw homemade explosives, fired rockets and hurled stones at police in a melee that left 176 arrested and 10 police officers injured, officials said. The protesting students are preparing to become teachers in rural areas, and they are angry because the new curriculum includes English and computer science, which they see as low-priority subjects in poor rural areas of Mexico. The students have been holding more than 40 city buses in their possession since October 4, and during Monday’s protest they set fire to 13 of them." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingStudent protest in Mexico turns violent, 176 arrested

More Greek firms eye low-tax Switzerland

"The Swiss fiscal policy has infuriated Brussels, as the European Union sees businesses fleeing EU countries to the tax haven of Switzerland. According to Swiss laws, foreign firms which set up in the country pay €51 billions ($66 billion) less in taxes per year than Swiss companies, said a Swiss television report. Setting an ultimatum, Brussels has given Switzerland until December 13th, when a European summit is held, to present a programme aimed at dismantling such privileges which are judged discriminatory and anti-competitive." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMore Greek firms eye low-tax Switzerland

French business erupts in fury against “disastrous” François Hollande

"France is sliding into a grave economic crisis and risks a full-blown 'hurricane' as investors flee rocketing tax rates, the country’s business federation has warned. Spending has risen to 55pc of GDP, similar to Sweden but without Nordic labour flexibility. French economic growth has been near zero for the past five quarters. It may have tipped into recession over the summer as the malaise spread from Italy and Spain. New car registrations were down 7.7pc in the third quarter from a year earlier. Unemployment has reached a post-euro high of 10.6pc. The fear is that a fiscal shock in 2013 will tip the economy into a sharp downward slide." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFrench business erupts in fury against “disastrous” François Hollande