statism

Rich Taiwanese give up U.S. passports over FATCA

"A number of Taiwan residents with dual nationalities have chosen to renounce their American citizenship to avoid taxes under FATCA, formally known as Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, according to local media reports. Ruling Kuomintang Legislator Lai Shyh-bao was quoted as saying that scores of owners of small- and medium-sized enterprises and management executives have begun proceedings to relinquish their U.S. citizenship." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRich Taiwanese give up U.S. passports over FATCA

Gun Rights Helped Blacks During Civil Rights Movement

"It's unfortunate that 68% of American blacks support stronger gun control regulation. Gun rights were extremely beneficial to the African-American community throughout the Civil Rights Movement, which we celebrate today. In fact, if it weren’t for gun rights, more civil rights leaders would likely have been killed." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGun Rights Helped Blacks During Civil Rights Movement

Obama turns ‘austerity inauguration’ into a dash for corporate cash

"What a lot has changed in four years. As Obama prepares to revel in his second inauguration, on Monday, there is no ceiling on what an individual can give, corporations and lobby groups are very welcome and the presidential inaugural committee has been going on a fundraising binge as though there was no tomorrow. On surface appearance, the inauguration is a sober and scaled-down affair compared with 2009. But don’t be fooled by the outward semblance of austerity. In fact, says the government transparency watchdog, the Sunlight Foundation, this year’s inauguration has been turned into an orgy of cash generation." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama turns ‘austerity inauguration’ into a dash for corporate cash

Sex is major reason military commanders are fired

"Sex has proved to be the downfall of presidential candidates, members of Congress, governors and other notables. It's also among the chief reasons that senior military officers are fired. At least 30 percent of military commanders fired over the past eight years lost their jobs because of sexually related offenses, including harassment, adultery, and improper relationships, according to statistics compiled by The Associated Press. The figures bear out growing concerns by Defense Department and military leaders over declining ethical values among U.S. forces." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSex is major reason military commanders are fired

U.S. Navy ship stranded on World Heritage-listed coral reef ignored warnings

"A US Navy minesweeper that has been stuck on a World Heritage-listed coral reef in the Philippines since last week ignored warnings to avoid the area, a government official said on Monday. The comments from the superintendent of Tubbataha marine park, Angelique Songco, added to growing anger in the Philippines over the incident, for which the US Navy has apologised but may still face fines. Park rangers radioed the USS Guardian to advise it was nearing the Tubbataha Reef on Thursday, but the ship captain insisted they raise their complaint with the US embassy, Songco told reporters." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. Navy ship stranded on World Heritage-listed coral reef ignored warnings

Japan should let elderly ‘hurry up and die’: finance minister Taro Aso

"Japan’s finance minister Taro Aso said Monday the elderly should be allowed to 'hurry up and die' instead of costing the government money for end-of-life medical care. Ageing is a sensitive issue in Japan, one of the world’s oldest countries, with almost a quarter of its 128 million people over 60. That figure is expected to rise to 40 percent within the next half-century. At the same time a shrinking number of workers is placing further strain on an already groaning social security system, with not enough money going into the pot to support those who depend on it." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJapan should let elderly ‘hurry up and die’: finance minister Taro Aso

Fitch ratings agency highlights threat of aging population time-bomb

"Many advanced economies will be threatened by another, long-term fiscal shock unless they tackle the problem of ageing populations, the ratings agency Fitch warned on Monday. In particular Cyprus, Ireland and Japan, could well see the cost of ageing populations jump over the next decade, the agency said, warning that this would affect the sovereign debt ratings of such countries at some point. 'Luxembourg, Belgium, Malta and Slovenia face the most severe impact over the very long term,' Fitch noted." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFitch ratings agency highlights threat of aging population time-bomb

Southwestern Pa. hospital to stop baby deliveries due to Obamacare

"A southwestern Pennsylvania hospital will stop delivering babies after March 31 because its obstetricians are either leaving or refocusing their practices, and because hospital officials believe they can't afford it based on projected reimbursements under looming federal health care reforms. Hospital officials say the population of women of child-bearing age is dropping and that the number of births the hospital would be called upon to perform isn't enough for it to provide the service in the face of lower reimbursements under the federal Affordable Care Act." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSouthwestern Pa. hospital to stop baby deliveries due to Obamacare

Should a Woman Be Shackled While Giving Birth? Most States Think So

"In 33 states across the country, pregnant inmates, including women being held exclusively for immigration-related offenses, can be shackled to their hospital beds during the birthing process. But many advocates, including doctors and nurses, say that shackling women at any stage of their pregnancy is damaging to the health of the mothers and the health of their babies. The American Medical Association deemed the practice to be unsafe, 'medically hazardous,' and 'barbaric,' in a resolution from 2010." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingShould a Woman Be Shackled While Giving Birth? Most States Think So

Prison labor booms in US as low-cost inmates bring billions

"US breeds a Chinese-style inmate labor scheme on its own soil. Both state and some of the biggest private companies are now enjoying the fruits of a cheap and readily available work force, with tens of millions of dollars spent by private prisons to keep their jails full." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPrison labor booms in US as low-cost inmates bring billions