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YAY Portland! I LOVE Portland! My husband and I visited Portland last May and fell in love with the city. We even hope to move there within the next 2 years.
@marymary u must work for Wallslick or they just pay u to post in their behalf on different sites.
is there a government agency where i can report the fraud committed by GMAC in my housing situation? i have proof they have no right to foreclose on my house but an attorney is too expensive for me to hire. is there a government agency where i can get help fighting these people (who are using our tax $$ to steal our houses... how is that for irony?) or who will investigate these frauds?
i am 62 years old and i have owned my own business for 25 years. this economy has all but wiped me out. i have never had debt, i have worked hard, saved my money, did not buy a big fancy house and did all the right things. as a senior citizen,i am at a serious disadvantage for a job... as a small business owner there is NO safety net for me of any kind... no unemployment, nothing. now i am losing my house.
i have no where to go... the cops say they do not have enough people to investigate crimes, but they have enough people to force seniors out of their homes? what is the priority here?
Occupy Wall Street needs to list the following demands in my opinion:
1. voting by paper ballots counted by hand in every county in every state to stop the voter fraud and machine hacking of elections.
2. only publicly funded elections. every voter donate $1.00 per year and divide equally among qualified candidates so qualifed people can serve and we can do away with professional politicians.
3. stop foreclosures and evictions immediately... stabilize families and give people a chance to get on their feet. the people who CAUSED this economy are profiting from their crimes by stealing our homes.
4. eliminate school debt for our young people so they can get a start in life without these horrible burdens... it is ONLY the students of middle income or poor families that had to take these loans... the rich kids had their schooling paid so once again, an attack on the middle class.
how do we get this started / finished and NOW. before the next elections!
Did Thom just get yanked off the air in LA on KTLK? There's hockey game season opener that just went on in the middle of Bernie's comments.
On a more positive note, I have been checking on HR1351 to refund the billions "stolen" from our postal service and it now has 225 co-sponsors, so I guess it's out of committee. I am hopeful that if that many are supporting it now, it will pass a vote.
In answer to "to big to fail" banks, I am taking steps to move my money to a federal credit union. I was surprised and pleased to learn that one near me is linked to 6700 other FCU's nationwide for ATM service, etc and they are insured. For a $5.00 one time membership fee, I will receive free checking, debit card and online banking/bill pay. they are a co-operative in that they are wholly owned by their depositers. Sounded good to me, so for any of you disgruntled with the banking industry these days, look for a FCU near you and let's take what money we have left away from the big banks.
2950-10K: Where in my post did you find I said "contributions to society come only in economic form"? Aren't you the same person who bragged about paying over $4000 in education taxes? Isn't the tax an economic contribution? You hypocrite.
I agree that the movement needs leadership -it doesn't have to be one person, could be ten. Also, now they (in NYC) have a voice and can ask people for solidarity by closing their bank accounts and moving to credit unions. Anyone can do that, and most people, especially those who cannot be in NY would do it to participate. Hit banksters where it hurts! Ouch! Also, how about we all boycott evil corporations? If enough people do it, they will feel it. Lets not buy Nestle, Coca-cola, chevron, BP, etc. Occupywst could make that a global movement
New York State has a long history of stock transfer taxation, having adopted a state stock transfer tax in 1905. NY still has a stock transfer tax, which doesn't amount to much taxation at all upon people who invest for their retirement. It's a tax that only bites irresponsible speculators... reckless gamblers.
However, in 1979, the (R) & (D) gangster government in Albany decided to rebate the stock transfer tax, and all subsequent (R) & (D) gangster government administrations in Albany, to date, have continued to automatically rebate the stock transfer tax... to automatically give back all the tax collected on the speculators whose casino gambling creates most of the volatility in markets, creating increased expense — therefore lower returns — for responsible long-term investors.
In the 2010 gubernatorial campaign, the Green Party's candidate, Howie Hawkins, advocated for ending the rebate of the stock transfer tax, noting that NY then had a projected $9 billion deficit that would have been a $7 billion surplus, if the stock transfer tax hadn't been all returned to the market speculators.
Liberals refused to vote for Hawkins, to tax the speculators; to impose a statewide ban on the Halliburton insanity of fracking for shale gas; to get a governor who would fight for near everything that liberals say they are for... but liberals regularly, reliable refuse to vote for.
The liberals, in their millions, voted for a deeply depraved Democrat, Andrew Cuomo, who considers the automatic give back rebate of all transfer taxation on stock speculation to be appropriate; opposes taxing the wealthiest at the higher rates they used to be taxed; has an energy plan for NY near wholly dependent upon sacrificing our water, air, soil, and public health to Halliburton process rip the last tiny remnants of fossil fuel from stone... a liberal, liberal Democrat governor who policy caucuses with really retrograde Republicans on everything except same-sex marriage.
The more elections the ignorant, uninformed, and immoral liberals vote in the more demented and depraved their liberal "wins" become.
A liberal will reliably vote for any piece of nasty dog shit with a (D) appended to it.
http://www.chenangogreens.org
NOTE: Cuomo's position on the stock transfer tax was/is in conformity with Grover Norquist's instruction. But I criticized my Green Party candidate's advocacy for having the stock transfer tax provide annual surpluses, on the same grounds that I oppose the use of any other form of legalized gambling being what government spending should be dependent upon. A government that seeks revenue from market disruptive speculation is a government that encourages market disruptive speculation. Better to not allow the speculators' gambling to recklessly disrupt the markets and diminish the return on investments that responsible people expect to depend upon in their retirement years.
Thom, I heard your remarks regarding Steve Jobs going abroad to assemble Apple's products. While I didn't like Jobs position on unions, I think you were not being fair regarding his outsourcing. I believe that if you will take the time to look into it, you will find that it is currently impossible to build not only computers, but most electronic devices in this country. We simply don't have the resources anymore. For example, the last time I checked there was not a company in the U.S. that still builds displays; most are now made in Taiwan. Additionally, this fact should be addressed as a national security issue and yet is rarely even discussed.
How do I think it will turn out?...... More crackdowns and arrests leading to more publicity and momentum for the movement. The banksters know their in trouble! The protestors need to emphasize the indirect cause of all the wall street fraud... REPUBLICAN political ideology supporting unregulated capitalism. Also known as feudalism.
How I want it to turn out......." the flames kindled on the 4th of July, 1776, have spread over too much of the globe to be extinguished by the feeble engines of despotism; on the contrary, they will consume these engines and all who work them." -Jefferson.... just sub in the word corporations as needed!
Somebody wasn't very good at their job back in 2008, a problem which still exists. Seems like wall street "self regulation" kind of lead to a history repeats it's ugly self bubble event causing a socialist style rescue immediately backed by Bush.....EMERGENCY ECONOMIC STABLIZATION ACT...to the tune of 700 billion clams! Reply to #7
Since when have contributions to society come only in economic form? I've always been real impressed with a co-worker who donates her spare time working at a local food pantry, which buy the way lately is having a great deal of trouble keeping up with demand. Thom contributes a great deal disseminating facts and info with intent to educate the populous, something critical for survival of DEMOCRACY. Reply to #6
I am proud of the Americans who have taken to the streets to protest the bank bailouts and the unending wars our politicians insist on starting as often as possible. China and Russia were correct to veto the U.N. resolution which would have allowed NATO (America) to begin bombing Syria on behalf of Israel. The Syrian regime is abominable and should be overthrown, by the Syrians, not the Americans, again. Bring our troops home now, not in 50 years!
The $4.6 million Jamie Dimon gave to the NYPD shows just how close to facism our nation has come. The police are among the 99%, yet they enthusiastially beat and maced peaceful protestors.
And your point is...?
Congrats Thom and I hope you're enjoying the nation's capital.
I agree you'll be missing the west coast though!
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Historywriter: Another one who has trouble reading. You asked where the wealth goes. Well one place it goes is into pension plans, 401(k)'s, IRA's etc. And if it does buy another Lexus, someone has to build the Lexus, deliver the Lexus, sell the Lexus, service the Lexus. Glad to see you have some investments, at least you belive in the system. Everyone's investments have taken a hit, but I believe they'll be back, and I bet you do to, or you would get out of the market. There was no personal attack, just a simple question. What jobs did you create? I'm a little tired of people blaming everyone else for not creating jobs not doing anything themselves. I'll ask the same question of you. What job have you created?
Many years ago a potential investor visited J. P. Morgan at his office in New York. While there, Mr. Morgan took the visitor to a large window and pointed out his yacht to the visitor. He then went on to point out the yachts belonging to the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers and other wealthy financiers and industrialists. The visitor nodded as each yacht was pointed out and he then asked Mr. Morgan one question: Where are your customers' yachts? Mr. Morgan could not point out any yachts belonging to those who had invested their money with him. (This is meant to be a reply to No. 7. Sorry for the duplication.)
Many years ago a potential investor visited J. P. Morgan at his office in New York. While there, Mr. Morgan took the visitor to a large window and pointed out his yacht to the visitor. He then went on to point out the yachts belonging to the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers and other wealthy financiers and industrialists. The visitor nodded as each yacht was pointed out and he then asked Mr. Morgan one question: Where are your customers' yachts? Mr. Morgan could not point out any yachts belonging to those who had invested their money with him.
Many years ago a potential investor visited J. P. Morgan at his office in New York. While there, Mr. Morgan took the visitor to a large window and pointed out his magnificent yacht to the visitor. He then went on to point out the yachts belonging to the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers and other wealthy financiers and industrialists. The visitor nodded as each yacht was pointed out and he then asked one question: Mr. Morgan, where are your customers' yachts? Mr. Morgan could not point out any yachts belonging to those who had invested their money with him.
Skitrooper: Is that the best you have to call names. Go back and re-read my post. You'll see that the person I was replying too calls himself Retired Engineer. I know I'm asking a lot of you to try to understand a couple of things at once, but take your time, re-read again if necessary and eventually you'll understand.
Dangling participle aside (As a retired engineer, YOU . . . My favority danging participle example is a real one when I was working for an online education company: "Before giving birth, put the pig in the pen." Wonderful. Also, THEIR job), OK back to your content: where does that wealth go if they create it? Does it go to create jobs? It doesn't look like it. Does it get socked away and invested? Or maybe it buys another Lexus? In any case, they aren't creating wealth for me: my investments have taken a real hit lately, so where does that money go?
What jobs did you create? And what is the connection between this person's critical comments and not creating a job? It's just a distracting personal attack meaning nothing.
Around the world: Cities across America, the Middle East, southern Europe, the United Kingdom. So many other places. It appears to be the start of the revolution preceeding Ravi Batra's New Golden Age. The people of the world are taking off their gilded glasses and seeing the ravages of the upper class for the first time in many years.
It will happen, simply because it has always happened. As Thom says, (and Dr. Batra), approximately every 80 years or so.The confluence of social cycles is finally at hand. All we need is a leader and we may still have one in hand if he's up to it.
Look at the near hysteria the corporate media has focused on these people in the last few days. They believe it. And so should we.
The real problem. . . .
Most people don't know the root problem: Plutocracy!!
Plutocracy: Government by the Wealthy.
Don't demonize, "the wealthy" or talk about "Class Warfare".
Love the wealthy. Most of us want to be wealthy. When our children do bad things, we establish guidelines and limits to their activities. However, we still love them.
Fight Plutocracy. Fight what the wealthy do. They use Corporate money, and their own to buy legislation that benefits the wealthy without regard for the effects on, "We the people". When they buy legislation by Campaign Contributions, PACs to Attack their opponents, Lobbying, and hiring exPolitical Aids and Office Holders, use the word that describes what they do: Plutocracy.
Almost all legislation can now be traced to support for, or threat to withold support for reelection. Examples of Plutocracy:
Pink Slime is labelled a "Processing Agent"
Pipeline from Canada to Texas will be approveds even though, "We the People" oppose it.
Milk labels don't list growth hormones.
Unrestricted use of antibiotics. 2/3 of US consumption is fed to cattle, pig and chicken by Corporate meat raisers.
Implementation of EPA rules delayed.
Republican created USPS fiscal crisis to justify Shock Doctrine Attack on US Postal Service and Union.
I am sure you can think of more examples.
Marshall
Support Plutocracy, Vote Republican.
Oh, Puh-lease!
Thanks to Wall Street parasites, countless 401(Ks) are now in the toilet. Added to that, IRAs and 401(Ks) are the means by which the Republican Party, for decades, has sought to seduce a gullible, fearful citizenry into believing Social Security isn't secure and that the program can't survive. It was a lie. IT IS A LIE, and now it's paying off, big time!
> "And as a retired engineer, you need to be thankful they are good at there job."
Ha, ha, ha! I'm not an engineer. I take it you are. (Six munce ago I cudnt evn spell ingineer, and now I are one!) Learn to spell and write a coherent sentence . . . . . . and by the way, what has being an engineer to do with this topic? You need to get over yourself!