finance

Money talks; reviewing the global economy, government spending, taxes, and economic policy that affect our social and political future.

The Cost of Saving
This continued obsession with universally driving down the cost of government in the holy-name-of-austerity is thankfully starting to raise a few eyebrows amongst the more open-minded sections of the electorate.
By Jordan Catto9 years ago in The Swamp
Can Tax Cuts Be Considered "Trickle Down Economics"?
Critics of tax cuts as governmental policy often claim that this approach to economics primarily serves the interests of the rich, whose niggardliness and cupidity only allows the poor to benefit from whatever "trickles down" the hands of their wealthier class counterparts. However, this assertion could not be further away from reality, as I will briefly explain herein.
By M A9 years ago in The Swamp
Contempt; An Election of Fear and Treason
This is not a conspiracy theory, the following is provable beyond any reasonable doubt, it is a collection of facts, actions, counter actions and laws/legislations.
By James anderson9 years ago in The Swamp
Money and the Individualist–Collectivist Divide
Politics, in large measure, deals with the art of reconciling individual and collective interests. The overwhelming majority of humanity (with the possible exception of abandoned children who grew up as hermits) inhabits both spheres. The hardiest individuals generally use money and tools and roads and water supplies, perhaps listen to radio and television, read and frequently form parts of families. The most dedicated collectivist does some things alone and usually, at least at times, values privacy.
By Guillermo Calvo9 years ago in The Swamp
Collaborative Affairs
A group of murderers, rapists, robbers, embezzlers and their attorneys and publicists sit around a huge rectangle of tables set with linen and silver and crystal discussing what to do about the violence perpetrated against them by law enforcement authorities, noting how harmful it was to their aspirations and goals, not to mention their persons and goods.
By Guillermo Calvo9 years ago in The Swamp
It’s Not as Painful as It’s Made Out to Be
Headlines concerning the Congressional Budget Office’s scoring of the proposed GOP replacement for Obamacare scream that 23 million Americans will be deprived of health care if it passes. As too often happens now, on a quotidian basis, the headlines are distortive, deceptive and hypocritical. They are designed to create emotional responses based on generating fear and insecurity and hate. They are designed to increase the divisiveness that so pervades us and in the end, to further lead us down the path to civil strife.
By Guillermo Calvo9 years ago in The Swamp
The Debt Of A Nation
The history of this nation is being written in the annals of debt that has become almost to insurmountable. There have been two critical factors that have derailed the sovereignty and stability of the United States. In all our recorded history of over 200 years this nation has seen only small periods where our armed forces were not engaged in some conflict or another somewhere around the globe. From the time of John F. Kennedy's death all the way up to today the national debt has continued to climb. There are two important factors as to why this nation still can't grasp the concept of elimination of our now catastrophic national debt. A nation at war and a nation that relies on the creation of money by privately owned banks like the Federal Reserve Board are the most ruthless ingredients to incur massive debt.
By Dr. Williams9 years ago in The Swamp
A Presidential Matter: Immigration Reform
Not since the days of Ellis Island has the United States been faced with such a decisive shift in the demographics of American population. No longer is our population made up of European immigrants but rather an influx of Mexicans, Cubans and others coming from all over the world. The Hispanic population is now becoming one of the fastest growing ethnic groups. Today, the influx of so many crossing our borders especially children from South America and Mexico has made it imperative that new reforms must be put in place. With so many individuals that have already crossed our borders illegally in avoidance to the current limited restrictions makes a very strong case to restrict, set limitations and reform our current immigration policies. This is to enforce who and how many people will be able to come into and reside in the United States. In either case the numbers that have migrated and settled into this country continues to grow. There is also a flip side to our immigration problems. While so many seek refuge in the United States legally, and many more illegally, many American citizens are seeking refuge in other countries. And, in many cases all for a better quality of life. There again, many more are leaving the United States seeking a more affordable place to live. Today, our immigration reform needs to focus on both concerns; those coming into the US and US citizens migrating to foreign countries.
By Dr. Williams9 years ago in The Swamp
The Biggest Laughing Stock in New Mexico
In late March, Santa Fe University of Art and Design sent an email to its thriving community announcing that the for profit institution is to shut down after 2018. Students went insane and instructors tried to remain calm but broke down in silence. Ever since the dreadful email was sent out, the school has offered very little assistance to the students unfortunate enough to be attending this university and is handling the overall situation very poorly. In this article, I am going to be jumping around to try to explain a very, very, very, very, complicated situation.
By Gavin Tovar9 years ago in The Swamp
Prominent Law Firm Pushes For Alabama Payday Loan Reform, Launches Change.org Campaign
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA—A prominent Alabama law firm is urging state leaders to pass legislation that protects the citizens of the state from predatory payday lenders. Attorneys at Bond & Botes, P.C. recently launched a Change.org campaign to demand state lawmakers take swift action once and for all against payday lenders who prey on vulnerable, cash-strapped individuals desperate to take a “so-called helping hand” at any cost.
By Nikki Gaskins Campbell9 years ago in The Swamp
Poverty
The fast track mobilization of our corporate world has made the United States government synonymous with the giants of industry. It is these giants of industry that have pushed America into the realization that the majority of Americas are now faced with third world conditions. With the names of Halliburton, Koch, Texaco, Chevron, Bank American, Wal-Mart and others whose CEO's control the purse strings of our elected officials, corporate control is the reality of today. For over 100 years Washington's predatory economic policies and the Global elite methodically pushed the United States out of contention as the world's largest economy. In doing so corporate America has left millions of Americas so impoverished that they will have no chance of ever rising above the poverty level that they have been thrust into. The cycle of poverty has only grown wider.
By Dr. Williams9 years ago in The Swamp
The Panama Papers
Ever since the Panama Papers came out, too many of us were naive about the extent and scope of how much wealth is actually being hidden away in tax havens and off shore accounts all around the globe. Sure, we accept the fact that the wealth of certain individuals have always been socked away from the prying eyes of government. That's one of the reasons why the wealthy keep getting wealthier. But, this latest report just shows the ridiculously obscene amount of wealth many leaders of government and industry have hidden away using their positions to amass great fortunes while the rest of the world languishes in desperation hoping and praying for better times ahead.
By Dr. Williams9 years ago in The Swamp