Friday, May 26, 2017

Take your tax break now

Trump tax breaks: for bling-bling; not jobs
Can you believe that the wealthy waste $110 million for this instead of creating new jobs and new businesses? This is what Trump’s tax credit class does with tax cuts that we have to pay for. (Who else makes up the loss in revenue?) Looks like wall graffiti in Brooklyn? Wealthy people buy toys and art that do NOT create jobs. Jobs are created when the middle class has money to spend. But their income has not increased above inflation since 1974. Rich people don’t wake up one day and think they can put their extra tax break money into a new factory. Why would they pay $20 an hour for labor when they can pay $1 an hour? Even ‘Make America Great’ Ivanka does not make her clothes line here in the US. Wealthy people and their advisors buy yachts. Advisors’ customers don’t buy yachts. Keep your Wall Street advisor fees. Create your own tax break.

Trump could be a great president
He could end ever-increasing health care costs by using his “negotiating” skills. He could end the Bush II ban on negotiating drug prices. He could follow the VA contract for Medicare and ACA. He could negotiate a fair price for common procedures and treatment so everyone would know how much broken bones, colonoscopy and epipens cost in every state. He promised on the campaign to reduce obscene costs. Americans will have “great health care at a fraction of the cost.” Bring down drug prices by importing cheaper medications from overseas and allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices. Require price transparency from health-care providers so patients can shop for the best prices. “You will be able to choose your own doctor again.”
Trump could be a great president but his Xorders and agency appointments are being shaped by lobbyists from religious right, NRA, health insurance, oil and gas, IT. He has put the oil drillers shill at the EPA, private school advocate at Education, TX dancer at Energy, bank money launderer at Commerce, and movie producer at Treasury. He has cut investor and worker protection regs to allow abuse of consumers again. He is turning America into a Tammany Hall-style political business supporting his brand.

Is the new border tax right for you?
Congress should reject a proposed $1 trillion border adjustment tax (BAT) that would drive up prices for us and cost us jobs. This is the plea of retailers. They say: the Ryan-Brady plan would transition the United States from its long-standing income tax system toward a consumption tax system. The plan includes a 20% border adjustment tax on imports including auto parts that go in new cars and every car that is maintained. My 98 Subaru window control was just replaced and it came from Mexico. It cost over $100 new. It would cost $120 if leader Ryan’s new tax were in effect. Higher costs may mean fewer purchases and thus fewer Americans working. Tax increases should NOT be focused on those who spend almost all our income on products that are needed. It should focused on those who buy bling-bling. They have the money to spare, not us.


Trump to cancel school services so we can pay for rich kids in private schools
Mental health services. Civics and arts programs. International education and language studies. Anti-bullying activities. Gifted and talented initiatives. Full-service community schools. Check if your child’s assistance program is on the list of cuts. Most are aimed at students from low-income families and students with disabilities. Even Russian commented on the cruelty of the cuts. Justification for cuts is that it ‘duplicates activities that may be supported with other Federal, State, local, and private funds.’ Education funding is a local mix of programs that may not happen in poorer communities. Billionaire DeVos has never worked nor sent kids to public schools so these cuts could be chosen capriciously. She advocates private religious education and wants the public to pay for it. Trump has proposed redirecting $20 billion in federal spending toward a grant program for states to expand vouchers and charter schools. NC GOP is in sync with Trump’s plan: N.C. Senate cut education funding — but only in Democratic districtsAZ hires teachers without training or certificate for public schools so GOP can send kids to private or religious schools. KS tried the Trump cuts plan and is almost bankrupt now.


Is your advisor right on retirement income?
Is your advisor giving you 1990s advice still? Things have changed since the 4% rule worked 25 years ago. First, you are less likely to remain a couple. Second, your nest egg may not be earning what it could have then. Third, you may live longer—45% chance to live to be over age 90 if you are 71. Fourth, 1-year interest rates are now 1.4% not 8.75%. Fifth, what did the Monte Carlo analysis determine? Sixth, are all your future liabilities fundable in the correct sequence? Seventh, is your Spending Plan in place? Eighth, is your investing sustainable? Ask your advisor to check your income stream with this guide. Remember, your advisor is paid to serve the firm NOT you -- only Fiduciary.

GOP tries and fails to create segregated voting again
White NC racists engaged in an ‘unconstitutional racial gerrymander’ according to the Supremes. "The Constitution entrusts states with the job of designing congressional districts," Justice Elena Kagan wrote for the majority. "But it also imposes an important constraint: A state may not use race as the predominant factor in drawing district lines." Gorsuch did not hear the case or the vote may have been different. Voters in seven states — Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Jersey and Washington — have turned to independent commissions in an effort to reduce political "gerrymandering," the map-drawing method that leads to districts easily won by Democrats or Republicans.
Will Trump stop Dems from voting with special rules from myth of voter fraud? There have been 492 cases of mostly local elections by absentee ballot from 2000 to 2017. 492 of 480 million ballots. Typical: Olivia Lee Reynolds was convicted of 24 counts of voter fraud. While working on the 2013 campaign for her boyfriend, she filled out absentee ballots for voters. Trump’s ‘proof’: people are registered in two states. Not illegal. Jared, Sean, Steve, and Tiffany are a few of your own team. Don, not illegal to be registered.

Credit Unions for your emergency funds?
Checking accounts are NOT usually the place to hold your funds for short-term savings but we found another exception: 1.75%. Need cash; write a check or ATM. Need a loan; pay 1% less. Anyone can join.


Will GOP take your coverage away with TrumpCare?
Will you be in the 23 million Americans that lose coverage under AHCA? It cuts more than $1 trillion from the assistance the government gives low- and moderate-income Americans, primarily through Medicaid. That means those in their 50-60s would see 850% increase. In some states, you couldn’t buy ANY policy. The bill also restructures the system of insurance marketplaces created by Obamacare to guarantee health coverage to Americans, even if they are sick. Before the 10 essential benefits, insurers could charge smaller premiums but then limit or deny you coverage when you got sick or ended up in the hospital. Millions of us fell into debt or bankruptcy from medical bills. GOP could cover everyone as a birth right as in "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" which America promised were “inherent & inalienable” rights. Instead, the GOP will use the money from your health care to buy Trump an aircraft carrier and other military toys. But terrorists don’t have ships or planes. If you live in a GOP state, your premiums may go down but your policy will not cover you for much. And what if you are in an accident you may get well but in bankruptcy.  
Remember, Congressmen who voted TrumpCare for us will keep their ObamaCare coverage because it is better coverage.
Why should we accept less than they receive for free?

30 cars Consumer Reports says are “never buy”
You can buy any car that meets your fancy and people do. Savvy shoppers know in advance what they are getting themselves in for. Overpaying for a car may be our second biggest financial mistake. How much does the ego boost or peer envy cost? They are all here from Fiat to Tesla. You do NOT get what you pay for in vehicles or in financial products. You have to understand what you buy and the seller is the least qualified to help you do that.


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TrumpWorld
Goal: Trump brand around the world


We can’t stop watching his “apprenticeship for president” show EVERY DAY!
Two Americas

Trump is still just a contractor from Queens
Trump threatens FBI Comey with secret tapes Trump made of their talks.
Like mob boss, he asks Comey to let Flynn probe go, then asks for loyalty, then fires him, then threatens him. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/863007411132649473
Trump is like Cosa Nostra who thinks he owns the town’s people and the Law.
Trump lawyered up to fight Russian probe by Justice – criminal and civil charges.
Trump agencies refuse Congress requests for ordinary policy info – dictatorship.

Russia brags they could use Flynn to push Trump around. US Intel avoided giving Flynn intel. Trump tells Russians that Comey is ‘nut job’ he fired to be relieved of probe. Comey to testify. Trump thinks he is NOT being probed by FBI now.
Righteous Christian Pence gives “false witnessLies More lies Vetted Flynn



Which witch hunt?
Trump’s old lawyer: Get tough private DC counsel now: comments cancel privilege.
Trump sees world differently. Turkey SS beat up Americans in DC and nothing said.

Trump needs to watch other cable than Fox. No more Soprano’s reruns.
Trump thought he would be cheered for firing FBI to stop probe. He thinks Russia influence is normal business relationship. He respects only dictators. Won’t shake hands with Germany but Turkey’s thug Ok.

TrumpWorld – using presidency to make money the old fashioned way: Who you know.
Countries are running out the red carpet for Ivanka and Jared, new royals of America
Weapons’ deal does not create American jobs so it only helps Jared.

GOP leader says don’t joke: Putin pays Trump. Rich Russians buy Trump property.
Wealthy Russians pay Trump manager Manafort off the books.
Trump travel set up by employee without security using govt devices.

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Regulators are the only protection against corporations since we can’t sue anymore

Trump allows Devon to emit 80 tons hazardous chemicals, benzene, a known carcinogen.
Recall 1.7 million vehicles Hyundai and Kia over engine defects
Yasuna Murakami, MC2 Capital, caught overstating returns for 50 ponzi victims
Complain to Trump about problems in Kushnerville MD owned by Jared.
Jeep hid emissions scam like VW to sell despite pollution. $4.6 billion fine?
GM hid emissions scam too. Lied and emits 6 times the legal limit. Fine $ billions?


We need regulation—GOP wrong—companies/cities wouldn’t fix bad products on own
GM killed 124 because ignition switch pin not replaced after knew it killed first in 2006.

Who can view your credit report legally?
Reputable firms ask your permission first but lenders, employers, courts, police, and you can see your report entries legally. If they just look (soft pull) and don’t print it out, your report may not list their name. You can obtain all three free each year at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action


Police want gun control.
When everyone has guns; your chance of being killed goes up. Police don’t know who to shoot. They assume everyone has one and shoot first. You and thief have guns. CO schools now allow teachers/administrators to carry guns in the classroom. Kid lesson! Since 2015, police have killed 86 people with realistic looking FAKE guns--suicide?

Chicago police to try de-escalation instead of shooting blacks, latinos. Will watch videos.

SCAMS:
Trump calls terrorists “evil losers.” Loser is Trump’s ‘worst’ person name?
Religious ETFs zero out firms that treat LGBT and family planning fairly.

Ignoramus Award:
Rapidly-growing banks of moss popping up around Antarctica and it’s “getting greener.”
Scientists have found that the pace of Earth’s sea level rise has nearly tripled since 1990.


Commerce Ross impression of Saudis: not a single hint of protesters anywhere: Dictator

Ben Carson Calls Poverty 'a State of Mind' – blames govt for keeping poor, poor – if you take everything away from me and put me on the street, I would be “right back up there.”


How our government wastes our money:
We lost $1 Billion worth military weapons in Iraq—ISIS picked them up for free!
We buy weapons to support contractors not our service personnel.

Where have all the jobs gone?

$10.75 min wage high point: 1968. Since then all down hill to $7.80 (2014 dollars)

Job interview will ask for your salary requirements. Answer: I will research the range.
Which job board sites are best for your job search?

Cancel Robo calls with Mr NoMoRobo: https://www.nomorobo.com

Miracle:
Elephant killer killed by mother elephant after he killed elephants and other God’s gifts

The median home price in Los Angeles County has reached high set in 2007: $550,000.

IAN
41 Watchung Plaza, B242
Montclair, NJ 07042
973.746.2014
Alerts 

Friday, May 19, 2017

Tax overhaul will be a miracle

Tax overhaul by Trump will be a miracle
The Don is a developer of real estate and he and other rich people have enjoyed the fantastic benefits of the existing tax code their whole lives. Consider the basics: you put in a few dollars to buy a building site with other investors. You got other investors and banks to lend you over 80% of the cost to build/fill with tenants. You get to deduct the interest on the loan and the expenses in running the building. Expenses can be property taxes, depreciation, security, promotion, maintenance, personal expenses to win and keep investors happy, lavish advertising, opulent parties, hair spray, etc. You reduce your other income with these expenses. The New York Times has reported that Mr. Trump’s businesses have at least $650 million in debt. The deductible interest is huge. In 1995, for instance, he deducted almost a $ Billion from his income so his taxes for years ahead were reduced to MINUS. He loves debt so much he has profited from bankruptcy FOUR times. His budget, increasing the national debt by $10 Trillion, may hit bankruptcy level. He is profiting from the national debt already after only 100 days.
Is it likely that The Don will push through Congress the elimination of the tax benefits of the current code? Would you give up your tax credits if you were Trump or Congress?

What can you do when the market falls 10%?
People who try to time the market—to sell their mutual fund shares or stocks—before or during a market plunge think this is the way to “never lose money,” as Buffett’s famous number one rule says. However, if you follow his actual deeds, he does not sell when the market tanks. If the price of the firms he holds goes down, he actually buys when others sell. Usually he just ‘stays pat.’ And that is part of Buffett’s strategy: stay pat. Buffett, the most successful investor of our time, does the impossible—he does not panic. He does not panic because he knows there is no better deal than what he has. His advice about making money: "We continue to make more money when snoring than when active." Fidelity found that the 401k accounts that did best were those left dormant.


Trump could be a great president
He could end sex discrimination in the workplace and government. Fact: women get paid less than men for the same work. Some studies say women get 70% of men’s wage rate. Simple law for all business concerns to execute: they have data on pay and job titles. Trump would be hero to working women and who could complain? It would also raise wages to create demand for our economy. GOP could build party depth by showing respect for women workers—HALF the voting public. Who would object? Women create many small businesses and would be praised for equality. The increases would allow women to save for retirement since many receive less Social Security because of low lifetime wages. They need more retirement money because they live longer. Ending sex discrimination would help Trump with his misogynistic image. His regime is all white men with women in secondary positions.


The best graduation gift is money
Most retirees I help bemoan the fact that they wish they had started early to create a pile of cash for their later needs. They admit they had little money to do that but NOW they know it is TIME, not picking the next Apple that would have made a big difference. Your gift, should you accept the task of giving them a start, can help your graduate get started. Even a small amount can put them on the road to riches. $100 deposited in their own Roth IRA means in just 20 years, they might have $75,000 if they match it every month automatically from their account. If they continue, that’s $225,000 in 30 years and $650,000 in 40. If they wait to start, it will take $820 a month to get the same amount.

Are the new ETFs right for you?
Your advisor has made the case for an ETF portfolio. But are they right for you? (We know they are right for your advisor because they carry commissions when you trade.) The answer comes from your objective: Is this money for long-term accumulation or for market timing? Most ETFs are indexed funds and they are best suited for investors who AVOID a market timing strategy. Advisors mistakenly think they can pick the right segments over time. According to investment return tracking firm DALBAR, a stock index provides 11% per year vs. 3.79% for trading accounts. Indexed funds and ETFs only invest in the stocks on an underlying index, so they do not require an active manager to make picks. Unlike market index fund investing, investing in an indexed ETF requires that you be bullish on the underlying market segment. So if your goal is long-term total accumulation, use the lowest cost vehicle you can find. Typically, an index mutual fund that does not trade provides your best deal. Most large providers offer a 500 index for less so you earn more. Most 401k plans do too. Avoid the “Pimps” who promise more but deliver less: https://www.amazon.com/Pimps-Wall-Street-money-middlemen/dp/151525254X

 Fees: what is the right amount to pay?
Vanguard has become the largest provider of investment products because it is the low-cost producer. Morningstar, the financial rating firm, compared all the mutual funds and found that the low-cost ones produced more return than the high-cost ones. Over time, your costs determine your final account balance. Your pension is losing money due to fees. If you are paying 2% total expense (1% management fee and 1% expense +12b1 fee) you are giving up about 63% of your total possible accumulation. And your advisor/firm gets the yacht. It is “the tyranny of compounding costs” according to Vanguard’s founder, John Bogle. Warren Buffett seconds this strategy. Ten years ago he bet a fund manager that the 500 index (0.04%) would beat managed funds. Stakes: $1 million. Despite the 2008 tumble of 37%, the index rebounded in astounding fashion. In 2013, the broad market index fund saw 32.3% gains vs. the hedge funds’ 11.8%. In fact, his index fund pick beat the hedge fund’s returns in 6 out of 8 years. Buffett’s Vanguard index is up 85% vs. their 62%.

The Don’s budget shrinks the middle class
Mr Mnuchin, Treasury, says the end to mortgage-interest tax deduction would end the American dream for all but the wealthy. A married couple would need a home-loan balance of about $608,000 before using the deduction would make sense, according to Trulia. And Trump’s end to local property-tax deductions would decrease home sales which would lower existing home values. Realtors’ lobby opposes it, obviously. Home ownership rate would fall. Reducing incentives to buy could benefit large publicly traded landlords like Trump’s friends, not his supporters.
His one-page tax plan includes ending the estate tax so wealthy families can create oligarchies. Estate IRS exemption already exempts most $10 million legacies. However, if the step-up in basis on assets is eliminated then the advantage of receiving your family home tax-free at your parents’ death is lost. You would owe tax on the appreciation of your parents’ home since they purchased it. If they left you a property worth $375,000 they bought for $75,000 35 years ago, you would owe $45,000 that year ($300,000*.15).

Where do you park your short-term cash?
Credit Unions have higher rates because they can be more selective in who they call ‘members.’ So if you are a member of a union or work at Walgreens or ATT, you might qualify to earn high rates—2.75% for 5 years. You may not need to visit a branch. Some offer computer services like bill pay and remote ATM use. Your car and home equity loans are usually cheaper since you already own CU shares. Credit Unions make sense for most people who don’t have time to visit a branch or have few transactions. Earning more on your money and cutting fees is key to building wealth: https://www.amazon.com/Personal-Finance-Smarties-Not-Dummies/dp/1469973030


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TrumpWorld
Goal: Household name around the world

We can’t stop watching his “apprenticeship for president show” EVERY DAY!

We have entered the Twilight Zone:
"There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadowbetween science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone" where “alternative facts” and illusions of conspiracies are lived out. Lies are considered true. Incompetence is praised. Truth is what the loudest voice says it is over and over.  
Rod Serling

The Don boasted top secrets from an ally to Putin’s spies: will ally trust us again?
Trump gave granular details to the Russians—Syrian city where the ally got Intel—helps Putin control who has ISIS Intel. I have 'absolute right' to share ‘facts’ with Russia.
Trump asked Putin to hack Dems, used fake news, disrupted elections, used spies.
If these were president Hillary’s acts GOP House would have bill of impeachment now.
‘misconduct of public men’ or ‘the abuse or violation of some public trust.’ Hamilton

Our greatest fear: Trump’s lust for power—obstruct FBI probe, fire Comey—Now tapes!
“I was going to fire Comey,” Trump said defiantly. “When I decided to just do it, I said to myself, ‘You know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made-up story.'”
You’re fired’ letter has issues reversed. “Thanks for clearing me of collusion with Russia.” and ‘You’re fired’ so the Russia-Trump probe ends? Harvard Law: “Impeach
Trump will call Putin as his first defense witness. Putin provides WH transcript/tape?

Trump is still a contractor from Queens
Trump threatens FBI Comey with secret tapes Trump made of their talks. Like mob boss, he asks Comey to let Flynn go, then asks for loyalty, then fires him, then threatens him.  https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/863007411132649473
Trump is like Cosa Nostra who thinks he owns the town’s people and the Law.
Justice Rosenstein memo made up to cover Trump’s firing Comey to halt probe.
Does Flynn have a pistol and bodyguard? Flynn knows what Trump got from Putin.

Free American press may be locked out of WH:
Trump may end press conferences—only TASS (Russia) will cover events.

Trump asks FBI to arrest reporters for publishing information he didn’t like.

The Don blackmails Comey: “secret tapes of his conversations with Mr. Comey
The Don asked for loyalty and Comey said honesty. FBI ideology ended with Hoover. “…that sounds more like a mafia boss than the president of a free republic.”

Trump’s new China policy:
Coulter on Trump: “That’s the one fascist thing he’s done. Hiring his kids.”
“In Trump We Trust,” Coulter “worshiped” him with “blind loyalty.” Regrets
Chinese spent $7.7 billion for 40,000 US visas and it is linked to fraud cases

South is still fighting the Civil War—reliving the past is key pastime for many.

Little Dictator wants war:
Army to go back to Afghanistan—Putin strategy? Lockheed Martin stock rise?

“Follow the money” Lindsey Graham
The Don just ‘lawyered up’—is Trump above the law? Can he govern?
Trump just hired a Washington law firm to send a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee denying that he has connections to Russia. Lindsey Graham said he planned to look into Trump and associates business connections. The Don uses 516 companies to hide his income from all kinds of legit and illicit businesses. In 2008, Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr. said at a real estate conference that Trump businesses “see a lot of money pouring in from Russia.” “Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets,” Donald Trump Jr. said at the time. Trusts Russians?

Uncovering More Trump Ties to Mobsters and Shadowy Oligarchs
The Don uses shell corporations and cut outs to launder money for the mobs and oligarchs on Russia and Kazakhstan to buy real estate. Commerce Sec Wilbur Ross was vice chairman, Bank of Cyprus, which was premier bank for laundering money for Putin and associates. Ross worked with a former chairman of Deutsche Bank, known for its money laundering capabilities. Trump’s Xorders and agency appointments are being shaped by lobbyists from religious right, insurance, oil and gas, IT.
Trump is turning America into a Tammany Hall-style transaction political business.
Trump is still a building contractor from Queens! Bribed inspectors, excluded blacks

Your employer no longer has to tell anyone when you are injured or ill by job
Trump revoked the disclosure rule requiring companies to electronically report injury and illness records -- a move that effectively keeps these records from being publicly disclosed for the immediate future. “Not having this data increases the likelihood that workers will be injured…”

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More Americans say Trump doesn't keep promises: poll Apr 9  Promises broken.

The GOP bill gives the rich tax cuts that add up to $1 Trillion. The real TELL in this vote: Congress members will NOT lose their ObamaCare guarantees in this version. Trump has his WIN and we lose. 24 million people lose coverage. Even Fox News sees single payor in 7 years as a result.
Side by side comparison ObamaCare vs TrumpCare: http://www.latimes.com/projects/la-na-pol-obamacare-repeal/

Flynn as paid secret foreign agent while US official and campaign knew it—traitor?
Flynn to Senate Intelligence Committee: “F**k you” no docs.

Which witch?
Trump sees world differently. Turkey SS beat up Americans in DC and says nothing.

Trump thought he would be cheered for firing FBI to stop probe.


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Regulators are the only protection against corporations since we can’t sue anymore

Supremes say NO to NC voter ID laws—NC wants to keep blacks from voting.
“An ugly chapter in voter suppression is finally closing.”
Your internet speeds and capacity will be market priced thanks to Trump. Disney vs you.

We need regulation—GOP wrong—companies/cities wouldn’t fix bad products on own
GM killed 124 because ignition switch pin not replaced after knew it killed first in 2006.


Police want gun control.
When everyone has guns; your chance of being killed goes up. Police don’t know who to shoot. They assume everyone has one and shoot first. You and thief have guns. CO schools now allow teachers/administrators to carry guns in the classroom. Kid lesson! Since 2015, police have killed 86 people with realistic looking FAKE guns--suicide?

Chicago police to try de-escalation instead of shooting blacks, latinos. Will watch videos.

SCAMS:
Ransom ware threat: Click on link in email and all your files are gone. Pay ransom and still not get them back. Fix: Back up to cloud or your own external hard drive.

Ignoramus Award:
Trump threatens FBI Comey with secret tapes Trump made of their talks. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/863007411132649473

Trump’s lawyer is posting his daughter in bra and pantyhose on twitter. Trump has called his eldest daughter “voluptuous”. He’s said it’s OK to describe her as “a piece of ass”. And he’s said that, if she wasn’t his daughter, “perhaps [he’d] be dating her”. Sickies!

How our government wastes our money:
Installing another presidential taping system.
Installing voter suppression head to find the “3 million illegal” voters that put Hill on top.

Where have all the jobs gone?
GOP Frelinghuysen intimidates critic by complaining to her boss—she is out of job

Job interview will ask for your salary requirements. Answer: I will research the range.
Which job board sites are best for your job search?

Cancel Robo calls with Mr NoMoRobo: https://www.nomorobo.com

Miracle:

IAN
41 Watchung Plaza, B242
MontclairNJ 07042
973.746.2014
Alert

Friday, May 12, 2017

How do the rich keep getting richer?

How do the rich keep getting richer?
Are they really that much smarter than us or pick the right ‘next big thing.’ Think of Don Trump. His father loaned him money and he received an inheritance some say was over $200 million. If he had just left that sum in a stock index account, it would be worth $6.5 Billion today. The Miracle of Compounding is the secret, not great deals. Remember, Don went bankrupt 4 times and avoided income and business taxes along the way. Compounding can work for you too. You can make a sound financial plan on $3.50 a day over time. Investing $100 a month in a stock index fund for 40 years can provide $700,000. Most of us don’t learn Compounding in school and so don’t know how it works. Most rich people learn about Compounding when they are teens and start receiving their trust fund “allowance” to buy a Porsche. What can you buy for $3.50?

Don Trump could be a great president
Trump could create a huge legacy in American history by ending tax shelters for corporations and their overseas subsidiaries—Apple, Google, Amazon pay less tax than you and I because a “trick” of accounting. Congress had a hearing on Apple avoidance. Buffett suggested every firm pay 30%. All The Don has to do is end all the tax loopholes and subsidies to business. Almost every type of business has special deals that make it more profitable. It is how capitalism becomes socialism for the rich. Consider the Apple deal: It pays 0.005% to Ireland, Bloomberg says. Its effective tax rate is 26%. Double Irish and Dutch Sandwich is the name of this tax avoidance. Instead of helping us, our reps keep giving subsidies to big agriculture for ethanol, subsidies to big oil for drilling, subsidies to aerospace for planes, even subsidies to Congress people who claim to be ‘farmers’. We give even more $ billions to businesses in the form of “income tax expense” – that’s B.S. for tax credits for losing money. Our government has no accountability in our cost overrun spending for projects like building a hospital or a bunch of F35 fighter planes that don’t work. ‘Smoking crack’ was given as an excuse for the poor planning and authorization by officials. Meanwhile the average taxpayer is hit with 97 taxes that take an average of 33% of income. Rich people like Warren Buffett, Mitt Romney and John Kerry pay 17% or less. Most foreign firms avoid taxes too. This is Socialism for the Rich pure and simple.

Is an annuity right for you?
Before you talk to your advisor, you need to understand the market price of what you are really buying. Annuity buying is like car buying. Before you even step in the door of a car dealer, you better understand what you are looking for or you may NOT get what you need. Our financial planner is on salary so there is no reason to tilt the presentation to one product. Consider if you could benefit from a better deal before you enter into the non-cancelable annuity contract. For instance, you can generate a $1,100 a month from a $200,000 nest egg and ADD eggs at the same time. An annuity of the same deposit provides $1,100 only for your life but NO more eggs. If you die, you lose your deposit.

Details of TrumpCare: actually cuts taxes for the wealthy and businesses
The 12 things you should know about TrumpCare: the AHCA includes state waivers, elimination of standard benefits of health insurance plans, Medicaid expansion phase out and block grants, subsidies for risk pools for Pre-Existing Conditions, elimination of $1 Trillion tax and ability of insurers to charge 5 times the premium for sick people. Buffett alone will get $680,000 tax break. AHCA pushes health savings accounts for rich people. For larger employers, the AHCA allows them to pick a plan that offers a significantly lower level of benefits to employees. Employers can put annual and lifetime limits on its essential health benefits. In fact, they could pick a plan with no EHBs. Employees could in effect be on their own since there is no mandate and no penalty for employers to provide no assistance. As in the past, employers are under no obligation to offer real health benefits beyond that needed to retain workers. Congress members will NOT lose their ObamaCare guarantees in this version. GOP made the bill acceptable to many by NOT defining what is specifically covered and ultimately leaving the benefits to the states and insurers. For instance, the bill does not specify what a Pre-Existing Condition is, nor does it allow insurers to deny coverage outright, although potentially they could set premiums we can’t afford. Trump claims PEC is covered but at what cost? “PEC in bill.” We have failing health care,” Single-payor system of Australia better than our system, Trump admits.
FoxNews agrees, US headed to “a single-payer health care system.” 24 million uninsured

Buffett reveals his secret to shareholders and everyone
His investing secret is simple and he told us about it in his annual report: he earned 20.8% a year for his shareholders over time from compound interest. He has told us in many of his reports how he lost money and made bad decisions. However, he has returned DOUBLE the stock market rate by using his secret: Compound Interest. Since most of us don’t use a brokerage account, how can we follow his advice? Well, he put it in very easy formula. We can buy a low-cost stock market index fund. He advises us to put our money and faith in the American economy.



GOP votes to end our financial protection from financial predators
GOP presented Financial CHOICE Act 2.0 today, signaling the first move to roll back consumer protections. You will no longer be able to see complaints about other financial firms overcharging, abusing and defrauding us. All fines and shut down actions will have to be approved by the whole Congress. Cancels requirement for banks to undergo stress tests every other year. Cancels protection against banks tricking us into opening accounts not in our best interest. Cancels oversight of payday lending industry. Banks and lenders can go back to the good old days when regulators ignored what happened to Wells Fargo customers: Customers charged extra fees on bogus accounts.

Is a "SAFE" deal right for you?
You may have heard about a new product known as SAFE or "simple agreement for future equity" instrument. The SEC regulator is warning us to make sure we understand the risks involved. You don’t get dividends or interest while you wait. You can purchase the opportunity to become a future equity holder in a company, if certain events are triggered such as the company goes public or raises a substantial amount of funds. Sound good for risk takers? SAFEs are being sold to investors through crowdfunding which help small companies raise up to $1 million from average investors. Disclosures don’t cover all the possible negative outcomes so whatever you invest must be considered money you can afford to lose. Nothing is every ‘safe’ or ‘simple’ in investing.



Trump’s bank, Deutsche Bank, gets pass for mortgage disaster
The Securities and Exchange Commission has decided not to punish Deutsche Bank for its part in the mortgage disaster of 2008. The decision was made inside an agency that has been facing possible budget cuts under President Donald Trump. The SEC has eliminated dozens of contractors who were hired to help root out Wall Street fraud. It also now has a new chairman, Jay Clayton, a former lawyer for Sullivan & Cromwell which represents Deutsche Bank. Deutsche Bank was bailed out by US tax payers for its losses from its failed mortgage hedging strategy. Deutsche Bank is Trump’s major lender and in dispute with him over his payments. But because it’s his bank, it is probably safe for your cash. Deutsche Bank is probably the first to get bailed out in the next financial disaster.

Has America become a “banana” republic?
A “banana” republic: A country where the large corporations and the wealthy receive all the income and pay an ever smaller part of the tax bill. Since 1980, 99% of all American income has gone to the top 10% of families. A country where the people’s representatives are millionaires but must beg for campaign contributions 70% of their time. And the decisions by these representatives as a group help the wealthy and their companies remain in the bonus column.
How could our House Reps condemn 24 million people to no insurance again?
Reps ask for proof of citizenship for Town Hall entry yet donors are from out of state. Iowa’s Blum receives money form North Carolina, DC lobbyists and Koch Bros, Kansas.
 Thousands of subsidies and tax loopholes are created by those already doing well so that the rules keep getting bent in their favor. Our taxes continue to subsidize companies already doing well. Even those institutions set up to fight inequality and unfairness—the justice apparatus and Supreme court—are swayed by the prejudiced, the rich and the powerful. Justice Department head meets with Dem presidential candidate’s team weeks before elections. FBI director announces just before election one candidate is under investigation without mentioning the other one is too. Intelligence agencies determine that a foreign power is pushing the GOP candidate. USSR planting fake news.
Supreme Court nominee is refused a hearing and vote by GOP contrary to our tradition. Justices are routinely given free vacations and trips by companies with cases to be decided by those justices. Institutions set up to keep our air and water clean are biased by those representing special interests. A country that gives the already wealthy, tax breaks in the name of jobs. As average family income has remained the same for 50 years as adjusted for inflation. All the increases in work productivity have been translated into a big raise for the wealthy few.
A country where the leader is elected after calling women vile names, groping them and admitting sexual assault. And his cabinet are all billionaires—mostly old men. And the leader fired the national organization charged with determining if the leader influenced by a foreign power to get elected and then meets with that foreign power in secret. Is the leader subject to any law? Dictator?
Is America becoming a banana republic?
Typically, the banana republic has a society of stratified social classes, usually a great and poor working class and a ruling-class plutocracy, composed of the business, political, and military elites of that society.[1] Such a ruling-class oligarchy control the primary sectors of the economy by way of the exploitation of workers; thus, the term banana republic is a pejorative descriptor for a servile dictatorship that abets and supports, for kickbacks, the exploitation of large-scale commerce especially global financial products. Corporate losses become public debt and only the little people pay taxes.

We could use some integrity in government—Sally Yates for president?
Bernie Sanders for Vice?


Wall Street brokerage changes as Vanguard eats their lunch, dinner, snack
Morgan Stanley just announced that they will change their business model in the face of Vanguard lowering the cost of making money for investors. The change was justified as “intended to "better align client costs" with brokerage services.” The largest U.S. brokerage by sales force, said on Wednesday it is dropping mutual funds from Vanguard Group, the largest U.S. mutual fund firm. Obama’s fiduciary rule, despite Trump’s delay on implementation, has had the effect of warning investors that advisors do NOT have their best interests at heart. Investors are now seeking less biased advisors and many firms have switched to continuous fees from product commissions. This may cost investors more in the long run. They see that cost is important to final returns.

Why is Jared’s family selling US citizenships to foreigners for personal profit?
Wealthy investors in China can buy American visas if they invest in one of the family’s properties — pure bribery – and not what Trump promised. Nicole Kushner Meyer at a Ritz-Carlton hotel in Beijing on Saturday pitched the deal to 100 investors: They could get green cards if they poured money into One Journal Square, a $150 million luxury Jersey City development from Jared’s family. The quid- pro-quo would come through the EB-5 program, which grants visas to foreigners who invest at least $500,000 in American development projects. Politicians on both sides of the aisle have often criticized the program as a golden road to citizenship for the wealthy. Is It legal if you have a connection to president. Is it moral to sell our US citizenship for personal profit?

Trump did NOT save Carrier jobs; government did
Carrier was paid a government subsidy by IN to stay in Indianapolis for a while. It is moving the Carrier Controls, Huntington, IN to Mexico because CEO pay is tied to profits and low wages make high profits. At a meeting with analysts to discuss the outlook for 2017, the head of the division, Robert J. McDonough, boasted that profit margins had doubled over the last five years. “Part of it has been moving factories to lower-cost locations, there is no question about that,” he said. “I think everybody knows that’s been part of the formula for us.” And even more jobs, paying more in 1 hour than Mexican workers make in a day, are marked to go south by Carrier and hundreds of other firms. Cutting costs to boost sales in competition with others is the only answer in a market economy. Government has paid for a re-training center in IN, but wages are being pushed down—not up. Education for the next generation is torpedoed by higher tuition.
Trump’s budget cuts re-training centers and his tax cuts for firms like Carrier will help build more factories in Mexico not America. His education policy hikes college costs.
Government of the people by the people for the people took a turn backward: https://www.amazon.com/Education-Funding-Save-right-plan/dp/1482549956



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TrumpWorld
We have entered the Twilight Zone:
"There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadowbetween science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone" where “alternative facts” and illusions of conspiracies are lived out. Lies are considered true. Incompetence is praised. Truth is what the loudest voice says it is over and over.  
Rod Serling
Trump threatens FBI Comey with secret tapes Trump made of their talks. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/863007411132649473

Free American press may be locked out of WH:
Trump may end press conferences—only TASS (Russia) will cover events.

The Don blackmails Comey: “secret tapes of his conversations with Mr. Comey
The Don asked for loyalty and Comey said honesty. FBI ideology ended with Hoover.

‘Trump’ brand is all he cares about—it is all he knows. Staff creates image not policy


Trump’s new China policy:


Trump tax cut for corporations and wealthy class adds $5.5 Trillion debt
“I’m the king of debt,” Mr. Trump said last year on CNN. “I love debt.” The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget said the plan would probably lead to a loss in government revenue by roughly $5.5 trillion over 10 years.


Little Dictator wants war: Army to go back to Afghanistan
Trump wants to “start winning” again. He delights in war show. The military’s new strategy, (old strategy) which has the backing of top Cabinet officials, would authorize the Pentagon, not the White House, to set troop numbers in Afghanistan and give the military far broader authority to use air strikes to target Taliban militants (civilian centers). It would also lift Obama-era restrictions that limited the mobility of U.S. military advisers on the battlefield. Our longest undeclared war where fighters in civilian clothes will continue to kill soldiers.
Options to put down N. Korea are considered also. Two wars?

Obama already fired him—what better warning? Even Attorney Gen Yates warned.

The Don just lawyered up—is Trump above the law? Can he govern?
Trump just hired a Washington law firm to send a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee denying that he has connections to Russia. Lindsey Graham said he planned to look into Trump and associates business connections

.
*
More Americans say Trump doesn't keep promises: poll Apr 9  Promises broken.

Pre-existing conditions are in the bill but you can’t afford that coverage
Like before ObamaCare, you can buy health insurance to cover your needs but cost is too great. The Don and GOP have tricked us by claiming to include ACCESS in their new bill. Access means your state can decide for insurers to offer cover in a pool with others and charge whatever the market will bear. They also did not mention that all the 10 guaranteed benefits are optional -- not required as in ObamaCare. The GOP wants to go back to the days when America was Great: Health Care was for the wealthy. Average person can afford only JUNK policy. The GOP bill gives the rich tax cuts that add up to $1 Trillion. The real TELL in this vote: Congress members will NOT lose their ObamaCare guarantees in this version. Trump has his WIN and we lose. 24 million people lose coverage. Even Fox News sees single payor in 7 years as a result.
Side by side comparison ObamaCare vs TrumpCare: http://www.latimes.com/projects/la-na-pol-obamacare-repeal/



Flynn as paid secret foreign agent while US official and campaign knew it--traitor
Flynn, as part of the Trump campaign and named security advisor, had access to all US secrets and was secretly in the pay of Turkey and Russian spy handlers. Flynn at Putin’s RT party. He received $530,000. Isn’t this treason? By law a US officer cannot receive money from foreign governments. Like Ben Arnold, he was official of US government while being paid by foreign powers. Flynn is not alone. Other Trump operatives are also under investigation by the FBI for potentially illegal contact with senior Russian intelligence operatives. Donald Trump also has a longtime pattern of open admiration for gangsters and organized crime. FBI is following the Steele memo on Trump activities in Russia. FBI, NSA said Russia sought to influence the election. 35% GOP say didn’t.
Did Trump do a background on his hires? Or were Flynn, Page, Manafort plants under Putin control and leveraged by the Trump scandal hidden in Putin’s video player?
Civilians conspire with a hostile power to end Presidential sanctions against that hostile power we are fighting in Syria and Ukraine. Isn’t this treason?
Flynn was warned not to take money from foreigners when he left Pentagon. Trump refused to give our committee on Russia probe any Flynn info or docs: Committee on Russian influence stunned. Yates warned Trump. Coverup? Treason?  Three key minutes of Sally Yates’ testimony before the Senate Judiciary subcommittee. 


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Regulators are the only protection against corporations since we can’t sue anymore

Water is contaminated for 77 million Americans, 80,000 violations; no money to fix it.
Fiat recalls 1 million Ram trucks for software that controls/not control airbags
We need regulation—GOP wrong—companies/cities wouldn’t fix bad products on own
GM killed 124 because ignition switch pin not replaced after knew it killed first in 2006.


Police want gun control.
When everyone has guns; your chance of being killed goes up. Police don’t know who to shoot. They assume everyone has one and shoot first. You and thief have guns. CO schools now allow teachers/administrators to carry guns in the classroom. Kid lesson! Since 2015, police have killed 86 people with realistic looking FAKE guns--suicide?

TX forces its police to become Gestapo—Trump’s national deportation Nazis
“Every major police chief in Texas, which includes some of the largest cities in the U.S., opposed the measure that allows police to inquire about the immigration status of anyone they detain, a situation that can range from arrest for a crime to being stopped for a traffic violation. It also requires police chiefs and sheriffs — under the threat of jail and removal of office — to comply with federal requests to hold criminal suspects for possible deportation. 

TX police kill teen at party
Jordan Edwards, a 15-year-old TX teen is the youngest of the 339 people shot and killed by police so far in 2017, according to a Washington Post database tracking such shootings. At least 10 people shot and killed by police this year were under 18.

SCAMS:
Poor people with no insurance die early just like GOP new plan calculates.

Ignoramus Award:
Trump’s EPA head dismissed half of the scientific advisers from analysis boards
Trump cut 95% of staff of the drug enforcement office

Why did Hillary send her emails to aide Huma Abedin who sent them to her husband, Anthony Weiner to print them? Clinton or Abedin had no printer? Too lazy? Book deal?

Trump threatens FBI Comey with secret tapes Trump made of their talks. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/863007411132649473


How our government wastes our money:
Afghanistan--$4 Trillion and 20,000 lives later—we can’t win and won’t leave.

Where have all the jobs gone?
More facts, not Don’s fake news, about NAFTA and job changes: It’s complicated, Don.

Which job board sites are best for your job search?

Cancel Robo calls with Mr NoMoRobo: https://www.nomorobo.com

Miracle: 10 year old subdues 9 foot gator
"I used what they taught me at Gatorland, so I put my two fingers up its nostrils and it couldn't breath and had to breath from its mouth and then let my leg out." Who knew!

IAN
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