Un-science propaganda by DeVos to kids

Un-science propaganda in the name of science ed—how fascism works

Trump Sec Education is having climate change deniers (Koch Industries) blast students and teachers across America with Heartland materials that reject basic principles on which nearly all climate scientists agree. Yet, during her confirmation, she said ‘support the teaching of great science and especially science that allows students to exercise critical thinking and to really discover and examine in new ways.’ Recently, DeVos praised US default on Paris Accord: ‘rolling back the unrealistic? and overreaching? regulatory actions by the previous Administration.’ A survey of high school science teachers “reported telling their students, wrongly, that the causes of recent climate change are the matter of scientific debate.” Among real scientists, there is no debate. Future voters get the wrong message by DeVos allowing right-wing lobbyists DeVos herself  pays for to create a false impression. Leading children to junk science is wrong and contradicts DeVos pledge to promote ‘great science’ and ‘critical thinking.’ 

This is how fascism drives a wedge into society and common beliefs. Koch Industries is the only beneficiary of dumping toxins into our environment for their short-term profits.

Who are better investors—men or women?

Most people say men. They dominate Wall Street profit machines. They take risks and overwhelmingly believe that they can beat the market. When they lose, they get bailed out since we let them play with our money. Just like most drivers say they are superior drivers. Hubris or overconfidence? Fidelity’s study found that women are better because they don’t do those things. In fact, Fidelity found that if you leave your account alone you earn more. They don’t trade as often in risky equities and they know they are NOT ‘masters of the universe.’ Another study says women earn 1% more than men. Women also save/invest more. They take the long view on investing like Warren Buffett’s strategy. Buffett earns over 20% per year (2016: p2) by NOT trading. Active investors earn just 3.79% while a low-cost market index fund earns 11%. (dalbar)

Your choice: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Robo-Advisor-Ultimate-Automatic-Management/dp/1537111957

I wrecked my portfolio; did you?

My retirement nest eggs could have contained over a $1 million. Invested at 8% in a balanced fund, I could have spent $80,000 a year on average. But I fell victim to 10 investment biases that wrecked my portfolio.  After learning about my mistakes, I was able to recover and still grew it to $900,000. I had never heard of Warren Buffett when I began investing in the early 80s. Warren Buffett had not yet provided his secret to investing.

            I had no idea that for investing, the key to success is cost.

            I did not know you can avoid taxes on retirement income.

            I did not know my money could grow faster just by leaving it alone.

My first contact with 'investing' was deciding which options for my 401k account. The HR person said “you won't lose money with this one.” They steered me to the “stable value” and money market options. That was my first big mistake.           

I learned to avoid my biases and invest well: https://www.amazon.com/investment-biases-that-fried-nest/dp/1547188952

Should you buy a house?

Your home could be considered an investment. Actually, for most middle class folks, it was assumed that you have a big asset, not just a place to live. Why? Because you are not “wasting” your money by paying rent and having nothing to show for it after 30 years. Now a new report says, Forgetaboutit. Making payments for 30 years is not good for you. Current trends of slowing rents relative to the costs of ownership and climbing mortgage rates in some markets support this view. Three cities, Dallas, Denver and Houston, are in historically high territory for renting being the better option for building wealth. The housing supply continues to fall and you still need a place to live. The overall return on home equity wealth is still about 5% over time. If you have been paying for a while, this may be the smart time to sell with rising prices. On the other hand, homeowners 65 and older who still have mortgages have ballooned. Some use their new 15-year mortgage and property tax to reduce income tax. Others take their equity and downsize or rent. The standard deduction for most neutralizes any tax deduction. Secure employment can make home ownership a no brainer but the trend is down reflecting economic upheaval.

Make your financial life simple: https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Financial-Life-paycheck-paycheck/dp/1441499326

Trump tax cut down-played by J P Morgan

Analysts with very expensive crystal balls said they now see $100 billion of annual debt-financed tax cuts to take effect in the second quarter of 2018. They previously forecast $200 billion of such tax cuts per year to start in the third quarter of 2017. Tax cuts for the rich inside the new TrumpCare bill increase the deficit by $600 billion. (Congressman who wrote the cut to Medicaid funding bill for ObamaCare got $800,000  TrumpWorld.) With his tax cut bill, the Congressional Budget Office projects that the federal debt will grow by $10 trillion over the next decade. Wealthy folks keep buying stocks and moving firms overseas; pushing Wall Street prices higher assuming the Trump bump. It looks like the GOP wants to increase the deficit putting the burden on the next generation. Their experience in KS illustrates the effect of tax cuts to the wealthy. KS was close to bankruptcy and the KS GOP leaders have reversed the 2002 tax cut on business and high earners. The wealthy buy art and assets, they don’t buy new factories or businesses. We pay the taxes they don’t.

Take your tax credits now: https://www.amazon.com/Tax-Credit-Class-your-credits-ZERO/dp/1539462382

Trump encourages religious zealots with more paranoia

The Don told a religious gathering that "we're under siege" but will emerge "bigger and better and stronger than ever." He supports evangelicals “to follow their faith.” For some conservatives this means discrimination and bias is OK—“live by the teachings of their faith." He does not mean for Muslims and other minorities. In fact, anti-sharia rallies are the new Trump demonstrations. The evangelicals applauded for Gorsuch as a Supreme who they see as ending legal abortion. They support destroying the church-state wall so tax-exempt orgs can help decide elections. He promised to defend religious “preaching what is in your heart.” For some this means not serving gays and minorities and managing behavior through health care benefits. No birth control, no abortions, and no sex for gays are the basics. Trump promised no support for health care options for the poor. He will find more GOP voters to end the ‘siege’ felt by those who want a ecclesiocracy with Trump as the appointed ruler: “I alone can fix it.”

Evangelicals ignore what Trump calls TWO Corinthians: "I have written you in my letter NOT to associate with sexually immoral people." “Grab them by the __ “Trump

Evangelical Christians applauded him for 3 minutes. Beware false gods.

Industry OK’s advisors who rip us off just do it again and again

A new study shows that HALF of bad advisors HELD on to their jobs after being caught. About half of the rest got jobs at other financial firms. In other words, a year after serious misconduct, about three-quarters of advisors found to have wronged clients are still working. Using a bigger firm makes no difference. These predators go for those with less college and older age. All advisors must produce revenue for their firms. Some firms seem to attract suspicious employees. They certainly are not working for us. They often sell us products we don’t need or products inferior to others. In an experiment, 85% of advisors changed an age-appropriate low-cost portfolio to an expensive version. And the industry works hard to disguise its costs. Most of us have no idea what we pay. “The broker leads them to believe they’re not paying any fees at all,” one critic says. Firms have margins of 39% and signing bonuses of effective sellers can be $6.6 million. Conflicts of interest costing investors dearly—up to 63% of our nest eggs. The industry and the Congress it helps with elections have no incentive to control bad actors. Without high fees brokers claims they won’t service those who need help.

Is “advice” really just a sales pitch like a car salesperson:  https://www.amazon.com/Lies-Financial-Advisors-Told-alternatives/dp/1478281545

If Putin can hack our election computers and change votes, can our power grids be next?  Hackers have devised a cyberweapon that has the potential to be the most disruptive yet against electric systems that Americans depend on for daily life, according to U.S. researchers. The malware, which researchers have dubbed CrashOverride, is known to have disrupted only one energy system — in Ukraine in December. In that incident, the hackers briefly shut down one-fifth of the electric power generated in Kiev. We have NOT done a thorough investigation of all of our state voting computers yet. Re-counting fake votes does not solve the problem. Some states like GA PA dismiss idea since GOP won. Trump’s hunt for voter fraud takes us away from questionable GOP manipulation, like deleting voter rolls, etc.  The head of the Senate Intelligence Committee told USA TODAY, "I don't believe they got into changing actual voting outcomes," Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said. But Congress doesn’t know for sure!  Homeland Security, which works with the owners of the nation’s critical infrastructure systems, did not respond to a request for comment by the Washington Post. Some utilities are trying to catch up but we saw what happens if they don’t fix the system.

We used a similar tool on the Iran centrifuges and now the Ruskies can use it against us.  

GOP tells reporters they can’t interview Congress without approval

In a dictatorship, the junta in power starts by using “protecting” and “security” as the excuse to cancel our rights. Now the Senate Rules Committee is forbidding reporters from interviewing Reps on the run, in the halls, where they are accessible. Instead they must get a scheduled interview, which senators often cancel. Recently, House GOP attacked a reporter for asking about health care and got ‘community service’ (his job) not jail. And Trump asks for loyalty from all his employees, even his cabinet.

*****************

TrumpWorld

Goal: Trump brand around the world

Trump Jr promotes his properties during official visit to Saudis

You and I pay for Trump kids’ security and travel around the world

Trump boasts of highest TV ratings since ‘the World Trade Center came down’

‘Trump’ brand is all he cares about—it is all he knows. Trump vs America brand

He only reads the Intel that contains his name.

He pushes others out of the way for TV shot

“Covfefe” means “I’m tired of this BS”

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

‘I could shoot someone on 5^th avenue and not lose voters’

Two Americas

Trump is still just a mafia contractor from Queens—Fred taught him to be The Don.

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 illegally pushes 2 top Intel heads to help him with FBI probe Coats testify

Putin is NOT just another mob boss The Don is used to dealing with mobs in NYC.

Trump is not concerned about Putin hacking elections bec/ it does not hurt his brand.

Chris Wray to FBI so he can get Trump off like Wray did for Christie’s Bridgegate. Wray kept secret Chrisie’s messages to staff who were convicted of giving order to close.

Russia interfered with U.S. voting software before the 2016 presidential election.

Senate votes to block any Trump rollback of sanctions for interference. 

Russian lobbyist Rich Burt helped Sessions write Trump policy speech in mid 2016

Ryan admits The Don is incompetent to lead America--Mafia yes: “an offer can’t refuse”

Trump promise to testify like promise to show tax returns and deport 11 million.

Lawyer Kasowitz’s clients include Russian bank and oligarch close to Putin. Manafort

Mueller is now examining whether Trump tried to obstruct justice. Comey, Rogers, Coats

Trump retreat from world: America was happy “between our two oceans,” he said, until realizing “what a crummy world if we all retreat inside our own borders.” Gen Mattis

“When America gives her word, we have to live up to it and work with our allies.”

Trump calls his TrumpCare bill ‘mean’ this week but “great” last week. Polls at 40%

Jared in charge of everything is quiet like Chauncey Gardner (Peter Sellers) Being There

TrumpWorld – using presidency to make money the old fashioned way:

Trump Justice Dept says OK for The Don to receive foreigner’s payments (bribes)

*************

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

“It is nearly impossible for one individual to take on a corporation with vast resources.” Supremes stop us from suing—State courts no longer available to sue corporations!

Michael Joseph CC, VisionQwest Resource caught defrauding 150 $1.2m taxes.

Mike McMahon Caught ‘churning’ cost client $267,567 in fees; lost $261,441 trading AP

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?

Silencers for sale soon by GOP House bill

SCAMS:

Like 60s rock music “normative” amounts of teleconference linked to deviant behavior?

Ignoramus Award:

Like Americans, UK is having second thoughts about withdrawal from the world.

France avoided Putin’s disruption.

Tangier Island is losing 16 feet to rising tides every year, mayor told Trump, who said, “I believe your island will be there for hundreds more.”

LA coast lower Mississippi area flooded faster than expected

How our government wastes our money:

If Gen Flynn and Jeff Sessions can refuse to answer Congress, is there any law now?

Mattis told lawmakers ‘we are not winning’ in Afghanistan. Mattis said the Taliban was.

$13 Billion carrier that can’t handle airplanes yet Congress paid overruns and bonus for it

Where have all the jobs gone?

Half of all retail gone by 2018—automation is cause unless tied to sales or handling.

Bank America layoffs staff again

The average wage needed to rent a two-bedroom home ($21.21) is nearly three times more than the federal minimum wage of $7.25. Over 2 million US workers make at or below the federal minimum, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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:

Bullies in schools are drawing inspiration from Trump. It takes a miracle to undo attitude.

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ 07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alerts

Is your portfolio wrecked by investment biases?

I wrecked my portfolio; did you?

My retirement nest eggs could have contained over a $1 million. Invested at 8% in a balanced fund, I could have spent $80,000 a year on average. But I fell victim to 10 investment biases that wrecked my portfolio.  After learning about my mistakes, I was able to recover and still grew it to $900,000. I had never heard of Warren Buffett when I began investing in the early 80s. Warren Buffett had not yet provided his secret to investing.

            I had no idea that for investing, the key to success is cost.

            I did not know you can avoid taxes on retirement income.

            I did not know my money could grow faster just by leaving it alone.

My first contact with 'investing' was deciding which options for my 401k account. The HR person said “you won't lose money with this one.” They steered me to the “stable value” and money market options. That was my first big mistake.           

I learned to avoid my biases and invest well: https://www.amazon.com/investment-biases-that-fried-nest/dp/1547188952

Trump uses flattery to trick us about investing

 “The Fiduciary Rule as written may not align with President Trump’s deregulatory goals,” Acosta, Trump’s labor secretary, wrote in an Op-Ed. “This administration presumes that Americans can be trusted to decide for themselves what is best for them.” Flattering, but not true. We don’t have enough education and experience to decide how best to invest. The industry has preyed on us for over 100 years. “The image of the investment professional who always prospers—whether the client sinks or swims—has got to change,” said Paul Smith, head of fee-only advisors. “Everyone knows we overcharge for what we do. It’s obvious.” It is the brokers that have the yachts not the customers. We go to advisors for help and we lose. “The broker leads [us] to believe [we]re not paying any fees at all.” The return of the average customer is 3.79% while owning a low-cost stock index fund earns 11%. Further, by paying 2% per year to our advisor, we give up 63% of our total possible nest egg. One regulation doesn’t automatically make advisors more ethical. However, without at least the Fiduciary Rule, the phrase “trust your broker” will continue to be just a joke punch line. Schwab has it right, there is no advisor accountability. The industry hides the costs. GOP House lifts protections against financial meltdowns.

We have no idea what we’re giving up: https://www.amazon.com/Fiduciary-Rule-BEST-dont-anymore/dp/1530980275

Did Russia change our voting computers’ tabulations?

Leaked documents say they targeted our voting machine software. The head of the Senate Intelligence Committee told USA TODAY, "I don't believe they got into changing actual voting outcomes," Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said in an interview. "But the extent of the attacks is much broader than has been reported so far." The Feds don’t know!

It sounds like our government never checked the local computers to determine if the software changed a few votes here and there to give the election to Trump. Putin did not want Hill to win. He admitted his “patriots” hacked our elections. But no one bothered to check our computers. It only would take a few votes in 3 states to reverse the outcome. The Brennan Center report estimated 43 states used voting machines that are more than 10 years old. Many of these devices contain outdated software without updates. Harri Hursti, a Finnish computer programmer, famously exposed this vulnerability by remotely changing counts. Some analysts think that malware, planted in the machine software can change outcomes. “You can tap that as many times, for as many votes as you want to give the person.” Any votes coded for “Clinton” could be cut in half automatically.

No state has actually looked at the software or did extensive recounts.

Putin and Trump are laughing at us: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/05/10/527755991/trump-meets-with-russias-lavrov-at-the-white-house-today

Will a single payer health care plan in CA NV work?

CA Dems say this is the only way for the majority to receive affordable health care. Many voters think that health is a right not a privilege of the tax credit class. TrumpCare gives our tax money to the wealthy and puts the burden for care on the states. Ryan does not want to give CA the money for a single-payer system. CA has the 6^th largest economy in the world ahead of France. The top 10 countries have single payer systems. Even US medical providers agree Medicare works. Only the DC lobbyists disagree. These highly compensated folks have run our health care for too long. CA might show the way. NV may try Medicaid for all who need it. Medicare works better than what we have now. Just ask any 65 year old.

Is Christian compassion un-American? Trump seems to think so.

Trump’s kid thinks Dad’s critics are not human. https://www.amazon.com/Enough-Retirement-Income-Incarnate-living/dp/1500165107

What we don’t know will kill our future

Survey participants who worked with an advisor had lower overall levels of financial literacy. Because we don’t even know what an advisor charges, we lose $ billions yearly. Indeed, three in four respondents failed to pass The American College of Financial Services’ 38-question quiz regarding strategies to make savings last through a retirement. Before taking the quiz, 61 percent of the participants felt like they had high levels of knowledge about retirement income, but just one-third of those who said they were highly knowledgeable were able to pass the quiz, according to the College. This is called illusory superiority, a cognitive bias whereby a person overestimates their abilities. So many of us think we or our advisor can beat the market. So we think we know how to manage retirement income. 30 percent knew that actively managed mutual funds tend to have higher fees than ETFs. Just one-in-three correctly responded that bond values tend to fall as interest rates rise, and only one-in-four displayed an understanding of bond ratings and asset classes. We also struggled with low levels of knowledge regarding annuities, according to the College. Expensive annuities are sold, not bought.  

Know your future: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Retirement-Income-Checklist-TrumpWorld/dp/1544703260

What did you learn from the Great Recession of 2008-9?

Many young people, watching from the sidelines, have turned into conservative investors, according to a Legg Mason survey. 82 percent of millennials say the investment decisions they are making now were influenced by the recession. People with other experience react differently: only 13 percent of baby boomers and 14 percent of those over age 65 say the recession held sway over their investing. This is called anchoring: a cognitive bias that describes our tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information offered (the "anchor") when making decisions. If millennials had learned about compounding in high school math, they would know that investors earn 10-12% on stocks over TIME. A low-cost stock index has gained over 9% per year since 2007 and 11% since 1995 and 13% since 1975. At that rate, any young person who invests $250 a month could have $1 million by retirement because they have TIME.

Get the facts first:  https://www.amazon.com/Millennials-Investment-Strategy-BEST-journey/dp/1533079242

This is what a critic is saying about 1 new car

“Perhaps the worst-handling new car on sale,” one said. The critic said that drivers will hate how much road noise emanates within the cabin. Check all ten new cars that you should NOT buy even if you love the way they look. Even the $80,000 Maserati Ghibli is rated a Gjip.

And the most stolen car/truck in 2015 was the Altima.

Best for getting there and back: Consumer Reports BEST for the 200,000 mile life.

Use all your discounts too: https://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Insurance-Beware-Double-Coverage/dp/1480027634

Trump tax cuts will do harm and will be reversed like KS

GOPs in KS have awakened from the myth that more breaks for rich grows economy. GOP voted to rescind the tax cuts of 2012 after KS almost went bankrupt. Rich people of KS did not build new business, did not create more jobs and did not increase revenue from growth. The tax cuts of Brownback just left bad schools, more fees, less jobs. KS has no deficit spending like the feds so GOP can’t waste money. How many times will GOP fool the public with “growth thru tax cuts?” People forget the GOP savior Reagan had to raise taxes 11 times after cutting them in the 80s. Yes, he did not call them tax hikes but a duck is a duck. KS proved that when you cut taxes for the rich you increase deficits because rich people don’t spend money for things that create jobs. They buy art and other assets that are not taxed until they are sold—perhaps a generation later. When you have money, you can use all the legal means to avoid taxes. For instance, Warren Buffett, with $60 billions, pays only 17% total tax: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu5B-2LoC4s; Mitt Romney only 14%; John Kerry only 13% and Apple just 9.8%. Buffett found that his staff pays 32.9%—DOUBLE! Trump protects his own class with tax cuts.

Give yourself a tax break: https://www.amazon.com/Tax-Credit-Class-your-credits-ZERO/dp/1539462382

Trump thinks he is vindicated.

He was/is the boss of campaign officials being managed by Putin.  “Despite so many false statements and lies, total and complete vindication...and WOW, Comey is a leaker!”

Comey kept notes of every meeting because the president lies. “Please release the tapes!”

U.S. bars are offering $5 Russian vodka drinks, “impeachmint” cocktails to draw crowds on Thursday to watch fired FBI Director James Comey's televised testimony to Congress.

*****************

TrumpWorld

Goal: Trump brand around the world

Trump Jr promotes his properties during official visit to Saudis

You and I pay for Trump kids’ security and travel around the world

Trump boasts of highest TV ratings since ‘the World Trade Center came down’

‘Trump’ brand is all he cares about—it is all he knows. Trump vs America brand

He only reads the Intel that contains his name.

He pushes others out of the way for TV shot

“Covfefe” means “I quit”

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

‘I could shoot someone on 5^th avenue and not lose voters’

Two Americas

Trump is still just a mafia contractor from Queens—Fred taught him to be The Don.

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 illegally pushes 2 top Intel heads to help him with FBI probe Coats testify

Putin is not just another mob boss The Don is used to dealing with in NYC.

Trump tied to Russian mafia thinks he owns the ‘towns’ people and the Law.

Trump lawyered up but lawyers want pay up front – criminal and civil charges.

Trump gives absolution to lobbyists/employees for UNethical behavior Papal Bull?

Chris Wray to FBI so he can get Trump off like Wray did for Christie’s Bridgegate. Wray kept secret Chrisie’s messages to staff who were convicted of giving order to close.

Putin disputes Trump: Putin admits his ‘patriots’ hacked US – cracking US open

Russia tried to interfere with U.S. voting software before the 2016 presidential election.

Putin’s ‘patriots’ only had to have the software change a few votes for electoral college.

Putin happy Trump dumped working the rest of the world on climate—another wedge

Ryan admits The Don is incompetent to lead America--Mafia yes: “an offer can’t refuse”

Trump near giving spooks their mansions back and ending sanctions for invasions.

Trump retreat from world: America was happy “between our two oceans,” he said, until realizing “what a crummy world if we all retreat inside our own borders.” Gen Mattis

“When America gives her word, we have to live up to it and work with our allies.”

TrumpWorld – using presidency to make money the old fashioned way:

Koch Industries big winner with Paris pullout—Election dollars really do make change.

Ivanka’s shoe manufacturer investigated for abusing her workers.

Trump hotel paid $270,000 Saudi lobbyists to stop letting Americans sue for terrorism.

Don’s greed: shifted kids-cancer charity money into his business and interests.

Don to sell Washington waterway so customers can pay more and budget looks better.

Privatizing airports, water, roads could create another Flint or IN toll road hikes.

*************

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

“It is nearly impossible for one individual to take on a corporation with vast resources.” Supremes stop us from suing—State courts no longer available to sue corporations!

VW recalls 24,000 Audi A7, A8 for emissions cheating after govt testing

Harley-Davidson recalls 57,000 Hogs for oil line break onto rear tire.

Fay Servicing caught failing to provide protections against foreclosures. No due process.

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?

TN teen accidentally killed his girlfriend with gun he’d just received as a graduation gift from girlfriend’s father?  

SCAMS:

Coal lobby burns up US future. China makes more solar panels we invented.

DealDash lures you to gambling site an investigation by TINA.org has found.  

Ignoramus Award:

“I am not a woman, so I don’t have bad days,” Vladimir Putin

Don, look at Tangier, VA where climate change and rising sea levels threaten jobs of the inhabitants of the slowly sinking island. Every coal job costs us 4 energy jobs.

'Leaders don't leave tables, leaders stay' Dow Chemical CEO says.

GOP Tim Walberg said that God will address climate change if it is real.

How our government wastes our money:

This is how Fascism creeps into our lives—little by little—excused by “protecting us”

Where have all the jobs gone?

“Since the fourth quarter of last year until most recently, we’ve added almost 50,000 jobs in the coal sector.” Most were in ‘non-coal’ mining operations. Trump’s EPA Puitt

370,000 people work for solar companies – growing at fast pace; now at risk?

Verizon cuts about 2,000 jobs from Yahoo.

Retailers are closing more stores: Sears closing 250.

Jobs that are NOT filled—recruiting https://www.benefitnews.com/slideshow/2017s-toughest-jobs-to-fill#slide-1

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:

Heroic Kids Save Dad’s Life After Shed Falls—he’s unconscious; they called 911.

Fox News tries to get the real news for a change.

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ 07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alerts 

Are dividend-paying stocks right for you?

Are dividend-paying stocks right for you?

Riding on your portfolio output of dividends is the dream of every retired investor. Perfect combo of rising dividends and portfolio value provides you with inflation-fighting income and growth. Is this perfection possible? The Dogs of Dow tell you which stocks may be your ticket but part of the answer is how much you must pay for your dividend returns. Vanguard has again lowered its fees on funds that emphasize dividends. Why is this important: If you earn 3.05% on your fund but the cost is 1%, you keep only 2%--even less if taxable account. If the cost is 0.15% which is 86% lower than the average expense ratio of funds with similar holdings, you earn 2.9%. If your principal has increased over 13% during each of the last 5 years, you have a winner. Lucky for us, Vanguard funds are low-cost so no matter what happens in the future, we are NOT overpaying. Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index and Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund provide income and growth. Either will complement a bond fund like Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund with current yield of 4.67%. Since 1978 this fund has provided annual returns of 8.5%. Dividends and bonds can complement your Vanguard Top Ten: https://www.amazon.com/Vanguards-Top-Ten-mutual-funds/dp/150073909X

How does a 401k loan or cash out hurt you?

On average, about 30% to 40% of people leaving jobs elect to cash out their accounts and pay taxes and often penalties rather than leave the money or transfer it to another tax-advantaged retirement plan. The result is that you won’t have the money for an emergency and your nest egg will be severely reduced. A typical situation: cashing out your 401k when you change jobs. One case I worked on was a layoff. They were not able to secure a new position, so the option to transfer their 401k to a new job never happened. They were so concerned about their lost job and finding a new one, they did not investigate other options. So when the old firm reminded them they had $51,308 sitting in their account, they took it. Their unemployment was running out. They did not realize there would be taxes to pay – 20% withheld – and 10% penalty. That left about $35,000. If they had called a mutual fund company they could have had them move the money to an IRA investing in the same option they had at work. What did they give up? That $51,308 could have grown to $895,000 in a low-cost stock index account by the time they retired. This person could have temped or borrowed enough to live on until their next job started in about 6 months. Of course, they needed the money then and it was easy to get but after realizing what they gave up, they would have picked another option.

Consider your options: https://www.amazon.com/401k-IRA-Tax-FREE-Tax-Deferred-retirement/dp/1475057938

Trump could be a great president

He could nominate a politically-middle Supreme when the next one resigns. Instead of packing the Court with more questionable jurists like Scalia, Trump could keep the Court balanced. This would allow America to maintain a majority in the social mainstream and save a divisive split like Congress. It would maintain the choice women have in their health. It would keep corporations from flooding the election process with money. The Supremes can make sure that legitimate voters can continue to get to the polls when it is convenient. In recent years, GOP dominated state govts have limited hours, voting days and places so that an American must take off a day of work just to vote. Some waited 7 hours. Many states have deleted voter registrations based on arbitrary measures. Religious freedom is an important right but using it to discriminate against people you don’t like is wrong. Supremes must keep prejudice out of our lives to the extent they can. They need to balance my right to carry guns with the safety of all.

America only works as a democracy if we each share citizenship fairly and equally.

Fiduciary Rule back?

Firms and their advisers must comply with the exemptions’ conditions after June 9, 2017 if they receive compensation for investment advice in a manner that would violate the prohibited transaction rules, which are designed to protect retirement investors from conflicts of interest. Firms and advisers must either structure their compensation arrangements to avoid prohibited transactions or they must comply with an exemption such as the BIC Exemption or Principal Transactions Exemption. Advisors must give advice that is in our “best interest” but this is not made clear. This rule was made so that an 80 year old investor is not sold an annuity that left them with little cash. Most annuities are so complicated that no one understands them. Many firms have decided to move clients to a perpetual fee account so they can earn even more than an annuity over time. Your “best interest” may be to use a simple income annuity or dividend fund.

Ask your advisor to review all the options: https://www.amazon.com/Annuity-Decision-Tree-questions-answers/dp/1546454497.

Trump budget increases wealth inequality; social instability

Trump loves creating debt so he can provide benefits to keep tax credit class happy. Some economists see his budget adding $10 Trillion to the national debt. His GOP staff says giving money to the rich will generate economic growth at TWICE the current rate. Since many think we are at full employment now, it would be impossible to double our output. GOP leaders have been reluctant to spend money for Obama’s plans so it will take great courage for them to reverse their stand and spend. Trump’s supporters – disability belts -- will see the greatest cuts—SS disability cut by $70 billions. Trump’s team likes to hold up Reagan as the beacon but he raised the debt from 35% of total production to 60% of GDP. Cutting taxes and having economic growth pay for it does NOT seem to work. Only Clinton, Carter, JFK-LBJ lowered the growth of debt relative to GDP. If this seems counterintuitive, the GOP lust for increasing the gap in wealth only makes sense to those who measure America by their asset size. Is America a better place to live in if 1% of us owns 50% of all assets? The top 10% of families -- those who had at least $942,000 -- hold 76% of total wealth. The average amount of wealth in this group was $4 million. Most of us have less than $200,000 including our home! Real incomes are the same as in the ‘70s. Increased health coverage costs mean less saved for retirement. Men without college are dropping out of the workforce due to lack of opportunity. We are becoming a two class society like ancient Rome.

America’s Socialism for the Rich: https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Socialism-Rich-little-people/dp/1535218584

This is what happens when you cut taxes for the rich—America’s future?

School children get less education. Oklahoma has closed schools. What is the future for students who cut their education so early in life? Is this how OK grows its economy? Does giving more money to the rich really grow jobs and opportunity? Like KS, GOP control since 2004 has led to fewer services, including public education. “These are all the result of a bad public policy and a lack of public-sector investment.” Workers won’t move to states with poor schools. This is what Trump has in store for all of us. Facing a $900 million budget gap in OK, Trump’s additional cuts will mean less learning unless you can send your kids to private school. Only Arizona, Idaho and Utah spent less per student. Teacher salaries are ranked 49^th lowest. “If I were single, I’d be on welfare,” one said. Trump’s plan to cut education: Millions for private schools and charter schools.

There is a red America and a blue America; an educated and uneducated US. Not good!

How Russian propaganda works

A new media giant has challenged Fox to serve those who believe the alternative universe of anti-government anti-establishment messages. Sinclair is the largest owner of local TV stations in the nation. Sinclair would have 7 of every 10 Americans in its potential audience. Hackers provide data and false stories. With one piece of propaganda like the Clinton’s Pizza slave girl shop, provided by the Russian Information Warfare Management Cell, voters grabbed their guns and voted for the nihilistic alternative candidate who claimed “I can shoot someone on 5^th Ave and not lose any voters.” Despite fact checking information readily available, Sinclair and Fox can easily be tricked into sending the majority of Americans over the cliff of the reasonable. The traitors led the shout out “lock her up.” Putin’s goals of destabilizing America and creating a vacuum of power around the world would be complete. The legit media is treated as the “enemy of the people” (a term Stalin used) by a Russian puppet who claimed ‘I Alone Can Fix It’ I will restore law and order” while actually breaking the law at every turn. Now most Americans see Putin/Russia favorably. He took Crimea, Ukraine and kills his opponents. We eat his venom and beat reporters.

The GOP beacon Reagan is turning in his grave. He spits out this poison.

Cars: better used than new

Regal sedan loses 31.2 percent of its original transaction price after 12 months on the road, according to this survey. 11 more that cost 1/3 less after one year are a Best buy. Plus someone else has had to take them in for manufacturing problems.

10 cars with greatest number of safety complaints include Jeep: http://www.cheatsheet.com/automobiles/cars-most-safety-complaints-since-2005.html/

Consumer Reports Best used cars in each class: http://www.consumerreports.org/used-cars/best-used-cars-for-under-30000-dollars/   Price drops from glut.

Don’t forget all your discounts: https://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Insurance-Beware-Double-Coverage/dp/1480027634

Can GOP really live on $7.25 an hour wages?

Conservatives have not increased the wage guide for 17 years. Yet they wish to cut welfare, food stamps, child lunch programs, and just about every social safety net we have. Some hide from voters. Would low-pay workers need to be on all these programs if working people received enough hours at $15 to buy food, housing and health care? The GOP always cites “job loss” when raising the minimum wage comes up. Some say employers can’t compete in the world market with higher wages. But have they really considered how you live on $7.25 and the part-time limits of some employers because of health insurance requirements. Some states have moved to set $15 as a goal despite Washington’s intransigence. It turns out that low-pay jobs at McDonald and Walmart are being subsidized by tax payers because no human, even Congress people, can live on $7.25 even with their perks and benefits. In many states Walmart employees are the largest group of Medicaid recipients. Wages are at the same level as 1975 in terms of buying power. And when you consider the growth of wages of the head of the firms they work for, you can see how American Socialism for the Rich works.

https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Socialism-Rich-little-people/dp/1535218584

*****************

TrumpWorld

Goal: Trump brand around the world

Trump Jr promotes his properties during official visit to Saudis

You and I pay for Trump kids’ security and travel around the world

Trump boasts of highest TV ratings since ‘the World Trade Center came down’

‘Trump’ brand is all he cares about—it is all he knows. Trump vs America brand

He only reads the Intel that contains his name.

He pushes others out of the way for TV shot

covfefe

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

‘I could shoot someone on 5^th avenue and not lose voters’

Two Americas

Trump is still just a contractor from Queens—Fred taught him to be The Don.

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 illegally pushes 2 top Intel heads to help him with FBI probe

Putin is not just another mob boss The Don is used to dealing with in NYC.

Trump tied to Russian mafia thinks he owns the town’s people and the Law.

Trump lawyered up to fight Russian probe by Justice – criminal and civil charges.

Trump gives absolution to lobbyists/employees for UNethical behavior Papal Bull?

FBI to question a Trump WH ‘advisor’ Jared as Russia spy master? Espionage?

Russia brags they could use Flynn to push Trump around. Jared Russian investors.

Carrier sends those jobs Trump ‘saved’ to Mexico after all. EU trip saved jobs “millions”

Flynn avoids jail—OK to ignore subpoena since McConnell not vote contempt. Where did his $1/2 million fee come from, really?

Why travel ban banned: ‘in context it drips with religious intolerance, animus and discrimination.’ The president’s authority, the court said, ‘cannot go unchecked when, as here, the president wields it through an executive edict that stands to cause irreparable harm to individuals across this nation.’  

Which witch hunt?

Resign or impeach? Which is better for Trump brand? Most ‘mistreated’ president?

Why is Trump/Jared making secret comm to Putin? Traitor? Subvert?

TrumpWorld – using presidency to make money the old fashioned way: Who you know.

Sergey Gorkov, Putin’s top financial operative, banker, consulted Jared in December.

Jared’s loans: Since 2013, Blackstone mutual funds has loaned more than $400 million to finance four Kushner Cos. deals -- two of which have not been reported -- making it one of the business’s largest lenders. And their ties go beyond the loans. Stephen Schwarzman, Blackstone’s CEO, heads Trump’s business-advisory council and was in Riyadh with the president and Kushner. The Saudi promise to invest in Blackstone’s fund drove the firm’s stock up more than 8 percent. 

Jared’s art collection worth $ millions not disclosed in required disclosures.

Trump pays back Icahn for casino bailout with $60 million energy reg change. Amigos

Rich Russians buy Trump property. “Integrity” coat arms gone; now “Trump”

Book by Ivanka being pushed by our State Department—is this legal?

*************

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

“It is nearly impossible for one individual to take on a corporation with vast resources.” Supremes stop us from suing—State courts no longer available to sue corporations!

Republicans want to let robocallers spam your voicemail—Just say NO!

GM denies diesel emissions scam on trucks

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?

SCOTUS allows no knock home invasion by police who won’t even pay for injuries.

SCAMS:

The federal government is undergoing a rebranding agencies under [Trump].

NC GOP working hard to exclude Dem voters with new voter ID bill

Ignoramus Award:

Trump cuts scientific discovery so scientists go to China for funding – lose race to AI

Jerry Springer, TV bad boy, for governor of OH????????

How our government wastes our money:

We killed another 100 in Iraq with bomb meant for ISIS

$40 Billion system has hit target only 9 of 17 tests since 1999. Kim has 50% chance!

EpiPen, daughter of WV Sen Manchin overcharged us $1.27 Billion CA single-payor?

Where have all the jobs gone?

nursing and accounting show growth while others show decline.

Understand the formulas that do the hiring now: not grades, tests, school pedigree!

Drivers and Sales: https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/50k-no-degree-jobs

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:

Ricky John Best and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche laid down their lives for others.

Memorial Day for them too. Two strangers who stopped a man provoking two women.

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ 07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

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