Is Legal Tender Next? - The New York Sun

Is Legal Tender Next? - The New York Sun: "It’s going to be illuminating to see whether the government appeals the big ruling on judges’ pay that was handed down last week at Washington. The case is called Beer v. United States. The Sun has written about it here and the editor of the Sun here. The plaintiffs are Judge Peter Beer and a rainbow coalition of some of the most distinguished judges"

'via Blog this'

Small Business Revenue Declines for the Sixth Consecutive Month: What’s (Potentially) Good About That? | Intuit Small Business Blog

Small Business Revenue Declines for the Sixth Consecutive Month: What’s (Potentially) Good About That? | Intuit Small Business Blog:

'via Blog this'

FDR: WARNING ABOUT TODAY'S REPUBLICANS - YouTube

FDR: WARNING ABOUT TODAY'S REPUBLICANS - YouTube: "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUZGkNAUSvY&feature=colike"

Let the great rumpus begin.....................and it won't cost anybody anything!

'via Blog this'

QuickBooks Online Goes Global

Posted By Annie Pilon On September 27, 2012 @ 4:00 pm In Finance 

Accounting software for small businesses has traditionally been focused on all things local – local tax laws, local taxes, local accounting standards, and more. That’s why it can be difficult for many small businesses to go global or cross over borders, especially without taking the time to grow first ^[1].

Norton's comment: As a Quickbooks ProAdvisor, I am very excited to see that my services can help small businesses both locally and globally.  The Online versions can save clients money and time while allowing me to respond more quickly to their requests.

Purchasing Power Of Various Currencies and Gold

Jesse's Café Américain: Purchasing Power Of Various Currencies and Gold: Chart from our friends at nowandfutures.com

We Are Now One Year Away From Global Riots, Complex Systems Theorists Say | Motherboard

We Are Now One Year Away From Global Riots, Complex Systems Theorists Say | Motherboard: "It’s hunger, plain and simple"http://www.viceland.com/viceblog/80453462Riots-global.jpg

What’s the number one reason we riot? The plausible, justifiable motivations of trampled-upon humanfolk to fight back are many—poverty, oppression, disenfranchisement, etc—but the big one is more primal than any of the above. It’s hunger, plain and simple. If there’s a single factor that reliably sparks social unrest, it’s food becoming too scarce or too expensive. So argues a group of complex systems theorists in Cambridge, and it makes sense.

In a 2011 paper, researchers at the Complex Systems Institute ..."

'via Blog this'
Are you ready with food supplies when the power is out for an extended period of time?

Robert Scheer: The Great Deregulator - Robert Scheer's Columns - Truthdig

The Great De-regulator
Former President Bill Clinton addresses the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.
By Robert Scheer posted Sept 10, 2012 by  AP/Charles Dharapak - Truthdig

Bill Clinton bears as much responsibility as any politician for the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and the wild applause for his disingenuous speech at the Democratic National Convention last week is a sure sign of the poverty of what passes for progressive politics....

How convenient to ignore the Financial Services Modernization Act, which Clinton signed into law to summarily end the Glass-Steagall barrier against the commingling of investment and commercial banking. Do the Democrats not remember that Citigroup, the first too-big-to-fail bank made legal by the law Clinton signed, became the $15 million employer of Robert Rubin, the Clinton treasury secretary who led the fight for the law that legalized the creation of Citigroup? Or that Citigroup—led by Sanford Weill, to whom Clinton gave one of the souvenir pens he used to approve that onerous legislation—went on to be a major player in the subprime mortgage swindles and had to be bailed out with more than $50 billion of taxpayer funds?

Those scams were based on bundling suspect mortgages into collateralized debt obligations (CDOs)...

Romney is an unmitigated liar unrestrained by any moral or logical standard, as demonstrated in his defense of the Bain Capital experience. That part Clinton got right.."

Norton's comment:  Political issues are more complex than we wish to remember.  Both parties have contributed to precipitating this economic, moral  and democratic crisis.  Deregulation is NOT the answer or cure whether espoused by either party. This article make it clear we need to research carefully the history of each parties actions before we can surmise a course to voting in November or our role as active citizens in our efforts to assure that we are being represented in the hall of congress and the Executive Branch.

'via Blog this'

The Federal Bailout That Saved Mitt Romney | Politics News | Rolling Stone

The Federal Bailout That Saved Mitt Romney | Politics News | Rolling Stone: "By TIM DICKINSON
AUGUST 29, 2012 7:00 AM ET
Mitt Romney likes to say he won't "apologize" for his success in business. But what he never says is "thank you" – to the American people – for the federal bailout of Bain & Company that made so much of his outsize wealth possible."

'via Blog this'
Hummm? Sounds like Romney double talk to me; that is, talking up the common man, the evils of government spending all the while lining his pockets with public money benefits. Clever and brilliant but not the one I want as a statesmen like President. Norton West

Startup America | The White House

Startup America | The White House:

A Collaboration with private industry resources, with efforts and funding pinpointed to the young company start-ups that can boost employment the fastest.  HURRAH!  

 "Startup America is a White House initiative that was launched to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation"

'via Blog this'
Norton's comment: Little known facts about practical support and collaboration of the Obama Administration with small business.  It is effective!

Episode 396: A Father Of High-Speed Trading Thinks We Should Slow Down : Planet Money : NPR

Episode 396: A Father Of High-Speed Trading Thinks We Should Slow Down : Planet Money : NPR: "Episode 396: A Father Of High-Speed Trading Thinks We Should Slow Down

One of the guys who brought computers to financial markets is worried." REf: Thomas Peterffy's life story includes...

'via Blog this'

Goldman to Clients: Get Out of Stocks Before Fiscal Cliff Hits

Goldman to Clients: Get Out of Stocks Before Fiscal Cliff Hits: "Goldman to Clients: Get Out of Stocks Before Fiscal Cliff Hits

Contributed on August 20, 2012

You can sense almost an air of desperation of David Kostin, Goldman Sachs chief U.S. equity strategist,"

'via Blog this'

Rothschilds, Infowars.com and GITMO (BOSS145) - YouTube

Rothschilds, Infowars.com and GITMO (BOSS145) - YouTube: ""
See for yourself.  Wake up and see how the system is rigged against most of us. Then get moving, voting and be an entrepreneur even under the worst circumstances. comment by Norton

'via Blog this'

Stop rigging system against small business - POLITICO.com

Stop rigging system against small business:

By: Elizabeth Warren August 5, 2012 10:56 PM EDT

"I meant what I said. I stood before a group of voters in Massachusetts last year and talked about what it would take to move forward as a nation. I laid out how we all needed to invest in our country, to build a strong foundation for our families today and make sure the next kid with the great idea has the chance to succeed..."

'via Blog this'

Jesse's Café Américain: BBC: Banking With Hitler

Jesse's Café Américain: BBC: Banking With Hitler: "BBC: Banking With Hitler

It is little known that some American and British banks and businessmen continued to do business with the Third Reich"

'via Blog this'

A War On Silver and Gold

Jesse's Café Américain: Gold Daily and Silver Weekly Charts - A War On Silver and Gold: ""I believe the origins of the manipulation can be traced to collusive and concentrated short selling for profit by large financial institutions, starting with Drexel Burnham, then on to AIG Trading, Bear Stearns and finally to JPMorgan. These were the firms at war with higher silver prices, which the US Government subsequently joined... .

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."

Mohandas K. Gandhi"

'via Blog this'

Global QE Is Coming: Let the Gold Mania Begin!

Global QE Is Coming: Let the Gold Mania Begin!:

'via Blog this'
Best overview article on world economics and the future that makes sense and links all the top issues together. Comment by Norton

Capitalism Without Failure: Capitalism ?

Capitalism Without Failure: Capitalism: ""You cannot have capitalism without failure."

Jim Rogers was referring to the lunacy of using public money to preserve failed private enterprise in a “capitalist” economy. That is what we did, after all. We saved failed institutions, failed individuals, and failed thinking. That is wrong on many levels. But we went a step further: we saved dishonesty, criminality, and corruption. That is a far more serious proposition.

Bill Black is arguably the most important voice when it comes to the criminality that was preserved. If you are not well-versed in the criminal aspects of the crisis and in Gresham's Dynamics, the following is an important video to watch (note: the quality of the video work is poor but the substance is superb - filmed 2/18/2010):

Powerpoint slides from the presentation can be viewed here.
"

'via Blog this'

Rep. Paul's 'audit the Fed' bill expected on House floor this month - The Hill's Floor Action

Rep. Paul's 'audit the Fed' bill expected on House floor this month - The Hill's Floor Action:

'via Blog this'
Comment: by NOrton: Yes! Audit them. They are not and never have been an impartial organization. Now

John Hunter | Teaching creative and critical thinking

John Hunter | Profile on TED.com:

Why you should listen to him:

Musician, teacher, filmmaker and game designer, John Hunter has dedicated his life to helping children realize their full potential. His own life story is one of a never-ending quest for harmony. As a student, he studied comparative religions and philosophy while traveling through Japan, China and India. In India, inspired by Ghandi's philosophy, he began to think about the role of the schoolteacher in creating a more peaceful world.
Watch video of his program http://www.ted.com/talks/john_hunter_on_the_world_peace_game.html

 

Sheila Bair on Bill Moyers: “Libor Always Troubled Me” « naked capitalism

Sheila Bair on Bill Moyers: “Libor Always Troubled Me” « naked capitalism: "Sheila Bair on Bill Moyers: “Libor Always Troubled Me”
Bill Moyers starts with the Libor scandal as a way to get Sheila Bair’s perspective on the failure to get meaningful bank reforms. It’s refreshing to see how direct she is in saying the fixes aren’t hard, the problem is lack of will. She also discusses the death of moderate Republicans, and “free for all markets”"

'via Blog this'

charles hugh smith-Election Year 2012: Two Landslides in the Making?

charles hugh smith-Election Year 2012: Two Landslides in the Making?: "Election Year 2012: Two Landslides in the Making?   (July 9, 2012)


If the economy continues declining into late October, there may be two landslides in the making: the stock market and the presidential election.
The stock market is precariously close to slipping into a landslide."

'via Blog this'http://www.oftwominds.com/photos2012/income-growth5-12.png

Journatic CEO Accepts Blame for Bogus Bylines | Street Fight

Journatic CEO Accepts Blame for Bogus Bylines | Street Fight: "Journatic CEO Accepts Blame for Bogus Bylines

5 Comments 02 JULY 2012 BY TOM GRUBISICH


The popular “This American Life” public radio program turned its eye on hyperlocal news service Journatic this weekend, revealing in its latest episode that sister company BlockShopper had slapped fake bylines onto some of the real estate site’s lawsuit-prone stories.
“This was a mistake,” Journatic CEO Brian Timpone told Street Fight yesterday. “We should never have run an alias byline and sent the article to our partners. It was my fault.” He insisted, though, that the stories below the make-believe bylines were “100% factual.”"

'via Blog this'
comments by Norton: Another example of what is presenting as authentic local news which is NOT.  When I went to school, we studied what is called "primary and secondary sources of news".  Now this is a new twist on secondary or perhaps news with no authenticity.  So watch out for what is masquerading as credible, verifiable news sources.

When The Derivatives Market Crashes (And It Will) U.S. Taxpayers Will Be On The Hook

When The Derivatives Market Crashes (And It Will) U.S. Taxpayers Will Be On The Hook: "Warren Buffett once said that derivatives are "financial weapons of mass destruction", and that statement is more true today than it ever has been before.  Recently, JP Morgan made national headlines when it announced that it was going to take a 2 billion dollar loss from derivatives trades gone bad.  Well, it turns out that JP Morgan"

'via Blog this'

Charles Ferguson: How Financial Criminalization Crashed the Economy, and the Culprits Got Off Scot-Free

Charles Ferguson: How Financial Criminalization Crashed the Economy, and the Culprits Got Off Scot-Free:

'via Blog this'
It is no exaggeration to say that since the 1980s, much of the American (and global) financial sector has become criminalized, creating an industry culture that tolerates or even encourages systematic fraud. The behavior that caused the mortgage bubble and financial crisis was a natural outcome and continuation of this pattern, rather than some kind of economic accident....more.

fantastic 12 yr old Victoria Grant explains how banks commit fraud.mp4

All Occupations by Education Requirement: Average Income and 10-year job change

All Occupations by Education Requirement: Average Income and 10-year job change

Now you can imagine why job grow and new employment figures do not tell the real truth!  The job growth categories for the last ten years are in low wage social services jobs and NOT high wage, high tech positions.

How can we expect all the grant money for STEM and high tech manufacturing innovation to reverse the loss of high paying manufacturing jobs?  The later jobs only amount to something like 10% of work force. That is down from more than 40% decades ago. Comments please.

FBI warns of new banking scam | Bankrate.com

FBI warns of new banking scam | Bankrate.com: "FBI warns of new banking scam
By David McMillin · Bankrate.com
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Posted: 1 pm ET

Some crafty criminals are aiming to steal one of the most valuable pieces of your personal property: your banking information."

'via Blog this'
FYI: Norton High tech has its place and your own security precautions must be the most high tech!

Prudens Speculari: But Of Course It's Not One Giant Cess Pool Now Is It?

Prudens Speculari: But Of Course It's Not One Giant Cess Pool Now Is It?: "But Of Course It's Not One Giant Cess Pool Now Is It?
I came across a very interesting open letter to Jamie Dimon via the financial sleuths over @ZeroHedge. The piece was penned by one time fawning, bootlicking, groupie turned sober adult James Koutoulas. The crux of the letter surrounds douce-bag extraordinaire Dimon and JP Morgan's role in the MF Global swindle but I want to bring your attention to a somewhat of an sideline appetizer piece to the article if you will."
 must read per Norton

Greece Has Defaulted – Which Country In Europe Is Next?

Greece Has Defaulted – Which Country In Europe Is Next?: "Greece Has Defaulted - Which Country In Europe Is Next?

Well, it is official.  The restructuring deal between Greece and private investors has been pushed through and the International Swaps and Derivatives Association has ruled that this is a credit event which will trigger credit-default swap contracts.  The ISDA is saying that there are approximately $3.2 billion in credit-default swap contracts on Greek debt outstanding, and most analysts expect that the global financial system will be able to absorb these losses.  But still, 3.2 billion dollars is nothing to scoff at, and some of these financial institutions that wrote a lot of these contracts on Greek debt are going to be hurting.  This deal with private investors may have "rescued" Greece for the moment, but the consequences"

'via Blog this'

Kids for Cash Scandal

After Scandal, New Rules For Juveniles In Pa. Courts

by Joel Rose, March 3, 2012

View and comment on NPR.org

More than 2,000 young people in Pennsylvania are trying to put one of the nation's worst juvenile justice scandals behind them. It's been a year since a former judge was convicted in the so-called "kids for cash" scandal.... Norton's comment: This is so disgusting!  It sheds light on how ineffective and inhuman the private prison system is.  No public scrutiny.  No accountability for humane treatment or rehabilitation.NO civil rights. Institutionalized racism!  Capitalism GONE A MUCK!

Green Economics

2012 Economics Commentary by Eric Jansen

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/iTulip-Newsletter-Alert---Independent-Analysis-and-Commentary.html?soid=1101238839116&aid=LgzNRpRzfmM
..."Last week of the Bureau of Economic Analysis released revised U.S. GDP numbers for 2011. They reveal a U.S. economy destined for a new recession before the economy recovers from the last one, a mid-gap recession in iTulip terminology.

That hasn't happened since 1938. ..."

Beware of what is coming

The Baltic Dry Shipping Index tracks the rates charged to ship dry commodities (coal, wheat, copper, lumber, etc.). That index has dropped to its lowest level in three years, which shows a slump in cargo shipments. Source: CBC/Radio-Canada

While the Baltic Dry Index is obscure to your average retail investor, keen market watchers have long considered it a valuable leading indicator for the world economy, indicating shifting tides in demand for key industrial commodities. And its plunge comes at a time when the prices for many key commodities remain buoyant – a disconnect that would traditionally suggest that commodities are poised for a fall.

Drones for Domestic Surveillance, Hunting Immigrants and Seizing Pot | | AlterNet

DHS Pumping Money into Drones for Domestic Surveillance, Hunting Immigrants and Seizing Pot AlterNet

DHS has little to show for its drone spending spree other than stacks of seized marijuana and a few thousand immigrants who crossed the border without visas. January 16, 2012 Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson LIKE THIS ARTICLE ?Join our mailing list:Sign up to stay up to date on the latest headlines via email. The Department of Homeland Security says it needs a fleet of two-dozen Predator and Guardian drones to protect the homeland adequately. Designed for military use, 10 of these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are already patrolling U.S. borders in the hunt for unauthorized immigrants and illegal drugs