Let's Hope for a Trend Reversal Over the Next Four Years

The U.S. Interfered in Foreign Presidential Elections "81" Times From 1946-2000

The LA Times, which is no right-wing media outlet, has a very interesting article about our own interference in elections throughout the world.  Eighty-one times from 1946 to 2000, which does not include the number of military coups that the U.S. instigated over that time horizon.  

I thought it was very interesting, no disturbing, that none of the media outlets, including Fox, made mention of our own hacking/influencing foreign elections during our most recent presidential election.  I don't know how many times I heard the Russians did it.  Like this sort of thing is never done, especially by the United States.  If I had to guess, I would say the leaking of emails, etc. was none by someone within our own National Security Agency.  You know that agency that has all of our private emails, phone records, etc.. 

Reality Check

Americans are Paying Companies Millions to Shelter Overseas Profits

Our federal government is totally complicit in allowing corporations to shelter trillions of dollars overseas. What would be the reason? Look no further than Section 956(c)(2) of the IRS tax code which has been in place since 1962. But, why? This code allows corporations to repatriate these overseas funds back to the U.S. tax free if they purchase Treasury securities and/or corporate bonds or stocks. In other words, these overseas funds, $2.6 trillion plus, is and has been an excellent way for our federal government to finance its federal deficits. If a company decides to use these funds for any other purpose, like capital spending, it would be subject to the 35% corporate tax rate. Since 2012, the U.S. Treasury has paid at least $1.4 billion in tax-free interest to corporations utilizing Section 956 of the IRS code. 

President-elect Trump promised to get companies to bring back some of the $2.6 trillion they hold internationally by enacting a one-time tax of 10% from the current 35%. But, if I am a CEO, why would I do that when I can still utilize Section 956 of the IRS code and not pay any taxes. What Trump should do is enact a one-time tax of 0% with the stimulation that those funds have to be used for capital spending projects in America.

For the full Bloomberg article, click-on this link. 

Since 2007 the U.S. Has Added 1.8 Million Waiters and Bartenders and Lost 1.5 Million Manufacturing Workers

Today, the U.S. labor force is 159.5 million. However, 95.1 million individuals are no longer in the labor force, which equate to 59% of our current labor force. Government jobs now exceed manufacturing jobs by approximately 10 million. No wonder Trump won the Presidency. 

A Legacy That I Would Not Want!

Government Workers Now Outnumber Manufacturing Workers by 9,977,000!

The United States lost 9,000 manufacturing jobs in October while gaining 19,000 jobs in government, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS).  Government employment grew from 22,216,000 in September to 22,235,000 in October, according to BLS, while manufacturing jobs dropped from 12,267,000 to 12,258,000.  The 22,235,000 employed by government in the United States now outnumber the 12,258,000 employed in manufacturing by 9,977,000.  The 22,235,000 government employees in October, according to BLS, included 14,297,000 local government, 5,123,000 state government employees, and 2,815,000 federal government employees.  In fact, the 22,235,000, who now work for government in this country, is more than ever worked in manufacturing, according to BLS.

The following chart puts these non-productive economic jobs in perspective to manufacturing that actually do add value to the economy.

Jobs, Jobs! But, All the Wrong Kind

Since 2014, the U.S. has added 547,000 bartenders and waiters but lost 36,000 manufacturing workers, which are those well paying jobs.

Almost Over!

Ignorance is a Blessing?

“Speculators often prosper through ignorance; it is a cliché that in roaring bull market knowledge is superfluous and experiences are a handicap. But the typical experience of the speculator is one of temporary profit and ultimate loss.” Lance Roberts

Obama Refers to "Obamacare as a Starter Home." I Believe it is a "Train Wreck."

Medical Pricing Scam

Why does a "MRI" scan cost approximately $2,000 in the United States?  We are told they are expensive because of the technology cost to manufacture these machines, cost of doctors, and trained radiologists to read the images.  First, technology drives down the cost of production.  Think in terms off what you can purchase a TV and/or computer today from five or ten years ago.  Second, Japan manufactures MRIs, has doctors, and radiologists. In Japan, you can walk into a clinic and get your MRI scan done for approximately $150 in cash.  According to my math, that is a cost savings of 92.5%.  But, we are told that the $2,000 is reasonable and necessary.  In other words, we are fed a bunch of "BS," and, like sheep, we believe this crap.  Have you ever driven by your local hospital and noticed all the new construction and wondered how it can finance these structures?  Now, you know. And, the MRI cost in the United States is just the "tip-of-the-iceberg." Just think of all the services that the medical profession provides and the tremendous mark-up of those services.  If you want to true health care reform, you should be demanded that Congress look at these outrageous pricing practices. 

The "REAL" Federal Deficit for Fiscal 2016

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, our government states the federal deficit was $590 billion.  That is, of course, the federal government spent $590 billion more than it took in for the fiscal year. By all accounts, the amount of tax revenue taken in by the federal government was a record. Our government simply cannot live within its “financial means.”  But wait, the federal deficit was a whole lot worse than the reported $590 billion.  Why?  Simply take a look at the total national debt on September 30, 2016 and compared it to September 30, 2015.  On September 30, 2016, the total national debt was $19,573,444,713,936. On September 2015, the total national debt was $18,150,617,666,484.  The difference of $1,422 trillion is the “REAL FEDERAL DEFICIT,” not the $590 billion. 

Please Don't Forget What Happened on September 11, 2001

10 Reasons the U.S. Govt Doesn't Deserve Your Tax Dollars

Investment Idea for the Week of September 5, 2016

 

AGQ -- Long  2x: Daily Performance of Silver (SLV) @ $49.68 or better.

President Obama Delivers on His Promise to Bankrupt Coal Industry

In 2008, Obama vowed to "bankrupt" the coal industry by imposing massive fines on greenhouse gas emissions. Well, in fact, six of America's largest public coal mining companies, including Walter Energy, James River, Patriot Coal, Alpha Natural Resources, Arch Coal, and Peabody Energy have all filed for bankruptcy over the past 2 years destroying billions in shareholder value and leaving thousands of people unemployed in Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.  Per BLS data, coal-mining jobs in the U.S. peaked around 90,000 at the end of Obama's first term but have since declined by over 42% to around 50,000 as mining companies have filed for bankruptcy and shutteredmines. By the way, the median coal-mining job pays $21.63/hour. But you say, look at all the jobs the economy has created since 2008.  Yes, bartenders and waitresses at $7.25/hour, which equates out to be a 66% decline in disposable personal income.