Forum Post: The Peoples Mic
Posted 11 years ago on April 12, 2013, 6:39 p.m. EST by Builder
(4202)
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Help us amplify voices of the 99% for social justice!
http://donateyouraccount.com/OccupyWallStNYC
I don't do TWEETs, but you can amplify #ows topics and events here.
"Why Does No One Speak of America’s Oligarchs ?", by Yves Smith :
Thanx for the heads up as I don't 'tweet' either unless it's at a bird ;-)
pax et lux ...
Just had an idea to share from an article about Zombie Foreclosures where people walk away from homes... Then get hit with taxes, fees, liens on the house they gave up years ago....
The bank Holds Title to the House. The person that wants the house signs a contract to be a Tenant to the house or of the Bank...
Used to be that Government's main function was to Regulate Commerce not People... But now the contract Law is so Strong that people really get indentured servitude.
Zombie Banks can Pay the Taxes & Fees on Zombie Foreclosures.
They just prefer not to. They like to play hard ball, since they get Bonus Money for Playing Hard, and Making Money for the System.
Sure, each state has different Laws... But there was something on the Internet going around.... How we don't have any right of ownship on a Mortgage... since we are Tenants. The Bank actually Owns the House and Deed.
One could argue that when the Tenant leaves the house ... the Owner is Responsible for paying the Taxes, Fees, & Liens on the Property. **But since the Corporation, the bank, is not a "Real Person" they don't get Credit Hurt by not paying Taxes & Liens.
Citizens united Ruling of the Supreme Court says Corporations are People:
Citizens United is THE biggest God damned misnomer in the history of The U$A !!! It has sweet F.A. to do with 'Citizens' or their 'Unity' and is yet another egregious example of PR Spin and Propaganda :
Further to your very interesting comment 'Ma', I cross link to these important posts and threads :
http://occupywallst.org/forum/a-public-central-bank-on-reclaiming-our-central-ba/ &
http://occupywallst.org/forum/why-is-socialism-doing-so-darn-well-in-deep-red-no/ .
fiat lux ...
Why Canada Can Avoid Banking Crises and U.S. Can’t, April 9, 2013, By Victoria McGrane
When it became a British colony, the majority of Canada’s population was of French origin — and the French inhabitants hated the British government.
That anti-populist political system — known in political science as liberal constitutionalism or liberal democracy — is a key ingredient
Populist democracies like the U.S., on the other hand, tend to create dysfunctional banking systems (probably this will raise debate and warrant inquiry)
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2013/04/09/why-canada-can-avoid-banking-crises-and-u-s-cant/
Dan Loeb Simultaneously Solicits, Betrays Pension Funds, POSTED: April 11, Matt Taibbi
In other words, Loeb has been soliciting the retirement money of public workers, then turning right around and lobbying for those same workers to lose their benefits. He's essentially asking workers to pay for their own disenfranchisement (with Loeb getting his two-and-twenty cut, or whatever obscene percentage of their retirement monies he will charge as a fee). If that isn't the very definition of balls, I don't know what is.
Loeb, incidentally, isn't the only hedge fund manager with a God complex who works with Students First while simultaneously taking money from public plans. Paul Tudor Jones of Tudor Funds is another – he's on the SFNY board with Loeb and manages $15.7 million from the School Employees' Retirement System of Ohio.
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/taibblog/dan-loeb-simultaneously-solicits-betrays-pension-funds-20130411
What has been the results of past trade agreements and economic free zones in the USA? What can we Expect from TPP?
a) Low prices at Walmart
b) Access to cheap Labor & Resources overseas
c) New & deeper relationships overseas in many countries
d) Access for US Capital in many countries in many investments
e) Loss of Payroll taxes
f) Loss of Corporate taxes
g) Loss of Employee Income taxes
h) Loss of Wages & Benefits in the USA
i) Poorer placement of US in GINI Coefficient
j) Higher pay outs of US Social Safety Net (Risk to Trusts)
k) Higher US Federal Debt & Probably State Debt
l) Higher Consumer Debt
m) Low or zero return on government corporate tax loopholes, tax abatements, & corporate subsidies
n) Weaker government position across all levels of government in negotiating with corporations for presence in the USA or States or in attracting new US Investments
So all our Presidents and all of Congress say 4/10 isn't bad?
This passes for Wit and Intelligence in Washington DC and US Creditors?
Thanx for the excellent comment and links 'Ma' and for all your good commentary on the forum :-) In due course, also please consider :
A Tax System Stacked Against the 99 Percent", by Joseph E. Stiglitz : http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article34633.htm and ...
"Marx's 'Das Kapital' Lives On in Capitalist Age" (Audio) : http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16697381 .
fiat lux et justitia ...
TAXES FOR REVENUE ARE OBSOLETE
by Beardsley Ruml, Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
first published in the January, 1946, issue of a periodical named American Affairs.
http://home.hiwaay.net/~becraft/RUMLTAXES.html
I'm just checking your link on audio.
"The superior position of public government over private business is nowhere more clearly evident than in government's power to tax business. Business gets its many rule-making powers from public government. Public government sets the limits to the exercise of these rule-making powers of business, and protects the freedom of business operations within this area of authority. Taxation is one of the limitations placed by government on the power of business to do what it pleases.
"The superior position of public government over private business is nowhere more clearly evident than in government's power to tax business. Business gets its many rule-making powers from public government. Public government sets the limits to the exercise of these rule-making powers of business, and protects the freedom of business operations within this area of authority. Taxation is one of the limitations placed by government on the power of business to do what it pleases.
"To Distribute the Wealth - The second principal purpose of federal taxes is to attain more equality of wealth and of income than would result from economic forces working alone" Excerpted from your excellent link which I recommend to all readers. Thanx 'Ma' & in reply and compliment :
"The political and economic mess of Washington and Wall Street, the foundering economy and threat of another collapse, are leading more and more people to question the viability of big finance capitalism; with criticism ranging beyond its traditional critics. More and more call for breaking up the big banks and tougher enforcement against banksters. But, others are calling for more structural changes." - taken from this extremely well referenced article, followed by :
http://truth-out.org/news/item/15638-before-next-crash-create-finance-system-that-serves-public-part-i-shrink-regulate-banks-and-enforce-law &
http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/15781-remaking-the-federal-reserve-public-banks-and-opting-out-of-wall-street .
pax, amor et lux ...
Glad you replied back. I still have to dig into your links. And there is more. There is an apparent Schism in Washington DC over Torture and US Breaking International Law, Constitutional Law, and War Crimes.
Constitution Project Report on Detainee Treatment Concludes U.S. Engaged in Torture
By Ritika Singh
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
http://www.lawfareblog.com/2013/04/constitution-project-report-on-enhanced-interrogation-concludes-u-s-engaged-in-torture/
Indeed, one of the controversial methods examined here—capture and rendition of terror suspects to foreign governments known to abuse people in their custody—had its first significant use during the Clinton administration, well before September 11.
"Perhaps the most important or notable finding of this panel is that it is indisputable that the United States engaged in the practice of torture.
"This finding, offered without reservation, is not based on any impressionistic approach to the issue. No member of the Task Force made this decision because the techniques “seemed like torture to me,” or “I would regard that as torture.”
"Instead, this conclusion is grounded in a thorough and detailed examination of what constitutes torture in many contexts, notably historical and legal. The Task Force examined court cases in which torture was deemed to have occurred both inside and outside the country and, tellingly, in instances in which the United States has leveled the charge of torture against other governments. The United States may not declare a nation guilty of engaging in torture and then exempt itself from being so labelled for similar if not identical conduct.
"The second notable conclusion of the Task Force is that the nation’s highest officials bear some responsibility for allowing and contributing to the spread of torture."
Somewhat wearily, I excerpt the above from your excellent link. Thanx once again 'Ma' for your diligent researches and I'll end with a link for you before I go and make a now very needed, restorative cup of tea and an 'exotic cigarette' ( - :
fiat lux et fiat pax ...
Sadly, we can accumulate enough evidence to convict, but which court would hear such a case?
The US admin acts unilaterally, and with impunity.
There must come a time when allied nations of the US just tell them no! No more war. We aren't your enemy, but we will not fight alongside you any more.
You're right Builder! No-one else will do it...so, maybe we need to make our own court. We are legally entitled to do so. Its a big idea, but we really should be compelled, at this point.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/ten-years-later-counting-the-costs-of-the-bogus-go/#comment-962415
Thanks Renneye. The real problem Americans are having, is facing the facts.
When the penny drops, I'm not sure what is going to happen, but yeah, if it's at all possible to create a court process that the crims can't avoid, then that's what needs to be at the top of the agenda.
Take heart,...look what didn't make it into the msm headlines this week...
courtesy of 'Middleaged'~
"US Panel finds Bush, Obama are culpable in Torture, Rendition, excessive Secrecy ... and this indicates a Split in Politicians and a Split in Americans. A Schism has been revealed. But this could lead to Trials and Investigations and a US Resolution."
http://occupywallst.org/forum/ten-years-later-counting-the-costs-of-the-bogus-go/#comment-962515
I do find this encouraging...but, I have my cynical moments, so there's a part of me that worries who/what this organization is and their purpose. If its legit, we as citizens could take it to the next level.
There was that thread with a petition to test ALEC, by challenging them to discuss preparatory amendments effect on ART5.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/action-petition-alec-to-make-a-statement-about-the/
If what this bipartisan report says is true, then the executive level is shown to be consistently unconstitutional. With consideration of citizens united, and the diebold vote issues, what would this bipartisan groups comment be upon ART5 with preparatory amendment?
If they are an authority that knows what unconstitutional is, then it is possible they recognize "constitutional" when they see it. It may enlighten us as to who they are and what their intentions are.
It's a huge game of chess.
Trouble is, we're dealing with people who have a twisted reality, and less morals than the devil incarnate. Under current law, anyone that had evidence, could be locked up for dissent. The court process itself is so convoluted, we really do need a simple people's court, with no BS, and no huge-fee lawyers.
"No more war. We aren't your enemy, but we will not fight alongside you any more." - Amen, sibling ~*~
You have a major point but we can not stop compiling the evidence and live in the hope that justice will, someday - prevail. Case in point, Tony Fkn BLiar - The Neo-Con's NeoCon, who - after over ten years as UK PM and three election victories, can not now walk the streets of London without the very real risk of a citizen's arrest being carried out on him. Further to my link above in reply to 'Ma', please consider :
fiat lux ; fiat pax et fiat justitia ruat caelum ...
That photo says it all. Hard, truthful article.
I wasn't aware that Mr Blair is a wanted man. I was aware that he had the look of guilt and anguish about his face, and I did note that he'd aged dramatically over a few short years. He probably came to realise that he'd become involved with the worst criminal minds on earth.
Our own PM from that time had bowed to public sentiment, and called for our troops to withdraw from Iraq. He got a visit from the VP himself, and decided to "stay the distance". He folded at the next federal election, losing his seat to a political newbie, and just faded away from public life. I'm assuming he also realised that he had looked the devil in the face, and decided to get out while he still could.
And yet we still have the majority of citizens squabbling over left and right, and gay marriage. They must be, like your link says, "willing to somersault without the encouragement of the whip.".
Heaven help us.
BLiar is a wanted man by anyone with a scintilla of ethics or conscience but of course the 'UK state' exempts itself from such sensibilities - hence ''citizen's arrest'' !! BLIar is now (inter alia) an executive for JPMorgan & a time served Bildergerger ! We must continue to educate and agitate & hope that we can get our shit together enough to organise in the not too distant future. Further, consider :
pax, amor et lux ?
From your link, Shadz.
Confucius said that the beginning of wisdom was learning to call things by their proper names. The time is long past to kid ourselves about the nature of the ruling class in America and start describing it accurately, as an oligarchy.
I'm discussing your other link about the fourteen tenets of fascism with a D & R forum I visit. They are in agreement except for who is to blame for the reality of the dystopian nature of America's current circumstances.
I'd call that a win of sorts.
D & R Forum ?! "They are in agreement except for who is to blame for the reality" !! LOL !!! Thanx for the excerpt and the belly laugh & try them with this corollary 'B' :
cave - bellum se ipsum alet ...
I'll try and slot it in later.
The two alpha males are tearing themselves up over the "who let it happen" theme.
It's getting ugly real fast.
Goldman Sachs Is Manipulating Gold Prices Right Before Your Eyes
April 17th, 2013, by David Zeiler, Associate Editor, Money Morning
http://econintersect.com/b2evolution/blog4.php/2013/04/17/goldman-sachs-is-manipulating-gold-prices-right-before-your-eyes
In fact, this is a widely used Wall Street strategy that dates back at least to the 1920s.
For that matter, there's plenty of evidence Goldman uses this strategy to manipulate stocks and other commodities all the time.
Here's how it's done.
Often, the big banks are making subtle trades to help push the commodity - be it gold, a stock or anything else in the markets - in the direction they want it to go.
Issuing reports helps the cause by getting the media to transmit and amplify the message manipulators like Goldman are trying to send.
This fits with something I've been thinking about.
We have at least 2 classes of people and one way to break it down is by information, insiders with information, insiders with info on financial tactics and business strategies. Think how all the people with retirement accounts and pension programs lost all that to fees paid to bankers and con games played by bankers.
To Strengthen America, American Workers, American Voters .... We have to put forth new Demands and Suggestions on how to level the Playing Field.
1) Bring Business Education Programs to Public TV in the form of a Dedicated Channel, that will teach Business, banking, and Finance... even at full cost to the Federal Government .... and even if unpopular ... even if it attracts no advertisers ... maybe we would not want any advertisers or Corporate influence in fact.
2) The FTC, Federal Trade Commission is responsible for consumer protection. Therefore, the FTC Should Sponsor this Public TC Channel 24 hours a day to provide business education and financial education to protect retirement ... and to help grow US Business Comprehension.
3) This proposal is buttressed by evidence of poor US Education Testing Results, the number of bankruptcies of doctors and other professionals, the Fraud, Ponzi Schemes and Con Games on Wall Street, and the loss of $6 Trillion Dollars in Retirement and Housing Wealth in the 2008 Financial Scandal.
4) Evidence of 2 classes of people is clear. Many can not afford cable or satellite TV... but even those that spend all day watching TV don't have enough information about tactics in finance and business. Control of Information is centered in Washington DC & New York which are both City States of Insiders and Leaders.
5) Transparency has long been a problem in the USA. The Tactics of our Political Players have adapted after every scandal in the US to reduce the change of making the same mistakes.
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I think the whole internet has been turned into spyware.
It must be a data-collector's wet dream.
At least there'll be a "day of reckoning".
Imagine the paperwork?
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Thanks. I'll bookmark it, ZD.