The Great Cyprus Bank Robbery by Financial Terrorists

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Cypriot savers hit as eurozone agrees €10 billion bail-out

Cyprus is to receive a €10 billion (£8.7 billion) bail-out from the eurozone to recapitalise its ailing banking system in return for a series of drastic measures which will hit the country’s savers.

The Mediterranean island nation becomes the fifth country to turn to the eurozone, following in the footsteps of Ireland, Greece, Portugal and Spain.
The emergency funding will be used to prop up the country’s banks which were hit by the financial restructuring of nearby Greece.
The Cypriot banking system had grown to be eight times the size of the country’s fledgling economy - which accounts for just 0.2pc of the eurozone’s gross domestic product.
But in a departure from previous bail-outs, the country’s savers are being asked to make sacrifices.
The terms of the deal mean that Cyprus’s savers will sacrifice up to 10pc of their deposits in a move which will raise as much as €6 billion.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/9...-bail-out.html


If they can do it in Cyprus, who is to say they can't do it in Spain, Italy, Ireland, Portugal and then the U.K, France, Germany, U.S etc.?
  • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
    On a positive note, this might actually unite the Greek and Turkish factions who've been at loggerheads since forever. Both sides might put aside their differences/grievances and join forces to fight their real enemy.
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Whoa! He's a little worked up, eh?

      Terra
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      • Profile picture of the author bravo75
        Originally Posted by MissTerraK View Post

        Whoa! He's a little worked up, eh?

        Terra
        Just a little. He does have a very good reason to be, though.
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        • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
          Originally Posted by bravo75 View Post

          Just a little. He does have a very good reason to be, though.
          No denying that!

          I did listen to the whole thing and I understand why completely. You can tell he is very passionate about what he speaks of, I was just taken aback a bit at his, er, presentation's terminology.

          Terra
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    • Profile picture of the author bravo75
      Originally Posted by whateverpedia View Post

      On a positive note, this might actually unite the Greek and Turkish factions who've been at loggerheads since forever. Both sides might put aside their differences/grievances and join forces to fight their real enemy.
      True, it also gives the Russian mafia a real kick in the teeth. Cyprus is the new Switzerland for the Russian mob.

      Doesn't help the poor sod on the street much, though.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
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      Originally Posted by whateverpedia View Post

      Both sides might put aside their differences/grievances and join forces to fight their real enemy.
      Their true enemy has yet to reveal himself.
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      • Profile picture of the author kindsvater
        One of the most dangerous places you can put your money is in a bank. The ease of digital transactions, downloading a list of accounts, etc, means this is becoming more and more an easy target of governments.

        Owe taxes? The government will simply send your tax ID to banks and when a hit comes back drain your account. Your entire country need a bailout? In a few minutes everyone with a bank account loses 10%.

        I've been telling clients safe places are cash or starting a corp / llc with a different tax ID number that can be used for financial transactions. That wouldn't entirely avoid the Cyprus theft, but it highlights the need to consider offshore accounts.

        This Cyprus deal is simply shocking. It is theft and financial terrorism.

        When the US debt becomes unmanageable, if this were attempted I have little doubt an army of police would need to protect Washington.

        .
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        • Profile picture of the author Kay King
          I'm not sure the bailouts make sense anyway and the experience with Greece points to a need to require more rather than less from a country that is asking to be bailed out. Bailout after bailout - and the Greek economy is still on a downward spiral according to recent publications.

          If much of the money in savings is from outside "haven" investors - this might be a smart move. I think many Eurozone countries are tiring of the frequent bailouts and I think the requirements for countries asking for help are going to increase in the future.

          Yes, it would also hurt citizens but perhaps not as much as they would be harmed if there is no bailout.
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          • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
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            Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

            Yes, it would also hurt citizens but perhaps not as much as they would be harmed if there is no bailout.
            This. Exactly.
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          • Profile picture of the author bravo75
            Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

            Yes, it would also hurt citizens but perhaps not as much as they would be harmed if there is no bailout.
            Good point. But the way a lot of people are looking at it is, the banks and the EU screwed it all up, why should the average Joe bail out these corrupt, incompetent ****s who put us in this mess in the first place?
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            • Profile picture of the author Kay King
              The banks were holding too much Greek debt and had to write it down - they took a hit and the country did, too. The government had too much debt and the economy was downgraded more than once in credit rating. Guess it was just a downward slide, wasn't it?

              I think a greater danger is a potential run on the banks of countries such as Spain and Italy - where the governments may be requesting bailouts soon. Such a run could worsen the problems in those countries but you can't blame people for wanting to save their money after seeing the terms in Cyprus.

              I haven't seen that possibility mentioned - but wouldn't that make sense? If I thought my govt was going to need a bailout and knew previous bailouts had required citizen's money to be confiscated...I'd be pulling my money out of the bank fast.

              For Cyprus, it's unique as much of the money to be paid would come from investors outside the country who had parked their money in Cyprus banks. Smart when you think about it.
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            • Profile picture of the author HeySal
              Originally Posted by bravo75 View Post

              Good point. But the way a lot of people are looking at it is, the banks and the EU screwed it all up, why should the average Joe bail out these corrupt, incompetent ****s who put us in this mess in the first place?

              Exactly. Yes it will cause a problem for the average person if there is no bailout. However, bailouts are becoming nothing but continuing sustenance for the the corrupt. At what point do you finally have to admit things are getting worse than better and decide to take the immediate hit instead of submitting to a continuing subjugation that will be an ongoing funnel into financial slavery you can never get out of?

              It takes some bravery to take a hit you know is coming, but cow-towing in hopes to avoid the hit in the long run is helping exactly.........nobody........well, nobody but the bank execs, anyhow.
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              • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
                Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

                I'm not sure the bailouts make sense anyway and the experience with Greece points to a need to require more rather than less from a country that is asking to be bailed out. Bailout after bailout - and the Greek economy is still on a downward spiral according to recent publications.

                If much of the money in savings is from outside "haven" investors - this might be a smart move. I think many Eurozone countries are tiring of the frequent bailouts and I think the requirements for countries asking for help are going to increase in the future.

                Yes, it would also hurt citizens but perhaps not as much as they would be harmed if there is no bailout.
                Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

                This. Exactly.
                You both know I respect your opinions, however I disagree with you on this. The bailouts will ultimately fail as will most of the worlds monetary systems. Delaying the inevitable will only make the pain worse.

                Originally Posted by HeySal View Post


                It takes some bravery to take a hit you know is coming, but cow-towing in hopes to avoid the hit in the long run is helping exactly.........nobody........well, nobody but the bank execs, anyhow.
                Exactly! And the "hit is coming." Ultimately with little help for bank execs and/or government officials.

                Joe Mobley
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            • Profile picture of the author RichBeck
              Originally Posted by bravo75 View Post

              Good point. But the way a lot of people are looking at it is, the banks and the EU screwed it all up, why should the average Joe bail out these corrupt, incompetent ****s who put us in this mess in the first place?
              My friend, that is the beauty of it..... The bankers, investment firms and the government regulators are figuratively... and in a few cases... literally in bed together. They can raid the government coffers at their leisure....

              If you have not watched the documentary Inside Job, I would highly recommend it. It focuses on the US of A. BUT, it gives you an idea of how the "bailouts" are handled in other countries as well.

              Take Care,

              Rich Beck BCIP, MCSD, MCIS
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        • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
          Originally Posted by kindsvater View Post

          One of the most dangerous places you can put your money is in a bank. The ease of digital transactions, downloading a list of accounts, etc, means this is becoming more and more an easy target of governments.

          Owe taxes? The government will simply send your tax ID to banks and when a hit comes back drain your account. Your entire country need a bailout? In a few minutes everyone with a bank account loses 10%.

          I've been telling clients safe places are cash or starting a corp / llc with a different tax ID number that can be used for financial transactions. That wouldn't entirely avoid the Cyprus theft, but it highlights the need to consider offshore accounts.

          This Cyprus deal is simply shocking. It is theft and financial terrorism.

          When the US debt becomes unmanageable, if this were attempted I have little doubt an army of police would need to protect Washington.

          .
          Bold is mine.

          You do not have to be wealthy or even well-to-do to open off-shore bank accounts and create foreign companies, LLC's, etc. (You can open a bank account in Belize over the Internet.)

          I am NOT advocating that you do anything illegal with your money. I am advocating that you look for smart-money opportunities that may exist beyond your current knowledge base.

          Joe Mobley
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          • Profile picture of the author SunilTanna
            Originally Posted by Joe Mobley View Post

            Bold is mine.

            You do not have to be wealthy or even well-to-do to open off-shore bank accounts and create foreign companies, LLC's, etc. (You can open a bank account in Belize over the Internet.)

            I am NOT advocating that you do anything illegal with your money. I am advocating that you look for smart-money opportunities that may exist beyond your current knowledge base.

            Joe Mobley
            Cyprus is off shore For a lot of the people affected. It's not just Cypriots how are affected by this, but anybody with money in a Cyprus bank.
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          • Profile picture of the author Big Rob
            Originally Posted by Joe Mobley View Post

            Bold is mine.

            You do not have to be wealthy or even well-to-do to open off-shore bank accounts and create foreign companies, LLC's, etc. (You can open a bank account in Belize over the Internet.)

            I am NOT advocating that you do anything illegal with your money. I am advocating that you look for smart-money opportunities that may exist beyond your current knowledge base.

            Joe Mobley
            Have you looked into this,Joe?
            Care to elaborate if you have?
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      • Profile picture of the author hardraysnight
        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

        Their true enemy has yet to reveal himself.
        why is it always a him?
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        • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
          Banned
          Originally Posted by hardraysnight View Post

          why is it always a him?
          I don't know. I didn't write it: I just quoted it (from "The Godfather" and more recently "The Sopranos").

          Just when I thought I was out of the thread, they pull me back in ... :p
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    • Profile picture of the author SunilTanna
      Originally Posted by whateverpedia View Post

      On a positive note, this might actually unite the Greek and Turkish factions who've been at loggerheads since forever. Both sides might put aside their differences/grievances and join forces to fight their real enemy.
      No it won't

      The republic of Cyprus is the legal internationally recognised government of the whole island, and is virtually all Greek cypriot. There are virtually no Turkish Cypriots living there. And this is where the affected banks are located.

      The Turkish republic of north Cyprus is the defacto government of the northern third of the island. It is virtually all Turkish Cypriot, there are no greekcypriots living there. And there are also Turkish settlers from mainland turkey. It is unrecognised except by turkey and maybe 1 or 2 Turkish allies (Azerbaijan perhaps? I'm not sure ).

      The economy of north Cyprus is separate, it doesn't have the same banks, and isn't affected by this.

      Also, although there are many links between Greece and Cyprus, the economies are quite different. Cyprus is more economically advanced than Greece (or at least it feels that way). Also while it is true that Cyprus has relatively low rates of tax, I don't believe it has the same problems of tax evasion that Greece has.
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    • Originally Posted by whateverpedia View Post

      On a positive note, this might actually unite the Greek and Turkish factions who've been at loggerheads since forever. Both sides might put aside their differences/grievances and join forces to fight their real enemy.
      Hmm, I think this only affects Greek Cyprus side. Greeks fought hard to keep Turkey out of EU and Turkey was damn mad but now Turkey is laughing all the way to the bank as is its part of Cyprus as its economy is the best in Southern Europe and best in the Middle East - two worlds it straddles with great ease now.
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    • Profile picture of the author Robert Michael
      I read that the "top savers" were forfeiting up to 60% because of this..

      10% is only for the "small" savers.

      Any truth to that? Anyone know?

      edit: ohh.. just say Kay's reply.

      That sucks.
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  • Profile picture of the author DubDubDubDot
    lol

    They took the money because Euro governments have lost out on huge tax revenues over the years as people hide their earnings in Cyprus. The corporate tax rate in Cyprus is only 10%. Then they use debit cards to withdraw cash at the ATM from home.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jamie Harp
    This is a very bad idea to say the least, I have no idea what kind of riot this may cause. But if they decided to try something like this in the UK or USA the country would basically be comitting suicide.
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  • Profile picture of the author JustVisiting
    And to add insult to injury those savers about to be robbed are being issued with worthless shares in the banks that are about to screw them!!

    I wonder if the senior management of the banks involved have already moved their money? Wouldn't surprise me in the least.
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  • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
    I think this is an extremely dangerous move which may cause a Europe-wide domino effect. Any country in the EU which is rumored to be in talks for a bailout could be subjected to a severe bank run. The consequences of which could be unthinkable.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
      In my opinion... <--- Take note.

      The US Federal Reserve, among others are heavily involved using our future, borrowed tax dollars to hold off the inevitable.

      I think many government officials, bank execs, etc. realize there may be a Gaddafi-style ending to their careers if they do not get this under control.

      Joe Mobley


      Originally Posted by derekwong28 View Post

      I think this is an extremely dangerous move which may cause a Europe-wide domino effect. Any country in the EU which is rumored to be in talks for a bailout could be subjected to a severe bank run. The consequences of which could be unthinkable.
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    • Profile picture of the author SunilTanna
      Originally Posted by derekwong28 View Post

      I think this is an extremely dangerous move which may cause a Europe-wide domino effect. Any country in the EU which is rumored to be in talks for a bailout could be subjected to a severe bank run. The consequences of which could be unthinkable.
      I think the move will precipitate a bank run in Cyprus on tuesday.
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      • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
        Originally Posted by SunilTanna View Post

        I think the move will precipitate a bank run in Cyprus on tuesday.
        There are already massive queues at the ATM. However, the money to taxed is frozen and account holders won't be able to take that part out. This will certainly drive away the Russians and other foreigners. The really scary part is that it may set a precedent for future bailouts. If I were living in a country they have had or may have a bailout in future, I would definitely be thinking of transferring some of my savings away. The stock markets have just opened 1-2% lower in Asia right now because of this.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Frankly - I think it's time for the whole world to go Iceland on our gov leaders and financial institutions. I don't see any other way that we'll ever recover after a crash............and there WILL be a crash.
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  • Profile picture of the author rondo
    There's tons of money, up to $20 Trillion, located in off-shore tax havens so why doesn't the IMF use that money to bail out the banks?
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    • Profile picture of the author hardraysnight
      Originally Posted by rondo View Post

      There's tons of money, up to $20 Trillion, located in off-shore tax havens so why doesn't the IMF use that money to bail out the banks?
      the single biggest reason there is 20 trillion, located in off shore tax havens is the imf
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
      Because it is not the IMF's money to use.

      Joe Mobley

      Originally Posted by rondo View Post

      There's tons of money, up to $20 Trillion, located in off-shore tax havens so why doesn't the IMF use that money to bail out the banks?
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  • Profile picture of the author SandraLarkin
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    Just imagine when this happens on a bigger scale. The entire banking system is a fraud, and this WILL happen in bigger countries, and eventually America.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
      Exactly Ms. Sandra.

      There are hundreds of millions of people around the world thinking "If it can happen there, it can happen here... with my money."

      A small match can start a big fire.

      Joe Mobley


      Originally Posted by SandraLarkin View Post

      Just imagine when this happens on a bigger scale. The entire banking system is a fraud, and this WILL happen in bigger countries, and eventually America.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Yep, that's (the FED) what has allowed our gov to go so rogue. Every time a president or other rep made a move to take us out of a banking cartel, they get killed. We have been in slavery for a hundred years now, and only now is it becoming enough of a nightmare for people to notice. Up until around a decade ago if you told someone the FED was World Bank they would rail at you about tinfoil without mercy. I think that outing the FED once and for all for what it is was one of Alex Jones first wins. He's been incredible but sensationalizes everything to the point that few listen to him even though he's got a long track record of being spot on.

    I just wonder what is going to happen to Cypress and other banks now. Just the fact they were thinking of pulling that crap off is going to leave a very bad taste in people's mouths that have money in the bank. I think some real damage has been done to the cartel whether or not they did go for the theft.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
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      Originally Posted by bravo75 View Post


      Thanks Mark. I actually sat through the whole video. Fascinating.
      Aye I watched it all the way through too some time ago.

      Basically the top brass in Goldman Sachs are a bunch of murderers, not to put too fine a point on it.

      In my opinion drastic action is needed to bring them to account and since government is too weak minded to do anything about it, it's up to us the people when to say enough is enough.

      Truth be told, I've been boiling away under the surface on this subject for decades now, often unfortunately feeling powerless to do anything about it directly. Just like a lot of other people who similarly feel the issue is perhaps too big to take on on an individual level.

      However, there has to come a time when such a corrupt and barbaric system has to come to an end. This cannot be allowed to continue for very much longer.

      All around the world there are now billions of people suffering greatly because of the current banksters monopolized control over the vast majority of the population who are paying through the nose to bolster the coffers of the top 1% wealthiest individuals.

      On a very human level, in many parts of the globe untold misery is caused by this utterly corrupt banking system. Tens of millions of children, not to mention adults suffering the effects of famine, dirty water, disease, wars and civil unrest and God only knows what else and all because of the sheer selfishness of this tiny incredibly wealthy minority.

      Real decisions being made which put the lives of other people at risk. Real decisions purposefully being made knowing the outcome of these decisions will cause untold physical pain and misery to billions of people around the world.

      Someone 'under normal circumstances' commits murder and if caught the punishment is most severe, either locked away for the majority of their lifetime or given the death sentence themselves.

      Yet here we have a situation where these few extremely wealthy individuals are commiting genocide on a mass global scale and getting away with it scott free.

      What's more our elected so called 'democratic government/s' are allowing this barbarous activity to continue a system which laughably enough law enforcement rather than protecting the lives of innocent people instead defends the legal right of these mass murderers.

      Overthrow by the population seems to be the only viable solution and dare I say it, if this means taking out the people responsible for this mass murder on a global scale - then so be it.

      Terrorism? What a joke! The very people committing acts of global terrorism have the entire system so stitched up that the vast majority of people today actually believe the whole cock a hoop story they're fed with every day, when in fact, the real terrorists are actually the few people in control of the entire global banking operation. The sooner they're taken out of the equation altogether, shot on sight the better it would be for everyone else.

      The whole current banking system and monetary control together with the power structures which support it all...

      ...are all a fcuking joke.


      Mark Andrews
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  • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
    UPDATE:

    Not one member of the Cypriot Parliament voted for the proposed "bank account levy".

    Can't get much more decisive than that.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Who was it that proposed the levy in the first place? That dude definitely needs to be kicked to the curb with all of his cronies.

    It will never cease to amaze me how drooling stupid people become when greed takes over. I bet if there are UFO's who came to find out about intelligent life on earth - they're in the ocean talking to the whales, not on land where those homo sapien things are destroying everything including themselves.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      It was proposed by members of the Eurozone who are being asked to bail out Cyprus to the tune of over 10 billion dollars.

      Here is why:

      The vast majority of the funds are from people in other countries - mainly Russia.

      There are those in the Eurozone who think Russians are keeping money in Cyprus to access Eurozone protections not available in their country.

      Bailing out Cyprus without requiring some form of "give back" is not going to be accepted by Eurozone countries who provide the bailout money.

      The amount of the bailout would create a debt that is far past a tipping point in Cyprus and could lead to further failure.

      The biggest problem is that when this was first proposed - Cyprus didn't seem to react to it. The people in charge there believed this "tax" would only apply to the rich - and thus to citizens of other countries...who had put money into overgrown banks in Cyprus.

      It's the same thought process we are seeing in the US - if it applies to the rich or takes from the rich - we think that's fine. When it applies to the rest of us - big problem with it.

      So it was voted down - unanimously. But Cyprus is in the same position - broke with no promise of a bailout.

      Countries providing money for the Eurozone bailouts are NOT going to hand out tens of billions of dollars to small countries that are unwilling to make sacrifices to get the money.

      Alternative for Cyprus might be for Russia to provide the bailout - European countries would not want that to happen and might kick Cyprus out of the Eurozone.

      From what I've read and heard, the problem in Cyprus was over extension of banks that led to a domino effect when Greece failed. The people there want a bailout that doesn't cause hardship - which is not a realistic expectation.

      I found a fascinating page yesterday online. It is a history of debt and the S&P outlook for major countries. It shows the progress over several years of debt to GDP ratio.

      Comparing Debt Ratios - WSJ.com

      S&P ranks the US financial outlook in the same group as Italy, Portugal, Spain....countries near the famous 'tipping point'.
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      • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
        Originally Posted by Kay King View Post


        It's the same thought process we are seeing in the US - if it applies to the rich or takes from the rich - we think that's fine. When it applies to the rest of us - big problem with it.
        I don't think that is the thought process going on in the US at all. The gap between the rich and poor is wider than it's been in generations and most people don't seem to care or even be aware. Instead, many middle class and poor seem to buy the propaganda from certain media organizations that keep defending the rich, making them out to be the victims. Poor old rich people. Everyone keeps on picking on them.
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        • Profile picture of the author ThomM
          Originally Posted by TimPhelan View Post

          I don't think that is the thought process going on in the US at all. The gap between the rich and poor is wider than it's been in generations and most people don't seem to care or even be aware. Instead, many middle class and poor seem to buy the propaganda from certain media organizations that keep defending the rich, making them out to be the victims. Poor old rich people. Everyone keeps on picking on them.
          Tim I hate to break this to you, but nobody is going after the rich.
          You really think that everyone in power starting at the top are going to go after themselves?
          Look at the sequester. What did the White House cut?
          Was it anything that effected the President or his family?
          What are other agencies cutting?
          Do you see any cuts that are effecting the rich?
          No all the cuts effect us.
          That way when we start moaning loud enough they can pass a budget that at best may restore some of these cuts.
          Then they can crow about how great they are for coming together and passing a budget (first one in over 4 years) and we will be satisfied they finally passed a budget even though 'it doesn't go far enough'.
          But don't think for a second they will do anything to harm themselves.
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          • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
            Thom, some people would like to just do a simple small thing like get rid of loopholes and perhaps raise taxes on the rich a hair. Then there is some sort of knee jerk fake outrage and many of the people who are outraged would not be affected by any tax increases. It wasn't that long ago that the tax rates were higher on the rich, we had more regulation and things were going pretty well. What happened? Now, many of the same people who complain about the bankers ( rightfully so ) also talk about socialism taking over the country and put the blame on the poor. The elite, the rich and the bankers are a lot of things, but one thing they are not are socialists.

            Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

            Tim I hate to break this to you, but nobody is going after the rich.
            You really think that everyone in power starting at the top are going to go after themselves?
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            • Profile picture of the author ThomM
              Originally Posted by TimPhelan View Post

              Thom, some people would like to just do a simple small thing like get rid of loopholes and perhaps raise taxes on the rich a hair. Then there is some sort of knee jerk fake outrage and many of the people who are outraged would not be affected by any tax increases. It wasn't that long ago that the tax rates were higher on the rich, we had more regulation and things were going pretty well. What happened? Now, many of the same people who complain about the bankers ( rightfully so ) also talk about socialism taking over the country and put the blame on the poor. The elite, the rich and the bankers are a lot of things, but one thing they are not are socialists.
              Tim I don't have a problem with getting rid of the loopholes.
              As far as raising anyone's taxes, I'd just like to see the tax system be fair for all, rich and poor.
              The problem is those in power now are the rich and have been for a long, long, time. In fact one of the easy ways of getting rich these days is to become a politician at the federal level. Look at how many politicians from the top down who became millionaires AFTER they where elected to a federal office. No matter what any of them say, they are going to protect their money.
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              • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
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                Originally Posted by ThomM View Post


                I'd just like to see the tax system be fair for all, rich and poor.
                Correct me if I'm wrong but is there a law in the U.S. which actually states you have to pay tax?

                If so, where is it exactly?


                Mark Andrews
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                • Profile picture of the author HeySal
                  Originally Posted by Mark Andrews View Post

                  Correct me if I'm wrong but is there a law in the U.S. which actually states you have to pay tax?

                  If so, where is it exactly?


                  Mark Andrews
                  They tell us that taxes are voluntary - but the IRS has access to swat teams now, so I'm thinking that voluntary is the "smart" way to go.

                  There is no actual law on the books that makes income tax mandatory. You cannot work in the US without signing tax forms, though, and those are your "permission" slips to allow the corp to tax you. The trick is - if you don't sign, you don't get the job. I sign mine and add "under duress, without prejudice." Since the gov became a corporation it's been real tricky to keep abreast of how you have to do things to avoid legal complications later. If we aren't rid of the FED in the next couple years I'll probably go claim my strawman. I was going to last year but was led to believe that we'd be out from under World bank ownership by now.
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                  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
                    I think people focus on the wrong tax problems. Strawmen - and writing things on tax forms as a protest - do nothing to solve the problem.

                    The tax code is a bloated mess as is the agency charged with collecting it. Why aren't people demanding a new, fair, honest tax code? It's simple - the wealthy don't want to lose deductions - and the poor don't want to lose the giveaways the tax code provides. It's how you control a society....and it's been working well here.

                    I'd like to see a flat tax in combination with a consumption tax. If everyone who earns pays SOMETHING - they'd have skin in the game. It those who buy more "stuff" pay a consumption (sales) tax on it, it would balance the share paid along income lines.

                    It won't happen - or at least not until the public demands it - because it gives up control and it provides transparency. We wouldn't want that, would we? It would also cost a few billion less a year to collect and administer.
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                    • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
                      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

                      I'd like to see a flat tax in combination with a consumption tax.
                      Consumption taxes only work if essential items (food, medicine, etc.) are exempt. If not, it hits the poor a lot harder than it does the well off as a proportion of their respective incomes.

                      I don't think you'll find any economist anywhere who supports a flat tax either.

                      I believe that money that is "parked" in offshore tax havens should be taxed at twice the rate it would be if it was held domestically. Serial offenders should be stripped of their citizenship and deported to wherever their money lives.
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              • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
                Yeah, the rich have been in power ever since the country was created. Back then usually only rich white property owners could vote.
                Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

                The problem is those in power now are the rich and have been for a long, long, time.
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                • Profile picture of the author ThomM
                  Originally Posted by TimPhelan View Post

                  Yeah, the rich have been in power ever since the country was created. Back then usually only rich white property owners could vote.
                  How does that justify what they are doing now?
                  Where they rich before they entered politics or did they enter politics to become rich.
                  Washington's salary as President was $25,000 AND HE REFUSED IT.
                  When the country was created the rich who later took office also fought side by side with the poor to create this country.
                  What branch of the service has the current leader fought in?
                  The founders also didn't have over 50% of their net worth invested in Wall Street and then bail out Wall Street to protect their investments.
                  Like I said the rich in power today are going to protect their money, not do anything that will take it away.
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                  • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
                    Wasn't trying to justify anything. Just agreeing with you that the rich have been in power for a long time.

                    By the way, Washington did end up accepting his salary. Plus, during the revolution at first it was just the opposite of how things are now: mostly the well to do were in the military. In fact, the poor were excluded at first.
                    Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

                    How does that justify what they are doing now?
                    Where they rich before they entered politics or did they enter politics to become rich.
                    Washington's salary as President was $25,000 AND HE REFUSED IT.
                    When the country was created the rich who later took office also fought side by side with the poor to create this country.
                    What branch of the service has the current leader fought in?
                    The founders also didn't have over 50% of their net worth invested in Wall Street and then bail out Wall Street to protect their investments.
                    Like I said the rich in power today are going to protect their money, not do anything that will take it away.
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      • Profile picture of the author Thomas
        Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

        Countries providing money for the Eurozone bailouts are NOT going to hand out tens of billions of dollars to small countries that are unwilling to make sacrifices to get the money.
        If they want to save the currency that has served them so well, that's exactly what they will do (unless the Russians beat them to it in the Cypriot case); the alternative is the break-up of the currency and the return of Germany to its previous role as the 'sick man of Europe' who wasn't able to sell water to people who had wads of cash while dying of thirst.

        For obvious reasons, the Germans don't want that... the same saintly Germans, incidentally, who were already in breach of Eurozone rules before joining and continued to breach them for years after, at a time when some of their now-much-maligned "southern neighbours" (Spain, being a good example) were rapidly paying down public debt before the financial crisis migrated from the United States to Europe... and the same saintly Germans who were then openly manipulating the entire Eurozone structure to make sure the same harsh sanctions (for those breaches) they are now demanding be applied to their southern neighbours didn't get applied to them.

        Germany's current advantageous position is because of the crisis, not in spite of it. If they want to maintain their new top-dog status, they need to be prepared to pay for it. Either that, or give up the pretence.

        Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

        ... might kick Cyprus out of the Eurozone.
        They can't; there is no means, mechanism, or ability to do so.
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        • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
          There are estimates that large depositors may lose up to 60%.

          BBC News - Bank of Cyprus big depositors could lose up to 60%
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          • Profile picture of the author Kay King
            I noticed that, too, Derek. Also seems while the banks were closed to normal people - behind the scenes some of the big depositors were being allowed to transfer their money out.

            What was left didn't provide enough bailout funds at 40% so now it's 60% "or more" that's being taken.

            Cypriots are supposed to believe the banks and govt didn't know how much money was in the banks and so planned to take 40%? They are supposed to believe banks and govt didn't know money was being moved out of the country in big amounts while the banks were "closed"?
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  • Profile picture of the author venethia
    Next step...Spain. Then Italy.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    And the whole world is going to continue to operate this way until we all get brains enough to go after criminals. "Too big to fail and jail" is just a way of telling you that we have separation of law by social class now. This separation is so great and the top of the pyramid so powerful, that they now believe that it's okay anywhere at any time to just walk in and steal it from you when they want more - and there's nothing YOU are going to do about watching them take your money. Just like candy from a baby, other than the baby won't starve if you steal it's candy, and when you steal people's bank accounts, they might very well do so.

    I don't care WHAT they use for reasoning. It's theft.
    I am sure that the last thing they wanted was for this issue to get into the news, I'm betting that if it hadn't been publicized so widely, that it would have happened. I also think that it's going to bite them in the butts just for having even considered it. People are getting fed up with the few thinking it's just fine and dandy to just dip into someone else's money whenever and for whatever - especially when it's to clean up messes caused by their own greed.
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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      And the whole world is going to continue to operate this way until we all get brains enough to go after criminals. "Too big to fail and jail" is just a way of telling you that we have separation of law by social class now. This separation is so great and the top of the pyramid so powerful, that they now believe that it's okay anywhere at any time to just walk in and steal it from you when they want more - and there's nothing YOU are going to do about watching them take your money. Just like candy from a baby, other than the baby won't starve if you steal it's candy, and when you steal people's bank accounts, they might very well do so.
      Actually, there IS a federal law that requires entities to NOT get too big. It is called the sherman antitrust act. Of course, people feign to go after the letter of the law, and just casually skip by the spirit of the law. Case in point? Most car manufacturers, airlines, etc.... You could say they are all owned by one entity. Listen CLOSELY to the likes of United or Delta, and they ADMIT it! But since corporate papers say otherwise, nobody cares.

      Anyway, it is a central point for failure and simply pointing that out gives them control.

      I don't care WHAT they use for reasoning. It's theft.
      I am sure that the last thing they wanted was for this issue to get into the news, I'm betting that if it hadn't been publicized so widely, that it would have happened. I also think that it's going to bite them in the butts just for having even considered it. People are getting fed up with the few thinking it's just fine and dandy to just dip into someone else's money whenever and for whatever - especially when it's to clean up messes caused by their own greed.
      Yeah, the shifting of securities, loans, subsidies, obscure terms, changing word's meanings, etc... makes it EASY to steal today. They can literally steal $10 Billion, and make it APPEAR to be there. They can make a valuable policy WORTHLESS and still claim it has the same value. FEW notice until it is too late.

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Jajistan
    It is a disgrace. Banks and therefore governments are already stealing our money by offering far less interest than the rate of inflation anyway.

    The people of Cyprus should march in and withdraw everything that they have got in the banks on Thursday morning, regardless of whether the 10% "tax" has been imposed or not. Let the banks fall........people will set up their own building societies instead.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      Cyprus is unusual as the banks there have more money than the economy of the country. 40% of the money is foreign money invested in those banks for various reasons.

      The banks are not failing - the country's economy is. Huge debt - high unemployment.

      The people of Cyprus should march in and withdraw everything that they have got in the banks on Thursday morning,
      The banks have been closed since last week and will remain closed perhaps for another week. ATMs can be used to remove a certain amt of money daily - but reports say the ATMs are out of funds early each morning.

      To avoid bankruptcy, Cyprus must have a bailout - but anyone providing billions for a bailout is going to want something in return.
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    • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
      Originally Posted by Jajistan View Post

      It is a disgrace. Banks and therefore governments are already stealing our money by offering far less interest than the rate of inflation anyway.

      The people of Cyprus should march in and withdraw everything that they have got in the banks on Thursday morning, regardless of whether the 10% "tax" has been imposed or not. Let the banks fall........people will set up their own building societies instead.
      If the banks were allowed to bankrupt, those with up to 100,000 deposits will recover all their money anyway as that is guarantee. It seems they have found a way of getting round this guarantee by not allowing the banks to go bankrupt. It sends a chilling message to people in other countries in the EU and beyond.

      Wealthy Russians would know that their deposits were guaranteed up to 100,000 euros anyway and would have moved much of their money out beforehand. So you are not going to have individuals suffering large losses because of it. It would be easy to say why not let the banks go bankrupt. But the truth is that you will have massive disruptions and it will have be months before depositors can recover their money. The people of Cyprus have definitely got something to be extremely angry about. It seems that a lot of the problems with their banks are related to Greece.

      There is one nation which stands out on the list that Kay referred to. It is Japan with by far the highest level of government debt in the world. However, it is still deemed to relatively safe because most of their bond buyers are local.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill View Post

    If you could print all the money you want, what would you do?

    Welcome to reserve banking.
    Printing all the money you want is only half the scam. It's the cost per bill printed and interest charged for it that is tanking us - our money is already debt as it comes off the press. You CAN'T decrease debt under this system. It's impossible. They knew that when they installed the FED on us. That's why the debt was due to expire on a specific date instead of being paid off. Unfortunately - when it was due to expire, we allowed them to do the bailouts instead of jailing them for it, so we got stuck right back into the system at the time we could have been freed from it. 99% of EVERYONE slept through that one.

    Kay - writing a disclaimer on tax forms does not SOLVE anything - but it can get your butt out of a jam in court if the IRS decides to try to railroad you in any way. It helps if you decide to claim your strawman, also.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      In the case of Fed Res monthly bailouts happening now - the money isn't being printed...as I understand, we are now simply creating dollars digitally for the fed to spend. No need to print it as it's being spent as fast as it is issued.
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      • Profile picture of the author HeySal
        Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

        In the case of Fed Res monthly bailouts happening now - the money isn't being printed...as I understand, we are now simply creating dollars digitally for the fed to spend. No need to print it as it's being spent as fast as it is issued.

        Yep - and it still costs the US (which is actually the people) a fee for every dollar printed - and interest on the fee). I don't go so nuts over the debt itself, because there is no way to have anything else in this money system, since it is debt coming off the presses(or the printer in this case). What makes me grind my teeth is the crapola they are blowing our tax money on and all the extra money (debt) they keep having printed to keep up with their spending.

        When Obama said the debt didn't really matter, people went apeshit on him for it. Actually he was right. That debt's gonna be there as long as the FED owns the US. The debt creates ownership and allowing the FED to take over our monetary system was the most heinous acts of enslavement ever perpetrated on a people. People want freedom and they scream to our politicians to give us our liberties back.............well.............there's one way to do that. Only one. Get rid of world bank. We HAVE to go iceland on these crooks or we just have to get used to being owned by a cartel - a bloodthirsty one, at that.
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        • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
          Originally Posted by HeySal View Post


          When Obama said the debt didn't really matter,
          Well, he didn't say that at all. He said we don't have a debt crisis which is true.
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          • Profile picture of the author Kay King
            Back to Cyprus - looks like a deal may come this weekend but I wonder what the reaction will be.

            The confiscation of funds is back on the table - 25% of all deposits over 100,000 euros (about $130k). Talks are reported to include "restructuring" of the troubled banks and dividing them by "good" vs "bad" funds. That should be interesting.

            One quote to justify this was:

            The cost of cleaning up the Cypriot banking system must be borne by investors in the Cypriot banking system - like it or lump it.
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            • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
              Originally Posted by Kay King View Post


              One quote to justify this was:
              The cost of cleaning up the Cypriot banking system must be borne by investors in the Cypriot banking system - like it or lump it.
              Of course the fallacy* of that statement is that having money in a bank is not the same as being an investor in the bank.

              * Joe's definition of fallacy: Big F'ing Lie!

              Joe Mobley
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          • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
            Interesting. I bet this is the same attitude of financially irresponsible college students who are living off of the parents credit card.

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            Originally Posted by TimPhelan View Post

            we don't have a debt crisis
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            • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
              It's just the truth Joe. It is a made up crisis. Sure, it's a problem and we have to do something long term, and the sooner we come up with a plan the better, but all this stuff about a immediate crisis is BS. Even Paul Ryan and Boehner admitted that after the President made his remark.
              Originally Posted by Joe Mobley View Post

              Interesting. I bet this is the same attitude of financially irresponsible college students who are living off of the parents credit card.

              Joe Mobley
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              • Profile picture of the author HeySal
                Originally Posted by TimPhelan View Post

                It's just the truth Joe. It is a made up crisis. Sure, it's a problem and we have to do something long term, and the sooner we come up with a plan the better, but all this stuff about a immediate crisis is BS. Even Paul Ryan and Boehner admitted that after the President made his remark.
                That's basically what I was saying. The debt is just a moot point that distracts people who don't understand that debt at the macro-economic plane isn't the same as at the micro-economic plane. Totally different animal in this fiat currency system. The fact we are being drained of OUR money over it, is just our owners exerting more control over us. Until we get rid of that cartel, we're just fodder for them. Either call for arrests, or shut up and do as you are told. If you don't survive it, well tough noogies for you.
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                • Profile picture of the author seasoned
                  Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

                  That's basically what I was saying. The debt is just a moot point that distracts people who don't understand that debt at the macro-economic plane isn't the same as at the micro-economic plane. Totally different animal in this fiat currency system. The fact we are being drained of OUR money over it, is just our owners exerting more control over us. Until we get rid of that cartel, we're just fodder for them. Either call for arrests, or shut up and do as you are told. If you don't survive it, well tough noogies for you.
                  NOT AT ALL!!!!!!! The ONLY difference is that on the MICRO plane, if you need 30 and have 10, you have to borrow, or WAIT!!!!!!!!!! On the MACRO plane, if you need 8 trillion, and have NOTHING, you simply print up 8 trillion. Sounds SIMPLE, RIGHT? WRONG!!!!!! It steals 50% of the value from EVERYONE in the US, and causes inflation!

                  So it is NOT a made up problem. Give me a break! Countries have gone to WAR for this! GREECE was hurt! The spanish countries were hurt! The UK was hurt. France was hurt. Rome was hurt. Germany was hurt. etc.... The US was hurt! WHAT does it take to convince people?

                  Steve
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                  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
                    It's not a manufactured problem but I'm not convinced the doom and gloom scenario should Cyprus fail is realistic. With less than 1 million people, it's a very small part of the European economy....except for the huge banks that have been havens for years.

                    I'd guess the real question is how quickly there will be a run on banks in the next country looking for a bailout.

                    When banks re-open in Cyprus they will have controls to prevent a run on the banks. The good news is the Eurozone did not violate the insured accounts and that's what the average citizen cares about.

                    In the end - a money grab is accepted by the public as long as it's "someone else's money".
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                  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
                    Originally Posted by seasoned View Post


                    So it is NOT a made up problem. Give me a break! Countries have gone to WAR for this!
                    GREECE was hurt! The spanish countries were hurt! The UK was hurt. France was hurt. Rome was hurt. Germany was hurt. etc.... The US was hurt! WHAT does it take to convince people?

                    Steve
                    We go to war whenever our politicians want to attack for whatever reason. So how is that a factor?

                    When a dollar is printed under our fiat system - we pay 10c for that dollar. We also pay interest on any printed. Where do we get the price/interest to pay for that money? We print more....so that is more debt. The price of the money plus the interest does not exist. The debt can do NOTHING BUT GROW under this system. That's why they had a date for the debt to expire If the masses would have found out that the FED was a bank and not a branch of gov about 50 years ago our politicians would probably have been forced to honor the expiration date. But they swindled us....duh...gee why would they do that? LOL.

                    IF we did things correctly, the FED would have to PAY US interest on the money they print.

                    Think about it for awhile.
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                    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
                      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

                      We go to war whenever our politicians want to attack for whatever reason. So how is that a factor?

                      When a dollar is printed under our fiat system - we pay 10c for that dollar. We also pay interest on any printed. Where do we get the price/interest to pay for that money? We print more....so that is more debt. The price of the money plus the interest does not exist. The debt can do NOTHING BUT GROW under this system. That's why they had a date for the debt to expire If the masses would have found out that the FED was a bank and not a branch of gov about 50 years ago our politicians would probably have been forced to honor the expiration date. But they swindled us....duh...gee why would they do that? LOL.

                      IF we did things correctly, the FED would have to PAY US interest on the money they print.

                      Think about it for awhile.
                      OK everyone! Think about THIS! If the US fiat system is SO perfect, WHY did the german, roman, african, american, etc... systems FAIL! The current US system is no less than the THIRD attempt! And WHY do things cost SO much more now? WHY did russia, poland, china, etc... keep their currency INTERNAL so long? WHY is confederate currency currently worthless?

                      And WHY WHY WHY do GERMANY, FRANCE, Great Britain, Italy, RUSSIA, CANADA, etc.... meet as the G8 to trade currencies and agree on relative values?

                      Steve
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              • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
                I am on the opposite side of the coin. I believe that financial "issues" of the Federal Government are far WORSE than are being reported.

                Here is the Joe's-eye view of the US financial situation:

                90 Trillion Dollars in obligations. This includes on budget items, off budget items, and unfunded obligations. For example,

                Unfunded obligations excluded
                The U.S. government is obligated under current law to mandatory payments for programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) projects that payouts for these programs will significantly exceed tax revenues over the next 75 years...

                Adding this to the national debt and other federal obligations would bring total obligations to nearly $62 trillion. However, these unfunded obligations are not counted in the national debt.
                Bold is mine.

                National debt of the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

                5.5 Trillion dollars per year income. Of course that will vary year-to-year.

                Federal State Local Government Revenue in United States for 2013 - Charts Tables

                Let's see how that works out...

                90 trillion divided by 5.5 trillion equals about 16.4 years to pay off CURRENT obligations.

                IF we don't incur any further obligations.
                AND there is no interest on outstanding debt.

                "Made up crisis." We differ in definition.

                Joe Mobley


                Originally Posted by TimPhelan View Post

                It's just the truth Joe. It is a made up crisis. Sure, it's a problem and we have to do something long term, and the sooner we come up with a plan the better, but all this stuff about a immediate crisis is BS.
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                • Profile picture of the author John Henderson
                  Originally Posted by Joe Mobley View Post

                  I am on the opposite side of the coin. I believe that financial "issues" of the Federal Government are far WORSE than are being reported.

                  Here is the Joe's-eye view of the US financial situation:

                  90 Trillion Dollars in obligations. This includes on budget items, off budget items, and unfunded obligations.
                  Hi Joe. Have you seen the documentary "IOUSA"? It echoes many of the things that you've said here, and it does so in a non-partisan way...


                  If you search YouTube for "IOUSA", you'll also find an abridged version, about 30 minutes long.

                  Best wishes!
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                  • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
                    Thanks John,

                    No I haven't see or heard about the documentary. I will check it out.

                    Joe Mobley


                    Originally Posted by John Henderson View Post

                    Hi Joe. Have you seen the documentary "IOUSA"? It echoes many of the things that you've said here, and it does so in a non-partisan way...

                    Best wishes!
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                  • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
                    Originally Posted by John Henderson View Post

                    It echoes many of the things that you've said here, and it does so in a non-partisan way...
                    Non partisan? Probably yes. But accurate? That's up for debate. Here's one short article about it and a more in depth pdf that has a minute by minute viewers guide.

                    Dean Baker: IOUSA: Failed Scare Flick of the Decade

                    http://www.cepr.net/documents/public...20Not%20OK.pdf
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          • Profile picture of the author AprilCT
            Originally Posted by TimPhelan View Post

            Well, he didn't say that at all. He said we don't have a debt crisis which is true.
            We have a crisis in government. They spend without thinking and everyone's heirs to who knows what degree will be working forever to help pay it off. Totally foolish expenditures. If I elaborate here, it's gonna push up my blood pressure, it's irresponsible.

            If a family were to throw away money the same way the government does, they'd be living on the street.
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            • Profile picture of the author HeySal
              Originally Posted by AprilCT View Post

              We have a crisis in government. They spend without thinking and everyone's heirs to who knows what degree will be working forever to help pay it off. Totally foolish expenditures. If I elaborate here, it's gonna push up my blood pressure, it's irresponsible.

              If a family were to throw away money the same way the government does, they'd be living on the street.
              Well ya know something, April? It's real easy to fix that. All it takes is for the people in each state to start impeaching incompetent or corrupted reps. That's it. Bam - you're fired.

              In other words don't count on anything changing because our population is too severely stupid, lazy, and is equally as incompetent as their leaders.
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              Sal
              When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
              Beyond the Path

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              • Profile picture of the author seasoned
                Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

                Well ya know something, April? It's real easy to fix that. All it takes is for the people in each state to start impeaching incompetent or corrupted reps. That's it. Bam - you're fired.

                In other words don't count on anything changing because our population is too severely stupid, lazy, and is equally as incompetent as their leaders.
                BTW do you know WHY a private person would be on the street if they did this, and the government WOULDN'T be? BECAUSE, if the private person were, the government ENSURES they hae no option other than DEPENDENCE! If the GOVERNMENT has the problem, they STEAL! It IS theft! In fact, it is COUNTERFEITING!

                On American greed(A show about REAL cases), they showed one guy that WAS in a virtual SLUM. He was RICH! CARS, HOMES, ETC.... HOW? He figured how to create GREAT counterfeit currency, and slowly released currency. The federal government does the SAME thing! The government stopped HIM.

                HEY, with the money I have now, in the 1930s, I could buy a CITY! TODAY? FORGET IT! IMAGINE if I were in the same position in 1960, with twice the relative worth at the time, and retired. TODAY, I would be BROKE! OK, you figure....BOO HOO. Maybe you don't like me. YEAH! OK, what about all the others? What if it were YOU!!!!!

                So why did I say that? It illustrates INFLATION, and how their "solution" is NOTHING OF THE SORT!

                Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
    The latest is that they have secured a deal whereby those with deposits below 100,000 euros won't lose anything. However, those with deposits above 100,000 euros may lose up to 40% of their money. I can't see their banking industry can ever revive as an offshore banking center. This will one key part of their economy gone.
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    Do not get between a wombat and a chocolate biscuit; you will regret it dearly!

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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    WTF? That's not banking industry - that's a freaking piggy bank. Smack that account open with a hammer when you want to make a withdrawl. :confused::rolleyes:
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author KingRoyal
    Its funny, you lie to the government, its a felony. They lie to us,.... Its politics.
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    ANOTHER thing! Banks are supposed to be SAFE!!!!!!!!!!! INSURANCE is for the BANKS!!!!!!!!! If they are not insured, ****THEY**** should lose!

    Steve
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