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Mrs. D

Name:
Location: DC Metro Area, United States

I adore The Lord. I'm in my 40's. Completely in love with my husband, a mother of 3 girls ages 23, 21 and 18 and one little man that turned 3 in December. I don't own a gun but I believe in your right to own one, if you so choose. I vaccinate but I believe in your right not to, I don't homeschool but believe in your right to educate your child the way you see fit. I don't attend a "church" but I read the Bible everyday. I do not support our current administration and do not feel it is Biblical to "get behind" a man with such unGodly actions. If a child survives an abortion it is nothing short of Gods will that that child live. How ANYONE professing Christianity can support an administration that will use their will to override Gods and kill that child anyway is beyond my understanding. I'm not so convinced that we are in the End Times but I am sure our country is out of control and headed for disaster. You can call me nuts but I'll just call you part of the problem for being uninformed and asleep at the wheel.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Hal Turner and China-Shesh

The following rumor is circulating the internet. This makes me nuts because more than a few people are geting drawn in and being borderline rude when you try to bring it to their attention. They should know better and if you run across a site posting this, run. The site can't be trusted and you are wasting your time if you are indeed a serious follower of current events.

It comes from Hal Turner who posted the crap that started this rumor. Here is his blog. halturnershow.blogspot.com... and here is the article he linked in the thread.

The guy is a joke and if you follow him you should rexamine your sources. I saw nothing in there stating that the fed had done this, but please look for yourself. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601009&sid=a_dsDz145J_A he did say it was a response to that article, but no other source was given.

If you indeed find something creditable on this I will apoligize.

FTA: February 26, 2009FEDS GRANT EMINENT DOMAIN AS COLLATERAL TO CHINA FOR U.S. DEBTS!Beijing, China -- Sources at the United States Embassy in Beijing China have just CONFIRMED to me that the United States of America has tendered to China a written agreement which grants to the People's Republic of China, an option to exercise Eminent Domain within the USA, as collateral for China's continu More..ed purchase of US Treasury Notes and existing US Currency reserves!

The written agreement was brought to Beijing by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and was formalized and agreed-to during her recent trip to China.

This means that in the event the US Government defaults on its financial obligations to China, the Communist Government of China would be permitted to physically take -- inside the USA -- land, buildings, factories, perhaps even entire cities - to satisfy the financial obligations of the US government.

Put simply, the feds have now actually mortgaged the physical land and property of all citizens and businesses in the United States. They have given to a foreign power, their Constitutional power to "take" all of our property, as actual collateral for continued Chinese funding of US deficit spending and the continued carrying of US national debt.

This is an unimaginable betrayal of every man, woman and child in the USA. An outrage worthy of violent overthrow.

I am endeavoring to obtain images or copies of the actual document but in the interim, several different sources both in the US and in China have CONFIRMED this to me.More details as they become available. . . . . spread the word ASAP.

Here check ou the dude on Hal Turner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Friday, February 27, 2009

Quotes

How can a society that exists on instant mashed potatoes, packaged cake mixes, frozen dinners, & instant cameras teach patience to its young?~Paul Sweeney, (20th Century)

Shun idleness. It is the rust that attaches itself to the most brilliant metals. Voltaire (1694–1778) French writer, essayist and philosopher

The brook would lose its song if we removed the rocks. ~Wallace Stegner

It's wonderful to have a beginner's mind. Steve Jobs (1955 – )Co-founder and CEO of Apple

Life can only be understood backwards, but it has to be lived forwards. ~ Søren Kierkegaard

Tears are nature's lotion for the eyes. The eyes see better for being washed by them.~Christian Nestell Bovee

An optimist is a person who sees a green light everywhere, while a pessimist sees only the red stoplight...The truly wise person is color-blind.—Albert Schweitzer

If necessity is the mother of invention, then resourcefulness is the father.~Beulah Louise Henry

Excellence is the gradual result of always wanting to do better. Pat Riley (1945 – ) NBA coach

To undertake is to achieve.~Emily Dickinson

Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning. Bill Gates (1955 - ) founder and chairman of Microsoft

Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Matthew 7:7

The meaning of man's life matches the marvels of man's labor. Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973)36th president of the United States

We have to learn to be our own best friends because we fall too easily into the trap of being our own worst enemies.~ Roderick Thorp

The future doesn't just happen - it's shaped by decisions. ~Paul Tagliabue (1940- ) former NFL Commissioner

What do we live for; if it is not to make life less difficult for each other? ~George Eliot

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Thursday, February 26, 2009

A Few More Casseroles

I haven't tried these yet. The Potato Casserole doesn't look like something my family would enjoy as I have some picky eaters. I posted it anyway as I'll do with a lot of things. Just because it may not work for me doesn't mean someone elses family won't gobble it up. If you give it a try drop me a line and let me know how it went.
CHEESY CHICKEN-N-NOODLE CASEROLE

2 packages egg noodles
1 can cream of chicken or mushroom soup
1 jar Cheese Whiz
3 cans chicken, or 3 boneless chicken breast
3 tbsp of mayo
1 box of cheese-its, or like crackers

Broil and cut chicken into cubes.

Prepare noodles according to package instructions. While noodles are cooking, heat soup, with 1 half can of milk on low heat.

Gradually add Cheese Whiz, stirring constantly until all of the cheese is melted. Add the chicken, simmer for a few minutes, continuing to stir. Remove from heat.

When noodles are finished, drain, and stir in the 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise. Add soup and cheese mixture until all noodles are coated well.

Spray a casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray, and spoon the noodle mixture into it. Crush several handfuls of Cheese-Its, and sprinkle them over the noodles, or however much you like.
Bake in 350° oven for 25 minutes, or until sauce is bubbly and hot.

This is good as a meal alone, and tastes even better the next day. You can substitute the chicken with tuna fish. You can also use Cream of Celery Soup, which gives it a differet taste. Or try mixing the soups,half chicken, half mushroom. Adjust to your own taste

Creamy Potato Casserole (side dish?)

12 potatoes
1 large onion
8 ounces sour cream
1 pound small curd cottage cheese
salt and pepper to taste
3/4 stick butter (more or less, as preferred)
Blanched almonds, optional
3/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Boil potatoes until tender. Cool potatoes. Mash with lots of butter, salt and pepper to taste. Stir in sour cream, cottage cheese and onion. Do not beat. Place in an ungreased casserole bowl and pour shredded cheese evenly over the top. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes. Cover the prevent burning. If preferred, you can place blanched almonds on top while baking.

Notes:This dish is better if prepared one day ahead and then baked on day you wish to serve it. Allow extra time for baking if refrigerated.

Celery Ham Casserole

3 cups Celery, cut in 2 inch julienne strips, cooked
2 cups Diced cooked ham or canned luncheon meat
2 tablespoons Butter
2 tablespoons Flour
1 cup Milk
1 cup Sharp cheddar cheese
¾ cup
Buttered soft bread crumbs

Combine celery and ham in a shallow 1 ½ quart baking dish. Melt butter then blend in flour. Add milk and cook, stirring until thickened. Add cheese and stir until melted. Mix with celery and ham, then sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Casseroles


Upside-Down Pizza Casserole

1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 15-ounce can Italian-style tomato sauce
1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (6 ounces)
1 10-ounce package refrigerated biscuits (10 biscuits)

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a large skillet cook beef until no longer pink, stirring frequently. Drain off fat. Stir in tomato sauce; heat through. Transfer mixture to a 2-quart rectangular baking dish. Sprinkle mixture with cheese.
2. Flatten each biscuit with your hands; arrange the biscuits on top of the cheese. Bake in the preheated oven about 15 minutes or until biscuits are golden. Makes 5 servings.

Bean-and-Beef Enchilada Casserole

1/2 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 4-ounce can diced green chili peppers
1 8-ounce carton dairy sour cream or light dairy sour cream
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
8 6-inch corn tortillas
1 10-ounce can enchilada sauce or one 10 1/2-ounce can tomato puree
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 ounces)

Directions
1. In a large skillet cook the ground beef, onion, chili powder, and cumin until onion is tender and meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir pinto beans and undrained chili peppers into meat mixture; set aside.
2. In a small mixing bowl stir together sour cream, flour, and garlic powder until combined; set aside.
3. Place half of the tortillas in the bottom of a lightly greased 2-quart rectangular baking dish, cutting to fit if necessary. Top with half of the meat mixture, half of the sour cream mixture, and half of the enchilada sauce. Repeat layers. Cover dish with plastic wrap; chill in refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
4. To serve: Preheat oven to 350F. Remove plastic wrap; cover dish with foil. Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until bubbly. Uncover; sprinkle with cheese and bake 5 minutes more. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Baked Cavatelli

7 ounces dried cavatelli or wagon wheel macaroni
12 ounces uncooked Italian sausage links, sliced 1/2 inch thick, or lean ground beef
3/4 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 26-ounce jar pasta sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 ounces)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; set aside.
2. In a large skillet cook the sausage, onion, and garlic until sausage is brown; remove from skillet. Drain.
3. In a large bowl stir together pasta sauce, 3/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese, and the pepper. Add the cooked pasta and the drained sausage mixture. Stir gently to combine. Spoon the mixture into a 2-quart casserole.*
4. Bake, covered, in a 375� oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until nearly heated through. Uncover; sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese. Bake about 5 minutes more or until cheese is melted. Makes 5 to 6 servings.

Potato-Ham Bake

1 lb. Yukon gold potatoes, sliced
1 8-oz. tub light cream cheese spread with chive and onion
3/4 cup milk1/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
1 Tbsp. snipped fresh tarragon or 1/2 tsp. dried tarragon, crushed
8 oz. cooked boneless ham, cut in bite-sized slices
1 lb. fresh asparagus spears, trimmed, cut in 2 to 3-inch pieces
Tarragon sprigs (optional)

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In medium saucepan cook potatoes, covered, in small amount of lightly salted boiling water 5 to 7 minutes, just until tender. Drain; transfer to bowl and set aside.
2. For sauce, in same saucepan combine cream cheese, milk, 2 tablespoons Parmesan, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Heat and whisk until smooth and cheese is melted. Remove from heat; stir in tarragon.
3. Layer potatoes, ham, asparagus, and sauce in 1-1/2-quart baking dish. Bake, covered, 20 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle remaining Parmesan. Bake 10 to 12 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Top with tarragon and freshly ground black pepper. Serves 4.

Chicken Alfredo and Rice Casserole

1 10-oz. container refrigerated light Alfredo pasta sauce
1/2 cup milk
2-1/2 cups cooked white rice or wild rice
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 cup frozen peas
1/3 cup chopped bottled roasted red sweet peppers
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted (optional)
1 Tbsp. snipped fresh basil or 1/2 tsp. dried basil, crushed1 cup soft bread crumbs
1 Tbsp. butter, melted

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In large bowl combine pasta sauce and milk. Stir in rice, chicken, peas, sweet peppers, nuts, and basil. Transfer to 1-1/2-quart baking dish.
2. Bake, covered, 30 minutes. Uncover and stir. Combine bread crumbs and melted butter; sprinkle atop. Bake, uncovered, 20 to 25 minutes more or until heated through and crumbs are golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serves 4.

Mexicali Hamburger Casserole

1-1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1 15-oz. can Mexican-style diced tomatoes
1-1/2 cups frozen whole kernel corn, thawed
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons finely shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1 Tbsp. sugar
1-1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 egg, beaten
2/3 cup milk
2 Tbsp. cooking oil
1 Recipe Fresh Tomato Toss, (see recipe)

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In 12-inch skillet cook and brown beef; drain off fat. Stir in undrained tomatoes and 1 cup of the corn; heat through. Transfer to greased 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of cheese.
2. For corn bread topping, in medium bowl combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir in egg, milk, and oil. Evenly spread on beef mixture. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons cheese. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes or until topping is set. Let stand 5 minutes.
3. Fresh Tomato Toss: In bowl stir together 1 cup red grape tomatoes, halved, 1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro, remaining 1/2 cup corn, and if desired, 1/3 cup green olives, halved; spoon over servings. Serves 6.

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

4 strips bacon
1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
6 oz. dry elbow macaroni
8 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 to 4 oz. blue cheese, crumbled
1 cup half-and-half or light cream
1/8 tsp. pepper

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large skillet cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, turning once. Drain bacon on paper towels; crumble. Reserve bacon drippings in skillet.
2. Cook onion in reserved bacon drippings for 5 to 8 minutes or until onion is tender and golden brown. Set aside.
3. Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions. Drain and place in a 1-1/2-quart casserole. Add the crumbled bacon, onions, 1-1/2 cups of the mozzarella cheese, the blue cheese, half-and half, and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
4. Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Stir gently. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 10 minutes more or until top of casserole is brown and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes.

Italian Sausage and Spinach Casserole

3/4 pound fresh Italian sausage links
2 10-ounce packages fresh spinach, cooked and well drained, or two 10-ounce packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
1 19- or 15-ounce can white kidney beans (cannellini) or great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 small red onion, finely chopped
3/4 cup evaporated skim milk
1/2 cup grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup fine dry bread crumbs
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 teaspoons margarine or butter, melted

Directions
1. In a large skillet cook sausage over medium heat about 8 minutes or until no pink remains, turning often. Drain on paper towels. Slice into bite-size pieces.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine cooked sausage, spinach, beans, onion, milk, 1/4 cup of the Romano or Parmesan cheese, lemon peel, lemon juice, nutmeg, and pepper. Transfer mixture to a greased 2-quart oval or square baking dish.
3. For topping, in a small mixing bowl combine bread crumbs, remaining 1/4 cup of the Romano or Parmesan cheese, garlic, and melted margarine or butter; sprinkle atop casserole. Bake, uncovered, in a 375 degrees F oven for 35 minutes or until heated through. Makes 6 servings.

Nacho Turkey Casserole

5 cups slightly crushed tortilla chips
4 cups cubed cooked turkey or chicken
2 16-ounce jars salsa
1 10-ounce package frozen whole kernel corn
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeño peppers or mozzarella cheese

Directions
Lightly grease a 3-quart rectangular baking dish. Place 3 cups of the tortilla chips in bottom of dish. In a large bowl combine turkey, salsa, corn, sour cream, and flour; spoon over tortilla chips. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 cups tortilla chips and the cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes more or until heated through. Makes 8 servings.
To Tote: Cover tightly. Transport in an insulated carrier.For 4 Servings: Prepare using method above, except assemble in a 2-quart square baking dish.

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Monday, February 23, 2009

Another Massive Bailout/Spending Bill On It's Way

I said this 2 weeks ago. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I think there will be at least 2 more, not including this one here by August.

Once again, start emailing the United States House of Representatives and U.S. Senates. Make up a form type letter and send it to them EVERY SINGLE DAY. Don't forget to call, call, call as well.

washingtontimes-com-news-2009-feb-23-another-massive-spending-bill-on-the-agenda-/

Another massive spending bill on the agenda

GOP targets $410 billion omnibus

After a week off taking a victory lap for passing an economic stimulus, Congress' Democratic leaders return to Washington on Monday for a second race against the clock to pass another massive spending package.

This time it is a roughly $410 billion omnibus appropriations bill that would fund most of the federal government for the rest of the fiscal year, replacing stopgap funding that expires March 6.

The Senate this week also is expected to take up long-debated legislation to give the District a voting member in the House and the confirmation of Labor Secretary-designee Hilda L. Solis, one of the last vacancies in President Obama's Cabinet.

The omnibus spending bill already has become a target for Republican attacks on the Democrat-led Congress' penchant for pork-barrel projects and burgeoning deficits.

Mr. Obama will confront that criticism head on this week when he addresses Congress on Tuesday and submits a 2010 budget that promises to cut the federal deficit for $1.3 trillion to $533 billion in four years.

He also will convene a White House summit on fiscal responsibility Monday with congressional leaders from both parties, as well as economists and interest group members.

Democrats nevertheless risk wearing out voters' patience with Congress' spending habits as the omnibus package arrives on the heels of a $700 billion Wall Street bailout and a $787 billion economic stimulus. It will be followed by the budget bill - likely sparking fresh debate over pork projects - and likely more pricey measures to prop up the financial, housing and automotive industries.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi acknowledged the political risk associated with passing so much expensive legislation in such a short period of time.

“There are many challenges ahead, and they all have to fit into a strategic plan for a strong economy in a fiscally sound way, accountable to the public,” the California Democrat said.

“Each of these pieces of legislation will have to justify its existence in those terms, also in terms of, how does the taxpayer get paid back?” she said. “Because we absolutely intend to proceed in a very fiscally sound way.”

Republicans have objected to Democrats keeping the omnibus spending bill hidden from public view for weeks, despite calls to post it on the Internet. The secrecy spurred Republican speculation the bill could be loaded with expensive pet projects or partisan policy directives such as a renewed ban on offshore oil drilling.

“Time is running short, and American taxpayers deserve to know how their hard-earned tax dollars will be used under this legislation,” said House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican.

“The fact that the Democratic majority is planning to bring this massive spending bill to the House floor just days after Congress approved the trillion-dollar stimulus spending plan is added proof that 'borrow and spend' has become Washington's go-to strategy for funding more programs and projects that taxpayers do not need and cannot afford,” he said.

The omnibus, which contains nine of the 12 annual appropriation bills, is expected to increase government spending about 6 percent over fiscal 2008 levels.

The other three annual spending bills - Defense, Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security - were passed last year with a continuing resolution that has kept the government running at 2008 funding levels since the fiscal year began Oct. 1. The continuing resolution expires March 6.

A House vote on the omnibus spending bill could come as soon as Wednesday.

The Senate could vote on the District representation bill and the confirmation of Mrs. Solis as soon as Tuesday. Both will require 60 votes to survive.

“We see a light at the end of a very long tunnel for voting rights for D.C. residents,” said Democrat Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District's nonvoting delegate to the House.

But she said she anticipates Republican moves to block the legislation, which would offset the all but certain addition of a Democratic vote in the chamber by giving another House member to solidly Republican Utah.

GETTY IMAGES House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, says there is political risk in so much expensive legislation in a short period of time, but she added, "we absolutely intend to proceed in a very fiscally sound way."

Republican leaders oppose the measure because they say it violates the U.S. Constitution's establishment that only states shall have voting representation in Congress.

A constitutional amendment would be the proper mechanism to extend full representation to the District, opponents argue.

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Sunday, February 22, 2009

A Letter From The Boss

A Letter From The Boss

To All My Valued Employees,

There have been some rumblings around the office about the future of this company, and more specifically, your job. As you know, the economy has changed for the worse and presents many challenges. However, the good news is this: The economy doesn’t pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is the changing political landscape in this country.

However, let me tell you some little tidbits of fact which might help you decide what is in your best interests.

First, while it is easy to spew rhetoric that casts employers against employees, you have to understand that for every business owner there is a back story. This back story is often neglected and overshadowed by what you see and hear. Sure, you see me park my Cadillac outside. You’ve seen my big home at last years Christmas party. I’m sure; all these flashy icons of luxury conjure up some idealized thoughts about my life.

However, what you don’t see is the back story.

I started this company 28 years ago. At that time, I lived in a 300 square foot studio apartment for 3 years. My entire living apartment wasconverted into an office so I could put forth 100% effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ you.

My diet consisted of Ramen Pride noodles because every dollar I spent went back into this company. I drove a rusty Toyota Corolla with a defective transmission. I didn’t have time to date. Often times, I stayed home on weekends, while my friends went out drinking and partying. In fact, I was married to my business — hard work, discipline, and sacrifice.

Meanwhile, my friends got jobs. They worked 40 hours a week and made a modest $50K a year and spent every dime they earned. They drove flashy cars and lived in expensive homes and wore fancy designer clothes. Instead of hitting the Nordstrom’s for the latest hot fashion item, I was trolling through the discount store extracting any clothing item that didn’t look like it was birthed in the 70’s. My friends refinanced their mortgages and lived a life of luxury. I, however, did not. I put my time, my money, and my life into a business with a vision that eventually, some day, I too, will be able to afford these luxuries my friends supposedly had.

So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am, mentally check in at about noon, and then leave at 5pm, I don’t. There is no “off” button for me.

When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, and breathethis company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden — the nice house, the Cadillac, the vacations… you never realize the back story and the sacrifices I’ve made.

Now, the economy is falling apart and I, the guy that made all the right decisions and saved his money, have to bail-out all the people whodidn’t. The people that overspent their paychecks suddenly feel entitled to the same luxuries that I earned and sacrificed a decade of my life for.

Yes, business ownership has is benefits but the price I’ve paid is steep and not without wounds.

Unfortunately, the cost of running this business, and employing you, is starting to eclipse the threshold of marginal benefit and let me tell you why:

I am being taxed to death and the government thinks I don’t pay enough. I have state taxes. Federal taxes. Property taxes. Sales and use taxes. Payroll taxes. Workers compensation taxes. Unemployment taxes. Taxes on taxes. I have to hire a tax man to manage all these taxes and then guess what? I have to pay taxes for employing him. Government mandates and regulations and all the accounting that goes with it, now occupy most of my time. On Oct 15th, I wrote a check to the US Treasury for $288,000 for quarterly taxes. You know what my “stimulus” check was? Zero. Nada. Zilch.

The question I have is this: Who is stimulating the economy? Me, the guy who has provided 14 people good paying jobs and serves over 2,200,000 people per year with a flourishing business? Or, the single mother sitting at home pregnant with her fourth child waiting for her next welfare check?

Obviously, government feels the latter is the economic stimulus of this country.

The fact is, if I deducted (Read: Stole) 50% of your paycheck you’d quit and you wouldn’t work here. I mean, why should you? That’s nuts. Who wants to get rewarded only 50% of their hard work? Well, I agree which is why your job is in jeopardy.

Here is what many of you don’t understand … to stimulate the economy you need to stimulate what runs the economy. Had suddenly government mandated to me that I didn’t need to pay taxes, guess what? Instead of depositing that $288,000 into the Washington black-hole, I would have spent it, hired more employees, and generated substantial economic growth. My employees would have enjoyed the wealth of that tax cut in the form of promotions and better salaries. But you can forget it now.

When you have a comatose man on the verge of death, you don’t defibrillate and shock his thumb thinking that will bring him back to life, do you?

Or, do you defibrillate his heart? Business is at the heart of America and always has been. To restart it, you must stimulate it, not kill it.Suddenly, the power brokers in Washington believe the poor of America are the essential drivers of the American economic engine. Nothing could be further from the truth and this is the type of change you can keep.

So where am I going with all this?

It’s quite simple.

If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, my reaction will be swift and simple. I fire you. I fire your co-workers. You can then plead with the government to pay for your mortgage, your SUV, and your child’s future.Frankly, it isn’t my problem any more.

Then, I will close this company down, move to another country, and retire. You see, I’m done. I’m done with a country that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and to provide jobs will bedestroyed, and with it, will be my citizenship.

So, if you lose your job, it won’t be at the hands of the economy; it will be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through thiscountry, steamrolled the constitution, and will have changed its landscape forever. If that happens, you can find me sitting on a beach, retired, and with no employees to worry about….

Signed,

Your boss

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Friday, February 20, 2009

Breakfast Recipes


Denver Omelet
2 T. butter
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped red and/or green bell peppers
1/2 cup diced cooked ham
8 slices bacon - fried, drained, and crumbled
4 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 to 3 drops hot sauce, optional
Melt the butter in a skillet and saute the chopped onion, bell peppers, ham and bacon. In a small bowl, whip the eggs lightly. Add the salt and pepper and hot sauce (if using.) Pour the egg mixture in the skillet over the other ingredients. Lightly brown on one side. Turn over and lightly brown other side.


Three Cheese Quiche
3/4 cup grated Swiss cheese
3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
6 large eggs
1 cup half and half
2 tsp. finely chopped onion
2 tsp. finely chopped fresh parsley or 1 tsp. dried parsley
1/2 tsp. dried chives
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 - 9" unbaked pie shell

Mix the cheeses together and spread over the bottom of the pie shell.Mix the remaining ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth. Pour the mixture into an unbaked pie shell. Bake in a preheated oven at 400F for 15 minutes. Lower the oven temp to 350F and continue baking for 35 to 40 more minutes, or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Serve piping hot.


Hash Brown & Sausage Breakfast Bake
1 lb. fresh pork sausage
4 cups frozen hash brown potatoes
1/2 cup finely chopped onions
2 T. milk8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
3/4 cup Bisquick baking mix
1/2 cup milk
2 large eggs
paprika

Remove the sausage from it's casing. Cook the sausage in a skillet until it's cooked through and browned. Crumble the sausage as it's cooking; drain and set aside. Grease a 10" iron skillet or spray a shallow baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Spread the potatoes in the bottom of the prepared skillet or dish. In a small mixing bowl, mix the onions, milk, cream cheese, salt and pepper together. Spread the mixture over the potatoes. Mix the Bisquick, milk, and eggs together and whisk until smooth. Pour over the other ingredients. Scatter the crumbled sausage over top. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake, uncovered, in a preheated oven at 400Ffor 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 6 to 8 servings.


Sour Cream Pancakes
1-1/2 cups flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
1 T. sugar
1 egg
1 cup milk
1/4 cup sour cream
* 2 T. vegetable oil

Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar together. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, milk, and sour cream together. Stir the dry ingredients into the egg mixture, just until the moistened. Pour the vegetable oil on to a griddle. Heat the griddle to medium high. For each pancake, pour about 1/4 cup batter onto the hot griddle. Cook until the bottom of a pancake is golden brown and the edges begin to bubble. Turn over and cook other side. Serve pancakes piping hot with favorite syrup or fruit syrup topping


Baked Apple Pancakes
4 T. butter
1/2 cup sugar + 2 T. sugar
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
2 Granny Smith or other large tart apples - peeled, cored, and sliced very thin
8 eggs
1-1/3 cups milk
2/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla
confectioners' sugar

Melt the butter in deep 9" or 10" skillet with an oven-proof handle. (A good cast iron skillet is perfect for this.) Mix 1/2 cup sugar and the cinnamon together. Sprinkle the mixture in the bottom of the skillet. Scatter the apple slices over the sugar mixture. Cook over medium heat for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs, milk, flour, salt, vanilla and the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar together. Pour the mixture over the apples in the skillet. Bake in a preheated ovenat 400F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until light golden brown and puffy. Move to a serving platter, sprinkle with confectioners' sugar and serve piping hot.


Cinnamon Crumb Brunch Cake
1-1/4 cups flour
2/3 cup brown sugar
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 stick butter, chilled and cut into thin slices (butter, no substitutes)
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 large egg, lightly beaten

Spray an 8" or 9" round or square cake pan with non-stick cooking spray; set aside. Combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a mixing bowl. Cut in the butter until the mixture is coarse crumbs. (Use a pastry blender or 2 knives.) Measure and set aside 1/2 cup crumbs for the topping. Mix the baking powder and baking soda into the remaining flour mixture. Add the buttermilk, vanilla, and egg. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Spoon the batter into the prepared cake pan. Sprinkle the reserved 1/2 cup crumbs over the batter. Bake in a preheated oven at 350F for 30 minutes or until the center of the cake springs back when touched lightly. Cool completely on a wire rack before cutting.

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Thursday, February 19, 2009

The Earth Plus 5%

The Earth Plus 5%

By Larry Hannigan - Australia ©1971-2009

Fabian was excited as he once more rehearsed his speech for the crowd certain to turn up tomorrow. He had always wanted prestige and power and now his dreams were going to come true. He was a craftsman working with silver and gold, making jewelry and ornaments, but he became dissatisfied with working for a living. He needed excitement, a challenge, and now his plan was ready to begin. For generations the people used the barter system. A man supported his own family by providing all their needs or else he specialised in a particular trade. Whatever surpluses he might have from his own production, he exchanged or swapped for the surplus of others.


Market day was always noisy and dusty, yet people looked forward to the shouting and waving, and especially the companionship. It used to be a happy place, but now there were too many people, too much arguing. There was no time for chatting - a better system was needed. Generally, the people had been happy, and enjoyed the fruits of their work. In each community a simple Government had been formed to make sure that each person's freedoms and rights were protected and that no man was forced to do anything against his will by any other man, or any group of men.
This was the Government's one and only purpose and each Governor was voluntarily supported by the local community who elected him.

However, market day was the one problem they could not solve. Was a knife worth one or two baskets of corn? Was a cow worth more than a wagon … and so on. No one could think of a better system.

Fabian had advertised, "I have the solution to our bartering problems, and I invite everyone to a public meeting tomorrow."

The next day there was a great assembly in the town square and Fabian explained all about the new system which he called "money". It sounded good. "How are we to start?" the people asked.

"The gold which I fashion into ornaments and jewelry is an excellent metal. It does not tarnish or rust, and will last a long time. I will make some gold into coins and we shall call each coin a dollar."

He explained how values would work, and that "money" would be really a medium for exchange - a much better system than bartering.

One of the Governors questioned, "Some people can dig gold and make coins for themselves", he said, "This would be most unfair".

Fabian was ready with the answer. "Only those coins approved by the Government can be used, and these will have special markings stamped on them." This seemed reasonable and it was proposed that each man be given an equal number. "But I deserve the most," said the candle-maker. "Everyone uses my candles." "No", said the farmer, "without food there is no life, surely we should get the most." And so the bickering continued.

Fabian let them argue for a while and finally he said, "Since none of you can agree, I suggest you obtain the number you require from me. There will be no limit, except for your ability to repay. The more you obtain, the more you must repay in one year's time. "And what will you receive?" the people asked.

"Since I am providing a service, that is, the money supply, I am entitled to payment for my work. Let us say that for every 100 pieces you obtain, you repay me 105 for every year that you owe the debt. The 5 will be my charge, and I shall call this charge interest."

There seemed to be no other way, and besides, 5% seemed little enough charge. "Come back next Friday and we will begin."

Fabian wasted no time. He made coins day and night, and at the end of the week he was ready. The people were queued up at his shop, and after the coins were inspected and approved by the Governors the system commenced. Some borrowed only a few and they went off to try the new system.

They found money to be marvellous, and they soon valued everything in gold coins or dollars. The value they placed on everything was called a "price", and the price mainly depended on the amount of work required to produce it. If it took a lot of work the price was high, but if it was produced with little effort it was quite inexpensive.

In one town lived Alan, who was the only watchmaker. His prices were high because the customers were willing to pay just to own one of his watches.

Then another man began making watches and offered them at a lower price in order to get sales. Alan was forced to lower his prices, and in no time at all prices came down, so that both men were striving to give the best quality at the lowest price. This was genuine free competition.

It was the same with builders, transport operators, accountants, farmers, in fact, in every endeavour. The customers always chose what they felt was the best deal - they had freedom of choice. There was no artificial protection such as licences or tariffs to prevent other people from going into business. The standard of living rose, and before long the people wondered how they had ever done without money.

At the end of the year, Fabian left his shop and visited all the people who owed him money. Some had more than they borrowed, but this meant that others had less, since there were only a certain number of coins issued in the first place. Those who had more than they borrowed paid back each 100 plus the extra 5, but still had to borrow again to carry on.

The others discovered for the first time that they had a debt. Before he would lend them more money, Fabian took a mortgage over some of their assets, and everyone went away once more to try and get those extra 5 coins which always seemed so hard to find.

No one realised that as a whole, the country could never get out of debt until all the coins were repaid, but even then, there were those extra 5 on each 100 which had never been lent out at all. No one but Fabian could see that it was impossible to pay the interest - the extra money had never been issued, therefore someone had to miss out.

It was true that Fabian spent some coins, but he couldn't possibly spend anything like 5% of the total economy on himself. There were thousands of people and Fabian was only one. Besides, he was still a goldsmith making a comfortable living.

At the back of his shop Fabian had a strongroom and people found it convenient to leave some of their coins with him for safekeeping. He charged a small fee depending on the amount of money, and the time it was left with him. He would give the owner receipts for the deposit.

When a person went shopping, he did not normally carry a lot of gold coins. He would give the shopkeeper one of the receipts to the value of the goods he wanted to buy.

Shopkeepers recognised the receipt as being genuine and accepted it with the idea of taking it to Fabian and collecting the appropriate amount in coins. The receipts passed from hand to hand instead of the gold itself being transferred. The people had great faith in the receipts - they accepted them as being as good as coins.

Before long, Fabian noticed that it was quite unusual for anyone to actually call for their gold coins.

He thought to himself, "Here I am in possession of all this gold and I am still a hard working craftsman. It doesn't make sense. Why, there are dozens of people who would be glad to pay me interest for the use of this gold which is lying here and rarely called for. It is true, the gold is not mine - but it is in my possession, which is all that matters. I hardly need to make any coins at all, I can use some of the coins stored in the vault."

At first he was very cautious, only loaning a few at a time, and then only on tremendous security. But gradually he became bolder, and larger amounts were loaned.

One day, a large loan was requested. Fabian suggested, "Instead of carrying all these coins we can make a deposit in your name, and then I shall give you several receipts to the value of the coins." The borrower agreed, and off he went with a bunch of receipts. He had obtained a loan, yet the gold remained in the strong-room. After the client left, Fabian smiled. He could have his cake and eat it too. He could "lend" gold and still keep it in his possession.

Friends, strangers and even enemies needed funds to carry out their businesses - and so long as they could produce security, they could borrow as much as they needed. By simply writing out receipts Fabian was able to "lend" money to several times the value of gold in his strong-room, and he was not even the owner of it. Everything was safe so long as the real owners didn't call for their gold and the confidence of the people was maintained.

He kept a book showing the debits and credits for each person. The lending business was proving to be very lucrative indeed.

His social standing in the community was increasing almost as fast as his wealth. He was becoming a man of importance, he commanded respect. In matters of finance, his very word was like a sacred pronouncement.

Goldsmiths from other towns became curious about his activities and one day they called to see him. He told them what he was doing, but was very careful to emphasize the need for secrecy.

If their plan was exposed, the scheme would fail, so they agreed to form their own secret alliance.

Each returned to his own town and began to operate as Fabian had taught.

People now accepted the receipts as being as good as gold itself, and many receipts were deposited for safe keeping in the same way as coins. When a merchant wished to pay another for goods, he simply wrote a short note instructing Fabian to transfer money from his account to that of the second merchant. It took Fabian only a few minutes to adjust the figures.

This new system became very popular, and the instruction notes were called "checks".

Late one night, the goldsmiths had another secret meeting and Fabian revealed a new plan.

The next day they called a meeting with all the Governors, and Fabian began. "The receipts we issue have become very popular. No doubt, most of you Governors are using them and you find them very convenient." They nodded in agreement and wondered what the problem was.

"Well", he continued, "some receipts are being copied by counterfeiters. This practice must be stopped." The Governors became alarmed. "What can we do?" they asked. Fabian replied, "My suggestion is this - first of all, let it be the Government's job to print new notes on a special paper with very intricate designs, and then each note to be signed by the chief Governor. We goldsmiths will be happy to pay the printing costs, as it will save us a lot of time writing out receipts". The Governors reasoned, "Well, it is our job to protect the people against counterfeiters and the advice certainly seems like a good idea." So they agreed to print the notes.

"Secondly," Fabian said, "some people have gone prospecting and are making their own gold coins. I suggest that you pass a law so that any person who finds gold nuggets must hand them in. Of course, they will be reimbursed with notes and coins."

The idea sounded good and without too much thought about it, they printed a large number of crisp new notes. Each note had a value printed on it - $1, $2, $5, $10 etc. The small printing costs were paid by the goldsmiths.

The notes were much easier to carry and they soon became accepted by the people. Despite their popularity however, these new notes and coins were used for only 10% of transactions. The records showed that the check system accounted for 90% of all business.

The next part of his plan commenced. Until now, people were paying Fabian to guard their money. In order to attract more money into the vault Fabian offered to pay depositors 3% interest on their money. Most people believed that he was re-lending their money out to borrowers at 5%, and his profit was the 2% difference. Besides, the people didn't question him as getting 3% was far better than paying to have the money guarded.

The volume of savings grew and with the additional money in the vaults, Fabian was able to lend $200, $300, $400 sometimes up to $900 for every $100 in notes and coins that he held in deposit. He had to be careful not to exceed this nine to one ratio, because one person in ten did require the notes and coins for use.

If there was not enough money available when required, people would become suspicious, especially as their deposit books showed how much they had deposited. Nevertheless, on the $900 in book figures that Fabian loaned out by writing checks himself, he was able to demand up to $45 in interest, i.e. 5% on $900. When the loan plus interest was repaid, i.e. $945, the $900 was cancelled out in the debit column and Fabian kept the $45 interest. He was therefore quite happy to pay $3 interest on the original $100 deposited which had never left the vaults at all.

This meant that for every $100 he held in deposits, it was possible to make 42% profit, most people believing he was only making 2%. The other goldsmiths were doing the same thing. They created money out of nothing at the stroke of a pen, and then charged interest on top of it.

True, they didn't coin money, the Government actually printed the notes and coins and gave it to the goldsmiths to distribute. Fabian's only expense was the small printing fee. Still, they were creating credit money out of nothing and charging interest on top of it. Most people believed that the money supply was a Government operation. They also believed that Fabian was lending them the money that someone else had deposited, but it was very strange that no one's deposits ever decreased when a loan was advanced. If everyone had tried to withdraw their deposits at once, the fraud would have been exposed.

When a loan was requested in notes or coins, it presented no problem. Fabian merely explained to the Government that the increase in population and production required more notes, and these he obtained for the small printing fee.

One day a thoughtful man went to see Fabian. "This interest charge is wrong", he said. "For every $100 you issue, you are asking $105 in return. The extra $5 can never be paid since it doesn't exist. Farmers produce food, industry manufacturers goods, and so on, but only you produce money. Suppose there are only two businessmen in the whole country and we employ everyone else. We borrow $100 each, we pay $90 out in wages and expenses and allow $10 profit (our wage). That means the total purchasing power is $90 + $10 twice, i.e. $200. Yet to pay you we must sell all our produce for $210. If one of us succeeds and sells all his produce for $105, the other man can only hope to get $95. Also, part of his goods cannot be sold, as there is no money left to buy them.

He will still owe you $10 and can only repay this by borrowing more. The system is impossible."

The man continued, "Surely you should issue 105, i.e. 100 to me and 5 to you to spend. This way there would be 105 in circulation, and the debt can be repaid."

Fabian listened quietly and finally said, "Financial economics is a deep subject, my boy, it takes years of study. Let me worry about these matters, and you look after yours. You must become more efficient, increase your production, cut down on your expenses and become a better businessman. I am always willing to help in these matters."

The man went away still unconvinced. There was something wrong with Fabian's operations and he felt that his questions had been avoided.

Yet, most people respected Fabian's word - "He is the expert, the others must be wrong. Look how the country has developed, how our production has increased - we must be better off."

To cover the interest on the money they had borrowed, merchants were forced to raise their prices. Wage earners complained that wages were too low. Employers refused to pay higher wages, claiming that they would be ruined. Farmers could not get a fair price for their produce. Housewives complained that food was getting too dear.

And finally some people went on strike, a thing previously unheard of. Others had become poverty stricken and their friends and relatives could not afford to help them. Most had forgotten the real wealth all around - the fertile soils, the great forests, the minerals and cattle. They could think only of the money which always seemed so scarce. But they never questioned the system. They believed the Government was running it.

A few had pooled their excess money and formed "lending" or "finance" companies. They could get 6% or more this way, which was better than the 3% Fabian paid, but they could only lend out money they owned - they did not have this strange power of being able to create money out of nothing by merely writing figures in books.

These finance companies worried Fabian and his friends somewhat, so they quickly set up a few companies of their own. Mostly, they bought the others out before they got going. In no time, all the finance companies were owned by them, or under their control.

The economic situation got worse. The wage earners were convinced that the bosses were making too much profit. The bosses said that their workers were too lazy and weren't doing an honest day's work, and everyone was blaming everyone else. The Governors could not come up with an answer and besides, the immediate problem seemed to be to help the poverty stricken.
They started up welfare schemes and made laws forcing people to contribute to them. This made many people angry - they believed in the old-fashioned idea of helping one's neighbour by voluntary effort. "These laws are nothing more than legalised robbery. To take something off a person against his will, regardless of the purpose for which it is to be used, is no different from stealing."

But each man felt helpless and was afraid of the jail sentence which was threatened for failing to pay. These welfare schemes gave some relief, but before long the problem was back and more money was needed to cope. The cost of these schemes rose higher and higher and the size of the Government grew.

Most of the Governors were sincere men trying to do their best. They didn't like asking for more money from their people and finally, they had no choice but to borrow money from Fabian and his friends. They had no idea how they were going to repay. Parents could no longer afford to pay teachers for their children. They couldn't pay doctors. And transport operators were going out of business.

One by one the government was forced to take these operations over. Teachers, doctors and many others became public servants.

Few obtained satisfaction in their work. They were given a reasonable wage, but they lost their identity. They became small cogs in a giant machine.

There was no room for personal initiative, little recognition for effort, their income was fixed and advancement came only when a superior retired or died.

In desperation, the governors decided to seek Fabian's advice. They considered him very wise and he seemed to know how to solve money matters. He listened to them explain all their problems, and finally he answered, "Many people cannot solve their own problems - they need someone to do it for them. Surely you agree that most people have the right to be happy and to be provided with the essentials of life. One of our great sayings is "all men are equal" - is it not?"
Well, the only way to balance things up is to take the excess wealth from the rich and give it to the poor. Introduce a system of taxation. The more a man has, the more he must pay. Collect taxes from each person according to his ability, and give to each according to his need. Schools and hospitals should be free for those who cannot afford them …"

He gave them a long talk on high sounding ideals and finished up with, "Oh, by the way, don't forget you owe me money. You've been borrowing now for quite some time. The least I can do to help, is for you to just pay me the interest. We'll leave the capital debt owing, just pay me the interest."

They went away, and without giving Fabian's philosophies any real thought, they introduced the graduated income tax - the more you earn, the higher your tax rate. No one liked this, but they either paid the taxes or went to jail.

Merchants were forced once again to raise their prices. Wage earners demanded higher wages forcing many employers out of business, or to replace men with machinery. This caused additional unemployment and forced the Government to introduce further welfare and handout schemes.

Tariffs and other protection devices were introduced to keep some industries going just to provide employment. A few people wondered if the purpose of the production was to produce goods or merely to provide employment.

As things got worse, they tried wage control, price control, and all sorts of controls. The Government tried to get more money through sales tax, payroll tax and all sorts of taxes. Someone noted that from the wheat farmer right through to the housewife, there were over 50 taxes on a loaf of bread.

"Experts" arose and some were elected to Government, but after each yearly meeting they came back with almost nothing achieved, except for the news that taxes were to be "restructured", but overall the total tax always increased.

Fabian began to demand his interest payments, and a larger and larger portion of the tax money was being needed to pay him.

Then came party politics - the people started arguing about which group of Governors could best solve the problems. They argued about personalities, idealism, party labels, everything except the real problem. The councils were getting into trouble.

In one town the interest on the debt exceeded the amount of rates which were collected in a year. Throughout the land the unpaid interest kept increasing - interest was charged on unpaid interest.

Gradually much of the real wealth of the country came to be owned or controlled by Fabian and his friends and with it came greater control over people. However, the control was not yet complete. They knew that the situation would not be secure until every person was controlled.

Most people opposing the systems could be silenced by financial pressure, or suffer public ridicule. To do this Fabian and his friends purchased most of the newspapers, T.V. and radio stations and he carefully selected people to operate them. Many of these people had a sincere desire to improve the world, but they never realised how they were being used. Their solutions always dealt with the effects of the problem, never the cause.

There were several different newspapers - one for the right wing, one for the left wing, one for the workers, one for the bosses, and so on. It didn't matter much which one you believed in, so long as you didn't think about the real problem.

Fabian's plan was almost at its completion - the whole country was in debt to him. Through education and the media, he had control of people's minds. They were able to think and believe only what he wanted them to.

After a man has far more money than he can possibly spend for pleasure, what is left to excite him? For those with a ruling class mentality, the answer is power - raw power over other human beings. The idealists were used in the media and in Government, but the real controllers that Fabian sought were those of the ruling class mentality.

Most of the goldsmiths had become this way. They knew the feeling of great wealth, but it no longer satisfied them. They needed challenge and excitement, and power over the masses was the ultimate game.

They believed they were superior to all others. "It is our right and duty to rule. The masses don't know what is good for them. They need to be rallied and organised. To rule is our birthright." Throughout the land Fabian and his friends owned many lending offices.

True, they were privately and separately owned. In theory they were in competition with each other, but in reality they were working very closely together. After persuading some of the Governors, they set up an institution which they called the Money Reserve Centre. They didn't even use their own money to do this - they created credit against part of the money out of the people's deposits.

This Institution gave the outward appearance of regulating the money supply and being a Government operation, but strangely enough, no Governor or public servant was ever allowed to be on the Board of Directors.

The Government no longer borrowed directly from Fabian, but began to use a system of I.O.U.'s to the Money Reserve Centre. The security offered was the estimated revenue from next year's taxes. This was in line with Fabian's plan - removing suspicion from himself to an apparent Government operation. Yet, behind the scenes, he was still in control. Indirectly, Fabian had such control over the Government that they were forced to do his bidding. He boasted, "Let me control the nation's money and I care not who makes its laws." It didn't matter much which group of Governors were elected. Fabian was in control of the money, the life blood of the nation.

The Government obtained the money, but interest was always charged on every loan. More and more was going out in welfare and handout schemes, and it was not long before the Government found it difficult to even repay the interest, let alone the capital.

And yet there were people who still asked the question, "Money is a man-made system. Surely it can be adjusted to serve, not to rule?" But these people became fewer and their voices were lost in the mad scrabble for the non-existent interest.

The adminstrations changed, the party labels changed, but the major policies continued. Regardless of which Government was in "power", Fabian's ultimate goal was brought closer each year. The people's policies meant nothing. They were being taxed to the limit, they could pay no more. Now the time was ripe for Fabian's final move.

10% of the money supply was still in the form of notes and coins. This had to be abolished in such a way as not to arouse suspicion. While the people used cash, they were free to buy and sell as they chose - they still had some control over their own lives.

But it was not always safe to carry notes and coins. Checks were not accepted outside one's local community, and therefore a more convenient system was looked forward to.

Once again Fabian had the answer. His organisation issued everyone with a little plastic card showing the person's name, photograph and an identification number. When this card was presented anywhere, the storekeeper phoned the central computer to check the credit rating. If it was clear, the person could buy what he wanted up to a certain amount.

At first people were allowed to spend a small amount on credit, and if this was repaid within a month, no interest was charged. This was fine for the wage earner, but what businessman could even begin? He had to set up machinery, manufacture the goods, pay wages etc. and sell all his goods and repay the money. If he exceeded one month, he was charged 1.5% for every month the debt was owed.

This amounted to over 18% per year.

Businessmen had no option but to add the 18% onto the selling price. Yet this extra money or credit (the 18%) had not been loaned out to anyone. Throughout the country, businessmen were given the impossible task of repaying $118 for every $100 they borrowed - but the extra $18 had never been created at all.

Yet Fabian and his friends increased their standing in society. They were regarded as pillars of respectability. Their pronouncements on finance and economics were accepted with almost religious conviction.

Under the burden of ever increasing taxes, many small businesses collapsed. Special licenses were needed for various operations, so that the remaining ones found it very difficult to operate.
Fabian owned and controlled all of the big companies which had hundreds of subsidiaries. These appeared to be in competition with each other, yet he controlled them all. Eventually all competitors were forced out of business. Plumbers, panel beaters, electricians and most other small industries suffered the same fate - they were swallowed up by Fabian's giant companies which all had Government protection.

Fabian wanted the plastic cards to eliminate notes and coins. His plan was that when all notes were withdrawn, only businesses using the computer card system would be able to operate.

He planned that eventually some people would misplace their cards and be unable to buy or sell anything until a proof of identify was made. He wanted a law to be passed which would give him ultimate control - a law forcing everyone to have their identification number tattooed onto their hand. The number would be visible only under a special light, linked to a computer. Every computer would be linked to a giant central computer so that Fabian could know everything about everyone.


A Summary and other information

The story you have read is, of course, fiction. But if you found it to be disturbingly close to the truth and would like to know who Fabian was in real life, a good starting point is a study on the activities of the English goldsmiths in the 16th & 17th centuries.

For example, The Bank of England began in 1694. King William of Orange was in financial difficulties as a result of a war with France. The Goldsmiths "lent him" 1.2 million pounds (a staggering amount in those days) with certain conditions:

1. The interest rate was to be 8%. It must be remembered that Magna Carta stated that the charging or collecting of interest was a serious crime.

2. The King was to grant the goldsmiths a charter for the bank which gave them the right to issue or create credit out of nothing. Prior to this, their operations of issuing receipts for more money than they held in deposits was totally illegal. The charter made it legal.

In 1694 William Patterson obtained the Charter for the Bank of England.

By the way, the correct terminology used in the financial world for this money system is "fractional reserve banking".

Lets now do some research… Quotations

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 14th Edition - "Banks create credit. It is a mistake to suppose that bank credit is created to any extent by the payment of money into the banks. A loan made by a bank is a clear addition to the amount of money in the community."

Lord Acton, Lord Chief Justice of England, 1875 - "The issue which has swept down the centuries and which will have to be fought sooner or later is "the People versus the Banks."

Mr Reginald McKenna, when Chairman of the Midland Bank in London - "I am afraid that ordinary citizens will not like to be told that the banks can, and do, create and destroy money. And they who control the credit of the nation direct the policy of governments, and hold in the hollow of their hands the destiny of the people.

Mr Phillip A. Benson, President of the American Bankers' Association, June 8, 1939 said - "There is no more direct way to capture control of a nation than through its credit (money) system."

Sir Denison Miller - During an interview in 1921, when he was asked if he, through the Commonwealth Bank, had financed Australia during the First World War for $700 million, he replied, "Such was the case, and I could have financed the country for a further like sum had the war continued." Asked if that amount was available for productive purposes in this time of peace, he answered, "Yes".

So how should a proper money system work ?

As a simple example, what happens when we want to build a bridge ?

1st Question: Do we know how to build a bridge ? – Yes

2nd Question: Do we have the materials to build it ? – Yes

3rd Question: Do we have enough people producing food to feed the men while they are building the bridge ? - yes

So how does money get into the project ?

If there is work to be done, and the material is available and the labour willing, all we have to do is create the money which really is as simple as credit for work done. Credit can be in the form of a ledger column, or even printed tickets which we might choose to call – dollars.

Ask yourself why depressions have happened. The labour was still available. The work to be done was still there. The materials had not disappeared, and goods were readily available in the shops, or could be produced, except for the want of money. All that went missing from the community was the money to buy goods and services.

So why did the money supply dry up ?

Here is a letter written by the Rothschild Bros of London to a New York firm of bankers on 25 June 1863: It reads -

"The few who can understand the System (Cheque Money and Credits) will either be so interested in its profits, or so dependent on its favours, that there will be no opposition from that class. While on the other hand, the great body of people mentally incapable of comprehending the tremendous advantage that capital derives from the system, will bear its burdens without complaint and perhaps without even suspecting that the system is inimical (hostile, hurtful) to their interests."

The following quotation was reprinted in the Idaho Leader, USA, 26 August 1924, and has been read into Hansard twice: by John Evans MP, in 1926, and by M.D. Cowan M.P., in the Session of 1930-1931:

In 1891 a confidential circular was sent to American bankers and their agents, containing the following statements:

"We authorise our loan agents in the western States to loan our funds on real estate, to fall due on September 1st 1894, and at no time thereafter.”

"On September 1, 1894, we will not renew our loans under any consideration.”

"On September 1st we will demand our money - we will foreclose and become mortgagees in possession.”

"We can take two-thirds of the farms west of the Mississippi and thousands of them east of the great Mississippi as well, at our own price."

"We may as well own three quarters of the farms of the west and the money of the country.”

"Then the farmers will become tenants, as in England."

The understanding of this issue of money into the community can be best illustrated by equating money in the economy with tickets in a railway system. The tickets are printed by a printer who is paid for his work. The printer never claims the ownership of the tickets. And we can never imagine a railway company refusing to give passengers seats on a train because it is out of tickets. By this same token, a government should never refuse people the access to normal commerce and trade by claiming it is out of money."

Suppose the government borrows $10 million. It only costs the bankers a few hundred dollars to actually produce the funds, and a little more to do the book-keeping. Do you think it is fair that our citizens should struggle to keep their homes and families together, while the bankers grow fat on these profits?

Credit created by a Government-owned bank is better than credit created by private banks, because there is no need to recover the money from people by way of taxes, and there is no interest attached to inflate the cost. The public work completed with the credit by the Government bank is the asset that replaces the money created when the work is finished.

None of our problems will disappear until we correct the creation, supply and circulation of money.

So What Keeps the Banking System going ?

Suppose you are a fairly successful private businessman, and you want to expand, so you take a loan or overdraft of $10,000 from your local bank. Things go well for a while, and you have paid back $5,000, or half the loan. But things go wrong, and you have to tell the bank that you can no longer keep up the payments on the outstanding principal and interest.

The $5,000 you cannot, will not, or have not repaid, remains in circulation as interest free money, for other debors to use, to pay the interest and principal on their loans.

It is this money from defaulted loans that enables the system to keep going.

Of course, the banks say they don't want that to happen, but in reality, they can now foreclose on your real assets, for something they gave only bookkeeping credit on. Whenever the debts increase beyond a certain point, orders go out to banks to refuse further credit, and then they foreclose on certain outstanding loans.

So who gets forclosed and why ?

Governments are never foreclosed. If it is necessary to eliminate a government that becomes hostile to those controlling the banking system, it is accomplished through war and revolution. Large corporate bodies are generally left alone, as they are necessary in the coming World Government, rather than individual countries.

Foreclosures are nearly always directed against those who are the smallest, and least organised to resist, such as the small businessman, the home owner, and especially the family farmers. These can be handled with the least trouble. In order to keep Israeli, the Communist nations and international usury banking going, small businesses must be foreclosed. Western Governments give away billions of dollars in foreign aid, while thousands of farmers and small businesses are cruelly foreclosed every month.

So when we pay our taxes this is what it is all about. Those persons who now rule and control the world, foreclose heavily on the small home owner, business people, and especially the farmers, who want to make their own decisions and take their own consequences. They do not usually research history and the economic situation, but they feel justified in borrowing what they need from the banks. But in times of good farm prosperity, it is bankers who encourage these loans. Those who run the banking system, know that farmers and small business people are the most independent people in the nation.

They are encouraged to get into debt, so foreclosure can be enforced to kill their independence.

When you plant one grain of corn, it will yield an increase of several hundred grains – this God's gift of increase. Animals also produce increase, but money, in any form, cannot increase, yet people believe it does, and today, many people live off interest. Money is a great system, far superior to barter.

Creating money to equate the real wealth of a nation or giving credit to an individual, is not the problem. It is the charging of INTEREST that is the root cause of all our economic problems. We are told that all nations are in debt. Ask yourself, or any politician - if all nations are in debt, who is the creditor ?


Thou shalt not lend upon usury (interest) to thy brother, interest on the money, or on anything that is lent with interest. Deut – 23.19

He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent, he that doeth these things shall never be moved. Psalm 15:5

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Wednesday, February 18, 2009

In The News

Here's change for ya. Change from Iraq to Afghanistan. More Than 17,000 Troops Headed to Afghanistan - FOXNews.com "This reinforcement will contribute to the security of the Afghan people and to stability in Afghanistan," Obama said in a statement. "I recognize the extraordinary strain that this deployment places on our troops and military families. I honor their service, and will give them the support they need."

Obama's Picks Don't Change the Culture in Washington President Barack Obama has indeed made history. His selections for his Cabinet and other top government offices make a mockery of his much publicized campaign promises to give us "the most sweeping ethics reform in history" and to "close the revolving door" to lobbyists.


September 18, 2008: Edge of Collapse The collapse revelation came a few days ago from Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Pennsylvania) when he was interviewed on C-Span.

On Thursday [the 18th], at about 11 o’clock in the morning, the Federal Reserve noticed a tremendous drawdown of money market accounts in the United States to a tune of $550 billion being drawn out in a matter of an hour or two.

The Treasury opened up its window to help. They pumped $105 billion into the system and quickly realized that they could not stem the tide. We were having an electronic run on the banks.

They decided to close the operation, close down the money accounts, and announce a guarantee of $250,000 per account so there wouldn’t be further panic and there. And that’s what actually happened.

If they had not done that their estimation was that by two o’clock that afternoon, $5.5 trillion would have been drawn out of the money market system of the United States, would have collapsed the entire economy of the United States, and within 24 hours the world economy would have collapsed.

Now we talked at that time about what would have happened if that happened. It would have been the end of our economic system and our political system as we know it.


America Has To Come To Grips With The Fact It Is Bankrupt - The International Forecaster If we are correct, and we believe we are, the stimulus package and TARP, plus all the other bailouts are not going to work. This so-called solution is just more of the same, but more of it. When you stop to think of it how can a bankrupt nation with a fiat currency save a banking system that is bankrupt as well? The solution to this is a simple. Back the dollar with gold and set the official price at $2,000 an ounce, although it may be trading at $3,000 in the marketplace. The US Mint would then vastly increase the number of gold coins available for purchase. Of course if the treasury has little or no gold they cannot do this, and the whole system collapses. Otherwise, with gold backing, capital would flow to America. Such a currency would allow nominal interest rates and would draw users and prices would remain stable. Eventually all countries would do likewise, set a world gold standard, and tariffs that suited their circumstances. If a nation was short on gold or had none, they’d have to sell assets to others to accumulate gold.

UN lobbies for share of bank rescue funds - Times Online The UN and the World Bank are lobbying for a portion of the billions of dollars allocated to bailing out the West's banking systems to be diverted to prevent 400 million people sinking into poverty across Asia in the wake of the global economic crisis.

UN officials say that such a plan is necessary to prevent severe social unrest in poor countries, especially among the tens of millions of migrant workers who are being forced back to their villages as jobs dry up in the cities of Asia.

A similar scheme has been proposed by Robert Zoellick, the head of the World Bank, who recently called for a "Vulnerability Fund" to which each developed country would contribute 0.7 per cent of its stimulus package.

Rich Chinese fly in to buy bargain homes in US - Times Online

Failure to save East Europe will lead to worldwide meltdown - Telegraph The last line in this article...If one spark jumps across the eurozone line, we will have global systemic crisis within days. Are the firemen ready?

How the Crash Will Reshape America - The Atlantic (March 2009)

Could 'Fairness Doctrine' Be Used to Police the Internet? - Presidential Politics Political News - FOXNews.com "This borders between stupidity and sheer insanity," said conservative radio talk show host Mike Gallagher, when told about the Spectator report. "I can't wait until they try to monitor how many conservative posts are on a thread versus how many liberal posts are on a thread."

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Saturday, February 14, 2009

How do I love thee?

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,--I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!--and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

A Test

Just a test to see if I can learn to work this thang.