One Year Closer

Big Brother's Watching-My Take on Tracked, Traced, and Databased

2010-07-13T16:08:00.002-05:00

I have never been one to be very paranoid about Big Brother watching my actions, and I know that our Understanding Privacygovernment keeps tabs on people in many ways. They keep tabs on what websites they visit and what they post. There are cameras everywhere; at banks, in malls, at traffic signals, there is a camera in my laptop. I just never thought that I had anything to hide and that there would be no reason for the government to worry about me.

I am beginning to think otherwise. I am vocal on facebook and make no secret that I think this administration is trying to ruin this country and that just in case there is a revolution, there are things one should do to prepare. I am not a gun collector, even though I own a handgun and some hunting guns. However; I do believe that I may be being watched and labeled as a "gun nut". I am not a "gun nut", I never even owned a handgun until a couple of years when I became a silver nut. Because I am always trading in silver and gold I bought a handgun. But I never thought that my constitutional right to own a gun and to speak my mind would get me labelled as someone who should be watched.

Well, in my work I fly all over the country, I am probably out of town more than I am in town. So, last Monday when I went to check in at the local airport, I was pulled aside and told that they would have to process me differently. They swabbed my hands with something I can only assume is to detect explosives or GSR, then they took my case with my GPS (They always do this) and scrutinize it and open it. I fly with the same case every week as do about twenty other people from my office, you would think they had seen a GPS unit before. Then when I got on the plane, with all my suspicion aroused I know the guy next to me was an Air Marshall. Well, that's just me, what about you. Read this article on how we are being tracked, traced, and databased: http://www.lewrockwell.com/spl2/tracked-traced-databased.html. Then tell me I am just being paranoid.

Retire South of the Border-Kiplingers

2010-06-16T11:10:00.002-05:00

I keep hearing about the benefits of retiring to Panama. Warm weather and a low cost of living lure retirees from the U.S. to central America according to Laura Cohn, Associate Editor at Kiplinger’s, the Central American country not only offers a warm but also provides a lower cost of living, generous financial incentives for retirees, and a reliable and affordable health-care system. On top of that, Panama uses the U.S. dollar, so there's no need to hassle with foreign currency.

After visiting Panama, one retiring couple decided to go make it their permanent home. In 2008, for less than $250,000, the couple purchased a three-bedroom, three-bathroom (plus maid's quarters) condo in a new, nine-story building overlooking the Pacific Ocean. A similar place close to the water in North or South Carolina would sell for well over $1 million. The couple downsized their belongings and shipped some crucial possessions -- their car, their plasma TV and their Xbox -- to temporary digs in Panama City, where they stayed for a few months while their new home was being built in Punta Barco Village, about an hour's drive from Panama City. They could have retired comfortably in the U.S, but they live three to four times better down here."

Cohn does recommend that you consider a few things for you take the leap:

Do a reality check
Do your research
Rethink your finances
How to protect your health

To find a local lawyer, ask other expats, or use an online resource such as www.movingtopanama.com, which provides a wealth of guidance on the logistics of relocating to the country. (Anyone over age 18 who meets the financial requirements can apply for the pensionado program.) For retirees with a sense of adventure and a taste for the good life -- even if they lack a bank account to match -- a change in latitude might be the perfect plan. "All you have to do is think outside the box and beyond your own borders," says Peddicord. "You'll discover opportunities for a completely new and improved life available for a bargain price." To read the entire article with detailed recommendations go HERE.

A response to a socialist, liberal comment

2010-06-10T08:19:00.002-05:00

Boy toy, if you do not believe in the Bill of Rights or the US Constitution, you do not deserve to live in this wonderful country. Try reading the constitution instead of bashing it. I guess you follow the sheeple with " No, I have not read the bill" because the current administration told me not to so I could disavow all knowledge. Luckily Fuhrer Obama and Reich Marshall Pelosi have not quenched all who believe in following the US Constitution, as our founding fathers wrote it. UH OH....Here come the men in black suits....

Will Obama Use An Arms Treaty to Ban US Firearms?

2010-03-11T15:36:00.000-06:00

On Wednesday, March 10, 2010, President Obama may have taken the first major step in a plan to ban firearms in the United States. The current administration could attempt to force gun control and a complete ban on all weapons for US citizens through the guise of signing of international treaties with other Nations.
The US government reversed its policy Wednesday and stated it would support launching talks on a treaty to regulate arms sales. The U.S. State Department announced this decision in a statement yesterday. This position overturns the position of former President George W. Bush's administration, which had opposed such a treaty on the grounds that national controls were better.

The proposed legally binding treaty would tighten regulation of, and set international standards for, the import, export and transfer of conventional weapons. Meaning this is not only an import /export treaty, but would also regulate transfer of firearm ownership. Will we wake one morning to find out that the US has signed a treaty that prohibits any transfer of firearm ownership? This is the first step! Once you start giving away your God given rights as written in the US constitution, where will it stop?

By signing international treaties on gun control, the Obama administration can use the US State Department to bypass the normal legislative process. Once the US Government signs these international treaties, US citizens will be expected to adhere to gun laws created by foreign governments. These are laws that have been developed and promoted by organizations such as the UN.

I feel that the current administration is using misleading tactics that will inflict major damage to our constitutional rights before most US citizens even understand what has happened. What this means is that there will be no publicized gun control debates in the media or votes in Congress. Will we will wake up one morning and find that the US has signed a treaty that prohibits firearm and ammunition manufacturers from selling to the public? Even worse, will we wake up yet another morning and find that the US has signed a treaty that requires US citizens to deliver any firearm they own to the local government collection and destruction center or face imprisonment?

Maybe I am a little paranoid, but once you start giving up your rights as a US citizen, rights that were outlined in the US Constitution by our founding fathers, where will it stop? As sure as government health care will be forced on us by the Obama administration through whatever means necessary, so will gun control. An article on the weapons treaty can be found in here.

Tea Party Candidate Shakes Up Texas Race

2010-02-25T09:54:00.000-06:00

Debra Medina, who identifies with the tea party movement, has disrupted the race between Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. According to an article by NPR, after a late January debate with Perry and Hutchison, Ms. Medina's poll numbers went upward. Afterward Ms. Medina appeared as a guest on Glenn Beck's syndicated radio show where Beck asked her whether she believed the U.S. government had any involvement in the 911 terrorist attacks.

She answered, "I don't have all of the evidence there, Glenn," and continued, "I think some very good questions have been raised in that regard." Immediately thereafter, Medina released a statement clarifying her belief that the U.S. government was not involved, but still, it has seemed to affect public support for her campaign.

Now you have to take into account this is NPR's (National Liberal Radio) take, I personally did not hear the radio show. To me her initial answer sounds like a rehersed answer to a question that you are not sure how to answer, and everyone makes mistakes. I hope this is not one that crushes her political career. I have heard her interviewed by others since then. Her platform is much like that of Ron Paul who won the presidential straw poll at CPAC. I hope she is given another chance, but I fear that the Liberal media will harp on this at least until after the primary. To read the NPR article go here.

Election 2010: Texas Republican Primary for Governor

2010-02-25T08:49:00.000-06:00

Election 2010: Texas Republican Primary for Governor
Rasmussen Reports

Posted using ShareThis

This is probably not the best article to use to get my point across; however, tomorrow Texas is holding the Republican Primary for governor. Now, I will state right off the bat, that I do not live in Texas, but what happens in Texas affects the whole country. Currently, whatever textbooks the State of Texas public schools use, are used by the rest of the country. I just want to implore those who can vote in this primary to do so. I do not know if Democrats or Independents can vote in the Republican Primary, I will have to do a little more research on the subject. Vote your conscience, not for Mr. Popular. This morning I heard an interview with Ms. Debra Medina that was very interesting. Even though according to this article she is in last place but starting to take votes from Hutchinson, her platform resembles Ron Paul's. I just found an article from NPR that states that "Medina shakes up Republican Primary." I will post this article as well. To see the entire Rasmussen Report article go here.

Before and After: Octomom photos in bikini on cover of Star Magazine

2010-01-21T17:27:00.000-06:00

Credit: Huffington Post
Jan. 21, 2010

Nearly a year after the birth of her octuplets, Nadya Suleman is posing on the cover of Star Magazine in a bikini. The acticle states "she claims she has had no surgery and snapped back with exercise." There are photos of her huge pregger belly from before and photos of her in a bikini now. You be the judge! There are over 5 pages of comments and a poll. Go here for the entire article from the Huffington Post.

Poll Results-Tax the Rich

2009-11-17T10:56:00.001-06:00

According to a new Associated Press poll, Americans see just one way to go: Tax the rich. The poll was conducted by Stanford University, and with the supposedly nonpartisan Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The poll found that participants were against other ways of paying for the health overhaul that is being considered in Congress such as including taxing insurers on "Cadillac plans."

The survey will be good news for House Democrats, who proposed doing just that in their giant all encompassing bill which hardly no one has read and has many tacked on items that would take away many of our civil liberties. The Democrats House bill would impose a 5.4 percent income tax surcharge on individuals making more than $500,000 a year and households making more than $1 million.

Makes a lot of sense to take away money from the same people who provide jobs for the poor and middle class, many of these jobs already provide good health benefits. (sarcasm.)

At least not everyone agreed. Overall, the poll results were split on Congress' health care plans. Participants said the current system needed to be changed, but at the same time they were concerned about the potential impact on their own pocketbooks, preferring to push any new costs onto wealthier Americans. If it was a random sample wouldn't some wealthier people be included.
77 % said the cost of health care in the United States was higher than it should be. 74 % favored reducing the amount of money paid by patients and their insurers.
49 % said any changes made by the government probably would cause them to pay more for health care (smart people).
32 % thought that it probably wouldn't change what they pay.
12 % thought they could end up paying less for health coverage.

I wonder if they even asked the participant about Tort Reform?
Read the whole article:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091117/ap_on_bi_ge/us_ap_poll_health_taxes

Robert Kiyosaki Seminar

2009-11-11T15:09:00.000-06:00

Last night I went to a Rich Dad Poor Dad seminar in my area. It was interesting but since I had read a lot of the books already, not much was stated that I did not already know. The main reason for the seminar is to sell their 3 day intensive workshop on everything you ever wanted to know about making money, getting rich, investing, entrepreneurship, etc. The cost is $500.00, and I bought in as a training investment since I already have an LLC. They also will allow you for that price take a spouse or business partner. My wife would not care to attend and I have no business partner, or do I. Anyone wanting to become a partner in this business training please leave me a comment or email. I think it is worth it. If you have ever read any of his books, he is a very knowledgeable man. As they said in the seminar how much would you be willing to invest to become rich? Contact me and we can work something out.

An Update

2009-08-19T14:35:00.000-05:00

Well, it has only been about 2 weeks since I posted last. I must be getting better at this. I do have a full time job that takes up most of my time. I am an Environmental Consultant with aspirations of starting my own company. "I thought you wanted to retire" you might say. Well I mean retire from the rat race. I want to be free to work when I want to. I actually have created my own LLC so that when I go on "marketing trips" and "buying trips" to Asia or S. America I can use it as a business deduction. I am in the process of getting all my streams of income blanketed under the LLC. If anyone would like to be an affiliate for Best Medication Station please contact me at snakeflake@bestmedicationstation.com. I am looking for a few affiliates that will send me clients of the best sorts.

As an investment, I bought some foreclosed timeshares in Sebring, FL on Lake Jackson. I am vacationing there week after next. I plan to rent them when I am not there. They are at Harder Hall Resort Villa. If anyone is interested in a week in South Central FL close to Orlando, contact me. I am also interested in purchasing some wooded acreage in south LA, MS, or AL. If anyone has or knows of 80-100 acres of land for sale at a decent price, again contact me. Well, that's the update. Please check out the sponsors. Thanks!

Multiple Streams of Income

2009-08-05T13:44:00.000-05:00

In this blog many of my posts have been off-topic. Well from now on I am going to make a concerted effort to stay with the program. The program is how to obtain enough wealth to retire early. When I say retire, I don't mean move into an assisted living facility and knit all day. I don't even now how to knit. I mean I would be free to work or not work, if I wanted to and when I wanted to. Besides saving money from my full-time job and investing it, there are many other ways that I attempt to make money. It is called making multiple streams of income, and the best type of income stream to have is passive income. With passive income you do not physically have to be on the job 8 hours a day. Most bloggers know that if they have AdSense or other ads on their blog, then they could be making money any hour of the day. We have all seen the ad that says "I made x amount of dollars in my sleep".

So, I have been using this multiple stream of passive income model to obtain my goal of retiring early. I also invest in the stock market, buy municipal bonds when the deal is right, and have several websites. You should enhance your financial education by reading, listening to financial recordings, and attending seminars. This is important, not only for the financial education but the motivation as well. It is too easy to just stay in the rat race and say its too hard to start my own business or businesses. One person, who's books I have enjoyed reading is Robert Kiyosaki. I have learned a lot from his writings and tomorrow I am actually going to a free Launch your Business workshop, taught by his company. I am very excited about this opportunity. So from now on I am going to try to stay on topic here, without being boring. I am sure I will add news other than financial or business from time to time but the main goal of this blog is to discuss how to get out of the rat race.

Check Out This Stock

2009-08-04T14:46:00.000-05:00

I gennerally do not buy penny stocks but this morning when I was going through the financial news I cam across a biotech stock report that caught my attention.

"Palatin Technologies (PTN) announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its U.S. Patent Application Number 11/694,260, titled "Cyclic Natriuretic Peptide Constructs." Palatin expects the patent will issue in the second half of 2009; the patent's 20-year term would expire in 2027."

I had no idea the price of this stock having never heard if it, so I looked it up and it was selling at 0.27. So I bought a few thousand shares. At first it shot straight up until it hit around 0.40, where it is hovering now. After I bought it I did a little research and found out that last year it dropped from 2.00 to 0.05. I am not really sure what this means but I put a quote box with PTN in the sidebar. I am not trying to get anyone to jump on the bandwagon, just thought that if anyone was looking for a speculative stock with patent rights to a class of drugs that may become in demand.

Global Warming Debate

2009-07-05T12:12:00.000-05:00

I ran across "A Few Things I'll Consider, a layman's take on the science of Global Warming featuring a guide on How to Talk to a Climate Sceptic" by Coby Beck. It is an interesting read from both the human induced cause of global climate change camp and the humans are not responsible for global climate change camps. I tend to believe for now that yes, human have contributed immensely to global CO2 since the beginning of the industrial age. However, I think it is very egotistical of humans to claim that we have contributed more than natural processes that have been occurring for billions of years. Human contributions are minuscule when compared to natural processes. I also believe that we can not stop global climate change nor should we try. The earth is the best one to solve her own "problems" (really only a problem to us).

Anyway, this blog used to be on Blogger and I tried to comment on a rebuttal made by the author to an anonymous comment. I was not allowed to comment for some reason, so I will comment here.

I cannot believe you did not even acknowledge the Max Plank Institute in a comment made by anonymous on January 02, 2007 3:02 PM. Instead you just referred him to the IPCC, a political organization. The Max Plank Institute is a research facility that consists of many of the greatest scientific minds in the world. I cannot believe you dismissed them so lightly. I have not read the article referred to but I think it deserves some comment on the contents, if such an research article exists. You bet I will be searching for said publication for my own interpretation.

Snakeflake
bestmedicationstation.com

I do not know if Coby will ever see this comment as I did not find a way to contact him. I am going to research the publication from the Max Plank Institute and will report here if or when I find it. I know this post is a little off topic for this blog; however, there are many people getting rich selling Carbon Offsets and other so-called solutions for Global Climate Change. If I believed it, I would jump on the bandwagon and make money for early retirement. So, it really does fit the main topic of this blog.

After I wrote this piece I was doing a little more digging and found that the blog mentioned above has moved. It can be accessed here. I have added my comment to the new blog, but have yet to receive an answer. It has been less than an hour, but I hope Coby will answer. I am eager to know if he has read the publication by the Max Plank Institute and is it available. That would save me a lot of time searching for it. As I stated above, I'll post whatever I find out.

Glenn Beck Recieves a Letter From an Angry Woman

2009-06-20T17:45:00.000-05:00

Today I received a forward, really many forwards. I usually delete them, but for some reason I opened this one. It was supposedly a letter from a woman to Glenn Beck.
This is what I received:

June 17, 2009 - 10:36 ET

GLENN: I got a letter from a woman in Arizona. She writes an open letter to our nation's leadership: I'm a home grown American citizen, 53, registered Democrat all my life. Before the last presidential election I registered as a Republican because I no longer felt the Democratic Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. Now I no longer feel the Republican Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. The fact is I no longer feel any political party or representative in Washington represents my views or works to pursue the issues important to me. There must be someone. Please tell me who you are. Please stand up and tell me that you are there and that you're willing to fight for our Constitution as it was written. Please stand up now. You might ask yourself what my views and issues are that I would horribly feel so disenfranchised by both major
political parties. What kind of nut job am I? Will you please tell me? Well, these are briefly my views and issues for which I seek representation:

One, illegal immigration. I want you to stop coddling illegal immigrants and secure our borders. Close the underground tunnels. Stop the violence and the trafficking in drugs and people. No amnesty, not again. Been there, done that, no resolution. P.S., I'm not a racist. This isn't to be confused with legal immigration.

Two, the TARP bill, I want it repealed and I want no further funding supplied to it. We told you no, but you did it anyway. I want the remaining unfunded 95% repealed. freeze, repeal.

Three: Czars, I want the circumvention of our checks and balances stopped immediately. Fire the czars. No more czars. Government officials answer to the process, not to the president. Stop trampling on our Constitution and honor it.

Four, cap and trade. The debate on global warming is not over. There is more to say.

Five, universal health care. I will not be rushed into another expensive decision. Don't you dare try to pass this in the middle of the night and then go on break. Slow down!

Six, growing government control. I want states rights and sovereignty fully restored. I want less government in my life, not more. Shrink it down. Mind your own business. You have enough to take care of with your real obligations. Why don't you start there.

Seven, ACORN. I do not want ACORN and its affiliates in charge of our 2010 census. I want them investigated. I also do not want mandatory escrow fees contributed to them every time on every real estate deal that closes. Stop the funding to ACORN and its
affiliates pending impartial audits and investigations. I do not trust them with taking the census over with our taxpayer money. I don't trust them with our taxpayer money. Face up to the allegations against them and get it resolved before taxpayers get any more involved with them. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck,
hello. Stop protecting your political buddies. You work for us, the people. Investigate.

Eight, redistribution of wealth. No, no, no. I work for my money. It is mine. I have always worked for people with more money than I have because they gave me jobs. That is the only redistribution of wealth that I will support. I never got a job from a poor person. Why do you want me to hate my employers? Why -- what do you have against shareholders making a profit?

Nine, charitable contributions. Although I never got a job from a poor person, I have helped many in need. Charity belongs in our local communities, where we know our needs best and can use our local talent and our local resources. Butt out, please. We want to do it ourselves.

Ten, corporate bailouts. Knock it off. Sink or swim like the rest of us. If there are hard times ahead, we'll be better off just getting into it and letting the strong survive. Quick and painful. Have you ever ripped off a Band-Aid? We will pull together. Great things happen in America under great hardship. Give us the chance to
innovate. We cannot disappoint you more than you have disappointed us.

Eleven, transparency and accountability. How about it? No, really, how about it? Let's have it. Let's say we give the buzzwords a rest and have some straight honest talk. Please try -- please stop manipulating and trying to appease me with clever wording. I am not the idiot you obviously take me for. Stop sneaking around and
meeting in back rooms making deals with your friends. It will only be a prelude to your criminal investigation. Stop hiding things from me.

Twelve, unprecedented quick spending. Stop it now. Take a breath. Listen to the people. Let's just slow down and get some input from some nonpoliticians on the subject. Stop making everything an emergency. Stop speed reading our bills into law. I am not an activist. I am not a community organizer. Nor am I a terrorist, a militant or a violent person. I am a parent and a grandparent. I work. I'm busy. I'm busy. I am busy, and I am tired. I thought we elected competent people to take care of the business of government so that we could work, raise our families, pay our
bills, have a little recreation, complain about taxes, endure our hardships, pursue our personal goals, cut our lawn, wash our cars on the weekends and be responsible contributing members of society and teach our children to be the same all while living in the home of the free and land of the brave.

I entrusted you with upholding the Constitution. I believed in the checks and balances to keep from getting far off course. What happened? You are very far off course. Do you really think I find humor in the hiring of a speed reader to intelligently ramble all through a bill that you signed into law without knowing what it contained? I do not. It is a mockery of the responsibility I have entrusted to you. It is a slap in the face. I am not laughing at your arrogance. Why is it that I feel as if you would not trust me to make a single decision about my own life and how I would live it but you should expect that I should trust you with the debt that you have laid on all of us and our children. We did not want the TARP bill. We said no. We would repeal it if we could. I am sure that we still cannot. There is such urgency and recklessness in all of the recent spending.

From my perspective, it seems that all of you have gone insane. I also know that I am far from alone in these feelings. Do you honestly feel that your current pursuits have merit to patriotic Americans? We want it to stop. We want to put the brakes on
everything that is being rushed by us and forced upon us. We want our voice back. You have forced us to put our lives on hold to straighten out the mess that you are making. We will have to give up our vacations, our time spent with our children, any relaxation time we may have had and money we cannot afford to spend on you to bring
our concerns to Washington. Our president often knows all the right buzzword is unsustainable. Well, no kidding. How many tens of thousands of dollars did the focus group cost to come up with that word? We don't want your overpriced words. Stop treating us like we're morons.

We want all of you to stop focusing on your reelection and do the job we want done, not the job you want done or the job your party wants done. You work for us and at this rate I guarantee you not for long because we are coming. We will be heard and we will be represented. You think we're so busy with our lives that we will
never come for you? We are the formerly silent majority, all of us who quietly work , pay taxes, obey the law, vote, save money, keep our noses to the grindstone and we are now looking up at you. You have awakened us, the patriotic spirit so strong and so powerful that it had been sleeping too long. You have pushed us too far. Our numbers are great. They may surprise you. For every one of us who
will be there, there will be hundreds more that could not come. Unlike you, we have their trust. We will represent them honestly, rest assured. They will be at the polls on voting day to usher you out of office. We have cancelled vacations. We will use our last few dollars saved. We will find the representation among us and a
grassroots campaign will flourish. We didn't ask for this fight. But the gloves are coming off. We do not come in violence, but we are angry. You will represent us or you will be replaced with someone who will. There are candidates among us when he will rise like a Phoenix from the ashes that you have made of our constitution.

Democrat, Republican, independent, libertarian. Understand this. We don't care. Political parties are meaningless to us. Patriotic Americans are willing to do right by us and our Constitution and that is all that matters to us now. We are going to fire all of you who abuse power and seek more. It is not your power. It is ours and
we want it back. We entrusted you with it and you abused it. You are dishonorable. You are dishonest. As Americans we are ashamed of you. You have brought shame to us. If you are not representing the wants and needs of your constituency loudly and consistently, in spite of the objections of your party, you will be fired. Did you hear? We no longer care about your political parties. You need to be loyal to us, not to them. Because we will get you fired and they will not save you. If you do or can represent me, my issues, my views, please stand up. Make your identity known. You need to make some noise about it. Speak up. I need to know who you are. If you do not speak up, you will be herded out with the rest of the sheep and we will
replace the whole damn congress if need be one by one. We are coming. Are we coming for you? Who do you represent? What do you represent? Listen. Because we are coming. We the people are coming.
THAT IS THE END OF THE FORWARD I RECEIVED!

It's a letter but it's a start. Who is this woman and why is the letter not signed? Glenn Beck probably wrote it but It does not matter. It needs to be done. There should be a non-violent revolution before it becomes a violent revolution. Every time a Senator or Representative comes up for election or re-election the people who desire a change from the way things are run in DC should nominate one or more candidates for that position. I doubt very seriously that even if this was a working class, middle class, smaller government grassroots effort that everyone would agree on one candidate, but the fewer the better. All of the people who feel this way should vote for them. No need for fundraising or campaign contributions for advertisements. People should tell others, convert them, vote for a change. If one or two would actually get elected it might scare the hell out of some of the other anyway. But, to avoid a total breakdown of the government as it is we have to elect people who will actually represent us. Not vote for a party face who is the closest thing to what we want. I wish that would happen, but to many people want different things. I want smaller government, but the only thing I think about abortion is that that is not the governments job. The earth may be warming but I don't thing humans contributed nearly enough to cause it, and if it is happening, It will not be stopped by throwing money at it. I do not care who comes into this country to work as long as they are legal, pay the same taxes I do and do not get special treatment or program money. I also think that there should be a flat tax , around 15% that applied to everyone. No deductions for anything. If the government can't get by on that then shrink the government. I have a lot more ideas but I save them for now.

This is a Crazy Stock Market

2009-06-18T20:23:00.000-05:00

At this time, the stock market is plain crazy. 2 days ago I read that MTXX the company that makes Zycam nasal spray was in trouble. The nasal spray with Zinc in it was causing people to lose their sense of smell and was being recalled. You would think this bit of news would hurt a corporation. So I decided to short that Companies stock. Well, the stock just kept going up. It went up a dollar a share in just 2 days. Well, I played the waiting game to cover and finally today at lunchtime it started going down. So, I went back to work (a 10 min. drive) and by the time I got back to work it was halfway back up. I guess I will play the waiting game. Just goes to show you, nothing is a sure thing in this crazy market.

Making Money

2009-06-11T20:20:00.001-05:00

Today I was checking my email and I opened a report from my sitecounter. It says I have had several visitors this month even though I have not posted anything new in a while. Now I realize that my site is pretty eclectic, I generally write about what is on my mind. But usually there is a central theme. I want to make more money so that I can retire early. I post about Thailand because my wife is a Thai citizen even though we have Been married for 15 years (I will explain why another day), but I have a contingency plan is to retire in Thailand. I post about politics and the economy because they both effect my goals.

Generally my goals are to make money. I have several sources of income besides my full time job. I wrote recently about getting into the stock market and I must say it is the best thing I have ever done. On a good day I make more than I do at work. On a bad day I may lose a little bit but the profits outweigh the losses probably 10:1. For every $1000 i make I may lose $100. I posted about buying Ford stock, best move I ever made. I bought in at around 1.00 per share and it is around 6.00 a share. I have not sold yet b ut that is the exception to the rule. In this market (and I don't know how much longer it will last). Fundamentals are out the window. I usually buy small caps less than 10 dollars and keep them until they gain 20-30%. If they are losers I will sell when I lose around 10%. There is a lot more to it than that but I am saving my secrets to wealth in case I want to write a book. I have been doing a lot a reading on making money especially from one incredible author. I am not going to reveal his name now because I may want to have an affiliate link on this page in the near future. So at that time you can all go out and read his books. The put making lots of money in the simplest of terms but in ways you never thought of before. I have not yet put all of his methods to work for me but if I keep making money in the stock market I will be using his other techniques very soon. One piece of advice I will give you (not from a book) is check out all the biotech stocks that are working on the H1N1 virus, since the WHO has labeled it a pandemic every one and his brother will be racing to get that first vaccine approved by the FDA. Then they will get gobbled up by the big drug companies.

Speaking of drug companies, Bestmedicationstation (the only online prescription company I use) is doing better than ever. As a matter of fact I ordered medicine for my lower back pain yesterday and received it by FedEx today. I love overnight shipping. The prices are reasonable because you do not have to leave work to go see a doctor and the consultation is FREE. You just fill out a medical questionnaire (and be honest) and a certified MD approves it, a licensed pharmacist fills it and you get it the next day. Just click here and you are on your way. It is simple, it is legal and they send you reminders when you a due for a refill (but they don't harass you). I have been using them for about 3 years and I have never been disappointed. They deliver to you your door, your place of business, and even the FedEx store and they will sign for you. Check it out they have hundreds of medications. You cant go wrong. Till next time. Make money and Get Rich! Next time I will tell you how to get the get the best get rich books.

AL FRANKEN TRYING TO STEAL SENATE SEAT

2009-03-03T08:27:00.000-06:00

As a comedian and writer on Saturday Night Live I thought Al Franken was a brilliant comedian and loved his skits. However, in the last few years he has flaunted his ultra-liberal positions in our faces. Now I will tell you, I do not consider myself a Republican or Democrat. I vote on the issues. There is no black or white only shades of grey. I believe most of Americans either slightly conservative or slightly liberal, not extremist like Franken and Limbaugh. I am slightly conservative but am liberal on some issues. Anyway, I do not like the way Franken is trying to get into the Senate; therefore, I just wanted the populus to know what is going on in Minnesota.

ST. PAUL – In a brazen attempt to stop validly cast ballots from being counted, the Al Franken for Senate campaign today (January 26) filed a brief asking that the three judge panel to not allow for previously rejected absentee ballots to be reviewed, opened and counted. The Franken campaign had previously sought the review of these ballots, but now oppose counting validly cast ballots while. The Coleman campaign strongly opposes this motion as it will disenfranchise the thousands of Minnesotans whose absentee ballots were rejected.

“Minnesotans should be outraged by the effort to disenfranchise thousands of Minnesotans who wanted their voices heard on Election Day,” said Cullen Sheehan, campaign manager. “It was our hope that the Franken campaign would join us in enfranchising Minnesota voters, and join with us to see that these ballots are reviewed. Unfortunately, they are aggressively making every effort to keep the people of Minnesota – regardless of their political affiliation or who they voted for – from having their votes reviewed and possibly counted.”

On January 23, 2009, the Coleman campaign filed a reverse class action suit on behalf of the nearly 12,000 voters who had their absentee ballots rejected. The suit means that in addition to the 64 individuals supporting Mr. Franken who already filed a suit, every one of the nearly 12,000 voters would receive the same equal protection under the law to have their votes reviewed and potentially counted.

This weekend Senator Coleman wrote to Mr. Franken asking him to join the Coleman campaign effort to see that all legally cast ballots are counted during the election contest while the campaign released a webvideo calling on Franken to renew his pledge to see that every validly cast Minnesota ballot is counted. The video can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/colemanforsenate. From the Fargo Forum.

ST. PAUL – Feburary 24-Al Franken’s campaign now wants to remove a pile of northwestern Minnesota ballots from the U.S. Senate election tally as Norm Coleman’s team nears the end of its court case. The Democrat’s campaign said 61 Becker County ballots should be removed from the election tally because local officials did not follow state law about ballot documentation and storage. New evidence was found in recent weeks indicating the votes, which favored Coleman, should not have been counted, Franken’s campaign said Monday. That is among arguments Franken attorneys will make in their case before the three-judge panel presiding over the election trial, which is in its fifth week. From the Fargo Forum

Ford vs GM

2008-12-30T07:30:00.000-06:00

I am fairly new to investing in the stock market, but I have been watching from the sidelines for years. One thing I do understand is a lot of investors utilize emotion to influence stock picks. GM and Chrysler went begging from money from the government to continue doing business and Ford did not, instead opting for a possible smaller loan in the future if the other two go belly up. That gives me more confidence in Ford. They are in better shape financially. If this is true, why is GM stock outperforming Ford. Is it just because people think the government Will bail out GM forever? They will be back asking for more money next year. The billion that they are getting this year is just to get them through this year. So, please if you know or think you know why GM stock is doing better than Ford please tell me. Leave a comment! I really would like to make money and stocks are cheap now. Tell me what you would buy or not buy. Tell if you would stay out of the market right now, and if so where would you put your money to get a decent return. I know people read blogs to get advice, but I read a lot of blogs and the comments are full of "this is what I am doing". Let me know!

Not a Pump and Dump (A Proven Stock)

2008-12-03T08:22:00.000-06:00

Since I am trying to increase my wealth in order to retire earlier, I am keeping a close eye on the stock market. I did not have any money in stocks prior to the current situation but I have been a lurker for years. I do have money in 2 401Ks but that is another story for another time. What I want to say is about Ford (F). Yesterday, it announced that it may be able to make it on its own, but want a $9B standby loan just in case either of the other two declare bankruptcy which would affect Ford because they use a lot of the same parts dealers, etc. Well to me this makes Ford seem like a good buy if they don't need a taxpayer bailout. However, my expectations of a massive buying spree was disappointing to say the least. Maybe I don't get it. Do people want Ford to take a $25B dollar bailout? It would put more money on their books but it would also add to their debt (If they plan to pay it back). Well, I for one will keep buying Ford, unless something radical happens. It was 2.70/share yesterday. When this stockaphobia people have is over and it starts climbing maybe I will be able to retire.

Is it Just Me? US Space Program Costly in this Economy

2008-11-30T08:59:00.000-06:00

Is it just me or does anyone else think that continually flying the space shuttle to the International Space Station (ISS) in this economy is ridiculous. At a time when we are handing out 100's of billions of dollars of taxpayers money to bailout failing banks, automobile manufacturers, and now people who let themselves be duped into buying more house than they could afford with no money down, we should be cutting back on unnecessary spending. Now don't get me wrong, I am pro-science and an environmental scientist myself but every time we launch a shuttle it cost the US taxpayers. The space shuttle Endeavour cost 1.7 billion dollars, and every time it is launched it cost approximately 450 million per mission.

Yes, I now that we have personnel on board the space station that need to be replaced ever so often. The space shuttle also carries vital supplies to the space station. However, It is in the name of the space station, International. The US should let some of the other countries shoulder the burden. The ISS is the largest international scientific and technological endeavor ever undertaken, It draws on the resources and scientific expertise of 16 nations around the world. Canada, Japan, 11 members of the European Space Agency, Russia and Brazil are our partners.

There are other space vehicles. The Russian's have the Soyuz it is used primarily to deliver crews to space. Furthermore, Russian cargo ships have been used to deliver supplies to the ISS. The Chinese have developed the Shenzhou spacecraft to support its manned spaceflight program. The European Union has developed the Ariane 5 , an expendable launch designed to deliver payloads into geostationary orbit transfer orbit or low Earth orbit. In March 2008, the first Ariane 5 ES-ATV was launched to deliver the first Automatic Transfer Vehicle (ATV) called Jules Verne to the ISS. The ATV is an expendable, unmanned resuppply spacecraft. ATVs are designed to supply the ISS with propellant, water, air, payload and experiments. In addition, ATVs can reboost the station into a higher orbit.

So far, 30 out of 44 manned spacecraft dockings have been a US Space Shuttle. The rest have been Russia's Soyuz. There have been 34 unmanned space dockings, primarily Russian. Now, I am sure that Russia's economy is in no better shape than ours, but spending billions every few months to send people to a lab in space does not make sense.

I am not suggesting that we abandon the space program altogether, just bring the brave souls who live up there home and postpone future flights until the economy gets better or keep them up there but let our partner countries shoulder some of the burden.

Thailand People's Protest Affect Americans

2008-11-26T08:26:00.000-06:00

As I write this there is a rebellion going on in Bangkok. I do not claim to understand all of the issues involved, but a Thai faction is protesting and holding Americans (as well as other tourist)hostage, well sort of, they have taken over Bangkok's major airport and will not let them leave. This public dissatisfaction has been going on for a couple of years. As I understand it this ongoing coup was started to get the previous Prime Minister, Thaksin to step down for various reasons including allegations of corruption. BTW, Thaksin is a billionaire making his riches in communications, banking, transport and real estate.

In 2006, the Thai Army overthrew the government of Thaksin Shinawatra and soon afterwards King Bhumibol Adulyadej appointed Surayud Chulanont as Prime Minister until democratic elections could be held. In 2008, Chulanont was succeeded by Samak Sundaravej who filled the post for 8 months amid public street protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). The PAD consists of middle and upper-class Bangkokians and Southerners, supported by the conservative elite and factions of the Thai Army, some leaders of Democrat Party, and leaders of state-enterprise labor unions.

On September 9th, Sundaravej was disqualified from premiership due to complaints lodged by the Senators and the Election Commission of Thailand. However, the People Power Party (PPP) vowed to vote him back to the premiership. Despite objections from its coalition partners, the PPP, in an urgent meeting, unanimously decided to renominate Samak Sundaravej. Ultimately, the Issan faction of the PPP and the coalition parties boycotted the vote. The boycott was a sign of Samak's disapproval from both his own party's members and coalition parties. Finally Samak gave up his re-election bid, allowing his party to choose new nominee. The majority of his party and coalitions eventually voted for Somchai Wongsawat, deputy prime minister, to be the new premier. Somchai Wongsawat was elected as Prime Minister in September 2008.

This brings us to what is happening in Bangkok currently. On October 7, 2008, protesters attempted to hold 320 parliamentarians and senators hostage inside the Parliament building, cutting off power, and forcing Somchai Wongsawat to escape by jumping a back fence after his policy address. But other trapped legislators failed to leave and flee from the demonstration. The 6-week sit-in and siege on the area beside the near prime minister’s office forced the government to transfer its activities to the former international airport. One female protester was killed after police use force to push back the demonstration and hundreds were injured.

In November, PAD forces blockaded Parliament prior to a crucial legislative session, used hijacked public buses to take control of the government's provisional offices at the former international airport. They have now seized the passenger terminal and control tower of Suvarnabhumi International Airport, forcing the airport to cancel all flights.

The PAD has called for the resignation of the governments of Thaksin Shinawatra, as well as Somchai Wongsawat, whom the PAD accused of being a proxy for Thaksin. The PAD refused to stop its protests, noting that Somchai is Thaksin's brother-in-law; thus, claiming failure of popular democracy in Thailand. The PAD has wants constitutional amendments making Parliament a largely royally-appointed body. The PAD is largely composed of royalist, and has regularly invoked the King in its protests, and has claimed that its enemies are disloyal to the monarchy. It has openly called for the military and Thailand's traditional elite to take a greater role in politics.

To make matters worse, a rival pro-government group, the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) said the movement would consider any retreat by the government to be a military coup, and immediately launch a counter street offensive against the army, raising the prospect of clashes.

If you read this entire post, you may be wondering why I wrote it. The reason I try to keep up with the political as well as economical landscape of Thailand is that my wife is a Thai citizen and I have considered retiring in Thailand. Now, I am not sure. The Thai government has been unstable for a while but before this Americans were not really affected. I can only wait and see.

Save Sirius Radio

2008-11-03T11:02:00.000-06:00

A group of shareholders have come up with a plan that they hope will save Sirius radio (SIRI). I personally believe that Sirus will come back. I also believe that the best way to do that is to buy stock in the company. Its a steal right now and when it does come back money will be made. However, this is is the plan that I referenced, and it can be found here:Save Sirius

There are millions of retail longs in SIRI. If we organize, we can save SIRI single handedly. Here is how. The debt to be refinanced on Feb, 2009 is $300M Let’s refinance ourselves. Open a trust escrow account, with single purpose of lending money to SIRI with very low interest. Many of longs are down at least thousands of dollars. So assume everyone of us puts just $100 in the trust, and we lend the money to SIRI with 2-3% rate. If every long puts $100, we need just 3 million guys. Next, we refinance the other two installments of debt that are due in 2009 in same manner. So overall, $300 for 2009 per person to refinance all three installments due in 2009. SIRI solves its debt issue until 2010 and gets breathing room to concentrate on business. Sounds unrealistic you say? Probably yes, but why should only likes of Icahn be an activist shareholders. WE CAN TOO.

Bestmedicationstation site is back up

2008-11-01T12:13:00.000-05:00

I am sorry for any inconvenience I caused anyone. I had to redo my website: Bestmedicationstation.com. Now, I am no wizard at webpage design or uploading essential files to the server, etc., The site was down for a while. That is the only reason it was down, my other sites were up but Best Medication Station is my biggie. So, now it is up and running just like before but with a few more options. So, if you need to order legal medication please consider us and visit bestmedicationstation.com. We have great prices and overnight shipping as always. Our best sellers are Soma (carisoprodol), Ultram (tramadol), and Fioricet (Butalbital and APAP). Again, thank you for your patience.

Believe it or not! Stock Picking Robot

2008-10-03T20:01:00.000-05:00

Technology is a wonderful thing. Who would have thought that two geeks would have invented a stock picking robot that doubles your investment. That's what they state and have many credible references to back them up. You should check them out here. I am going to give it a try. Even if it is right 50% of the time what would you have to lose. Plus they give you a 2 month free trial. The point of this blog is to retire early, and this may be the way.

Undecided about the Federal Bailout

2008-09-27T10:50:00.000-05:00

I am not sure what to make of the proposed federal bailout. At first I thought it might be a good idea to keep the US economy from sliding into a terrible recession or even a great depression. I also thought that perhaps the bailout would boost confidence in the stock market ans I could get in on some of the deflated stocks just as they would become more valuable. Now I am not so sure.

If the bailout did not happen I am not sure how it would affect me but I am sure I would survive. The proponents of this plan say banks do not have money to lend. Well I am not planning on taking out any loans anytime soon. I have several credit cards but I pay the balance off monthly. I have a mortgage but unlike the people who got caught up in the whole subprime ARM mortgage scheme, I knew better and had a great credit score, so I got a 6% 30 year fixed mortgage. I also am not trying to keep up with anyone or impress anyone so I bought a modest pre-owned house in a good neighborhood. I have two vehicles paid off so I will not be financing a car anytime soon.

The biggest uncertainty if the bailout did not happen is how it would affect my job. I do not know anything about how their finances work. I do know that they make most of their money on government contracts. We do consulting work for the Corps of Engineers, FEMA, Border Patrol, DOD and many others. We also do work for the private sector. However, if there were a run on banks, how would they pay me? I also have my savings in banks and 401ks. what would happen to that money. Does the FDIC have enough to cover all the the banks that could possibly fail? Would I lose all the money in the 401ks? 401ks are not insured by the FDIC.

I know it is not fair to use taxpayer monies to cover greedy banks and lenders, or ignorant people who fell prey to them. People should know how much home they can afford and live below their means not above them.

Whatever happens I know that I have no control over what congress does, but I do have control over how I react. I am not panicking, I just rode out two hurricanes and did not panic, I was prepared but I was prepared long before the storms formed. I think the same logic should be applied to the economy. I should have been prepared well before the "crisis", and you can bet that next time I will be.