Friday, April 28, 2017

Bizz tax cut in half; use your tax shelter

Trump wants 35% to 15% tax rate for bizz; cut your rate too
Wealthy receive most of the benefits from this tax cut that will cost $5.5 Trillion over 10 years. Trump staff claim it will not raise the deficit. Bush II claimed same and deficit up 57%. Corporations are considered to have unlimited speech rights like humans and Trump wants to cut their taxes so they have more to spend on our elections. Your tax rate is closer to 35% all in, but you don’t have the Supremes citizen united decision in your favor. You can’t give unlimited dollars to make sure your policies are followed by your rep in Washington. How is that a fair playing field? If you were a Congress person and your next election was riding on how you treat your donors, who would you listen to?  You, average citizen earning $50,000, or big oil, big coal, big pharma, big agriculture, big banks, big investors? No contest; lobbyists win. Trump will solidify the corporate control of America as a banana republic where “the little people” pay the taxes and the wealthy and corporations take the benefits. Many corporations hide their earnings overseas in complicated tax shelters even the IRS does not understand.
We have only one option.

Don Trump could be a great president
Student loans could be refinanced at 2% instead of private companies charging us 4-8%
Some loans are at a fixed rate as high as 12.87%. Instead of firms and our gov making $ billions in profits on our loans, lower rates could help close the delinquency gap. Since our taxes guarantee profits to these private firms, why not use those funds to lower the rates making the payments less difficult. Trump’s legacy would be a whole generation of thankful students and parents. Many retirees are still paying their kids high rate loans after years; never refinanced to a bank HELOC rate of 2.99%. The future of America’s youth should not be left to the guaranteed profit of the federal government and a few privileged firms like Sallie Mae Bank with Return on average equity of 19.63%.


Wells Fargo created millions of fake accounts—How did regulators miss it?
Are we not surprised that year after year, this big bank could encourage front-line workers to commit fraud? We know why they did it—because “that is where the money is” as bank robber Willie Sutton said. What is a mystery is how did the regulators miss it? 1.5 million fake accounts is hard to hide. Unless senior management and regulators looked the other way on purpose. Actually, the city of Los Angeles sued in 2015 because a customer complained. Finally in September 2016 the new federal regulator CFPB, that Senator Warren championed, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau stepped in. The bank regulator, Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), did nothing even with 700 whistle-blower complaints as of 2010. The bank’s board did not respond to complaints in 2005, 06, 07, etc. Without Obama’s CFPB, banks and other financial firms could get away with ‘murder’—robbing $5 million in fees for overdraft etc and ruining credit scores for HALF a million customers. Oh and 5,300 employees lost their jobs too.
When the banks control the regulators, called regulatory capture you know it is wrong.
Populist Trump wants to end Obama’s customer protection and leave regulation to the bankers themselves. He will let big banks continue to subvert Dodd-Frank regulations. Prepare for TrumpWorld: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Retirement-Income-Checklist-TrumpWorld/dp/1544703260

Once you have your nest egg, how do you make it last?
If you are nearing retirement and you have built your nest egg, how are you going to keep it growing? Few retirees sit with someone and answer the question, “How will you have enough for 30 or 40 years?” Once you hit 66, you or your spouse has a good chance of hitting age 90. When you spend 4-5% of your nest egg and your advisor has you in “never lose money” fixed investments of 2%, you can do the math—you end up with $0. In 20 years, your fixed annuity or pension amount will be guaranteed but the payments will be worth HALF their value. The IRS requires that you withdrawal a “Required Minimum Distribution” every year so you can pay taxes on your nest egg gains. You face huge penalties if you chose to conserve your nest egg and ignore the RMD. You can ignore your advisor’s choice and take the calculated risk all wealthy people do. They maintain a “balanced” portfolio during their whole time in retirement.
A low-cost (0.08%) balanced fund would have earned 8.77% in 2016 and cost you only $400 on a $½ million nest egg. A balanced account with 60% bonds 40% stocks would have averaged 6% a year even with the losses in 2008. Over the next 15 years, you not only could have maintained your eggs, you could have added some. In a low-cost balanced fund managed by a licensed advisor on salary and backed by the largest mutual fund company in the world, you could have doubled your eggs. You would have enough no matter what happened in the future on Wall Street.
   
Obama’s legacy—history will tell the story of Two Americas
Future generations will look back and discuss what went wrong at the beginning of health care in America using examples. Even now as Congress fights a civil war over the issue of health as a right or as a privilege of class, we can see history in the making. In one state, the premiums are doubling and there is only one provider. In another, premiums are steady and there are 4 providers. In a state like KY, the Dem government embraced the exchanges where thousands got to pick their own quality care for the first time ever. The GOP came to power in 2015 and reversed the progress in people’s health coverage. In other jurisdictions, conservative state politicians blocked care for the most needy from the beginning. Some states were just not going to give the new plan a chance. “I was never for Obamacare from the beginning,” John D. Doak, the Oklahoma insurance commissioner, said. A small business owner feels that the needy receive subsidies and he does not because his income is much greater. Some states ignore ideology and take steps to create the best market for their citizens. Some states control insurer’s rates and plan benefits and don’t let insurers sell junk plans. Now the president is using health care subsidies as a stick to force Dems to vote for his wall spending bill. Under the new GOP health bill, Congress keeps for itself the 10 Obama essential benefits. House Republicans quietly inserted a provision in the latest version of their health care overhaul plan that exempts members and their staffs from the GOP effort to repeal or shred most of the Obamacare regulations and protections, including those guaranteeing Americans a broad array of medical services and restrictions on premium hikes for older and sicker people.

Read this before you file for Social Security, especially if born before 1954
‘The life you save could be your own.’ If you are getting near your full retirement benefit age of 66, or if you are thinking of filing early, read this caution about filing yourself: https://www.benefitnews.com/news/avoid-a-real-mess-on-social-security. Even though you may be in a hurry and don’t want to wait, wait for an appointment with your local office. Why? There are ways for both of you to collect while one of you continues to increase their benefits. Yes, the difference is significant. If you file for ‘restricted’ spousal benefits only, your spouse can collect a spouse benefit and their own at the same time. If you file at age 62 because you are unemployable and she is over age 66 and still working you can make up for your ¼ cut by using her spousal benefit too. When she reaches age 70, she will receive the highest benefit possible. That may be $2,769 versus $1,485 a month. Working together with an SS clerk, you can maximize your benefits. Even if you are divorced, this can work in certain situations. Make an appointment 6 months before you expect to file or by age 62 to see if you qualify. 
 

Would you buy a car that would lose 38% of value in FIRST year?
The famous Jaguar XK costs about $85k. They lost 29.2 percent of their value in the last 12 months. Jag XK are like the 20 cars on this list of cars plummeting in value. Some are ordinary like Chevy Impala and some are rare like the Genesis. Some are losing 38% of value and some are losing the standard 20% in the first year. Style and customer preferences account for the most of the drops. For the value shopper, this makes this list a perfect starting point to deal for a 3 year old luxury ride. A $70,000 car for $20,000 is exactly how millionaires maintain their Working Millionaire status:





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TrumpWorld
We have entered the Twilight Zone:
"There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadowbetween science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone" where “alternative facts” and illusions of conspiracies are lived out. Lies are considered true. Incompetence is praised. Truth is what the loudest voice says it is over and over.  
Rod Serling

‘Trump’ brand is all he cares about—it is all he knows. Staff creates image not policy

Fox and Friends staff moves to State Dept – displaces experienced experts with Alt Facts


Why did The Don pick Exxon’s Tillerson for Sec State? Tillerson after many years of service received the medal of honor from Putin. Putin asked for him?
Exxon’s Tillerson is ending sanctions for invading Ukraine; Exxon wants largest oil field.
Why did Trump pick DeVos, Blackwater’s Prince’s sister after Prince meets with Putin’s man in remote Indian Ocean Island?
Why did Trump pick Flynn, Page, Manafort for his regime?—all are paid foreign spys with ties to Putin. Why would Putin put Flynn at his RT table except control? Why is Jill Stein at the same table? Which table is for Gary Johnson? Flynn paid by Russians.
What happens if the FBI finds evidence of Russian collusion/influence in US?
Trump is not just any old American businessman like Ross Perot. Blackmailed by Putin ?
Will Trump resign or be impeached by 2018?

Trump tax cut for corporations and wealthy class adds $5.5 Trillion debt
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget said the plan would probably lead to a loss in government revenue by roughly $5.5 trillion over 10 years.
KS tried cutting taxes to stimulate jobs and just went into deeper debt. Few new jobs created because corps don’t want bad schools, roads, public service, high sales taxes.

Trump GOP budget: GOP cuts programs of folks who have no power to oppose cuts. Cowardly. The Don does not like diplomacy, aid to poor, US environment or culture, finding cures for disease, transportation and education programs. Cuts only the poor.
19 Agencies you may use being cut from American society: The Don does not like Meals on Wheels, Sesame St. NPR radio, Arts, Miners retraining, Seniors volunteers for poor, Americorp youth help poor,  62 in all for $343 billion.
Trump’s budget man wants to cut Medicare and delay Social Security benefits to age 70.

What GOP does NOT cut:
No cuts to subsidies to Boeing, GE, Intel, Nike, Shell, Fiat, GM, Ford, hundreds more.
No cuts to United Airlines subsidy even after rip a paying customer from his seat.

Tax returns do matter for presidents that make deals with foreigners:
Trump and GOP are working to cut their own taxes which average 12% now. Yours?
Americans in 150 cities show up for The Don’s taxes to see how Russia helps him win.
Trump says he is under another new audit so can’t show taxes: continuous audit?
Trump may owe $ millions to Putin’s banks. Trump wanted permit to build in Russia. Trump’s foreign lenders will be bailed out FIRST in the next financial meltdown.



*
More Americans say Trump doesn't keep promises: poll Apr 9  Promises broken.


The Don highlights ‘accomplishments’ amid destruction of his many promises.
The Don now says he won’t cancel NAFTA—he used to hate NAFTA

The Don pushing gov shutdown? It costs us $24 billion last time and did no good. The Great Wall of TrumpWorld teeters on private property which must be taken from owners.  
Experts say that drugs are actually shipped through the border on the underside of vehicles that have permits to cross the border in a special lane. Tunnels not necessary!

New report: our habits change the weather—real extreme effects from our climate change

EPA cut makes foul smell in Texas Anti-pollution programs ended; sewage care gone! 

Follow the money: Forget the promises.
Former campaign aides, fundraisers and others with ties to [Trump and Pence] have attracted dozens of new lobbying clients, raking in more than $2.2 million in lobbying fees in the first month of the administration. 

Flynn as paid secret agent while US official
Flynn, as part of the Trump campaign and named security advisor, had access to all US secrets and was secretly in the pay of Turkey and Russian spy handlers. Flynn at Putin’s RT party. He received $530,000. Isn’t this treason? By law a US officer cannot receive money from foreign governments. Like Ben Arnold, he was official of US government while being paid by foreign powers. Flynn is not alone. Other Trump operatives are also under investigation by the FBI for potentially illegal contact with senior Russian intelligence operatives. Donald Trump also has a longtime pattern of open admiration for gangsters and organized crime. FBI is following the Steele memo on Trump activities in Russia. FBI, NSA said Russia sought to influence the election. 35% GOP say didn’t.
Did Trump do a background on his hires? Or were Flynn, Page, Manafort plants under Putin control and leveraged by the Trump scandal hidden in Putin’s video player?
Civilians conspire with a hostile power to end Presidential sanctions against that hostile power we are fighting in Syria and Ukraine. Isn’t this treason?
Flynn was warned not to take money from foreigners when he left Pentagon. Trump refused to give Flynn docs to committee on Russia influence. Coverup? Treason?


*************
Regulators are the only protection against corporations since we can’t sue anymore

GM ignition suits can proceed. Supremes: Bankruptcy does NOT cancel 24 death claims
Voter ‘fraud’ proven by NC: prosecutors go after 1 ONE of 4.8 million voters. Maybe 1.
Security National Automotive Acceptance caught using illegal debt collection tactics
Supremes say “no” to Trump. Can’t cancel citizenship because I was speeding years ago.
Golden Valley Lending, Silver Cloud Financial, Mountain Summit Financial, Majestic Lake Financial, caught deceiving us
Toyota recalls 250,000 2016 and 2017 Tacoma -- oil leak causes crash.

We need regulation—GOP wrong—companies/cities wouldn’t fix bad products on own
GM killed 124 because ignition switch pin not replaced after knew it killed first in 2006.


Police want gun control.
When everyone has guns; your chance of being killed goes up. Police don’t know who to shoot. They assume everyone has one and shoot first. You and thief have guns. CO schools now allow teachers/administrators to carry guns in the classroom. Kid lesson! Since 2015, police have killed 86 people with realistic looking FAKE guns--suicide?



SCAMS:
One click on an email link and your computer files are closed forever:

Ignoramus Award:
Trump to give National Monuments to corporations for timber harvest, mining, oil and gas exploration.  
Here are perfect gifts for the Trump voters in your extended family

How our government wastes our money:

Where have all the jobs gone?
Why it is hard to change your type of job: $28/hour manual work hard to replace.

Which job board sites are best for your job search?

Cancel Robo calls with Mr NoMoRobo: https://www.nomorobo.com/


Miracle: Our National Parks
If you are 62 or older: Pay $10 for a senior pass and get free entry every day for life. Congress just passed a law raising the cost for seniors. Monuments may be closed soon.

IAN
41 Watchung Plaza, B242
MontclairNJ 07042
973.746.2014
Alerts 

Friday, April 21, 2017

How much does your advisor really cost you?

How much does your advisor really cost you?
Your advisor may have given you a choice between paying commissions and paying a 1% flat fee to manage your money. This may seem like an easy choice but it is a false choice that can cost you $80,000 a year. My client Lisa M. had over $1 million in her IRA account at Fidelity. She rolled over her 401k from work. She was offered a ‘managed’ account for 1% per year or $10,000 or a per trade commission account. She met with her advisor when she transferred her money to Fidelity and agreed that it was probably cheaper to pay a flat fee than commissions per trade. When I met with her about her tax situation, I went through her brokerage statement in detail. Fidelity was buying and selling fixed income securities so fast they had churned $250,842 in 2016 alone. What was the net result? Fidelity lost $16,278 of her money plus the $10,256 in fees.
I showed her that a low-cost (0.08%) balanced fund would have earned 8.77% in 2016 and cost her only $864. A balanced account with 60% bonds 40% stocks would have averaged 6% a year even with the losses in 2008. Over the next 15 years, she may have gained $1.5 million in a low-cost balanced fund managed by a licensed advisor on salary and backed by the largest mutual fund company in the world. If she had stayed in a 1% “managed” Fidelity account, she would have lost at least $150,000 in fees and perhaps another $1.5 million in possible gains from a low-cost balanced fund. Since her Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for the IRS was $60,456 last year, her account will keep falling. In 15 years her account will be reduced to about $100,000. Churning trades and account fees are killers.

Missed the tax filing deadline?
If you are due a refund, Uncle Sam will hold your money as long as you want. Taxpayers due a refund have no penalty for filing a late return. If you owe, file as soon as possible and pay as much as you can. Avoid the $200-$300 preparer charge: Use IRS Free File. Nearly everyone can use IRS Free File to e-file their federal taxes for free. My favorite is FreeTaxUSA. Deadline for extension filers is Oct. 16 but you must pay what you think you owe now. Tax bill too big? Get a payment plan: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/payment-plans-installment-agreements.


Why are investors leaving “managed” investment advisors?
Your advisor and the traditional retail Wall Street firms are being put out of business. Vanguard has scooped up about 8.5 times as much money as all of its competitors combined. Vanguard must invest $2 billion a day. It does it without the theater of the famous Wolf of Wall Street. It turns out that it is impossible to predict the future so Vanguard invests in WHOLE markets. Vanguard’s investors are betting that most of the companies in the market will continue to grow. Vanguard is efficient: you get to keep almost every penny you earn. Vanguard means low cost. When your advisor recommends a buy, they are assuming a rosy future for their picks. Stock picking is difficult and predicting the market forces is even harder. That is why the best stock picker, Warren Buffett, with over 20.8% a year earnings, does not trade. He buys companies with value and holds them. Vanguard’s low-cost investing is Buffett’s choice.
  
The Don could be a great president
Trump has a GOP House and Senate to support him. He could make a lasting legacy in American history. He could settle health care for all Americans by working out a Medicare type plan for everyone. Almost everyone who has Medicare likes it. Most Americans appreciate the fact that they can receive care and not have to fill in a ton of forms and pay more than a week’s pay to get better. Most Americans who are NOT millionaires want to pay one price for everything—hospital, doctor, meds and devices. Most Americans understand that Walmart pays less for the stuff they sell because they negotiate the price with manufacturers in bulk. We appreciate the fact we don’t have to negotiate the price of each item at Walmart by ourselves. Example: Walmart buys big TVs at wholesale for ALL their stores around the world so I can buy one at a discount.
Why can’t our Leader do that? Wouldn’t America and Trump be better for it?


Is waiting to take Social Security benefits worth it?
If you have a choice about when to sign up and you have parents/family with a normal life expectancy, you would do well to wait. If you take it at age 70, the age with the highest payout, you can expect to receive a lot more. Here is an example. Abigail worked her whole life in the social service field making an average salary. She worked and paid FICA to age 70 and then began her monthly benefits of $2,769 in 2016. If she lives to age 90, as per this formula, https://www.ssa.gov/oact/population/longevity.html, she will collect $911,340 in today’s dollars assuming inflation factor of 3%. If she had started at age 62, she would lose one fourth of the benefit every year. She would have received $1,485 a month in 2016 or $782,431 total in today’s dollars by age 90. She would have benefits for longer, 28 years, but the higher amount (by waiting) makes a big difference. Plus we don’t know for sure she will live to age 90. There is some evidence that working longer will increase your lifetime. If we die early, it is better to receive the higher amount each month. And her benefits are recalculated every year she worked and paid into the system. The formula uses the last 35 highest salary years so she raised her benefit every year after age 62 because her salary increased every year.   
If you do not have this situation and know you must supplement your SS benefits to have enough, use your tax-FREE account while you are working: https://www.amazon.com/ Forget-Social-Security-Medicare-Lifestyle/dp/1466394285


GOP creates America’s next phase: national sales tax; low income tax for the rich
The Ryan tax structure would move America to the economic structure favored by South American countries: tax our spending. Ryan pushes the border tariff which means we pay more when we buy imports, including cars that contain imported parts. Trump would claim Mexico paid for The Wall this way. Ryan could then slash income taxes for the wealthy and their corporations. But wait! Let’s look at the results of taxing our spending. According to the experiences of countries using this method, revenue falls because everyone evades tax by using the black market. Consumption taxes hit the poor hardest. Most of us spend all of our income so we would pay this regressive tax—more spent, more tax, higher tax rate—20-25%. Wealthy people save or invest most of their income so they pay the least tax rate. They have many ways to avoid income and consumption taxes. For instance, their business could buy expensive items so they would pay no “consumption” tax. Their firm could provide home, cars, air travel, clothes, etc etc. Right now, a corporate CEO does not pay tax on most of their compensation because most of it is in a deferred comp plan, percs, benefits, severance and stock options. Exemptions, deductions and loopholes we don’t even hear about cut their share of taxes even more. Avoid paying THEIR taxes.


How do you invest for retirement?
Long-term investing is about TIME not about smart stock picking. Fidelity found that the accounts that did the best were the ones owned by the dead because they never SOLD. Few managers can keep producing top returns for 10, 20 or 30 years. The largest public pension is the one for CA public employees. Recently they decided to stop wasting employees’ money on advisor fees and picked low-cost funds. Their reasoning is simple: reduce expenses, keep more. And what type of securities do they invest in? 61% is in Growth stocks (growing companies), 20% in bonds, 10% in real estate, 10% in infrastructure. Using this asset model, you can earn 10-12% per year on average. Over the last 30 years, clients who used a market index fund earned 11% as measured by the Vanguard 500. This is the one Warren Buffett recommends.


Where did The Don’s post-truth world come from?
Remember the film about “teaching” the scientific theory of evolution with Spencer Tracy? The teacher, John Scopes, was found guilty of violating TN law. The law, which changed only recently, said any school or university could not discuss any science about the history of man. The Butler Act prohibited teachers from denying the Biblical account of man's origin. The law was repealed on free speech grounds not on evidence of evolution grounds. In fact, the point of the movie was that Scopes was not allowed to think—to teach the act of examining any theory about man’s origin. In effect, facts were and still are, not recognized by people of many states who were taught in this way. Biblical accounts of phenomena were not explained by science. They learned that the “sun stood still” and the earth was not affected. (p 44, http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/ cms/lib09/UT01001306/Centricity/Domain/385/Inherit%20the%20Wind%20PDF.pdf ). Today’s evangelical Christians are taught “The deep distrust of the media, of scientific consensus — those were prevalent narratives growing up,” Christian writer Rachel Held Evans tells writer Molly Worthen. Evans was taught to distrust science and media elites. Trump and the Alt Right use this historical trend to manipulate those who do not know the scientific method. The doctrine of biblical inerrancy is the official alternative and today Christian schools drive out those teachers who promote a questioning mind. If you are raised on Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck, you distrust the mainstream news media. You do NOT revise your conclusions based on evidence available to everyone. You think TN was right to punish Scopes for questioning the Biblical account with real evidence.
Why does this matter? Trump’s education head is a proponent of religious schools for all.
"Trump is much more likely to bring Christ into the world," DeVos friend explained. Observe Saturday’s March for Science. Prepare for TrumpWorld:  https://www.amazon.com/Your-Retirement-Income-Checklist-TrumpWorld/dp/1544703260

Are ETF ‘model portfolios’ right for you?
JPMorgan has just offered their suite of exchange traded funds to their customers. Using their version of the index funds that trade daily, Morgan hopes to capture new money and keep customers from moving. This multi-asset set of funds are also offered to advisors through GeoWealth’s online platform. You will probably pay two advisors’ fees and since a model portfolio follows a set formula for all takers, you are wasting your money. Model portfolios mean no stock picking for you personally. Since these funds have little track record and fees have not been disclosed, we see no value in changing from funds with low-costs and a proven history. JPM diversified equity ETF has provided 14.54% in one year ended 3/31. A comparable fund provided 18.07% and cost 0.05%.


Fact: Maserati, Mercedes, Land Rover make bad cars too
Consumer Reports has its list of 10 worst cars for 2017. The reviews are not good. If you are into nameplates, take the bad reviews to the dealer and see if you can cut a better deal. Or better, take the reviews and negotiate on a used version. The used versions have probably lost more value than most cars—30-40%. Each company has their Alt-facts but the evidence from owners and drivers carries more weight if you have to live with their defects. Car companies spend more on marketing than engineering so you need the real facts about a car’s poor engine, ride, parts, and reliability. Poster child for poor quality is Fiat Chrysler. Buy the Warren Buffett way not the Don Trump way. Facts matter. True evidence in transportation.
Don’t forget to claim your car insurance discounts: https://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Insurance-Beware-Double-Coverage/dp/1480027634






*****************
We have entered the Twilight Zone:
"There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadowbetween science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone" where “alternative facts” and illusions of conspiracies are lived out. Lies are considered true. Incompetence is praised. Truth is what the loudest voice says it is over and over.  
Rod Serling

Trump GOP budget
GOP cuts programs of folks who have no power to oppose cuts. Cowardly. The Don does not like diplomacy, aid to poor, US environment or culture, finding cures for disease, transportation and education programs.
19 Agencies you may use being cut from American society: The Don does not like Meals on Wheels, Sesame St. NPR radio, Arts, Miners retraining, Seniors volunteers for poor, Americorp youth help poor,  62 in all for $343 billion.
Trump’s budget man wants to cut Medicare and delay Social Security benefits to age 70.

What GOP does NOT cut:
No cuts to subsidies to Boeing, GE, Intel, Nike, Shell, Fiat, GM, Ford, hundreds more.
No cuts to United Airlines subsidy even after rip a paying customer from his seat.

Tax returns do matter:
Trump and GOP are working to cut their own taxes which average 12% now. Yours?
Americans in 150 cities show up for The Don’s taxes to see how Russia helps him win.
Trump says he is under another new audit so can’t show taxes: continuous audit?
Trump may owe $ millions to Putin’s banks. Trump wants permit to build in Russia.

Tea party founder denounces Trump: He is now “head monster of the swamp.”

Little Dictator congratulates Turkey dictator in limiting democratic rights.

Why did The Don pick Exxon’s Tillerson for Sec State? Tillerson after many years of service received the medal of honor from Putin. Putin suggested him?
Exxon’s Tillerson is ending sanctions for invading Ukraine; Exxon gains largest oil field.
Why did Trump pick DeVos, Blackwater’s Prince’s sister after Prince meets with Putin’s man in remote Indian Ocean Island?
Why did Trump pick Wilbur Ross for Commerce?—he ran the Cyprus bank known for laundering Russian money for oligarchs like Manafort.
Why did Trump pick Flynn, Page, Manafort for his regime?—all are paid foreign agents with ties to Putin. Why would Putin put Flynn at his RT table except control?
What happens if the FBI finds evidence of Russian collusion/influence? Putin puppet?
Will Trump resign or be impeached


*
More Americans say Trump doesn't keep promises: poll Apr 9  Promises broken.



Crazy Don complements Italian PM on Pavarotti “a great friend of mine” Dead 2007

Little Dictator claims N. Korea will be ‘taken care of.’ Armada did not go to Korea! because it was “lost”. Actually in Indian Ocean. Jared needs GPS on armadas.


The Don will let churches and religionists pay for candidates. Gov to subsidize GOP?


The Don’s Justice Dept wants to stop democratic process for certain Americans.
IN cuts 10% of Dems from voter rolls to increase voter participation rate

The Don shows his bigger one to impress instead of fixing our tunnels/bridges/roads. N.Korea Kim shows his to impress. Presidents act like children on playground.

Trump supporters love him—now he runs The Swamp—even McCain loves bombing
Even though he has flipped on a series of economic and foreign policy issues, including relations with Russia, NATO’s relevance, Federal Reserve Chief Janet Yellen's future, whether China is a currency manipulator and the usefulness of the Export-Import Bank.


The Don to downgrade renewable energy sources helps coal oil gas industry.

The Don using KS voter suppression laws to keep all Dems from voting.

The Don is cementing his family businesses in China—‘friends’ in high places helps. "Ivanka has so many China ties and conflicts, yet she and Jared appear deeply involved in China contacts and policy. I would never have allowed it," former WH ethics officer.


The Don’s promise of respecting DACA protection for kids is lie. 11 million more to go.

The Don promised to end Iran nuclear ban deal and yet Iran kept its word: no nukes.

ObamaCare replacement without 10 key protections gains with House ‘Freedom’ group.



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Regulators are the only protection against corporations since we can’t sue anymore

Supremes tilt toward wealthy and big business already: violators get pass on illegal gains.
Ocwen Financial caught injuring mortgage customers in every possible way; enjoin.

We need regulation—GOP wrong—companies/cities wouldn’t fix bad products on own
GM killed 124 because ignition switch pin not replaced after knew it killed first in 2006.


Police want gun control.
When everyone has guns; your chance of being killed goes up. Police don’t know who to shoot. They assume everyone has one and shoot first. You and thief have guns. CO schools now allow teachers/administrators to carry guns in the classroom. Kid lesson! Since 2015, police have killed 86 people with realistic looking FAKE guns--suicide?



SCAMS:
Wealthy are paying to change our Constitution in TX. TX GOP wants to limit federal power and jurisdiction, and create term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. Midland oilman Tim Dunn helps pay for this convention. marginal reactionaries!

Does the IRS really come to your house? Yes, but not unannounced.

Ignoramus Award:
MS rejects 11,717 low-income residents for $170 month temporary federal aide.

How our government wastes our money:
Big bomb hit Afghanistan costs us $314 million to develop and $16 million per hit—perhaps $1 million per terrorist  to scare terrorist. "… weapon will have a substantial psychological effect on those who witness its use." No terrorist surrendered or ran.

Where have all the jobs gone?
Mining employment rose by 11,000 in March, largely in support activities for mining (+9,000). Since a recent employment low in October, mining has added 35,000 jobs. But you don’t get full time: average weekly hours were unchanged at 34.3 hours in March.
Obama grew more jobs in health care than manufacturing.

Which job board sites are best for your job search?



Cancel Robo calls with Mr NoMoRobo: https://www.nomorobo.com/


Miracle: WOW—police try new thing!
LA Police Commission now requires officers to try to defuse encounters before shooting.


IAN
41 Watchung Plaza, B242
MontclairNJ 07042
973.746.2014
Alerts 

Friday, April 14, 2017

Investment fees are killing your retirement

Your investment fees are killing your retirement nest egg
Another study shows that we are paying Wall Street for no advantage over lower cost funds. Americans give up at least $17 billion a year by choosing expensive investments within their workplace retirement plans, according to a recent report from New York-based RiXtrema. Many investors are fleeing their high-cost funds and some fund providers are getting the message. BlackRock, Schwab and Fidelity reset their fee structure after Vanguard taking in $2 billion a DAY. Over time, retirement total funds could improve by 40% due to compounding the difference. Earning 10% a year instead of 8.5% (1.5% to advisor) means $570,000 versus $415,000 at $250 month for 30 years.


Where would you hide your capital to avoid taxes?
A new study shows that the wealthy use two methods to avoid paying their fair share: “Sinks” and "Conduits." Conduits facilitate the tax-free routing of capital to secretive destinations—the U.K., the Netherlands, Ireland, Singapore and Switzerland. "Sinks" attract and retain foreign capital. The network analysis identified 24 of these -- most notably Luxembourg, Hong Kong and the British Virgin Islands. Why doesn’t the IRS and Congress go look for these people who avoid taxes if they know where the money goes? “Follow the money.” Maybe some Congress people are enabling the tax evaders. You and I cannot hide our capital overseas because we don’t have those high cost lawyers and tax specialists. Maybe Congress does not want to find and jail these “friends” in high places. Now you can avoid paying their taxes.


Do the people who “made a killing on Wall Street” eventually go to jail?
When you hear about the guy who claims a fortune by brilliant trading of stock, watch and see if they go to jail. Usually these “brilliant” traders have information you don’t and can’t have. The chairman of the broker dealer legal authority went to jail. The famous Wolf of Wall Street is a felon. Bill Walters, sports gambler, made more than $40 million from 2008 to 2014 by realizing profits and avoiding losses. How? By using nonpublic information from a board member of Dean Foods. He may go to jail after years in court. Martha Stewart did her time. She lied about her insider information. Without insider information, a person or algorithm would need to know all there is to know about a company AND all future events of the world. Everyone thought Enron was making money the old fashioned way. They were not. Only Congress uses insider information legally. Many of our Reps have gotten rich that way. Their backers also use insider info to get richer. Those who actually create fortunes have to work at their idea (Bezos sold many books by mail) or make savvy purchases of unrecognized valuable companies (Buffett) when others are selling them. Invest, don’t gamble on a ‘sure’ thing.

Who are the Trump-Russian contacts?
House Committee member chart of the investigation of collusion with a foreign power: https://swalwell.house.gov/issues/russia-trump-his-administration-s-ties. Even the president’s son-in-law does not seem to understand that everyone—even family—is subject to the law. Like Flynn, Jared did not disclose his secret meetings with a foreign power. Worse, while making a secret deal with Iraq, Jared is in the middle of a deal with a Chinese insurer which has ties to the Communist Party members. Meanwhile Jared is dealing directly with President Xi Jinping of China at dinner on 6 April in the Winter Palace. Are all these deals between the ‘royal family’ and foreigners just a coincidence? Is not a private audience with Xi a lever for Jared in the China insurer deal? Jared and Ivanka have many conflicts of interest here. Is the Trump administration/campaign in trouble because members are hanging out with Russian spys, mobsters and criminals? Why would Trump hire known Russian spies and agents of foreign powers like FlynnManafort and Page? Why would Russian mobster pay Trump double for FL property? Can China trust a guy with all these secret ties to Russia? Can we trust him? Why hide if innocent?  Who benefits?
Putin would benefit from a missile war with N. Korea and Syria.

GOP creates America’s next phase: Banana Republic
The Ryan tax structure would move America to the economic structure favored by South American countries: tax our spending. Ryan pushes the border tariff which means we pay more when we buy imports, including cars and things that contain imported parts. Trump would claim Mexico paid for The Wall this way. Ryan could then slash income taxes for the wealthy and their corporations. But wait! Let’s look at the results of taxing our spending. According to the experiences of countries using this method, revenue falls because everyone evades tax by using the black market. Consumption taxes hit the poor hardest. Most of us spend all of our income so we would pay this regressive tax—more spent, more tax, higher tax rate. Wealthy people save or invest most of their income so they pay the least tax rate. They have many ways to avoid the income and consumption tax. For instance, their business could buy expensive items so they would pay no “consumption” tax. Their firm could provide home, cars, air travel, clothes, etc etc. Right now, a corporate CEO does not pay tax on most of their compensation because most of it is in a deferred comp plan, percs, benefits, severance and stock options. Exemptions, deductions and loopholes we don’t even hear about cut their share of taxes even more.


The Don could make a deal for a new American health care world
Health care costs are out of control. We created and make drugs in the US but then pay $124 for the same formula that cost $6 in New Zealand, including shipping. Why does a hip replacement cost $7731 in Spain and over $40,000 here? Same artificial hip and it costs $350 to make in the US. Is health care only for the rich? Is good health a matter of luck of birth or does society have an obligation to provide AFFORDABLE access to all? Is health care a commodity like a TV or a right like fresh air? Can I really go shopping in the marketplace for a good quality hospital, doctor or drug price? When I have an illness or emergency, I could not find out the prices even if I had time to look for them. In my neighborhood, there is just 1 ER, 1 lab, 1 gastroenterologist covered by my insurance. My insurer’s clerk decides what care I receive. Are we wasting our resources by giving Congress people and millionaires enhanced spending for care while the rest of us do without basic care? Is Leader Ryan really shopping for his health care like he advocates for me? Trump said drug companies were “getting away with murder” because they had “a lot of lobbyists and a lot of power,” insisting he would get Medicare to bargain. Is it ethical for the rich to obtain care from the best physician in their specialty and I obtain poor quality care from the worst? That is the mark of a separate class society—a banana republic ruled by and for the wealthy families. One class receives all the benefits and the rest get priced out of a quality life. Trump gave up his promise to cut prices after meeting with those CEOs and lobbyists in power.

How to assure your child has enough when Social Security is cut
Every year, the actuaries calculate how long our benefits will last. Actually Social Security does not have any money. Current benefits come from current contributions from workers who make less than $127,200. If Trump actually sends all the 11 million working people who lack documents home, SS benefits will have to be cut sooner. When your child is ready to retire, the benefits will be less. They will need a retirement supplement. Company pensions will be a relic of the past. They will probably need money to live on. Luckily, you can provide it by taking advantage of the miracle of compounding. Your investment in successful companies today will produce 100 times the value later. Invest $1,000 every year for 20 years and they will have $1 million later. http:/www.SaferChild.org/power.  Or invest a lump sum and see how many years it takes to reach your goal using the stock market average of 11%:  compounding calculator.

Last chance to avoid penalty for late filing
Due date to file is Tuesday Apr 18. Us the free software to file federal and pay $14 for state. Fill in data from 2016 online and compare to 2015 to avoid errors. https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/jsp/index.jsp
No need to be overcharged by paid preparers. Even if you make a mistake, you won’t have penalty for not filing.





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We have entered the Twilight Zone:
"There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadowbetween science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone" where “alternative facts” and illusions of conspiracies are lived out. Lies are considered true. Incompetence is praised. Truth is what the loudest voice says it is over and over.  
Rod Serling


GOP cuts programs of folks who have no power to oppose cuts. Cowardly. The Don does not like diplomacy, aid to poor, US environment or culture, finding cures for disease, transportation and education programs.
19 Agencies you may use being cut from American society: The Don does not like Meals on Wheels, Sesame St. NPR radio, Arts, Miners retraining, Seniors volunteers for poor, Americorp youth help poor,  62 in all for $343 billion

What GOP does NOT cut:
No cuts to subsidies to Boeing, GE, Intel, Nike, Shell, Fiat, GM, Ford, hundreds more.
No cuts to United Airlines subsidy even after rip a paying customer from his seat.


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Lies or “Alternative facts” of The Don: Promises (lies) and Actual outcomes:



End to Roe v Wade? Gun registration? Industrial regulations?
Extreme Supreme passed Senate using $10 millions in TV ad campaigns from: the Koch network, The National Rifle Association, Leading evangelical and anti-abortion groups.

What was the message? 60 missile strikes and Syria attacks his people again next day.             Media & GOP likes president ‘better’ during war.
Forget fighter bunkers; let’s bomb Assad’s palace so he gets the message
Trump will occupy Syria after regime change like Iraq?
“There's not any sort of option where a political solution is going to happen with Assad at the head of the regime," Ambassador Haley said
“I think the Trump administration are beginning to realize that Russia is not a force for good in the world," retired Adm. James Stavridis

GOP feedback: The Wall at $22-$40 Billion is too expensive—get Mexico money first


Surprise! The Don’s promises of a Great America are confusing to Americans.

It’s technology’s fault, Don: General merchandise stores shed 34,700 jobs in March

It’s solar NOT coal energy, Don: China leads in solar panel production not coal mining.




The Don Undoes Obama Student Loan Protections: Lenders say need more profit!





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Regulators are the only protection against corporations since we can’t sue anymore

FCC Chairman bans your phone at higher altitude bec/ he does not like the noise.

We need regulation—GOP wrong—companies/cities wouldn’t fix bad products on own
GM killed 124 because ignition switch pin not replaced after knew it killed first in 2006.


Police want gun control.
When everyone has guns; your chance of being killed goes up. Police don’t know who to shoot. They assume everyone has one and shoot first. You and thief have guns. CO schools now allow teachers/administrators to carry guns in the classroom. Kid lesson! Since 2015, police have killed 86 people with realistic looking FAKE guns--suicide?

Father kills son in dispute 8:20 AM "who was going to walk the dog." Dodge City knew you can’t trust hot heads with guns.

SCAMS:
Buying your tax return data costs $50.
“Tax filing information is probably the most premium type of record criminals can buy on the underground,” said IBM’s Kessem, who has been tracking this world for eight years. “It goes for $40 or $50, and unlike credit cards, never expires. People can try and get loans in someone’s name, make fake IDs in people’s names, get credit.” And of course, the top target is filing a tax return in someone's name and getting the refund.


Ignoramus Award: What does Trump hide?
WH demands briefing without recording cameras so world cannot see QA statement.

How our government wastes our money:
$60 million for Syrian airport attack Raytheon gets $1.4 million each--no volume discounts and Syrian leader still has chemical weapons for next time. CIA and EU members helped Syria get and make more chemical weapons. 
The Wall at $22-$40 Billion is too expensive—get Mexico’s money first
ATF charges personal items to govt account using our taxes for their holidays.
Navy Seals on drugs and training stopped. Hiding problem does not solve it. 

Where have all the jobs gone?
To internet stores: General merchandise stores shed 34,700 jobs in March

Which job board sites are best for your job search?



Cancel Robo calls with Mr NoMoRobo: https://www.nomorobo.com/


Miracle:
Pope opens free Laundromat for dignity of poor

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