America Abandoned the Greatest Economy in History

 

America Abandoned the Greatest Economy in History

Of Americans born in 1940, 92 percent went on to earn more than their parents; among those born in 1980, just 50 percent did. In the 70s, we abandoned the great economy of the end of WWII—the great American Dream. We chose growth of the private sector and inequality flourished—a child born in United Kingdom now has a far better chance of outearning their parents than one born in the U.S. For many of us the American Dream is a bad joke on us. Young adults facing financial ruin as they care for aging loved ones.

America has produced a Donald Trump—who declared, in 2015, “The American dream is dead”—and the seething discontent in American life has replaced it. Meanwhile the rich, with the money to do it, have exploited the growth of the global economy for their personal benefits. We no longer used taxes to pay for community swimming pools but for tax breaks for the already rich. The top marginal income-tax rate was 70% when Reagan took office and 28% when he left. Our national debt has reached levels equal to those from the expense of WWII.  Our next president will face the problem of restoring the balance of spending and taxation. Raising taxes may be the only solution.

Avoid future tax increases: https://www.amazon.com/New-American-Retirement-System-ReserveTM/dp/1461030072/

 

Is Umbrella (liability) insurance right for you?

This is also called excess or secondary coverage. If you hit someone and are sued, your car or home insurance will cover the minimum part while the amount over that may be paid by your umbrella policy. Usually this low-cost protection is owned by any person with assets over $1 million. It also covered President Clinton when he was sued in office. Umbrella policies can also provide additional coverage not offered in the primary policy, such as protection against slander and libel. An umbrella policy can also cover family members and those living in a household. Do you need an umbrella? Medical costs from an accident that you are found liable for may exceed your current liability coverage. You should consider a purchase if you own a pool, a dog, or a dangerous property fixture. Even your objective review on a website may produce a liability.

Buy only what you need: https://www.amazon.com/Lawsuit-Insurance-need-right-policy/dp/1480061123

 

Is a cash balance retirement plan right for you?

IBM has just taken the unusual step of adding this kind of plan to their retirement offerings. A cash balance pension plan is a defined-benefit pension plan with the option of a lifetime annuity. The employer credits a participant's account with a set percentage of their yearly compensation plus interest charges for a cash balance plan. Changes in the portfolio do not affect the final benefits received by the participant upon retirement or termination, and the company bears all ownership of profits and losses in the portfolio. The most significant difference between a cash balance pension and a traditional pension plan is that the traditional plan generally uses the last few years of your highest compensation to determine your monthly benefit. The employer bears the investment risk in a CBP. The employer is responsible for ensuring the employee receives the amount promised, so no matter what happens, it must ensure the employee gets that amount. People 60 years and older can sock away well over $300,000 annually in pretax contributions.

 

 

********ACCOUNTABILITY**************?

 

 

Like 1776, this period is a test of democracy—We rejected an "American fascist" once

 

 

The Path to Dictatorship: 2010-2030

 

Parallels of this era in the past may hint at our future: democracy breaks apart legally

 

 

Jan 21 2010 Corpor­a­tions’ election-spending unlim­ited

Billionaires paid $881 million for votes in 2022 midterm elections

 

Nov 2020 Wealthy discredit election process

 

Nov 21 2020 Trump’s Plans for a Coup: criminal

 

Nov 21 2020: Trump plan: US Marshals seize voting machines

 

Jan 6 2021 Direct govt overthrow failed: guns & bombs were ready

 

Trump engaged in a "criminal conspiracy" to stop Biden

 

“I don’t f—ing care that they have weapons”

 

Trump was “detached from reality”

 

Trump used mafia-style intimidation on the defenseless

 

Trump still terrorizing election woman

 

Parscale: “a sitting president asking for civil war.”

 

Trump: “Just say the election was corrupt and leave the rest to me” 

 

GOP fascism: “RINO hunt armed; no bagging limit” J6 comm threat

 

January 6, 2021 “A date which will live in infamy”

 

Trump’s Supremes END personal rights & state laws except for weapons WMDs

 

Fascism: GOP to stop women leaving state for abortion

 

It’s not a court. It’s a junta: Two Americas

 

Trump: President Biden is 'enemy of the state'

 

Christian Nationalist Party (CNP) replaces GOP

 

Nov 8 2022 Trump’s “national revolution” failed

 

Nov 15 2022 Trump announces for 2024 to avoid lawsuits

 

Dec 3 2022 Trump: cancel Constitution rules so ‘I win’

 

Mar 11 2023 Pence straddles his place in history

 

Mar 31 2023 Trump indicted misusing election money

 

Apr 7 2023 One GOP guy decided which drugs we can use

 

Apr 9 Illustrated Anne Frank book removed by Florida school

 

Apr 21 Trump: “I am your justice”

 

May 9 Trump guilty of sexual abuse

 

Jun 8 Trump indicted by the United States of America

Violation of the Espionage Act

Conspiracy to obstruct justice

Making false statements 

 

Aug 1 2023 Trump indicted by the United States of America

Conspiracy to defraud the United States

Conspiracy to obstruct Congressional proceeding

Obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding

Conspiracy against right to vote

 

 

Attempted coup d'état by any other name

 

350+ people have been sentenced to jail or prison.

 

 

Trump and His Gang Get the Mob Treatment

 

Aug 4  “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!”

 

Mobster #1 Enrique Tarrio gets 22 years 

Mobster Stewart Rhodes sentenced to 18 years

Mobster Ethan Nordean gets 18 years

Mobster Dominic Pezzola sentenced to 10 years

 

 

 

Aug 14 2023 Trump & 18 indicted by the State of Georgia

 

VIOLATION OF THE GEORGIA RICO (RACKETEER INFLUENCED AND CORRUPT ORGANIZATIONS) ACT SOLICITATION OF VIOLATION OF OATH BY PUBLIC OFFICER

CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT INIPERSONATIN PUBLIC OFFICER FIRST DEGREE

CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT FALSE STATEMENTS AND WRITINGS

CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT FALSE DOCUMENTS

FORGERY IN THE FIRST DEGREE

CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT FALSE STATEMENTS AND WRITINGS

FILING FALSE DOCUMENTS

SOLICITATION OF VIOLATION OF OATH BY PUBLIC OFFICER

FALSE STATEMENTS AND WRITINGS

SOLICITATION OF VIOLATION OF OATH BY PUBLIC OFFICER

FALSE STATEMENTS AND WRITINGS

 

 

Aug 24 2023 The Don, Racketeer: GA jailhouse real ‘mug’ shot

 

Oct 2 2023  Kelly, Trump’s staff, confirms Trump called our veterans/wounded soldiers “suckers”

 

“Wannabe Dictator” to run our House of “Representatives”

 

 

 

Jan 2025 Dictator pardons himself: his Supremes agree

 

 

How Govt wastes our money:

Are we done with Santos? Surprised GOP expelled him since he is needed to pass bills

Wasted taxes: NASA Tests Mars Helicopter: $80 million + $5 million a month

War DRONES UTTERLY RESHAPED BATTLEFIELD: machine gun, radar, drones

 

Wasted taxes: NASA plans to land its $433.5 million VIPER on the Moon's South Pole. 

NASA search for life beyond earth costs more than saving us from climate destruction

 

SCAMS/SPINS:

Holiday scams and frauds: protect yourself from special scams

UAE’s Sultan Al Jaber: there is ‘no science’ behind demands for phase-out of fossil fuels

Young adults facing financial ruin as they care for aging loved ones

 

Mormon Church protects itself from child sex abuse claims with legal tricks

Dollar General stores charge more at checkout than on shelves: fine, no jail

Avoid fake goods, phony online deals for holidays

 

Pelleh Poultry Corp. is recalling more than 700 pounds of beef and poultry 

Atlantic Union Bank caught illegally enrolling thousands in checking overdraft 

Buy Now, Pay Later Often a Debt Trap

 

 

Childhood Vaccination Rates Are Falling

 

Trump assures Fox crowd he would not be “dictator upon returning to office” sort of.

Earl Miller caught securities fraud “5 Star,” real estate scam, Amish families, fine & jail

Traders were informed of Hamas' plans to attack ahead of time, and made millions on it.

 

Israel says it has killed up to 5,000 fighters out of a total of 30,000 in Hamas's war wing

 

School vouchers helping families already in private school: subsidies for better-off  

 

Jobs

10 years to replace lead pipes in all cities: plumbers & construction jobs

jobs.interestingengineering.com/

Work out routine to perform for 3 hours onstage singing, dancing, moving

The IRS is Hiring Revenue Agents

 

 

Who owns your account now?

Options for Changing an Irrevocable Trust

Should you switch from your Mac or Windows laptop to a Chromebook.

AFS 401(k) Retirement Services to Hub International

 

How much does elder care cost where you live?

More seniors paying over 30% of their income in housing costs

Donor-advised fund (DAF) helps you manage the timing of charitable giving: choice

 

Don’t lose your annual tax saving/deduction by deadline oversight

 

Miracles:

70-year-old woman in Uganda has given birth to twins after receiving fertility treatment

New stem cell treatment may halt progression of multiple sclerosis

Flying car gets FAA cert: vertical takeoff so you can park it in the driveway

 

Gene therapy offers hope for Parkinson’s disease patients

 

 

 

 

@

 

Our Universe is Mind-Blowing

Light is both a particle and a wave depending on how we look at the light.

I don’t think that there is any such thing as a position or a velocity of a particle.

Everything (galaxies to stones) in universe made of subatomic energy ‘vibrations’

A subatomic ‘particle’ is the smallest possible vibration (quantum) of a quantum field.

A ‘particle’ is an event; not an objective thing. This event is set of complex relationships.

New theory may finally unite Einstein's gravity with the quantum world

 

 

Mass–energy equivalence: E=mc^2.  At the smallest level; Everything is moving

Energy into matter: scientists converted light energy directly into matter in one step

In place of atomic lattice, light waves used to create an optical lattice with same geometry

Physics Nobel Prize: “entanglement” 2 particles share info instantly at a distance

Quantum mechanics violates local realism: two objects behave as single system at distance

 

“It may be that gravity and quantum mechanics are exactly the same thing,” Leonard Susskind

Gravity might induce the collapse of quantum vibrations into 1 quantum state—our world

Strange state of physics that allows energy to flow frictionlessly through a material. 

Bending light from extreme gravity reveals largest black hole so far

Curved SpaceTime: heavy masses and simultaneously quantum effects become visible

There is no TIME at this level because of force fields come and go in all directions. 

Universe expanding: events may not come together like they did before: created our time.

Our planetary system: rarest system: only 1% of all systems with same number of planets

 

Stars fueled by the self-annihilation of dark matter might have been spotted for the first time by JWST

Inside protons, neutrons, it is the fields of the virtual particles that creates its mass.

Gold made from neutron stars: collisions produce more neutrons:79 protons,118 neutrons

The proton is so complicated science still finds new energy entities/forces every year.

 

“Empty space is a boiling, bubbling brew of virtual particles that pop in and out of existence in a time scale so short that you can’t even measure them.” Space expanding.

New method to study systems with long-range interactions: previously puzzling experts

The electricity we use comes from the field around the wire not from electron itself.

 

Natural ‘missing law’ explain how universe evolved: functions increase in complexity over time

Scientists build 'baby' wormhole as sci-fi moves closer to fact: inside quantum computer

starts-with-a-bang/universe-expansion-not-accelerating/

Physicists knew black holes eventually disappear particle by particle. Now they think everything else does, too.

Astronomers discover raw materials for life are present all across the Universe: methyl cation

 

 

 

@

We can apply for Medicare online: https://blog.ssa.gov/apply-for-medicare-online

We can apply for Social Security online: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/

We can apply for health care online: https://www.healthcare.gov/

 

IAN

973.746.2014

http://www.theinsidersguides.com/ 

Alerts available at http://dankeppel.blogspot.com/ No AI used in these comments

 

 

Is Warren Buffett’s portfolio right for you?

 

Is Warren Buffett’s portfolio right for you?

Why does Buffett recommend buying and holding only two Vanguard funds for retirement? Is this strategy right for you too? In his letter to stockholders of his business, he wrote: "I believe the long-term results from this policy will be superior to those attained by most investors -- whether pension funds, institutions, or individuals -- who employ high-fee managers." Buffett credits “compounding” for his astounding investment success. So he advocates a low-cost index fund of the 500 largest companies as the best investment for most of us. He warns us against giving high-cost advisors our money since they can’t beat the index and their costs can take up to 63% of our potential accumulations. Nearly 92% of advisor funds have trailed the index of S&P 500 firms over the last 15 years. Over time, Vanguard’s 500 Index earned over 11% a year. That means your money doubles every 7 years. Your $250 per month contribution can provide you with $1 million in 35 years. Buffett proved his advice by beating a Wall Street guru with 5 hedge funds. Unless you are smarter than Buffett, Buffett’s way is right for you: https://www.amazon.com/Warren-Buffetts-Vanguard-Funds-Retirement/dp/1496148592

 

What do you own if you own a 500 Index fund?

Why is a 500 index fund growing so much? The Vanguard 500 Index fund has grown at 30% over the last year, 16% over the last 3 years, and 16% over the last 5 and 10 years. This is very unusual. Historically this index has grown at 11% per year. Info tech is the main reason for this trend as you can see by the largest contributors to the index’s growth. These corporations make up 30% of the Vanguard 500 Index fund:

1          Microsoft Corp.

2          Apple Inc.

3          Alphabet Inc.

4          Amazon.com Inc.

5          Tesla Inc.

6          Meta Platforms Inc.

7          NVIDIA Corp.

8          Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

9          JPMorgan Chase & Co.

10        UnitedHealth Group Inc.

If you own the companies in the index, you own some of these companies and their gains and dividends. If you pay low-fees like Vanguard’s version at 0.04%, your account grows faster than if you pay 1-2% a year. You own a broad diversified part of the world stock market. Use Warren Buffett’s strategy "A very low-cost index is going to beat a majority of the amateur-managed money or professionally-managed money." 

Less you pay; more you earn: https://www.amazon.com/Warren-Buffett-Millionaire-money-snoring/dp/1508887381

 

Retirement budget: do a dry run now

What will you have to spend and what is your spending plan? Going on a journey like this one without a plan is asking for a disaster. You may need money to last 30 years—60 to 90—for at least one in your family. Stay ahead of inflation—the silent ‘killer.’ Unless you plan to work till you drop, a plan can help you succeed not just survive. If you began early enough you could have $2 million to spend without income taxes with the New American Retirement System. If not, you need to make a dry run now so you can make adjustments. You will need to make a Spending Plan for both of you. Estimate your Required Minimum Distributions from pensions and IRAs and how much tax you will have to pay. Find any old pensions and accounts you may have left behind.

You will need every penny. https://www.amazon.com/Your-Retirement-Budget-Investments-Income/dp/1483946487

 

Is a 401k annuity right for you?
Several mutual fund firms are offering an annuity guaranteed income from your 401k or 403b. Many workers have said they are interested in putting some of their retirement savings into an investment option that would guarantee them monthly income when they retire and help ensure they don’t outlive their savings. This makes sense for many since the guaranteed pensions of the past are gone. Employers do not want the risk of maintaining a pension payout for their employees for life. Recent law has reduced the fiduciary risk for employers and made it easier for them to provide annuities as a retirement plan distribution option. This may be a great option for you if you have other money invested to help defeat inflation during retirement. However, the monthly income guarantee comes at a cost. Firms take 1-3% annual fees to provide “monthly income you can’t outlive.” But the amount is cut in HALF by inflation over time. There are less expensive ways to obtain a “steady, reliable stream of income to help cover your expenses in retirement.” Be careful. Annuities are not cancelable.

Look at all options first: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Annuity-Strategy-Income-Growth/dp/1497532019

 

 

 

 

 

?**********ACCOUNTABILITY**************?

 

 

Like 1776, this period is a test of democracy—We rejected an "American fascist" once

 

 

The Path to Dictatorship

 

“The Coup is ongoing”

 

Vigilantism backstop

 

GOP: ”Be armed, be dangerous and be moral."?

 

GOP paying Trump’s defense

 

How Govt wastes our money:

Biden lets corporate taxes fall 21% to 15%; $80,000 SALT deductions for wealthy

Wealthy are outbidding each other for private airplanes: Biden gives them the money

Down HALF: IRS collections from estate tax dive from $20 billion to $9 B: GOP tax cuts

 

Manchin dictates what he wants in final Dem spending: parent help cut,

TX pays for Trump’s audit even though he won TX: TX GOP finally admits Biden won

 

 

SCAMS/SPINS:

WI: you can legally shoot three people during a protest and get off scott-free.

CO police: “too many guns are in the hands of too many students”: kids with guns!

Covid could take baby without mom’s vax: stillbirths likely for infected moms

 

Killing in “self defense” after you start the fight with weapons: victims don’t have a case

Children are allowed to carry loaded 30-round AR guns in WI streets: if over ‘foot’ long

What is with WI? driver kills 5 defenseless kids & marchers with SUV

 

Kenny Wells: illegally bringing/shooting his weapon in public: will this guy get off too?

 

Mesa County, CO clerk, swept by conspiracy theories, compromised election equipment

 

More Covid deaths in 2021 than 2020: more infections; fewer vax

FL gov no mask mandate gives parents no school choice: FL government like fed

 

Ron Molo IL caught stealing $800,000 using fake account: promised tax-free income

Evan & Avi Schottenstein FL caught abusing mother and accounts: failed fiduciary duty

Gregg Brie NY caught stealing $640K promised high returns in airline: 5 yrs jail

Mark D'Amico caught duped public $400,000 in GoFundMe scheme: fake homeless

Serena Shi caught selling condos in California that did not exist.

Stores caught claim original prices discounts when no such price listed

Goods caught fake “made in USA” sticker: trick of meaning

Tom Selleck caught pushing reverse mortgage product: Joins Madoff on Wall of Shame

Onion recall: Potandon Produce and Alsum Farms salmonella concerns: toss

 

Jobs

CVS closing 900 stores: reopening as health-care clinic: flu shots to diagnostic tests.

Amazon's buyout of Hollywood studio MGM

Unvaccinated employees are lying about their status to retain their jobs: peer pressure

 

Taylor TX new $17 billion Samsung chip plant: 2,000 jobs; 6,500 construction jobs

Germany raises min wage to €12 ($13.46) an hour, from €9.60 ($10.77) an hour.

 

Who owns your account now?

10 used cars that are going fast: demand raises prices—maybe you should wait

10 Least reliable new vehicles: most cost a lot for troubles: winner: Mercedes-Benz GLE

 Verizon acquisition of TracFone Wireless

 

 

Miracles:

Child brings automatic weapon to protest in another state, kills 2: gets job in Congress

12 yo saves family and injured dog using Boy Scout-learned skills

TX voters don’t trust politicians to ban the right books: lynching by whites happened

 

Arbery judge: “self-defense laws do not apply to the person who is the aggressor in a confrontation.”

 

We can apply for Medicare online: https://blog.ssa.gov/apply-for-medicare-online

We can apply for Social Security online: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/

We can apply for health care online: https://www.healthcare.gov/

 

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ   07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alerts available at http://dankeppel.blogspot.com/

 

Panic or calm strategy now?

 

Panic or calm strategy until US economy straightens out?

Whatever we expect to happen, history shows we will be wrong. So do we panic and sell as some of my readers have done. Or calmly wait for markets to find a new path? History is no predictor of the future but last time we had an upheaval, most investors who held on were rewarded. We had +31% and -32% recently. The story since 2000 is an annual return of 7.6%. Over most 10 year periods, we have earned more than investing in cash equivalents. Investing in a low-cost stock index fund returns 11% annually. American capitalism has consistently provided dividends and value gains. Fixed income and bond securities cannot match stocks for any 10 year period. So some of my readers have divided their pre-and post-retirement portfolio in HALF: 1/2 in a stock fund like Vanguard 500 Index to earn 11% for 10 to 30 years for future income. 1/2 in a balanced fund like Vanguard Wellesley Income to earn 5-6% for 1-9 years for current needs.  

2020        15% so far

2019        31.10

2018        -4.41

2017        21.94

2016        11.93

2015          1.31

2014        13.81

2013        32.43

2012        15.88

2011          2.07

2010        14.87

2009        27.11

2008        -37.22

2007          5.46

2006        15.74

2005          4.79

2004        10.82

2003        28.72

2002        -22.27

2001        -11.98

2000        -9.11

Low cost beats high cost for any period so no matter what happens, avoid fees.

Pay less; get more: https://www.amazon.com/Pay-less-Get-more-investment/dp/1500598321

 

What is financial freedom?

The last 9 months has shown us what real financial freedom means. With 30 million of our fellow Americans out of work or in reduced-earnings work, we see why many are angry. Since real wages have lagged way behind the economic growth of the past 40 years, fewer of us have experienced “financial freedom”—the ability to weather a job loss or health care crisis. Those who had an emergency fund, a large retirement fund or a home equity line of credit are near the maximum withdrawal point. Many of the social security network programs created in the Big Depression are ripping apart. According to many who study the history of wealth creation, those who used “compound interest” have been able to survive this test of financial health.

Help your child get started: https://www.amazon.com/Give-your-child-leg-manage/dp/1096505355

 

Hate paying taxes? Cut taxes with a deductible IRA

The year we turn 72, we must begin paying tax on our tax-deferred accounts like IRA and pensions. We are told how much to take out in the form of the IRS table of required minimum distributions (RMD). When we are earning wages and pulling out RMDs, the tax consequences can result in higher tax rates and an increased percentage of our Social Security benefits being subjected to taxes. Now we can make deductible IRA contributions after age 70½. In the past, RMDs began at age 70½, but following the passage of the SECURE Act in 2019, it was raised to age 72. Similarly, the law used to put the lid on traditional IRA contributions after age 70½, but the new law does not have an age cutoff and allows additional contributions as long as you are still working. Even a part-time or self-employment job like Lyft Uber will qualify. We can deduct up to $7,000 each depending on income. On the other hand, if we would rather create a tax-FREE retirement, we can contribute to a Roth IRA from our wages. If we have a smaller tax bill this year, we may choose to convert over $7,000 to the Roth from our traditional IRA. Many readers are planning on having tax-FREE and taxable income in retirement. They feel this is a good time to take advantage of an expanding stock market and save more.

Make a plan: https://www.amazon.com/What-your-RMD-much-spend/dp/1718946716

 

 

 

Are the new ETF risks worth it?

Today securities regulator approved a controversial new rule that will allow ETFs’ to double their use of leverage and derivatives, while ignoring sales practices constraints that had originally been proposed. Leveraged and inverse ETFs appeal to investors and have brought in more fees, but not without significant risks and sometimes losses to investors. The SEC removed new sales practices regulation from the proposal that would have created higher standards of care and disclosure for reps and advisors who sell geared funds, or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds that track a variety of benchmarks. “Evidence suggests that retail investors buy these products without understanding risk and or objectives,” SEC Crenshaw said. “Just this morning, [SEC] Chairman [Jay] Clayton issued a statement that said Reg Best Interest will do nothing to protect these investors who buy these products through self-directed brokerage accounts." Most disappointing is the SEC’s failure to advance proposed sales practice rules that were designed to address the investor harm rising from sales of leverage and inverse ETFs. Enforcement cases from the SEC and Finra show that even investment professionals often lack a basic understanding of these complex products, member Lee added. “Indeed, other types of complex products not addressed by rule may cause similar harm to unsophisticated retail investors," Lee said. "But that does not justify why we fail to act now to protect retail investors in inverse and leveraged ETFs.” A new Fiduciary Rule will protect investors and Manhattan’s former top prosecutor may lead SEC.

https://www.amazon.com/Fiduciary-Rule-BEST-dont-anymore/dp/1530980275

 

Which retirement strategy is best for you?

Many young investors are choosing to take their tax free earnings later rather than immediately. With a 401k or other deferred compensation retirement plan we pay no income tax on our contributions from our pay check. We pay later. With a Roth 401k or Roth IRA we set up at one of the low-cost mutual fund firms (Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab), we pay taxes now on our contributions but pay nothing on the gains during our lifetime. For example, we invest $250 a month in a low-cost stock fund at work for 35 years: result is $1.1 million. If we pay taxes on the $105,000 contributions, we pay nothing on the $1 million when we take it out. If we use a regular 401k with deductible contributions, we pay taxes on $1 million when we take it out (future tax rates may increase). If we are lucky, our employer matches our contributions. But fees charged by some small employer plans make the 401k/403b choice a bad one. Imagine investing in a mutual fund with stocks and bonds paying about 4-6% and having to pay 2% to the plan administrator plus surrender charges of 10% if you change jobs or move your money. This is what some of my readers had to contend with. They switched to a Roth IRA.

Consider paying less later: https://www.amazon.com/Pay-No-Taxes-Retirement-legally/dp/1507527977/

 

American socialism in action: vaccines for some; cost for all

Pfizer’s vaccine for the pandemic should be available by mid ’21. But did the capitalists at Pfizer really take a financial risk that must be rewarded with huge profits? A vaccine for some Americas requires a big company with the capacity to produce it. However, without a guaranteed $1.95 billion “advance purchase” agreement with our government, ensuring it would be well compensated for delivering 100 million doses of vaccine, it would never have happened. Capitalism simply can’t take risks without some form of framework that assures it of success. As many wealthy people have said: “I don’t bet unless it is a sure thing.” Drug companies and capitalist don’t take risks, unless there is a framework for profit. We, our government, are always the backstop. The 2007-8 Wall Street bailout costs us over $12 Trillion—perp never went to jail. We have been buying the bonds of businesses (giving loans) since March’s pandemic. We have been paying money (unemployment) to those who were dismissed by businesses even when the business got money to keep them employed. Many profitable businesses pay workers so little, we must pay Medicaid/SNAP too. We have been paying money to some businesses (subsidies) for 50 years even though they are profitable. ($3.8B Exxon alone) Even some of our representatives get paid twice: salary plus farm subsidies. Some businesses get away with tax avoidance. Of course the rich don’t consider their business “subsidies” or tax avoidance to be socialism and so our reps keep supporting this socialism (gov subsidies). And our representatives are rewarded for helping to the winners win.

Time to ask for the subsidies back: https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Socialism-Rich-little-people/dp/1535218584

 

Did your new vehicle lose 50% of value?

Do you consider the trade-in value when you bought your new car or SUV? Probably not. What about when you bought a used version of the model you like? The loss in value is called depreciation. That is what determines the amount you would receive if your vehicle was “totaled” in a collision. Some of the most expensive wheels top the list of lost value: BMW, Mercedes, Maserati lose over 60% (up to $80,000) in 5 years. I suppose the well-heeled don’t care about that since they can afford it. But if you care about getting your money’s worth at trade-in time, then Toyota is your best bet. One exception: Porsche 911 loses only $56,000 (36%) over 5 years. For the truly thrifty—least money lost over time--it is a Honda or Toyota. Yes there is some correlation with the JD Power dependability study: Porsche and Toyota least problems. Ten cheapest 2020 model cars to insure based on costs to repair.

Get a good deal on insurance too: https://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Insurance-Beware-Double-Coverage/dp/1480027634

 

 

 

**********ACCOUNTABILITY**************

 

Like 1776, this period is a test of democracy—NO, we don’t want a Dictator?

 

Trump’s war: 250,000 KIA

Trump defies Supreme’s decision

 

Can we ever trust our government again?

 

Our ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’ 

One GOP Gov moving OH to overcome crisis

GOP wants to “un-elect” Biden despite final score

 

Biden displays conversations with world leaders like previous presidents so we know what is going on in the world. Transition posts its ongoing work to get ready.

 

 

 

 

How Govt wastes our money: Our Representatives gave 3.7 Trillion to the wealthy! 

Trump sickens 130 Secret Service: his rallies made people sick—too close, few masks

Seat-belt wearing law saves lives: masks save lives and personal freedom to live!

Medicare Part B premium $148.50 up 2.7%; taking some of the SS benefit rise of 1.3%.

 

After gov pays to develop vaccines, we will personally pay up to $250 per dose

Trump considers starting war with Iran: nuclear danger 12 times the ‘15 Obama deal.

Trump hurries to sell Alaska Wildlife Refuge to friends: bull(y) in china shop

 

Trump’s lawyer says it’s a “national conspiracy” by states: 80 million fake votes?

Will Trump shutdown government in final revenge act on Americans? Revenge

Trump country ND leads the world in deaths: 1 in ever 1000 dead: real not hoax

 

 

SCAMS/SPINS:

Trump installs his donors to run military: ‘It’s ‘The Twilight Zone,’’ the official said. Trump installs his meteorologist who says “carbon dioxide in atmosphere is good thing.”

Could Trump give up our gov secrets to foreign powers to cancel his debts?

 

Power of ideology/money to change us: Trump’s lawyer Jenna Ellis: ‘idiot’ to POTUS

Trumpism: ‘They know it’s real and they don’t care.’ ‘People are not being cautious at all.’

“If someone can choose abortion and end human life, then I can choose to wear a mask or not.”

 

Could Don Trump replace Alex Trebek on Jeopardy: learning the truth 1 question at a time?

 

GOP: No masks; more deaths proved ‘correct’ strategy for winning IA, WI, ND, MT locals

Emergency nurse: patients deny virus that kills them, still: drank the Kool-Aide

Medical leaders to Trump: work with Biden or “more people may die”: blood on hands

 

Voter fraud ‘proofs’ being faked to mislead us: GOP states have reported no fraud

Trump fires voter fraud watchdog for doing his job: https://www.cisa.gov/rumorcontrol

Trump lawyers giving up voter fraud suits: Giuliani, not practice in years, is it! $20K/day

Graham pressured GA official: find ways to exclude ballots from count. GOP fraud

Judge to Trump: “You are not entitled to manufacture your own law”

 

Lobbyists infiltrate Biden government early. Former gov employees rotate in/out.

Conservative lawyer hired as Biden WH Counsel: protection from GOP critics?

 

Catholic officials sexually abuse children: why are they exempt from jail? Citizens jailed

Pope cop out: “who am I to judge” McCarrick & officials who hurt little children for life

Boy Scouts face at least 88,500 claims of sexual abuse: Institutions hide bad guys

UCLA sex abuse of students in clinic hidden by officials: $73 million; no jail

President accused of rape; 25 sexual assault; Biden: “no indictments”; no jail; pay offs?

 

Does Hate Sell? Facebook caught NOT removing anti-Harris posts by hate groups

Scam: $1,000 payments for bogus covid clinical studies: “help scientists; make cash”

Debt collector Afni caught giving bad info to credit bureaus; fail correct bad data; dispute

 

Joseph Ashton United Auto Workers caught kickbacks on union watches jail postponed

PIMCO exec CA caught sex discrimination bias in pay promotions report-retaliation

 

Some advisors see gold in them there oil fields: Oil funds down 35%; Energy funds a bargain?

Keith Ashley TX caught stealing $750,000 Ponzi then killed client: B-D terminated him Oct 20

Wells John Stumpf-Carrie Tolstedt caught misleading re: mass "cross sell" unauthorized accounts

 

James Booth caught defrauding clients $5 million Ponzi promised high returns; jail 4 yrs

Five investment firm caught selling unsuitable exchange-traded funds linked to market volatility

Matthew Piercey CA caught misleading investors multiple schemes, fraud, Ponzi, steal $35 mil

 

Amazon recalling 350,000 Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Generation) starts fires 

NRA caught misleading members on criminal defense insurance; keeping some premium

Movie theaters eclipsed: Warner Bros releases Wonder Woman to HBO same day: 12/25

 

Covid cures/treatment bracelets, drugs, fitness class, ozone, stem cell, lights, injections SCAMS

 

GM recalling 68,677 Bolt electric cars worldwide that pose a fire risk: full charge fire

Ford recalling 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs to replace the driveshaft

Ford recalling 15,587 2014-16 Ford Edge, Explorer, Taurus tranny fails

Car prices shown on Carfax do not include dealer “fees”: “great value” may not be.

 

Lawsuit Trump has doomed us to hell is thrown out: “misleading people, deceiving them to sin”

 

Scam vid seen by thousands was joke: voter official destroying a ballot for Trump faked.

10 internet scam techniques: “just exit screen” don’t click on anything or else

737 Max: Same guys who approved the first time approve it again: none have flown in it

 

IRS: Easy Steps to Protect Your Computer and Phone and Avoid Phishing Emails.

 

Is it a scam?  Check AARP scamline 877.908.3360.

 

Check IRS: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-part-1-taxpayers-should-be-on-the-lookout-for-these-scams

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-part-2-thieves-work-all-year-to-scam-taxpayers

Check Social Security: https://blog.ssa.gov/

Safeguard data: ConsumerReports help: https://securityplanner.consumerreports.org/

 

Jobs

Florida passes $15 minimum wage—but you have to wait: 2026 in fight for fair wages. 

Most unemployed can find a health plan for $10 a month or less on HealthCare.gov.

Get ready for unusual tax year: steps-to-take-now-to-get-a-jump-on-next-years-taxes

 

Women financial advisors: women with money prefer working with women advisors

 

Who owns your account now?

Bank America Merrill Lynch advisors now offer Vanguard, American funds to customers

Top Medicare Advantage plans: JD Power customer satisfaction rating: Highmark,Kaiser

Amazon pharmacy: Most insurance accepted; Prime buy generic or brand discounted.

 

IRS offers extra time to delay paying taxes: help-those-financially-affected-by-covid-19

First Time Penalty Abatement: you may qualify for relief from penalties

Refinance VA loan with special rates: still pay bank fees, closing costs

 

Miracles:

Turkish immigrants made vaccine Pfizer is making to help us get past virus: Scientists!

North/South Dakota leading the nation in new cases: GOP resists mask mandates 250K

Our immune system works if we let it grow: antibiotics early in life hurts later life health

Covid vaccine 95% effective but how long are we protected from getting Covid again ???

 

30 min Covid-19 self-testing kit $50 at-home diagnosis: accuracy 94%: costs vary.

Experience really foul smells of 16^th century people who never bathed, relieved in street

Make diamonds in minutes: finally you don’t have to wait for that big ring.

 

We can apply for Medicare online: https://blog.ssa.gov/apply-for-medicare-online

We can apply for Social Security online: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/

We can apply for health care online: https://www.healthcare.gov/

 

 

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ   07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alerts available at http://dankeppel.blogspot.com/