The Real Reason Big Macs Are Cheaper Than More Nutritious Alternatives | Food | AlterNet: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"
"In this chapter of that larger tragicomedy, lawmakers whose campaigns are underwritten by agribusinesses have used billions of taxpayer dollars to subsidize those agribusinesses' specific commodities (corn, soybeans, wheat, etc.) that are the key ingredients of unhealthy food. Not surprisingly, the subsidies have manufactured a price inequality that helps junk food undersell nutritious-but-unsubsidized foodstuffs like fruits and vegetables. The end result is that recession-battered consumers are increasingly forced by economic circumstance to "choose" the lower-priced junk food that their taxes support."
Yes, I go in the store to buy an apple and it is more expensive than the bag of chips but I still buy the apple and suffer later when I am hungry again--but that is just how I am.#weneedhealthyfoodsubsidies
*that is why we buy big macs--fewer hunger pains
Friday, July 22, 2011
Koch Brothers, ALEC and Their Corporate Allies Plan to Privatize Government | Truthout
Koch Brothers, ALEC and Their Corporate Allies Plan to Privatize Government | Truthout: "Florida State Representative Chris Dorworth (R-Lake Mary) introduced HB 1021. The bill sought to curtail the political power of unions by prohibiting public employers from deducting any amount from an employee’s pay for use by an employee organization (i.e., union dues) or for any political activity (i.e., the portion of union dues used for lobbying or for supporting candidates for office).
Furthermore, HB 1021 stated that, should a union seek to use any portion of dues independently collected from members for political activity, the union must obtain annual written authorization from each member.
In effect, this bill defunds public-sector unions—like AFSCME, SEIU, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association—by making the collection of member dues an onerous, costly task. With public-sector unions denatured, they would no longer be able to stand in the way of radical free marketeers who plan to profit from the privatization of public services.
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Furthermore, HB 1021 stated that, should a union seek to use any portion of dues independently collected from members for political activity, the union must obtain annual written authorization from each member.
In effect, this bill defunds public-sector unions—like AFSCME, SEIU, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association—by making the collection of member dues an onerous, costly task. With public-sector unions denatured, they would no longer be able to stand in the way of radical free marketeers who plan to profit from the privatization of public services.
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Thursday, July 21, 2011
We the People Should Pay Closer Attnetion: Say "NO" to Tax Cuts! - Associated Content from Yahoo! - associatedcontent.com
Say "NO" to Tax Cuts! - Associated Content from Yahoo! - associatedcontent.com: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"
"Paul O'Neill, Treasury Secretary, opposed the 2003 Tax Relief Act on the grounds that they would:
-fail as a growth stimulus
-increase inequality
-worsen the budget outlook considerably
The combined effect of the three tax cuts proved to have a substantial net negative impact on revenues according to the Economic Policy Institute. At least 450 economists took out an ad in the New York Times in February 2003 asserting that the Bush tax plan was not the answer to our sluggish economy."
"Paul O'Neill, Treasury Secretary, opposed the 2003 Tax Relief Act on the grounds that they would:
-fail as a growth stimulus
-increase inequality
-worsen the budget outlook considerably
The combined effect of the three tax cuts proved to have a substantial net negative impact on revenues according to the Economic Policy Institute. At least 450 economists took out an ad in the New York Times in February 2003 asserting that the Bush tax plan was not the answer to our sluggish economy."
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Bringing Healthy, Affordable Food to Underserved Communities | The White House
Bringing Healthy, Affordable Food to Underserved Communities | The White House: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"
Thank You First Lady, Michelle Obama! I wish that somehow, qualified individuals from the food desert communities could be pulled to start these farmer's markets and fresh food oasis. Long-established black churches can offer recommendations from their trustee boards for youngish people to have stores where they live and raise families above the stores, if necessary or become off-site owners. That way, new wealth could be created in the communities they serve and those dollars can circulate in the community.
Those loans can be SBA/government-backed for a short period until profitability could be established. Local food suppliers, churches and the community would profit. It could even lead to new food suppliers establishing themselves and thus widen the economic chain. Those employers would employ people from the communities they serve. From the establishment of this economic circle, other retailers would enter the communities and those communities would flourish and become more autonomous. Just a thought.
Thank You First Lady, Michelle Obama! I wish that somehow, qualified individuals from the food desert communities could be pulled to start these farmer's markets and fresh food oasis. Long-established black churches can offer recommendations from their trustee boards for youngish people to have stores where they live and raise families above the stores, if necessary or become off-site owners. That way, new wealth could be created in the communities they serve and those dollars can circulate in the community.
Those loans can be SBA/government-backed for a short period until profitability could be established. Local food suppliers, churches and the community would profit. It could even lead to new food suppliers establishing themselves and thus widen the economic chain. Those employers would employ people from the communities they serve. From the establishment of this economic circle, other retailers would enter the communities and those communities would flourish and become more autonomous. Just a thought.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Internet Communications Firm Owners Plead Guilty to Employment Tax Fraud and Failure to Pay Tax
Internet Communications Firm Owners Plead Guilty to Employment Tax Fraud and Failure to Pay Tax: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"
Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, July 15, 2011
Internet Communications Firm Owners Plead Guilty to Employment Tax Fraud and Failure to Pay Tax
WASHINGTON – Frank G. Bivings and Isabelle Blanco of Washington, D.C., husband and wife and co-owners of The Bivings Group Inc., pleaded guilty today to charges stemming from the failure to pay more than $2 million in employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The guilty plea took place in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Bivings pleaded guilty to one count of failure to pay over employment taxes. Blanco pleaded guilty to one count of failure to pay a tax. Sentencing for both defendants is scheduled for Oct. 20, 2011.
The Bivings Group was a full-service Internet communications business. In pleading guilty, Bivings and Blanco both admitted that between Jan. 1, 2002, and June 30, 2008, The Bivings Group failed to pay over to the IRS a total of $2,420,927 in employment taxes, which includes withholding and Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes. Of this amount, $1,813,488 represented the money that was withheld from employees for taxes but that was not paid over to the IRS. The department said that, instead of paying these payroll taxes to the IRS, the defendants used the funds to pay themselves substantial salaries and withdrew additional corporate funds for other expenses.
Bivings faces a maximum of five years in prison, and Blanco faces a maximum of one year in prison. The parties agreed, however, that the calculation under the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines for each defendant is 30 to 37 months in prison. Both defendants also agreed to pay $2,420,927 in restitution.
In announcing today’s guilty plea, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General John A. DiCicco, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., of the District of Columbia and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeannine A. Hammett commended the investigatory work of IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent Michael Helgesen. They also praised the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan B. Menzer and Tax Division Trial Attorney Tino Lisella, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Tax Division
Buy the book! Buy the book Eighteen Months and Short Stories, Real Life today!
Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, July 15, 2011
Internet Communications Firm Owners Plead Guilty to Employment Tax Fraud and Failure to Pay Tax
WASHINGTON – Frank G. Bivings and Isabelle Blanco of Washington, D.C., husband and wife and co-owners of The Bivings Group Inc., pleaded guilty today to charges stemming from the failure to pay more than $2 million in employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The guilty plea took place in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Bivings pleaded guilty to one count of failure to pay over employment taxes. Blanco pleaded guilty to one count of failure to pay a tax. Sentencing for both defendants is scheduled for Oct. 20, 2011.
The Bivings Group was a full-service Internet communications business. In pleading guilty, Bivings and Blanco both admitted that between Jan. 1, 2002, and June 30, 2008, The Bivings Group failed to pay over to the IRS a total of $2,420,927 in employment taxes, which includes withholding and Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes. Of this amount, $1,813,488 represented the money that was withheld from employees for taxes but that was not paid over to the IRS. The department said that, instead of paying these payroll taxes to the IRS, the defendants used the funds to pay themselves substantial salaries and withdrew additional corporate funds for other expenses.
Bivings faces a maximum of five years in prison, and Blanco faces a maximum of one year in prison. The parties agreed, however, that the calculation under the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines for each defendant is 30 to 37 months in prison. Both defendants also agreed to pay $2,420,927 in restitution.
In announcing today’s guilty plea, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General John A. DiCicco, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., of the District of Columbia and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeannine A. Hammett commended the investigatory work of IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent Michael Helgesen. They also praised the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan B. Menzer and Tax Division Trial Attorney Tino Lisella, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Tax Division
Buy the book! Buy the book Eighteen Months and Short Stories, Real Life today!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Indi Filmmaker Jason E. (Six-Nine) Barnes seeks backers for "shocking" new film
UNREPORTED : Feature Film -- IndieGoGo: "- Sent using Google Toolbar" Check out the trailer Unreported, a shocking new film by indi film producer, Jason E. Barnes. Go to the links below to find out about Justin Lake's terrible secrets.
Filmmaker, producer and Washington, D.C. native, Jason E. Barnes is sizzling hot. His newest film, "Unreported," has a twist: male rape.
The film is in pre-production and Barnes is seeking to raise funds for the project.
When asked, Barnes said he chose the subject matter of the film because it happens more frequently that anyone will admit.
"This film delves into the after effects of the attack and really shows the breakdown that men feel when their manhood is threatened. Thousands of men are raped every year and very few (less than 5%) ever report it because they are fearful of being thought gay, less of a man, weak, etcetera but it still happens. More and more, men are targeted for just that reason," Barnes said.
Pressed further, films like "Deliverance," "Pulp Fiction" and "Brokeback Mountain," come to mind as they involve male rape or sodomy themes and scenes. Barnes insists his film is different.
"(With) Pulp fiction--it was only a small portion of the film. Brokeback Mountain was more of a gay love story."Unreported" is tapping into a topic that people will feel on a visceral level. No one up until now had made a script to explore this area of our lives. People will want to see it and it will get them communicating more," Barnes said. No word on whether or not the R-rated film will contain a male rape scene.
Barnes, who has been living in Los Angeles for a while, said the film tracks the psychological and physical breakdown of lead character, Justin Lake as his life is torn apart by the bad decisions he makes in the aftermath of his brutal attack--in an attempt to hide it.
Barnes said his will be the first feature film that deals realistically with the devastating impact of male rape outside of a prison setting.
--Leslie Jones McCloud
Filmmaker, producer and Washington, D.C. native, Jason E. Barnes is sizzling hot. His newest film, "Unreported," has a twist: male rape.
The film is in pre-production and Barnes is seeking to raise funds for the project.
When asked, Barnes said he chose the subject matter of the film because it happens more frequently that anyone will admit.
"This film delves into the after effects of the attack and really shows the breakdown that men feel when their manhood is threatened. Thousands of men are raped every year and very few (less than 5%) ever report it because they are fearful of being thought gay, less of a man, weak, etcetera but it still happens. More and more, men are targeted for just that reason," Barnes said.
Pressed further, films like "Deliverance," "Pulp Fiction" and "Brokeback Mountain," come to mind as they involve male rape or sodomy themes and scenes. Barnes insists his film is different.
"(With) Pulp fiction--it was only a small portion of the film. Brokeback Mountain was more of a gay love story."Unreported" is tapping into a topic that people will feel on a visceral level. No one up until now had made a script to explore this area of our lives. People will want to see it and it will get them communicating more," Barnes said. No word on whether or not the R-rated film will contain a male rape scene.
Barnes, who has been living in Los Angeles for a while, said the film tracks the psychological and physical breakdown of lead character, Justin Lake as his life is torn apart by the bad decisions he makes in the aftermath of his brutal attack--in an attempt to hide it.
Barnes said his will be the first feature film that deals realistically with the devastating impact of male rape outside of a prison setting.
--Leslie Jones McCloud
smaller-raises-for-seniors-smartmoney: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance
smaller-raises-for-seniors-smartmoney: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance: "Of course, lower benefits are part of the point. Using the slower-rising index is being billed by many including President Barack Obama's fiscal responsibility commission and the Bipartisan Policy Center -- as a way to generate much-needed savings to help deal with the country's mounting debt crisis. In fact, the savings could amount to an estimated $112 billion over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. 'This is a start in helping us fix Social Security,' says David John, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation.
But critics say the new proposal only makes a bad system worse. The current measurement of inflation is supposed to account for the spending habits of adults of all ages, including only a small proportion of retirees. That doesn't reflect the true inflation seniors face, says Moshe A. Milevsky, a finance professor at York University in Toronto. For example, many older people spend a large share of their budgets on items like health care, whose prices have risen about twice as fast as overall prices, according to a 2010 paper published by the Congressional Research Service.
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But critics say the new proposal only makes a bad system worse. The current measurement of inflation is supposed to account for the spending habits of adults of all ages, including only a small proportion of retirees. That doesn't reflect the true inflation seniors face, says Moshe A. Milevsky, a finance professor at York University in Toronto. For example, many older people spend a large share of their budgets on items like health care, whose prices have risen about twice as fast as overall prices, according to a 2010 paper published by the Congressional Research Service.
- Sent using Google Toolbar"
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