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Major Fraud Investigation Section detectives have been examining the records of the Cancer and Bowel Research Association after being alerted to certain aspects of its financial operations. The revelation comes just a fortnight after detectives ...

Police investigate top SA cancer charity - Adelaide Now

Koch, a turnaround whiz who tackled Kmart's financial mess during the Troy retailer's bankruptcy, will become chief executive of Old GM. His job: dispose of 50 surplus GM properties and wrangle with bondholders, product liability lawyers and others ...

Restructuring chief poised to kill Old GM - Detroit Free Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Multimillion-dollar downpayments on racetrack slots proposed by Gov. Ted Strickland are at risk if Ohio voters approve a competing casino plan in November, the chief executive of a major racing company said Friday. MTR Gaming ...

Ohio casinos could mean less money for state - Herald-Dispatch

G. Stephens Inc., a construction and project management firm headquartered in Akron, promoted Marki Johnson to vice president of operations. Johnson will direct all operations out of the Northern Ohio offices, which include Akron, Cleveland and ...

Business moves - Akron Beacon Journal

James Turney has joined CDS Associates in Blue Ash and Florence as director of architecture. Mike Parker has been named company trainer at Huff Realty in Fort Mitchell. Joining thesales team are: Kevin Englehart and Kraig Kunkemoeller, Hyde Park ...

Business people and places - Cincinnati.com

The drills being used at Champlain College's Perry Hall will bore three holes 6 to 8 inches in diameter deep beneath the 2.3-acre lot, down 2,000 feet, through several layers of sedimentary rock. These wells then will become the energy source to heat ...

For college, pure energy 2,000 feet deep - Burlington Free Press

After moving to the U.S. 10 years ago, Juana Carabarin still wanted to cook Mexican food for her family but often didn't have time to go to specialty shops for the ingredients. Now the Publix grocery in Norcross, Ga., near her home carries products ...

Grocers, wholesalers seek to attract Latinos - Courier-Post

Publicly traded companies are offered corporate financing solutions and shareholder services from SmallCapVoice.com. SmallCapVoice is currently the Featured Company on WallStreetNewsHour.com. As a recognized corporate consulting firm known for its ...

Investment Services for Small Cap Stock Companies Provided by ... - Transworld News

The head of the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce makes a larger salary than Pensacola's city manager, the Escambia County administrator, and the chiefs of chambers of commerce in peer cities in Florida. Evon Emerson, president and CEO of the ...

Chamber salaries worth it? - Pensacola News Journal

ExonHit Therapeutics (Paris:ALEHT) today announced that Philippe Rousseau, Chief Financial Officer, is leaving the Company. PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 26, 2009 - Loïc Maurel, President of ExonHit's Management Board, will take over the Company's ...

Questions others have asked about Financial Consulting Companies

Voting Question: Can I claim for constructive dismissal after taking voluntary redundancy as I was pushed into taking it?

I have worked for my previous company for 3 years and last November, the Director mentioned making me a Director in the future. I worked really hard from then until May. The Company was struggling with Cashflow issues, but I did my job and much more - going back to helping to get the money in etc as the accounts person wasn't that experienced. The Director told me and many others that he was going to make the Administrator redundant. I had administration and accounts experience so I said that I would do this job and my own which was the project coordination. Then a chap came into the office that had previously worked for my boss on a self employed basis. He wanted to come and work for the company. However, my boss did not have the cashflow to take him on and told me this. The next thing was that this chap had offered to come and work for him for nothing. I was told that I would have to work under this chap and like it or lump it basically! I told my boss that I would very happily work under him, but wanted my job description. I had been asking for this for quite a while as I had been totally demeaned at work by the administrator. I had overheard her putting me down and she put me down alot on the phone to people calling me one of the girls in the office. I told my boss this and he had done nothing. Unfortunately I did not put it in writing at the time as did not want to cause trouble. Anyway at the end of a long story, after I had asked for my job description, the next day I received a voluntary redundancy letter on my desk. The administrator also got one, but the part-time administrator did not. I was extremely hurt and upset. He had not consulted with me or warned me that I would be getting this at all. The next day I had a meeting with him and accepted voluntary redunandcy. He has since admitted to someone that this was the hardest thing he had had to do and that I had made things very difficult for him over the past couple of weeks and the atmosphere had been awful! The chap who offered to work for free is now basically doing my job. I obviously do not know if he is getting paid for it, but I suspect he is or will be very soon. This happened about 5 weeks ago now and I still very upset and that I have been extremely unfairly treated, although I am lucky that I have a new job in a nice atmosphere! Is there anything I can do to take it further? I do not necessarily want financial compensation, I just want an apology for being so unfairly treated. more

Resolved Question: Please, what do you think about my cover letter?

Dear Ms. Schmidt: I am student of Business Administration and Economics at University of Frankfurt in Germany, and I am writing to express my interest in obtaining a summer internship position with Microsoft. I would enjoy the opportunity to work with a global company such as Microsoft ,and to be a part of your management team. My qualifications are based on a combination of my education, international experience, analytical and teamwork abilities. My strongest qualification comes from having spent more than five years studying in Germany while also building global skills and gaining valuable experience through completing international internships in South Africa and Italy. I previously worked for one year as office assistant at E.C. Electrical Contractors, Johannesburg, South Africa. My recent successful work at ITB-Institute of Technology and Education, my unique mix of prior work experience as junior consultant at Balance Technology Consulting and as an assistant financial controller at Delmod International, further demonstrate my professional skills. My enclosed resume provides additional details about my background and qualifications. I speak French as my mother tongue and my German, Spain and English skills are fluent. Additionally, I have improved my Italian skills during my internship in Verona, Italy. Furthermore, I bring to the table advanced computer skills in MS Office, and programming languages including Java, JavaScript, HTML, and XML. I have made a career commitment to international management. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss a future with your firm. If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. Best regards from Germany, Samauel Kinsman Thank you Minta and Harry for your remarks! Are there another grammer mistakes or maybe not clearly words? Once again thank you for your helps! more

Resolved Question: Business Idea - feedback needed?

I currently work for a financial services company as a Compliance principal. I'd like to eventually start my own business, along the lines of consulting. My Question is: If there were a INDEPENDENT (not associated with any financial firm) business who provided non biased services with the intention of protecting individuals & families from being taken advantage of by the financial service reps, would that be something you would pay for? I would meet with clients and review their financial information, looking for any "unsuitable" investments or recommendations. I was thinking this could be particularly beneficial/helpful for the elderly, who unfortunately, are often the ones who get take advantage of the most. Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks. more

Voting Question: Should I stop paying my mortgage?

I have a house that I owe more on than it is worth, I have been paying the mortgage on time, and have had it for sale for 9 mos, dropping the price by over 50K, if I lower any more I will be in the red. I have also contacted my mortgage co for assistance 9 mo ago, filled out their hardship forms for assistance and financial disclosure as asked. When I call them to follow up they say they will get back to me, that they are swamped, - but never do. I can now no longer afford the mortgage. I also do not live in the house anymore - I feel like the only way to get their attn is to stop paying. This is very frustrating since all the advice I see online says to consult with your mortgage company. The company is PHH mortgage. more

Resolved Question: Starting a Tech Consulting Business... I think?

So, I am recently in a position where my full time contract is not being renewed due to financial hardship on the part of the company. They wish to go with an outside and less expensive option. Now, to make a long story short, I wish to be that option. I know the system, and the people, and I know how to run anything they need run because I built it. My question I guess is what is the going rate for offsite network administration, and onsite on-call patch ups and installs. I know this is a regional thing, So Cal USA is where I am at. Where should I look, how does one even quantify the kind of services in question? (Networking, Linux, Windows, Mac and a variety of handheld systems, printers, phone systems, things what run on electricy in general) more

Voting Question: What are your suggestions to make a resume shines when you have an unstable work history?

I had 8 jobs over the last 10 years. I can justify all terminations and have excellent references: 4 of them were term or consulting positions, one of the job has been terminated as the company went out of business,one where I have been fired by an abusive boss (I sued the company and won my case easily as they were bad mouthing me and terminated my position for no legitimate reasons to support it), one that I resigned as security and health measures were really deficient and my actual job where I'm now only working part-time as the company has financial problems and the employer is ready to provide very good references. I had 8 interviews over the last 3 weeks and they all turned me down for my "unstable work history". Among them, there were some term-work agencies. So, I wonder if there are any solutions to improve my image and secure a stable position? more

Resolved Question: help! Please proofread my paper!?

In the case “A Problem at the Housing Authority,” the author is introduced to several t-junctions in his new position as Executive Director of a County Housing Authority. The critical t-junctions involve a ring of corruption taking place amongst appointed government officials, and negligence and the misappropriation of state and federal dollars. Because the circumstances do not easily outweigh the individual’s response, the appointee is not sure how to respond. I believe that leaking is possibly is the best response to corruption encountered by the appointee. I would likely move out of the city, whistle blow, and then submit a resignation letter. This case study attempts to highlight the critical t-junctions while explaining why leaking would be the best solution to the aforementioned dilemma. Comparisons are created using “George Shultz and the Iran-Contra Affair” and “Agent Rowley Blows the Whistle” to illuminate each concept. The prospects of power are charming and seductive while its realities are often hidden by those who wish to maintain it. The first t-junction provides a clear example: here the author is appointed by a board of directors who are made up of financial contributors to the state governor's election campaign. This obviously represents a serious conflict in interest on the part of the governor and the appointed board members. The second t-junction makes clear that the board members, particularly the chairman of the board knowingly engaged in corrupt behavior. The third t-junction occurs when the author discovers that the board secures negotiations with a realty company owned by the chairmans cousins, and the fourth t-junction occurs when the appointee discovers his predecessor was the former campaign manager for the sitting governor. By this t-junction the appointee had an opportunity to distance himself from the corruption by explicitly rejecting such behavior but did not do so out of fear of his own safety. Each t-junction helped to explain a host of additional corruptions (t-junctions) taking place including: the hiring of a resident to monitor the appointee's home; the chairman of the board unsuccessful attempt to sale the appointee a house at an obscenely low price, and the overall negligence taking place within the organization (the organization was on the verge of bankruptcy when the author was originally appointed). The seductive and charming aspects of power led the author to accept a position before doing his homework. This led him to a world of politics characterized by corruption, negligence and nepotism. My opinion is that that the appointee made a wise decision by consulting with a lawyer and considering all of his options, including the risk of personal social, and professional endangerment. Based on the options discussed with the attorney, Leaking appears to be the appointee's best option. Walking away would have forced the appointee to compromise his moral values and whist blowing could compromise his safety and future career in politics. In the beginning of the text the appointee makes clear that confrontation is not his style, and discussion may not have been a considerable option since he did not know which board members were involved. Leaking is clearly the best option here. The chairman already knew that the appointee was aware of the various scandals taking place. The appointee had the option of sending anonymous letters to local and state representatives revealing his findings. The appointee also had the option to meet personally with an elected official who could champion the matter which may have led him into the clear. His safest option would be to find a different place to work in order to safe guard his personal safety. It is important that the appointee stay true to himself by maintaining his prior level of integrity. The author must be careful to not allow his circumstances to champion his personal credibility. Agent Rowly and George Slutz blew the whistle for different reason. Rowley blew the whistle to bring attention to deficiencies with the FBI while Slutz made public statements in order to disassociate himself from the Iran-Contra affair. While it is true that Rowley and Slutz each had over 15 years of experience in their perspective fields, each found a way to maintain their level of individual responsibility. The appointee must find a creative solution for maintaining his individual level of responsibility. He must understand, most importantly, that there are no definitive solutions. He must be prepared to win and lose no matter what the results may be. I have a series of essay questions so i need all the help i can get. If there is a website where i can have my papers proofread, please let me know! Leaking is anonoumosly reporting info. to the media. whistle blowing is reporting to a higher official/ may also be seen as tattle telling. more

Resolved Question: Help! Please help me proofread my paper!?

Resolved Question: Will this affect our i-485 approval?

My husband in 2005 got paid only part of his salary (20000 USD) bcoz his employer was facing financial problems. He was still working full time in 2005. He joined a new company in DEc 2005. The old employer paid him back in full for past work in 2006. We have applied for our i-485 in July 2008. This month we got an RFE for W2 from his last entry which is March 2005 and also current employment letter. He is working with the same company since 2006 and it is a big company with the salary not being an issue any more. Could this low wages on 2005 W2 be an issue. btw, he is from India and his old company was not some consulting firm exploiting people but it was genuinely facing hardships and they also did pay him back. Is he considered out of status if his salary was lower than the prevailing wage??? He is still currently employed with the same new company that filled for Green card. Thank you for taking time to read this post, would appreciate your help on this query. more

Resolved Question: Are CEO's just not down with the mainstream American?

By VINNEE TONG, AP Business Writer Vinnee Tong, Ap Business Writer – Fri May 1, 12:07 am ET NEW YORK – U.S. companies remain generous with the perks they give to CEOs, including some that are unfathomable to the average American worker: chauffeured cars, bodyguards, club memberships and free travel in company jets. The median value of these and similar perks rose nearly 7 percent in 2008, according to an Associated Press analysis of regulatory filings from 309 companies in the Standard & Poor's 500. The increase came even as overall CEO compensation fell 7 percent to $7.6 million. Perks rose despite a public backlash against such benefits, which many investors and lawmakers deem excessive. They argue well-paid executives should cover the costs of life insurance, charitable donations and financial planning themselves, especially as companies struggle with falling profits, slumping stock prices and massive job cuts. Even some compensation consultants are saying enough is enough. "Those are things the average person, the average Joe, doesn't have, so we're saying, don't give them perks," said Paul Dorf, a managing director at pay consultant Compensation Resources Inc. But plenty of companies are keeping the spigots open. Occidental Petroleum CEO Ray Irani, for example, received $400,000 worth of financial planning, part of a $30 million pay package in 2008. To put it another way, that $400,000 in financial planning is more than the total annual household income of the vast majority of Americans. Occidental spokesman Richard Kline said the comprehensive financial planning helps Irani to "keep his complete attention on the company's business." The median value of perks — which is the midpoint at which half of the executives received more and half less — was $170,501 in 2008, up from $159,586 the year before. Only three CEOs in the AP survey received no perks in 2008. And perks made up a bigger percentage of total compensation, rising to 2.25 percent in 2008, up slightly from 1.95 percent, the AP's analysis found. The biggest earner of perks in 2008 was Johnson & Johnson CEO William Weldon. His perks package was worth $3.9 million, about 16 percent of his $23 million in overall compensation. Included in his perks package was a $3.6 million payment to a retirement plan, about $154,000 in personal flights on the company jet and about $26,000 for a car and driver. Only one CEO saw his entire compensation paid in perks in 2008: Richard Fairbank of Capital One Financial Corp. ($68,344). He received a car allowance, insurance, health care and home security. Some companies went beyond that. Cablevision Systems Corp. offered top executives free cable TV, free high-speed Internet service and use of the company travel department to book personal travel. Defense company Halliburton Co., meanwhile, has two separate programs to match charitable donations and yet another that boosts political giving. Fort Worth, Texas-based XTO Energy gave $3.4 million to Baylor University to help build a new sports complex. It was the second installment of a total $6.8 million pledge made in 2007 to supplement now retired CEO Bob Simpson's own $3.2 million donation to his alma mater. XTO's generosity extended to an unnamed school that Simpson's children attend. It got a $775,000 donation in 2008, the fourth installment of a $3.1 million gift. A company spokesman did not return a call for comment. On the other hand, some companies are increasingly using so-called perk allowances, basically cash that executives can dip into at their liking for the perks they want. For example, Tyco International CEO Edward Breen was given a $70,000 cash perk in 2008 while Reynolds American Inc. CEO Susan Ivey got $29,000 in cash to replace an old executive perks program. While plenty of companies were still willing to dole out generous perks, compensation advisers say there has been a slight pullback in certain benefits that seem to incite the most public outrage. Ira Kay, director of compensation consulting for Watson Wyatt, called perks a major "irritant" to shareholders. Some companies are changing their perks policies. Verizon Communications Inc. will no longer offer free jet travel to CEOs once they have retired, starting with its current chief executive. Past CEOs can still fly for free. "Companies are looking for stuff that isn't central to their pay programs," said David Swinford, chief executive of the compensation consulting firm Pearl Meyer & Partners. "Optics are very critical right now." more

Resolved Question: Will General Electric subsidaries NBC, CNBC, and MSNBC ever report anything negative about Obama?

General Electric Corporation owns a wide variety of businesses. The company produces -- take a deep breath -- aircraft engines, locomotives and other transportation equipment, kitchen and laundry appliances, lighting, electric distribution and control equipment, generators and turbines, and medical imaging equipment. GE is also one of the preeminent financial services companies in the US. General Electric Capital, comprising commercial finance, consumer finance, aircraft leasing, real estate, and energy financial services, is its largest segment. Other operations include the NBC television network. One of General Electric's largest divisions, GE Energy serves utility, industrial, and governmental customers worldwide, supplying products such as compressors, wind turbines, generators, and nuclear reactors. It also provides equipment that supports oil and gas distribution, and services ranging from consulting and field engineering to environmental monitoring and product lifecycle management. The General Electric CEO is openly a Obama supporter and he wants cap and trade to pass. Why? Not because it is good for the environment, but it is good for General Electric's bottom line. So will these networks ever report anything controversial about Obama? more

Resolved Question: Who really is Barack Obama?

In his autobiography, "Dreams From My Fathers", Barack Obama writes of taking a job at some point after graduating from Columbia University in 1983. He describes his employer as "a consulting house to multinational corporations" in New York City, and his functions as a "research assistant" and "financial writer". The odd part of Obama's story is that he doesn't mention the name of his employer. However, a New York Times story of 2007 identifies the company as business International Corporation. Equally odd is that the Times did not remind its readers that the newspaper itself had disclosed in 1977 that Business International had provided cover for four CIA employees in various countries between 1955 and 1960. The British journal, Lobster Magazine – which, despite its incongruous name, is a venerable international publication on intelligence matters – has reported that business International was active in the 1980s promoting the candidacy of Washington-favored candidates in Australia and Fiji. In 1987, the CIA overthrew the Fiji government after but one month in office because of its policy of maintaining the island as a nuclear-free zone, meaning that American nuclear-powered or nuclear-weapons-carrying ships could not make port calls. After the Fiji coup, the candidate supported by business International, who was much more amenable to Washington's nuclear desires, was reinstated to power – R.S.K. Mara was Prime Minister or President of Fiji from 1970 to 2000, except for the one-month break in 1987. In his book, not only doesn't Obama mention his employer's name; he fails to say when he worked there, or why he left the job. There may well be no significance to these omissions, but inasmuch as business International has a long association with the world of intelligence, covert actions, and attempts to penetrate the radical left – including Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) – it's valid to wonder if the inscrutable Mr. Obama is concealing something about his own association with this world. more

Resolved Question: can you solve these statistics questions?

1. In testing for the equality of variances from two independent populations, if the null hypothesis is false, the test could result in: A. A Type I error B. Either A Type I error or A Type II error C. Neither A Type I error or A Type II error D. A Type II error E. Both A Type I error and A Type II error 2. In testing for the equality of means from two independent populations, if the hypothesis of equal population means is rejected at alpha=.01, it will __________ be rejected at alpha=.05. A. Always B. Sometimes C. Never 3. In order to test the effectiveness of a drug called XZR designed to reduce cholesterol levels, 9 heart patients' cholesterol levels are measured before they are given the drug. The same 9 patients use XZR for two continuous months. After two months of continuous use the 9 patients' cholesterol levels are measured again. The comparison of cholesterol levels before vs. after administering the drug is an example of testing the difference between: A. Two means from independent populations B. Two population variances from independent populations C. Two population proportions D. Matched pairs from two dependent populations 4. A new company is in the process of evaluating its customer service. The company offers two types of sales: 1. Internet sales; 2. Store sales. The marketing research manager believes that the Internet sales are more than 10% higher than store sales. The alternative hypothesis for this problem would be stated as: A. Pinternet-Pstore>0 B. Pinternet-Pstore<0 C. Pinternet-Pstore0 D. Pinternet-Pstore.10 E. Pinternet-Pstore>.10 5. When testing a hypothesis about the mean of a population of paired differences in which two different observations are taken on the same units, the correct test statistic to use is: A. Z B. T C. F D. Chi-square E. None of the above 6. When testing the difference between two population proportions using large independent random samples, __________ test statistic is used. A. Z B. T C. F D. Chi-square E. None of the above 7. A financial analyst working for a financial consulting company wishes to find evidence that the average price-to-earnings ratio in the consumer industry is higher than average price-to-earnings ratio in banking industry. The alternative hypothesis is: A. consumer=banking B. consumerbanking C. consumer>banking D. consumer<banking E. consumer ¹banking 8. If we are testing the difference between the means of two normally distributed independent populations with samples of n1=10, n2=10, the degrees of freedom for the t statistic is ____. A. 19 B. 18 C. 9 D. 8 E. 20 9. Given the following information about a hypothesis test of the difference between two means based on independent random samples, which one of the following is the correct rejection region at a significance level of .05? HA: A>B, 1=12, 2=9, s1=4, s2=2, n1=13, n2=10. A. Reject H0 if Z>1.96 B. Reject H0 if Z>1.645 C. Reject H0 if t>1.721 D. Reject H0 if t>2.08 E. Reject H0 if t>1.782 10. Given the following information about a hypothesis test of the difference between two means based on independent random samples, what is the calculated value of the test statistic? Assume that the samples are obtained from normally distributed populations having equal variances. HA: A>B, 1=12, 2=9, s1=5, s2=3, n1=13, n2=10. A. T=1.674 B. T=1.5 C. T=2.823 D. T=1.96 E. T=1.063 11. Given the following information about a hypothesis test of the difference between two variances based on independent random samples, what is the critical value of the test statistic at a significance level of .05? Assume that the samples are obtained from normally distributed populations. HA: 2A>2B, 1=12, 2=9, s1=5, s2=3, n1=13, n2=10. A. 3.87 B. 3.44 C. 3.07 D. 2.8 E. 2.38 12. When a one-way ANOVA model is converted into a two-way ANOVA model by adding a blocking factor, the value of SSE will ________________ increase. A. Always B. Sometimes C. Never 13. When computing a confidence interval for the difference between two means, the width of the (1-) confidence interval based on Tukey's procedure will be __________ the width of the (1-) individual confidence interval based on t statistic. A. Greater than B. Less than C. Same as D. Sometimes greater than sometimes less than 14. In a completely randomized (one-way) analysis of variance problem with c groups and a total of n observations in all groups, the variance between groups is equal to: A. (Total sum of squares)-(Sum of squares within columns) B. (Sum of squares between columns)/(c-1) C. (Total sum of squares)-[(Sum of squares within columns)/(n-c)] D. [(Total sum of squares)/(n-1)]-[(Sum of squares between columns)/(c-1)] 15. Using the ANOVA procedure for a two factor factorial experiment, with 4 levels of factor 1 and 5 levels of factor 2 and three observations for e okay, perhaps I should elaborate. I have completed this assignment but I am not 100% sure that I have the correct answers. My answers are as follows: 1. A 2. A 3. C 4. D 5. B 6. A 7. B 8. B 9. D 10. A 11. C 12. C 13. A 14. A 15. E 16. D 17. B 18. C 19. E Could you at least tell me which ones I got wrong so I can get back to work on them? more

Resolved Question: Isn't this proof that Obama is a very bad President, probably the worst in American history?

A CRISIS OBAMA WON'T WASTE By DICK MORRIS Published on TheHill.com on April 7, 2009 This economic crisis is too useful for Obama to want it to end. When Rahm Emanuel -- and later Hillary Clinton -- spoke of never letting a good crisis "go to waste," many people were shocked. But now Obama seems to embody the corollary: that the crisis should continue until he has thoroughly milked it to reshape American politics, society and the economy. Like Faust, he seems to wish that this "given moment" will "endure forever." Unlike Faust, however, he will not lose his "life and soul" to such a wish. He'll sacrifice ours instead. First came the "stimulus package." With only about $185 billion of its $800 billion in spending to be spent in 2009, Obama clearly never intended the spending to be about stimulus but wanted the need for a stimulus to trigger the spending he wanted anyway. Then came the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funding, often forced down banks' throats. Now comes word that even as banks want to return the money, the Treasury is making them keep it. One source at a TARP bank reports that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is insisting that banks go through their "stress test" before refunding the TARP money. As Stuart Varney speculates, in The Wall Street Journal, Obama wants the banks to keep the money so he can enforce his regulations on them. Now comes Geithner's plea for extra regulatory powers and Obama's concession to global economic regulation at the G-20 summit. Both moves are game-changers for any major American business. Geithner wants the power to take over any business -- presumably in any field -- whose failure would imperil the national economy. Today it's banks, brokerage houses, car companies and insurance firms. Tomorrow? Who knows? And Obama agreed to agree on international "high standards" for the regulation of all "systemically important" companies to be promulgated by the new global Financial Stability Board (FSB). The United States, occupying one of 20 chairs on the FSB board (21 if we count the EU), will come to a consensus with other central bankers from the G-20 nations on what these regulations should say. Then the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Reserve and the other regulatory arms of the U.S. government will impose them on our economy. (Some have objected that Congress needs to be consulted, but as long as the agreements are "voluntary" and the U.S. agencies are merely "asked" to impose the regulations, no further grant of congressional authority is needed. But, of course, there will be nothing voluntary about the administration's demand that the agencies implement the coming FSB directives, no matter how intrusive they may be.) And, finally, there is Obama's delegation of a total overhaul of the tax code to a commission headed by Paul Volcker with a mandate to report back in December of this year. So with the tax code totally changing, Europe about to formulate regulations for our economy, the U.S. government empowered to take over any large company, the deficit and spending reaching unbelievable levels and the feds insisting on continued control of banks, what businessman in his right mind is going to invest in anything? How could even the most foolish optimist pull the trigger on a business investment without knowing the tax consequences, the regulatory framework and the policy of the banks on lending? But Obama knows all this. He knows that his steps will delay economic recovery. But he wants these changes, not as means to an end, but as the end itself. And he is determined to get them passed and set in stone while the rubric of "crisis" justifies his doing so. He is not unlike a leader who takes his country into war, knowing that by "wagging the dog" he can reinforce his power. But ultimately, does Obama care if he is reelected? Doesn't he know that he needs a good economy to extend his mandate to eight years? Yes, of course he does. But he probably figures that he can turn the economy around as Election Day 2012 draws nearer and reap all the credit then. In the meantime, no good crisis should ever go to waste. IT IS GOING TO BE A MIRACLE IF THE COUNTRY SURVIVES THIS GUY. more

Resolved Question: Why are democrats for limiting excessive CEO compensation, is that the pot calling the kettle black?

WASHINGTON -- Recently released financial records paint a contrasting picture of the Obama administration: a cabinet composed largely of politicians and government employees who have been on the public payroll for years, and a White House staffed with numerous aides who received substantial compensation over the past year from firms that could have a big stake in administration policies. Some of the overpaid people on Obama's team include: Well-paid White House staff include chief economic adviser Lawrence Summers. He earned about $5.2 million from hedge-fund firm D.E. Shaw & Co. in the past year, and received more than $2.7 million in speaking fees from financial firms and other groups. Other White House staff members received generous payments from the private sector, too. National-security adviser James Jones reported $900,000 in salary and bonus from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as well as director fees from a number of corporations, including $330,000 from Boeing Co. and $290,000 from Chevron Corp. His deputy, Tom Donilon, earned $3.9 million as a partner at the law firm O'Melveny & Myers LLP, where his clients included Citigroup Inc., Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Obama fund-raiser and hotel heiress Penny Pritzker. Mr. Donilon was formerly a top official at government-backed mortgage finance company Fannie Mae, which has received large amounts of financial assistance from the U.S. government. Carol Browner, assistant to the president for energy and climate change, disclosed $450,000 in "member distribution" income, plus retirement and other benefits, from The Albright Group, a consulting firm whose principals include former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Ms. Browner's financial disclosure indicates that she has resigned from the firm and will receive a $369,000 payout over three years, based on a longstanding company formula. See the news at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123897383937190973.html more

Resolved Question: That's why your hard earned money was spent?

Financial industry paid millions to Obama aide Summers earned cash last year from firms over which he now has influence Mr. Summers, the director of the National Economic Council, wields important influence over Mr. Obama’s policy decisions for the troubled financial industry, including firms from which he recently received payments. David Axelrod, who was the chief campaign strategist to Mr. Obama and now serves as a senior adviser to the president, reported a salary of $1 million last year from his two consulting firms. Over the next five years, according to his disclosure form, he will get $3 million from the sale of the two firms, which provide media and strategic advice to political clients. He listed assets of about $7 million to $10 million, and reported a long list of Democratic clients and a few corporate concerns, including AT&T and the Exelon Corporation, a nuclear energy company. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30040084/ more

Resolved Question: Why is President Obama consulting those who created the economic crisis?

to find a solution? See this article from Bloomberg today: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aoXhaz0zeNPk&refer=home "Obama is seeking support for his plan to stabilize the financial system and move beyond the furor over bailouts and bonuses. Along with Stumpf, the CEOs he met with included Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase & Co., John Mack of Morgan Stanley, Vikram Pandit of Citigroup Inc. and Lloyd Blankfein of Goldman Sachs Group Inc." Is he tone deaf or what? OR do they all think that we, the people, are so dumb that we will continue to fall for the same rhetoric over and over and over again. How many times are we willing to accept hundreds of billions of public money being given to the banking elite supposedly so that they will "free up credit". It did not work with TARP and it hasn't worked as a result of the TRILLIONS given and "loaned so far". Has it occurred to anyone in the Administration that the reduction in lending just might relate to the economy tanking and as a result fewer companies and people are qualifying for loans? I don't understand why President Obama is comfortable with letting the wolves design the hen house. Why is he letting that happen? Go Sailor. Great spin. I must hand it to you for that answer - distract -distract -distract then close with a brilliant defense of Mr. Obama and the Wall Street criminals. I find it curious that you state you don't ASSUME that you know more than "they" do ... but you do make assumptions about what I know. Remember about "assuming" - ASS-U-ME! I'll take the U-ME - the first part is yours and well earned. Don't kid yourself. There are other choices in advisers available to the President. That he chooses the Wall Street insiders is telling, especially when one considers the 2008 presidential campaign contributions. more

Resolved Question: Do you have suggestions in regards to my financial situation? Please, only serious answers?

Last April, my husband was laid off. He began drinking even more and started arguments over literally nothing. I put his resume on Monster.com, and he got a decent job he likes. His drinking continued, however, and as much as I would ignore him, he would try harder and harder to make me angry to start a fight. After he began his new job, he just decided to cut me off financially - no warning. I don't get a paycheck during the summer, so he knew this was the best time to hurt me. In August, he told me to file for divorce. I suggested a separation, but he insisted on divorce and became so violent I filed the papers. He had terrible credit, due mostly to identity theft that I worked for years to clear up, so all credit cards and loans were in my name alone. I tried to keep up with the payments, which I did for a few months, but it became impossible since my income was now thousands less than it had been. I called my credit card companies before I became delinquent to see if my payments could be lowered, but they said only if I were delinquent would I be eligible for any program. I called Credit Solutions, which ended up being a huge mistake, and cost me $3600 that could have gone towards my bills. I set up payment arrangements with several creditors, but the payments were almost the same as the orignals, and the payment for a line of credit ended up being even higher because they were going to lower the interest rate and shorten the term of the loan. I don't know what to do. I am not able to meet my monthly expenses on my paycheck alone. Once I pay the mortgage, HOA fees, insurance, utilities, etc., my check is gone. I have nothing left over for the rest of the month. My creditors call, and I talk to them about payment arrangements, but their offers are not something I can afford. They continue to call nonstop, even though I have already spoken to them. I even consulted another credit counseling service recommened by a creditor, but the payment would be absolutely impossible. I cannot afford to have lawsuits filed against me and have my wages garnished. My home is worth $40,000 less than what I owe. I had perfect credit until this past fall, when I just couldn't keep up with things on my own. I feel terribly for my daughter. I can't afford her music lessons, the kind of clothes she used to wear, or to take her places like I used to. I can't get child support, since my husband was her step-father. I feel hopeless. I have no clue what to do. Even if I file Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the payment will be not be affordable, from what was figured during an initial consultation. I have been working an extra job, making about $500 extra per month, and had a temporary 3rd job. My second job will be ending in April. During the holidays, I couldn't even get a job at Macy's because I didn't fit the needs of the specific jobs they had available, even with a master's degree. I look and look for extra work. I've sold all I can on ebay and Amazon. If you have any other suggestions, please share. I would greatly appreciate it. I live in California. more

Resolved Question: What's the reason for a man to want to get married?

My girlfriend demands to get married. With the extra-condition to not have a prenuptial agreement. When I look at marriage laws (in my state California) I see that there is community property and alimony. My question is basically why would man ever be motivated to get married under these circumstances? If relationship works, couple loves each other, then with or without marriage they will live for a long time together. If relationship breaks though in case of marriage more wealthy party has to pay up. Up to and including supporting the other party financially for life. So marriage appears to be an insurance of less wealthy party against the breakup. In most cases man is the wealthier party. I don't want to create a corporation that marriage appears to be with my girlfriend. I just want to have a family relationship. I also would like to create my own company in the near future. Now I realize that being married my wife would be a 50% owner and even if we divorce I will have to consult with her or buy 50% out from her. Any way I am looking at marriage it's a dirty business. So what's supposed to motivate me to get married under those conditions? She came from the Asian country which is very conservative, where people just get married no matter what without much financial consequences. I came from the European country where there is a limited community property and no alimony. Now our otherwise very lovely relationship might break just because of this marriage issue. What to do in the case of such disagreement? more

Resolved Question: Can my employer suspend me alone on an incident that took place with several employees?

I work management in retail, a few days ago a deposit went missing between the night prior when closing and the following morning after when I opened. I gave a three page statement to our company on the incident and a pretty strong tip as to who may have taken the money (the closing manager from the night prior who had the financial need and opportunity), however, my company still suspended me and not the closing manager from the night prior. I was suspended for not following company procedure in the morning, or so they say, but I felt it was done in retaliation for my statement to my superior, what can I do? I'm sure I'll eventually get terminated but I think the process is being handled unfairly, who should I consult with? more

Resolved Question: Is there any sites were people do your college assignments for u? Here's the assignment its LAW dunno wat 2 do?

1.Describe your business activities and people involved in your business. What legal structure do similar businesses have? What are the financial and legal risks attached to your business? Write a risk analysis of your business including worse case scenarios and who is liable financially or legally? IN what scenario could criminal or civil actions be taken against any individuals in the company? Work out who in worse case financial and legal scenarios is the most legally exposed person in the business. How could you protect them through the legal structure? 2.What if any are the LICENCE REQUIREMENTS What licence requirements are needed by your company? Name the act and draw a diagram of the licensing process ie Name of Act, sample of licence form printed Filled out with your details and name of licence holder. Who is the named licensee of your company? Give reasons for the decisions of who is the licence holder. Can a limited company be the licence holder or does it have to be an individual? What liability in a worse case scenario be place on the licence holder? (If no licencing requirements all 50% for question 1) Questions 1 & 2 (50%) 3.Give reasons why you would set up a limited company for your Business and give reasons why you will not set up a limited company Give reasons why a limited company, partnership, co-op, franchise or as a sole trader is the most appropriate legal structure for your business. Chose, describe and justify one legal structure over the others. (25%) 4.Draw a chart or diagram of the legal set up of your business. (5%) 5.Search, price and layout in point form how you will set up a limited company or The structure you have chosen for you business eg partnership, Limited partnership sole trader, co-op etc. (10%) Detail how long the process might take, who you would consult and what the most and lest you could pay for the process. more

Resolved Question: Why is Acorn allowed to get away w/so many crimes, and why should the tax payers be forced support their cause?

Now they are breaking into people's homes? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1qTIfHvTCM&eurl=http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=401618924&messageID=6351040487&MyTokeniurl=http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/C1qTIfHvTCM/hqdefault.jpg&feature=player_embedded Why has Congress and Obama approved to give good old fashioned kick-backs to groups like ACORN with $2.2 billion to intimidate banks and businesses into making unprofitable decisions (see From Little ACORNS Big Scandals Grow; http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/015/746zemwq.asp ) Here is a small list of some of their criminal activities. Why did Obama approve to give this org. our tax dollars? voter-registration fraud in 13 states improper use of charitable dollars for political purposes Obama campaign in turn paid an ACORN consulting affiliate, Citizens Services Inc., more than $832,000 for its work in helping Obama beat Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries. procuring thousands of phony and multiple signatures on voter registration lists (one 19-year-old in Cleveland claimed to have been bribed with cash and cigarettes to register 72 times over 18 months) to using taxpayer funds to strong-arm mortgage companies into lending to the un-credit-worthy, helping precipitate the current financial meltdown. more

Voting Question: $5000 Finder Fee offer - what is the best way to make this offer widely known?

I am offering a $5000 Finder’s Fee for connecting me to the hiring manager at my next position! I am a Senior Information Technology Executive with 20+ years experience in the manufacturing, government consulting, and financial sectors. I have developed a talent for quickly understanding business goals and choosing the right technology to help achieve them. I succeed by delivering the BIG PICTURE through managing the little details. I am currently in transition and could use YOUR help locating my next opportunity. In return, I will pay $5000 to the person who connects me with the hiring manager for my next executive-level position. I am looking for a company that believes Information Technology is strategic to their success and I am open to relocating for the right opportunity. Finder’s Fee paid upon my accepting the full-time, permanent, executive-level position you directly connect me to. Additional awards available for non-direct connections – call or email for details. Full resume and additional info at http://TimFoley.info or contact Tim Foley at 703.443.2421 before 9pm EST. That is the offer, now how do I publicize this for maximum visibility at little to no cost? more

Resolved Question: Does anyone have an issues with Leon Panetta taking $700K of bailout money?

WASHINGTON -- The White House's nominee for director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Leon Panetta, has earned more than $700,000 in speaking and consulting fees since the beginning of 2008, with some of the payments coming from troubled financial firms and from a firm that invests in contractors for federal national security agencies, according to financial disclosures released Wednesday. Mr. Panetta received $56,000 from Merrill Lynch & Co. for two speeches and $28,000 for a speech for Wachovia Corp., according to disclosures released ahead of Thursday's scheduled Senate hearing on Mr. Panetta's nomination. Both Merrill and Wachovia reported big losses last year and were acquired by larger firms. The Wachovia honorarium was dated Oct. 30, and the last Merrill Lynch honorarium was dated Oct. 11, according to disclosure forms filed by Mr. Panetta in connection with his nomination. At the time, Bank of America had agreed to a rescue of Merrill Lynch; Wachovia had agreed to be acquired by Wells Fargo & Co. All of the companies listed took bailout money. Isn't this a screw job if I ever saw one? http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123384393951952257.html more

Resolved Question: YET ANOTHER Obama nominee in trouble: Has the Cuture of Corruption arrived?

Geithner, Killerfer, Blago, Wright, Ayers, Richardson, and Dacshle...now add the name of Peneta to the Culture of Corruption. Leon Peneta, nominated to preside over the demise of the CIA (hence no need to actually know how to run it) has had his finances for last year exposed. Its reported that he took over $700,000 in "consulting fees" and "speaking fees" from very influential big businesses involved in government and financial influence peddling. These include Neman Marcus , Bof A, and Wahcovia. Clearly, threes an opportunity for these influential companies to exert some amount of influence on Peneta, a White House insider, thus creating a very possible CONFLICT OF INTEREST between the government and regulated industries and bailout recipients. What say You America? Please opine anytime, anytime and keep it pithy in the No Spin Zone because we're looking out for the folks. more

Resolved Question: Should a founder of public school be allowed to sue parents for asking questions?

This was in the Philadelphia Inquirer yesterday. Devon charter school sues parents By Martha Woodall Inquirer Staff Writer Several parents at the Agora Cyber Charter School in Devon who asked questions about the school's finances have been sued by the founder and her management company. Dorothy June Brown contends that the parents and the Agora Parent Organization defamed her and Cynwyd Group L.L.C. in complaints sent to the state Department of Education and in e-mails circulated to other parents at the statewide cyber school. The parents say they were just trying to get answers about the relationship between Cynwyd Group and Agora. The cyber school rents its headquarters from Cynwyd under a nine-year lease and pays the firm a management fee of at least 4 percent, according to a services agreement. Brown owns Cynwyd and serves as its senior consultant to Agora, according to school and state records. The civil suit Brown filed in Montgomery County Court on Jan. 21 alleges that the parents made misleading statements "that give the clear but false impression that Dr. Brown is corrupt, incompetent and possibly criminal." The suit also says the parents' association "sought to interfere with Cynwyd's contractual relationship with Agora by spreading untruths about Dr. Brown and by implying that she had improperly used public funds." Brown and Cynwyd are seeking more than $150,000 in damages for libel, slander and civil conspiracy. "The allegations are false," Gladys Stefany of Milton, Pike County, said in an e-mail yesterday. She said she learned about the suit last Tuesday when she was served with papers. 'Civil conspiracy' "When did asking for information that is or should be public information become 'civil conspiracy?' " asked Stefany, who has a 15-year-old daughter enrolled in Agora and is president of the parents' organization. "It is sad that it has come to this, but I'm happy we'll finally have the opportunity to air our case in the open and get answers to our questions." Stefany said the questions did not involve the school's academic program. She said she was more than satisfied with the instruction her special-needs daughter has received. News of the suit left several lawyers and education officials scratching their heads. "I haven't heard of a case of this sort in recent memory," Len Reiser, co-director of the Education Law Center in Center City, said yesterday. Lawyers from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association agreed. SLAPP suit? Angelique Smith of Aston and her husband, Ira, are among the six parents named in the complaint. She said she believed the case amounted to what is known as a "strategic lawsuit against public participation" (SLAPP) and was meant to intimidate and silence critics. "This is really about freedom of speech and freedom of association," Smith said. "This is akin to going to a regular public school and telling the PTA to get out." Brown referred all questions about the suit to her attorney, Wendy Beetlestone. Beetlestone said it was a defamation case and not a SLAPP suit. "In any kind of public discussion, you have to make sure that what you say is true and doesn't bring down the reputation of the person you're talking about," Beetlestone said. She said parents had failed to respond to requests to stop spreading information that she said defamed Brown. "June Brown is a highly respected and innovative educator and has been for many years," Beetlestone said. "When the debate turns to making false statements and doing everything they can to bring her down, she is left with no other option. That's what this lawsuit is about." Brown is the founder of three traditional charter schools in Philadelphia. In 2005, she and Brien N. Gardiner, founder of the Philadelphia Academy Charter School in Northeast Philadelphia, co-founded Agora to provide online home instruction to students across the state. The school Web site listed Gardiner as a co-founder, but his name was removed in May after he became the subject of a federal criminal investigation at Philadelphia Academy and was fired from his consulting position at the charter. The lawsuit against the parents claims Gardiner "had no role in founding Agora and his name does not appear in Agora's application for a charter or in subsequent organizational documents." Brown's lawsuit also charges that Agora parents tried to imply that she "was guilty of some financial wrongdoing on the basis of her association with Gardiner." Records show that Brown and Gardiner did business together. In 2005, they established Cynwyd Group as an educational management company, state records show. In November 2007, the company paid $1.9 million to buy a property at 60 Chestnut Ave., Tredyffrin, that houses the Agora headquarters. The relationship between Gardiner and Brown was severed in May 2008. Gardiner and others were removed from Philadelphia Academy in May. An int more

Resolved Question: Should parents be sued for asking questions about their schools management?

This article appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer today. Devon charter school sues parents By Martha Woodall Inquirer Staff Writer Several parents at the Agora Cyber Charter School in Devon who asked questions about the school's finances have been sued by the founder and her management company. Dorothy June Brown contends that the parents and the Agora Parent Organization defamed her and Cynwyd Group L.L.C. in complaints sent to the state Department of Education and in e-mails circulated to other parents at the statewide cyber school. The parents say they were just trying to get answers about the relationship between Cynwyd Group and Agora. The cyber school rents its headquarters from Cynwyd under a nine-year lease and pays the firm a management fee of at least 4 percent, according to a services agreement. Brown owns Cynwyd and serves as its senior consultant to Agora, according to school and state records. The civil suit Brown filed in Montgomery County Court on Jan. 21 alleges that the parents made misleading statements "that give the clear but false impression that Dr. Brown is corrupt, incompetent and possibly criminal." The suit also says the parents' association "sought to interfere with Cynwyd's contractual relationship with Agora by spreading untruths about Dr. Brown and by implying that she had improperly used public funds." Brown and Cynwyd are seeking more than $150,000 in damages for libel, slander and civil conspiracy. "The allegations are false," Gladys Stefany of Milton, Pike County, said in an e-mail yesterday. She said she learned about the suit last Tuesday when she was served with papers. 'Civil conspiracy' "When did asking for information that is or should be public information become 'civil conspiracy?' " asked Stefany, who has a 15-year-old daughter enrolled in Agora and is president of the parents' organization. "It is sad that it has come to this, but I'm happy we'll finally have the opportunity to air our case in the open and get answers to our questions." Stefany said the questions did not involve the school's academic program. She said she was more than satisfied with the instruction her special-needs daughter has received. News of the suit left several lawyers and education officials scratching their heads. "I haven't heard of a case of this sort in recent memory," Len Reiser, co-director of the Education Law Center in Center City, said yesterday. Lawyers from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association agreed. SLAPP suit? Angelique Smith of Aston and her husband, Ira, are among the six parents named in the complaint. She said she believed the case amounted to what is known as a "strategic lawsuit against public participation" (SLAPP) and was meant to intimidate and silence critics. "This is really about freedom of speech and freedom of association," Smith said. "This is akin to going to a regular public school and telling the PTA to get out." Brown referred all questions about the suit to her attorney, Wendy Beetlestone. Beetlestone said it was a defamation case and not a SLAPP suit. "In any kind of public discussion, you have to make sure that what you say is true and doesn't bring down the reputation of the person you're talking about," Beetlestone said. She said parents had failed to respond to requests to stop spreading information that she said defamed Brown. "June Brown is a highly respected and innovative educator and has been for many years," Beetlestone said. "When the debate turns to making false statements and doing everything they can to bring her down, she is left with no other option. That's what this lawsuit is about." Brown is the founder of three traditional charter schools in Philadelphia. In 2005, she and Brien N. Gardiner, founder of the Philadelphia Academy Charter School in Northeast Philadelphia, co-founded Agora to provide online home instruction to students across the state. The school Web site listed Gardiner as a co-founder, but his name was removed in May after he became the subject of a federal criminal investigation at Philadelphia Academy and was fired from his consulting position at the charter. The lawsuit against the parents claims Gardiner "had no role in founding Agora and his name does not appear in Agora's application for a charter or in subsequent organizational documents." Brown's lawsuit also charges that Agora parents tried to imply that she "was guilty of some financial wrongdoing on the basis of her association with Gardiner." Records show that Brown and Gardiner did business together. In 2005, they established Cynwyd Group as an educational management company, state records show. In November 2007, the company paid $1.9 million to buy a property at 60 Chestnut Ave., Tredyffrin, that houses the Agora headquarters. The relationship between Gardiner and Brown was severed in May 2008. Gardiner and others were removed from Philadelphia Academy in Ma http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/20090203_Devon_charter_school_sues_parents.html more

Voting Question: Will offering a $5000 finders fee for introducing me to my next manager generate help in building my network?

I am looking to generate interest and increase my personal brand recognition as I work to find my next employment opportunity. Corporations have used contingency fees for job placements to generate interest from recruiters and in some cases employees. Will the inverse of this work as well? The ad I am thinking of running: $5000 Finder’s Fee for connecting me to the hiring manager at my next position! I am a Senior Information Technology Executive with 20+ years experience in the manufacturing, government consulting, and financial sectors. I have developed a talent for quickly understanding business goals and choosing the right technology to help achieve them. I succeed by delivering the BIG PICTURE through managing the little details. I am currently in transition and could use YOUR help locating my next opportunity. In return, I will pay $5000 to the person who connects me with the hiring manager for my next executive-level position. I am looking for a company that believes Information Technology is strategic to their success and I am open to relocating for the right opportunity. Finder’s Fee paid upon my accepting the full-time, permanent, executive-level position you directly connect me to. Additional awards available for non-direct connections – call or email for details. Full resume and additional info at http://TimFoley.info or contact Tim Foley at 703.443.2421 before 9pm EST. As a follow-on, any suggestions on where to place this ad? Best Regards, Tim Foley "delivering the BIG PICTURE through managing the little details" executive profile: http://timfoley.info more

Voting Question: DESIGNING AN ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEM ?

For about a year,Frank Poppa has been operating a hot dog stand in the parking lot of a major discount retailer in a suburban area.The stand appears to be a pushcart but is actually a small trailer that is towed from home each day.Frank cleverly designed the stand to include storage compartments,napkins,and the like.What started out as a “weekend gig”to pick up a few extra bucks has turned into a full-time occupation.Frank soon found that on a hot summer day,he could easily take in more than $1,000 from sales of a full line of fancy hot dogs and cold sodas. About four months ago,Frank decided to expand to more locations.He found that large discount retailers were quite happy to provide him adequate space near the front door because customers enjoyed the convenience and the stand helped build traffic for the retailer. Frank formed Poppa’s Dogs Company and negotiated contracts with several retailers to provide pushcart operations outside their stores.The contracts generally call for Poppa’s Dogs to pay a location fee to the retailer plus 3% ofthe pushcart’s sales. Frank plans to be very careful when hiring the people necessary to operate the five new pushcart locations. He is confident that he can assess good moral character and avoid hiring anyone who would take advantage of him.Frank will have to spend about $3,000 for each new pushcart and related equipment.In addition,he will have to finance an inventory of hot dogs, condiments,and sodas for each location.A local bank has agreed to provide financing. Until now,Frank has maintained an informal accounting system consisting of an envelope full of receipts and his personal checking account. The system has served him well enough so far,but he is finding that more and more he is getting his personal financial activities confused with those of his business.Frank is positive that the business is profitable because he seems to have more money left at the end of the month than he did when he was working full time as an auto mechanic.He has decided he needs a better accounting system and has decided to consult with a CPA he knows to see what she might recommend. Required: What information does Frank’s current accounting system provide him? What additional information should Frank want from an improved accounting system? Make rec- ommendations to Frank regarding how he can improve his accounting system and identify a chart (list) of accounts that you would expect to find in Frank’s new accounting system. For each account,identify whether it is an asset,liability,owner’s equity,revenue,or expense. more

Resolved Question: IS Time to Sell BOA ?

WASHINGTON (AFP) - - The US government extended a new lifeline Friday to Bank of America, injecting another 20 billion dollars in capital and guaranteeing shaky assets to help it weather the grinding financial crisis. ADVERTISEMENT The bailout for the largest US bank by assets is aimed at helping Bank of America absorb broker Merrill Lynch, which faced a meltdown last year as the credit crunch intensified. A joint statement by the US Treasury, Federal Reserve and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) said the government would invest 20 billion dollars in the bank, on top of a 25-billion-dollar injection last year under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Additionally, the government "will provide protection against the possibility of unusually large losses" on 118 billion dollars of assets backed by residential and commercial real estate loans, the market for which has been frozen due to the housing meltdown and credit crisis. The banking giant will pay the government a dividend of eight percent on the investment and agree to limits on executive compensation. The bank also agreed to implement a "mortgage loan modification program" to limit foreclosures that threaten to undermine a recovery in the housing sector. The announcement came hours before BofA released its fourth-quarter earnings. The Charlotte, North Carolina-based bank posted a loss of 1.7 billion dollars, after managing a profit of 268 million dollars a year earlier. The results stem from soaring credit costs and massive write-downs. Merrill Lynch, which was not included in the results, lost over 15 billion dollars in the quarter. The bailout comes with US authorities scrambling to avert a further collapse in the banking sector that could deal another blow to an ailing economy. A similar deal was announced last year with Citigroup. "The objective of this program is to foster financial market stability and thereby to strengthen the economy and protect American jobs, savings, and retirement security," the Treasury said. But some analysts were skeptical and Bank of America shares fell 13.7 percent to 7.18 dollars after a dive of 18 percent on Thursday. "These measures have seemingly removed a worst-case scenario for equity holders, but they show just what a mess Bank of America has managed itself into," said Patrick O'Hare at Briefing.com. Even as other banks reeled, Bank of America appeared healthy enough to buy up troubled mortgage lender Countrywide Financial last year as well as Merrill Lynch. But Robert Brusca at FAO Economics said the bank "simply bit off more than it could chew." Peter Cohan of Peter Cohan & Associates consulting firm said Bank of America rushed to buy Merrill without a full understanding of its troubles. "The numbers clearly show that without Merrill, Bank of America would be in relatively good shape, but with it, Bank of America is a financial basket case," Cohan said. Standard & Poor's said it could downgrade the bank's credit rating and warned that BofA faces the possibility of "further write-downs" from Countrywide and Merrill Lynch. BofA has already received 25 billion dollars in capital injections from the TARP, a US financial bailout fund set up to help rescue mainly banks reeling from financial turmoil triggered by a home mortgage meltdown. That included 10 billion dollars for Merrill Lynch. Under the latest agreement, BofA will absorb the first 10 billion dollars of losses and the US taxpayers will cover the next 10 billion. Any additional losses will be shared 90 percent by the US government and 10 percent by BofA. The government aid comes as the banking sector remained in deep trouble from the real estate meltdown and subsequent credit crunch that has led to around one trillion dollars in worldwide losses. Citigroup announced Friday a quarterly loss of 8.29 billion dollars and said it was splitting into two businesses in an effort to restore profitability. Bank of America on September 15 announced it was buying Merrill Lynch for 50 billion dollars in stock, scooping up the Wall Street icon battered by the housing and credit crisis. While giving a lifeline to a troubled Wall Street giant, the deal created the world's largest financial services company. The announcement came at the close of a tumultuous weekend that saw Wall Street rival Lehman Brothers seek bankruptcy protection, leading to an intensification of the crisis in the global financial system. They cant even survive after M&A with bad debts out b4 they M&A so a waste of taxes-payer $ . so i have a chance to sell it . I not invest in all companies that have been bailed out is as good as they dead. more

Resolved Question: english midterm | freaked out :::::: please help? ♥?

okay so our teacher gave us 40min. 2 look @ a pic. and write a spec. essay. i did not finsih. this was a part of the midterm grade. he said to revise our work at home, but not add anything to it that is so lengthy only a little bit. he knows that mine was only a page [double spaced] cause im a A student in his class but you guys every time i think about his class i feel like i cant breathe....like this essay was a big part of it and i have to like read it to the whole class too and when he said u can add a lil bit to it .. i did but when i was done with the essay it was another p. double spaced - - please look at this and help me shorten it. dialogue and the descriptions are essential....please help me otherwise im dead...i cant afford failing cuz im like that...plzz.... “The Three Foolish Men” “Here’s all that was taken Mr. Garey,” said Jim. “There’s every single note, still as crisp as a celery stick, before it was taken from the vault.” “Please understand that we didn’t want for any of this to happen,” Chris added. “It was as if the thirst for money had turned us into inhumane savages.” It was a frigid, cold morning in the month of January, when Jim, Ross, and Chris were all seated in front of their boss, Mr. Garey. They were exposed of the thoughtless act that they had pursued some months ago, of stealing money from their own company: The Brickpot. Each worked in the financial department of the company. It was their job to take care of where and how much money was used to meet the company’s needs in terms of substantiating an equal amount of flow of money coming in and money coming out. The three men thirsted for acclaim in public from Mr. Garey of the hard work they put into keeping his business running smoothly. What disappointed them the most was that in the office, he treated them as if they’d been friends for centuries, but when the media came, it was all about Mr. Gary, Mr. Gary, and Mr. Gary. It was decided by them four that to attain vengeance on their boss, they would sneak in the stock room of the company, and take 50 grand from the built-in vault located near the air vent. They did as planned, and were clever to have switched off the camera systems of the company before coming back at midnight to carry out their plan, however foolish enough to have forgotten the silent alarm system that was installed a few days when in planning for their big night. It immediately alerted the police station, and let them arrive in just a matter of minutes to stop any sort of crime. Jim, Ross, and Chris were caught red-handed while in action of stealing the money. How foolish of these three men. Such a foolproof plan was theirs had they been both clever and strategist enough to think it over completely. “ It was all ya fault Jim!” stated Chris in a harsh manner, while slamming the desk. “You and yo smart ideas!” “Look whey that got us you stupid son of ……” “Look at you three!” interrupted Mr. Garey in a vividly manner. Cold His face was as ripe as a tomato and his skin, almost transparent-like as his veins popped out as he shouted. The wrinkled in their boss’s forehead creased deeper and deeper as he looked at all three of them with such disgust. His skin was as pale as a lump of sugar, and made his teeth appear as yellow as the margin put on butter. “How can you, as mature men, have acted in such a way?” Ross loosend the tie of his suit. “Please Mr. G-Garey…,” Ross stuttered out of fear of the expression on his boss’s face. “NOOOOOOOO!” scremed Mr. Garey. The sound of his voice made the cardinals perched on the apple tree out the window tweet-tweet and fly away. “You such foolish buffoons have not only lost my trust, but have also given this company a bad name in the media.” “Where does that leave my business?” “Why could you have not acted responsibility and have consulted me of the issue as to how you all felt of me?” “I mean as mature men, you act this way I just find this to be so…so nonsensical and so…I don’t even have words!!” “I am outraged!” “Get out, take your things, leave my office and once and do not ever take the name of Brickton Company on your lips.” “I don’t want to hear anything, not a word, leave at once!” “Such barbaric foolishness and childishness will not be tolerated in a workforce such as this.” “But please sir!” exclaimed Jim. “It was a mistake, please try to understand.” “GET OUT!” yelled Mr. Garey as he stood on the heels of his shoes. “Yes, Sir,” replied Chris, Ross, and Jim in unison with saddened expressions on their faces. **you will seriously be like god if this is shortend to a point where my story actually exists and where i cant actually hope to get a d or c on please...:-[ ...thanks ♥ more

Resolved Question: Is Bill Richardson being investigated because be endorsed Obama over Clinton?

Bill Richardson is currently being invstigated over an issue regarding a New Mexico company (CDR Financial Products) which contributed to Mr. Richardson's past campaigns, while also winning $1.5-million in consulting contracts with the state government. A grand jury is investigating whether there was a "pay-to-play" connection in the awarding of the contracts. Do you think that the Clintons are somehow involved in "encouraging" or instigating this investigation of Richardson, as payback because he endorsed Obama during the Democratic primaries? > He's corrupt just like Blago in Illinois. That does not answer the question. Don't post an answer unless it directly answers the question. > He is being investigated because he lied He lied? What was the lie? Provide a news link to "the lie". > and got caught on taking money he should not have taken. Private campaign contributions are not illegal last time I checked. > No, he is corrupt like all of them. I said not to post garbage unless it directly answers the question. > Peace Your answer irritates me, so I do not wish peace back at you. > Richardson is being investigated because he's a crook like Blagojevich That is a garbage answer that does not answer the question. If you are a top contributor, then why do you post garbage answers? more

Resolved Question: Is the Supply going to increase or decrease? ?

FOR ELECTRONICS RETAILERS it will be the holiday season of the flat- screen TV. But the companies that make the key component -- the flat screen itself -- won't have much to celebrate. Heading into the Christmas sales period, traditionally the biggest time of the year for electronics goods, prices of flat-screen TV sets are falling. Sharp Corp.'s 32-inch LCD-TV with built-in HDTV tuner, which was introduced to the U.S. in January at a suggested price of $5,000, now carries a suggested price of $4,000 and is being advertised by some online retailers for about $3,100, including shipping. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. recently began selling a 42-inch plasma set for under $2,000. As prices slide, sales of flat-screen TV sets are expected to double this year and account for about 5% of global TV unit sales. Even so, these sets still yield far more profit for retailers than ordinary, tube-based TV sets. That markup is keeping prices above the level that could turn flat TVs into a mass-market item, say the companies most responsible for the price drop: the Asian makers of the highly complex glass screens called panels. That isn't fair, these companies say. To build the liquid-crystal display, or LCD, panels, they are investing tens of billions of dollars in factories as advanced as those that make computer chips. But these manufacturers can't directly control retail prices since they are just one part of the flat-TV food chain. They sell their panels to TV-set makers, who in turn sell the finished sets to distributors, who then ship the TVs to retailers. Each piece of this chain takes a cut. The world's biggest LCD-panel manufacturers have been cranking out the flat screens faster than the TV industry can absorb as new screen factories have come online. That has prompted the panel makers to cut their wholesale prices by as much as 30% in recent weeks, a move that has lowered their profits. Now they are calling on TV makers, distributors and retailers to do their part to move the screens by reducing their markup on LCD-TVs -- which amounts to as much as 40% of their retail price, according to analysts. "Right now, to work on an immediate and quick liftoff of the LCD-TV market, the [retail] channel margin has to come down," says Ron Wirahadiraksa, chief financial officer of LG.Philips LCD Co.. The Korean company is the second-largest maker of LCD panels and is a joint venture of LG Electronics Inc. of South Korea and Philips Electronics NV of the Netherlands. Retailers insist their margins aren't unduly high. They say the costs of displaying and marketing such big-ticket TVs don't leave high net profits for them. Store chains have invested heavily in training sales clerks to explain the mind-numbing differences in flat-screen technologies. They also have a lot of money tied up in inventories of the costly TVs despite the relatively low sales volumes they generate. Average selling prices of big-screen TVs have dropped to about $3,000 from $5,000 two years ago. That's great for consumers. But for retailers, even if they keep charging the same markup in percentage terms, they end up with a lower gross profit per set sold in dollar terms, notes Michael T. Ryan, a former vice president of merchandising at Circuit City Stores Inc. and now president of international retail consultants Ryan Partnership. The LCD panel makers, meanwhile, face competitive pressure from other screen technologies, including plasma, which generally is used in screens larger than 40 inches, and from the new high-resolution projection TVs that are powered by digital-mirror chips. Since September, plasma-TV prices have plummeted and contributed to a market-share gain over LCD sets. Large LCD screens cost more to build than plasma screens, though that may change in coming years because of efficiencies in the newer LCD factories. Makers of plasma screens do face some of the same profit pressures as retailers apply a similar markup to those sets as well. But plasma- screen factories aren't as costly to erect as LCD-screen plants, and there's a bit less competition among plasma-screen makers, so the profit squeeze isn't as bad. Throughout the electronics industry, executives are plotting the rates of price declines and sales increases for flat-screen TVs and consulting their history books. Over the past decade, the pace at which consumers adopted each new electronic gadget -- from PDAs to DVD players to MP3 music players to camera cellphones -- seems to have accelerated. But most analysts predict that flat-screen TVs won't take off as quickly as flat-screen computer monitors, which went from single-digit market share in 2000 to represent more than half of all monitor sales this year. Monitor purchasing has been driven by businesses while TVs are chiefly purchased by consumers, who tend to be more sensitive to price. Still, flat-screen TV prices are reaching a level that draws far more buyers than the so-called early adopters of new electronics gear. " more

Resolved Question: Shouldn't consultants step in to fix the crisis going on in America?

Management consultants should step in and show these financial and auto institutions how to do things right. Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey & Company, and Bain & Company need to step in and show these institutions in the financial and auto industries whats up and knock some sense into their heads! more

Resolved Question: Do the Mumbai attacks create another problem for the US Financial companies?

With all the large US banks outsourcing IT to India and the recent attacks in Mumbai; Is critical software needed for these companies to function safe? The attack seems to show a lack of security in India how can we know that the large consulting companies are secure??? Actually 9-11 did prove that the US had a lot of holes in the national security, I think these attacks have shown the same thing in India. more

Resolved Question: Shouldnt McCain have picked this guy?

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has been widely recognized for his leadership and accomplishments as a public servant and in private enterprise. Elected in 2002, Governor Romney presided over a dramatic reversal of state fortunes and a period of sustained economic expansion. Without raising taxes or increasing debt, Governor Romney balanced the budget every year of his administration, closing a $3 billion budget gap inherited when he took office. By eliminating waste, streamlining the government, and enacting comprehensive economic reforms to stimulate growth in Massachusetts, Romney got the economy moving again and transformed deficits into surpluses. At the beginning of Governor Romney's term, Massachusetts was losing thousands of jobs every month. By the time he left office, the unemployment rate was lower, hundreds of companies had expanded or moved to Massachusetts, and in the last two years of his term, the state had added approximately 60,000 jobs. One of Governor Romney's top priorities was reforming the education system so that young people could compete for better paying jobs in the global economy of the future. In 2004, Governor Romney established the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Program to reward the top 25 percent of Massachusetts high school students with a four-year, tuition-free scholarship to any Massachusetts public university or college. He has also championed a package of education reforms, including merit pay, an emphasis on math and science instruction, important new intervention programs for failing schools and English immersion for foreign-speaking students. In 2006, Governor Romney proposed and signed into law a private, market-based reform that ensures every Massachusetts citizen will have health insurance, without a government takeover and without raising taxes. Governor Romney was elected to the Chairmanship of the Republican Governors Association by his fellow Governors for the 2006 election cycle, and raised a record $27 million for candidates running in State House contests around the country. Romney first gained national recognition for his role in turning around the 2002 Winter Olympics. With the 2002 Games mired in controversy and facing a financial crisis, Romney left behind a successful career as an entrepreneur to take over as President and CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee. Governor Romney has said he felt compelled to assume the seemingly impossible task of rescuing the Games by both the urgings of his wife, Ann, and by the memory of his father, George Romney, who had been a successful businessman, three-term Governor of Michigan, and a tireless advocate of volunteerism in America. In his three years at the helm in Salt Lake, Romney erased a $379 million operating deficit, organized 23,000 volunteers, galvanized community spirit and oversaw an unprecedented security mobilization just months after the September 11th attacks, leading to one of the most successful Olympics in our country's history. Prior to his Olympic service, Mitt Romney enjoyed a successful career helping businesses grow and improve their operations. From 1978 to 1984, Mr. Romney was a Vice President at Bain & Company, Inc., a leading management consulting firm. In 1984, Romney founded Bain Capital, one of the nation's most successful venture capital and investment companies. Bain Capital helped launch hundreds of companies on a successful course, including Staples, Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Domino's Pizza, Sealy, Brookstone, and The Sports Authority. He was asked to return to Bain & Company as CEO several years later in order to lead a financial restructuring of the organization. Today, Bain & Company employs more than 2,000 people in 25 offices worldwide. Governor Romney has been deeply involved in community and civic affairs, serving extensively in his church and numerous charities including City Year, the Boy Scouts, and the Points of Light Foundation. He was also the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 1994. Governor Romney received his B.A., with Highest Honors, from Brigham Young University in 1971. In 1975, he was awarded an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he was named a Baker Scholar, and a J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School. more

Resolved Question: Financial Internships in Los Angeles?

Hello, I would like to know, if there is a financial/real estate/insurance management firm that has a internship program for high school students, I am a junior at University Senior High school and in college I want to major in investment management, accounting, financial consulting, analyst work, and stock management. Does anyone know of a company that I can get in contact with in order to get into interning? more

Voting Question: If your first job is at a small company, does that mean that you'll never be able to work in a big company?

I am graduating this december. I have a degree in Econ with a math minor. Looks like I'm not going to get hired for a job in finance at this point (I was looking to work as a financial analyst). I will probably have to settle for an admin assistant job. The companies that are coming to my campus mostly rejected me for their interviews. I have a 3.33 and I'm not in accounting...i think that's the reason why they didn't call me in for interviews. I am afraid that if i start working as an admin assistant right now, I'll never be able to rejoin the financial field, even after the job market works better. I do have previous experience (I've done three internships- one in the legal field, the other two for financial services and investment consulting firms). Am i selling myself short here by becoming an assistant instead of a financial analyst? I am planning to get a CPA once i complete my accounting courses at a community college. Does it matter after i get my CPA where i took those accounting courses? I know that these are a lot of questions...but i would really appreciate any helpful insights or comments! Thank you! Oh...and i just turned 21...so I still have time to explore. I also will attend community college to learn accounting (but i'll do that part time). more

Resolved Question: Who Do You Think Freddie Mac Really Influenced In Washington?

AP GSPC 940.55 -5.88 WASHINGTON – Freddie Mac secretly paid a Republican consulting firm $2 million to kill legislation that would have regulated and trimmed the mortgage finance giant and its sister company, Fannie Mae, three years before the government took control to prevent their collapse. In the cross hairs of the campaign carried out by DCI of Washington were Republican senators and a regulatory overhaul bill sponsored by Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb. DCI's chief executive is Doug Goodyear, whom John McCain's campaign later hired to manage the GOP convention in September. Freddie Mac's payments to DCI began shortly after the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee sent Hagel's bill to the then GOP-run Senate on July 28, 2005. All GOP members of the committee supported it; all Democrats opposed it. In the midst of DCI's yearlong effort, Hagel and 25 other Republican senators pleaded unsuccessfully with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., to allow a vote. "If effective regulatory reform legislation ... is not enacted this year, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system and the economy as a whole," the senators wrote in a letter that proved prescient. Unknown to the senators, DCI was undermining support for the bill in a campaign targeting 17 Republican senators in 13 states, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press. The states and the senators targeted changed over time, but always stayed on the Republican side. Care to blame Obama on this, too? Born And Bred USA troll, this was not congress. This was the US Senate. Do you know the difference between the Senate and House of Reps? more

Resolved Question: Is it better to gain 1 year work experience or jump straight into an industry related to your degree?

I am thinking of working full-time as an office junior for one year (admin, phoning clients, filing, photocopying, data entry etc). This is to gain 1 year experience working in an office environment, which I didn't do during my studies. I have just graduated from a Commerce degree majoring in Finance and Economics. The office job I will get is not in my industry though. The thing is, a lot of my friends who have just graduated like me are now looking for graduate jobs in the Financial or Economics sector (eg banking, consulting, financial services, government departments, etc). Most of these friends I know have not had a single work experience. The question is...do you think it is a good idea for me to gain work experience in an unrelated industry, or just jump straight into the industry related to my degree, without experience? PS: The credit crisis is currently on and many banks and financial companies are fearful. more

Resolved Question: How should I answer my Senator's response (below) to my plea that she vote against the bailout? ?

Dear Mr. [soMEone] Thank you for contacting me regarding the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. I welcome your thoughts and comments on this issue. On September 19, 2008, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson announced a plan by the Bush Administration to stabilize the financial services sector of the economy. This plan included broad authority for the Treasury Secretary to purchase troubled financial instruments with very limited oversight and few protections for taxpayers. In July, I voted against a similar proposed bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac because it did not provide taxpayer protection and limits on executive compensation for a government owned entity. For the same reasons, I was not willing to support the Administration’s initial proposal, and I encouraged my colleagues to continue work on a plan that would protect taxpayers, provide strict oversight, and place limits on the benefits to executives who accept taxpayer assistance. In the days following the Treasury Secretary’s announcement, concerns about the danger to the broader economy deepened. The high-profile failure of numerous financial institutions caused the commercial lending market to accumulate and hold cash. The credit markets effectively froze, making it difficult for consumers to obtain loans for purchases such as homes and automobiles. The lack of lending in these areas began to place further pressure on the troubled housing market and threatened to spread deeper into the economy. Similarly, many small and mid-sized businesses were finding it difficult to obtain financing to meet their payroll obligations and purchase inventory. Many cities were entering the bond market and getting no bids, even with AAA ratings. The current liquidity crisis still poses a real potential for significant job losses. After consulting with numerous financial experts, small businesses, and bankers in Texas, it became clear to me that normal commercial lending activity would not resume without action by Congress. Despite this realization, I was still not inclined to support the Paulson plan. After weeks of negotiation, however, a bi-partisan compromise was reached. While there are provisions in the bill that I do not favor and would not have drafted, overall the need for action to stabilize the market and to protect the retirement savings of millions of Americans weighed heavily on my mind. Ultimately, I supported the Senate bill along with 73 of my colleagues. The bill we passed was a major improvement over the initial plan announced by Secretary Paulson. We increased the deposit insurance cap from $100,000 to $250,000 so that families will have added protection for savings and retirement accounts. While the initial proposal authorized up to $700 billion to purchase distressed assets, the measure we passed takes a more cautious approach, initially authorizing $250 billion and requiring the approval from Congress and the President for additional funding. Importantly, the bill we passed includes restrictions on the benefits received by executives whose companies are selling some of their distressed assets to the government. In return for purchasing the assets, taxpayers will obtain an ownership stake in the companies. Many leading economists believe that the real estate market will turn around in the foreseeable future and government owned properties and assets will be sold at a profit. A provision in this bill that I supported requires any profits realized to be placed in the nation’s treasury to reduce the deficit. If, however, after five years the government is facing a loss in the program, the President must submit a plan to Congress recommending how the money will be recouped from financial services companies. I believe that these protections are a dramatic improvement over the Administration’s initial proposal. The bill passed by the Senate included an important package of tax policy provisions. One of these provisions is an extension of the state and local sales tax deduction, which is a matter of fairness for states like Texas that do not have a state income tax. The average Texan will save $520 when they file their federal income tax forms next year. We also shielded low and middle-income taxpayers from higher taxes associated with the flawed alternative minimum tax (AMT) and included tax incentives to spur energy production and innovation including the wind energy production tax credit and the research and development tax credit. As Texans, we have learned to take responsibility for our actions and being asked to pay for the mistakes of others is something many, including myself, find deeply troubling. However, after careful deliberation, I believe that the risks associated with doing nothing outweighed the risk of passing a less than perfect bill that nevertheless includes important protections for taxpayers. Economic evidence clearly suggested the problems were spreading into the broader economy. That i ============ [cont.] That is why I voted for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act. I appreciate hearing from you. Please do not hesitate to contact me on any issue of concern to you. Sincerely, Kay Bailey Hutchison United States Senator 284 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 202-224-5922 (tel) 202-224-0776 (fax) http://hutchison.senate.gov ========== Kat: We have no choice but to drive 10 over. Our cows do eighty in their sleep! Seriously, you're spot on, as always. Lucky for you your Senators (unlike our Sinners) did it down. Thanks! (beware the Texas Cow) ... more

Resolved Question: Why are Obama's lies about McCain taken as cannon, when the truth is in writing? Below is a few examples...?

Statement by Senator John McCain, May 25, 2006: Mr. President, this week Fannie Mae's regulator reported that the company's quarterly reports of profit growth over the past few years were "illusions deliberately and systematically created" by the company's senior management, which resulted in a $10.6 billion accounting scandal. The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight's report goes on to say that Fannie Mae employees deliberately and intentionally manipulated financial reports to hit earnings targets in order to trigger bonuses for senior executives. In the case of Franklin Raines, Fannie Mae's former chief executive officer, OFHEO's report shows that over half of Mr. Raines' compensation for the 6 years through 2003 was directly tied to meeting earnings targets. The report of financial misconduct at Fannie Mae echoes the deeply troubling $5 billion profit restatement at Freddie Mac. The OFHEO report also states that Fannie Mae used its political power to lobby Congress in an effort to interfere with the regulator's examination of the company's accounting problems. This report comes some weeks after Freddie Mac paid a record $3.8 million fine in a settlement with the Federal Election Commission and restated lobbying disclosure reports from 2004 to 2005. These are entities that have demonstrated over and over again that they are deeply in need of reform. For years I have been concerned about the regulatory structure that governs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac--known as Government-sponsored entities or GSEs--and the sheer magnitude of these companies and the role they play in the housing market. OFHEO's report this week does nothing to ease these concerns. In fact, the report does quite the contrary. OFHEO's report solidifies my view that the GSEs need to be reformed without delay. I join as a cosponsor of the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005, S. 190, to underscore my support for quick passage of GSE regulatory reform legislation. If Congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system, and the economy as a whole. I urge my colleagues to support swift action on this GSE reform legislation. ------ The above is fact - McCain was on this case well before Obama. The New York Times has charged that McCain-Palin campaign manager Rick Davis was paid by Freddie Mac until last month. Fact is Mr. Davis quit from his consulting firm in 2006. Mr. Davis has seen no income from Davis Manafort since 2006. Davis was not a registered lobbyist since 2005. This is just a lie. People, get away from the media, and read!!! Thanks Mavericky Maverickness, your absolutely right about the Canon and Cannon. I'll be sure to watch my speling... As for the above joke, (on canon and cannon and speling...) if your entire opinion is based on my misspelling of a word, why are you here? Someone even used a colorful metaphor to describe me based on this. One correction is appreciated, and honestly thanked for pointing out my error. All following are lemmings. This all detracts from the original point, which is what the democrats seem to be good at. more

Resolved Question: If you are against the bailout are any of these 12 House reps yours? They may change to yes vote?

Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.) According to one senior GOP aide, Frelinghuysen was a yes but reversed his vote at the last minute. Afterward, Frelinghuysen called for more hearings and debate on the bill, saying, “We have not adequately consulted, deliberated and explained this to the American public and our constituents.” Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.) A retiring moderate Republican, Ramstad could have voted for the bill without worrying about a voter backlash in November. But he complained that the rushed debate had left “the final cost to taxpayers ... uncertain” and said he would prefer an insurance plan to a bailout. Rep. John B. Shadegg (R-Ariz.) Although John McCain’s campaign said he was working to rally House GOP support, not a single Republican from McCain’s home state voted for the bill. Shadegg wants changes in mark-to-market accounting rules and an increase in Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. limits. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-Ohio) A close friend of House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, LaTourette opposed the package. Later, LaTourette said in a statement he wants to double the amount of FDIC insurance and allow U.S. companies operating overseas to bring assets back to the United States. Rep. Doc Hastings(R-Wash.) A moderate Republican, Hastings told the Yakima Herald that he was undecided until Sunday night. In the end, he said he voted no because there were still “too many concepts” and not enough details about taxpayer exposure. Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Ill.) Like many other Republicans on the Financial Services Committee, Biggert voted against the bill. But Biggert has said Congress needs to act, and she has expressed support for some sort of government-backed insurance plan that would allow business, rather than taxpayers, to assume more risk. Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) A close ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a member of the Democratic leadership, Becerra ultimately voted no because he “wanted to see direct protections for responsible homeowners” in the bill. Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) A member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Scott said after the vote that he could back the plan if 1 percent of the $700 billion were set aside in a program to prevent foreclosures. Rep. Hilda L. Solis (D-Calif.) With foreclosures in her district nearly tripling in the past few months, Solis said she opposed the bailout because it “lacks needed reform of bankruptcy laws” that may help keep people in their homes. Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.) While Berkley voted no, aides said she would be inclined to support the bill if it placed “tougher restrictions on CEO pay.” Aides also said she is looking for more specific language on the regulation of Wall Street. Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-Mass.) Another close Pelosi ally, Delahunt said he voted no because the bill would have done too much to help the firms that caused the problem. Delahunt wants to lessen the burden on taxpayers and has proposed assessing a transaction fee on lenders who turn over bad mortgage securities to the government. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-S.D.) While a majority of her fellow Blue Dogs voted for the bill, Herseth Sandlin ultimately opposed it because she thought it would give Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson a “vast amount of power” without “effective oversight.” If one of these is yours will you make sure to contact them to tell them to vote 'no' on the bailout? You can use this link if you like: http://70.32.73.101/contactcongress.php#. more

Resolved Question: Is this what you want done with your political donations, libs?

House Speaker Pelosi Used Political Donations to Pay Husband's Firm Wednesday, October 01, 2008 WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi paid her husband's real estate and investment firm nearly $100,000 from her political action committee over the past decade, a practice that she voted to ban last year and that her party condemned as part of the "culture of corruption" when Republicans did it. The Washington Times is reporting that the California Democrat's husband, Paul F. Pelosi, owns Financial Leasing Services Inc., which has received $99,000 in rent, utilities and accounting fees from the speaker's "PAC to the Future" over the PAC's nine-year history. Last year, Pelosi supported a bill that would have banned members of Congress from putting spouses on their campaign staffs. The bill banned not only direct payments by congressional campaign committees and PACs to spouses for services including consulting and furndraising, but also "indirect compensation," such as payments to companies that employ spouses. The bill passed the House in a voice vote but died in a Senate committee. Last week, Pelosi's office defended the payments, saying they were legal because she is compensating her husband at fair market value for the work his firm has performed for the PAC. Ethical watchdogs called Pelosi's arrangement "problematic." http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,431204,00.html Why do you libs constantly watch Fox if yo don't believe anything they say? If you want a pack of lies there's always CBS/CNN. more

Voting Question: Multiple Choice: Select the most correct answer?

10.Jacob’s Company has a June 30 year end. On June 28, Jacob’s provided consulting services to Jennings Company. Jacob’s billed Jennings on July 2 for $800 related to these services. On July 5, Jennings paid the invoice in full. Jacob’s only cost related to this sale was $250 in salaries expense. Jacob’s paid the salaries on July 3. Assuming Jacob’s Company has a June 30 year end, the company’s profit for the Jennings’ job on the June 30 financial statements should be a.0. b.$800. c.$550. d.$250. more

Resolved Question: Should the New York Times be renamed The Obama Times?

McCain vs. the NYT, Round 2 Campaign spokesman Michael Goldfarb: "Today the New York Times launched its latest attack on this campaign in its capacity as an Obama advocacy organization....willful disregard of the truth." The Times thinks it has a gotcha on John McCain, and it played it big on Wednesday's front page in a story by Jackie Calmes and David Kirkpatrick, "McCain Aide's Firm Was Paid by Freddie Mac." It's a follow-up on a Times-created controversy over McCain campaign manager (and alleged former Fannie Mae lobbyist) Rick Davis, the subject of a Monday story in the Times that caused McCain campaign advisor Steve Schmidt to famously go after the paper in blunt terms. From Wednesday's Times: One of the giant mortgage companies at the heart of the credit crisis paid $15,000 a month from the end of 2005 through last month to a firm owned by Senator John McCain’s campaign manager, according to two people with direct knowledge of the arrangement. The disclosure undercuts a statement by Mr. McCain on Sunday night that the campaign manager, Rick Davis, had had no involvement with the company for the last several years. Mr. Davis’s firm received the payments from the company, Freddie Mac, until it was taken over by the government this month along with Fannie Mae, the other big mortgage lender whose deteriorating finances helped precipitate the cascading problems on Wall Street, the people said. They said they did not recall Mr. Davis’s doing much substantive work for the company in return for the money, other than speak to a political action committee of high-ranking employees in October 2006 on the approaching midterm Congressional elections. They said Mr. Davis’s firm, Davis & Manafort, had been kept on the payroll because of Mr. Davis’s close ties to Mr. McCain, the Republican presidential nominee, who by 2006 was widely expected to run again for the White House. Mr. Davis took a leave from Davis & Manafortfor the presidential campaign, but as a partner and equity-holder continues to benefit from its income. No one at Davis & Manafort other than Mr. Davis was involved in efforts on Freddie Mac’s behalf, the people familiar with the arrangement said. Michael Goldfarb of the McCain campaign issued a strong response early Wednesday morning to the story, which was posted at nytimes.com Tuesday night. Below is an excerpt, in which Goldfarb accused the Times of "willful disregard of the truth." Today the New York Times launched its latest attack on this campaign in its capacity as an Obama advocacy organization. Let us be clear about what this story alleges: The New York Times charges that McCain-Palin 2008 campaign manager Rick Davis was paid by Freddie Mac until last month, contrary to previous reporting, as well as statements by this campaign and by Mr. Davis himself. In fact, the allegation is demonstrably false. As has been previously reported, Mr. Davis separated from his consulting firm, Davis Manafort, in 2006. As has been previously reported, Mr. Davis has seen no income from Davis Manafort since 2006. Zero. Mr. Davis has received no salary or compensation since 2006. Mr. Davis has received no profit or partner distributions from that firm on any basis -- weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual -- since 2006. Again, zero. Neither has Mr. Davis received any equity in the firm based on profits derived since his financial separation from Davis Manafort in 2006. Further, and missing from the Times' reporting, Mr. Davis has never -- never -- been a lobbyist for either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Mr. Davis has not served as a registered lobbyist since 2005. Though these facts are a matter of public record, the New York Times, in what can only be explained as a willful disregard of the truth, failed to research this story or present any semblance of a fairminded treatment of the facts closely at hand. The paper did manage to report one interesting but irrelevant fact: Mr. Davis did participate in a roundtable discussion on the political scene with...Paul Begala. Again, let us be clear: The New York Times -- in the absence of any supporting evidence -- has insinuated some kind of impropriety on the part of Senator McCain and Rick Davis. But entirely missing from the story is any significant mention of Senator McCain's long advocacy for, and co-sponsorship of legislation to enact, stricter oversight and regulation of both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- dating back to 2006. more

Voting Question: Looking for advice and success stories on credit! Here is my entire story, it's long. Please read and help!?

Okay, here is the story: I've never been taught a thing about credit and now mine is totally bombed. I don't need insults thanks very much because I already feel crappy. I have 8K in unpaid medical bills, which have been sent to attorneys (but they have not yet followed up). I tried working out a payment arrangement with them, and they said nothing I offered was good enough. I don't know what to do, and I'm just kind of living in fear that soon I will be taken to court. I offered a hefty down payment of 2K, with monthly payments of 2-400, but the hospital, collections agency and lawyer all say it's not good enough. I have 5 late car payments (from late last year, and early this year), but everyone before that and my last 4 have been on time (I fell on terribly hard times), during those hard times, I had 2 credit cards closed (early this year), though my report is showing 3. I made a purchase with the one that's still open (just 10 bucks to prove the account is in fact active), and I will be sending this as proof to the cred reporting agencies that the card is in fact open, not closed as reported. I currently have about 3K in hospital bills that are not being reported, and I'm paying them monthly, on time, with arrangements. I currently have 3 open cards that are current, and each will be paid off at the end of November. They are retail cards with low balances of 300, 400 and 300 respectively, each has been open for about 4 years now. I am an authorized user on a card with a limit of 1K (open since 2003), and it has a current balance of 500. I have 2 cell phone bills that are in collections, one that does not belong to me and has been debated (it's 4 years old from when my car was stolen), but the agencies have refused to remove it. The other is 7 years old this month, and should be removed. I am flatout at a loss, and terrified. I used to have a solid score, and I am ashamed to say its now 505!!! **TEAR**. I wrote all of this to give you the full picture. I consulted some cedit counseling companies, and they were no help at all. They just said "keep paying your bills on time, and hope you don't get sued for the medical bills". But what if i DO!!! They also told me that I'm not a candidate for, nor should I consider filing for any kind of bankruptcy. I am college educated (all student loan payments have been on time since the day I've been billed), I want to further my education into law school, get a better job, etc. But how can I if my credt is in the way. I was hoping to get a job in Pharmecutical sales until I read a ton of research and realize I won't get through the door because credit is key to landing this kind of job. I was hoping to do that while studying for my next degree (Poly Sci), then moving on to law school. I dont want any SCAMS they will be deleted. I want real advice from real people who have been where I am now...in the dark, and who can help me map something out, or who can at least inspire me by telling me what they did to get better. I'm thinking of a two year plan, and wondering how muh good I can do in two years. I'm 25, and the biggest dents in my history started when I was in college with no medical insurance. I had no clue it would come to this. I feel like all of my dreams are a waste, and I will be dealing with this forever, with no hope of a solid future. I anticipate having a great deal of money within the next two years (family thing) to try to work on some of this more. But I want a plan of action for now. I want to get it together. I really wish I had been taught better and handled things better, but I can't worry about that now. I feel stupid seeing my friends with nice jobs and nice cars because they were taught properly, and their parents made sure they had health insurance. At one point I did have ok credit (enough to get a car loan at 12%!!), I do live in a nice neighborhood, and drive an OK car, but that's not what's important to me. It's the fact that I know they're futures are a tab brighter because they have credit on their sides. They all mention how they're parents taught them well. No one knows about my issues either. They all think I'm doing great all around. I can't turn my car in because I'm making payments on it, and I live an hour and a half away from my job, with no public trans. as an option. I had a strike against me the moment I turned 18...no financial education, and no health insurance. But I'm looking to fix all of this the best way I can. Please help....rude remarks, advertisements for scams, etc. will be deleted. I'm sure many of you peruse YA and see stories like this all the time, just seeking some good advice. The bottom line seems to be collections and late payments. Thanks The hospital bills range from old (almost 7 years ago) to newer (2004), however, they were all lumped together in 2008 and sent to the legal dept of the hospital. Does this mean I can't debate any of the older ones, since they all count as one now? And does the consolidation "restart" the 7 year clock? more

Resolved Question: Bushonomics? M3? Hyperinflation?

You may recall that in 2006 George Bush publicly announced stopping the publication of the M3 money supply (a broad count of money in the economy that includes items like credit cards and overdrafts, not just cash or bank accounts). He said it was too expensive! ; ) This was the KEY indicator of financial control for DECADES, primarily geared to devaluing money (inflation) and credit risk through risky over speculative supply. http://www.safehaven.com/article-4156.htm In that SAME year, 2006, the increase in M3 money supply rose from what a leading consulting economist to Fortune 500 companies has described as already too much - 6% or so per year, to 18%!! ... setting the script for what he calls inevitable "financial armageddon" by 2010. http://www.shadowstats.com/article/292 This HUGE leap in M3 was followed by a MASSIVE drop over 2-3 months earlier this year: http://www.runtogold.com/Run_To_Gold/Run_To_Gold_Blog/Entries/2008/8/19_US_Dollar_in_Hyperinflation.html Which is EXACTLY how the 1929 crash was DELIBERATELY engineered by the Federal Reserve in 1929 - causing millions poverty and making small numbers of bankers fabulously rich: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Depression So why has Bush been pursuing policies that many economists would say will inevitably cause hyperinflation - i.e. a 50% drop in the value of the dollar PER MONTH?! Did anyone notice, while the media were all focused on Fridays market gains, THIS was happening: "The interest rate that the U.S. Treasury must pay to borrow 10-year money surged by 33.2 basis points — one of the greatest single-day rises in history and an early omen of far sharper rate rises in the future. Gold resumed its surge — a warning to all governments that seek to defy the power of free markets." So, by 'cornering the market' for money in this way, the US has just removed an ENORMOUS sum of credit from the economy, which would otherwise have gone to other borrowers... making the credit situation WORSE for everyone else in the market! more

Resolved Question: My ex-employer put a stop payment on my August paycheck, dated 9/1, after firing me on 9/2. Is this legal?

Background: This was a consulting job -- I fulfilled all obligations in August and had agreed to defer payment to 9/2 because of the company's financial situation. The company is not in the same state; I'm in CO and the check was from the company's Washington State office. more

Resolved Question: How can I feel happier? ?

I'm not sure what question I'm asking, I suppose the question is: how do I feel happier and live a better life? I consider myself a loser for many reasons, here are just a few of the big ones. 1. I graduated from Stanford and went into management consulting, but I wasn't good enough to get into one of the top 3 (McKinsey, Bain, BCG) so I got into a company that's ranked #6. 2. Because I hated the fact that I am in this crappy company, I am inexperienced dealing with people (engineer education), and I consider the work I do worthless, I struggled in the company, almost got fired twice, finally managed to get myself promoted, and HATED EVERYDAY with a passion. 3. After the promotion I tried to make a big change and get out from this company and get into finance, but the financial market crashes. I wanted to go to China (being Chinese-American), and looked for a job there for 6 months and finally decided that the easiest route to go is get an internal transfer to my current company's China office, which is shambles, cannot get business, and losing people rapidly. 4. The company's Chinese office gave me a big pay cut, because of local wages. Of course, if I had gotten into McKinsey, they pay everyone around the globe the same salary. My failure comes back to haunt me once more. 5. Meanwhile my friends in finance are making $300K - $1 million a year, and here I am pulling in a measly $95K a year. Then got even that cut in half going to China. 6. I'll probably do horribly in China, since my interpersonal skills are horrible and have no desire to socialize, and those skills are 10x more important there than in the US. 7. I have no idea what I want to do in life, or what I am good at doing. Everything I do I hate with a passion, and eventually fail at. I perform horribly at interviews for some reason, for I've had an extremely high failure rate. Everyone around me seems to have found something they're either good at doing or likes doing or both, and they're all making way more money than I am. 8. Never had a girlfriend and I'm 27. I really really hate my life. What should I do? more

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