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Friday, February 24, 2012

SPOT ON ! MAK,MAK....Charlie Reese

First and foremost,this essay is not my writing.
I came across this online and wanted to share this mans wisdom.
I am sure he (hope so!)would not complain about sharing his thoughts on America,the Congress,Supreme court,and the complete failure of the American political system & courts.

-By Charlie Reese
Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.
Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?
Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?
You and I don't propose a federal budget. The President does.
You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.
You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.
You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.
You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.
One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one President, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.
I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.
I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a President to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.
Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.
What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The President can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.
The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House now ? He is the leader of the majority party. He and fellow House members, not the President, can approve any budget they want. If the President vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.
It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist
If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.
If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.
If the Army & Marines are in Iraq and Afghanistan it's because they want them in Iraq and Afghanistan ...
If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.
There are no insoluble government problems.
Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.
Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.
They, and they alone, have the power.
They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses. Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees...
We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!
What you do with this article now that you have read it... is up to you.
This might be funny if it weren't so true.
Be sure to read all the way to the end:

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Sales Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom , if agreed, stayed home to raise the kids.

What in the heck happened? Can you spell 'politicians?'






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Sunday, January 1, 2012

Money & Banking Expat style

When a government is dependent upon bankers for money, they and not the leaders of the government control the situation, since the hand that gives is above the hand that takes... Money has no motherland; financiers are without patriotism and without decency; their sole object is gain." 
-Napoleon Bonaparte, 1815
 I sort of look prosperous in this picture taken in "Issan Country" of Northeast Thailand.
The true facts our much different.
I am like many expats now living in Thailand,wondering if my "dreams" our soon to be shattered by governments and banks.
The past two weeks have pretty much been a real "eye opener" in the fiscal department of my retirement plans.I seem to be going south alot faster then i would have ever believed possible.
    Americans woke up this morning to the lovely news of our governments spending almost three quarters of a Trillion US Dollars on Defense.The signing of this particular fiscal matter by Obama signals the coming of hard times for expats(USA),as it also gives new and very unconstitutional powers to various government bodies,who i might add,do not have yours or my best interest in mind.
 The "Patriot Act" is your worst enemy and mine.It has stripped Americans of every single constitutional rights our  forebears fought for.I am sick with disgust at the hidden agenda of my government.I left America to be away from the coming "Police State" that is now rearing its ugly head.Americans have left in droves over the last few years looking for less "Government" and intrusive police,corporate stealing,violence and the list goes on....!
 Freedom does not come without cost.I gave up my American dream a long time ago,and had hoped i was free to live out my life.
 Living as a Expat in any country is and will always be a challenge.I am now dealing with trying to protect my assets and future.If you our really trying to decide if pulling up stakes for greener pastures is for you,then consider this"Their is no place to hide"!I am not trying to really hide as such,but being free to live as a retired person,without my government trying to reach out and "touch me",is foremost in my long range plans.I would suggest that anybody with escape plans search out countries without "Tax Treaties" as these our going to come back to bite you in the butt!Cambodia does not have a treaty,nor Vietnam,Laos and a number of others.The key word here is "RESEARCH"..everything and i do mean everything!As i stated,asset protection from government bodies intent on derailing your retirement,should be first on your list of "To Do",before picking your dream destination.I might be needing to relocate to Cambodia,as i did not do the "RESEARCH"...You have been warned!Luckkyybuddha999

Saturday, December 24, 2011

"HAPPY HOLIDAYS & NEW YEAR..CHOK DEE,MAK!"

...well it is that time of the year again,so best wishes to all for a wonderful holiday season &New year.Chok dee.Luckkybuddha & khun Amporn(wife).Christmas Eve,Bangkok Thailand(24/12/2554)


Saturday, December 17, 2011

"FBAR "Expats "Worst Nightmare"Mak,Mak!

OK,well "Death & Taxes" have always been one of life's true rules,i have for the most part just paid my taxes due and shoved the death part in the  "nothing i can do about it" file.Their our 5 to 6 million taxpayers(USA expats) living offshore and another 40 million living in America holding (maybe) offshore accounts.The Majority of us(taxpayers our sane,and pay our fair share on time).I am in "Deep "Brown Stuff" now for not being "Told by my stateside tax preparer about this major issue".The aforementioned guy works for one of Americas largest Tax services,and you will find them in every mall & "Walmart" each Tax year....."BIG MISTAKE ON MY PART"!Expats
need "Expert "Offshore Tax Advisers" as the penalties for failure to be vigilant and diligent on these yearly matters is"Life & Death' to your retirement and financial well being.I have(in the process of retaining the tax experts(www.taxesforexpats.com)(
Mailing Address115 E34th St.
New York, NY
10016
Phone1-646-EXPAT-US (397-2887)
Fax1-360-323-5115
SkypeTaxesforexpats Skype Me!
Emailquestions@taxesforexpats.com
I am "NOT" being paid for passing on These experts contact information,just letting you know that i have "Checked out their business" and they our very highly though of.They have a very comprehensive web site,information tax blog,the owner speaks Russian,English, and is able to converse in other languages(check out on "linkin")recommend by the IRS,BBB,and other Tax professionals.I can only say that i am "Very worried" of the future,without my wife,money,Thailand,health care and Thai family.If this gets your attention,then i have done you a very good favor,take heed!Chok Dee.Luckkybuddha999

 


Wednesday, December 7, 2011

F.A.T.

Luck is everything to a Thai,both good and bad.Thais for the most part,never buy,marry,or make any kind of important decision without praying for "Good Luck",and doing "tam boon"(the giving of money) to perhaps get a better chance at acquiring that special thing in their life's.The "F.A.T"acronym stands for"farang ATM Trophy",and you(Me) our the special thing in their life's!This post is not about "bitching about being used",but rather the real reality of your retirement(marriage) too a much younger Thai woman.Life is full of trade offs,and if you choose to marry into a Thai family,then expect to pay for it(always!)I have a house full of relatives(not mine by choice),but my wife's family,and they will never leave as long as my wife is married to a farang.This is winning the Thai lottery for the majority of Thailand's 65 million people.I must stress the fact that Thais on average make less than 300/400 US dollars per month if they our lucky!Marry a farang with a retirement pension of two thousand plus or much more a months is hitting the jackpot big time for at least 60 million Thais..This does not mean it is a "Bad Deal" for you or me,just the way it is.I read many posts on many expat sites dealing with the issue of "MONEY & THAIS",well it is mostly crying over the fact that you our not the"Prince Charming" you thought yourself too be!Thais our poor(mostly!),you on the other hand our not.I have maybe 15/20 years of life left if i am lucky.I know the score.I need somebody to look after me when my time comes.Most Thai will honor their commitment to the marriage deal(it is a business deal,make no mistake!)and will care for you as long as your money lasts(make very good retirement plans,do not out live your money).This works very well if you understand the game rules.The number one rule in this game?If you can't walk away from it,then "DO NOT PLAY"!Chok Dee,luckkyybuddha999

Saturday, November 19, 2011

"Water World" 2011 Thailand

I am very sure that the "Buddhas" behind me have seen many floods in hundreds of years they have  kept vigil over this ancient "Wat"!I visited this area about 3.5 years ago,and it was hot & dry.The visit to this "Wat" & many other's was about this period of the year(Nov/Dec),and in the middle of the flood waters of this present year!The water has receded,but the clean-up will take many months and much money.I am firmly & safely encamped 700km from Bangkok & most of the current problems.I was not prepared for a major ecological and economic disaster,that i now must deal with.Life is uncertain at best,and bad things our part of life's adventures.I think i am in "denial" in the way i have so far dealt with this current  situation...maybe that works for me?This is going to hurt money wise for sure!Thai people deal with "Bad trouble" in a major different way than Western/European foreigners.I have pretty much acted as if i was back in the "States",not living as a expat in a "Buddhist" culture and country.Thais pretty much take most problems as if they our "SUPPOSED" to happen,and flooding is just normal for them.No Thai will store anything of value on the lower floors of a "Baan",if they have a two floor home.Flooding occurs every year,and has for tens of thousands of years in S.E. Asia.The fact that the world is getting warmer,and the climate is rapidly changing for the worst is a bad omen for much of this part of the world.Thailand is a very flat country,and its biggest city(Bangkok)sits at 2.5 meters above sea level(i am told)tides and monsoons do not work well with the location of this major city.If(when)current sea levels rise,due to climate change,Bangkok and similar located cities will be "screwed".I did not think about this when i decided to retire and relocate to Thailand,now i am seeing replays of the movie "Water World" in my nightly mind wanderings...Chok Dee,sawasdee khrap.luckkyybuddha999

Monday, November 14, 2011

redo number "2"

The worst is over,except redoing a lot of work that was completed over the last two years.If you move to a third world country,you our on your own!dangers come in many forms,and you will have to take care of shit.I am still out of my home...maybe Dec i can come back and let my readers know the full story...luckkyybuddha999
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