Archive for the Credit Unions Category

“Monitoring The Masses:  The Card And The Chip (January 12, 2015)” Revisited:  The “Fondle Slab” Enslaves Us All (January 28, 2019)

Posted in Apple, Banks and Banking System, Cell Phones, Credit Unions, Privacy, Technology on January 28, 2019 by e-commentary.org

. . .

X          “We are doing it to ourselves.  The ‘Chip’ is not even implanted; the ‘Card’ is never discarded.  The ‘Chip’ and the ‘Card’ are consolidated into the ‘Fondle Slab’ we call our Cell Phone, our electronic love machine.”

Y          “The Cell Phone is a hard ‘Card’ embedded with the ‘Chip’ and cherished and adored as the most important possession and appendage of each and every subject.”

X          “The ‘Fondle Slab’ is the first thing we scramble for in the morning, the constant companion we clutch and caress throughout the day, and the last thing we embrace at night.”

Y          “They can access and assess the pictures we take and see who and what we saw and what we did and where we were when we took the pictures.  Who, what, when, where . . . and surely why.  And without asking us or paying us.”        

X          “We pass on buying infant formula to pay for the Slab.”

Y          “The enemy has been met.”

. . .

[See the article “Holding U.S. Treasurys?  Beware: Uncle Sam Can’t Account For $21 Trillion” in “Forbes” magazine by Professor Laurence Kotlikoff dated January 9, 2019 and an acknowledgement of his and Professor Mark Skidmore’s pioneering work looking behind the curtain at dodgy government accounting at “Third Annual Noble Prize In Eco-nomics (October 8, 2018)”.]

[See the article discussing excessive spending and trust betrayed by J. Mark Watters and Sarah Vega with the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) titled “A $450 dinner, $45 whisky: Political appointee, aide ring up the expenses” in “The Washington Post” by Robert O’Harrow, Jr. dated January 19, 2019.]

[See the e-commentary at “Monitoring The Masses:  The Card And The Chip (January 12, 2015)” and “The Mandibles, FRNs, SDRs, IMF, G20, WTD! (September 5, 2016)”.]

Bumper stickers of the week:

Big Brother in a little box

We have met . . .

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First Annual Noble Prize In Jurisprudence (October 17, 2016)

Posted in Civil Rights/Civil Liberties, Courts, Credit Unions, Judges, Noble Prize in Jurisprudence on October 17, 2016 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K          “A prize dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating the work of someone who really knows something about jurisprudence and the impact of courts, judges, lawyers and police on the lives and livelihoods of ordinary citizens.  Someone who lives the conviction that men and women should establish and respect some norms and standards that are promulgated clearly to all and enforced equally in favor of and against all.”

J          “Novel.  Appropriate.  Necessary.  And unprecedented.”

K          “The recipient of the first annual Noble Prize In Jurisprudence is . . . all of the unnamed and uncelebrated lawyers and support staff who protect and advance civil rights and civil liberties in a legal system that is usually indifferent if not hostile to such fundamental concerns.”

. . .

J          “Politics does come full circle.  Libertarian Republicans and Democratic civil libertarians can find some common ground.  The high ground.”

. . .

[See the e-commentary announcing the Noble Prize in Jurisprudence at “Award Deadlines (Livelines?) (July 25, 2016)” and “Here Comes Da Judge; Dere Goes Da Justice (August 31, 2015)” and the earlier e-commentary cited in that e-commentary.]

Bumper stickers of the week:

You can’t have my rights; I’m still using them

October 20 – International Credit Union Day

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First Annual Noble Prize In Eco-nomics (October 10, 2016)

Posted in Awards / Incentives, Banks and Banking System, Courage, Credit Unions, Crime/Punishment, Economics, Economics Nobel, FDIC, Journalism, Kleptocracy, Law, Newspapers, Nobel Prize, Noble Prize, Noble Prize in Eco-nomics, Press/Media, Rule of Law, Song Reference on October 10, 2016 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K          “An award dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating the work of someone on the planet who really knows something about eco-nomics.”

J          “Novel.  Appropriate.  Necessary.  And unprecedented.”

K          “The recipient of the first annual Noble Prize In Eco-nomics is . . . Professor William Kurt Black, Esq. professor of law and economics with the University of Missouri at Kansas City.  With decades of substantial and substantive real world experience, Professor Black examines and explicates the workings of banks and the banking system in the United States and the world with insight and conviction.  In his classic, timely and timeless magnum opus The Best Way to Rob a Bank is to Own One, he advances the conservative notion that those in the banking industry who commit systematic and rampant fraud should be convicted.  In an inspiring TEDxUMKC presentation available at TED the national public forum, he notes that bankers deploy banks as weapons of mass destruction against the public.  Unlike so many other law professors and judges who explore the interface of law and economics, he contends that law and economics should serve more than the interests of the wealthy and the powerful.  A felicitous contributor to the public discourse and dialogue, Professor Black’s continuing academic and personal commitment to the common weal and greater good is a good thing.”

. . .

[“This is Walter Kingsbury Brinkley, XYZ News, New York.  Earlier today, the highly coveted Noble Prize In Eco-nomics was awarded to Professor William K. Black, Esq. of the University of Missouri at Kansas City.  In his most celebrated work, Professor Black contends among other observations that the adoption of the rule of law in America is a swell idea.  In a related development, the Swedish bankers convened and announced the 2016 Nobel Prize in E-con-omics given to the individual who has or individuals who have done the most during his, her or their career to advance the interests of the wealthy and powerful.  . . . “]

[See the e-commentary at “Announcing The First Annual Noble Prize In Eco-nomics (May 2, 2016)”, “Award Deadlines (Livelines?) (July 25, 2016)”, “From e-con-omics to eco-nomics? (August 1, 2011)” and “Skip the Nobel in Economics (Oct. 6, 2009).”]

Bumper stickers of the week:

“Yes, as through this world I’ve wandered I’ve seen lots of funny men; Some will rob you with a six-gun, and some with a fountain pen.”  “The Ballad of Pretty Boy Floyd” by Woody Guthrie (c) 1958 (renewed) Woody Guthrie Publications, Inc.

Give a man a gun and he can rob a bank; give a man a bank and he can rob the world.

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USA, FDIC, Or NCUA? LCU? SPCU? (October 19, 2015)

Posted in Bail In, Bailout/Bribe, Banks and Banking System, Boycott Series, Collapse, Credit Unions, Debt/Deficits, Depression, Dollar - World's Reserve Currency, Federal Reserve, Gold, International Finance, Kleptocracy, Money, SDR - Special Drawing Rights, Silver on October 19, 2015 by e-commentary.org

. . .

B          “I want out of the Racket – the stock market Racket.  I want to hold my deferred compensation in the form of dollars, for what they are worth.  As I see it, Treasury Bills and Treasury Bonds are allegedly protected by the ‘full faith and credit’ of the United States.  What is that worth?  When the Big Jolt hits, what is Uncle Sam’s telephone number?  Or e-mail address?  unclesam@unclesam.gov?  A general promise by the Uncle when I have full faith that the credit of the United States is sketchy, provisional and conditional at best.  I won’t touch Treasury Bills or Treasury Bonds.”

C          “Another hollow and worthless promise.  I won’t touch Treasuries and refuse to deposit money in a bank.  The FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) allegedly provides insurance for banks, yet the agency is ‘stressed’ to put it mildly and will not pay all claims in the event of a significant bank run.  The NCUA (National Credit Union Association) allegedly provides insurance for credit unions and may provide some insurance protection for some time for some depositors.  I am willing to make a tentative commitment to the system and keep some of my funds in my Local Credit Union (LCU).”

B          “Depositing a healthy chunk of money in the Sealy Posturepedic Credit Union (SPCU) involves little counterparty risk and allows me to sleep peacefully at night.  When the Big Jolt hits, there will not be enough physical dollars.  Regular folks may accept regular dollars for two related reasons – inertia and habit – until the shock triggers them to do something and change their habits.  Regular folks will accept the few available physical dollars for four or six or eight weeks for transactions as long as other citizens accept dollars for transactions.  Then regular folks will only accept Sacagawea dollars and some coins for a few weeks, although coins like dollars of any kind are in short supply today.  After a few more weeks, some informed folks will accept silver coins minted before 1964 at a premium.”

C          “In the end, the Depression is our guide.  Twelve gauge shot gun shells may be another medium of exchange and twenty-two rounds may be used as change to support the emerging barter economy.  Cash of any kind is the threat to the those who run System.  The government now requires banks to obtain and record the identity of anyone making a cash deposit and are refusing to accept cash for some payments.”

B          “Banks do not need deposits to be able to loan money.  Yet today many banks are offering gimmicks and gewgaws to attract funds that they will be able to retain during a ‘bail in’ without any obligation to the depositor.”

. . .

C          “Junior’s paper route money stored in his piggy bank may be our only available liquid asset.”

B          “She may not stand for us withdrawing some of the Standing Liberty quarters from the collection she has accumulated with her baby sitting money.”

C          “We may need a bushel basket of Wheat Pennies to buy a pocketful of wheat.”

B          “When the banks are maneuvering to avoid a haircut, we may be required to go to our Barbers.”

. . . 

[See the e-commentary at Preserve Cash; Preserve (Some) Privacy (May 4, 2015), “Bail Ins” Are Globalized; “Bail Outs” Are Bailed Back In; No Bail For Bankers (December 29, 2014), Globalizing The Bail In (July 8, 2013), Bailouts: Out; Bail Ins: In; Slowly Boilin’ The Frog (April 15, 2013), Money “In The Bank” Or “Under The Mattress” (October 8, 2012), Boycott Big Banks – Vote Your Dollars (November 21, 2011), and Boycott Big Banks (February 1, 2010).]

Bumper stickers of the week:

The U.S. government is pursuing an international currency war and a domestic war on currency.

SPCU/You > LCU/NCUA > Bank/FDIC > Uncle Sam/FF&C

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Interest Rates ‘risin’? (March 30, 2015)

Posted in Bail In, Banks and Banking System, Credit Unions, Debt/Deficits, Federal Reserve, Stock Market on March 30, 2015 by e-commentary.org

. . .

1          “Can they.”

2          “May they.”

1          “Could they.”

2          “Should they.”

. . .

1          “The Federal Reserve cannot allow interest rates to rise because the Federal Government would be obligated to pay staggeringly more interest to service the ever metastasizing National Debt.”

2          “Someone in the Bureaucracy must be sober enough to realize that a rise in rates will trigger profound and devastating economic and financial consequences.  Everyone will need to look up the word ‘derivatives’ in the dictionary.”

1          “I could see the Federal Reserve raising rates by ‘25 basis points,’ as they say, to show that they cannot do nothing.  If they appear effete, they are effete.” 

2          “Even a quarter percent rise may be enough to tip over the economic and financial game.  Perhaps in desperation the Fed can generate real inflation then the Federal Government can pay the interest on the National Debt with deflated dollars . . . which reduces the real cost to the Government.”

1          “The Federal Reserve does what it wants to do, but its primary mandate is to maintain price stability.  Inducing gross price instability is directly contrary to its raison d’etre.  But then, do they care?”

. . .

2          “The dollars may not be worth anything in a few years, yet I will not pay money to store my money in a bank and also risk having my money confiscated by the bank to pay the debts of the bank.”

1          “When they slither from the ZIRP – zero interest rate policy – to the NIRP – negative interest rate policy – and start charging me to keep my deposits in their failing financial institutions, I am tucking all of my money in the Sealy Posturepedic Credit Union.”

. . .  

[See the e-commentary at Money “In The Bank” Or “Under The Mattress” (October 8, 2012).]

Bumper stickers of the week:

Compound interest is described as the greatest invention of the 20th Century, yet it may be the most vexing challenge confronting governments in the 21st Century.

“The first panacea for a mismanaged nation is inflation of the currency; the second is war.  Both bring a temporary prosperity; both bring a permanent ruin.  But both are the refuge of political and economic opportunists.”  Ernest Hemingway, “Notes on the Next War:  A Serious Topical Letter,” Esquire, September 1935

What goes down must go up?

ZIRP (Zero Interest Rate Policy) = Official National Policy . . . for all time?

NIRP (Negative Interest Rate Policy) = the straw that breaks

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Standing Up In America (December 5, 2011)

Posted in "Fiat ______", Bailout/Bribe, Banks and Banking System, Courts, Credit Unions, Crime/Punishment, Housing, Kleptocracy, Law, Locke Gary, Perjury/Dishonesty, Politics on December 5, 2011 by e-commentary.org

. . .

L          “We now learn that while he was Secretary of Treasury, Henry Paulson tipped off some of his hedge fund buddies of the Fannie Mae bailout.  Everyone in power is quick to proclaim that his statements and actions are not illegal and declare that nothing can be done.  His statements and actions are illegal, but those in power refuse to enforce Title 18, the criminal provisions of the United States Code, because they do not want to bring charges against their compatriots in power even their competitors in the other party.”      

O         “They cop out and refuse to send the cops out.  Because otherwise someone could bring charges against them some day.  The Great Ruling Class Truce.  And no one asks any follow-up questions or demands answers.”

L          “However, a federal judge in New York, Jed S. Rakoff, took a stand from his seat on the bench and rejected a settlement between the Big Banks and the SEC that would have let the Big Banks substantially off the hook.” 

O         “I read a blurb that the state attorney general in Massachusetts, Martha Coakley, took a stand and demanded that the Big Banks follow standards.  The lawsuit may put the Big Banks on the hook.”

L          “And in developments overseas, America’s standard-bearer in China, Gary Locke, is America’s stand-up guy in China.”

. . .

[Henry Paulson:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-29/how-henry-paulson-gave-hedge-funds-advance-word-of-2008-fannie-mae-rescue.html]

[Jed S. Rakoff:  http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/11/28/142856070/judge-blocks-citigroup-sec-settlement]

[Martha Coakley:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/massachusetts-attorney-general-sues-big-banks-over-foreclosure-practices/2011/12/01/gIQAgwnUIO_story.html.  See the “e-ssay” titled Fire Your Attorney General (November 7, 2011)]

[Gary Locke:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/gary-locke-is-star-in-china-as-first-us-ambassador-of-chinese-ancestry/2011/11/28/gIQA703DEO_story.html?hpid=z2.  See the “Category” denoted “Locke, Gary”]

Bumper stickers of the week:

America Is Exceptional / When America’s Exceptional

Take a stand

Take a few fiat dollars out of your credit union and put them in your pocket for safe keeping.

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Boycott Big Banks – Vote Your Dollars (November 21, 2011)

Posted in Bailout/Bribe, Banks and Banking System, Boycott Series, Civil Rights/Civil Liberties, Credit Unions, Guns, Occupy Movement on November 21, 2011 by e-commentary.org

. . .

X          “The money you withdraw from a Big Bank and deposit in a credit union does not matter to the Big Bank.  The Big Banks get free money from the Federal Reserve.  The Federal Reserve has already given away more than 16 Trillion with no Congressional approval and no prospect of every receiving any of the money.  However, when you withdraw your money from a Big Bank, you are surrendering your serfdom and asserting your freedom.  The Big Bank can no longer fleece you.  All the little fees are little fleas that pester and annoy and destroy you.  The Big Banks are five and ten dollaring you to death.”

Y          “When I moved my money to my local credit union, I was already in the lobby when I thought about applying for a car loan.  They offered the best rate.”

X          “Never borrow money from a Big Bank; only borrow money from a credit union or community bank.  When too many Americans did not deserve credit, the Big Banks and their surrogates fooled them and forced credit on them.  Now when a few deserving Americans desire and deserve credit, the Big Banks are unwilling to lend.  A credit union is willing to loan.”

Y          “The brochure says that I may even be able to apply for a home improvement loan.”

. . .

[See Senator Bernie Sanders at http://sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/news/?id=9e2a4ea8-6e73-4be2-a753-62060dcbb3c3]

[See the “e-ssay” titled “O’Bama Arming Industry (November 22, 2010).”  The benchmark price of .22s in November is $21.99.]

Bumper stickers of the week:

The spray seen ’round the world – UC Davis, 11/18/11

The pen is not mightier than the sword, but the video camera may be as moving

A video is worth ten thousand words

Banks got bailed out; people got sold out

Boycott Big Banks; Support Credit Unions

Lend To Credit Unions; Borrow From Credit Unions

Vote Your Dollars

http://www.occupycafe.org/

http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-9th-circuit/1332957.html

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