Founding Fathers of the United States Were Radical Revolutionaries #ows

 #OWS is primarily made up of people who believe that the country is in dire need of massive reform in many areas.



Just because some of the founding fathers had slaves and were Episcopalian and there were no women allowed in the group doesn't mean we have to be that way now.

Amplify’d from en.wikipedia.org

Founding Fathers of the United States

The Founding Fathers of the United States of America were political leaders and statesmen who participated in the American Revolution by signing the United States Declaration of Independence, taking part in the American Revolutionary War, establishing the United States Constitution, or by some other key contribution. Within the large group known as the "Founding Fathers", there are two key subsets: the "Signers of the Declaration of Independence" (who signed the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776) and the Framers of the Constitution (who were delegates to the Federal Convention and took part in framing or drafting the proposed Constitution of the United States). A further subset is the group that signed the Articles of Confederation.[2]

The Committee of Five presenting their draft of the Declaration of Independence to the Congress on June 28, 1776. Painting by John Trumbull. Trumbull's painting can also be found on the back of the U.S. $2 bill.[1]

Some historians define the "Founding Fathers" to mean a larger group, including not only the Signers and the Framers but also all those who, whether as politicians, jurists, statesmen, soldiers, diplomats, or ordinary citizens, took part in winning American independence and creating the United States of America.[3] American historian Richard B. Morris, in his 1973 book Seven Who Shaped Our Destiny: The Founding Fathers as Revolutionaries, identified the following seven figures as the key Founding Fathers: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington.[4]

The newspaper publisher Warren G. Harding, then a Republican Senator from Ohio, coined the phrase "Founding Fathers" in his keynote address to the 1916 Republican National Convention. He used it several times thereafter, most prominently in his 1921 inaugural address as President of the United States.[5]

Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States, by Howard Chandler Christy

[edit] Collective biography of the Framers of the Constitution

In the winter and spring of 1786-1787, twelve of the thirteen states chose a total of 74 delegates to attend what is now known as the Federal Convention in Philadelphia. Nineteen delegates chose not to accept election or attend the debates; for example, Patrick Henry of Virginia thought that state politics were far more interesting and important than national politics, though during the ratification controversy of 1787-1788 he claimed, "I smelled a rat." Rhode Island did not send delegates because of its politicians' suspicions of the Convention delegates' motivations. As a sanctuary for Baptists, Rhode Island's absence at the Convention in part explains the absence of Baptist affiliation among those who did attend. Of the 55 who did attend at some point, no more than 38 delegates showed up at one time.[6]

These delegates represented a cross-section of 18th century American leadership. Almost all of them were well-educated men of means who were leaders in their communities. Many were also prominent in national affairs. Virtually every one had taken part in the American Revolution; at least 29 had served in the Continental Army, most of them in positions of command. Several of the latter were instrumental in establishing the Society of the Cincinnati in 1783. Scholars have examined the collective biography of them as well as the signers of the Declaration and the Constitution.[7]

[edit] Political experience

The framers of the Constitution had extensive political experience. By 1787, four-fifths (41 individuals), were or had been members of the Continental Congress. Nearly all of the 55 delegates had experience in colonial and state government, and the majority had held county and local offices.[8]

Thomas Mifflin and Nathaniel Gorham had served as President of the Continental Congress.

The ones who lacked congressional experience were Bassett, Blair, Brearly, Broom, Davie, Dayton, Alexander Martin, Luther Martin, Mason, McClurg, Paterson, Charles Pinckney, Strong, Washington and Yates.

Eight men (Clymer, Franklin, Gerry, Robert Morris, Read, Roger Sherman, Wilson, and Wythe) had signed the Declaration of Independence.

Six (Carroll, Dickinson, Gerry, Gouverneur Morris, Robert Morris, and Sherman) had affixed their signatures to the Articles of Confederation.

Two, Sherman and Robert Morris, signed all three of the nation's basic documents.

Dickinson, Franklin, Langdon, and Rutledge had been governors.

[edit] Occupations and finances

The 1787 delegates practiced a wide range of high and middle-status occupations, and many pursued more than one career simultaneously. They did not differ dramatically from the Loyalists, except they were generally younger and less senior in their professions.[9] Thirty-five had legal training, though not all of them practiced law. Some had also been local judges.[10] At the time of the convention, 13 men were merchants: Blount, Broom, Clymer, Dayton, Fitzsimons, Shields, Gilman, Gorham, Langdon, Robert Morris, Pierce, Sherman, and Wilson. Seven were major land speculators: Blount, Dayton, Fitzsimons, Gorham, Robert Morris, Washington and Wilson. Eleven speculated in securities on a large scale: Bedford, Blair, Clymer, Dayton, Fitzsimons, Franklin, King, Langdon, Robert Morris, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, and Sherman. Twelve owned or managed slave-operated plantations or large farms: Bassett, Blair, Blount, Butler, Carroll, Jenifer, Jefferson, Mason, Charles Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Rutledge, Spaight, and Washington. Madison also owned slaves, as did Franklin, who later freed his slaves and was a key founder of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. Alexander Hamilton was opposed to slavery and, with John Jay and other anti-slavery advocates, helped to found the first African free school in New York City. Jay helped to found the New York Manumission Society, Hamilton was an officer, and when Jay was governor of New York in 1798 he signed into law the state statute ending slavery as of 1821. Broom and Few were small farmers. Eight of the men received a substantial part of their income from public office: Baldwin, Blair, Brearly, Gilman, Livingston, Madison, and Rutledge. Three had retired from active economic endeavors: Franklin, McHenry, and Mifflin. Franklin and Williamson were scientists, in addition to their other activities. McClurg, McHenry, and Williamson were physicians, and Johnson was a college president. [edit] Family and finances A few of the 1787 delegates were wealthy, but many of the country's top wealth-holders were Loyalists who went to Britain. Most of the others had financial resources that ranged from good to excellent, but there are other founders who were less than wealthy. On the whole they were less wealthy than the Loyalists.[11] [edit] Demographics Brown (1976) and Harris (1969) provide detailed demographic information on each man. Most of the 1787 delegates were natives of the Thirteen Colonies. Only 9 were born elsewhere: four (Butler, Fitzsimons, McHenry, and Paterson) in Ireland, two (Davie and Robert Morris) in England, two (Wilson and Witherspoon) in Scotland, and one (Hamilton) in the West Indies. Many of them had moved from one state to another. Seventeen individuals had already lived or worked in more than one state or colony: Baldwin, Bassett, Bedford, Dickinson, Few, Franklin, Ingersoll, Hamilton, Livingston, Alexander Martieno, Luther Martin, Mercer, Gouverneur Morris, Robert Morris, Read, Sherman, and Williamson. Several others had studied or traveled abroad. The Founding Fathers had strong educational backgrounds at some of the colonial colleges or abroad.[12] Some, like Franklin and Washington, were largely self-taught or learned through apprenticeship. Others had obtained instruction from private tutors or at academies. About half of the men had attended or graduated from college. Some men held medical degrees or advanced training in theology. Most of the education was in the colonies, but several were lawyers who had been trained at the Inns of Court in London. [edit] Longevity and family life Death age of the Founding Fathers. For their era, the 1787 delegates (like the 1776 signers) were average in terms of life spans.[10] Their average age at death was about 67. The first to die was Houston in 1788; the last was Madison in 1836. Secretary Charles Thomson lived to the age of 94. Johnson died at 92. John Adams lived to the age of 90. A few—Franklin, Jefferson, Madison, Williamson, and Wythe—lived into their eighties. Either 15 or 16 (depending on Fitzsimons's exact age) died in their seventies, 20 or 21 in their sixties, eight in their fifties, and five only in their forties. Three (Alexander Hamilton, Richard Dobbs Spaight and Button Gwinnett) were killed in duels. Most of the delegates married and raised children. Sherman fathered the largest family: 15 children by two wives. At least nine (Bassett, Brearly, Johnson, Mason, Paterson, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Sherman, Wilson, and Wythe) married more than once. Four (Baldwin, Gilman, Jenifer, and Alexander Martin) were lifelong bachelors. [edit] Religion Lambert (2003) has examined the religious affiliations and beliefs of the Founders. Of the 55 delegates to the 1787 Constitutional Convention, 49 were Protestants, and three were Roman Catholics (C. Carroll, D. Carroll, and Fitzsimons). Among the Protestant delegates to the Constitutional Convention, 28 were Church of England (or Episcopalian, after the American Revolutionary War was won), eight were Presbyterians, seven were Congregationalists, two were Lutherans, two were Dutch Reformed, and two were Methodists. A few prominent Founding Fathers were anti-clerical Christians, such as Thomas Jefferson[13][14][15] (who created the so-called "Jefferson Bible") and Benjamin Franklin.[16] A few others (most notably Thomas Paine) were deists, or at least held beliefs very similar to those of deists.[17] [edit] Post-convention careers The 1787 delegates' subsequent careers reflected their abilities as well as the vagaries of fate.[18] Most were successful, although seven (Fitzsimons, Gorham, Luther Martin, Mifflin, Robert Morris, Pierce, and Wilson) suffered serious financial reverses that left them in or near bankruptcy. Two, Blount and Dayton, were involved in possibly treasonous activities. Yet, as they had done before the convention, most of the group continued to render public service, particularly to the new government they had helped to create. [edit] Legacy According to Joseph J. Ellis, the concept of the Founding Fathers of the U.S. emerged in the 1820s as the last survivors died out. Ellis says "the founders," or "the fathers," comprised an aggregate of semi-sacred figures whose particular accomplishments and singular achievements were decidedly less important than their sheer presence as a powerful but faceless symbol of past greatness. For the generation of national leaders coming of age in the 1820s and 1830s – men like Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and John C. Calhoun – "the founders" represented a heroic but anonymous abstraction whose long shadow fell across all followers and whose legendary accomplishments defied comparison. "We can win no laurels in a war for independence," Webster acknowledged in 1825. "Earlier and worthier hands have gathered them all. Nor are there places for us ... [as] the founders of states. Our fathers have filled them. But there remains to us a great duty of defence and preservation."[19] The last remaining founders, also called the "Last of the Romans",[20] lived well into the nineteenth century; for example, Andrew Jackson served in the Revolutionary War, eventually became President, died in 1845, and is now sometimes considered a founding father.[21] [edit] List of the Founding Fathers [edit] Signers of the Declaration of Independence John Adams Samuel Adams Josiah Bartlett Carter Braxton Charles Carroll Samuel Chase Abraham Clark George Clymer William Ellery William Floyd Benjamin Franklin Elbridge Gerry Button Gwinnett Lyman Hall John Hancock (presiding) Benjamin Harrison John Hart Joseph Hewes Thomas Heyward, Jr. William Hooper Stephen Hopkins Francis Hopkinson Samuel Huntington Thomas Jefferson Francis Lightfoot Lee Richard Henry Lee Francis Lewis Philip Livingston Thomas Lynch, Jr. Thomas McKean Arthur Middleton Lewis Morris Robert Morris John Morton Thomas Nelson, Jr. William Paca Robert Treat Paine John Penn George Read Caesar Rodney George Ross Benjamin Rush Edward Rutledge Roger Sherman James Smith Richard Stockton Thomas Stone George Taylor Charles Thomson, Secretary (attesting) Matthew Thornton George Walton William Whipple William Williams James Wilson John Witherspoon Oliver Wolcott George Wythe [edit] Delegates to the Constitutional Convention [edit] Signers of the Constitution Abraham Baldwin Richard Bassett Gunning Bedford, Jr. John Blair William Blount David Brearly Jacob Broom Pierce Butler Daniel Carroll George Clymer John Dickinson Jonathan Dayton William Few Thomas Fitzsimons Benjamin Franklin Nicholas Gilman Nathaniel Gorham Alexander Hamilton Jared Ingersoll William Jackson, Secretary (attesting) Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer William Samuel Johnson Rufus King John Langdon William Livingston James Madison James McHenry Thomas Mifflin Gouverneur Morris Robert Morris William Paterson Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Charles Pinckney George Read John Rutledge Roger Sherman Richard Dobbs Spaight George Washington (president of the Convention) Hugh Williamson James Wilson [edit] Delegates who left the Convention without signing William Richardson Davie Oliver Ellsworth William Houston William Houstoun John Lansing, Jr. Alexander Martin Luther Martin James McClurg John Francis Mercer William Pierce Caleb Strong George Wythe Robert Yates [edit] Convention delegates who refused to sign Elbridge Gerry George Mason Edmund Randolph [edit] Signers of the Articles of Confederation See also: President of the Continental Congress and List of delegates to the Continental Congress The following people signed the Articles of Confederation: Andrew Adams Samuel Adams Thomas Adams John Banister Josiah Bartlett Daniel Carroll William Clingan John Collins Francis Dana John Dickinson William Henry Drayton James Duane William Duer William Ellery Elbridge Gerry John Hancock John Hanson Cornelius Harnett John Harvie Thomas Heyward Jr. Samuel Holten Titus Hosmer Samuel Huntington Richard Hutson Edward Langworthy Henry Laurens Francis Lightfoot Lee Richard Henry Lee Francis Lewis James Lovell Henry Marchant John Mathews Thomas McKean Gouverneur Morris Robert Morris John Penn Joseph Reed Daniel Roberdeau Nathaniel Scudder Roger Sherman Jonathan Bayard Smith Edward Telfair Nicholas Van Dyke John Walton John Wentworth Jr. John Williams John Witherspoon Oliver Wolcott [edit] Other founders The following people are referred to in the cited reliable sources as having been fathers or founders of the United States. Abigail Adams, wife and mother of presidents.[22] John Quincy Adams, president and son of president.[3] Ethan Allen, military and political leader in Vermont.[23] Richard Allen, African-American bishop.[24] Egbert Benson, politician from New York.[25] Nicholas Biddle, banker.[21] Richard Bland, VA delegate to Continental Congress.[26] Elias Boudinot, NJ delegate to Continental Congress.[27] Aaron Burr, VP under Jefferson.[28] George Rogers Clark, army general.[29] George Clinton, NY governor and VP of the U.S.[3] Tench Coxe, economist in Continental Congress.[21] Albert Gallatin, politician and Treasury Secretary.[30] Horatio Gates, army general.[29] Stephen Girard, banker and philanthropist.[21] Nathanael Greene, army general.[29] Nathan Hale, captured U.S. soldier executed in 1776.[22] Patrick Henry, Virginia governor.[26] James Iredell, advocate for Constitution, judge.[3] Andrew Jackson, Revolutionary War POW, POTUS.[21] John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States.[4] John Paul Jones, navy captain.[29] Henry Knox, army general.[3] Tadeusz Kościuszko, army general.[30] Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette, army general.[30] Henry Lee III, army officer and VA governor.[29] Robert R. Livingston, diplomat and jurist.[22] William Maclay, PA politician and U.S. Senator.[3] Dolley Madison, spouse of President James Madison.[22] John Marshall, fourth Chief Justice of the United States.[22] Philip Mazzei, Italian physician, merchant and author.[31] James Monroe, fifth President of the United States[32] Daniel Morgan, military hero and VA Congressman.[29] James Otis, Jr., MA lawyer and politician.[33] Thomas Paine, author of Common Sense.[34] Edmund Pendleton, VA politician, lawyer and judge.[35] Andrew Pickens, army general and SC congressman.[29] Timothy Pickering, U.S. Secretary of State from MA.[36] Israel Putnam, army general.[37] Comte de Rochambeau, army general.[30] Thomas Sumter, SC military hero and congressman.[29] Haym Solomon, financier and spy for Continental Army.[38] Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, Prussian officer.[30] Joseph Warren, doctor, revolutionary leader.[37] Mercy Otis Warren, political writer.[3] Anthony Wayne, army general and politician.[29] Noah Webster, writer, lexicographer, educator.[39] Thomas Willing, banker.[40] Paine Wingate, last survivor, Continental Congress.[41][42] Read more at en.wikipedia.org

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Economic and Currency Wars Escalate in EU, Confidence Erodes

Its all about confidence and the infinite growth paradigm is crumbling under the weight of too many people, too much debt, too much stuff, and a deteriorating climate.

Amplify’d from www.cnbc.com

65% Chance of Banking Crisis by End of Month: Researchers

By: Patrick Allen CNBC EMEA Head of News

There is a 65 percent chance of a banking crisis between November 23-26 following a Greek default and a run on the Italian banking system, according to analysts at Exclusive Analysis, a research firm that focuses on global risks.

Having tested a number of assumptions in a scenario modeling exercise, the Exclusive Analysis team warned it is becoming less and less likely that EU leaders will simply “muddle through” and have made some bold calls with clear timelines on when the euro zone will be thrown into a major financial crisis.

The most likely outcome according to their analysis is a sudden crisis in which the US, UK and BRICs nations refuse to provide funding via the IMF for the euro zone. In a world where predictions are made with no time lines, the paper makes some bold predictions which can be held to account over the next three weeks.

In the worst case scenario, Exclusive Analysis expects the governments of Greece and Portugal to collapse due to a lack of consensus on how to handle the debt crisis leading to social unrest. German opposition to handing more funds to the EFSF rises, leading Germany’s parliament to actually reduce the money available to the bailout fund.

“In face of that, China and the other BRICs give clear signals that they will not support the bailout fund. The EFSF turns to the ECB , which refuses to print out the amount of money the former needs to bailout the PIIGS. In face of the EU's failure to boost the EFSF, the European banks refuse to accept the 50 percent haircut on the Greek debt. Both the IMF and the ECB suspend payments to Greece,” said the report released on Tuesday evening.

Between November 18-22, French debt, under Exclusive Analysis' most likely scenario, is downgraded leading to the interbank lending market freezing up with new governments in Greece and Italy “faced down by protestors in their attempts to implement more austerity”.

Civil unrest follows in Spain following the election of a new government which pushes through even tighter austerity measures, and Portugal announces it cannot meet financial targets putting its bailout cash from the IMF and ECB at risk.

“Increased fear that these economies will default creates bank runs in Greece and Portugal and a downgrade of French sovereign debt from AAA to AA. EFSF is subsequently downgraded to AA+” said the report.

“The spreads applied to the debt of all PIIGS increase with yields on Italian bonds reaching 7.3 percent. In a second contagion effect, depositors in Spain and Italy fear a banking crisis in their own countries, which end up creating a series of bank runs and a collapse of the interbank credit market as banks know that most of their counterparts are at risk. Greece defaults.”

This doomsday scenario comes to a head between November 23-26 when Greece leaves the euro to print money and rescue its banking sector. The new currency falls quickly and depositors lose out as their investments are converted into the new local currency.

“The government default on the sovereign debt and the banks default on their foreign debt, which causes a banking crisis across Europe. Italian bond yields rise and exceed 7 percent and the country faces bank runs, in face of which the government freezes deposits and defaults on the sovereign debt”.

So far so scary. For those looking for some hope, the Exclusive Analysis report predicts a 25 percent chance that the EU will continue to muddle through. In this scenario new politicians in Greece, Italy and Spain are given some breathing room by voters to find new solutions to the crisis until the end of the year. Portugal still fails to meet its fiscal targets, putting its bailout cash at risk, and French debt is still downgraded on prospect of Greek debt default.

“However, the new governments in Italy, Spain and Greece are given a honeymoon period by protestors and euro zone counterparts, which prevents a market rout.”

In January and February, Greece defaults but the fallout is contained as a new deal on 70 percent haircuts is agreed. Spanish and Italian bond yields hit 7 percent.

“Civil disorder continues in Portugal and Spain, reducing their ability to implement austerity packages. Sovereign ratings in Spain and Italy are downgraded and the prospect of rescue feels imminent as far as analysts are concerned,” warns the report in its muddle-through scenario.

“However, the UK and US governments reduce their objections to the use of IMF resources to fund the EFSF, which, together with a Greek default, improves market conditions and halts the rise in yields on the Italian and Spanish debts.”

With Spain and Italy entering IMF programs, the debt crisis rubbles on in 2012 and 2013 before things turn nasty as Greece defaults and recreates the drachma.

“Markets close to Italy and Portugal again towards end-2012 and civil unrest resume, starting off a second cycle of crisis and speculation about the future of the euro zone.”

If that is the muddle-through scenario, then we are in for a very nasty end to 2011 and years of euro zone debt crisis. But Exclusive Analysis does predict a 10 percent chance that the crisis is resolved.

In this good news scenario Greece still defaults before the end of the year, but “stronger political leadership in other PIIGS contains the fallout”.

“New governments in Italy, Spain and Greece are given a honeymoon period by protestors as they attempt to implement more austerity; a real sense of national unity is constructed with respect to the crisis.”

The new governments are seen as more credible and the US, UK, IMF and BRICs agree to make more funds available to the EFSF.

“The new ECB head is persuasive of the need for the ECB to purchase more bonds from national governments. Greece defaults in November, but under the new technocratic government the process is orderly and banks agree to accept 70 percent haircut on their credit. France recapitalizes its banks and suffers a sovereign downgrade,” said the report.

In the first two months of 2012 France and Germany reach an accommodation on ECB lending and fiscal rules which means the ECB becomes a lender of last resort in return for statuary limits on the amount the so-called PIIGS can borrow, a condition demanded by Germany.

“Market conditions improve and PIIGS bond yields decrease following these successful negotiations. Italy and Spain are emboldened by their lower yields and by the Franco-German pressure to negotiate a restructuring of their debt with creditors with a view to smoothing and lengthening the maturity profile.”

Exclusive Analysis will join Worldwide Exchange at 10:10 BST/5:10 ET to discuss the report and will be joined on set by Jim Rogers of Rogers Holdings. Read more at www.cnbc.com

 

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Chronology of The American Imperialism

1776 - Independence, Rejection of taxation without representation, rejection of monopolies, seeking independence from foreign rule

1780-1860 - Manifest Destiny - precursors of predatory capitalism - Acquiring Land on the New Continent (Decimation of the indigenous population)
1860- Civil War (not just about slavery from a race perspective - it was twisted economix)
- Greenbacks and debt to fund the war                                                                    
1860-1870 - Reconstruction
1868 - Assassination of Lincoln by Southern Banking Interests
1869 - Dawn of Petroleum Age
1890's - Bank of the United States
1898 - Spanish American War- Acquiring New Territory Abroad (Cuba, Phillipines), False Flag of USS Maine
1900 - Industrial Revolution, Human Capital (Slavery, Servitude)
1907 - Market Crash
1911 - Standard Oil Breakup - Pecora Commission
19xx - Henry Ford Gives into Rockefeller - Petroleum and Internal Cumbustion over Diesel and Biofuels and Electric cars
1913 - Federal Reserve Act, Wilson, Rothechild,
1914-1917 - WW1 - Carving up the Middle East for Oil
1920's - Roaring 20's
1929 - Stock Market Crash Driven by Predatory Capitalist
1930-1939 - Great Depression
19xx - Hemp for Victory Campaigns
1933 - Prohibition if Alcohol (to kill biofuels), Prohibition of Weed - driven by Cotton Industry
1933 Gold confiscation - debt to fund WW2
1950 Birth of Consumerism, Banana republics in Latin America, CIA & Protection of "Liberty" as codeword for destruction of other national sovereignty and democracies
1960's Cold War, Population Control, Civil rights, MLK, Vietnam (False Flag)
1970's gold standard, US peak oil, oil crisis, conservation, on the right track,
1980- 2010 - Distraction , The Overseas Oil Boom,
2012 - all kinds of shit, too tired to write more.

From OccupyWallSt to Transition USA

Dear (American Citizens),

Across the country and around the world, people are taking the future into their own hands: they're taking to the streets and saying “enough!” to the status quo. We're here to present an inspiring alternative – and engage Americans in bringing a thriving future to life.

From Palo Alto, CA to Philadelphia, PA, from New York City to cities nationwide, Transitioners have joined Occupy protests. They are leading story-telling and visioning groups, providing information about Transition to protesters, and standing together in solidarity. They are stepping up where this phenomenal change is most visible and providing pathways and next steps for a truly resilient, thriving future.

Will you make a donation now to help Transition US do everything possible to foster change at this historic moment? Your generous contribution will help us build a solid foundation for the world we want to see.

Now is a great time to help – and help us keep the momentum going. Since Transition US was founded just three years ago, 103 Transition Communities have formed -- on islands like Vashon, in Washington State; in boroughs like Media, Pennsylvania; and in cities like Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

There are 54 million Americans who now live in a population center with an active Transition Initiative! Add to that the growing numbers of Americans who live in areas where Transition Initiatives are in formation. Now that’s significant!

This year Transition US is taking a bold step: we're seeking to raise $100,000 by the end of the year, to give this burgeoning movement a big boost at a critical time. Will you make a financial contribution now to support our work, and the work of Transition Communities across the country?

Your help will roll-out inspiring efforts like our new Transition Streets project, where we'll take Transition to clusters of households and improve energy efficiency, reduce transportation miles, increase the quantity of food consumed and grown locally, save water and reduce waste.

Your support will develop advanced training for community leaders and enable them to grow and deepen their Transition efforts locally.

And your contribution will help us develop robust models for Energy Descent Action Planning: concrete road maps communities across America will use to create a thriving, post-carbon future.

Help us strengthen the power and creative genius of people and communities to make the shift to a thriving, sustainable society. Help us get the Transition Movement into more hearts and hands by making a contribution today.

We've opened the door. Let's bring America through.

Sincerely,
Carolyne, Carl, and the TUS Team

PS – Help us ensure a flourishing future for our children and for generations to come. Thanks for your good work!





Your Donation: All contributions to Transition US are tax deductible. It saves us time, paper and money when you donate by credit card over our secure server. If you can't contribute on-line, please mail a check made out to Transition US to:

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Photo Credits: Occupy Wall Street Wendy Annibellvia & Revive The Roots in Smithfield, RI

Why BEARS Are Concerned About The Eurozone Crisis #celente #MikeRuppert #zerohedge

The numbers are scary and the fringe media is making mainstream slowly but surely, which means their dire predictions about currency and trade wars is REAL. Contagion is inevitable.

Amplify’d from advisorperspectives.com

The Dow Panic of 1907 and the 2008 Financial Crisis

By Doug Short

October 31, 2011

Note from dshort: During the summer I posted a set of charts illustrating the dramatic market behavior during the Panic of 1907 and the Financial Crisis of 2008. A century separated these two momentous market episodes, and the underlying causes were quite different. However, the overall volatility and general patterns of decline and rally are remarkably similar. In response to a request, I've updated the charts through October 28.

The first chart is a nominal view of the two periods showing the percentage declines over time from their peaks in 1906 and 2007.

Now let's adjust for inflation, which had a significant impact on the earlier period. During the first half of the 20th century, episodes of high inflation and deflation were commonplace. See this chart for an illustration of those early inflationary/deflationary cycles.

Was the 1907 low the historic bottom for the Dow? Unfortunately, no. The secular bottom occurred nearly 15 years later — a year after Germany signed an armistice with the Allies to mark the official end of World War One.

Both periods involved a financial crisis. The pre-Federal Reserve 1907 Bankers' Panic was dampened by a bailout of the system by J. P. Morgan, who put up his own money, and persuaded other New York bankers to do likewise. The Federal Reserve has introduced a number of tactics to shore up the modern banking system. Naturally there are many differences between the two eras. But one inference we can make from the earlier period is that secular bear markets can last for very long periods of time.

In fact, when did the real Dow permanently regain the 1906 high? In September 1985 — a few months shy of 80 years later.

Of course, investors had many opportunities to create wealth in the market over those eight decades. The bottom in 1921 was followed by the Roaring Twenties. And even during the Great Depression, dividends in the vicinity of 5% were coveted source of income. A few years after World War II, the secular bull market that began at mid-century would provide a sound opportunity for wealth creation.

Bottom line: Bear markets run their course and the Bull eventually returns. But history tells that, especially during those secular declines, patience and risk management are definite virtues. Read more at advisorperspectives.com

 

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European Financial Crisis Claims First US Victim, Greek Trojan Horse Boomerang? MF Global Not TBTF

Jon Corzine is ex Goldman Sachs, who helped the Greeks hide all their debt in order to enter the Eurozone (trojan horse). Now the Eurozone exposure to MF Global is causing their collapse. The ripple effect should impact US financial services firms to the point of additional bankruptcies IF the US government doesn't BAILOUT any more TBTF.



Boomerang.



It turns out the American Achilles Heel is GREED and DEBT.

Amplify’d from www.forbes.com

MF Global Bankruptcy's Biggest Losers

Today MF Global became the first casualty of the European debt crisis leaving behind dozens of unpaid creditors.

Jon Corzine’s MF Global filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy today after a tumultuous week that including the firm’s stock plunging 67%, record quarterly losses and revelations over the firm’s European debt exposure. MF Global said it had total assets of about $41 billion against liabilities of almost $39.7 billion.

In a filing with the Southern District of New York bankruptcy court the New York firm reveals 50 firms that are owed the largest amounts of money by MF Global. MF Global noted in it’s bankruptcy filing that it’s “unable to determine the precise number of holders of its debt securities” but that debt securities are held by more than 500 holders.

Many of the names on the list appear to be vendors and companies that provided services for MF Global. A global IT consultancy out of Fairfax, Virginia, Headstrong Services, is owed $3.9 billion.

JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank are the largest unsecured creditors on the list. JPM’s claims add up to about $1.2 billion while Deutsche Bank’s multiple claims reach roughly $1 billion. Both are listed as trustees for notes they’ve likely sold to investors so the amounts don’t reflect their own exposure to MF Global.

Meanwhile the firm’s largest shareholders are Fidelity’s asset management group Pyramis Global Advisors with roughly 14 million MF Global shares, or 8.4% of the firm’s common stock. That’s followed by Guardian Life Insurance Company’s 12.8 million shares and further down the list TIAA-CREF with 9.5 million shares.

Shareholders are typically at the bottom of the bankruptcy totem poll, and San Diego State University professor of finance Dr. Dan Seiver says they should expect recovery of “next to nothing.”

Here’s a complete list of shareholders who hold more than 5% of common stock as of September 30, 2011.

Fidelity                                 13,917,938 shares                   8.44% common stock RS Investments*                              12,879,811                                    7.81% Fine Capital Partners                           21,504,101                              7.37% Cadian Capital Management              10,180,286                              6.17% TIAA-CREFF                                     9,520,582                                5.77% Piper Jaffray                                        9,132,597                                5.54% Dimensional Fund Advisor                 8,920,497                                5.14% Rydex Security Global Investors        8, 456, 992                              5.13%

*RS Investments is an independent subsidiary of Guardian Investor Services LLC (GIS). GIS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. A spokesperson for the company says shares in MF GLobal were actually held by RS Investments’ RS Partners Fund (RSPFX) and not Guardian Life, and adds that  RS Partners Fund has since sold its entire position in MF Global and is no longer a shareholder. Read more at www.forbes.com

 

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Senate Bill Proposes Selling Residency to Solve USA Housing Crisis #visabill

Yes, you read right. While the Congress, Banks, and the Federal Reserve have allowed an enormous asset bubble followed by a debt to be created right underneath our noses, two members of the Senate now propose selling residency to foreigners that invest over $500,000 in the US housing market.



Great, so all the Chinese manufacturing billionaires, Saudi oil Sheikhs, and Russian natural gas and oil tycoons can buy American assets and bailout the housing crisis. They are essentially proposing selling residency as well as our assets.



American homeowners that are underwater cannot negotiate with their banks unless they fall behind and destroy their credit. They continue to suffer while Congress sends tax dollars to banks via TARP bailouts and selling off to foreign investors that benefited from our failed energy and trade policies.



BRILLIANT!! Destined to Fail - America that is. WTF are these people thinking?

Amplify’d from www.finance-ol.com

U.S. immigration new bill: $ 500,000 purchase at least 3 years residence visa delivery

October 22nd, 2011 admin

Two U.S. senators to submit a new motion, the motion proposes to purchase 50 million or more residents of the housing grant residence visas to foreigners, including apartments, townhouses and villas independent body, the applicant can put all $ 500,000 for the purchase of a house, but also the first to spend $ 250,000 to buy a set, then the rest of the

money to buy a set. Be spent 500,000 to buy a house residence visa According to the U.S. “The Wall Street Journal,” 20 reported that two U.S. senators on Thursday to submit to Congress a new bill, to those who invest in the United States at least $ 500,000 foreigners to buy houses issue a temporary resident visa. According to Utah Republican Senator Mike – Lee (Mike Lee) and New York Democratic Senator Charles – Schumer (Charles Schumer) motion filed in the United States at least $ 500,000 investment for foreigners to buy houses will be 3 residence visa, but in working through the normal procedure for obtaining a visa still not work in the U.S. before. They will be allowed to take any age of a spouse and children under the age of 18, but once they sold the purchased property, their right of abode also will be canceled. This plan is that the two members of a broader immigration part of the program. They hope that this motion can help to absorb excess inventory through to boost the U.S. housing market downturn. According to the American Association of Realtors (National Association of Realtors) data, as of the end of a 3, residential real estate sales in the United States about $ 82 billion from foreign buyers, compared with the previous year’s $ 66 billion increased significantly. The past purchase of foreigners in the United States, Canadians accounted for a quarter, China, Mexico, Britain and India buyers account for another quarter. If the measures motion was passed by Congress, will be present to add U.S. visa program. Schumer said: “This is not a child to spend the federal government needs children can stimulate more ways.” Reported that the U.S. has implemented a series of visa programs, including those in the United States to invest and create jobs, business visas for foreigners to attract foreign investment. New bill, if passed, will become an important supplement to the existing visa program. The U.S. housing market suffered heavy losses in the financial crisis, and so far recovery is weak. Economic downturn, weak job market and household wealth for many Americans purchase prohibitive, resulting in an oversupply of housing market, housing prices continue to slump. The new bill is the hope to attract foreigners to buy property in the United States, to stimulate the real estate market recovery. Recently, the United States, low prices have attracted a large number of foreign investors into the market. According to the U.S. National Association of Realtors statistics, one in 3 years as of today, foreign investors in the U.S. residential market, a total investment of about $ 82 billion, compared with an increase of about $ 16 billion. Visas generally can not hold this job The new visa if foreigners who enter the United States, except through the normal procedures to obtain regular work visa, or not in the United States. These people can bring a spouse and children under 18 years of age to enter the United States, but if you sell real estate in the United States, they will not be able to legally stay in the United States. New residence visa will be independent of the current U.S. visa program to allow the applicant to wait for another visa without being expelled. New items will no visa quota restrictions. According to the National Association of Realtors data, in the past one, Canadians accounted for a quarter of people buy a house overseas, and China, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Indians together accounted for a quarter. New visa vision has won some supporters, including the famous investor Warren Buffett. Buffett has called this summer to encourage more “affluent immigrants” to the United States to buy a house. Buffett 8 to accept the public broadcasting company reporter, said: “If the relaxation of immigration policies to allow 500,000 families enter the United States, and they must have significant net assets and everything, you will soon solve the problem.” However, some industry sources questioned the relaxation of immigration policies. Realogy CEO Richard Smith said foreign home buyers buy a house in the United States without the “stimulus” measures, “many Americans are willing to buy a house, just need to fix the economy.” However, some industry sources questioned the relaxation of immigration policies. Realogy CEO Richard Smith said foreign home buyers buy a house in the United States without the “stimulus” measures, “many Americans are willing to buy a house, just need to fix the economy.” New visa measures envisaged in San Marino, California areas may be more targeted, because the region is increasingly favored by foreign people buy a house. Maggie Navarro said real estate agent to relax immigration policy may have an enormous impact, because many people buy from China is facing visa problems. U.S. technology companies urged to relax immigration policy 1018, according to United States “newspaper” reported that the U.S. and multinational corporations to retain foreign high-tech talent to apply for visas the delays and difficulties encountered, and painful. They had abroad, rather than expansion of facilities and operations in the United States. That trend is to put pressure on President Barack Obama, forcing him to shelve comprehensive immigration reform policy – that would cause anger is a key risk Hispanic voters – perfect for engineers and computer programmers and other technical personnel to provide work permits and green card the system. Company executives warned Obama: “I want high-tech immigration reform attached to the highly controversial comprehensive immigration reform, the United States can not stand.” Quoted Reuters news that General Electric (GE), Boeing (Boeing), DuPont (DuPont) and other companies, said, “given that the U.S. economy is facing challenges in the era of globalization, we need to rethink.” American Chamber of Commerce would like to take rapid action for skilled workers, because according to Obama also refused to Capitol Hill to solve without permit workers and border security requirements, will not soon reach an agreement. General Chamber of Commerce and more promise repair (Thomas Donohue) said, “I’m not sure you can make such a large number of things we may need time to do one thing, which is one of the things done as soon as possible.” New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (Michael Bloomberg) said that in order to retain foreign students in the United States caused by the U.S. visa application software, electronics, pharmaceutical and aerospace industry professionals on the “critical gap,” he said, frankly will reject these students outside of the door is what we have done the most stupid thing. We can not refuse to have skilled people, they are our country’s growth and success of the need. It is undermining our own economy the United States each paid 65,000 H-1B skilled workers visa, usually every one or two to run out of places are serious restrictions on foreign students and the selection of experts. Although the United States each paid 100 million copies to permanent residence “green card” given to only 15% of skilled workers and their families, and these places have the nationality requirement, strictly limiting the power of talent in America. Union leaders fear that the employment of foreign workers, said they would accept less than American wages. But supporters said the skilled migration, wage differentials were expanded. They say immigrants are generally create jobs, because they are likely to start a business than the United States twice, but also help them access to foreign export markets. Obama foreign workers is likely to be handled carefully, because as part of his 2012 re-election, his greatest effort is to reduce U.S. unemployment. Read more at www.finance-ol.com

 

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