The US Will Lose Big With the Law of the Sea Treaty

Maybe most Americans don’t really care if we have control over our sovereignty. It seems that the 89% of congress that the American people think aren’t doing their job very well, and the President that 76% of Americans think is doing a crappy job are about to sell it down the river. They will be putting the United States in a subservient position, with little control over defense outside our borders, and other matters of international import. The Law of the Sea Treaty is one of the most dangerous documents to the continued existence of the United States of America, as we know and love it, that has ever been put forth.

Those who feel uncomfortable with unaccountable government officials in control over matters that affect them had better get used to it. Your congress and President are about to secede control of the majority of the planet to unelected, unaccountable internationalists ensconced in the corrupt, bureaucratic morass that is the UN. After experiencing the corruption that was the UN oil for food program in Iraq, or the UN “Peacekeepers” raping women and keeping sex slaves, does any among us feel the least bit comfortable allowing them to be in a position of authority over our nation in any way, shape, or form?

If you can answer yes to this question, perhaps you had better take a good, long look in the mirror. Jack booted thugs in blue armored personnel carriers rumbling through our streets? Perhaps not, but we’ll be losing precisely that control over our destiny that our forefathers fought the redcoats for over 200 years ago. Will we have any say in global events that affect us so greatly? Maybe but a whisper, if we’re fortunate, and toe the line as we’re asked. If we are signatories to this document, our time in the sun will have passed and the U.S. will cease to be the dominant force in the world.

Inasmuch as many would revel in seeing this come to pass, we should remember what we were able to accomplish for the time we held this esteemed position on the world stage. If you feel frustration with your inability to be heard by your elected officials, how will you feel when they are not only unelected, but have no interest in your opinion at all? In fact, there are many around the world, and even inside our borders that are wringing their hands with delight at the mere prospect that the U.S. will be foolish enough to sign the treaty.

For those of you that are unsure how an international treaty could possibly affect them, you should know that such a treaty is the ultimate legal document, superseding even our own Constitution. A treaty is the ultimate abridgement of our rights guaranteed us by the very Constitution, certain provisions of which a treaty would render impotent. If the prospect of yielding authority to such a legislative body frightens you, as well it should. Stipulations unfavorable to our national interests will have to be obeyed, as unpleasant as the consequences may be.

Taxes will have to be paid, treaty stipulations abided by. The U.S could easily be denied the ability to gather intelligence on foreign powers or terrorist groups that could be a threat to our citizens, either abroad or within our own borders. The UN will be a taxing authority, and yeas they will have authority to collect taxes from you. Even better, they’ll not spend your money building your neighborhood school, improving your roads, or hiring additional police officers for your community. The taxes collected by the UN would be distributed to other countries, and you’ll have no say in how or where your money goes. Will the UN be taking money out of your check or levying property taxes against you? Not yet. They have yet to figure out that angle (when they do, check your pay stub), but they will be collecting taxes from U.S companies, possibly the one your work for.

It’s very disconcerting that so many members of congress are eager to jump on such a dangerous bandwagon. By doing so they are yielding an unprecedented amount of our destiny to foreigners who definitely don’t have our best interests at heart. It seems many in our own government may not either. Write, call and / or email your member of congress at once to voice your opinion about this threat to our national future.
You can contact your senate and congressional members here:http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt

4 Things That Can Make You Free (Financially and Otherwise)

It’s sad, but true. Too many people slog through their daily existence, yearning with every fiber in their being to be freed from the constraints by which they’re bound. The greater tragedy is that many of these ties that bind are of their own making. Many of the decisions they make, for better or worse, conspire to keep them forever lashed to the pole of an ultimately unfulfilling existence. Why does this happen?

If you had a coffee with many of the same people at the beginning of their journey through life, they’d expound a fountain of ideas and dreams. Years later however, the demands and realities of daily life have pushed their dreams to the side, and most would be happy with just a few spare minutes or pennies they could call their own.

How can this tragedy of unfulfilled promise be avoided? Are the majority destined to be locked away in a prison of their own creation, forever barred from attaining their dreams and aspirations? Sadly, yes, for many that will be their reality. Only a select few will ever break free and rise to master, or create, their destiny. Why is this, and how can you be one of those that breaks free from the chains of the existence that falls sadly short of attaining much of that which you’ve been denied?

Ironically, it’s the very pursuit of the dream itself that deny many people the opportunity to achieve it. There are 4 things that can ultimately lead to a life of freedom and financial security. Many extremely successful people use these as basic tenets of their lives. If you have financial freedom, weather through needing less, or making more, many other freedoms will follow.

Key to Freedom 1 –Preparation - Lay a Foundation – You can’t only wish for success and freedom, you’ve got to plan for it. The problem is that too many people jump headlong into what they believe life should be, without ever planning on how to make it what they want. You can’t rely on decisions made on the fly to deliver the life to which you aspire. You must develop a plan that fits your goals and personality. You’ll than have a road map to follow. Few people would ever build a home, or begin any other complex project without a plan, yet with their lives, perhaps the most complex project of all, few people ever set out with such a roadmap.

Key to Freedom 2 –Timing – It’s been said that timing is everything. While this overstates things a bit, there’s no denying that timing is of the utmost importance. When the milestones in life happen, the order in which they occur can do much to determine your ultimate success.
Key to Freedom 3 –Frugality – More than almost anything else, frugality can and does impact where you end up in life financially. This is especially vital when you’re young, as many people underestimate the importance of a few dollars here and there. The other thing that frugality buys is the freedom from financial obligation that becomes so oppressive for many people.
In our consumer-centric society there is pressure to spend from every direction. It can take discipline to maintain one’s financial composure in the face of such a storm. A bit of need vs. want analysis doesn’t hurt either. Some restraint early can lead to huge returns, and the ability to relax later. It also establishes a pattern of spending less than you make, which is one of the cornerstones of not only financial success, but success in general. Many family problems stem from financial troubles.
Avoid the compulsion to spend, but yield to some wise investing, a behavior that too few young people exhibit. I was talking to someone today that was talking about buying some nice 19” chrome wheels for his car. When the subjecting of investing the $1,200 instead of buying the wheels was floated, he opined that he really had no desire to invest, as he’d just make more money later in life. The fact is that he may not, and he probably will never be able to catch up if he does. He’s 25 so figure that the $1,200 he spends today would have about 40 years of growth potential. Invested at 8%, it would grow to about $26,000. If he managed to get a 10% return, it would be worth $54,300. That’s just one exhibition of frugality, and investing the returns. You can see how one of these a year could add up substantially.
Key to Freedom 4 –Initiative – If you want it, you’ve got to do it. That is, for many, the hardest part of the journey. Far to may dreams go unfulfilled, and too many great ideas remain unrealized, because the dreamer never got around to making it into more than just a dream. Don’t make that mistake. Weather due to fear, laziness, feelings of inadequacy, or a lack of confidence in their abilities, the majority of those with the key to success in their hand, just never put it in the lock and turn the thing. It’s sad, but true.
Whatever it takes to make yourself actually get out of the blocks, just make it happen. After you’ve started you must apply perseverance until success and freedom are yours. Don’t rest until they are, but, at the same time keep your priorities in order so you don’t miss what life has to offer along the way.
Have a great, debt free weekend.

Types of Student Loans – How to Compare Student Loans

How many types of student loans are there? Well, it can seem like thousands, but in reality there are only 3 main types of federally guaranteed student loans. Federally guaranteed loans are the type you'll want, for many reasons, not the least of which is because they can be consolidated in the future without providing complicated documentation or putting up any collateral. In addition, they are easier to get if you have few resources, and really, why else would you be trying to get a loan in the first place? Here are the types of student loans and how you can compare them.
If you felt like you spent more time in you college's financial aid office than in class, you're not alone. Federal spending on student loans has increased by over 40% since the start of the decade. It now sits at $23,000 per U.S. household. Think about that the next time you think the feds are spending nothing on education. Sadly, that has barely kept pace with the increased costs of getting a college education. But federal spending for student aid of all types for parents of students, including loans, has jumped by, now sit down, 400% since 2001! If you're looking to help increase these numbers, here are the types of loans you'll be going after.
The 3 types of federally guaranteed student loans are the following: Stafford Loans, PLUS loans, and Perkins loans. Here's how they stack up.
Types of Student Loans
PLUS Loans - These loans are for the parents of eligible, dependent, students. Who are exactly are these eligible students? To be eligible for such a loan, you must be enrolled at an approved institution of higher learning, in an approved program, on at least a half time basis. The exception to this rule are that Graduate student are now eligible to receive PLUS loans. PLUS loans are provided through both the Family Friendly Education Loan (FFEL) program and the Federal Direct Student Loan program. As the name suggests, direct loans are available directly through the U.S. Department of Education, while FFEL loans are obtained from an approved private lender, such as bank. The parents will need to submit to a credit check to receive PLUS loans through either program. If the parents have marginal credit, they can use a cosigner to help get the loan approved.
A student can get up to the cost of school attendance, less other financial aid less other financial aid received for the term. It's easy to apply, simply submit the appropriate application. These are available from your college's financial aid office, or in the case of an FFEL loan, they can also be picked up at the lender's location. A completed FFEL application and promissory note will need to be returned to the school, who is also responsible for filling out a portion of the application. Once approved, there will be a check sent directly to the student's school.
The responsible parties are required to begin repayment of PLUS loans within 60 days of the time the check is sent to the school. Sorry no grace period, those responsible have to begin paying of the loan long before the efficacy of said payments are determined. The interest on these loans is fixed for new loans, although it was variable in the past. Currently, the rate sits at 7.9% for direct and 8.5% for FFEL loans. Prior to 2006, the interest rate was variable and re-indexed each July1st.
Perkins Loans – Perkins loans are for both undergrads and graduate students who can demonstrate exceptional financial need. (Really, don't all students have an exceptional need for money?) Perkins loans are made by, and repaid to, the student's school. Unlike with PLUS loans, there is no half time enrollment requirement for Federally guaranteed Perkins loans. Undergraduate students are eligible for up to $4,000 per year, while graduate students can get up to $6,000. The total available for the student's academic career is $40,000. Not all institutions of higher learning participate in the Perkins Loan program. You'll have to check with your particular school to verify their participation. Currently the interest rate for Perkins loans is 5% and they can be repaid over a 10 year period (the repayment period is subject to the total loan amount).
Stafford Loans – Loans de Stafford are also available in two flavors, like PLUS loans. As in the case of PLUS loans, both are available through either the U.S. Dept. of Education (direct) or private lending institutions (FFEL) and are available for students attending school at least half time. The difference is that Stafford loans are for the students themselves, not their parents. As with PLUS loans, there is a 10 to 30 year repayment period for direct Stafford loans, but it's possible to get Stafford loans in either subsidized or unsubsidized varieties.
Subsidized loans are for students that can demonstrate financial need. On these loans the government pays the interest until either 6 months after the student graduates or until 9 months after the student drops below half time enrollment status. It is also possible to request a payment deferment for Stafford loans, if a student feels they are currently unable to begin repayment of their loan obligation.
Unsubsidized loans are available to students without the requirement to demonstrate financial need. However with an unsubsidized loan, the government will not pay the interest. If a student takes out loans in excess of their determined financial need, the loans beyond the amount of financial need must be unsubsidized loans. Effective on July 1st, 2007 the limits on Federally guaranteed Stafford loans are $20,500 ($8,500 subsidized) for grad students. For undergrads, the limits differ for dependent students and independent students. Independent students are eligible for $7,500, $8,500, and $10,500 in their 1st, 2nd and 3rd - 5th years, respectively. For dependent students, Stafford limits are $3,500, $4,500, and $5,500.

Hire a Lawyer for Your Real Estate Transactions – or Pay the Price

When engaging in real estate (and other large, comlex) transactions, too many people feel that they really don’t need a lawyer. They might have their real estate agent look over the documents, and they might possibly use a stock, one-size-fits-all contract. You know, one of those fill in the blank, downloadable contracts you can find on the web. You will save a few bucks on the front end of the deal, there’s no question about it.

You can try to console yourself with all the money you saved by not hiring a lawyer to draw up or examine your contract while you’re grieving aver how you got taken to the cleaners. You may think you can just take this stuff lightly, and far too many people do, despite the advice of experts. However, failure to take this simple precaution can be fraught with peril. I have a neighbor who is selling their home and an adjoining vacant lot. They had listed their home and the lot as a package deal, with the lot at a $20,000 discount over its price if purchased separately.

A prospective buyer made an offer on both, but subsequently had their financing on the home denied. The financing on the lot however, was approved. The way the two properties were listed, and the way the contract was written, the purchaser was able to purchase the property for the discounted price, although they didn’t buy the home along with the lot. Needless to say (although I will anyway) my neighbor is a bit miffed over the whole situation, being out $20,000.

Paying a lawyer a few hundred or a thousand dollars to draw up the contract could have avoided this unfortunate situation, and my neighbor would have an extra $19,000 in the bank today because of it. Think about it the next time you’re tempted to bypass the important step of having your real estate lawyer examine a contract when you’re a buyer, or draw up a contract if you’re the seller. The money you save will be your own.

There’s nothing wrong with using a stock form for some things, or having one of those discount, on-line legal form services create your documents for you. They work well, and can save you substantial money for certain things. Real estate transactions are not one of them however. For that, you need the real thing. There’s nothing like witnessing something like that up close to drive the point home.Have a great Halloween. If you’re taking your little ones out and about to get their haul tonight, be careful.