World wide QE appears to be the new norm for now

I am no financial analyst but the news that I continue to read regarding the devaluation of the United States dollar as well as other currencies is staggering.  The following graph shows that quantitative easing (QE = printing money) isn't just going on in the US but around the world.  This graph basically suggests that in 2008 and 2011 roughly one third of the world's market capitalization was on world federal bank balance sheets that resulted from the federal banks printing money through some form of quantitative easing.

Read the full article from which this graph was taken titled Living In A QE World at Ritholtz.com.  They provide much more information and shares more detail on each of the 8 central banks.

Apple iPod Packaging Re-imagined... the Microsoft Way!

In a world of contrasts, there is none like the contrast between Apple and Microsoft's approaches to marketing and packaging.  This video re-imagines what the packaging of the 2005 iPod might have looked like if Microsoft had been in charge.  Enjoy!

If you knew your nutritional supplements were made of petroleum and rocks, would you switch?

This is a real eye opener.  So many people that think the vitamins they take will help them to get the nutrition their body needs.  However, many vitamins are inexpensive for a reason.

I encourage you to watch this video and take the real switch challenge.



Blessings to you and yours!

Brad

If this information has helped you, please consider helping me through investing in your health and in the health of those you love through purchasing Mannatech wellness products. Ambrotose is the key ingredient of all Mannatech Wellness products.  Place your order at my Mannatech Web Store today.

What does 15 Trillion look like?

Ever wondered what 15 Trillion US dollars looks like?  This US Debt Visualized site does a great job of visualizing it.

Brad

Why are these accounting practices legal in the US?

Background on four strategies that American companies use to reduce their taxes.  No wonder so many US companies have so much cash outside the US.

Super Bowl XLV Sex

This morning our part of the world was covered by several inches of beautiful white snow.

That was an interesting backdrop to the news that I read about the upcoming Super Bowl XLV.  I learned via Fox News and other sources that Super Bowl XLV is anticipated to be a huge target for Human [Sex] Trafficking activity.  That is to say that that there are people out there enslaving children and selling their bodies for profit.  According to Traffic911, the average life expectancy for a child forced into sexual slavery is 7 years.

If you know anyone going to the Super Bowl, please encourage them to participate in the "I'm Not Buying It!" Tail Gate party, Saturday, February 5th.  At this event, you will learn how to help put a stop to the buying and selling of American children.

If the stories about the Super Bowl Human Trafficking weren't bad enough, the Planned Parenthood organization makes it even worse by endorsing sex ring activity.  The following two videos tell the whole story.





If you are planning to enjoy the Super Bowl either from home or in person, please pray for our and take action to protect our nation's children.  If you see children at risk that are exhibiting any of the following Red Flags, call 911 and the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 1.888.373.7888, if you suspect something. It’s better to be wrong than not to report it. A life might just depend on it.

• Scripted answers. 
• Inconsistencies in story. 
• Branding or tattoos, especially that reflect ownership or money.
• Bruising, including handprints or thin marks like an extension cord or wire. Varied stages of healing with black, purple, blue, yellow shades.
• Coming on to several men.
• Appears helpless, shamed, nervous.
• Malnourished.
• Inability or fear to make eye contact.
• Chronic runaway; homeless youth.
• Dating much older, abusive or controlling man.
• Not attending school or has numerous school absences.
• Clothes that say, “Daddy’s girl” or inappropriate for weather.

See the Traffick911.com web site to learn more.

Blessings to you and yours!

Brad

Is NTTA Scam Is Paying Off?

In a previous blog post titled "NTTA Put to the Test..." I asserted that despite a relatively constant  toll road transaction volume that the revenue would remain at the nearly doubled level or worse yet increase compared to previous years.  My hypothesis was that the increased revenue is derived primarily by increasing toll violations through prolonging the automated toll collection process.

The NTTA has provided a new report for investors (http://www.ntta.org/AboutUs/Investor+Information) that shows an estimation of the 2010 transaction and revenue volumes.  Lets look at the numbers presented in this report.

It does appear that the overall transaction volume has increased slightly since the end of 2009. However, the transaction level throughout 2010 seems relatively constant.

Now lets look at the revenue side of the equation.  Unfortunately for toll road users, the story appears to be the same.  The revenue is roughly double what it was before the NTTA implemented its new automated Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) booths and correspondingly the potentially fraudulent invoice and collections program (a.k.a. Scam).

It will be interesting to read the final report to see if the numbers are consistent with these projections.

Before closing, the following stories seem to substantiate that the NTTA's scam carries on through 2010.

* Woman Slams NTTA for Arrest Warrant over Tolls
* Unpaid Tollway Authority bills can land you in jail
* The NTTA machine and me
* Tolls to Warrants
* NTTA Complaints - Zip cash

Brad

If this information has helped you, please consider helping me through investing in your health and in the health of those you love through purchasing Mannatech wellness products. Ambrotose is the key ingredient of all Mannatech Wellness products.  Place your order at my Mannatech Web Store today.