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American Survival Newsletter:
Combining the World of Finance, Health & Politics
9/19/14

American Gold

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Edited by Alfred Adask
Friday, September 19th, A.D. 2014
 
MARKETS

 
Between Friday, September 12th, A.D. 2014 and Friday, September 19th, A.D. 2014, the bid prices for:


 
Gold fell 0.9 % from $1,227.90 to $1,216.60

Silver fell 3.7 % from $18.53 to $17.84

Platinum fell 2.3 % from $1,364 to $1,332

Palladium fell 3.0 % from $834 to $809

DJIA rose 1.9 % from 16,987.51 to 17,308.17

NASDAQ rose 0.4 % from 4,567.60 to 4,584.50

NYSE rose 0.8 % from 10,911.40 to 11,003.30

US Dollar Index rose 0.7 % from 84.17 to 84.73

Crude Oil rose 0.3 % from $92.24 to $92.50

 
 

"Only buy something that you'd be perfectly happy to hold
if the market shut down for 10 years." --Warren Buffett 

"If the markets shut down for 10 years, what investment would you dare to hold-- 
other than gold"? --Alfred Adask

Fact or Fantasy?

 

by Alfred Adask

 

 

Yahoo! Finance reported in "The $1 trillion reason why Bernanke's critics were wrong," that:

 

"Last week, NYT columnist Paul Krugman penned an ode to his former Princeton colleague. 'And there but for the grace of Bernanke go we,' Krugman wrote, reflecting on Europe's economic morass.

 

"On Monday, Bloomberg wrote that Bernanke's critics missed out on $1 trillion in potential gains in Treasuries since 2008. 'The resilience of Treasuries represents a rebuke to the chorus of skeptics . . . who predicted the Fed's unprecedented stimulus would lead to runaway inflation and spell doom for the bond market'." 

 

But how "resilient" are US Treasuries if nearly 90%of those sold since A.D. 2012 have been purchased at full face value by the Federal Reserve? 

 

What would the price of US Treasuries be if those Treasuries were only sold on the free market and not on a market dominated and manipulated by the Fed?

 

The reason the Fed bought those bonds is because the free market would only agree to pay a fraction of the bonds' face value.  Rather than let the free market "discover" the true value of US bonds, the Fed intervened to overpay and thereby support the illusion of US Treasury value.

 

"Of course, it's impossible to know if Bernanke's critics have been actively shorting Treasuries or ever capitulated to the rally in bonds, but it's pretty clear to say they were dead wrong about the outlook for Treasuries, the dollar and inflation-or at least so far ahead of the curve as to risk falling off."

 

The Yahoo! Finance article appears to be correct to this extent:  Despite Quantitative Easing, the dollar hasn't died; inflation (although closer to 9% than the "official" rate of less than 2%) has not yet soared-and all dire warnings to the contrary have been, so far, mistaken or at least premature.

 

But why might those warnings premature? 

 

A: Because most prognosticators didn't anticipate that the markets would be "rigged" rather than "free". 

 

Those who offered dire warnings about the economy and/or about the rising price of gold were like statisticians who offered mathematical predictions of how often the marble would land on the "00" in a roulette wheel.  Their predications were mathematically sound, but the statisticians didn't take into account the fact that the particular roulette wheel was "fixed" in a way to defy mathematical probability and allow "00" to come up 50 consecutive times.

 

"The inflation hawks and bond bears were wrong for a number of reasons; most notably, they failed to understand the deflationary forces already at work in the global economy, which the "Great Recession" only exacerbated.  Furthermore, those forecasting doom for the dollar and Treasuriesfailed to adequately consider that finance is global and that U.S. Treasuries looked good relative to the competition-and still do."

 

Although a hyper-inflationary depression is possible, deflation is usually one of the hallmarks of an economic depression.  Yahoo! Finance implies that, after A.D. 2008, the forces of "natural deflation" in the US and global economies (and our "natural" tendency to economic depression) were so great that the artificial stimulus of injecting trillions of inflationary dollars into the economy did little more than counter-balance and negate the existing deflationary pressures. 

 

And that's probably true.

 

In a sense, the Great Recession economy was dominated by 100 "units" of "natural" deflation and the Federal Reserve countered by adding 100 "units" of artificial inflation.  The result was roughly zero and the economy did not soar into prosperity, but also didn't sink into a full-blown depression.

 

The questions that remains is whether the 100 "units" of artificial inflation can permanently subdue 100 "units" of natural deflation-or whether the forces behind that "natural" deflation are still lurking in the shadows and waiting for an opportunity to break loose in the form of a global depression.   In other words, did the QE creation of trillions of fiat dollars really control the economy on a permanent basis?  Or did those trillions of fiat dollars only provide a temporary refuge from the inevitable?

 

If it turns out that fiat currency creation can actually control an economy permanently, Lord Maynard Keynes and Ben Bernanke will have finally created a viable "money tree" that can make us all rich forever.  

 

If, on the other hand, it turns out that all those trillions of illusory, fiat dollars used to "stimulate" our economy did so only on a temporary basis, then a national and/or global depression is still waiting to strike.

 

Yahoo! Finance's claim that "finance is global and that U.S. Treasuries looked good relative to the competition-and still do," is silly.   Yahoo implies that US Treasuries have genuine value because they "looked good" compared to other nation's bonds. 

 

I disagree. 

 

For me, the idea that US bonds have value because other countries' bonds are even worse is like a drowning man grabbing at straws.  It's evidence of desperation.  If you're grabbing at straws because you can't find life preservers with a genuine capacity ("fundamentals") needed to keep you afloat, you're going to need a miracle to survive.  Likewise, if the only reason you can come up with to support US Treasury prices is that they're prettier than the other trash, you don't have a viable argument.

 

While it's true that the US Treasuries may "look good" compared to other nations' treasuries, does that mere appearance prove that US Treasuries have significant value on the free market?  It may be that today's fresh "road kill" is more nutritious than that of last week, but does that make any road kill truly nutritious? 

 

For the past several years, the Federal Reserve has been buying most of US Treasuries with fiat currency spun out of thin air.  The purposes for these purchases were:  1) to sustain the illusion that US Treasuries were still worth their face value; and, 2) to avoid a significant fall in the market price of US Treasuries.  If the Fed hadn't purchased US Treasuries at prices much higher than the free market would sustain, the perceived value of US Treasuries might've fallen by 30% and maybe more.

 

How "good" would US Treasuries currently "look" if the Federal Reserve hadn't purchased most of them at artificially-inflated prices for the past several years?

 

How "good" would US Treasuries "look" at this time if the Federal Reserve hadn't essentially "rigged" the markets?

 

*  Nevertheless, despite the market rigging, it's still a fact that the Federal Reserve did purchase up to 90% of theUS bonds sold over the past several years-and it therefore appears to be a fact that the US bonds are better than their trashy foreign competitors.  It's also true that those who've invested in bonds since A.D. 2008 have not been too badly damaged-so far.

 

But it's also a fact that the current prices for US bonds are not based on their intrinsic value or the reality of the free market.  Instead, their current prices are derived from the fantasy of manipulated markets controlled by the Federal Reserve's purchases of US bonds with fiat dollars spun out of thin air. 

 

*  It's another fact that, although the US government claims the national debt is only $17 trillion, it may be closer to $90 trillion (John Williams at Shadowstats.com) or even over $200 trillion (including unfunded liabilities as per the Congressional Budget Office and economist Laurence Kotlikoff).  The US might be able to repay $17 trillion in US Treasuries.  It will never repay $90 trillion or $200 trillion in full.  It's unlikely that the US will be able to pay even 10% of the $90 to $200 trillion debt estimates. 

 

Therefore, if the $90 to $200 trillion estimates of the size of the national debt are roughly correct, the majority of US Treasuries will never be repaid in full and may be virtually worthless, even now. 

 

Given the probable size of the National Debt, holding US Treasuries is somewhat like continuing to hold Confederate Dollars in the dim hope that the "South Will Rise Again!"  

 

Indeed, the South may rise again-but if it does, it'll do so without also elevating those old Confederate Dollars. 

 

Likewise, the US gov-co may "rise again" but, one way or another, the enormous National Debt can't be paid, won't be paid, and current US Treasuries (regardless of whether they "look better" than the other governments' trash masquerading as bonds) will be shown to be virtually worthless at some point in the future.

 

*  And It's another fact that the Federal Reserve has already begun to "taper" it's purchases of US Treasuries and will soon completely stop purchasing US Treasuries.  This "tapering" implies that either: 1) the Fed believes US Treasuries can now stand on their own in the Free Market and don't need any more artificial monetary support to maintain their alleged value; or, 2) the Fed is, itself, nearly insolvent and can no longer afford to support the illusion of US Treasury value. 

 

So-is the currently-perceived price of US Treasuries a "fact" in the sense that this "value" is set by a Free Market?  Or is the currently-perceived value a fantasy based on the Federal Reserve's sleight of hand in a manipulated market?  

 

If the US Treasuries' perceived value is a fantasy based primarily on a manipulated market, how long can that fantasy be sustained once the Fed stops buying US Treasuries?

 

*  Those who praise Bernanke's performance as chairman of the Federal Reserve regard the US Treasuries' current price as an objective fact

 

People like myself, on the other hand, are warning that the US Treasuries' currently-perceived "value" is:  1) largely a fantasy; that, 2) may be temporarily impressive, but cannot be sustained indefinitely. 

 

What do you think?  Who do you believe is most likely right in their analyses?

 

Do you believe current bond prices are honest, built on reality (including a $90-$200 trillion National Debt) and therefore "factual"?  Or do you think current bond prices are fantasies built on manipulation and certain to disintegrate like any other "bubble" in the foreseeable future?

 

 Even if you believe that current bond "bubble" is based primarily on fantasy, you also know that it's true that we don't know when that bubble will burst.  It could happen in the next quarter. It might not happen for several more years.  

 

But, in the meantime, do you feel more comfortable investing in truth or lies?  Free markets or manipulated markets?  Objective reality or illusory "bubbles"?  Facts or fantasy? 

 

A Sad and Terrible Day

by Alfred Adask

On Thursday, Scotland had an opportunity to discontinue its 307-year old association with Great Britain by simply voting to become an independent nation.  This was no small opportunity since Scotland had been joined to Great Britain by force of conquest three centuries ago, and had brooded ever since about that injustice and longing for a moment to break free.

 

However, as reported in The New York Times ("Scotland Rejects Independence From United Kingdom"),

 

"Voters in Scotland rejected independence from Britain in a referendum that had threatened to break up the 307-year union between them . . . .  With 26 of 32 voting districts reporting, there were 1,397,077 votes, or 54.2 percent, against independence, and 1,176,952, or 45.7 percent, in favor."

 

Reuters reported (" Scottish nationalist leader Salmond quits after losing independence vote") that,

 

" Scottish nationalist Alex Salmond [who supported Scottish independence from Great Britain] resigned as leader of his party on Friday and will quit as First Minister of his country after losing an independence referendum.

 

"'For me as leader my time is nearly over but for Scotland the campaign continues and the dream will never die,' Salmond told reporters in Edinburgh."

 

I don't blame the First Minister of Scotland for resigning.  The "dream" of Scottish independence is dead-murdered by the majority of the Scottish people.

 

So, Thursday was truly a sad and terrible day.

 

Several million Scotsmen had a chance to achieve independence and freedom.  They didn't even have to fight for it.  All they had to do was vote for freedom and instead, the majority voted to remain as subjects and bondmen to Great Britain.

 

I can see why Mr. Salmond quit.  After 300 years of allegedly dreaming of freedom from England, when Scotland finally had a chance to escape, most Scotsmen preferred to keep getting welfare and pensions from Great Britain rather than dare to assume the risks that necessarily attach to freedom.

 

Scottish senior citizens primarily voted to secure their pensions and leave their children and grandchildren to rot in bondage.

 

It's a shameful day for Scotland and a shameful day for mankind.  Some of us had a chance to be free without even fighting, and we rejected that chance.

 

I am appalled.  The Scots could've voted for independence and thereby lifted up a torch for freedom that might've inspired the world.  But, instead, they preferred to remain on the dole.

 

I am disgusted and ashamed for Scotland. 

 

And I'm frightened that the Scots' example might be emulated here in the former "land of the free".

 

I'm left to wonder how many Americans, given an opportunity to be free, would also vote to remain in bondage. 

 

If we had a chance to vote, really vote, for freedom in this country-who would support that idea?  Who would take advantage of that opportunity?  Who would vote for freedom, knowing that freedom not only meant less government but also meant more personal responsibility?

 

In a nation where at least half of us receive some sort of governmental support, how many of us would say "to hell with that welfare . . . to hell with subsidies . . . I'm voting for freedom!"

 

Not many. 

 

It appears that big government has effectively seduced and enslaved the Scots, and probably most Americans, with the proverbial "free lunch". 

 

I doubt that many Americans will abandon the promise of a free lunch to fight, or even vote, for freedom. 

 

If that's true, there'll be no resurrection of freedom, Liberty or independence in this country until after the federal government is bankrupt and impotent, the dollar has died and the nation is wracked by a catastrophic economic and social collapse.   It'll take a genuine catastrophe-the loss of all free lunches-before the majority of Americans will again appreciate freedom.

 

So, Thursday was, indeed, a sad and terrible day.

 

The slaves voted to reject their freedom.

 

To Hell with Scotland.  


Obamal or Obama - ISIL or ISIS Is Obama winning his game?

 

BY ADMIN, ON SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2014

 

Join Laurie Roth on her national radio show as she takes on these issues each day from 7-10pm PAC. You can listen in at: www.ksbn.net or catch the free archives at: www.therothshow.com.

 

One of Obama's favorite games is 'shift the word and meaning game.' It reflects his deepest beliefs that lies, chaos and distraction are transformation strategies that an emerging 'star dictator' needs. The game goes like this: Always lie to the masses, insert cheat cards through out the deck without the players knowing and redefine what is really going on right in front of your 'stupid' opponent's eyes. When the few who don't accept or believe your trick rise up in the first round of the game...you know nothing, deny everything, then throw your enemy opponent a cherry "I will get to the bottom of this." Obama is a master at this game and uses its Communist, Muslim, New World Order strategies to confuse, terrorize and destroy who is left in this great nation. He always thinks he is winning and so does much of the brain dead media. America has allowed Obama and the progressive/communistic agenda to win way too many rounds.

 

A few of Obama's pet word games and changes - 'Children are now up to age 23 if they are illegal aliens' 'ISIS' - linking this blood thirsty Islamic group to Syria is now called ISIL - minimizing its connection to Syria (Thank you Glenn Beck for pointing this out). "ISIS is NOT Islamic." I'm confused...did they magically convert to Catholicism or become Baptists?

 

We have watched Obama change everything of substance for America. Freedom is no longer reflected and protected by our Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence. Obama just flips these off and pretends they are not there. Sadly so does the HOUSE and SENATE most of the time. The American attributes of 'achievement' 'inventiveness' 'Judeo-Christian values' 'international leadership from a position of strength' have been redefined and replaced. A great American according to Obama is a dependent worker; welfare recipient, illegal alien, Muslim and criminal who want to destroy American freedom and Judeo-Christian values.   The American mutant that Obama is building is dependent on him as god. The Obama-American adores big Government, submits to redistribution of wealth and high taxes. They understand targeting of Christians and conservatives and are trained to simply obey, look the other way, be immoral and act out. Obama adores playing with his controls. Forget X box, now we are forced to play 'Obama box.' If Obama wins this game, we will lose America, our freedom, lives and be sold into slavery.

 

Obama has rewritten what freedom, danger, enemies and religion are. Freedom is now oppressive service and redistribution of wealth; Danger and enemies aren't Muslim radicals but Christians and conservatives who persecute and speak out 'hate' against Muslims. We cause them to behead, torture and constantly threaten us. Religion has been redefined on the game board as well. If we must be remotely defined as a quasi-Christian nation, then we have to change what Christian means. It must be nothing but a Unitarian, watered down, 'love everyone and let all religions and people express themselves no matter what.' While Obama continues to attack and water down our real Christian roots in America he inserts Islam and moves the caliphate dramatically forward. Things are going as planned.

 

The 'Obama box' game is one we cannot afford to lose. Obama has won many rounds but 'narcissist n'chief' will not win the game. He is playing Americans and the majority of us believe in the real God and pray to the Lord Jesus for guidance and strength. We will win if we vote right in the fall elections and pay attention. Everyone must vote this time.   All progressives and leftists who have supported Obama, Obamacare and other UN Constitutional rubbish MUST be thrown out.

 

We must draw lines in the sand and group together with local and state wide militias, Tea Party groups and others that will stand up for our rights and freedoms. There can be no compromise by turning in or registering any of our guns. There can be no compromise with our right to free speech. There can be no accepted attacks on states 10th amendment rights to stand against the UN Constitutional encroachments of Obamacare, illegal alien dispersals, Common Core and other assaults on the people.
 

Focus your anger and energy in regular prayer and ask God for help and deliverance and He will give it. He is waiting to hear from us. Remember, one with God - the real God IS the majority. Intimidation belongs to losers and we are winners. Obama does not have the spirit of the Lord Jesus with him - but Americans who are humble before God and seek HIM DO.

 

Game over and you lose Obama.

 

 

Join me on my national radio show as I take on these issues each day from 7-10pm PAC. You can listen in at: www.ksbn.net or catch the free archives at: www.therothshow.com.

 

IN THE NEWS......

  

 

Washington (AFP) - US lawmakers voted

Wednesday to extend funding for federal operations into December, likely preventing a repeat of last October's disastrous government shutdown.

Faced with the need to act before fiscal year 2015 begins on October 1, members of the House of Representatives voted 319-108 to keep government funded at current levels until December 11.

The Senate takes up the measure Thursday, and despite deep differences between President Barack Obama's Democrats and opposition Republicans over federal spending, senators are expected to pass the so-called continuing resolution.

It is essentially a punt, as lawmakers -- faced with mid-term congressional elections in early November -- have failed to pass legislation laying out next year's spending levels before fiscal year 2014 ends September 30.

Lawmakers have spoken repeatedly of the need to pass the 12 separate appropriations bills once Congress resumes its work after election day.

The White House budget office expressed its support, saying the Obama administration "appreciates that the House bill allows critical government functions to operate without interruption and avoids a damaging government shutdown."

In addition to being a short-term funding fix, the continuing resolution also provides for $88 million in funding to address the Ebola epidemic in west Africa, re-authorizes the Export-Import Bank, and crucially provides Obama's Pentagon with authorization to train and arm moderate Syrian rebels in order to battle Islamic State jihadists.

 

Census: US poverty rate drops for the first time since 2006

WASHINGTON (AP) - The poverty rate in the United States has dropped for the first time since 2006, bringing a bit of encouraging news about the nation's economy as President Barack Obama and Congress gear up for midterm elections.

 

The U.S. Census Bureau, in its annual look at poverty in the United States, said that the poverty rate in 2013 was 14.5 percent, down from 15 percent in 2012. The decrease in the poverty rate was attributed to the growth in year-round employment by 2.8 million jobs in the United States, government officials said.

 

White House officials cheered the positive information in the census release. "There is reason to believe that this progress has continued into 2014, as the labor market has strengthened and millions have gained health insurance coverage," said Jason

 

Its been 50 years since President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a "war on poverty" and scholars say little if anything has changed except the tax bill.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports the nation's poverty rate dipped for the first time in seven years to 14.5 percent last year. That's down from 15 percent in 2012.

However, Robert Rector at the Heritage Foundation says that's roughly the same as it was in 1967.

"Despite the fact the taxpayers have spent $22 trillion on the war on poverty, that's three times as much as we've spent on all military wars since the American Revolution," he tells KTRH News.

The government says 45.3 million people live at or below the poverty level.  However, Rector says the Census figures are misleading.

"It counts a family as poor if its income falls below certain levels," he says.  "But guess what, it leaves all the one trillion dollars of welfare spending out, it doesn't count it as income."

Taxpayers continue to shell out about $9,000 per welfare recipient.

"Eighty percent of poor people have air conditioning, two-thirds of them have cable and satellite TV, three-quarters of them have a car, a third of them have two cars, half of them have computers, and 40 percent of them have wide screen HD TVs," says Rector.

Read more: http://www.ktrh.com/articles/houston-news-121300/welfare-spending-balloons-with-little-gain-12772248#ixzz3Daa3k12T

 

 

General Motors to hire 750 workers at Missouri plant; expects strong sales of new small trucks

DETROIT (AP) - Early demand is so high for General Motors' new small pickup trucks that the company is hiring more workers to build them even before one is sold to the public. Nearly 100,000 prospective buyers have gone online to customize a Chevrolet Colorado or a GMC Canyon pickup and get a price. That, and 30,000 advance orders from dealers, is a sign of strong demand, GM said Tuesday. GM plans to add 750 workers around March to staff a third shift at its plant in Wentzville, Mo., west of St. Louis. The factory already employs 2,600 people who build the Colorado and Canyon as well as the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans. Strong sales would justify GM's gamble on a diminished part of the market. In the 1990s, Americans bought more than 1 million small pickups every year

 

 

U.S. manufacturing output fell in August for the first time in seven months, reflecting a sharp fall in production at auto plants. Output at plants fell 0.4 percent in August after rising in July, the Federal Reserve said. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note eased to 2.59 percent from 2.61 percent on Friday

 

As Fed meets, speculation swirls over possible change in Fed language on timing of rate hike

 


 

10 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AP) - When the Federal Reserve issues a policy statement after it meets this week, the financial world will be on high alert for two words: "Considerable time." The presence or absence of that phrase will trigger a rush to assess the likely timing of the Fed's first increase in interest rates since it cut them to record lows in 2008. The Fed's recent statements have said it expects to keep its key short-term rate near zero for a "considerable time" after it stops buying Treasurys and mortgage bonds. Those bond purchases have been intended to keep long-term rates down to support the economy. But the purchases are set to end in November, so the Fed may soon see the need to use some phrasing other than "considerable time" to signify when it might start raising rates. It could sub out that phrase in this week's statement. Or it could wait until its next meeting in October.

 

If your investments are based on two words.  Considerable time...you must be insane or love living on the edge.  I don't see how folks can basically have all they worked for...their savings tied to words.....considerable time.....a large portion of peoples could all be naught if the financial world is holding their breath to see what two words will be spoken by Federal Reserve Chairperson Yellan.  Just crazy....but oh no don't buy gold or silver because it dropped after it wiped out every paper investment after 2008.....

 

 

U.S. consumers may be relying too heavily on their plastic.

Americans added $28.2 billion to their credit cards in the second quarter of 2014, the largest amount in the last six years and nearly 200% more than in the second quarter of 2009, when the economy emerged from the depths of the Great Recession, according to new research from personal finance website CardHub.com.

After paying off $32.5 billion owed during the first quarter of 2014, consumers ran up roughly 86% more debt during the following quarter.

The average household's credit-card balance now stands at $6,802, up slightly from $6,628 in the first quarter, but still down from $8,431 at the end of 2008.

By the end of the year, this figure is expected to exceed $7,000, reaching levels not seen since the end of 2010.

U.S. consumers will be roughly $1,300 away from the credit card debt "tipping point," where minimum payments become unsustainable and delinquencies skyrocket, the report says.

The increase in credit-card spending show that people are feeling more confident about their job security and the economic recovery. Earlier this week, the U.S. Federal Reserve said that outstanding revolving credit, which is mostly made up by credit-card debt, increased by 7.4% in July to $880.54 billion, and has been gradually rising since falling to $840 billion in 2010.

Americans are certainly using their credit cards more, says Ben Woolsey, president of credit-card advice website CreditCardForum.com.

 Following the financial crash, banks charged off lots of balances as uncollectable, reigned in credit lines and greatly curtailed new account signups due to a freeze in the credit markets, he says. "Average figures are greatly distorted by a relatively small percentage of borrowers who carry lots of debt and therefore render any conclusions more alarmist," Woolsey says.

But some Americans are living beyond their means: 20% of people say could not make ends meet without the use of credit and 22% say they would have to make "significant lifestyle changes" if they cut up their credit cards, according to a new poll of 1,878 credit-card users by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

 

 

USA today   Chris Woodyard

More car buyers are falling behind when it comes to payments on their auto loans, a new report says.

 

The auto loan delinquency rate - borrowers who are at least 60 days behind on their loans - rose to 0.95% in the second quarter, up more than 9% from 0.87% the same quarter a year ago, reports TransUnion, the big credit bureau.

Even with the increase, though, the second-quarter delinquency rate is still below the average of 1.05% seen from 2007 to 2014, which encompassed the recession, TransUnion says. The peak came in the fourth quarter of 2008 when the rate hit 1.59%, and the low was in the second quarter of 2012 when it fell to 0.86%.

"Delinquency rates remain relatively low while auto loan balances keep rising," says Peter Turek, a TransUnion vice president, in a statement.

The amount owed on the average auto loan was $17,090 in the second quarter, up 4.1% from $16,410 in the prior year. Auto loan balances rose in every city, with the biggest increases in Houston and Phoenix.

 

FOOD STAMPS....SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE....

In June 2014, there were 46,496,145 recipients of the food stamp program, which is enough to fill the Yankee Stadium 925 times, according to data from the Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The number of recipients was up 270,999 since the previous month in May 2014.

Similarly, the number of households participating in the SNAP program has increased as well from the 22,590,393 participating in May 2014 to the 22,713,934 participating in June 2014, an increase of 123,541 households.

Participation in the SNAP program peaked for individuals in December of 2012, when there were 47,792,056 persons participating. Since this peak, participation for individuals has declined by 1,295,911 individuals.

Historically, since the beginning of the data that appears on the USDA website, participation has increased 7.6 percent. In October 2010, there were 43,201,052 recipients of SNAP benefits. Since then, the number of beneficiaries has increased by 3,295,093 persons, or 7.6 percent.

 

 

Detroit bankruptcy trial resumes after 3-day break, settlement with major creditor

DETROIT (AP) - A judge refused to extend a timeout Monday in Detroit's bankruptcy trial after a deal with a major creditor removed another opponent from the city's plan to exit the largest Chapter 9 case in U.S. history.

 

A bond insurer, Financial Guaranty Insurance, said it needs more time to craft trial strategy after another insurer ironed out a settlement with Detroit. But Judge Steven Rhodes said Financial Guaranty should have been prepared to lose an ally, and he resumed the trial with testimony from a pension actuary.

 

The trial was suspended last Wednesday so Detroit and Syncora could reach an agreement. Syncora is getting cash and long-term leases on a parking garage and the tunnel between Detroit and Canada, among other concessions. The settlement will help "return the city to its citizens," said Detroit attorney David Heiman, adding that Syncora and the city "have laid down their swords."

 

Empower Yourself - Whole Food Supplements - No Synthetics or GMOs - 100% Organic - www.thepowerherbs.com
HEALTH

IS EBOLA REALLY ADVANCED STAGE SCURVY?


 
By Herbalist Wendy Wilson


 
There has been information circulating that Ebola is a mutated or genetically modified form of scurvy. Normally scurvy is a sign of low levels of vitamin C in the body and the disease gradually develops. With Ebola the disease seems to mimic an advanced stage of scurvy manifesting in no vitamin C left in the body in just a few days of contracting the virus. Ebola is a hemorrhagic fever virus and victims bleed through the skin or openings such as hair follicles, nose, eyes and mouth. There is minimal bleeding with cases of scurvy through skin lesions. So, what is really happening when a body is infected with Ebola, has it mutated on its own and is there a way to protect ourselves?

 

THE LOWDOWN ON VITAMIN C

The human body cannot survive without vitamin C. This nutrient is responsible to support proper tissue strength, shape of cells and helps the skin to look younger. Vitamin C also helps to protect your cell membranes from toxins, waste materials, poisons and from an overactive immune system such as lupus. Vitamin C is also an important antioxidant and seems to work even better with vitamin E to promote wound healing. Vitamin C is a weapon against viruses and cancer. Folks with cataracts, diabetes, asthma, periodontal disease and allergies usually do not have adequate amounts of natural vitamin C in their system. Research by Linus Pauling also documented how beneficial vitamin C is against the common cold. 

 

SHOULD YOU POP PILLS?

The supplement shelves are full of jars of vitamin C. However, ascorbic acid occurs naturally in citrus fruits, bell peppers, rose hips, tomatoes, strawberries and other foods and herbs. According to medical science, if you needed to avoid scurvy your body needs to have 60 mg of vitamin C per day but most pills are 500mg to 1,000mg. In some people just 20 grams (20,000 mg) of vitamin C a day produces diarrhea, which is the most common indication that you overdid it. Other symptoms if taking too much vitamin C is; headache and nausea. However, you can't overdose on vitamin C because the body gets rid of the excess through the urine. The standard rule-of-thumb on taking vitamin C supplements is 1 gram (1000mg) daily for maintenance and up to 5 grams (5000mg) to help with infections or healing from injuries. Men tend to require more vitamin C than women.  If you take a combined vitamin C & E supplement the usual dose of vitamin E is between 400 IU's and 1,200 IU's with 1-2 grams of vitamin C.  One organic orange will have about 1 gram (1000mg) of vitamin C. Oranges are a good source of vitamin C because they also contain flavonoids and polyphenols (natural chemical antioxidants) and offer more protection.

 

ORANGE POWER

Is eating a whole orange better than orange juice? Eating the whole orange will provide extra nutrition such as more potassium, foliate and fiber which is removed or reduce during the juice process. More benefits to eating whole oranges with vitamin C are; assist the immune system, makes skin look smoother and younger, lowers risk of rheumatoid arthritis, lowers risk of lung, mouth, esophagus and stomach cancer, reduces risk of spinal bifida (oranges contain vitamin B), protects amino acids in the blood lowering risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes and lowers risk of anemia (helps blood hold onto iron). Oranges most likely will help the immune system fight off the Ebola virus. However, for best results you want to implement oranges in the diet before a sickness strikes.

 

HOW TO TAKE VITAMIN C

If you decide to use the supplement vitamin C sources there is a way to take large doses and reduce the headache, nausea and diarrhea symptoms. You can start with a lower dose of vitamin C (100 mg or less than 1 gram) and if you need to take more up the dose by 100mg per week. This is a gradual way to help the body adjust without all the fuss. According to Dr. Art Ulene, large doses of vitamin C do not usually cause any kidney stones unless you have a history of kidney stones. High amounts of vitamin C can also alter urine and fecal matter tests such as to screen for diabetes and colon cancer. 

 

WHAT IS REBOUND SCURVY?

Most people know what rebound effect is when it comes to prescribed medicines. It means that the drug eventually does not work and the patient winds up with worse symptoms then when they started on the medicine. So, is rebound scurvy the same? Rebound scurvy occurs when people who were taking large doses of vitamin C supplements and then suddenly stop taking them. The body will break down or use the stored vitamin C and clear out what's left expecting the vitamin C to be replenished. When it is not replenished, this can produce a mild form of scurvy. This can be avoided by slowing decreasing the intake of the vitamin C supplement over the course of a few weeks.

 

THINGS THAT DEPLETE YOU

The things that can deplete your system of vitamin C are; smoking, alcohol, street drugs, some prescription drugs and excessive stress. How would you know you were getting depleted of vitamin C but not showing signs of scurvy yet? You'd have frequent colds and viral infections and your gums may bleed. If you injure you tendons or ligaments they can take longer to heal. Other symptoms of vitamin C depletion are; being diabetic, loose teeth, swollen gums, bone & joint pain, rough, dry or scaly skin and possible neurosis (change in personality). Why do diabetics have a higher risk of having low levels of vitamin C? It is because ascorbic acid enters the cells via the same protein carrier as glucose or blood sugar. By-the-way, the hemorrhagic fever pathogens (Ebola) take the same route. When the glucose levels are high, as in people with diabetes, the glucose is absorbed rather than the vitamin C into the cells and the vitamin C is excreted in the urine. Therefore, diabetics, because of their disease, have a vitamin C blocking mechanism and this will work against them especially when it comes to contracting Ebola. Those who work around envriomental pollutants are also at a higher risk of low levels of vitamin C. By-the-way, signs of scurvy are; lethargy, fatigue and a change in personality.

 

MEDICAL TREATMENTS THAT DEPLETE VITAMIN C

Patients taking the following drugs can deplete their vitamin C stores;

  • Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (interferes with absorption of vitamin C)
  • Tetracycline (breaks down vitamin C)
  • Oral contraceptives (increase excretion of vitamin C in urine)
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol-increases excretion of vitamin C in urine)
  • Aluminum antacids (blocks absorption of vitamin C)
  • Barbiturates - decrease the effectiveness of vitamin C
  • Chemotherapy drugs - disrupts levels of vitamin C
  • Nitrate heart drugs - (a combo nitroglycerin and vitamin C drug) reduces the body's ability to build vitamin C stores 
  • Protease inhibitors for HIV/AIDS - lowers levels of vitamin C
  • Warfarin (Coumadin) - vitamin C interferes with this drug in the effectiveness of thinning blood

WHERE DID EBOLA COME FROM?

If you can believe medical science they state Ebola evolved from bats to infect humans and other animals. There are five (5) known Ebola-viruses which cause severe and often fatal hemorrhagic fever in humans and mammals and all are called the Ebola virus disease. This species of virus was originally called the Zaire virus because it originated in what is now called the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Ebola is described as a close cousin to the Marburg virus, which originated in the German cities of Marburg and Frankfurt in the 1960's. By the 1980's the disease was in Kenya and the Soviet Union. In 2008 it showed up in Uganda and the Netherlands. Both Ebola and the Marburg hemorrhagic fever disease have seven structural proteins, which are nearly identical. It is known that the Soviet Union had three pathogen labs making biological weapons of the Marburg virus, in which at least one laboratory accident resulted in the death of a Russian researcher (Nikolai Usinov). Their research continues and could possibly be the cause of the current Ebola outbreak.

 

EBOLA CAUSES CELL FRAILTY

The Ebola virus is different from other viruses as it does not enter the host cell and replicate. This disease causes a frailty in cell walls and capillaries. The cells lose their integrity when they lose vitamin C and collapse and hemorrhaging results. Ebola goes on to attack the blood cell platelets, which are responsible for stopping hemorrhaging by clotting. Interestingly there is capillary frailty and bleeding skin lesions with scurvy due to the lack of vitamin C.  It is not surprising that with either scurvy or Ebola that healed scars can start to bleed. In the cases of scurvy the disease slowly depletes the body of vitamin C and exhausts the immune system until death occurs.  With Ebola the depletion of vitamin C happens so rapidly that it produces an advanced state of scurvy in a matter of days instead of weeks. With hemorrhagic fevers such as scurvy and Ebola they are diseases which attach the life source - the blood. The blood delivers antibodies to fight infections and if the cells can't hold their shape, there is massive bleeding, no clotting and the antibodies cannot be effective at fighting the virus. Diseases such as these are more deadly in regions with malnourished populations. It is very likely that the American's who recovered from Ebola had adequate stores of vitamin C in their bodies for the immune system to get a jump on the infection.

 

IS THIS A MASSIVE DEPOPULATION PANDEMIC?

I think it is a very good idea to heave several natural treatments on hand for future pandemics. All the evidence is pointing to a man-made pandemic forced on us by these genitally modified and seeded disease cells. The CDC is ramping up its pandemic preparation in the US and has sent US hospitals a six-page Ebola checklist. This was done when the infected American doctors were brought back to the US. It has come to light that the CDC owns the patent on the Ebola vaccine. Since there are five different species of Ebola how did the CDC know which strain to make into a vaccine? Create the problem and sell you the solution? The US State Department has sent in a bulk order for Hazmat suits - 160,000 of them. The US has sent fewer than 1,400 over to West Africa to assist with the Ebola outbreak, so why so many suits? And why is Obama using Department of Defense sources on this outbreak by sending military when the WHO and USAID along with the CDC are part of the relief effort? Recent reports suggest that the Ebola virus is now an airborne cotangent (mutated) and German virologist Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit suggested that the battle to contain the Ebola virus in West Africa is already lost and the outbreak will eventually kill 5 million people.

 

"Just in case the medical system was not even available,  I would want to have some possible treatments in my possession rather than be solely dependent on a medical system that might or might not be there.  Also since, the medical system is completely controlled by the new world order, who is to say that they would even give you effective treatment?" 

--Jim Stone of Beyond Alternative News

 

GO BEYOND MEDICAL TREATMENTS

You will hear that you should stock colloidal silver, vitamin C and a whole bunch of other products. It wouldn't hurt to have several natural solutions to a virus medical science can't treat. If you see the documentary on PBS filmed this past summer in West Africa you see that the WHO physicians are not giving the patients brought in with Ebola anything except water and drugs to stop the vomiting to prevent dehydration. They know all about this virus; how many proteins it has, how it enters the cell, how it spreads and how it depletes victims of nutrients like vitamin C - yet they don't give any nutritional support. Ask why? I know that the powerful immune support herbs and cleansing herbs are high in vitamin A & C, chromium,  iron (to help the blood), magnesium, niacin, selenium, silicon and zinc. This is the vitamin and mineral uptake the cells need to protect the cells and keep them from collapsing and disabling the immune system. Any pathogen that is able to disable your immunity is not naturally occurring - it is manmade. Pick up a Pandemic Kit (shelf life is 10 years) and be prepared for what may come. Call Apothecary Herbs now to order your Pandemic Kit with eight powerful formulas for broad-spectrum protection toll free 866-229-3663. While supplies last for just $30 more you can supersize your kit at Apothecary Herbs http://www.thepowerherbs.com/Herbal-Kits/Upgraded-Pandemic-Kit-forced-vaccination-plague.html.   Call 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277 http://www.thepowerherbs.com, where your healthcare options just became endless. By-the-way, the Pandemic Kit has a blood cleansing formula to help the platelets keep their clotting action. For the headache, nausea and diarrhea symptoms from large dose vitamin C I would use pain formula, ginger root and slippery elm tinctures on our website. If stress is depleting your of your vitamin C see our Valerian Root or Emotional Stress formula. Call now while supplies last.

 

Sources:

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread1025786/pg1

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement-interaction/possible-interactions-with-vitamin-c-ascorbic-acid

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebola_virus

http://www.dailypaul.com/323682/why-does-the-cdc-own-a-patent-on-ebola-invention

 

COMING UP ON HERB TALK LIVE

Herbalist Wendy Wilson on Herb Talk Live

Saturday morning show:

7 am EST on GCN

Weekday show:

7 pm EST on AVR

9/16/17 Dr. Rebecca Carley

9/25/14 Scott Granai makes Otta the Park Hot Sauce will be my guest

Shortwave show 8 pm EST WWCR 4840

Go to http://www.thepowerherbs.com/archive.html Herb Talk Live & Radio Archive area for network link access and past shows to download and share. For Android users you can download a FREE app for Herb Talk Live on GCN. See the download link under radio archives at top of page.

 

 

THE NEW HMO

Apothecary Herbs is introducing their version of the HMO (Herb Medicine Options). Unlike insurance companies, our HMO is not about drugs, co-pays and deductibles. Our HMO is about a healthy lifestyle without drug dependency. Our HMO members are savvy and can often take advantage of the HMO discounts. There are no member fees and you can simply request to sign up by emailing or calling Apothecary Herbs support@thepowerherbs.com or 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277.  Current members can take advantage of discounts. I like discount coupons but they tend to expire. HMO members you can use your discount when they want.

HMO1 offers FREE ground ship on orders over $75 (US orders)
HMO2 offers 15% off orders over $100.00 
HMO3 offers $15.00 off plus FREE ground ship on orders over $250.00 (US orders)
*These discounts will be active for about 3 months and will change. Members will also receive special offers on selective items in our store.

 

"NEW" from Apothecary Herbs POWER GREENS FOR PETS - Keeps you away from the vet.  Natural herbs for dogs and cats. Because we want organic pets

Power Greens is a blend of organic plants and natural herbs containing vitamins, minerals and 22 amino acids found naturally in these whole-food plants. Easy to digest with healthy digestion enzymes. You will notice the vibrant color of the greens and other ingredients in Power Greens for Pets because it is made with certified organic herbs grown to Tilth Standards (the highest organic standards in the industry). Compared to Dinovite®, Power Greens for Pets is made with superior grade ingredients and will produce much faster and better results in the health of your pet. No need for large scoops of our Power Greens for Pets to get results. Depending on the size of your pet 1/2 teaspoon to one tablespoon is all you'll need. Your pet will be healthier and you'll save money. For more info call 866-229-3663 http://www.thepowerherbs.com/herb/Natural-Pet-Food.html

 

MORE HERB SECRETS IN THE POWER HERBS e-BOOK. By popular demand The Power Herbs e-book is available with symptom/herb reference guide, information on organ cleansing and how to make your own herbal tinctures plus a whole lot more. Go to http://www.thepowerherbs.com/Books-And-Newsletters/The-Power-Herbs-e-Book-cleansing-immune-boosting.html and click on Books. You must have email to order and receive the e-book a PDF version of The Power Herb book for just $14.99. At this time, we do not offer this title in hard copy.

 

NEW DANDELION ROOT LIQUID

Try Dandelion Root Tincture for inflammation, blood purification, respiratory infections, digestion and cancer protection at http://www.thepowerherbs.com/herb/Dandelion-Inflammation-Blood-Purifier.html

 

HERB KITS EXTEND YOUR FIRST AID KITS

Do you have your Pandemic Kit yet? Here is what folks are saying about the 100% organic Pandemic Kit made by Apothecary Herbs. "I have this kit and recommend everyone have at least one on hand (or more depending on family size) for a pandemic." Rebecca Carley, MD, Hickory, NC and "I have one and glad I do; just in case. I like the long shelf life." Melody Cedarstrom, Port Matilda, PA (more customer feedback at http://www.thepowerherbs.com) or call 866-229-3663 to order your kit today.

 

PURE ZINC ENERGY

Pure energy is organic and instantly absorbed - transporting nutrition to every cell in your body. It is a super food for the body to repair, build and fortify itself. Where do you get it? It's called Body Foundation Food Mix and is at Apothecary Herbs 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277 http://www.thepowerherbs.com. This pure energy food source is so efficient; you won't feel hungry between meals and can safely lose weight.

 

DETOX PRODUCTS

Apothecary Herbs has released a new product called Liver Detox Tea. You can layer this tea with Milk Thistle Tincture for a gentle yet effective liver cleanse. This is a nice option if you can't do the Liver/Gall Bladder Flush using olive oil. You will find this new product under Herbal Teas at http://www.thepowerherbs.com. Also new is the Liver & Gall Bladder Tincture with dandelion root for more anticancer protection. This formula is available in 1 oz, 2 oz and 4 oz sizes. You will find this item under Organ Body Cleanses at http://www.thepowerherbs.com. You can layer this tincture with the Liver Detox Tea and be well!

 

BE PREPARED

Being prepared is never a waste of time. Get your own organic garden growing and stock as much healthy foodstuffs as you can. You'll also need backup medicine but the over-the-counter and prescription medicines have a limited shelf life of two years or less. However, your organic medicines have a ten year shelf life without side effects. Call the folks at Apothecary Herbs for their Natural Medicine Starter Stock-up Package or make sure you get one of their many herb kits for boosting immune system and protecting you from viruses, bacteria and other pathogens. Call Apothecary Herbs 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277 online http://www.thepowerherbs.com, where your healthcare options just became endless.

 

ALLERGY RELIEF

If you suffer from allergies (sneezing, itchy watery eyes, stuffy or runny nose, sinus pressure or sinus infections) try the Echinacea Deluxe formula and Herbal Eyewash both around $20.00 from Apothecary Herbs. Call now toll free 866-229-3663 http://www.thepowerherbs.com.

 

APOTHECARY HERBS VITAMIN VAULT - STOCK UP AND SAVE!

You already know that you can save on the half and full case discounts in the Vitamin Vault area at http://www.thepowerherbs.com. Apothecary Herbs has added a new item called the Natural Medicine Starter Stock-up Package. This package is designed for those preparing for their medical future and contains immune boosting, pain & inflammation, organ cleanses, vitamin, mineral, amino acid and protein products plus a Pandemic Kit and it comes with a savings. Visit http://www.thepowerherbs.com or call toll free to order your Starter Stock-up Package 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277.  

 

MALE & FEMALE ORGAN CLEANSES KITS - Don't give disease a foothold. You will have the power to cleanse the bowel, urinary, liver, gall bladder and blood system with this cleanse package. For added cleansing, ask about how you can upgrade your order to include the prostate cleanse for men or the Kidney/Bladder cleanse for females.  Go to http://www.thepowerherbs.com or call their 24-hour live customer service line 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277.

 

STARTER KIT & ONE-YEAR SUPPLY OF HERBAL MEDICNE (shelf life 10 to 15 years)

See Apothecary Herbs One Year Supply of Herbal Medicine at http://www.thepowerherbs.com or call 866-229-3663, 704-885-0277. Call for a customized year supply or to set up installment payment for this package. 

 

The information contained herein is not designed to diagnosis, treat, prevent or cure disease. Seek medical advice from a lincensed medical physician (if you dare) before using any product or therapy. 

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