Options Trading Tutorial

Are taxes withheld and reported on W2 for employee stock options? When exercising employee stock options, are taxes automatically withheld by the employer and reported on the w-2 so therefore no 1099-B needs to be filled out. It looks like I overreported withholding in 2005 according to the IRS and it appears because I doubled up the withholding for the stock exercise. Thanks

Taxes on employee stock options/profit sharing program? I learned that my company at one time had an employee stock option program which as a result of selling a majority stake to an Alaskan base company my employeer closed the program & converted it to a profit sharing one while they await IRS permission to depense the funds. Last I was told I was elegible for the program & that at the time the indivual share would be about $30,000 dollars. My question is I assume it will be taxed but can someone help me as to at what percent it would be? I guess to be more clear is it taxable & if as I assume it will be what type or percentage would it likely be taxed? I don't expect a perfect answer just an idea. A perfect answer would be of course nice but I won't hold it against anyone.

Are employee stock options taxed as capital gains or ordinary income when exercised? If the options were issued a few years ago, the stock goes up, and you exercise and then sell all in one transaction. Capital Gain or ordinary income? If Capital Gain, is it Long Term (award vs. exercise date) or short term (exercise and sell in one transaction)?

How are Employee Stock Options taxed in US or any other country?

How to report sale of Employee Stock Purchase Plan shares on taxes (NOT options)? Last year I participated in my employer's stock purchase plan. This is NOT a stock option, just simply buying a set amount of stock via regular payroll deduction. I did sell some of this stock last year and I'm not sure what date to put as "date acquired" on my taxes since I acquired it...well, gradually. Any helpful info is appreciated.

What are the tax implications of taking up employee stock options? I imagine if its treated as income then its liable to income tax? Is it as simple as this? Is there any way of issuing stock options without this tax implication?

help!!!..INCOME TAX..employee stock options program..how to? my mother had an employee stock option plan at her old job...she started buying stocks in 2005 and held them until 2009 when she sold $3000 worth of stock...she did her income tax return and forgot to report them so she did an amendement..she only earned around $17000 that year when the amendment was done..the tax preparer added the $3000 for the stocks my mom had sold and told my mom that on those $3000 she owed $2900 in taxes!! she is 54 yrs old, held the stocks for almost 5 yrs..all the tax preparer asked was how long she held them..ive been reading up on them and i read and also from calling IRS that she should have been asked if they were qualified or non qualified stocks...does anyone know anything about this?? it just seems like being taxed $2900 for $3000 is too much...why would anyone ever buy stocks then! should i just take her w2 form and stock form she got for income tax and have someone else do them.?????

Is a capital loss on an Employee Stock Option tax deductible? If the options were given out as a "retention incentive" (an incentive for the employee to stay with the company), and they expire as a loss, is it deductible? (in Canada btw) thanks oh, I didn't mean a loss as a result from exercising the option, but rather the loss of the premium. thanks for pointing out the obvious though

What is the tax rate that you pay on employee stock options that sell when a new company buys you out? Another compay is purchasing the compay I work for. All of the employees have stock. I heard we will be paid for them by the new buyer. What is the tax rate that I will have to pay and what can I do with the money to reduce my taxes?

what is the tax rate on ESOP(Employee stock options) for an indian individual? what is the tax rate on ESOP(Employee stock options) for an indian individual,, ESOP is for a company listed in USA N ASDAQ but employee is in its indian subsidiary.

how is stock in an employee stock option plan taxed? This is class A common stock owned by the employees of Amstead for purposes of retirement. I am 74 years old and have drawn one fifth of my stock for 2006.

The company has withholding tax from stock options in divorce,how wud we pay the tax from the non employee ? The company has withholding tax (federal and state(CA) from stock options in divorced couple, the husband is the employee.How would the company remit the withholding tax from the wife's(non employee's) share in IRS and CA FTB?what forms need to file by the company?

What will be the tax position - an employee excersie and sell stock options after ceasing to be an employee? An employee at US excercising and selling NQSO after three months of resignation, would it still be a part of 'remuneration' or taxed under 'capital gains tax'

Employer Stock options, is only the profit taxed? If my employee option is for $30 and the stock trades at $31, is the taxable profit $1 ? I want to exercise as a cashless transaction with my employer so do I pay tax on the full $31?

Employee Stock options? I would like to preserve the percentage of ownership until the company has gone public. Can I be granted, let's say 1% of the company as options instead of a speific number of shares which would dilute my share if additional shares are issued. Also is it a %age of the shares issued or shares outstanding - what is the difference? Finally what grant is most tax effctive.

Selling Employee Stock options is CONFUSING!! Please help!? I was granted 300 shares of company stock 5 years ago at $10. My company's stock is now at $25. If I sell everything I was granted today, how much tax should I expect to pay? Some notes: These are ISO shares (whatever that means). I will make around $50k this year in normal earnings (I never ever ever sell stocks or bonds or whatever else there is - I just have a job and I work like a normal person). I get confused when people start talking about non-qualifying whatever and disqualified shares and W2's and 1099's and Schedule D's and Publications of various numbers and whether these are long-term or short-term. I don't know any of this. I just know that I have 300 shares available at $10 and now our stock is at $25. All I want to know is how much tax should I expect to pay so that I can make sure to keep that money to the side when I make the sale. Can anyone help??? This seems like a straightforward question but no one seems to be able to tell me a straightforward answer.

What is the Tax implication for an employee in Employee Stock Option Scheme (ESOP) for the financial year 2006 If an employee is given some shares of the company where he is working, because of his exceptional performance what will be his liability as far as his income Tax is concerned.

Is it illegal to backdate stock options at the highest price & distribute them to employees? Is all backdating illegal? Is this particular situation illegal if the CEO is backdating stock options to the highest price and distributing them to executives and company employees? Would the CEO be able to write off more $ in taxes if the stock price is higher?

Shares puchased throught employee stock option, for cost purpose what should be shown Market price then or pur? now for tax purpose, after I sold the shares during January 2008, for the calculation of cost, should I take the purchase price or the Market value prevailed then..I have been holding the shares for more than 2 years

What's the difference between "restricted stock" and "stock options" from accounting perspective? A quick search on "stock options" shows that many companies are switching from "stock options" to "restricted stocks" as an employee compansation vechicle. Below is what I learned from my research. It could be wrong though. The sales of "stock options" are usually reported as loss. It reduces the company's tax liability, but also adversely affects the company's profit. From 2006, most companies are required to disclose the impact of the "stock options" sales to the public. My questions, When a company issues "restricted stocks" and the employee sells them, is the proceeding counted as "loss" like "stock options"? Why companies don't switch until recently? Does it have anything do to with the new SEC reporting requirement? Thanks,

How do i account for Stock Options as a gift from a customer? uk question. I know how they work if you are an employee. However, i'm a director and basically work for myself. One of my customers has paid me in full for the service i provided. I know i need to account for this in this tax year. However, they also gave me stock options that mature in 3 years time provided i don't provide my services to thier competitors. fair enough. So when do i account for these stock options ? I can't do it this years as they haven't matured so i don't know what money i've made. I'm likely to vest them in 3 years time as the options already have a a healthy profit. Hows that going to work as i've already accounted for the service in full. I'm wondering if they count as a new 3 year service - the "service" being to NOT talk to thier competitors. me ? Confused. I guess i'll have to talk to my accountant but thought i'd ask here to see if anyone knows. my customer is in the US but i don't think that matters....

What is the impact of joint holdings of Fixed deposits and Bank accounts etc? My wife's name was added as a joint holder of the bank account of my son when he went abroad for further studies to facilitate giving instructions to the bank. My son had earned income from Employee stock options and invested them in mutual funds instruments connected with this account. To finance his studies he slowly liquidated these funds. All transactions have taken place through the bank account. By virtue of being a joint account holder is my wife also liable for any taxes on the gains from these mutual fund instruments?

Individual in India working for US based company. Whether I should work as Employee or Consultant? I am an individual residing in India and working from home. I am working for a US based company which has no presence in India. Should I work as Employee or Consultant? Which is best and legal? I will also be given Stock Options. As a consultant can I have stock options? What are the different taxes that I or the company have to pay and what about TDS?

I owe IRS back taxes and live in cooperative apt which I own. Will I be forced to sell my shares? This is the only home I own. I do pay monthly assessments for which I'm behind in. I'm Currently unemployed but looking for work. Have a 10 year old car, but no other assets. No savings, no more 401K or employee stock options, all gone! No more cash value on whole life insurance policy - I lived off this already. Thanks for any advice. I filed the tax return late. I owe 50,000. Was laid off and had some medical issues and lived off savings, 40lk and sold employee stock options.

What are the rules regarding the reissue or retirement of stocks held in treasury? For example, if a corporation withholds some shares of stock in treasury when an employee exercises options (for tax purposes beneficial to the employees), are there some regulations or rules regarding how those stocks held in treasury are re-issued to the public or retired permanently? Sources please! For example, if a corporation withholds some shares of stock in treasury when an employee exercises options (for tax purposes beneficial to the employees), are there some regulations or rules regarding how those stocks held in treasury are re-issued to the public or retired permanently? Sources please! [Incorporated in Delaware] If you know WHERE I can find those rules it would be just as helpful.

Are employees or shareholders of a company liable for the company doing something illegal? If I'm an employee of a company, and the company is caught doing something illegal (tax fraud), or caught up in a civil lawsuit, what is my liability as an employee and shareholder (we have stock options). I have no such prior knowledge of anything like this going on within the company; however, there are recent rumors going around and I'd like to ensure that as a standard employee with stock options (technically an "owner" of the company), that I'm not liable if someone on the management team did something stupid.

How to tax stocks? Accounting experts only please...? My husband works in a company. I'm just wondering: 1) What's the difference between Employee Stocks Option, & Employee Stock Plan? The company bought all their stocks. According to my husband, the stocks option that the company gave them was already included in his W-2 & already been taxed. 1) Do we still need to file those stocks in our tax? We did not receive any 1099-B for the Employee Stock Option, but we did receive 1099-B for the Employee stock Plan. Thanks in advance. My husband's W-2, box 12a code is C & the amount only. But how can we declare the EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION if we did not receive any form, such as 1099-B?

Should I go to H&R block with these returns below? I am single...26 in a 5 year arm. mortgage. No dependants, but I am renting out my condo which i am paying the mortgage on, also employee stock option plan, 401k plan, 14000 k in interest paid yearly and a few items that i've bought for work with my own money? Should this go to H&R block, or a personal solo tax accountant ? i would like to get my payment asap. thx. which is faster to get the return, solo or HR Block?

Any tax implication now or future to excercise pre-IPO stock options when leaving the company now? Hi my friend is an employee of a pre-IPO company and she decide to leave the company. She could exercise whatever has been vested. She s wondering whether she need to give gov tax for now or in the future , e.g, AMT tax. Lets say, she could exercise 1000 shares at 1 dollar. She give the company $1000 when leaves. Does she need to give any tax ? if yes what amount? note that the company is still not public yet. lets say, one yr later the company become public at the price of $10 for the 1st day. Does she need to give any tax now? How about she sell it? how about she is still keeping it ? etc.

What's the likelihood of $100 in a randomly chosen S&P500 security outperforming $25 in the index over 8 years With an 8 year employee stock option at $75 for a stock trading at $100, you can exercise and have $25 to invest (ignoring taxes). Clearly investing in a broad index like S&P500 is less risky than investing in a single security therein, but you will have only $25 to invest vs. your option giving you in effect a $100 stake in the market. If a security in the S&P500 was 100% correlated w/ the index then retaining the option should return much more (if the index and security double over 8 years one would end up with $125 profit with the hold strategy, $50 profit in the early exercise strategy). Rather than a theoretical Black-Sholes calculation, I'm interested in how often historically one would have been better off with one vs. the other. Over 8 years I intuitively feel that the early exercise would lose at least 80% of the time, on average lose badly and rarely win big - over 1 year perhaps losing 60% of the time but with large deviation and winning big quite often. Data?

Question on Long term capital gains tax (in USA)? I work in the USA. My salary is $66k p.a. I have got the company's shares thro' Employee stock options bought over a period of 3 years. The share value is (1170 shares @ USD 38) $44k now. I stopped purchasing since June '09. I wish to sell all the shares next year around. The gain would be like $15-20k by then I guess. Since, I've been holding it for more than a year, I presume it would be deemed long term capital gain. Could anyone work out the tax amount on this? I am a married guy - my wife not working. Please determine my tax bracket and work out the tax amount. I have been getting different answers, I hope someone clarifies my doubts here. Thanks!! Just to add - I would also want to transfer the sale proceeds (cash) to India when I join work in India next year. Would there be any issues doing so? I hope there wouldnt be any tax in India.

Can a sole proprietor sell their business and have the sale proceeds split with an employee /relative? Mother / daughter business set as a Sole proprietor, easiest tax recording and business set-up. Daughter worked as employee with several others. Agreement was made that company sale would be 50/50 split, as the idea came from daughter and mother was the CEO (sole prop). With sale, substantial amount, they would like it split for each to take care of their own tax liability. Seems like it would be the same as a stock promise / option. No tax until it is sold then it would be 50% (full amount) taxable for each? Anyone have any thoughts?

FBT deduction in US federal taxes? I was given the stock options by my employer (a multinational company) long back when I was in India. I exercised my options last year just before changing my job. In addition to the tax that needs to be paid on the gain to the IRS, I also had to pay the Fringe Benefit Taxes to my employer (as per the law in India that in case options granted when you were in India, then even though the stock is not at all traded in India, the taxes as per certain calculations must be paid to Indian govt by employer who can pass this financial burden to employee). Does anyone know or has anyone got any experience with a similar situation? I really want to find out if there is a way I can offset what I paid as FBT to my employer (who will pay to the Indian govt), from the taxable income that I had in 2008? Time is running out for the tax filing deadline this year and so any comments/light on this topic would be appreciated !!! Regards, Ashish

ISO - Tax implications upon exit? Dear Guru(s), What are the tax implications of Incentive Stock Options (ISOs) upon an exit via buy out. It is rumored that even if one does not exercise the options, s/he'll have to pay the taxes on ISOs as if they were regular capital gains. The hiccup is that the acquiring entity will provide their ISOs with restriction on disposition. SO in short, the ISOs will be swapped, but employees have to taxes on them without actually having any gain. Please guide...

Can i incorporate my stock investing "hobby"? i was wondering if it is possible to incorporate a stock investing "hobby" and turn it into a private business to wreak the tax benefits? if so, what are the options if the sole employee / prioprioter is me? thanks in advance!

If Republicans are so angry at Lula Mae Washington in New Orleans recieving food stamps and trading them for? beer and cigarettes, why are they not more concerned with tax laws that allow corporate CEO's to pay themselves in stock options which are taxed at 15% without any Social Security Tax while the employees paid ordinary income tax? I admit that there are many people like Lula Mae Washington and they do cost us some money. Hell, I had food stamps once and traded them for favors from a hooker in the French Quarter. I'm sure she traded them for cocaine or rent money. The point is that the money lost to me and Lula Mae is nothing compared to the tax loopholes that the very wealthy enjoy and the Republican anger is misplaced. I admit that I should not have traded food stamps that I didn't need to a hooker and that Lula Mae really shouldn't trade hers for Thunderbird Wine. But if we are going to fix the problem of tax shortfalls, budget deficit and national debt, its going to require more than locking Lula Mae and I up in the New Orleans Parish jail.

Selling my Stocks for my ESPP? I'm utilizing my options with my employer (ESPP - employee stock purchase plan) that through payroll deductions (of up to 10% of my check) I can get stocks via Fidelity for 15% off actual price, but someone told me that if I sell these stocks immediatelly upon them being applied to my account (they are applied/credited to me on fidelity.com quarterly,) that I would be penalized on my taxes - versus keeping them for over a year - then I won't be penalized on my taxes (as much?) Isn't it considered a capital gain either way, regardless of the time period in which I sell? Thanks! -J

Is our current political system out of control and ignoring the needs of the average citizen .? With all kinds of average jobs leaving OUR towns and valley's and the cost of health insurance rising all the time ,who is representing the working man in America . The same jobs government employees work at have health ,dental ,cost of living increases and retirement . We have people that love Uncle Sam so much that they retire from one job and begin another . 30-40 years of work and two pension checks . One that starts after the first 20 and then after only 10 you can begin to collect two checks if you like for the rest of your life . Now some would say go get yourself a job like that ,and I remind them that outside government contractors offer even better pay and health coverage and the opportunity for stock options . ALL mind you at tax payer expense . The government broke the Unions and made it sound like a bad word . We can not force companies to stay but we can raise tariffs on all goods made abroad and shipped into America . We can not compete against $1.00 an hour labor . If we try to compete against this cheap labor our standard of living will end up paying the price . We can not even educate our kids in America unless they are sent to private schools . Would you take the chance with your kid being part of the high school grads that are functionally illiterate . IF you are not sure what that really means then maybe you are a victim of the same educational system your kids are in now . So you can read a Dick and Jane book and you see spot run ,but do you have a quality education . DO you prepare your own taxes or complete the paperwork on the sale of your home . Do you often need the help of professionals to assist you in your ordinary day to day life . Think about it for a minute is your job dependent on information gathered from separate sources with in the same organization and compiled in a format that is simple to understand . If so you are in management . IF you provide information without the ability to put together the big picture your labor OUR situation is not helped when companies move jobs abroad except for those who have money available to invest in these ventures .Labor is what built America ,and made for a strong family . Dad out building offices schools roads and running sewer pipes ,water , and gas lines to provide homes with the good life . Telephone ,electric and cable to power us and connect us to the world . The cars we drive the stores we shop at the roads we travel and the farms that feed this great nation . Labor is that force that makes an idea happen .I have an idea ,lets put up a dam to create electrical power , lets put a satellite in space to bounce radio signals around the nation and the world and together America did this and much more . Now the trend is for those who have some money who worked hard and built America to invest and expand the amount of capitol they have by investing in cheap labor and products to sell to Americans made in foreign countries and this is up to them . You go right ahead and sell out the working people in America and turn them into service workers Unable to build equity in a home or even buy one .Two incomes instead of one is required to feed cloth and house a family . This trend is not new it has been around now for 30 years . Thats how long it took for dads dad to die and his story of making something in America and how it felt to walk down the street proud to know his hard work was building a strong America for his kids . What are we making today except inflating the value of currency in order to pay ourselves more with worthless paper when the oil runs out . We need to get back to work and start building the nuclear power plants and solar energy generating power tied in to nuclear energy to provide power at night . During the day the plants can convert water into hydrogen to fuel cars .Waste not want not . We became a disposable society lead by our government which is controlled by the rich who have but one goal MONEY MONEY .

What American company do you admire most? We've seen so much duplicity, cheating, and disgusting behavior by corporate America, I think it's time to reflect on which companies are good and are doing the right thing for consumers, shareholders, and employees... These past few months have made people question American capitalism at its roots and whether any companies act fairly and responsibly. What company (s) do you think is the most honest, able, and has a bright economic future? Criteria could include: 1. Do not leverage their books by insane margins and load their balance sheet with debt. 2. Do not let their executives binge on stock options. 3. Pay their employees fairly 4. Treat their shareholders with respect 5. Pay their taxes and don't go racing to take their jobs offshore. 6. Don't come asking uncle sam for a handout, but are self-sufficient and even conservative in capital allocation. My one and only pick: Berkshire Hathaway. The rest of American business in my view has totally betrayed the American public. BTW: I do not mean small business with hard working middle class people, but Fortune 500 corporations, and businesses with over 100M+ in assets/market cap. TinglyTrigger, Tell that to 90% of American shareholders who have not been given any of the returns of the businesses they own. They have no vote on executive compensation.

Obama is going to put a 15% social security tax on income over $104,000. Why did he mislead us by...? ... saying only those with income above $250,000 would pay higher taxes? Obama wants to apply social security taxes to income about the current limit of about $104,000. It's about 15% between the employee and employer. Will super rich people like Bill Gates, George Soros and Warren Buffet just hide there income because this tax is only on wages and they can just pay themselves dividends, stock options, and capital gains --- or just take a salary of $1/year while still owning their business?

Is this offer a scam, or its the real deal? I've been looking for a data entry job on Craigslist. Most of the emails I got back were scams, but this one might actually be the real deal. Anyone able to verify it? This is the email I received: It is our pleasure to extend the following offer of employment to you on behalf of CSC PAPERS GROUP. Title: ONLINE PAYROLL/DATA ENTRY CLERK This offer is contingent upon your passing our mandatory CV screening, our receipt of your college details, and any other contingencies you may wish to state. We opted to recruit staffs to work online from home to help us do (Balance sheets, account balancing, invoicing recording, proper data analysis of sales records and recording pay slips into account database all through the use of Payroll/Accounting Softwares) REPORTING RELATIONSHIP You are to report to your Supervisor online, who will assign logs of duty daily and you will be required to work according to instructions, using Microsoft Office and Payroll/Accounting Softwares. The function of the software is to arrange, formalize and manage datas you have processed and sent to your supervisor through the Internet. The software also gives your supervisor the total hours you have worked on for the day, which helps us to calculate your working hours. BASE SALARY Salary will be paid weekly or bi-weekly installments of $375:00 weekly, and subject to deductions for taxes and other withholdings as required by law or the policies of the company. BONUS OR COMMISSION POTENTIAL Effective upon satisfactory completion of the 7 days online training of employment, and based upon the goals and objectives agreed to in the performance development planning process with your supervisor, you may be eligible for a bonus. The bonus plan for this year and beyond, should such a plan exist, will be based on the formula determined by the company for that year. NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT Our standard non-compete agreement must be signed prior to start. BENEFITS The current, standard company health, life, disability and dental insurance coverage are generally supplied per company policy. Eligibility for other benefits, including the 401(k) and tuition reimbursement, will generally take place per company policy. Employee contribution to payment for benefit plans is determined annually. STOCK OPTIONS Spell out any options that may be available for purchase. VACATION AND PERSONAL EMERGENCY TIME OFF Personal emergency days are generally accrued per company policy. EXPENSES Spell out any moving or other transition expenses the company will pay.. CAR/PHONE/TRAVEL EXPENSES Normal and reasonable expenses will be reimbursed on a monthly basis per company policy. WORKING REQUIREMENTS This is an online job so you are required to purchase a platinumpay software for 7 Days Intensive online training with your supervisor. (I think thats the scam right there, if there is one) Other equipments to get you working after the training have been provided free of charge by the Company. This includes HP Notebook for mobility, HP Portable Printer and some other Software's for accuracy, Speed of data processing, time monitoring and effectiveness. You also need to install Yahoo! Messenger on your computer, you can download it free on www.yahoo.com. This is to facilitate effective and interactive chat session with your supervisor online during the 7 days online training. when this is done add (Not going to give out the email address here) to your buddy list. FUND FOR EQUIPMENTS You will recieve fund from us and details on the supply of softwares and equipments. When the fund is recieved you are to deduct your training bonus and send the outstanding balance out to the suppliers. NOTE You are require to send us an email with the Subject ** Duration & Payroll/Fund Details ** This should contain answers to the Following: 1. Your Full Name and Address (where to send the funds to) 2. Contact Phone Numbers. 3. How man hours are you willing to Work per day? ( 5hr Maximum ) 4. Time range ( Morning, Afternoon or Evening Section ) 5. Payroll Interval? ( Weekly or Bi-weekly ) 6. Payroll Method? ( Bank transfer or Check ) We look forward to working with you as our Online Staff. CSC Papers Group Human Resources Department will only contact you orally after the completion of the training. TERMS AND AGREEMENT Your employment with CSC Papers Group is at-will and either party can terminate the relationship at any time with or without cause and with or without notice. You acknowledge that this offer letter, (along with the final form of any referenced documents), represents the entire agreement between you and CSC Papers Group and that no verbal or written agreements, promises or representations that are not specifically stated in this offer, are or will be binding upon CSC Papers Group. If you are in agreement with the above outline, please sign below. This offer i

Do you really understand the McCain Tax Plan? Think about this George Bush gave the Rich a Tax Break... McCains plan wants to continue Georges policy and a person making 2.87 Million dollars is going to recieve a 3/4 of a Million bigger break. Obama says that the country is suffering and we need to take the tax levels for the Rich back to what they were under Clinton. Clinton had given them a tax break then too. To better understand it look at this graph http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/06/09/ST2008060900950.html As you can see Obamas just makes sence and the majority of the country will benefit under the Obama Plan. I'm sorry but as a retired employee of United Airlines that watched these people run away with my retirement, I have little empathy for the rich. They ran it into bankruptcy and walked away with parachutes and threw us out the door at 30,000 feet. Those that stayed in management, the top 400 managers received millions in bonuses and stock options coming out of bankruptcy. The employees that stayed got a job.

summerize thisinto 5 sentances? The first company chief executive to be convicted for tampering with stock-option awards was sentenced yesterday to 21 months in prison, one of a handful of corporate officials to face punishment for the once-widespread practice. The courtroom appearance by former Brocade Communications Systems chief Gregory L. Reyes, who was convicted last year on 10 securities fraud charges, refocused public attention on a scandal that touched off hundreds of government investigations and hastened the dismissal of top corporate executives. Securities regulators and federal prosecutors vowed to get to the bottom of stock-option abuses two years ago after media reports exposed their prevalence. Dozens of companies fired executives and ordered costly internal investigations. Lately, however, the backdating issue has been playing out with a whimper rather than a bang, with many cases quietly resolved. "When the government sends out 100-something subpoenas, it sets off a lot of activity, and it results in enormous costs to companies in terms of accountants and lawyers and restatements," said former prosecutor Matthew J. Jacobs, who has advised companies on how to address backdating accusations. "The thing we don't know is whether there are other shoes that are going to drop." Reyes, 45, took a remarkable fall from grace from his perch in Silicon Valley, where he led a prominent data-switch company, had deep family ties and owned part of the San Jose Sharks hockey team. Prosecutors singled out Reyes because of his substantial authority in doling out stock options, which rewarded favored employees with all-but- guaranteed large payouts. He must pay $15 million in fines but will remain free pending an appeal of the conviction, U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer said. "I'm sorry," Reyes told the audience in the San Francisco courtroom, according to the Associated Press. "There were many things I would have done differently." The Securities and Exchange Commission, which at one point had 160 open stock-option investigations, resolved many of them without bringing charges. Now only half that number of cases remain active, an agency spokesman said. The SEC has settled backdating accusations with six companies and has charged 29 executives with wrongdoing. In the largest such case, former United Health Group chief executive William W. McGuire in December agreed to surrender $468 million in cash and options to settle the SEC's backdating charges. "Whenever a corporate officer misleads investors about a company's performance by secretly backdating stock options, the integrity of our markets is undermined," SEC Chairman Christopher Cox said at the time. Options give company employees and officers the chance to buy company stock at a set price within a specific time frame. Backdating the awards can make them more valuable. The practice is not necessarily illegal but it can violate securities and tax laws if it is not disclosed properly to investors. Meanwhile, the Justice Department's marquee backdating prosecutions are simmering on the back burner. Comverse Technology founder Jacob "Kobi" Alexander fled to Namibia in 2006 and authorities are trying to extradite him to face trial in Brooklyn. The former general counsel at McAfee and the former president of Brooks Automation have been indicted and are fighting charges

If Republicans are so angry at Lula Mae Washington in New Orleans for trading her food stamps for beer? and wasting their hard earned tax money, where is the outrage at Exxon Corp. who earned billions of dollars last year and didn't pay any tax at all? I mean really Folks! Can't we afford to buy Lula Mae a six pack and some cigarettes if we can let Exxon off the hook completely? What about corporate executives being able to pay themselves with stock options with carries only a 15% capital gains tax and no Social Security tax when their employees pay regular income tax and Social Security tax as well? Shouldn't they be more concerned about massive theft on the corporate level than Lula Mae buying a package of Kool's? If we would close the tax loopholes for executive compensation and corporate tax, we could buy her a whole case of Colt 45 and have money left over.

Why do most of the wealthy...have a hard time putting their money where their mouth is when it comes to...? Why do most of the wealthy and their political supporters have a hard time putting their money where their mouth is like they expect everybody else to when it comes to them 'tightening their belt' and 'making sacrifices for the greater good' of the economy? For example regarding to health care reform or taxes (for people making over $250,000 per year [or even for the sake of argument and benefit of the doubt - let's say a combined income between a man and his wife that supports them and their family to live on at over $500,000 annually]) - why shouldn't people who make that much money also be 'tightening their belt' and 'making sacrifices for the greater good' when the state of an economy needs it? In other words why should the burden of fixing an economy or other things be placed entirely on the poor or middle class? For example again, when it's been the policies of laissez faire economics which the supporters of the wealthy (republicans, libertarians and to be fair possibly a few 'democrat politicians' (the ones bought off and paid for by the wealthy also) - endorsed to not regulate against fraud that caused the economic mess in the first place, why then should the poor and middle class expected to carry the financial burdens of the wealthy? Another 'for example' when many workers have been LOYALLY working for companies FOR MANY YEARS of their life and ARE PERFECTLY STILL WILLING TO PAY FOR ALL OF THEIR HEALTH CARE INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND MEDICAL BILLS, but can't because - They've been laid off by the companies they loyally worked so long for because their companies' CEOs thought it wiser to ship their loyal workers' jobs overseas to increase profits while those same CEOs of those same companies got bonuses, stock options, raises, etc. However that's not the end of the horror story - Then those same wealthy CEOs along with a lot of wealthy majority shareholders in their companies as well as a lot of their other wealthy friends and investment bankers, other wealthy CEOs and majority stockholders of giant banks like citibank, besides wall street firms, etc. - make risky investments that they knew were very speculative and highly risky in the first place such as certain little things called derivatives or 'buying on margin'. Then those wealthy people end up getting burned or otherwise also losing their backsides (financally speaking) to fraudsters and markets that just weren't there or were 'tapped out' already or had hit their peak already and was heading/spiraling downwards. Then to top that off, those same loyal hard working workers lose their homes or/and their car(s) because of them being laid off by their CEOs are told by the insurance companies being offered by the new lesser paying employers they are forced to work because of the state of the economy their former employers' company and other companies so 'wisely' put it in - those hard working loyal workers who were laid off are told by the new insurance companies - sorry we won't accept you because of a pre-existing condition. Which also, A lot of if not all of those same pre-existing conditions that many hard working people are told would keep them from being accepted by medical insurance companies COULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF and maybe even taken out completely, IF THEY HADN'T BEEN DROPPED BY THEIR FORMER INSURANCE PROVIDER THEY HAD, BUT WERE DROPPED WHEN THEY WERE LAID OFF BY THEIR LONG TIME EMPLOYERS BECAUSE OF THE SUCH KIND REWARDING ACTS OF THEIR LONG TIME EMPLOYEES LOYALTY, WITH WHICH THE CEOs OF THEIR COMPANIES DECIDED TO REWARD THEIR LOYAL HARD WORKING LONG TIME EMPLOYEES WITH LAYING THEM OFF AS A REWARD FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK. Also despite hard working poor and middle class people having it that hard financially, then the wealthy and their supporters - expect the poor and middle class to bail them out financially with taxes the poor and middle class is expected to pay for and of which that bailout money is paying for subsidizing the wealthy who lay off their workers while they ship their loyal workers' jobs overseas, while the wealthy also get tax breaks and corporate welfare already, plus what little taxes the wealthy still have left to pay are cheating out of paying with phony/shady tax breaks/tax shelters or just falsifying income reports to the IRS about and besides that - The hard working people also are expected to financially bail out with their tax dollars - banks that charged them outrageous interest for loans and of which for many those same banks repossessed their homes and car(s), AND yet despite the fact that hard working poor and middle class people who have financially, medically and jobwise has been shafted by the wealthy including pharmaceutical and insurance companies too btw - they're expected to financially bail out the wealthy financial predators and are told by the same system that the wealthy and their politician supporters run, that despite all the hard working poor and middle people have done for Speaking of wealthy people who started out poor - Before I also forget to ask, has anyone ever heard of the notion of giving something back to people you take from - especially to the people who really need it as opposed to giving to the arts to make someone look like their a humanitarian while those wealthy 'donaters to the arts' get a tax break and thus it's actually the hard working poor and middle class that ended up making those donations because of the tax breaks the wealthy got for 'their donations' - or also speaking of wealthy who were once poor - Does anyone remember the question that can be asked of the wealthy that were once poor which is - Now that the wealthy who was once poor is successful - Do they remember where they came from and what are they doing to give back to those who really need help where they came from, especially as many of those wealthy got breaks from people themselves also?

I am wealthy CEO. How much money should I donate to Obama? I estimate that my income tax will increase by $200,000 a year, but I will save about $870,000 after replacing American employees by H1B immigrants. Obama promised to issue H1B visas liberally, as many as I can swallow. $870,000 increase in annual company profits would translate into about $720,000 million growth in my share of stock options, due to P/E leverage of about 10. How much money should I donate to Obama?

Can We Afford Obamanomics Part 2? Corportaion ABA makes food products. It is based out of Dallas Texas where it uses only local beef. It's supports 800 local cattlemen and dairymen. It's processing plant employs 1200 workers. And it's product goes out to every McDonalds restuant in the nation. Given America's fasination with bad food. It is doing well and it's stocks are selling high. Then Obama is elected president. His first budget raises their taxes 20% and requires them to pay 5k per employee for health care. The Corporate execs assemble and say We will be "patriots" and pay our taxes without adjusting our costs. (As If) But the share holders meeting takes place and the share holders are asked to be "patriotic" and take the 20 percent loss. To which they vote a resounding NO. (We know the execs would never let it get that far, but that was for dramtizatrion) So the execs get together and try and figure how to offlay this cost. And they have two options. 1. Raise the price of the food products. Prices at all McDonalds go up 20%. Suddenly the Dollar menu disappears and food gets more expensive for Betty the single Mom who is struggling to feed her kids. Betty and everyone else has peanut butter sandwiches twice a week and skips McDonalds, which reduces McDonalds business by 20% and so they let go 20% of their work force. (That's not taking into account the federal minum wage which will affect things even more). McDonalds orders 20% less products from ABA Corp and tax revenues are exactly what they were before they were raised. End Results of Option 1 No new tax income, 20% lost minum wage jobs, life harder for Betty Option 2 ABA Corp sees green pastures on the other side of the Rio Grande and moves to Mexico, laying off all 1200 employees, and stranding all 800 ranchers and dairy men. End result option 2 No taxes whatsoever from ABA Corp, many lost jobs, depressed economy. The company chose option 2, why do business in a country that thinks you are there to pay their bills? Can we afford Obamanomics? You can't get something for nothing.

What are the economic realities of the Obama proposals? A case study. Jane (not her real name) is a manager at an average sit down restaurant. She earns a base salary of $36,000 a year and 3% bonuses based on net income. For 2007 she earned just over $42,000. Under the Obama tax plan she will receive $1000 additional back in taxes. (From his website) She currently has 18 full time non-tipped employees that make less than $9.50 /hr. With their average wage being $7.00 /hr. The proposed Obama minimum wage is $9.50. (The current minimum wage is $6.55 /hr set to increase to $7.25 in July 2009) The annual increase in labor costs is just over $100,000. This money comes directly out of net profits. Without increasing prices, that is a reduction of $3000 in her income. Additionally, the effects of increased capital gains taxes will further erode net profits and reduce her income by another $400. That is a $3400 reduction in wages, slightly over an 8% cut in pay. Add the tax rebate and it is still slightly less than a 6% reduction in buying powered. The effects of lower net corporate profits due to higher labor costs and higher corporate and capital gains taxes will reduce corporate profits, thus reducing the stock prices contributing to an overall lower market value, reducing the earnings of her 401k and retirement accounts. To keep this valued employee and to maintain net profits and stock price the company will have no other option but to reduce payroll expenses, that is lay people off, and increase their prices. This will be compounded by the fact that their suppliers will be faced with similar dilemmas. You’ll end up paying higher prices for goods and services and get less return on your investments. So what on the surface sounds like a great deal, paying less in taxes, in reality will cost you more. That is, if you’re not one of those who’s job is eliminated. For 'stereoisomers are cool' It is hard to believe you are a math major, this is simple mathematics. Rates have been specified in text and by reference. From the text it is obvious that the calculations are annualized. 3% of $100K is $3000, $400 is an estimate based on the proposed corporate and capital gains tax increases of a minimum of 3%. $3400 is slightly over 8%(3400 divided by 42000) $2400 is just under 6%(2400 divided by 42000) For Gumby, You are correct sir the expiration of tax cuts were not included. For her income that will amount to an increase of $790 in taxes annually, still more beneficial than those proposed.

I got a mail from British Petroleum company ,is this fake or real mail?The mail will be given in next part.? Yahoo!My Yahoo!MailGroupsMail HelpYahoo! SearchSearch:Welcome, barkhasizzler [Sign Out, My Account]Mail Home Mail Contacts Calendar Notepad What's New? Mobile Mail हिन्दी Options Search Mail Folders[Add a new folder - Edit folders] Inbox (671) Drafts (2) Sent Spam (101) [Empty all the messages from the Spam folder] Trash [Empty all the messages from the Trash folder] Search Shortcuts My Photos My Attachments Go to Previous message | Go to Next message | Back to MessagesMark as Unread | Print ReplyReply All Move... Flag this messageBritish Petroleum Company Interview Invitation Letter(Ref No: 01/007/HRD/BPPLC)Monday, 6 October, 2008 3:13 PM From: "Mr. Tony Edward" <tony_edwardbp8798@yahoo.co.uk>Add sender to Contacts To: barkhasizzler@yahoo.co.inMessage contains attachmentsBritish Petroleum Company Interview Invitation Letter.doc (294KB) BRITISH PETROLEUM COMPANY UK OFFICE OF THE CHIEF RECRUIT OFFICER 1st ,St. James Square London,SW1Y 4PD 6th of October 2008Ref No: 01/007/HRD/BPPLCAttention:Barkha Jain It will be an excellent opportunity to join one of the world biggest Oil and Gas company that is focused on growth and sharing that success with employees. The Company has approximately 875 employees spread between offices in United Kingdom . It is now seeking to strengthen its team with the addition of challenging team of new employee. On behalf of the entire recruit team, I will like to formally notify you on your appointment for an interview with our great company. Invitation have been sent to the British Embassy Home Office here in London for notification, so that all your immigrations documents needed for the interview will be processed by the official traveling Agency attached to BP by the British Embassy.. This is also to avoid Delay/problem of not been able to process the immigration documents for the interview before the actual date. Benefit will be paid to qualified applicant for favorable at the end of the interview.Recolation allowance, children education allowance, six (6) salaries upfront, maximum of four (4) members will be granted UK immigration papers. Full benefit details will be given to qualified applicants after the interview. Take Home Salary Bases: A base salary in the range £6K-£19K Monthly (GBP), dependent on experience, plus attractive Stock Grant (from day one), Target Bonus (circa 20% at present) and other Oil Company benefits. This take home salary exclude all tax fee payable by all non citizen of Britain working around United Kingdom. Accommodation: Accommodation will be provided for all newly employed staff of BP, this apartment will be able to accommodate staff and family for the time duration working for BP.Apartment will be changed for staff upon promotion in position. Family Education: Education entitlement will be given to staff before resumption of new office with our company.Full summary of the entire package will be couriered to qualified applicant before resumption of duty. The Immigration document will be processed within a short period of time two(2) weeks, so applicants are expect to make arrangement, so the immigration documents reaches your hand before the arrival date. You are requested to send the following details to the official traveling agencg(Alpha Travel Agency).1.Full Name 2.Ref No 3.Marital Status 4.Passport No 5.Date of Birth/Gender 6.Full Contact Address/Mob Tel No 7.Nationality 8.Traveling Purpose You are required to pay the sum of £720 to our official traveling agency (Alpha Travel Agency) as the 33% charge.BP has already sent its 67% to Alpha Travel Agency at the time of file your invitation. British petroleum Company will re-imburse all applicants on their arrival to London for the interview, please be informed that BP will only re-imburse applicant will proof of payment. Therefore applicants are advice to keep safe their payment receipt of the 33% and also endeavor to come with it while coming for the interview. British Petroleum has in the past incurred 100% of our applicant travel expenses, on arrival of some of the applicant to UK ; we don't see them to pick up at the Air-Port. That means some applicant use our job opportunity come over to Uk,without showing up for the interview, which was the reason while the immigration documents were been proceeded for the applicant by BP.Due to this BP Recruit Officers had to work more on our recruitment policy. Alpha Travel Agency will only submit all your immigrations details to the British Embassy Home office after you most have effected the 33%(£720) Charge. You have to follow all instruction given by the Visa Processing officer's your immigration document can be processed and delivered to your resident before the arrival dateof applicants. Do update this office

Asking again about solution for healthcare? I said it would be part of the solution. One for people between jobs. Most jobs have health care and but you have to wait two to three months before your insurance takes effect. There already policies out there the do this, and they are group plans, but if you can't afford it is when I think the government could step in. Medicaid will not cover you unless you have almost nothing at all . IF you have stocks or money in the bank over two thousand dollars, including any certificates of deposit or burial plots, and you have to be in abject poverty and it takes months to get and when you gain employement, any costs you occured to the system has to be paid back. So unless you are dirt poor and hopeless, you may qualify, but most people aren't and have something of value. And Medicaid doctors are almost impossible to fine and you always have to wait three weeks before you can get an appointment. Anyway, to answer the pre-existing condition clause. All you need to prove you qualify and don't have to wait a year to have the costs of your condition picked up, is to prove you were in a group policy at least sixty days before your new job starts meaning, that sixty days is forgiven. With the goverment plan it would be a group policy that the future employer must accept as so. And most people get a tax refund unless they are self-employed. And if the employee chooses the option of claiming all dependants, then arrangements could be made to deduct a small amout from the weekly paycheck. Are you looking for free healthcare, it's not there. You have to pay Medicaid back, and if you're over sixty year old and die, Medicaid gets you house as payment for services.

why is the obama administration considering setting up a national bank to hold bad debts while handing out..? why should obama even consider a plan that the federal government, which has already given over HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS of our dollars to banks with bad loans (and who now have their hands out for another TWO TRILLION) open a "national bank" to buy up such bad loans and then sell them in time to the public sector, without expecting that these private banks and bankers WORK to refinance the bad loans into good loans? you must ask yourself this: "what is the business of a bank?" and the answer is only this: the business of a bank is to make money. that is the ONLY business of a bank. and so, if the obama administration is considering using our tax dollars that are non existent anyway to establish a national bank that will buy up bad loans, how would that benefit you and i? why is no rule put upon the banks that want more and more and more of our money to bail them out of the financial crisis that they themselves put themselves into requiring that they, themselves, who are in the sole business of making money, to require that they restructure their own lousy loans so that such loans become profitable to them rather than putting their fat hands out to collect even more money from not only you and i, but from our progeny? why should we even consider allowing the federal government to set up and run a bank that will absorb bad loans? would it be profitable to we, the people? as far as i can see, practically anything that the federal government puts its inept nose into fails and/or makes our lives more complicated by more and more federal regulations, which in turn create jobs within the federal government itself, but do nothing to benefit the working man? will a national bank that buys up bad loans benefit the people of america? why would it? take a look at the article linked here: http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/01/24/the_banks_have_stolen_enough_its_time_to_take_them/ and then, please give me your PERSONAL opinion, as a citizen of this country, as to why you would want the federal government to open up an institution whose sole purpose is to make money, i.e., a national bank? would you deposit your wages (if any) into such a federal national bank? why would you do that? what reward would you get for doing so? do you think that the interest that the federal government MIGHT pay you would be worth your deposits, just like the deposits that you make to the federal government out of your paycheck in the form of taxes that are supposed to pay for those things that you need which you cannot pay for yourself (such as war)? don't you think that rather than our federal government building up its "national bank" that the lenders that made bad loans out of their greed, so that they could continue paying themselves millions in salary and bonuses and perks and stock options while being seated each day in plush offices with views from huge windows that you'd just love to be able to have yourself from your house (condo), should have to put their loan officers to WORK at making those bad loans into profitable, good loans? it's so simple. we give $0.00 to the banks. they already took our money with no requirement that they account for how they spent it. so now they say it is not enough. okay, if it is not enough, why don't they figure out how they can make money off of their loans? if that is the business of a bank--making money--and it is, the only business at that, why don't they figure out yet more creative ways to shut down this foreclosure disaster and change it to profitable business for them? this is what they do with their bad mortgage loans: they rewrite them into fixed rate, (very) long term mortgages. they fix the rate of interest at only one point above the prime rate, as it is today. and then they stretch out the amortization schedule of repayment to 100 years or more than 100 years in order that the payments are profitable to them. and they charge "points" (a point is one percent of the face value of a loan) to refinance these bad loans, but they put these points into the loan itself. and of course, they charge their outrageous fees, but they put those fees into the loan also. in fact, they could structure the new mortgages so that their points and fees are what is paid first. if you own real estate, you should call up your real estate broker so that s/he will print out an amortization schedule for you so that you can see how much of what you pay per month goes towards interest on your principal balance. this way you will understand what i am proposing. ("amort" is a french word that means "to kill," to kill off the principal). okay, if you do not agree with the above work that the banks should do, which will keep their employees employed and paying taxes to the government (about $0.61 out of every dollar that they spend, all taxes over the year combined), then what do you propose that the banks do? do you propose that they had been omitted: ...), then what do you propose that the banks do? do you propose that they should go bankrupt? how and why? or, do you think that this new idea of forming a "national bank" that will be funded on OUR money will resolve the problems that the banks face? if such a national bank were established, would the banks still have their hands open to catch yet another two trillion of our dollars? what will they do with that money anyway? what will we, the people of our country, have to pay to fund the establishment of this national bank that obama has proposed? i like detailed answers with something that backs them up. even if i do not agree with you, i never give a thumbs down if you back up your argument, so feel free to exercise your constitutional right of free speech in your answer. and thank you. ha ha! the first person that attempted an "answer" gave a non answer--that's a first! the first person that answered was "reallypablo," who is a Top Contributor. read his "answer." you will laugh.

Why does bush want to stay in Iraq if the majority of the people don't? Congress Must Cut Off Bush Family War Profits by Evelyn Pringle Global Research, April 10, 2007 Countercurrents.org - 2007-04-11 Email this article to a friend Print this article On Monday, April 9, 2007, the Boston Herald reported that the US military had announced the Easter weekend deaths of 10 more American soldiers, including six killed on Sunday. The Associated Press reports that, since the war began in March 2003, over 3,000 members of the US military have been killed in Iraq, as of April 8, 2007. The military reported the deaths of four more US soldiers on Tuesday. Its nearly impossible to estimate the number of deaths of civilians in Iraq, but the Herald reports that at least 47 people were killed or found dead in violence on Easter Sunday, including 17 execution victims dumped in the capital. News releases out of Iraq also report that a woman wearing a black veil and strapped with explosives blew herself up outside a police station in Iraq on Tuesday, killing 16 people. According to the January 14, 2007 LA Times, Steven Kosiak, director of budget studies at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments in Washington, says that, starting with the anti-terrorism appropriation a week after the 9/11 attacks, he estimates the US has spent $400 billion fighting terrorism through fiscal 2006, which ended on September 30, 2006. In January 2007, Marine Corps spokeswoman, Lt Col Roseann Lynch, told Reuters that the war in Iraq is costing about $4.5 billion a month for military “operating costs,” which did not include new weapons or equipment. Since this war on terror was declared following 9/11, the pay levels for the CEOs of the top 34 defense contractors have doubled. The average compensation rose from $3.6 million during the period of 1998-2001, to $7.2 million during the period of 2002-2005, according to an August 2006, report entitled, "Executive Excess 2006," by the Washington-based, Institute for Policy Studies, and the Boston-based, United for a Fair Economy. This study found that since 9/11, the 34 defense CEOs have pocketed a combined total of $984 million, or enough, the report says, to cover the wages for more than a million Iraqis for a year. In 2005, the average total compensation for the CEOs of large US corporations was only 6% above 2001 figures, while defense CEOs pay was 108% higher. But the last name of one family, which is literally amassing a fortune over the backs of our dead heroes, matches that of the man holding the purse strings in the White House. On December 11, 2003, the Financial Times reported that three people had told the Times that they had seen letters written by Neil Bush that recommended business ventures in the Middle East, promoted by New Bridges Strategies, a firm set up by President Bush’s former campaign manager, who quit his Bush appointed government job as the head of FEMA, three weeks before the war in Iraq began. Neil Bush was paid an annual fee to "help companies secure contracts in Iraq," the Times said. But Neil Bush is by no means the only Bush profiting from the war on terror. The first President Bush is so entangled with entities that have profited greatly that it's difficult to even know where to begin. Bush joined the Carlyle Group in 1993, and became a member of the firm's Asian Advisory Board. The Carlyle Group was best known for buying defense companies and doubling or tripling their value and was already heavily supported by defense contracts. But in 2002, the firm received $677 million in government contracts, and by 2003, its contracts were worth $2.1 billion. Prior to 9/11, some Carlyle companies were not doing so well. For instance, the future of Vought Aircraft looked dismal when the company laid off 20% of its employees. But business was booming shortly after the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq began, and the company received over $1 billion in defense contracts. The Bush family's connections to the Osama bin Laden's family seem almost surreal. On September 28, 2001, two weeks after 9/11, the Wall Street Journal reported that, "George H.W. Bush, the father of President Bush, works for the bin Laden family business in Saudi Arabia through the Carlyle Group, an international consulting firm." As a representative of Carlyle, one of the investors that Bush brought to Carlyle was the Bin Laden Group, a construction company owned by Osama's family. The bin Ladens have been called the Rockefellers of the Middle East, and the father, Mohammed, has reportedly amassed a $5 billion empire. According the Journal, Bush convinced Shafiq bin Laden to invest $2 million with Carlyle. The Journal found that Bush had met with the bin Ladens at least twice between 1998 and 2000. On September 27, 2001, the Journal reported that it had confirmed that a meeting took place between Bush Senior and the bin Laden family through Senior's Chief of Staff, Jean Becker, but only after the reporter showed her a thank you note that was written and sent by Bush to the bin Ladens after the meeting. The current President’s little publicized affiliation with the bin Laden family goes back to his days with Arbusto oil when Salem bin Laden funneled money through James Bath to bail out that particular failed company. Probably the most eerie report about this strange group of bedfellows is that on 9/11, the day that served as a kick-off for the highly profitable war on terror, Shafiq bin Laden attended a meeting in the office of the Carlyle Group, and stood watching TV with other members of the firm as the WTC collapsed. The fact that so many Saudis, including many bin Ladens, were allowed to fly out of the country right after 9/11, while Americans were still grounded, has always seemed a bit strange to most people also, especially when nobody in the Bush administration was able to explain who gave permission for the flights. About a month after 9/11, in October 2001, the Carlyle Group severed its ties with the Bin Laden Group, but the Bush family did not. In January 2002, Neil Bush took a trip to Saudi Arabia that was sponsored by the Bin Laden Construction Company and Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, the same Prince who offered New York Mayor, Rudy Giuliani $10 million to help the 9/11 victims, a gesture that Rudy refused. In the fall of 2003, Bush Senior finally resigned from the Carlyle Group as the accusations of family war profiteering grew louder. However, according to the Washington Post, he still retained stock in the firm and gave speeches on its behalf for a fee of $500,000. Carlyle companies have also scored big in the Homeland Security bonanza. Federal Data Systems and US Investigations Services hold multi-billion- dollar contracts to provide background checks for airlines, the Pentagon, the CIA and the Department of Homeland Security. US Investigations used to be a federal agency, until it was privatized in 1996 and taken over by Carlyle. Marvin and Jeb Bush are also highly successful members of the family war profiteering team. Marvin is a co-founder and partner in Winston Partners, a private investment firm, and Jeb is an investor in the Winston Capital Fund, which is managed by Marvin. Winston Partners is part of the Chatterjee Group, which owned 5.5 million shares in a company called Sybase in 2001, a firm that had contracts worth $2.9 million with the Navy, $1.8 million with the Army and $5.3 million with the Department of Defense. All totaled, the federal procurement database listed the firm's contracts that year as $14,754,000. And, Sybase was not the only company delivering war profits to Marvin and Jeb. The portfolio of Winston Partners also included the Amsec Corp, which, in 2001, was awarded $37,722,000 in Navy contracts. Marvin's business partner, Scott Andrews, sat on the board of directors at AMSEC, and the company's CEO was Michael Braham, who formerly worked for Paul Bremer, the leader of the Coalition Provisional Authority responsible for handing out contracts Iraq. This is the same Paul Bremer who used Iraqi money from the Development Fund for Iraq to award 5 no-bid contracts to Dick Cheney’s cash cow, Halliburton, worth $222 million, $325 million, $180 million, and $194 million combined for the last two, according to a July 28, 2004, report by the CPA Inspector General Stuart Bowen, entitled, "Comptroller Cash Management Controls over the Development Fund for Iraq." As it turns out, Halliburton received 60% of all contracts paid for with Iraqi money. In a January 2005 report, Inspector Bowen concluded that occupation authorities accounted poorly for $8.8 billion in Iraqi funds, and said, "The CPA did not implement adequate financial controls.” The President's uncle, William (Bucky) Bush, is the most visible war profiteer on the team. He sat on the board of a major military contractor called Engineered Support Systems. Six months before the war in Iraq began, on September 16, 2002, CNN/Money Magazine called ESS one of "seven defense stocks that fund managers like," and one fund manager said ESS was one of two companies that "would gain the most from a war from Iraq." As a director, Uncle William received a monthly fee and held stock options. In January 2003, before the Iraq war began, he owned 33,750 shares of stock, but a year later, in January 2004, he owned 56,251. The fact that Uncle William had an inside line to the White House can hardly be disputed. On March 25, 2003, Bush asked Congress for funding, "to cover military operations, relief and reconstruction activities in Iraq, and ongoing operations in the global war on terrorism," and the very next day, ESS announced a large order from the Army for its Chemical Biological Protected Shelter systems. Uncle William has become a very rich man since his nephew took office. In January 2005, SEC filings show that he made about $450,000 by selling ESS stock. But he did even better the next year. According to the Excess Report, through a series of defense contracts, ESS earnings reached record levels and set the stage for the sale of the firm to another defense contractor, DRS Technologies, in January 2006, and among the beneficiaries of the deal was Uncle William, who cleared $2.7 million in cash and stock off the sale. Its time for Congress to stop the direct deposits of tax dollars into the Bush bank accounts. Lawmakers need to notify the White House that all funding for Iraq is done, other than what is needed for the immediate removal of our troops from this disgusting war profiteering scheme.

What do people think about this? Seems to be a good collection of McCain and Obama stances on various issues? It's pretty long...but substantial. Please take the time to read all of it. Energy: In an effort to force our nation to increase its reliance on alternative or renewable energy sources, it has been thought of to increase the taxes on fossil fuels. However, this will help rise the tax price which will trickle down and be passed to the customer. Obama wants to increase taxes of fossil fuels. McCain is opposed. 62% of Americans are opposed. 35% support. Some people want to begin drilling in ANWR. What isn’t well known is that the drilling would only cover 2,000 acres of 19 million. This would provide energy while we work on new ways that will eventually replace oil. Obama says no to drilling. McCain says yes. 55% of Americans say yes to drilling. 35% say no to drilling. There is the option to drill for oil and natural gas in the U.S. waters, just offshore. Obama says no to drilling. McCain says yes. 73% of Americans say yes to drilling offshore. 27% say no. Barack Obama has plans to implement sweeping environmental regulations. These regulations are thought to eventually raise the cost of gas, groceries, heating and air conditioning. McCain is against Obama’s plan. 49% of Americans are also against it. 32% agree with Obama’s plan. The US currently adds a tariff of 54 cents on each gallon of imported ethanol from countries like Brazil in an effort to protect American companies producing ethanol from corn. The tariff is passed on to the consumer in the form of higher fuel prices. Obama believes this tariff should continue. McCain believes it should be eliminated. 62% of Americans think it should be eliminated. 30% think it should continue. There are 104 nuclear reactors in the US today that produce 20% of America's energy needs and no accident has occurred at these reactors in 30 years. Other nations, such as France, are far more reliant on nuclear power, as 77% of that nation's electricity comes from nuclear sources. Obama wants to eliminate all sources of power from nuclear reactors. 82% of Americans disagree with him. 12% agree with him Taxes: An increase in the tax that stock holders pay on returns from 15% to nearly 40%. Obama is in favor of this. McCain is opposed. 66% of Americans are opposed 25% are in favor. Increasing the death tax rate to 55% for any income past the first $1million. Obama is in favor of this. McCain is opposed. 53% of Americans oppose. 37% are in favor. Raising the top tax rate on the self-employed from 37.9% to 54.9% Obama is in favor of this. McCain is opposed. 85% of Americans are opposed 10.5% are in favor. America's 3.7 million Sub Chapter S corporations, which are small companies with less than 75 stock holders, are currently taxed at a rate of 35%. So what about increasing the tax rate on these businesses over 15% to total of 50.3%? Obama is in favor of this. McCain is opposed. 85.4% of Americans are opposed. 9% are in favor. How much should Americans who earn $1 million per year pay in federal income taxes? Obama says: More than 35% 52% of Americans say: Less than 35% 33% agree with Obama. How much should someone who wins $1 million dollars in the lottery pay in federal income? Obama says: More than 35% 67.5% of Americans say: Less than 35% 22% agree with Obama which of the following top individual tax rates, which combine income and social security, do you think is most fair? 28% under Reagan? 38% under Clinton? 55% under would-be Obama? 60% under Hoover? 70% under Johnson and Carter? Well, only 12% of Americans want the tax rates that Obama offers. According to the Tax Policy Center, Barack Obama’s tax plans would cost the U.S federal government nearly $900 billion in his first term, and increase the national debt by $3.3 trillion over ten years. McCain is against Obama’s plan. 51% of Americans are against Obama’s plan. 33% agree with Obama’s plan. Some say Obama's proposed increase in deductions for taxpayers would increase the number of those who don’t pay taxes closer to 40%. McCain is against Obama’s plan. 48% of American’s are against Obama’s plan. 33% agree with Obama’s plan. Barack Obama says, if elected, he will follow through on his plan to raise taxes on businesses and the wealthy. When asked what might be a result, people responded thusly: 55.5% of Americans said there would be an increase of prices and goods. 20% feel as though companies would lay off more employees. Obama, along with 5% of Americans believe that companies will pay the increase in taxes out of their own profits! When asked: “Do you think that Barack Obama's plan to increase taxes on businesses and the wealthy will make you better off or worse off?” People responded thusly: 35% agreed with Obama and feels as though they will be better off. 52% said they think they will be worse off. Second Amendment: When asked: “Do you agree or disagree that American firearm ma

Do Republicans support this political platform? Possible Platform for the 2010 USA Republican Party The Program of the USA Republican Party is a program for the post-Obama 21st Century. The Republican minority leaders of the House and Senate reject the establishment of any new spending, stimulus, and healthcare programs that have been achieved by Obama’s administration. Through exercising the freedoms expressed in the U.S. Constitution, we can continue to voice our dissatisfactions with the 2008 Democratic platform and agenda. 1.We demand stimulating the US economy at the state/local governments and individual level, NOT at the Federal level in Washington, DC. To facilitate this, we demand Federal tax cuts backed by the elimination of Federal grants to state/local Governments. In turn, we demand these funds rather be taxed by states or municipalities. 2.We demand a fair playing field for US workers with respect to workers overseas by amending existing US labor laws where detrimental to the American worker interest. 3.We demand necessary and proactive US military and homeland security measures to thwart terrorist activity on the homeland wherever and whenever possible, which may include the use of detention centers for suspected terrorists (NOTE: Detainees will receive humane treatment and activities would be closely monitored by several diverse independent authorities). 4.We demand tougher measures to prevent illegal immigration through US borders, and a solution for dealing with existing illegal immigrants that is less harsh than deportation, but not as lenient as granting amnesty. 5.We propose a tax credit to assist employers who provide employment to 95% employees being Citizens of the United States. 6.For large enterprises, we will exclude cash dividends and stock dividends from taxable income, providing an incentive for employers and employees to opt to pay/receive shares of company earnings in lieu of wages/salaries. These terms would need to be negotiated between both the employee and employer. 7.We demand amendments in the tax system for employer-provided old-age pension plans. 8.We demand an equal level of oversight for Government-sponsored financial institutions (i.e. Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac) to that of private financial enterprises. 9.We demand a restructuring of K-12 education to incorporate the demands of the practical skillsets required of a 21st century economy (i.e. economics, health, basic accounting- how to balance a budget, computer skills, how to prepare for an interview, entrepreneurial ideas, high school internships for 12th graders). However, we would not discontinue any previously taught subjects. One option would be supplemental privatized education institutions covering these additional subjects, funded by school vouchers administered state-by-state, or county-by-county. 10.Further simplification of the US tax code to eliminate the Alternative Minimum Tax, eliminate the 5 most ineffective Government programs, and impose national sales tax to replace portions of the Federal income tax.

currently A brothel in Berlin is going green.? Berlin - Stung by the economic crisis, a brothel in Berlin has leapt on the "green" bandwagon and is offering discounts to clients who can prove they arrived by public transport or bicycle - with some success. "Everyone's a winner," explained Regina Goetz, a former prostitute who runs the "Maison d'envie" (House of Desire) brothel in Berlin's Prenzlauer Berg, a district in the former East Berlin, which is a stronghold for the ecologist Green party. "The environment is a topic on everyone's lips and it's pretty difficult to park around here. So we came up with the idea of an 'eco discount' of $7.40 to anyone who leaves the car at home," Goetz told AFP. "The crisis has slashed our turnover in half in the last year," the 56-year-old told AFP over coffee and cakes, flanked by scantily clad prostitutes. But the green discounts have proved a roaring success and got business back on track, she said. To qualify for the discount, "clients who come by bike show their helmet or their padlock keys," she said. "Others hand in their ticket or monthly pass if they have come on the bus." Nice atmosphere The brothel itself is a model of discretion - only a small brass plaque advertising "the little sexy address" betrays the true purpose of the building, housed in a block with a bike shop, a burger bar and a pub. Clients pass through a courtyard scattered with rubbish dumps, pushchairs, kids' bikes and buggies before arriving at a corridor where a doormat emblazoned with a red heart indicates the hoped-for destination. "We have a really nice atmosphere here, the neighbours are great," said one of the prostitutes, a pretty blonde in her 30s with short hair, sporting fishnet tights and sexy red lacy undies under her turquoise dressing-gown. She said she had already welcomed several customers on the eco tariff, like all her colleagues, about a dozen woman aged between 20 and 45, the majority of whom work part-time. One of them said she was a nurse secretly moonlighting as a prostitute. Another said she was a dietary counsellor in a gym - "but times are hard". A third said she was a housewife. As for the clients, they come in all shapes and sizes, from all social classes and all ages, right up to the "doyen", who is 86 years old, said Goetz. All the employees of the "Maison d'envie" wholeheartedly approve of the eco tariff. "Regina is full of good ideas," said one. The establishment also offers special "weekend rates" with Jacuzzi options and a "two-for-one" rate. For Goetz, the brothel is "a business like any other" and prostitution is a legal sector in Germany with around 400 000 employees. "In these tight times, we are cutting costs. We've binned the tax advisor, reduced the hours of the cleaning lady and I only buy low-cost cleaning products," she said. And like any other head of industry, she is careful to appear bullish on the sector's prospects. "In a business like ours, there are always ups and downs. But we want the recovery to come quickly. I check the stock market prices every day," she revealed.

How much will your health care premiums go up when health care reform is passed? Or will it? http://lubbockonline.com/stories/091109/nat_491945371.shtml Analysts see individuals paying higher premiums By Tom Murphy | ASSOCIATED PRESS Friday, September 11, 2009 Story last updated at 9/11/2009 - 2:28 am If President Barack Obama gets what he wants in his health care plan - covering all Americans and barring insurers from denying coverage - some analysts say individuals could wind up paying higher premiums. The Obama plan would impose new costs on insurance companies, which would probably then raise the prices customers pay for coverage. Employers also would likely pass on some of their higher costs to employees. An individual in a typical plan might have to pay up to $780 more for the same coverage in the first year of Obama's plan, estimates Erik Gordon, a health care analyst and assistant professor at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. Gordon said employees now typically pay 20 to 40 percent of the premium for a typical health care package costing about $13,000 a year for a family of four, with employers picking up the rest. Obama's plan would raise insurers' costs 10 to 15 percent if reform doesn't provide other savings, Gordon estimated. He thinks employers would stick employees with perhaps 40 percent of the higher premium, or $520 to $780 more - though they might also receive better coverage because of mandatory preventive care. The president told Congress most of health care reform can be paid for by eliminating waste and abuse in the existing system. Better screenings that prevent chronic diseases later would also save money, the administration has argued. In his speech to Congress on Wednesday night, Obama said he wants to bar insurers from denying coverage to anyone because of a pre-existing health problem, canceling policies for sick people or refusing to cover preventive care. He also suggested limits on Americans' co-payments and deductibles. "We will place a limit on how much you can be charged for out-of-pocket expenses, because in the United States of America, no one should go broke because they get sick," the president said. Obama would also charge insurers a fee for their most expensive policies as a way of encouraging insurers to keep costs low and keep their rates low. In addition, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has proposed a new fee on insurers that would subsidize coverage for uninsured Americans. The fee would generate about $6 billion a year. Covering tens of millions more Americans would heap hundreds of billions of dollars in costs on managed care companies. Yet insurers stand to benefit in other ways. Consultants estimate Obama's priorities would shower the industry with at least $1 trillion in new revenue from premiums over the next decade. Industry representatives counter that, even if insurers take in more money than they pay out, profit margins are so thin that additional taxes and fees would wind up being passed on to policyholders. "There is no room for these taxes," said H. Edward Hanway, CEO of Cigna. "What you're ultimately going to see if those taxes hold is everybody's costs going up, not just the new people being covered. The concern I have is these taxes don't do anything but add to the cost of people already insured." Others said Obama's plan might not raise costs as much as expected if everyone is required to have insurance and receive preventive care like regular checkups or mammograms, which can save money in the long run. Lawmakers have yet to settle on any single health care plan. But several ideas being discussed could be a boon to private health insurers, especially if the eventual reform does not include a public plan to compete with them. Obama reiterated his support for a public plan but did not insist on it, and industry analysts think the idea will disappear eventually. That helps explain why analysts don't think the insurance industry faces any serious threat from the Obama plan. The stocks of several health insurers performed better than the broader market Thursday. Shares of Cigna rose more than 5 percent, and Humana Inc., WellPoint Inc. and Aetna Inc. all climbed at least 2 percent. Investors are "coming more and more to the conclusion that it's really not going to hurt," said BMO Capital Markets analyst Dave Shove. Shove noted that many insurers already operate profitably in states that have restrictions similar to those being discussed in reform proposals. These include limits on profitability and laws that guarantee coverage for individual insurance. Health care reform without a public option "would be fantastic" for insurers, said Robert Laszewski, president of Health Policy and Strategy Associates, a Virginia-based health care consulting firm. "They're going to get millions of new customers and more than a trillion in new premiums over a 10-year period," said Laszewski, a former industry executive. "There's a reas