Who Pays When the US Government Can’t Play Nice?
The US government really has no idea how to play nice with others, and it’s taking a tremendous toll on the global economy as well as its own. December 10, 2018 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP Something you learn about capitalism and free markets very quickly is: it guides everyone to play nice… or at least nice enough. What you don’t get in cordial service is often made up in pricing. No one goes to TJ Maxx for the service. They go for the deals often on high-end name brands. No one goes to Nordstrom for the deals. They go for … [Read More...]
Surveillance State Versus Individual Privacy: Which Will Triumph?
Many don’t realize the vast extent of the surveillance state, which is why we should be vigilant in protecting our most precious asset: Privacy. December 3, 2018 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP Private property is the cornerstone of freedom. And one of the most important assets any and all individuals should protect is privacy. Asset protection is my business, and it’s sad that it’s even necessary, but this is the world we live in. One of the biggest criticisms that came from Ron Paul over the US response to 9/11 was that no … [Read More...]
Don’t Use 23andMe Until You Read This…
23andMe offers an alluring service, but it might not be worth the risk to your privacy. November 30, 2018 The idea of spitting into a vial, sealing it up, and sending it off to a company like 23andMe seems cool at first. You can discover what you can about your genetic background, family, and the probability of getting certain diseases. Talk about technological advancement. People said the same thing in 2006 when Facebook had people "... start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know." Now it’s 2018, … [Read More...]
Sin Tax: Government Profiting Off Your Good Time
Chicago, Illinois is in the headlines again for their latest sin tax, but they aren’t the only guilty jurisdiction targeting lifestyle choices. November 26, 2019 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP Never underestimate the stupidity of large groups that vote. Happy Cyber Monday folks! Just in time for the holidays and here comes another sin tax, this time it’s video game consuls. The government keeps squeezing the people with regulations and taxes, and people find a way to escape. For example, there seems to be an inverse … [Read More...]
TSA Takes Creepy to Another Level (Here’s How)
It's hard to say if the TSA is getting creepy or lazy with their screening and surveillance, but either way, they are getting far more intrusive. November 21, 2018 When you went to the airport before 2001, you would go to the airline ticket counter if you had bags to check … then go “through security.” At security, they would put your carry-on luggage through scanners to see if there were illegal objects or chemicals. You would get your ID checked. Then you would get on your plane and travel to your destination. After 2001, when the … [Read More...]
Government Doesn’t Know Better Than the Private Sector
Year over year the fiscal disasters throughout the government make it painfully obvious it is too big and really doesn’t know better than the private sector. November 19, 2018 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP I think it’s remarkable how people can watch the blatant malfeasance of government manifest itself before their very eyes, and still call on government to fix it. Before considering allowing government to continue controlling matters NOT designated to it, perhaps a brief look at how they handle their actual responsibilities … [Read More...]
Private Property Rights, Not Higher Taxes, Will Fix Housing Crises
There is a serious housing crisis happening in many cities around the world. But the solution is a respect for property rights, not higher taxes or more money. November 12, 2018 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP When I balk at taxes, the first line of defense is always something with the greatest utility like roads. No one ever brings up cronyism and pocket lining, prohibitionist policies, and war. Why would they? It’s damning. Why aren’t people talking about how money is thrown at problems the way a rich dad tries to make his … [Read More...]
Election Season USA
Election season is upon the USA, and it has become more of an emotional frenzy than a democratic process of people holding their government accountable. November 5, 2018 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP I might be an expat, but there is something to be said for being above the fray during the US midterm election season. It’s a circus, but with serious implications. It’s like some sequel to Alice in Wonderland, where seemingly benign things can throw everything for a loop. While I remain relatively unaffected, and have no … [Read More...]
Facebook Spies on Your Internet Browsing
November 2, 2018 Every Facebook account has a “View as” feature, which lets you see your profile as a random user on Facebook would see it. Unfortunately, Facebook didn’t realize that feature left the front door to your account wide open, allowing another user to take control of your account. Here is Guy Rosen, a VP at Facebook, with the explanation of exactly how an attacker could have taken over your account: This allowed them to steal Facebook access tokens which they could then use to take over people’s accounts. Access tokens … [Read More...]
Tax Cuts Won’t Mask Trade War & Tariff Pitfalls Forever
The US is coming down off the tax cut rush, and the consequences of a trade war and tariffs are becoming more visible. October 29, 2018 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP Talk to any major Trump fan, and you’ll hear a lot of positive economic talk largely substantiated by top-line numbers. The main argument being: he’s doing tariffs and protectionism right! There is no doing a wrong thing right. There’s only doing a wrong thing to varying degrees and the varying degrees of aftermath. There is nothing about the laws of cause and … [Read More...]
Russia Rolls Out SWIFT Alternative to Global Community
More evidence of a global demand for decentralization: Russia opens up its alternative to SWIFT to international partners. October 22, 2018 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP Last week we discussed how individual freedom is helped by decentralization technology. But really that is the entire premise behind capitalism, the free market, and individual freedom: that with greater choice and competition, comes greater freedom. This isn’t to detract from last week’s claims, but rather another chapter in how forced monopolies have … [Read More...]
Technology Leads the Way to More Freedom
Technology has been the key to freedom and economic equality for many around the world. The market turns to technology to get out from under the foothold of government and crony corporations. October 15, 2018 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP Without question, modern civilization has introduced and commoditized many creature comforts. Computers and cellular phones are commonplace. Plumbing in developed nations is a foregone conclusion. Some would even go so far as to say that a poor person in the US lives better than a king several … [Read More...]
“Five Eyes” Sharing “Backdoor” Access to Your Computer…
October 10, 2018 Trust us, we’re from the Government. - FBI If you’re reading this on a computer, there could be someone from one of the “Five Eyes” Nations listening in (U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand). Not many people fully understand what that means. TechCrunch describes the secret memo aiming for exploitation of your privacy: … known as the so-called “Five Eyes” group of nations — quietly issued the memo last week demanding that providers “create customized solutions, tailored to their individual system … [Read More...]
US Interest to Exceed Military Spending in Ten Years
US annual interest set to exceed military spending within ten years due to reckless and unbridled spending. October 8, 2018 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP A little over three years ago, we published a blog called “Top Heavy Economy” in which a rather shocking reality was discussed: “Government employees outnumber manufacturing employees by nearly 2 to 1.” Government employees produce zero wealth. They are an economic black hole, and they outnumber the manufacturers 2:1. That’s is a shameful testament to US economic policy at … [Read More...]
Brett Kavanaugh is a Lesson and Warning in the Importance of Due Process
Brett Kavanaugh is both a lesson and a warning when it comes to the importance of due process. His treacherous record when it comes to due process is the biggest reason to deny him the SCOTUS appointment. October 1, 2018 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP The hearings surrounding Brett Kavanaugh have brought to the forefront several issues confronting the US. First there is the very serious nature of sexual assault. As a society, I truly believe people understand the severity of such crimes. That some see more shame than nobility … [Read More...]
