Apple Blocks Facebook App (The Shocking Reason Why)
Facebook is forcing Apple's hand by not upholding its end of the bargain when it comes to protecting the privacy of its users. February 19, 2019 According to a recent expose at Techcrunch, Facebook (FB) is paying people aged 13 - 35 for the "opportunity" to vacuum up every bit of private data from their phone. Not just metadata, not just phone location data, literally everything, by granting Facebook full root access to a paid user's data. The article explained the basics (emphasis mine): Since 2016, Facebook has been paying … [Read More...]
Mandatory Incomes Won’t Solve Economic Problems
Legislating incomes like minimum wages or a universal basic income doesn't solve the real underlying economic problems. February 18, 2019 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP Whether people are calling for a higher minimum wage, or a universal basic income, these economic experiments have run their course and are proven failures. Across the US, states' leaderships are responding to the populist cries for a higher floor on wages. But how is it working out? New Jersey recently passed legislation mandating a $15 minimum wage by … [Read More...]
Google Waze Under Attack by Local Police
Google Waze is under fire from local law enforcement -- AGAIN -- this time by NYPD alleging the app aids and encourages reckless driving. February 11, 2019 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP We have covered extensively how many ways to Sunday the individuals' privacy is under siege by their governments. This isn't unique at all to the United States, and in fact is even worse for those in the United Kingdom! A good amount of civil liberties made the chopping block, especially after 9/11. I don't want to present this … [Read More...]
Front Door to Your IRS Profile Could Be Wide Open
During the government shutdown, sensitive information about private Americans was left vulnerable and exposed. February 5, 2019 The U.S. government shutdown had lasted for a month or so before temporarily re-opening around January 25th. It's staying open until February 15th. Before it re-opened, any private data you submitted on a U.S. government website was subject to a potential data breach. Why? Sovereign Man explains: Because it turns out that there are now at least 200 federal websites whose SSL certificates have … [Read More...]
Cautionary News Out of California
Some crazy ideas are coming out of California, and the rest of the country would do well to see them as cautionary, not instructive; and hope those ideas stay contained in that state. February 4, 2019 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP When the US was created, the states were meant to be independent and free to run whatever economic and social experiments they wished. Things have become a LOT more centralized since the inception of the US, but you still see remnants. You see people fleeing high tax states like California, New … [Read More...]
$21 Trillion Unaccounted For in DoD and HUD Alone
A few researchers out of Michigan State found $21 trillion unaccounted for between the DoD and HUD. Why is the media so silent? January 28, 2019 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP A lot is going on and not going on at the same time right now. President Trump just announced a three-week stopgap in the government shut-down. During which time congress is meant to engage in "good faith" negotiations regarding installations of "smart walls". So basically, no continuous wall from end to end. Just strategic walls where … [Read More...]
Did Elizabeth Warren Just Propose Nationalization of Private Enterprise?
Nationalization of private enterprise is on Elizabeth Warren’s agenda. While her bill might not pass as is, a federal corporate charter could put private corporations under federal control. January 21,2019 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP US Senator, Elizabeth Warren, proposed last summer a massive seizure of assets, and the media was relatively silent on the matter. Considering what this bill plans to do, it would have expected a little more exposure. But perhaps since seizing property has become par for the course and this is … [Read More...]
Russia and China Still Paving the Path Around the US
Between trade wars and sanctions, Russia and China continue to find ways around the US both as a consumer and a reserve currency. January 14, 2019 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP The maverick decisions coming out of the White House are quite astounding. I can’t help but marvel at some of the recent directives Trump has signed off on: Hemp legalization: while LONG overdue, no president in recent history – republican or democrat – has had the guts to go for it. This could mean a huge boon for US agriculture. Withdrawal of … [Read More...]
You Won’t Believe What Your Apps Know About You
Apps track your locations which can give a lot of insight into who you are, what you like, and what is happening in your life. Imagine if that information was sold... January 10, 2019 Do a Google search of “your name” in quotes, and there is likely some database on the Internet that stores your home address. No big deal, right? Except that is the starting point for anyone who wants to track you down by following your daily habits. And your smartphone apps help deliver a good portion of the “digital dossier” being formed on you, right … [Read More...]
Economic Strategies: China Lends While US Spends in Africa
While receiving minimal and often negative press, China is forging strong relationships with African countries, which will further its economic long game. China could be putting the US in a corner by helping Africa to prosper. January 7, 2019 By: Bobby Casey, GWP Managing Director Whatever your opinions are of China, no one can deny they might be the reigning champions of the economic long game. They aren’t without their misgivings and mistakes, but their evolution as a global player should not be underestimated. China has been … [Read More...]
How Facebook Shares Your Data (Even if You Disable)
Facebook is at it again... or more accurately, they never really stopped sharing your data with their corporate partners. January 4, 2019 Back in 2014 a research paper was produced that revealed Facebook manipulated the emotions of its users without their consent. It seems like that Facebook experiment never stopped, and it’s getting even creepier than the original paper could ever conclude. Worse, this egregious violation of your privacy could even top the Cambridge Analytica scandal I mentioned a while ago. Facebook can no longer be … [Read More...]
The Good and Bad News of the US Economy in 2018
The US has seen some ups and downs in 2018, but if the ups were temporary economic sugar highs, and the downs are a constant, then what happens when the dust settles in 2019? December 31, 2018 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP Time to check in on 2018! It’s not all gloom and doom. I’m hearing some good stuff, and I hope that continues into the new year. The US is seeing very low unemployment both overall as well as state by state and across demographics. According to Trading Economics, unemployment rates are steadily holding … [Read More...]
Your Insurance Company Could Be Spying On You (Here’s How)
Health insurance is one of many industries where data collection has become normalized; and current regulations and laws are proving insufficient in protecting your privacy. December 25, 2018 The idea that your insurance company should know everything about you, no matter what reason it may give, is kind of creepy to say the least. A society where insurance companies could use your private data to deny you coverage, charge an “arm and a leg,” or take it upon themselves to broker your data for profit… is a dystopia. It’s an Orwellian … [Read More...]
What Is the Latest On Brexit?
What is in the best interest of the UK: a Hard or Soft Brexit? And what has Theresa May set her country up for? December 24, 2018 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP Those familiar with American history will remember that the original structure of the United States was that each state be its own nation state, and that the federal government was more of a cooperative. Its purpose was mainly to facilitate interstate commerce and provide a defense. The Constitution was a restraining order on the federal government, but most states … [Read More...]
The 2018 Farm Bill is an $867 Billion Welfare Scheme
The 2018 Farm Bill, which was ushered through both houses of congress by a landslide despite its $867 Billion price tag, is just a fat welfare check with some bells and whistles on it. December 17, 2018 The Farm Bill passed with overwhelming support from both chambers of congress: 386-47 House and 87-13 Senate and awaits final approval from President Trump. At a glance, here’s what’s in the bill: The much-talked-about work stipulation for SNAP (or food stamp) benefits did not pass. Some minor tweaking to the way the benefits are … [Read More...]
