Deutsche Bank Investigated for Money Laundering (And This)
Several banks around the world are jeopardizing their depositors’ holdings with some rather shady dealings with money launderers. July 16, 2019 What would you think if you went down to the local coffee shop, got a newspaper, and read that your bank was being investigated for money laundering? We’ve previously covered an instance where a Wells Fargo banker admitted to laundering money for the Sinaloa Cartel. Now we have a German bank on the hook for another money laundering investigation, according to the New York Times: … [Read More...]
The CASE Act: Help or Hinder?
Government policy has a tendency to derail from its good intentions. Will the CASE Act help defend copyright, or be weaponized against free speech? July 15, 2019 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP I'm going to ask you to keep something in mind while you read through this. It's going to seem odd, but just humor me. William Shakespeare introduced over 1,700 words and at least 45 idiomatic phrases to the English language. That's an incredible contribution to the English language! This is as incredible a feat as a brand … [Read More...]
A Win for Property & A Loss for Privacy
A win for property rights curbs abuses in asset forfeiture policy; but a loss of privacy could lead to abuse and misuse from the surveillance state. July 8, 2019 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP Seems I'm reading about taking one step forward on one page and one step backward on the next with the Trump administration. He cut corporate taxes! Yay! He imposed tariffs! What? He cut regulations! Yay! He increased spending! What? It sounds diplomatic to say something like, "Politics is compromise... we take the … [Read More...]
Tax Distraction
When people are distracted by who is paying taxes and who isn't, they miss the part where a crazy tax regime and new recruits aren't necessary. July 1, 2019 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP I see these articles flying around incredibly angry about how the "uber rich" aren't paying taxes from the left... I see the right complaining about how immigrants aren't paying federal taxes... I see rich people actually asking to be taxed more. Regardless of where you stand, there's no denying that taxation has become one of the most … [Read More...]
You Need to Know About “Operation Choke Point”…
The FDIC made a weak admission to Operation Choke Point and its targeted "risk management" in shutting down certain accounts without explanation. June 27, 2019 Imagine this… You walk into your bank to do some business. You pull out your ID, hand it to the teller, and wait for your money or deposit receipt. But then something creepy happens… The teller says, “I’m sorry, we’ve received notice that your activities are ‘high risk,’ so I’m afraid we’ve shut your account down.” You talk to the manager, and get the same story. You … [Read More...]
The Fight Against a Subtle Tyranny
Are hand-outs and welfare rooted in what has been called "the tyranny of low expectations"? Could economic freedom be the antidote to that poison? June 24, 2019 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director, GWP I heard a very thought-provoking quote from Naval Ravikant. He was addressing the coming of further automation and artificial intelligence (AI). When asked if people can learn to adapt to these coming changes, he responded nonchalantly in the affirmative. What about those who say people won't be able to keep up? That a … [Read More...]
Market Responses to Currency Failures
There are disturbances in the fiat currency force, which have people pursuing alternative currencies and means of settling payments. June 17, 2019 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP The government operates on a similar model as that in the Wizard of Oz. It requires that everyone subscribe to the singular way of one central power. Everyone under that jurisdiction recognizes the authority of the leaders to make and enforce rules. Everyone accepts the legitimacy of their currency. This general understanding and subsequent … [Read More...]
Failures in Prohibition, Tariffs, and New Deals
The US hasn't learned from its own history when it comes to prohibition, tariffs, and New Deals; and the people are going to pay dearly for that willful ignorance. June 10, 2019 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP Is it just me, or is the US playing some of its greatest disastrous hits of the past 100 years? Were the lessons really that unclear? A couple years ago, we put out a blog "Let's Get Back to the Constitution". The irony of that piece was that no one ever specifies which version of it we should get back to. The … [Read More...]
Wells Fargo Linked to Money-Laundering?
Some shady dealings were uncovered at Wells Fargo, among other banks and financial institutions. Could this affect you? June 4, 2019 Wells Fargo seems to be walking a thin line between being a legitimate banking institution and a criminal racket. According to the California Office of the Department of Justice, a Wells Fargo banker named Luis Fernando Figueroa pleaded guilty to laundering money for the notorious Sinaloa Cartel. This isn’t the first time Wells Fargo has been in hot water. From computer glitches that kick … [Read More...]
In Defense of the Gig Economy
The gig economy is the entrepreneurial direction the labor market is taking. It's essential for workers to be free to adapt to these market changes. June 3, 2019 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP I don't know what I'm more upset about: the ridiculous escalation of the trade war or this new war on the gig economy. Both are an assault on the free market, with horrible consequences. I want to back this up a little. In an era not that long ago, there was a thing called "roommates". I know, I'm dating myself by even … [Read More...]
The IRS is Shrinking?
The IRS is shrinking in budget and consequently in bandwidth. It cannot afford to enforce or audit the way it has in the past. May 27, 2019 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP The IRS is shrinking! For the small government folks out there, this is a dream come true! I'm still having a hard time believing it myself. The obvious catch is that the IRS still exists. The obvious upside, however, is they don't have the bandwidth to keep up with or enforce all the tax codes. Between 2010 and 2017, the IRS has lost $2 BILLION … [Read More...]
Interview: My WORST Investment Ever
Bobby Casey shares his worst investment experience ever with Andrew Stotz. May 23, 2019 Interview: Andrew Stotz & Bobby Casey As they say there's no losing: you either win, or learn. This is especially true with investing. I've made my share of mistakes, and I share the worst one in this interview with Andrew Stotz. Sharing success isn't just about tactics on how to win, it's about learning how to avoid losing. I share this experience so that others can learn and avoid the pitfall. Click here to be redirected to this … [Read More...]
How Common Reporting Standards Affect Digital Nomads and Location Independent Entrepreneurs
Banks around the world are reporting their account holders' information to their official or default tax residences. May 21, 2019 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP Digital nomads and location independent entrepreneurs often struggle with tax compliance in their home country. Countless penalties and fees for not filing their taxes correctly (or at all) build up over the years, leading to financial and legal trouble. So, what can the average digital nomad do to manage or get around the complex tax policies of their home … [Read More...]
Italy’s Economy is Latest in EU Debt Crisis
Italy is stuck in recession mode through a combination of EU policies and its own internal follies. What are the implications of this to the EU and the world? May 20, 2019 By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP Some red flags are going up in the EU, and those flags are coming from Italy. Economic discord plagues that country, and the simple answer is: one camp wants out of the EU, the other does not. Here are some statistics on Italy's economy: 2.3 Trillion Euros in debt (i.e. 132% of GDP, second highest to Greece)1.74 … [Read More...]
If Banks Took Your Money and Ran (Like This)…
Many take their banks for granted, never considering they could close unexpectedly. Are you prepared for what happens if your bank closes? May 17, 2019 Imagine if you woke up, got a steaming cup of coffee, and went to your computer. You open up your online banking portal to transfer funds and get the following message… “Sorry, we cannot process your transaction at this time. Please try again later.” No big deal right? Computers have issues, at least that’s what could be happening. So you try again a few minutes later. Same … [Read More...]
