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Political Violence, Terrorist Attacks and Oil Impact on World as a Whole

Whether you like it or not, we’re living in a world to which political violence is subtlety felt. According to latest Terrorism & Political Violence map from Aon, the year 2016 has brought around 14.2% increase in reported terrorist attacks. Majority of these attacks were against gas and oil industry – the commercial or private sector taking the most hit worldwide.

The reason for this is that, it plays a key role in driving government revenue and economic status. Additionally, the remote locations of key infrastructure add to play.

Oil is worth roughly 4.5 to 6.5 percent of the world’s GDP. This is an industry that is constantly under fire for it’s a highly valuable commodity. For countries whose economies largely depend on gas and oil sector, terrorist incident may result to a disruption across various industries.

This can almost instantly push up the cost of commodities while hindering economic growth in the process.

As a matter of fact, two countries especially Colombia and Nigeria were targets of 74% of all the attacks that took place in 2016.

As we enter the new era of political and global uncertainty, being able to understand the probable impact of terrorist attacks on the most valuable and sought-after commodity in the world becomes even more critical. WOT is well aware that this is a real issue and doing all possible actions and solutions to fight back.

Worldwide Impact of Attacks on Oil Industry

Terrorist attacks particularly on remote infrastructures similar to pipelines are the hardest to defend. At the same time, they are seen by violent political parties as a chance to weaken economies, exploit local grievance and undermine authority of governments. This is as per Bruce Jefferis, the CEO of Global Energy, Aon.

Back in 2016 again, terrorist attacks on gas and oil infrastructure were consists of nearly 42% of all attacks on commercial interests. Additionally, it serves as great illustration of how disruption to the local economic activities may have a big impact on knock-on cumulative impact.

Lessons Learned from Political Violence

As mentioned, political violence is subtlety felt. Militia and terrorist attacks targeting oil industry or any vulnerable infrastructures that could bring high level of damage and worldwide impact are expected to continue. If only politicians and other higher officials in the government understand and model complex, the chain of terrorist attacks and how every attack interferes supply chains can give them full picture of the situation.

The Politics of Different Types of Tax and Ways to Minimize Them

In order to meet the budgetary demands of the government, charges are urged by the government on every citizen and businesses as a way of raising revenue. This charges will basically finance the governments and its officials, fund projects for public good, and develop business environment thaw will promote growth of the economy.

There are different types of taxes- Income tax, property tax, goods and services taxes. estate tax, and excise tax. If you are running a company then your employees’ salaries are probably subjected to tax through the help of Tucson payroll services. Processing paychecks for employees has never been easier with them. Tucson Services not just offer payroll services to small and large business but at the same time provide services like accounting, legal documentation, notary service, and personal and business tax. 

“Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society.” says U.S. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes. Without taxes, it will be hard for the government to meet the demands of societies. The government will collect this money and use it to fund projects such as  health, education, governance, infrastructure development, transport, and housing.  

On the other hand, despite the significance of paying taxes, some people do not believe that their taxes are being used in a good way. Hence, they find ways in order to minimize them.

1. Income Tax- Americans who receive a monthly income that is less than the IRS-designated gross income limit is not subject to filing a federal income tax return.

  • Single: $12,000 ($13,600 if age 65 or older)
  • Head of Household: $18,000 ($19,600 if age 65 or older)
  • Qualifying Widow(er): $24,000 ($25,300 if age 65 or older)

Now, if you want to lessen the burden of federal income tax bill, you may want to consider taking advantage of the tax deductions and tax credits. However, only some people will be qualified for this. Though you may still try child tax credit and education credit. 

2. Sales Tax- this is popularly known as the consumption tax primarily because the things we buy or consume are also subject to tax. They say that this will be more maximized among wealthy citizens because the more they consume, the more they are being taxed.

How will you minimize getting taxed from buying goods aside from avoiding unnecessary products at the mall? The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (the PATH Act) made a provision to claim general sales taxes instead of states’ income taxes as an itemized deduction. The PATH Act includes several changes to the tax law that affect individuals, families, businesses and promote security against tax

 

Governments Around The World Are Considering Cryptocurrencies

Governments around the world – Russia, The United States, Canada, Republic of China, Japan, Venezuela, and others – are taking significant actions to explore and learn more about cryptocurrency (learn crypto on Pheeva.com). With governments keeping a keen eye on digital currencies, there’s a huge question of whether cryptocurrencies such as bitcoins can keep it decentralized. This question had been raised considering that governments would like to keep things centralized which is the exact opposite of true cryptocurrencies.

A Government-Backed Coin

Centralized Digital Currencies

There’s a significant difference between cryptocurrencies and the CDCs (Centralized Digital Currencies). True cryptocurrencies are decentralized meaning there’s no one person, or entity such as the government that controls them. CDCs are the exact opposite which means they are centralized and run by a certain entity such as the government and the central bank.

Through centralization, the government could make exponential changes which can either be good or bad.  This is scary because there’s also a question of security and privacy despite a good option to buy goods at a way cheaper price.

Russia has, specifically, came up with intriguing ideas as to why it wants to engage in some kind of government based cryptocurrency to work with international transactions and possibly impose levy on black markets. It has not been clear though if the said digital currency would have a decentralized ledger as it is with true cryptocurrency or if it is possible for it to be mined.

Why governments are showing interest just now?

The concept and technology behind digital transactions isn’t entirely new. Even before the internet have boomed, many companies are working to make digital transactions work without the use of cash or check. With the birth of the internet, the concept wasn’t fully adopted and the technology behind it is also not cheap. Government and financial institutions has not placed so much attention to it because the majority of the public were not into it too.

When Bitcoin was introduced in 2009, the boom had been extensive that the explosion of bitcoins along with other cryptocurrencies pushed governments to have a look at these technologies that could have a huge impact in the future of commerce, the finance industry, and the centralized authorities of the movement and generation of various currencies throughout the world.

Governments are now seeing the potential of the crypto technology but they need time to further understand it. In theory, there are several advantages drawn from true digital currencies. The straightforward and efficient instant electronic transactions that prevents fraud, better book keeping and tracking of transaction are just a few of this advantages. Not to mention that no printing is involved which saves a lot of costs behind its generation. On a side note, governments alongside many companies are overwhelmed by the ongoing trend. In order for them not to be left behind, some governments tend to make up something to catch up with what’s new.

Decentralized Money vs. Centralized Money

The success of Bitcoin proves the feasibility to generate money beyond the borders of traditional financial systems that are based on the government. This fact is pushing government authorities and central banks to inquire difficult questions about their function in future economies.

For some, the issue of true cryptocurrency (decentralized) and centralized digital currency is not the main point because the system is simply a detail. However, the main point is that you can have digital money circulating around which is a huge threat to the central bank rather than to private banks. Regardless if it is done with a blockchain or through any type of database does not make a huge difference.

The goals of Russia for running cryptocurrencies indicate how governing bodies around the globe can start adopting digital currencies no matter if the end is good or bad.

Bottom line

Governments have a tendency to move slowly and thus very little will change in the near future. A series of tests may have to be conducted to find out how the whole system will work. Nonetheless, governments will be forced to adapt the system when cryptocurrencies will start to present a real practical alternative to our current financial system.

A Great Way to Borrow Money in Times of Federal Shutdown

Introduction

In some countries, such as the United States, a federal or government shutdown is inevitable. In general, a federal shutdown is an itemized plan for the yearly public expenditures of the United States. This has, somehow, positive impacts to the government. However, the major downside of this is that federal employees will be working without pay. Thus, they have to resort in alternative so as to have money for their daily expenses. Fortunately, there are great ways to get an instant cash advance loans that is proven to be confidential, safe and secure. In addition, there is also an option to for installment loans that are perfect for people who need instant money but needs more time to pay the loan. Continue reading to know more about this.

I. What is a Federal Shutdown? Why does it happen?

Federal shutdown, as defined in the early part of the article, is a government’s plan to for the annual expenses of the United States. One major grounds of federal shutdown is the lack of funding for government agencies that are not that relevant. Hence, the freezing of government employees salary. Oftentimes, the temporary lack of funding is due to the late approval of the federal budget. There are some offices that still operate even without funding and will just rely on cash reserves, but operation will stop once it run out.

If the shutdown of the government remains for a longer period of time, chances are, the negative impacts will extend to private institutions because in the process of achieving their deliverables include the help of the government. So, outputs will be delayed.

Good thing is that there are many ways to borrow money and of the most popular is through quick cash loans. If you are not sure of what type of cash loan is for you, below are two types of loans that may be suitable for you:

  1. Payday Loans– This type of loan is cash advance loan that let you borrow instant money during emergencies. This is not suitable for government employees during federal shutdown because the payment will be deducted in your paycheck the next month. If you are an employee that won’t be receiving salary for few months, this i not right for you.
  2. Payday Installment Loans- this is perfect for those who will not be able to pay off their loan in the following month. This installment loans is flexible in terms of payment. You will be given 4-6 months to to fully pay your loan.

Federal shutdown is not only the reason for this type of loan. Emergencies related to health, work, family, and other personal matters will eventually happen. With this, it is important to identify the best option to borrow money.

The Politics of Cryptocurrency

Without a doubt, politicians are still at the early stages of understanding cryptocurrency and thus, it’s still blurry what proper regulations or tax laws to implement on it. The IRS or the Internal Revenue Service has released guidance on these virtual currencies among taxpayers back in 2014.

Since then, there’s no other guidance or legislation was proposed.

The Basics

In this article, we are going to take a look at how lawmakers study the structure of cryptocurrency and at the same time, outline the integral elements needed to be mindful about.

Well first, cryptocurrency is deemed much like any other assets. Meaning to say, capital gains tax rules are applicable to it as well. This is regardless if you have gained or not. Being able to calculate losses and gains are basically the same as if you’re selling and buying stocks. The same thing is applicable in relation to holding period, cost basis as well as triggering event.

What about those who are 100% Clueless?

Don’t think that you’re a fool for not knowing any of this. There are many others who are in the same shoes as yours and don’t know anything about tax laws or fundamentals, which make everything so confusing. In this regards, we’ll dive to the more complex pieces of information.

Your Capital Gains

If it is for a tax purpose, first thing to be done is to calculate capital losses and gains. This can be done by finding out how much percentage your cost basis shoots up or down. This is from the time you’ve obtained the asset from the time when there’s a taxable event. Simply speaking, your capital gains are equivalent to current fair market value of cryptocurrency minus the cost basis.

                Capital Loss/Gain = Fair Market Value – Cost Basis

Cost basis is simply the amount you pay for the asset. Meaning, cost basis for whatever cryptocurrency you are using is the sum of money that you use to buy it. This cost is basically the fees that you’ve paid to have the crypto from VIPsignals signals. It normally includes:

  • Exchange fees and;
  • Brokerage fees

Sanders’ Confidence Gets Doused by Hecklers in “She the People Presidential Forum”

Senator Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent making another bid for nomination as the next Democratic presidential candidate, gets a jolt from hecklers during the ‘She the People Presidential Forum.”

She the People, a nationwide network of advocacy groups comprised by women of color, hosted a forum in Houston last Wednesday, featuring eight (8) of the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. However, young voters coming from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) who attended the forum gave Senator Sanders a heckling. They made it clear that they were not thoroughly satisfied with his rousing speeches.

Even before the holding of the forum, students were already of the mindset to hear candidates discuss specific plans for addressing current issues faced by women of color. As one computer science student said prior to the event

I’ve seen the rhetoric, but I haven’t seen the policies.”

What Most African American Students Want to Hear

Mr. Sanders was quite eloquent with his speech, to which he emphasized the importance of party unity in order to succeed in ending Trump’s Administration. He mentioned that Trump’s presidency had worsened racism, homophobia and sexism. He also gave assurance that even if he does not win the nomination, he pledges to give all out support to whoever will be chosen as 2020 presidential candidate.

However, as gave out anecdotes and indirect answers to questions asking for specifics on how he intends to address issues he mentioned, dissatisfaction became evident when the crowd started to boo and heckle.

Someone in the crowd shouted,

“What about black women?”

The question almost went ignored, but was pushed back by one of the forum moderators, Joy Reid of MSNBC. She nudged Sanders into giving a response by restating the heckle to a formal question and as follow up to Sander’s mention of social justice:

“For black women in particular?”

In response, Senator Sanders simply said

“Black women will be an integral part of what our political campaign and what our future administration is about.”

The response only drew more heckling from the dissatisfied crowd.

Behind Self Funded Political Campaigns

While many running candidates have relied on campaign finance to back their political campaign, there are quite a few who have funded their own political campaigns. Self-funding in electoral campaigns had always been a fact as far as politics can go. Many known politicians have had spent a huge amount of their own earnings in order to win an electoral campaign.

How Campaign Finance Works

When Senator Hillary Clinton offered $5 million in loans for her campaign, she temporarily joined other self-funded presidential candidates, which includes Mitromny, Rose Perot, John Kerry, and Steve Forbes among others.

Self-financing commonly indicates that a political campaign is economically struggling and has maximized its contribution to the donor base. However, political scientists state that voters do not automatically think this is something bad.

Clinton’s self-financing size is comparable to that of the presidential campaign of Massachusetts Senator John Kerry in 2004. Kerry loaned his home in Boston for a staggering $6 million loan to assist in a successful number of Democratic presidential selections on Super Tuesday, nevertheless, he lost to the present president George W. Bush on the general political election.

This fact is not only true to a presidential campaign; candidates from other political races have previously put in their own finances heavily.

How Far Could Self Funding Go To Boost Political Career?

A Republican independent, Michael Bloomberg, and a Democrat Jon Kozan also made use of their own wealth to reinforce their career in politics. Bloomberg put in $75 million to be among New York’s notable Mayors; On the other hand, Kozan put in $60 million to be among New Jersey’s list of governors.

Even so, for every single successful story, there is an angle of self-financing that has not reaped good rewards. Billionaire Steve Forbes failed to win the presidential nomination seat twice. He self-financed his campaign for millions of dollars in both the 1996 and the 2000 race however failed to win the electoral campaign.

Texas millionaire H. Rose Perot drew even more than $63 million in an electoral race. The race sometimes led him to a major candidate but in the end, he won third place. However, his 19% vote share is incredibly great for third-party candidates. In 1996. he ran again for an electoral campaign but this time he had taken public financing.

These candidates, when they fund their own activities, they treat these spending as a loan. For those who lose the race usually writes off the loan as a loss.

Candidates who succeed in congressional elections can take back a few of their investment by having a debt burning effort. In these instances, the lobbyists and their committees are wanting to build contacts with the new legislators and at some point find access to the legislator’s own bank account.

Thus far, there seems to be no limit in terms of self-funding. The stakes could be high. Either way, candidates will have to weigh their options when it comes to campaign spending as there are other sources of funding that will not entirely hurt their bank accounts.

Further Thoughts…

Self-funding is not the only source of funding for many political candidates, there is also the campaign loans granted to a candidate to finance such campaigns. Regardless of the nation, campaign loans are true. But only a fool takes out a personal loan or even a quick loan to fund their own political career. Candidates will have to be wise when they fund their campaigns. It can help boost your campaign or break you in the future.

Veto-Override Voting Results Showed Lack of Concern Over Congress’ Constitutional Mandate

Last Tuesdày (March 26, 2019), the Congressional voting to decide over Trump’s veto failed to muster the two-third majority necessary to bar Trump from using the National Emergency law. Apparently, there was not enough Republican defection in both chambers that will allow Congress to stop Trump from diverting military funds to his proposed expansion of the US Mexico border wall. Although voting will again take place on Tuesday, observers believe that the same results can be expected.

Previous passing of the related resolution by Congress in February 2019 had the support of both houses. However, in last Tuesday’s session, not enough Republicans rallied behind in support of overriding Trump’s veto. This, despite some previous expressions of views that Trump’s use of the National Emergency law is an abuse of presidential powers. It became obvious therefore, that those who chose not to stand by their objections were apparently more concerned with the votes they might lose in antagonizing pro-Trump supporters.

Acknowledging Democrats in Taking a United Stance to Uphold the Constitution

Praises to the Democrats, whose actions stayed true with the doctrines of democracy. Separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judiciary branches of the government is a liberal solution to limiting the powers of the majority. This received embodiment in the United States Constitution, designating Congress as controller of overall government expenditures.

In February, right after Trump declared the National State, the Democrats vowed that

”The Congress will defend our constitutional authorities in the Congress, in the Courts, and in the public, using every remedy available”

Acknowledging the Republicans Who Chose to Uphold Congress’ Constitutional Mandate

Even Republicans are wary that in allowing Trump to usurp Congress’ constitutional mandate to control government expenditures, they will also be giving future Democratic presidents a way of circumventing spending resolutions passed by Congress. As it is, only 14 House Republicans voted to override Trump’s veto.

The 14 included Rep.NY John Katko who missed voting on the February Congressional resolution to nullify Trump’s National Emergency declaration. Last Tuesday he upped the Republican override vote by joining Rep-MI Justin Amash, Rep-WA Jaime Herrera Beutler, Rep-PA Brian Fitzpatrick, Rep-WI Mike Gallagher, Rep-TX Will Hurd, Rep-SD Dusty Johnson, Rep-KY Thomas Massie, Rep-WA Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Rep-FL Francis Rooney, Rep-WI Jim Sensenbrenner, Rep-NY Elise Stefanik, Rep-MI Fred Upton (R-MI) and Rep-OR Greg Walden.

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