Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Once again banks shift bad investments to the American Taxpayer

Link to article-->: http://problembanklist.com/fdic-to-cover-losses-on-trillion-bank-of-america-derivative-bets-0419/
    Once again banks are attempting to shift the potential losses of bad investments over to taxpayers.  After receiving a downgrade to it's credit rating by Moody's (ratings agency), Bank of America Corp. is trying to shift the majority of it's derivative holdings to it's child companies that operate under the FDIC.

   What this means is that those potentially high-risk investments will leave taxpayers on the hook again for the poor decisions of another "Too Big to Fail" bank.  Once BoA's credit rating was downgraded, the counter parties to those derivatives requested an increase in collateral for the bet.  Which is understandable, since it works much in the same way that if your credit was bad your bank would require a larger downpayment and higher interest rate on the loan you applied for.

   As we saw in the economic meltdown of 2008, the derivative market is an incredibly volatile one that over-inflates the value of the "good" and can lead to excesses in bad investments and poorly managed risk. One of the reasons why AIG went downhill is because of it's derivative holdings exploding in their faces, thus creating the reason for their bailout, and one of the many reasons for the enormous debt of the United States.

   PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE READ THE ARTICLE THAT I HAVE LINKED HERE!!!!  If you aren't sure about the information presented in the article because it looks and sounds so outrageous, please continue on to the links provided in the article.  It's all there, from an explanation to why the derivative holdings is greater then the total amount of GDP produced by the country, to why taxpayers would be once again put on the hook to take the hit for these risky investment deals.

   The reason it looks and sounds so outrageous is because it is.  All the information is accurate (if you don't believe me please do the research before you decide that it's false),  which is why it feels so ridiculous.
Here is the link again---->: http://problembanklist.com/fdic-to-cover-losses-on-trillion-bank-of-america-derivative-bets-0419/

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Occupy Santa Cruz - Bank of America refusing to close account


Found this little gem today. The mere fact that a bank can tell someone that they can not close an account with the company because that individual has expressed their distaste with the company and it's practices is a violation of market economics.
The bank manager tells the individual trying to close her account that: "You can't be a protester and a customer at the same time." If that is the case, then the bank is required to hand over any money and assets that it is currently holding for the individual.
Bank of America is taking the position that it is in their best interest to hold and utilize customer assets even after the customer has expressed that they do not wish to be a part of the bank anymore. Does this seem like a violation of business ethics to anyone else? Or is it just me...
As is usually the case with shady practices the bank manager refuses to provide an adequate reason for not allowing this person to close her account with the bank. Towards the end of the video they find out that if they come back later without signs, then they will be allowed to close their accounts. Since when has it been acceptable for a bank to tell one of their own customers that they are not allowed to close their account because of their personal involvement in ANY activity?!

Dylan Ratigan (rightfully) loses it on air

Occupy Together: World Street protests fight big banksters

Incredible Speech By Wall Street Protester "End The Fed" 2011

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Get money out of politics!- Dylan Ratigan & Bernie Sanders on Occupy Wal...

Keith Olbermann Special Comment On "Taking Back..." Aug 1, 2011

  Some people have been wondering what the Occupy Wall Street movement is all about, and also why has it spread to so many cities across the world.  Well, allow me to break a few things down for you.
  This, in it's purest form, is a movement about political responsibility.  People are tired of their voices being drowned out by corporate money and lobbyists.  People are tired of the elite having more power over OUR elected representatives then the other 99% of the population.
  As with any distinctly pure movement, there is no leader or figure head.  The reason for this is because everyone involved has their own views as to what's wrong with the system.  Not just our own system, but as we've seen in protests spreading all over the country, all systems in general.  Everyone involved is rightfully upset with the governing powers, the elite that controls the global economic system, and the way the world is turning into more about those who have everything and kicking to the curb those who have nothing.
  Specifically in this country, when you listen the what individual protesters are saying, you hear quite a few different issues being brought up.  A large amount of people are pissed that the banking system, and those on wall street who were responsible for the global economic collapse of 2008, are still sitting pretty in the high rise pent houses while the rest of working poor and middle class struggles to make it through the day.  Some believe that we ought to end the Federal Reserve, and stop them from printing money, which inevitably makes our money worth less.  There are many other things that people are rightfully upset about, I've only named a few.
  So before you think that this is some leftist liberal movement, I'd like you to keep in mind that there are also a significant amount of these people in America that are supporters of some conservative ideals.  For example, one video which I will post shortly, shows a protester who is an avid Ron Paul supporter.  Last I checked Ron Paul was running for the Republican nomination.  This movement is not something that can be easily classified by belonging to one specific party, and it's intent is to stay that way.  This is not about supporting one party over another.  This is about the voices of the 99% of Americans who have no actual control over their own government, whether it be on the right or the left. 
  So when you hear someone tell you that these protesters are just a bunch of liberal hippies wanting a handout, tell them to do a little research.  Not all of these people have the same views, but it is safe to say that they all wholeheartedly believe that the system, from economics to politics, has failed the majority of the people in this country.