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>Gov.-elect Chris Christie said he plans to cut expenses at every level of government

>
Christie planning to cut government expenses, enact tax reforms

By ANDREA CLURFELD
GANNETT NEW JERSEY

https://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20091215/NEWS/912150337/1098/POLITICS

Gov.-elect Chris Christie said he plans to cut expenses at every level of government and enact measures to make sure “we won’t be pushing problems downstream to local taxpayers.”

In an exclusive interview with the Asbury Park Press, Christie said he will use many of the ideas that came out of the 2006 special legislative session on property taxes as well as those laid out by the Press in its “Fighting New Jersey’s Tax Crush” series published in September and October.

“We need to reform the (tax) system from top to bottom,” Christie said.

High on the governor-elect’s list is eliminating loopholes in the 4 percent cap on annual increases in municipal government spending. The cap has been in place for years, but allows a number of exemptions for budget items ranging from health care costs to bond payments. The result has been annual property tax increases that exceed the rate of inflation.

Christie said he wants to enact reforms that will “make it a hard cap. Right now, we have a Swiss cheese cap.”

Christie said he also would:

Change the rules of binding interest arbitration in public employee contract negotiations to make sure arbitrators adhere to new cap standards.

Put the brakes on “teacher contracts that increase salaries by 4 to 5 percent and then, on top of it, layer on to it health benefit increases and pension expenses increases.”

Review mid-level management jobs at school boards statewide because “we no longer can have that plethora of mid-management … that are not necessarily bringing quality to the classroom.”

Should Christie find his reforms stalled, he said he would call for a constitutional convention. The Legislature and voters would have to approve such a convention, which would give elected delegates the power to reform the state’s tax system by presenting voters with amendments to the state constitution. The last convention was held in 1966 to increase the number of lawmakers.

“I want the voters to give me two years to fix it without a convention,” he said. “If we get to the mid-term (elections) in 2011 and I report to voters that, despite my best efforts, we haven’t been able to get this done because systemic forces are blocking us, then we have to change the system. And I will call for a constitutional convention.”

William G. Dressel Jr., executive director of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, said that if the state is “going to be fair, then the most egregious driver of property taxes must be addressed — binding arbitration. That is a budget buster. And that is one area in which Governor-elect Christie won’t budge.”

https://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20091215/NEWS/912150337/1098/POLITICS

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>Senate Health Care Bill Would Force Some Middle Class Families to Pay $15,200 Yearly

>Senate Health Care Bill Would Force Some Middle Class Families to Pay $15,200 Yearly Insurance Fee, According to CBO Analysis
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
By Terence P. Jeffrey, Editor-in-Chief

https://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=58533

(CNSNews.com) – Forget the public option. Even without it, the health care bill presented in the Senate by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D.-Nev.) would make some middle-class American families pay what amounts to a $15,200 annual federally-mandated insurance fee, according to facts revealed in analyses published by the Congressional Budget Office.

The fee would result from the facts that the bill requires individuals—but not employers—to purchase health insurance plans and that families that earn up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level would be given government subsidies to purchase insurance in government-regulated insurance exchanges while families earning more than 400 percent of the federal poverty level would be denied government subsidies.

A family of four—two parents and two children—earning $88,200 would be at 400 percent of the poverty level this year, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A family of four earning $88,201, therefore, would not be eligible for a federal subsidy to buy insurance under the Senate health-care bill. If the mother and father in such a family could not get employer-based health insurance—because their employers decided not to buy their workers insurance—the family would be required by law to purchase a policy with its own money that would cost an estimated $15,200 per year, according to the CBO.

The basic facts demonstrating that this would be the case if the Senate health care bill were to become law were presented in letters that the CBO sent to Sen. Harry Reid (D.-Nev.) on November 18 and to Sen. Evan Bayh (D.-Ind.) on November 30. The letters are available on the CBO Web site

https://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=58533

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>High Noon 4 Healthcare

>image001

The government takeover of health care will dramatically change the way we receive care and ultimately, the quality and access we expect today. More importantly, what is at stake is the relationship Americans have with their government – from one where we decide which insurance to buy and how to spend our own money to one where Washington bureaucrats mandate how and where you spend your own money.

But it’s not just about money. On a more fundamental level, our basic freedoms and beliefs are being attacked under what will be the largest expansion of government in the history of the United States. Bigger government will leave all Americans more dependent and less free to follow our own dreams. In short, the outcome of this battle will determine the trajectory of many more battles to come and we need your help to stop it.

Today, members of the NJ Tea Party Coalition will be joining Sen. Tom Coburn, M.D., Sen. Jim DeMint, Laura Ingraham, Americans For Prosperity, Tea Party Patriots, Freedom Works and other like-minded organizations as we tell the Senate: “Hands off our health care!” The Democratic leadership is trying to get to a final vote this week, so the timing couldn’t be better for us to take this stand.

If you were unable make it to Washington or to your local Senate office, please call your Senators’ offices at 1:30 p.m. You can find your Senator’s contact information on our website: Join Sen. Tom Coburn, M.D., Sen. Jim DeMint, Laura Ingraham, AFP President Tim Phillips and our 15 coalition partners as we tell the Senate: “Hands off our health care!” The Democratic leadership is trying to get to a final vote this week, so the timing couldn’t be better for us to take this stand.

If you cannot make it to Washington or to your local Senate office, please call your Senators’ offices at 1:30 p.m. You can find contact information for Senators Lautenberg and Menendez on our website: https://www.njteapartycoalition.org/Contact-Your-Senator.html

There are still several Senators who may be swayed NOT to vote for the Healthcare Bill now moving through the Senate. Their Washington phone and fax numbers are listed below.

Senator Ben Nelson (NE) – 202-224-6551 (Ph) / 202-228-0012 (F)
Senator Blanche Lincoln (AR) – 202-224-4843 (Ph) / 202-228-1371(F)
Senator Mary Landrieu (LA) – 202-224-5824 (Ph) / 202-224-9735 (F)
Senator Joe Lieberman (CT) – 202-224-4041 (Ph) / 202-224-9750 (F)
Senator Jim Webb (VA) – 202-224-4024 (Ph) / 202-228-6363 (F)
Senator Bill Nelson (FL) – 202-224-5274 (Ph) / 202-228-2183 (F)
Senator Evan Bayh (IN) – 202-224-5623 (Ph) / 202-228-1377(F)

Please keep our members in your thoughts and prayers as they make the trek to Washington in defense of Liberty.
We also wish a Happy Hanukkah to all who are in the midst of celebrating the Festival of Lights.

On behalf of our Committee,
Tim, Michele, Rae and myself,
Brian

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>The Valley Hospital Recognized for Providing an Outstanding Inpatient Experience

>J.D. Power and Associates Reports:
The Valley Hospital Recognized for Providing an Outstanding Inpatient Experience
For a Seventh Consecutive Year

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 10 December 2009 – The Valley Hospital, a 451-bed hospital in Ridgewood, N.J., has been recognized for service excellence for a seventh consecutive year under the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Hospital Program.SM This distinction acknowledges a strong commitment by The Valley Hospital to provide “An Outstanding Inpatient Experience.”

“In earning this distinction for seven consecutive years, The Valley Hospital has truly demonstrated its commitment to service excellence,” said Kevin Lieb, senior director of provider programs at J.D. Power and Associates. “Providing patients with a consistently positive experience is crucial, particularly with the high value placed on the service aspects of their hospital stay.”

The service excellence distinction was determined by surveying recently discharged patients from The Valley Hospital about their perceptions of their hospital stay and comparing the results to the national benchmarks established in the annual J.D. Power and Associates National Hospital Service Performance Study.SM

The telephone-based research conducted among The Valley Hospital patients focuses on the five key drivers of patient satisfaction with their overall inpatient experience. These drivers, which were identified in the national study, are speed and efficiency; dignity and respect; comfort; information and communication; and emotional support.

The Valley Hospital exceeds the national benchmark study score for inpatient satisfaction and performs particularly well, compared with the national study, in speed and efficiency. The hospital receives notably high ratings for the nurses’ promptness in responding to the call button, and for the speed and efficiency of tests and treatments personnel.

The hospital also performs well relative to the national study for the nurses’ concern about controlling pain and the courtesy of the nurses.

Nearly three-fourths of The Valley Hospital patients surveyed say they would return to the facility if needed, while more than 70 percent say they “definitely will” recommend the hospital to others.

“It is an honor to be recognized by J.D. Power and Associates for providing exceptional care and service to our patients, and we are particularly proud that Valley has been recognized seven times in a row,” said Audrey Meyers, president and CEO of The Valley Hospital. “At Valley, we recognize how important it is to provide our patients with an outstanding hospital experience. It is this commitment that has allowed us to again be recognized in the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Hospital Program.”

Nongovernmental, acute-care hospitals throughout the nation are eligible for the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Hospital recognition for inpatient, maternity, cardiovascular, emergency and outpatient services. Distinction is valid for one year, after which time the hospital may reapply for this recognition.

About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, Web intelligence and customer satisfaction. The company’s quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor’s, McGraw-Hill Education, Platts, Capital IQ, J.D. Power and Associates, McGraw-Hill Construction and Aviation Week. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2008 were $6.4 billion. Additional information is available at https://www.mcgraw-hill.com/.

Media Relations Contacts:

John Tews
J.D. Power and Associates
Director, Media Relations
5435 Corporate Drive, Suite 300
Troy , MI 48098
USA
(248) 312-4119
[email protected]

Maureen Curran Kleinman
The Valley Hospital
Media Relations
Ridgewood , NJ
USA
(201) 291-6310
[email protected]

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>Graydon: Greetings of the season

>The Graydon Store is open for business.

Downtown for the Holidays. We were proud to participate in the Chamber of Commerce’s Downtown for the Holidays event on December 4. People gravitated to our table looking for ways to answer questions from others about why Graydon must be saved. We enjoyed sharing this important issue with the community.

Holiday Bazaar. Our fundraiser on Sunday, November 29, was a success. Read about it in Marcia and Suzanne’s letter from last Friday’s Ridgewood News. Their letter also appeared in last week’s Villadom Times.

Online store. Our virtual doors are open. Car magnets, note cards, and yard signs are available at the Graydon Store (or through a link from the PreserveGraydon.org website). Our many faraway supporters, as well as those closer to home, can receive the magnets and cards by mail. Yard signs are delivered in person within a reasonable radius. It’s not too late to order Happy New Year cards with your personal message printed inside. (Want custom cards in time for Christmas? Ask us and we’ll ask the printer.)

The Preserve Graydon Coalition was founded IN Graydon only five months and one week ago. How much has been accomplished in that time thanks to the Coalition’s dedicated workers and supporters! There’s lots more to come in 2010, and 2009 isn’t quite over yet.

Swimmingly,

Marcia Ringel and Suzanne Kelly, Co-Chairs
The Preserve Graydon Coalition, Inc., a nonprofit corporation
“It’s clear—we love Graydon!”
[email protected]
www.PreserveGraydon.org

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>Forty-two percent (42%) Strongly Disapprove of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President

>
Barack Obama’s Poll Numbers Continue to Slide

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows that 24% of the nation’s voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-two percent (42%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -18.

As the health care plan struggles in the Senate, public opposition remains stable. Fifty-six percent (56% ) oppose the plan working its way through Congress while just 40% favor it. In Nevada, the health care bill is causing problems for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s bid for re-election.

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>In honor of its one-year anniversary, Pizza Fusion is passing down savings to its customers.

>12/14/09 — In honor of its one-year anniversary, Pizza Fusion 33 Godwin Ave.
Ridgewood, NJ 07450 Phone: 201-445-9010 Fax: 201-445-9020 https://www.pizzafusion.com/ridgewood is passing down savings to its customers.

On December 15 only, Pizza Fusion in Ridgewood will be selling personal organic cheese pizzas for $1 dollar only. Normally Pizza Fusion’s personal pizzas start at $6each, presenting customers a $5 savings on this special day. For large pizza orders, Pizza Fusion is offering another special — buy any 1 large pizza and get 1 pizza of equal or lesser value for only 1 cent.

“We’re looking forward to celebrating the first of many successful years in Ridgewood,” Nick Morin, co-owner of Pizza Fusion Ridgewood, states. “We encourage everyone to take advantage of these special offers, as we thank the residents of Bergen County for their patronage.”

Pizza Fusion’s well rounded menu offers something for everyone, from traditional pizzas and sandwiches to its extensive offering of handcrafted, specialty pizzas, like Four Cheese & Sundried Tomato, Sausage & Tri-Colored Peppers or the popular Founder’s Pie. Pizza Fusion’s award-winning, organic salads offer a tasty meal for a quick lunch or healthy dinner. Beyond its organic offerings, Pizza Fusion also offers a number of menu items for selective eaters, including vegan, vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-free pizza and other options.

Pizza Fusion Ridgewood’s anniversary offers described above are available for dine-in or takeout (no delivery). The $1 personal pizzas are limited to one per person; toppings are additional.

Pizza Fusion is considering Area Developer and Franchise candidates to open several locations throughout New York and New Jersey. For more information on Pizza Fusion opportunities, visit: https://franchise.pizzafusion.com.

About Pizza Fusion

Pizza Fusion combines a fresh, organic menu with an industry-leading environmental approach to restaurant service in chic dining destinations built to LEED certification standards. Pizza Fusion specializes in gourmet, organic pizza, ciabatta sandwiches, salads, and desserts. For additional information, visit: https://www.pizzafusion.com.

For editorial inquires, contact:

Eric Haley
Vice President of Communications
Pizza Fusion
2200 West Cypress Creek Rd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Office: (954) 449-7244
Fax: (954) 449-4957

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>Time to face facts…

>Ridgewood NJ Economic Downturn on CBSnews

From October 18, 2009

While Nero Fiddles and Rome burns there are now almost 40 vacancies in the central business district of Ridgewood. This blog over the last 3 years has warned time and time again that if things continue in the direction they are going our Village would be in jeopardy . The Village Council and the BOE have continued on a spree of tax and fee increases ,bad planning and irresponsible spending while our traditions and institutions have been degraded and or destroyed. What once made us special and unique is now under siege from the very people that should be protecting the Village. Weather it is the $9 million dollar Village Hall reck-avation , ill conceived parking rate increases ,a “stupid” math program ,$375,000 for a gold plated bath room and the complete and utter destruction of the “Home for the Holiday” tradition coupled with the desecration of the Village Christmas Tree ,yes its called a CHRISTMAS TREE! The Village has continued to move away from all the things that made this a great community .

Now before we blame Bush or the global economic meltdown ,it was all to obvious to most of us that for many years the number of residents connected to financial services was very significant. The fact that Ridgewood had over 16% of its work force employed in financial services was well known and was an often discussed FACT . Apparently it was well know by everyone except the Board of Ed and the Village Council and perhaps many of the merchants in town that never seem to be opened. Wall Street provided us with a gravy train to milk for every political whim . Alas the party is over ,Wall Street is no more .

There is still time to prepare for the new reality,while I do agree that the schools and fields are looking a bit shabby to say the least,and a proper long there capital investment and student population strategy is necessary ,this didn’t just come about since the last BOE election. Past experience has show that the schools seem to have become more a fiefdom for consultants and the NJEA than the place to prepare students to meet the challenges of the future or at lest prepare them to meet the requirements of the high quality college education. Nor did the failing of the down town magically appear since October 2008. In stead of the TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE that the village was known for where both the BOE and VC would over deliver and under promise at a reasonable price has now been turned on its head . Our Village is now stuck on over promising and under delivering where all projects are decided not on there merritt but on whether they cost enough ,with the most expensive option being the preferred option but seldom being the best option.

It is time for everyone to step up and take responsibility for the disastrous situation we find ourselves in . We have to make some hard choices . First the VC needs to take a look at all the commercial fees it charges ,like the ICE machine fee a left over from the horse and buggy Ice man days and bite the bullet and get rid of all these commercial fees that make the down town uncompetitive. These fees must be reduced or gotten rid of. Next the Village Council in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce must work a lot harder to actually promote the village downtown to retailers and other merchants . Many towns like Englewood, Tenafly and Westwood have been impacted by the flight of retailers too a much lesser degree than Ridgewood. Take a look for yourself. Perhaps many of Ridgewood fine Realtors can also contribute to this marketing effort. Restoring the “Home for the holidays” to its former glory is also an excellent way to promote the town.

As for the schools a focus on preparing young minds for attending a high quality universities should be the only priority .In the “old days” Ridgewood Schools would brag about how many of its graduates would go on to college and how many would attend prestigious Ivy league schools. Now all I hear to the constant lowering of standards and the ” I glad we beat Newark, attitude”. Folks Ridgewood has nothing in common with a city like Newark what so ever ! This kind of attitude is both insulting and ridiculous and you should be grateful everyday that we don’t live with the kind of problems a city like Newark has to deal with.This town was build on “GREAT SCHOOLS” ! If we raise our expectations instead of the constant lowering of them we will once again return to the “TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE” we are so fond of exposing.

There is no reason in a town with so many opportunities for young people to have a government run community center . We have facilities at Graydon, the Ridgewood Public Library and the Stable just to name a few as well as many church ,synagogue ,private schools and the YMCA to provide all the needed support for absent parents . Again Ridgewood is not Newark !

Many residents have suggested that we get rid of the parking meters all together ,and there for get rid of all the costs to service and maintain the meters ,some feel that like the Garden State Parkway ,Ridgwood would lose less money with no meters at all . This may or may not be true I don’t know.

In the past we have made many suggestions ,while initially po-poed many have been adopted . What ever the case it is time to go back to some of the tried and true ideas that made Ridgewood such a Great Place to live . Some ideas will work and some will fail but anything is better than sticking to the current coarse of government assisted suicide for the Village.

In the next couple of months the Ridgewood blog is going to roll out a series of articles on both the History of the Village, the Tradition of Excellence and suggestions for what it may take to restore the luster to the Village. We encourage you to participate as much as possible in the discussion. We are looking to foster solutions which means that full and open debate is expected and required and those with bad intentions will be outed.

thank you,

PJ Blogger
and the Staff of the Ridgewood blog

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>we want to hear from you … .. … . ….

>If your looking to run ads or get in touch with the Ridgewood Blog please send all correspondence to [email protected]

thank you for your support!!!!

*IMPORTANT NOTE: Please try to sent us JPEG’s ,PDF files are very difficult to work with

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thanks again

PJ Blogger
the Ridgewood Blog

also now on twitter : www.twitter.com/ridgewoodblog

Speak Your Mind ……………………..

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>The Ridgewood Tobacco Shop Goes Online

>store14

Welcome to The Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood Online.
https://tobaccoshop.com/index.html

This long awaited addition to our famous retail location has finally arrived.

The Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood is beginning its 30th year in business, and what better way to celebrate than expanding our products and services worldwide.
store42
Our selections of Pipes, Cigars, Tobaccos and Accessories are matched by no other. With 30 years of experience in the tobacco industry, our staff knows what the “luxury of smoking” is all about. Our knowledge of fine products has made our store one of the elite. Let us pass along our experience and expertise to you by supplying the products and knowledge needed to become the connoisseur you have longed to be.

If you are anywhere near the New York/ New Jersey Metropolitan area, it is well worth your time to stop in and see our display of over 400 high-end pipes. With such a collection on hand, you will surely find a piece that fits your persona and specifications. You will also find our 500 square foot walk-in humidor stocked with well over 700 facings of the most exclusive premium cigars, truly creating “a kid in a candy store scenario!”

If you have time to stay, select a fine cigar and find your way upstairs to the 360 degree balcony lounge. Make yourself an espresso and sit back and relax in one of the many leather wing-backed chairs. Unwind and embrace all the enjoyments a fine cigar has to offer.

store24
The Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood 10 Chestnut Street Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450
Phone: 201-447-2204 Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00AM – 5:30PM and Thursday Night 6:30PM – 8:30PM
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>The number of federal workers earning six-figure salaries has exploded during the recession

>For feds, more get 6-figure salaries
Average pay $30,000 over private sector
By Dennis Cauchon
USA TODAY

https://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20091211/1afedpay11_st.art.htm?loc=interstitialskip

The number of federal workers earning six-figure salaries has exploded during the recession, according to a USA TODAY analysis of federal salary data.

Federal employees making salaries of $100,000 or more jumped from 14% to 19% of civil servants during the recession’s first 18 months — and that’s before overtime pay and bonuses are counted.

Federal workers are enjoying an extraordinary boom time — in pay and hiring — during a recession that has cost 7.3 million jobs in the private sector.

The highest-paid federal employees are doing best of all on salary increases. Defense Department civilian employees earning $150,000 or more increased from 1,868 in December 2007 to 10,100 in June 2009, the most recent figure available.

When the recession started, the Transportation Department had only one person earning a salary of $170,000 or more. Eighteen months later, 1,690 employees had salaries above $170,000.

The trend to six-figure salaries is occurring throughout the federal government, in agencies big and small, high-tech and low-tech. The primary cause: substantial pay raises and new salary rules.

“There’s no way to justify this to the American people. It’s ridiculous,” says Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, a first-term lawmaker who is on the House’s federal workforce subcommittee.

Jessica Klement, government affairs director for the Federal Managers Association, says the federal workforce is highly paid because the government employs skilled people such as scientists, physicians and lawyers. She says federal employees make 26% less than private workers for comparable jobs.

USA TODAY analyzed the Office of Personnel Management’s database that tracks salaries of more than 2 million federal workers. Excluded from OPM’s data: the White House, Congress, the Postal Service, intelligence agencies and uniformed military personnel.

The growth in six-figure salaries has pushed the average federal worker’s pay to $71,206, compared with $40,331 in the private sector.

https://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20091211/1afedpay11_st.art.htm?loc=interstitialskip

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>Still in Denial: BIG MONEY RUNS FOR COVER IN ZERO INTEREST TREASURIES

>
Fear triggers gold shortage, drives US treasury yields below zero
By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
Last Updated: 9:26AM GMT 11 Dec 2008

https://www.usrarecoininvestments.com/coin_articles/gold2.htm

The investor search for a safe places to store wealth as the financial crisis shakes faith in the system has caused extraordinary moves in global markets over recent days, driving the yield on 3-month US Treasuries below zero and causing a rush for physical holdings of gold.

“It is sheer unmitigated fear: even institutions are looking for mattresses to put their money until the end of the year,” said Marc Ostwald, a bond expert at Insinger de Beaufort.

The rush for the safety of US Treasury debt is playing havoc with America’s $7 trillion “repo” market used to manage liquidity. Fund managers are hoovering up any safe asset they can find because they do not know what the world will look like in January when normal business picks up again. Three-month bills fell to minus 0.01pc on Tuesday, implying that funds are paying the US government for protection.

“You know the US Treasury will give you your money back, but your bank might not be there,” said Paul Ashworth, US economist for Capital Economics.

The gold markets have also been in turmoil. Traders say it has become extremely hard to buy the physical metal in the form of bars or coins. The market has moved into “backwardation” for the first time, meaning that futures contracts are now priced more cheaply than actual bullion prices.

It appears that hedge funds in distress are being forced to cash in profits on gold futures to cover losses elsewhere or to meet redemptions by clients. But smaller retail investors – and perhaps some big players – are buying bullion in record volumes to store in vaults.

The latest data from the World Gold Council shows that demand for coins, bars, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) doubled in the third quarter to 382 tonnes compared to a year earlier. This matches the entire set of gold auctions by the Bank of England between 1999 and 2002.

Peter Hambro, head Peter Hambro Gold, said the data reflects a “remarkable” shift in the structure of the market. The rush to safety reflects a mix of fears about the fragility of world finance and concerns that the move towards zero interest rates could set off an inflationary surge further down the road, and possibly call into question the worth of some paper currencies.

The near paralysis in the “repo” markets may prove to be no more than pre-Christmas jitters as banks square their books.

However, there are some signs that extreme monetary stimulus by the US Federal Reserve and other banks is starting to have unintended consequences.

The Bank of Japan is it is reluctant to cut its rates to zero again because of the damage this causes to the money markets, which serve as a key lubricant of the credit system. The US is now starting to face the same dilemma.

https://www.usrarecoininvestments.com/coin_articles/gold2.htm

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>Keep America Safe : Raise Your Voice Today

>Dear Supporters,

Last Saturday, thousands of people took to the streets of New York City to protest Attorney General Eric Holder’s outrageous plan to transfer 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other admitted war criminals to the United States for trial in a civilian court in New York City. The protest sent a clear message to the politicians in Washington: the terrorists who targeted innocent men, women and children and who were captured by our military on a foreign battlefield should not have the same rights and legal protections as American citizens. We will fight them all the way!

Opposition to this dangerous policy began on November 9, 2009, when 300 9/11 family members sent a letter to President Obama, urging him not to transfer these enemy combatants to US soil for trial. Thanks to your signatures, the number of signers now exceeds 135,000.

Four days later, on November 13th, Holder announced his decision to bring unrepentant, committed Islamic terrorists to a civilian court in lower Manhattan where they can mock their victims and rally their fellow terrorists just blocks away from where 2,752 people were murdered. He made this decision without consulting the Department of Homeland Security, New York City’s police commissioner or its mayor.

In response to this decision, 9/11 families, first responders and military families have joined together to stop Holder from giving Khalid Sheikh Mohammed the platform he craves in the heart of New York City. To support their efforts, Keep America Safe, theBravest.com and 9/11 Families for a Safe and Strong America, formed the 9/11 Never Forget Coalition.

With this new coalition, we can combine the firepower of all supporting organizations to target this one specific issue for reversal. This effort has been met with overwhelming support. Since its inception, the Coalition has gained the support of the Center for Security Policy, ACT For America and the Uniformed Retired Firefighters Association, among others.

The rally in New York City was a warning shot to the members of Congress. Now the fight needs to move from the streets of New York to the offices of Congress. By a wide margin, recent polls show that Americans do not support this policy. We will target any member of Congress who ignores the will of the people on this issue.

We are asking every person who objects to the terror trials to contact Congressional offices in Washington and in local districts. Phone calls, letters and personal visits can keep the pressure on Congress.

Even if you don’t receive a personal response, they are getting your messages. If you don’t do anything, you will guarantee they will never hear you. Action is needed on your part — on our part — to preserve the chance that our voices will be heard and terrorists captured on the battlefield will be kept out of our civilian courts.

We are not asking you for your money or your vote; we are asking for something far more valuable: your time. This is not an appeal for you to do something for us. This is an appeal asking you to raise your voice.

Put your Congressmen and Senators on record.

Today, Keep America Safe launched the video “Raise Your Voice,” which was shot on location this past Saturday at the rally in New York. We encourage you to respond to this video via YouTube with a short video report of what your representative told you when you called, emailed or visited.

Besides video reports, we encourage you to join the Coalition’s Facebook page and file your report on its wall. You can also post a brief line directed to @Never911Forget on Twitter, telling the world who is with us and who stands against us. We also urge you to report your findings to local and national radio, telling the hosts what your representatives told you. All of these things can make a difference and will keep the pressure on Congress.

Let’s find out who the real leaders are in the U.S. Congress and who is willing to fight back.

Sincerely,

Tim Brown and Debra Burlingame
Co-founders, 9/11 Never Forget Coalition

P.S. This Friday night, Fox News Channel’s “Hannity” program will be an hour-long town hall special featuring 9/11 family members and first responders who are furious that members of Congress are letting admitted war criminals have civilian trials on US soil. The Coalition will be represented in the audience and we urge you to tune in and hear their reasons for opposing these trials. “Hannity” airs at at 9pm EST, with a replay at 12 midnight EST.

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