Why so silent on the huge elephant in the room?

[divideandconquer]

It's very suspicious when people continue to debate an issue when they have obviously not researched the evidence for themselves or when every other post is a diversion of some kind or another. I started this thread with the hope of fostering intelligent debate or discussion, especially considering the overall intelligence of the members here...far more intelligent than myself. But that's not what happened. I guess my mistake was putting RI on a pedestal.

Anyway, here is a very enlightening conversation between Jan Irvin and Clint Richardson (CAFR) regarding the spin, lies and controlled opposition--not to mention, the useful innocents and/or idiots--in alternative media, focusing in on Richard Grove of Tragedy & Hope and even James Corbett who are definitely not who they appear to be.

"Spin Jobs vs. Primary Evidence"
http://www.gnosticmedia.com/RBN_016

For background, from Clint Richardson's blog:

"Spin Job: The Odd Case of Ricard Andrew Gove"
https://realitybloger.wordpress.com/2015/07/18/spin-job-the-odd-case-of-richard-andrew-grove/

If there is one thing that needs to happen within this community of those who seek the reality of things, it must certainly be that all of our hero’s must be killed (figuratively speaking). Hero worship leads generally to acceptance of the hero’s claims not because of evidence, but because of that hero status – a personification of correctness based on the costume of legitimacy. But here we see that Captain Spin and his selling sidekicks are neither deserving of this hero (whistle-blower) status (not legally or in reality) nor of the trust that has been granted them because of this falsely presented persona. This whistle-swallower, as the judge refers to him, must not be placed upon any pedestal, be believed, or given some special credit or pass because of his claims, for no man’s pedestal should symbolically replace his burden of proof. -- Clint Richardson

[IanEye]

Surely related,

What's more, instead of turning a seized asset over to the Treasury, police and prosecutors can divide it among their own agencies, giving them an incentive to stage ever-more aggressive and questionable seizures.

property valued at more than $25,000 may be kept without a conviction if the police win a civil proceeding that targets the property itself rather than the suspect.

Total assets, which present as of a specific time the amounts of future economic benefits[/url] owned or managed by the AFF/SADF [Assets Forfeiture Fund and Seized Asset Deposit Fund], increased in FY 2008 to $3,120.7 million from $3,056.5 million in FY 2007, an increase of 2.1 percent.

So, would these (above) seized assets be itemized on a CAFR?

I would also like to see a chart that separated assets like courthouses and schools apart from other assets like these stock investments that keep getting mentioned to better see what assets should be kept away from privatization schemes (school buildings, etc) and then focus on things like state and town government getting involved in risky Wall Street investment schemes.

[Wombaticus Rex]

It's very suspicious when people continue to debate an issue when they have obviously not researched the evidence for themselves or when every other post is a diversion of some kind or another. I started this thread with the hope of fostering intelligent debate or discussion, especially considering the overall intelligence of the members here...far more intelligent than myself. But that's not what happened. I guess my mistake was putting RI on a pedestal.

No, your mistake was not raising your game to the level of RI. This thread is the discussion you wanted; you're just sorely disappointed nobody is discussing it like you want. As far as that goes: tough shit.

Maybe if you considered the -- admittedly remote -- possibility that some of us actually have "researched the evidence for themselves" and reached different conclusions because they have more context and experience than you, you might discover that "intelligent debate" you're looking for.

Otherwise, you could keep lamenting the fact you're too brilliant for the confederacy of dunces here. We'll keep the conversation going either way, so take your time.

[IanEye]

At the Federal level, it would be interesting to see the cross points between the Federal government's stock investments and say, a corporation like MITRE which has a huge hand in deciding what kind of tech research gets the green light and what kind of tech incentives get squashed.

[Wombaticus Rex]

At the Federal level, it would be interesting to see the cross points between the Federal government's stock investments and say, a corporation like MITRE which has a huge hand in deciding what kind of tech research gets the green light and what kind of tech incentives get squashed.

Quite, and fraternal organizations -- not pointing any fingers at Freemasonry, I just oh wait, yes I am -- would be the ideal connective tissue for such networks of control.

The assemblage at Truth in Accountings State Data Lab might be a good start. I'm going to see if I can get institutional access and crack some .xls open here.

Truth in Accounting will calculate your state or local government's true financial condition. The true financial condition is calculated using our proprietary methodology to analyze your government's financial report. We will develop a comprehensive, concise view of your government's finances, including all assets as well as the hidden pension and retirement health obligations.

We can also perform the following services:

•State Financial report (CAFR) data mining
•State pension plan analysis
•Municipal or county debt burden per taxpayer

[jingofever]

I looked up the CAFR for my county, it says:

State statutes classify monies held by the County into two categories, as described below.

Active deposits are public deposits necessary to meet current demands on the treasury. Such monies must be maintained either as cash in the County treasury, in commercial accounts payable or withdrawable on demand, including negotiable order of withdrawal (NOW) accounts, or in money market deposit accounts.

Inactive deposits are public deposits that the County Treasurer has identified as not required for use within the current five year period of designation of depositories. Inactive deposits must either be evidenced by certificates of deposit maturing not later than the end of the current period of designation of depositories, or by savings or deposit accounts including, but not limited to, passbook accounts.

Inactive deposits includes all investments and I take it that rather than keeping loose cash lying around they prefer to invest it. My county invests mostly (~95%) in various securities from Fannie and Freddie, the Farm Credit System, and Federal Home Loan Banks. They also invest in U.S. Treasury notes, Port Authority bonds, foreign government bonds (countries unspecified), and U.S. Government Money Market Mutual Funds. I am guessing the idea is that the county invests in those agencies, those agencies give loans out to homebuyers and farmers, some of whom are citizens of the county, and the county makes money on the investment to boot. I looked up another county, Orange County, and they also invested a lot of money in the home loan agencies but also a lot in U.S. Treasuries, and a fair amount in various other things.

I also looked at the CAFR for a nearby town. They have some investments in the home loan agencies and banks but mostly have negotiable certificates of deposit with an unidentified bank.

What I don't get is, why shouldn't a government do this?

[divideandconquer]

Reading a brief summary of the CAFR, any CAFR is not rigorous enough to gain understanding of such a complex issue. Unfortunately, there are no short-cuts...you must put the time in if you want to truly understand the CAFR. Pay special attention to the creative way liabilities are handled in the CAFR. .

The following is a good source that takes you through a city CAFR step by step so you can decipher your city's CAFR.

Unmasking The CAFR Scam In Every City, USA

As more and more cities, counties, districts, and states across America falsely declare their near- insolubility, bankruptcy warnings, fiscal deficits, and budgetary quandaries, I am left with the sinking feeling that “the people” just can’t wrap their heads around how to point out these misleading and downright fallacious claims made by their councils, mayors, and professional con-men in places of public trust.

So today I want to share with you a simple way to factually stand before your local or state political “leaders” and give indisputable proof that, when stating the “facts” about their own budget shortfalls, limited choices, and necessary raising of your hard-earned monies as taxation (revenue) to “balance the budget”, your own little criminal syndicate of elected mayors and council men and women are lying bold-faced to the entire citizenry through the act of subterfuge and omission.

This little factoid is uniform throughout the entirety of the financial structure of government, as reported in the audited Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and required by Federal and State laws. It is always reported in the same fashion and under the same heading as all other governments (municipal corporations). The figures are not disputable. The truth is unshakable. And yet the doublespeak will never end… For even as you present this one simple line item to the scoundrels themselves behind their raised and protective pedestals, they will still attempt to deny what is undeniable, be it in ignorance or in deceit; usually a mix of both.

So, here it is… a tool for all people to easily use:

https://realitybloger.wordpress.com/2013/02/27/unmasking-the-cafr-scam-in-every-city-usa/

[Grizzly]

Trilateral Commission, CFR, 9/11, Oklahoma City, CAFR, Fusion Centers, FEMA Camps, Black Box Voting, Trilateral Commission and more!
http://archive.dailypaul.com/159150

[jingofever]

Unmasking The CAFR Scam In Every City, USA

I can understand why an individual would want to hide his total assets, but why would a government? When has it ever been beneficial for a politician to tell voters that they don't have enough money to pay for the services constituents enjoy and depend on and so taxes must be raised, or services cut? What politician would not love to have more money to spend? He uses Detroit as an example. Why would the government of Detroit pretend to be bankrupt? Cuts to services and tax hikes will only cause more people to leave the city, shrinking the tax base. None of this makes sense to me.

[Pele'sDaughter]

Then, perhaps, it's being driven by those who would profit in the aftermath.

[divideandconquer]

Unmasking The CAFR Scam In Every City, USA

I can understand why an individual would want to hide his total assets, but why would a government? When has it ever been beneficial for a politician to tell voters that they don't have enough money to pay for the services constituents enjoy and depend on and so taxes must be raised, or services cut? What politician would not love to have more money to spend? He uses Detroit as an example. Why would the government of Detroit pretend to be bankrupt? Cuts to services and tax hikes will only cause more people to leave the city, shrinking the tax base. None of this makes sense to me.

It's simple. By pretending to be poor, it's easier to cut wages, freeze wages, cut social programs, cut whatever they want, not to mention it's easier to collect money. If the people knew the true wealth of the government, there would be an uprising and the people would demand their fair share, which not only decreases the government's coffers, but decreases their power. By gradually increasing their ownership of everything by investment, they are consolidating their power over the people...that's the whole point. And the CAFR scam is on a global level...UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, etc.

If you are a parent and you do not want to build your child's expectations, or you wish to stop the child from begging, nagging, etc, you tell that child there is no money, you complain about all the bills you have to pay, you tell that child that he or she has no idea what it takes to run a household, etc. It's the same principle.

Sure, there are politicians, especially local ones, who want to better the circumstances of the people like that representative in the video I posted, but most go along to get along and do not cause waves. And most politicians do not bother to take the time to research CAFRs--a very tedious and frustrating task. Hell, most can't even be bothered to read through the legislation they vote on, that is, if they even show up to vote.

I firmly believe that most politicians are as ignorant of the CAFR as the people. Yeah, they might know it exists, but like the public, accept whatever explanation they're given if they question it and most probably don't even question it.

[Wombaticus Rex]

I firmly believe that most politicians are as ignorant of the CAFR as the people. Yeah, they might know it exists, but like the public, accept whatever explanation they're given if they question it and most probably don't even question it.

100% agreed on that.

It's completely un-necessary for them to know about in order to do their jobs effectively.

[IanEye]

[backtoiam]

Then, perhaps, it's being driven by those who would profit in the aftermath.

One motivation administrative officials in towns, counties, and states have is a pretty nice pension and much above average salaries. They don't really like for the common folk to realize that either. I think after just three or four consecutive years, not sure of the exact number, the mayor of a small town I am familiar with gets a lifetime pension check.

I am not exactly sure what sort of deal a lot of these judges are getting but I have never known one that didn't have a an asset profile much above what his paycheck would support. I suppose some of that CAFR money could be involved in his "bonuses" or whatever they call the money these judges are getting.

I don't know how widespread it is but I have seen town council members, members of the judicial system, and law enforcement at the higher levels in these towns able to leave their positions and receive a lifetime paycheck large enough to support their needs without having to work.

This is a luxury most of the common folk do not have and I suppose it could be a factor.

Town councils in a lot of these towns are notorious for attempting to be a little secretive about the decisions they make and attempt to thwart public knowledge of what they plan to do. There are also "discretionary" accounts, slush funds or petty cash funds at their disposal, and it is not uncommon to discover that the town council, sheriff, and other administrative officials have been creatively passing it around to each other with creative accounting. Everything from outright stealing to monthly checks being written to businesses they or their friends own for supplies and services. They get upset in a hurry if a citizen goes to a council meeting demanding to know the specifics of the money spending and I have seen them pass these peoples names to the sheriff or police for behavior modification purposes.

Is it possible for federal or other governments, through creative accounting, to leverage the "investments" side of the books and borrow money against it by listing it as an asset? If so I could see this an attractive opportunity because all these towns and counties collectively would represent some huge leverage if the gubmint could leverage about 20 or 30% of them all.

Some of these administrative people didn't like each other at all, they despise each other, but when a lowly citizen threatened to peek in the tip jars and discover where the money goes they circle the wagons and collectively pounce on little citizen man and cause him trouble in some pretty sneaky ways. Almost every town, without exception, has a small cadre of these closely and orderly connected individuals and that isn't much of a secret.

[jingofever]

It's simple. By pretending to be poor, it's easier to cut wages, freeze wages, cut social programs, cut whatever they want, not to mention it's easier to collect money.

But as I pointed out, none of that helps a politician get re-elected. You get re-elected by giving people what they want. Plus austerity causes people to leave the area or never move there, which shrinks the tax base, causing them to collect even less money. And aren't you saying they already have plenty of money? Are they raising taxes just to be jerks?

If the people knew the true wealth of the government, there would be an uprising and the people would demand their fair share, which not only decreases the government's coffers, but decreases their power.

This assumes that these governments really are using sketchy accounting. But from what I have read they are using the same accrual based accounting that is used by both governments and businesses in the United States. Businesses make exactly the same calculation of net assets taking into account long term liabilities while ignoring long term assets such as expected sales. Some of the long term assets they do consider are property and investments, the same long term assets the government counts. I do not believe RealityBlogger knows what he is talking about, but maybe you can show me otherwise.

By gradually increasing their ownership of everything by investment, they are consolidating their power over the people...that's the whole point. And the CAFR scam is on a global level...UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, etc.

They are not increasing their ownership of everything, they mostly buy government debt. "consolidating their power over the people" sounds like vague fear mongering. How does investing in treasuries consolidate their power over us?

If you are a parent and you do not want to build your child's expectations, or you wish to stop the child from begging, nagging, etc, you tell that child there is no money, you complain about all the bills you have to pay, you tell that child that he or she has no idea what it takes to run a household, etc. It's the same principle.

But then that kid will consider electing new parents and there will be no shortage of new parents who are eager to explain to him that there actually is plenty of money and they will happily buy him new toys if they get elected.