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Posts tagged budget
More than $400,000 in TN taxpayer money wasted so far in November
0Source: http://tennessee.watchdog.org
By CHRISTOPHER BUTLER
More than $400,000 in taxpayer money wasted so far in November
Officials throughout Tennessee have wasted or misused more than $400,000 of taxpayer money, according to newly released reports that the State Comptroller’s Office released during the first half of November.
One county executive’s bookkeeper, for instance, withdrew taxpayer money and tried to cover up her actions. In another instance, two employees of another county stole scrap metal and other taxpayer-subsidized equipment.
In other instances, officials in various counties neglected to place competitive bids on purchases exceeding $10,000.
HAWKINS COUNTY
- The county mayor submitted two fraud-reporting forms to the state Comptroller’s Office in August related to four thefts that occurred at the Highway 113 convenience center this past summer. These thefts were reported to the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Department, and incident reports were completed. Approximately $600 worth of scrap metal, including chairs, lawn and garden equipment, and batteries, plus a surveillance camera were removed from the convenience center. In one instance, an employee resigned and was not charged. In the other three instances, a former employee was charged with three counts of burglary and one count of theft under $500. The former employee pled guilty to the burglary and theft charges in September and was ordered to pay $60 in restitution.
- The School Maintenance Department purchased three used vehicles for $9,999 each without obtaining formal bids. Three separate purchase orders were issued for these vehicles in August 2011, and three separate checks were written for payments in September 2011, to the same dealership, apparently in an attempt to circumvent the county’s purchasing requirements. It should be noted that based on a review of subsequent minutes, the Board of Education approved the purchase of two additional vehicles in July 2012 and August 2012 from the same dealership for $9,998 and $9,990.
- In March the school nutrition director informed auditors of suspected irregularities by the cafeteria manager. Several parents had expressed concerns about their child’s meal patterns because, in some instances, student accounts reflected no activity. Parents can subscribe to an online payment and monitoring program that allows parents to electronically deposit funds into their child’s account and to monitor their child’s eating and spending practices. The cafeteria manager admitted later that month to taking cafeteria funds and was placed on leave without pay status pending an investigation. The cafeteria manager’s employment was terminated in June. The cafeteria manager pled guilty in October to theft under $500, received one year of probation, and was fined $100.
Ron Paul: US Is Collapsing
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Ron Paul explains why he does not have anything positive to say about the US economy and future for Americans.
Prof. Murray Sabrin Addresses the State of the Union
07 months ago
Source: http://rtr.org
http://NextNewsNetwork.com | Next News Network’s WHDT World News Program airs daily at 6pm and 11pm Eastern on Comcast, DirecTV and Over-the-Air and Online at http://usmediavault.com/WHDT.html
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More about WHDT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WHDT… more
Ron Paul on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal
17 months ago
Source: http://www.dailypaul.com
Submitted by Katniss Everdeen
Here is the video from C-SPAN: http://www.c-spanvideo.or…
7:45am Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), Foreign Affairs Committee Member @RepRonPaul
Topic: Congressman Paul will discuss fiscal cliff negotiations in Congress as well as the latest developments in Libya. Rep. Paul is a member of the foreign affairs committee, which will hold a hearing on Benghazi Thursday, “Benghazi and Beyond: What Went Wrong on September 11, 2012 and How to Prevent it from Happening at other Frontline Posts.”
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Related Post: Congressman Ron Paul’s Farewell Speech to Congress (Video & Transcript)
Germany Parliament denied access to Germany’s gold to confirm it is there.
17 months ago
Source: http://sherriequestioningall.blogspot.com
By Sherrie
Just two days ago Zerohedge had an article about the German court demanding, Germany’s gold be viewed and accounted for.
Portions from above:
Germany has the second largest gold reserves in the world, nearly 3400 tons. Supposedly, anyway. Because stocks have never been checked for authenticity and weight. Now, the Federal Court has asked the Bundesbank to examine the gold reserves abroad regularly.
The German central bank gold is safely stored in vaults in Frankfurt, New York, Paris and London. Checked really but apparently no one. The Federal Court has the Bundesbank now anyway required regular inspection and inventory of the vast gold reserves abroad. The auditors explain this in a report on Monday has become known to the budget committee of the Bundestag with the “high value of gold holdings.”
The samples stored at other German banks stocks were also never by the Bundesbank itself or by other independent auditors “added physically and for authenticity and weight” checked. Actually talk on the subject numerous theories – so should the U.S. gold reserves at Fort Knox have long been looted.
With the implementation of this recommendation, the Bundesbank has begun according to the report. They also decided to bring in the next three years to 50 tons each of the past at the Fed in New York gold to Germany to get it here to undergo a thorough examination.
Bundesbank had been slammed for not auditing nor ever confirming Germany’s gold is where it is suppose to be.
Well it seems the German Parliament has been denied that right by the Central bank, Bundesbank. Bundesbank has denied the Parliament access to view the gold due to “lack of visiting rooms.”
German Federal auditors handed in a report slamming the Bundesbank for not inspecting their foreign held gold reserves to verify their book value. The report says the gold bars “have never been physically checked by the Bundesbank itself or other independent auditors regarding their authenticity or weight.” Instead, it relies on “written confirmations by the storage sites.” The lion’s share of Germany’s gold reserves (nearly 3,400 tons estimated at $190 billion) are housed in vaults of the US Federal Reserve, the Bank of England and the Bank of France since the post-war days, when they were worried about a Cold War Soviet invasion. The Bundesbank stated, “There is no doubt about the integrity of the foreign storage sites in this regard”. In contrast with best industry practices Germany’s gold reserves do not seem to be independently verified by a third party. Philipp Missfelder, a politician from Merkel’s own party, has asked the Bundesbank for the right to view the gold bars in Paris and London, but the central bank has denied the request, citing the lack of visitor rooms in those facilities, German’s daily Bild reported. The Bundesbank won’t let German parliament members inspect the German gold vaulted abroad because the central bank vaulting facilities supposedly lack “visiting rooms.“ And yet one of those vaults, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, offers the public tours that include “an exclusive visit to the gold vault”.
So, the game goes on. A country is not even being allowed access to their gold,will the gold actually be audited by Bundesbank or will they ignore the court order? Will they test it for tungsten?
Clashes erupt as Madrid cops squelch austerity protest (PHOTOS, VIDEO)
08 months ago
Source: http://rt.com
Riot police take positions during clashes with protestors at the end of a demonstration against the government’s austerity measures at Neptuno Square in Madrid, September 29, 2012 (Reuters / Sergio Perez)Sporadic clashes have broken out in central Madrid, with twelve people reportedly injured after riot police moved in to clear the Plaza de Neptune, threatening to arrest those who would not leave.
The demo turned violent when police encircled about 300 protesters who refused to leave the square. The demonstrators chanted slogans, while some threw projectiles at police vehicles.
Twelve people have reportedly been injured as Madrid’s police split up the crowd, giving protesters the choice to either leave or face arrest. Two people have been arrested, El Pais reported.
A group of roughly 100 protesters tried to organize a sit-it, but left without incident, with police not trying to detain any of them.
The organizers of the protest have reportedly agreed to hold a meeting on Sunday to decide on the future actions of the movement.
Thousands of protesters face off police forces outside the Congress of Deputies on September 29, 2012 in Madrid, to denounce the conservative government’s deep budget cuts as the government submitted an austerity budget and said the public debt and deficit are set to rise far above earlier forecasts (AFP Photo / Dani Pozo)
In Spain, demonstrators spoke out against government spending cuts, tax hikes, and the nation’s alarmingly high unemployment rate.
The protest was centered near the Spanish Parliament building in the city’s downtown district.
Eager to make known their disapproval of the current administration, the crowd let off loud whistles near Parliament and yelled, “Fire them, fire them!”, referring to Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s government.
(more…)
India steps up space program with big budget, bigger satellites and a leap to Mars
08 months ago
in Global News, Science
Source: http://rt.com
An Indian Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle carrying the communication satellite GSAT- 5P (Reuters / Babu)
India is stepping up its space program with a higher budget, the launch of a new satellite and a proposed mission to Mars. The country’s space agency will attempt ten space missions by November 2013, bringing its total budget to $1.3 billion.
The 3,400-kilogram GSAT-10 communication satellite – the heaviest ever built by India – launched early Saturday aboard an Ariane-5 rocket, the Alaska Dispatch reported. The satellite aims to be fully operational by November, and has a 15 year lifespan.
The GSAT-10 will boost telecommunications, direct-to-home and radio navigation services by adding 30 much-needed transponders to the country’s current capacity. India is currently leasing foreign transponders to meet domestic demand.
The satellite launch was delayed by a week after scientists from Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) detected a small malfunction, discovering one gram of dust in the upper part of the rocket.
Social Security Ponzi Scheme : Ripping Off The Next Generations
010 months ago
Source: http://geraldcelentechannel.blogspot.com
Social Security is debt slavery for the young. Plain and simple , just one of the many failings of government, who simply is incapable of doing business and can only steal and borrow money in order to spend it.The reward for working hard is to have half your income taken through force and a significant portion of this money is given to those that will not work! If that ain’t killing entrepreneurial spirit then what it is . The funny thing is, you can invest your money in the same place as social security and get more back privately. In fact if you could opt out and invest it in the same place not only could you receive the money for the rest of your life, but your inheritors would actually get the remainder when you die (not just have it go back to the general fund). The stupidest group on the planet are the ones who think that government was meant to provide for everything, and is the answer to everything.In a Ponzi scheme pays off the first few investors. social security does not even do that.A Ponzi scheme is voluntary but Social Security is violent
Tona Monroe’s 5 Point Promise and Proof that I Mean Business!
5East Tennessee, Blount County, listen up! I can not forecast the outcome of this State Representative election but I can forecast for whom I will be voting for in tomorrows election! If you do not know of this person it is contributing to your loss of freedom. If you have not heard of her before it is because she is supported by folks like us, by We The People, not corporate interests and lobby funding.
If you have any concern regarding personal freedom, taxes, government accountability, limited government, honesty in voting and a strict adherence to both federal and state constitutions, the choice should already be made! Tomorrow is the day people. Tired of the right / left game and being lied to while having your purchasing power dissipated week by week, all the time hearing great promises while seeing nothing in promises kept or any positive actions? We have hope, we have Tona Monroe! Hope to see you voting with me for Tona Monroe on August 2nd at your local voting location.
Now for a word from a friend, fellow patriot and candidate for Tennessee State Representative, Tona Monroe.
Principles not Politics!
Tona Monroe
My 5 Point Promise and Proof that I Mean Business!
I will not vote to increase your taxes. Period!
Proof: I have signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge and have actively opposed numerous tax increases. I opposed a wheel tax when there was talk of implementing one. I stood strong against increased spending and a property tax increase.
I will oppose and expose all wasteful spending.
Proof: For years, I’ve challenged the status quo by carefully examining budgets and exposing waste. A Senator gave me his copy of the 721 page State budget because he knew I’d read it and find the waste. I will vote against any budget that is not balanced.
I will keep you informed about your State government.
Proof: I kicked off my campaign off with a free Constitution class. Currently, I maintain a blog on government and write for a local newsletter. These efforts will continue and grow. Serving as your State Representative, I will provide weekly legislative updates when the General Assembly is in session.
I will not compromise on the principles of responsible, limited government.
Proof: My campaign website has a list of principles that I believe in and will carry to Nashville as your State Representative. As an activist, I have worked for years to implement responsible, limited government principles that protect your God-given unalienable rights.
I will read the bills.
Proof: On my blog, you can see that I do extensive reading on proposed legislation. It was egregious when members of the Blount County PBA signed documents that they had never read and didn’t even have a copy of. It’s absurd that legislators would even consider supporting something they’ve never read. I will not support bills written behind closed doors that come out minutes before the vote is taken.
I ask for your vote and support on August 2nd. Together we can replace politics with the principles of freedom.
Let freedom ring!
This is a work in progess, a self learning tool and fun little project. Please excuse the slow development as it seems the needed proper time is always lacking. It is my hope that the combination of content and links to other sources of information in this simple blog may help awaken a few of the sleeping masses and encourage and inspire others to initiate their own research, ultimately for each person to be a light to help awaken others. Opinions expressed belong to me, myself and I. Also, a big thank you to all that take the time to visit, it is appreciated :)
