This applies to you, my real estate investing friend! And even if you're not normally interested in politics, it's urgent (to protect your own financial interests) that you take 60 seconds and read this article, because it will affect you profoundly.

"Capital gains taxes" are the taxes that you pay whenever you sell your real estate investment properties. Right now the capital gains tax rate is 15%. Obama has stated (and reaffirmed in a debate with Hillary Clinton a few days ago) that he wants to raise the rate to 28%.

Just so you understand how this will affect you: Under the current law, if you you have a property profit of $35,000, you'll pay $5,250 in tax. Under Obama's plan, you'll pay $9,800 - fully $4,550 more than at present. And here's the reason that Obama gives for raising taxes on you:

"Fairness"

Yes, that's right. It's not "fair" that you have the potential to make more money than anybody else. And he wants to PUNISH you. Don't believe me?

In his debate with Hillary Clinton a few days ago, Obama was presented with well-known evidence of two huge points:

Historically, every time the capital gains tax has been raised, the actual revenue received by the government has declined because higher capital gains taxes are a DIS-incentive for economic activity and investment
Historically, every time the capital gains tax has been cut, the actual revenue received by the government has actually INCREASED because lower capital gains taxes are a strong MOTIVATOR for investment

Obama, showing himself to be fully unfamiliar with tax policy, stated that his reason for wanting to tax you at nearly double the current rate is that it's "fair". This is when it got interesting, because the moderator then pointed out that over 100 million people in the USA own stocks (not to mention everyone who owns real estate), and each one of them would be directly (and negatively) affected by the tax increase.

So what's going on, Obama? Clearly you're not concerned about what is "fair", since your tax proposal will further burden nearly every family in this country. And you know that raising the capital gains tax doesn't even increase government revenues, so the tax rate increase certainly won't contribute to the government in any way.

This is not an endorsement of any political candidate, but an encouragement to think very critically about the candidates rather than basing your vote on rhetoric and personality alone.

By: R. Bryan Ellis
Interested in HEATED DEBATE about Obama? Check out Bryan Ellis' blog now.
Bryan Ellis is a real estate investing strategist in Atlanta, Georgia. He's sought after world wide for his unique and ground-breaking strategies of mixing real estate investing with internet marketing for high profits with low effort.

The following is from the California Legislative Analyst's Office regarding California Proposition 94 Gaming Compact Between the State and the Pechanga Tribe. Referendum.

The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians owns a casino in Riverside County with about 2,000 slot machines. The measure ratifies an amendment to the existing gaming compact that would allow the tribe to operate up to 7,500 slot machines. The tribe would make increased payments to the state annually through 2030.

This referendum is basically the same as Props 95, 96 and 97 except that each proposition deals with a different Indian Tribe. The four tribes are Pechanga, Morongo, Sycuan and Agua Caliente. Each tribe is seeking to increase it's alloted number of slot machines by offering to pay a small, yes I said small, amount of money to the State of California.

The tribes claim that allowing them to increase slot machines they will end up paying approximetly $9 billion to the State of California over the next 20 years.

$9 billion sounds like a lot of money but when you break it down it amounts to only $450 million each year or $112.5 million each year per tribe.

The California Legislative Analyst's Office says

Our best estimate is that annual state revenues over the next few years would increase by a net amount of less than $200 million.

or less than $50 million per tribe. This is far less than the Tribes claim.

The four propositions together are asking for an increase of 17,000 slot machines. The income generated from those slot machines will be huge and the amout being offered by the Tribes will most likely be small compared to what the Tribes would have to pay if they were required to pay normal state income taxes like the rest of us.

Additionaly there is no mention of costs to the state that will be incured in widening freeways to handle the increased traffic, increased crime in nearby communities, etc.

I urge everyone to vote no on this referendum. Don't fall for the Tribes' state income inflated projections. It's time we stopped giving the Tribes an almost free ride while they increase gambling in this state.

David G. Hallstrom, Sr.
Political Legal And Lifestyle Forums

I will freely admit that I did a bad, bad thing last week. Well, it wasn’t a really “bad” thing unless you were one of those that fell for it I guess. What did I do that was so bad? I set up the Paulbots. Yes, evil rotten me, I know.

When I wrote “Earmarking Our Way to Oblivion” I purposefully left out any mention of Ron Paul even though I knew he was just as dirty as all the rest. See, Mr. Paul’s own earmark fetish was certainly no real secret to anyone paying attention and with enough desire to dig a little. But the Paulbots were quick to comment about how because of the corruption that earmarks bring and how that they many times violate the Constitutional powers of Congress that this is exactly the reason why we needed Ron Paul.

Not a day goes by that supporters of Ron Paul aren’t out in droves proclaiming any conservative that does not support their candidate is an evil neo-con, trumpeting how Mr. Paul is a true “constitutionist” and is the only man qualified to be President. Well, I guess we now see how accurate their description of their own golden boy really is considering news that has really taken off in the last couple days about his own requests for earmarks.

It is no secret to those of us that are out there everyday taking fire from the Paulbots that when Ron Paul commands them to jump they not only ask how high, but also at what angle, what flavor of Kool Aid Mr. Paul would desire they bring him after they land, how many ice cubes he would like in said drink, what color he would like his house painted, how many gallons of gas he needs them to put in his car, what time he would like his wakeup call for the following morning, how he desires his eggs cooked and whether or not he wants them to polish his fine silver clockwise or counterclockwise. The answer to that last one is that Ron Paul demands they first polish it six times clockwise followed by a single counterclockwise finishing polish. Their loyalty to the illusion of their candidate as a savior of us all and as someone that actually holds the Constitution dear is admirable if not highly misguided and naive.

Now the Wall Street Journal and other sources have what Paulbots are robotically and predictably calling a “hit pieces” on their candidate. Of course I still question whether or not Ron Paul really can be considered a “candidate” when he barely cracks one percent in the polls. But that is another topic for another day. Anyway these “hit pieces” detail how Mr. Paul, supposedly a libertarian, has requested millions of taxpayer dollars for roles not delegated to the federal government by we the people. Hardly a “libertarian” stance. Hardly “hit pieces”. Simply the truth.

Oh ... well ... uh ... Ron Paul 2008! He’s still the man! Right Paulbots?

Last week the Paulbots were flooding me with comments about how we needed Ron Paul and about how I was right about the earmark problem. But this week I have particularly loved the responses by these same hacks to these new revelations and that have again flooded into my mailbox on cue since I blogged about Paul’s own earmarks on Tuesday. They say things like, “Well the money was going to be spent anyway!” and, “It’s ok because he is just serving his constituents like he is supposed to,” or boldly proclaim, “there is nothing unconstitutional about Paul’s earmarks!” or my personal favorite, “Well, yeah he requested the earmarks but he voted against them!”

That last one makes me chuckle. It’s a pathetic having your cake and eating it too argument that no true libertarian would embrace. Anyone with half a brain sees through this tactic as nothing but style over substance worthy of the staunchest liberals. Mr. Paul certainly understands that in the current corrupt Washington culture his earmark requests would pass even as he votes against them. He knows all he has to do is attach them to the spending bill in order to reap the benefits. A true libertarian would not even request them in the first place.

But rather than calling for his impeachment for violating the constitution, something I have done time and again for all politicians, regardless of party, that violate the Constitution, the Paulbots rush out to defend the man they have deemed as “the one.” Truth be damned! He really is a TRUE libertarian! Full ludicrous speed ahead!

It doesn’t matter that they were out there in mass decrying earmarks just a week before. It doesn’t matter that the Constitution is clear in Article I, Section 8 when it limits the powers of Congress to tax and spend on a concise list of things defined as the “general Welfare.” It doesn’t mater if Ron Paul has requested federal money to deal with issues found nowhere in these federal powers from funding for shrimp to building hospitals to maintaining trolleys. None of that matters because ... well ... Ron Paul is da man! Praise the Savior of our Republic! Hallelujah! And how dare I and others take his name in vain!

Blind loyalty is never attractive. And it is often deadly.

The Constitution is simple. It allows for laws and spending on the only a short list of topics which are clearly stated and any libertarian worth their salt knows of James Madison’s discussion of this in Federalist 41. The list that is there is the list. That’s it Mr. Paul. That’s it Paulbots. Nothing about shrimp. Nothing about trolleys. Nothing about most of what Paul’s earmarks are spending money on. No amount of whining about Ron Paul getting caught with his hand in the cookie jar will change the facts. No amount of hurling slurs like “neo-con” or “fascist” or “globalist” at those that exposed Mr. Paul will make a difference in the truth. Such tactics don’t work for liberals and they will not work for you.

I’m sorry I entrapped you last week. But it is something you are going to learn from as you progress on in life. Principles are only principles if you are willing to put your money where your mouth is and always watch your own glass house before you cast the first stone.

It’s so simple even a Paulbot can understand it. And I call on Ron Paul to be a true libertarian and draw up articles of impeachment against himself, convince his fellow Congressmen to approve the action and finally vote in favor of the action when the time comes to pay the piper.

But he won’t. He won’t because the fact is there are few true libertarians out here in the real world. We are a lonely bunch for sure. Even though lots of people envision themselves as such, when push comes to show they are at best nothing more than a cousin; the liberaltarian. And that is why we are in trouble.

By: J.J. Jackson
American Conservative Daily Blog.

Now America must fight terrorism with equal determination and skill as it once did against rising tyrannies. Unwittingly, America may be losing to an equally serious enemy right on her own home field. Pop culture, liberal trends and moral relativism are becoming the norm for millions each year and the trend may be out-pacing any and all previous threats to our future.

The battle against tyranny began when America began. The first dangerous journeys across the pond to the new land were part of the battle. The Boston tea party, the Revolutionary War and the forming of the constitution were the first volleys cast against tyranny.

Looking beyond some Americans thought that the will of the majority could become oppressive and thus produced the Bill of Rights to guard against the “tyranny of the “majority.”

Still afraid that some popular president might through consolidation of power shatter the separation of powers and dissolve the need to vote, America produced the 22nd amendment. After President Roosevelt was elected for the fourth time and died in office, the country made the changes on March 31, 1947 to limit presidents to only two consecutive four year terms. Americans don’t even want a “benevolent dictator.”

If report cards or progress reports could be issued to the powers that be in America it would seem the founders and those who rose shortly after them were and may always be at the top of the class in any generation past or yet to come.

Battles against Nazism, socialism, communism, the stock market crash, the dust bowl and some controversial wars kept us busy for decades and then the unforeseen emergence of terrorism sprang up at our back door and knocked us off balance for a brief moment.

It is too soon and nearly impossible to say all that has been done to attack and defeat terrorism in one article. It will also be impossible to make any reasonable assessment for years to come because this looks like a long run for America by anyone’s estimation. Al Queda, the Taliban and similar terrorist groups have been seriously curtailed and dealt a number of counter blows. This battle is just getting underway and results to date are looking good.

A third great battle has already begun. The warnings of seers, statesmen, prophets, preachers, sages, scholars, and reasonable men of every background and calling are in agreement that it is pulling the nation down to its knees. More people are turning a deaf ear and their numbers are growing exponentially day by day. In fact, they are empowered by their growing numbers. A perfect example of this trend was seen recently on the O’Reilly Factor.

Bill O’Reilly was questioning Presidential candidate Chris Dodd (D) from Connecticut about his affiliation with the infamous far left blog “Daily Kos.” On the August 2, 2007 broadcast of the Factor, O’Reilly said the pictures of President Bush posted on the Kos were tasteless and “vile.”

When asked how Dodd could associate or accept the pictures without protest, his reply sounded like something teenagers would blurt out to their parents to justify some reprehensible behavior they were found taking part in. In a sort of “but everybody’s doing it” kind of reply Dodd said no less than four times that 500,000 people were logging on to the Kos everyday.

Dodd seemed bolstered if not totally enamored by the shear numbers of blog respondents that visited the Kos, but that didn’t keep O’Reilly from saying what millions of Americans were thinking, it is still “vile.”

The only remaining defense Dodd raised was that he thought O’Reilly was being dishonest. He said that what Bill really didn’t like was the sites ideology. It is hard to believe that Presidential hopeful Christopher Dodd thought that was something Bill or anyone else should be ashamed about.

The foul language, vitriol and bellicose ranting of the Kos are only veneer to the whacked out liberal rantings that can be found on that site. If Sen. Dodd’s accusation that O’Reilly’s real motive is that he doesn’t like the Vos ideology it would seem that we should wait until resurrection day and make sure that we search out the top Nazi’s and Leninists and make an apology for disliking their ideologies.

Hiding in a screaming mob of frenzied lynch men is hardly an excuse for bad taste, bad politics and reckless statesmanship. If the whole country should click on the Kos tonight it would do little to alleviate the vileness of the obviously altered photo.

When liberalism’s bloggers dip to the level of using altered photos to make a point, what has happened is their “argument has committed suicide.” This is a phrase I am borrowing from an outstanding writer, Mr. Gregory Kouki. But from any source this truth is obvious.

It is not the philosopher, the theologian or the moralist that holds us responsible for the sliding away of morality in this nation. The definition of moral relativism needs only to stand by itself to accuse or warn.

Moral relativism is the inability to see any moral absolutes outside of cultural parameters or the personal preferences of an individual. If it seems right to you, then it is right. It is all a matter of arbitrary personal subjectivity and need not answer to anyone other than the individual or cultural group. If enough people say it is OK, then it is redeemed by the crowd.

Moral relativism spawns an entire family in short notice. Far left liberalism, situation ethics, neo-morality and a million lesser known but equally prurient cancers have collegiality with moral relativism.

The one thing they all have in common is they must give God his walking papers and anything that resembles morality must follow suit. Leveling the ground to the lowest common denominator, moral relativism must not only get God out but it must insist that no one is right. Each person’s views are as valuable as another’s and if no one is wrong, then who dares to be right, including God.

No society has ever succeeded with this and all nations that tried it met their end in confusion and decay. To the moral relativist even history has little bearing. Although in their heightened state of intellectual self indulgence few of them would sink to using hackneyed and seemingly childish retorts, but for them it is the only shoe that fits. They are all indirectly saying the same thing, “don’t confuse me with the facts” from history or any other source.

New kids on moral relativism’s block are political correctness and the much touted quest for “tolerance.” Once again PC and tolerance require a level playing field to work. The best way not to have to answer to what is right is to insist that no one is wrong. In its extreme what always results is that with time the crowd that insists there is a right and a wrong must be silenced, ridiculed, argued against and eventually eliminated.

The American brand of moral relativism has a clandestine nature because it can sneak in under the guise of constitutional freedoms. It betrays its own nature by using the feigned motive of liberty to gain its foothold but it always ends in the destruction and demise of both individuals and whole nations.

This writer has always been amazed that Satan who the Bible refers to as the ruler of the “cosmos” or the “world system of evil” is not just a deceiver but he is the “arch deceiver.” Unknown to all but the most faithful and well versed in the Bible is the fact that Satan doesn’t really care how evil anyone becomes. He does care how “blind” they are. Not seeing any truth is good enough. He has won if he has successfully “pulled the wool” over their eyes.

His top deception is now and will always be singular. If he causes men to think that they are the captains of their own souls and personal destinies, he has won. Removal of accountability is his chief goal, other than that he doesn’t give a hoot what you believe. Pick any religion, culture, philosophy or cruise along in your own self satisfaction. Moral relativism is part of the “Broad Way” Christ spoke about in Matthew 7:13 AMP. “…for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it.”

America’s battle against moral relativism is far more important than any we have ever fought. Knowing it is impossible for scoffers and unbelievers to see the connection between a nation’s moral behavior and its own demise changes nothing. Unrecognized truth is not truth halted. The immutable laws of reciprocation and the very warning of Gods word are impossible to escape. Following comfortably behind moral relativisms’ crowd still comes under “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Pr. 16:25

By: Michael Bresciani
Rev Bresciani is the author of two Christian books one that is entirely on the second coming of Christ. He is a contributing columnist for several online news and commentary sites. His articles are read throughout the world. Please enjoy a visit to http://www.americanprophet.org.

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Some economic news came out of Washington this week which should give every Democratic candidate for President reason to pause.

What this news bulletin shows is that Dems can no longer repeat the tired Clinton Era mantra, "It's the economy, stupid."

The Commerce Department is reporting that the gross domestic product—the gold standard of economic barometers—grew at a respectable rate of 3.4 percent in the 2nd quarter of the year. Even the mainstream news media admit that this is a figure that President Bush can be proud of.

The Associated Press reported that the GDP was helped in part by the fact that businesses—the real engine that drives our economy—were able to sell a greater number of goods overseas. And, even though we've been hearing constant news flashes about the housing slump, housing troubles did not have the adverse effect on the economy that they have had in previous quarters.

On the heels of this economic breakthrough, President Bush stated, "I want the American people to take a good look at this economy of ours. It's an economy that is large, flexible and resilient."

Of course, the naysayers still aren't satisfied. Senator Charles Schumer, a Democrat from New York, was quoted as saying that the economic rebound was "a temporary oasis." I suppose one can consider life itself a temporary oasis from death, but, really, would it kill the Democrats to admit that the President might have done something right, as far as the economy is concerned?

Meanwhile, while noting that Wall Street investors need to exercise caution, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson insisted the economy's fundamentals are solid.

Paulson was quoted as saying, "Lenders need to be very aware of the risks. Borrowers need to be aware of risks. I would submit people are more aware of those risks and the need for discipline today than maybe they were a month or two ago. So again let's keep our eye on the very strong underlying economy, which puts us in a position of strength."

Analysts are reporting that businesses appear to be regaining their confidence, boosting inventories, and expanding exports. Of course, one could argue that business executives continue to be stymied by a tax structure that discourages economic growth rather than encourages it; nevertheless, our national economy seems to be moving in a positive direction.

It should also be noted that our nation's immigration woes threaten to wreak havoc with our economy. You can't have a flood of illegals pouring into our country and not expect it to have an adverse effect on the standard of living of those who already call America home. While we are a nation of immigrants, the rule of law should reign supreme in order to prevent us from becoming overburdened.

All of which leads to an intriguing scenario: If Republicans are able to hold onto the White House in '08, observers may credit the GOP candidate's stand on terror, homeland security, and immigration. Or, they may just remark, "It's the economy, stupid."

By: Nathan Tabor
http://www.theconservativevoice.com
Nathan Tabor is the Founder and CEO of TCVmedia.com and TheConservativeVoice.com. After just eighteen months, TheConservativeVoice.com gets over 250,000 unique visitors a month, 1.7 million page views and has over 150,000 email subscribers. The Conservative Voice has over 100 columnists and features up-to-the-minute news. He is heard daily on over 250 stations nationally with AConservativeMoment.com.

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