Get Ready for the New Great Depression. Leading Economists Say: "We are in the midst of a Depression with No End in Sight."

My readers know I am an optimist. I see a glass of water as half full, not half empty. My entire life, I have always believed that if you worked hard enough and always did your best you would succeed.

However, times are different now. I am sharing with my viewers my concern for our economy. Though I have shared my concern before, this time, I am listening to my own favorite economists and others who are saying the U.S. and the Global Economy is in free-fall with no end in sight. The stimulus package, though needed, is but a band-aid and will not stop this free-fall. Now more banks are failing and there is talk of Bank Nationalization.

. Robert Reich: "The truth is, no one has any idea how long this crisis will last or exactly how to reverse it. Anyone who says differently cannot be trusted..Financial stocks are in free fall because no one trusts financials any longer. A sell-off in bank, housing, insurance and other financial stocks has accelerated."

. George Soros: "the world financial system has effectively disintegrated.. there is yet no prospect of a near-term resolution to the crisis."

. Paul Volcker: "I don't remember any time, maybe even in the Great Depression, when things went down quite so fast, quite so uniformly around the world."

. Lindsey Graham: "I'm very much afraid that any program to salvage the banks is going to require the government. I would not take off the idea of the nationalizing the banks."

It is clear, historians will look back and say we are in the midst of the 2008 -2010 Great Depression.

I ask all viewers and all Americans to start considering their options for the future. I don't want you to be fooled by some in government or in the media that are saying there may be hope to get out of this current mess this year or next. We all have to understand we are in the midst of a Depression.

Most of us still have some time. We need to start developing a plan in case you lose your job and your family has no income. Consider the fact you probably cannot sell your house. Even so, you can still make these plans and not negatively impact the economy.

Here are some simple suggestions:

1. Write down every penny you spend. That is, write down all your purchases, starting today. Do this for a month.

2. Once you have your list, make a monthly calendar. This will be your monthly plan. You can plan your shopping and your menus well in advance.

3. Figure out what you can buy in bulk once a month, things like Toilet Paper, canned/boxed goods.

4. Start clipping coupons. Also, if you shop at Wal-mart, they will match any low prices from any competitor. Just take their flyers with you when you go to the store.

5. This is the start of a monthly budget. Do some analysis. Decide what you need, what you don't need.

6. You will start saving money once you do this. So start saving as much as you can. Save enough money so that you can survive for 3 months if you lost your job.

7. If you do lose your job, you will probably qualify for unemployment. So on top of your 3 months savings, the unemployment will help you too.

8. Take any job. Don't think any job is beneath you. Remember, Wal-mart and McDonalds are always hiring. Think of the jobs your grandparents worked just to survive and bring you along.

9. If needed, bring extended family members who need help into your home and share costs until the crisis is over.

Don't wait for the last minute. Start writing down all you spend today. This is the easiest, yet most crucial step.

Finally, I think all of us personally remember the last 8 years and how we got here, so I will close with: "Thank you George Bush for eight miserable years of Economic Gloom and Doom and for getting us into this mess!"

References:

Soros sees no bottom for world financial "collapse"

Hope and Trust, and the Mini Depression

Washington, Wall Street Buzzing About Prospect of Bank Nationalization

Hate Groups Organizing to Defeat the Federal Hate Crimes Bill!

The FBI and the SPLC have reported a significant increase in HATE Crimes in 2008/2007 vs previous years. Among the highest include Hate Crimes against Latinos, Gays and Blacks. For that reason, Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee sponsored HR 256, a Federal Bill to enhance Federal Enforcement of Hate Crimes.

Several Racist Hate Groups are organizing to defeat this proposed legislation. The ANTI forces are fully aware that our President Obama supports these bills. They are fully aware former President Bush opposed them and, even when passed, vetoed previous bills.

These Hate Groups are rallying, in force, and are asking all of their members to deluge Congress with phone calls, emails and faxes to stop this bill from passing. The ANTI forces are extremely skilled in this exercise. They have been using their core of retirees and on-line hate mongers to support their activities over the last several years.

We Humanitarian Americans KNOW and UNDERSTAND their activities. Unfortunately, many in Congress do not. Many in Congress believe this small group of trained zealots are massive in numbers and could effect their bids for re-election.

How do we educate ALL Americans of what is happening? How do we educate Congress of the ANTI tactics? One way is to publish the ANTI forces' rantings and allow allow all Americans to know of their activities.

Here are some of their rantings on their websites:

1. johnelis from alipac: Does anyone know of anyone doing effective activism to defeat the Federal Hate Crimes Bill? The bill is in the House Judiciary Committee, getting ready to be pushed through Congress, Obama says he will sign similar bills that Pres. Bush vetoed. ..The Fed Hate crime bill is the same as the laws in the EU/Canada that make it a Federal crime to say anything negative about a PC, protected group and that includes Muslim immigrants of all kinds, illegal aliens, homosexual extremists etc.

2. Reverend Ted Pike: Hate crimes laws may make you a lawbreaker! Such laws, while claiming to promote tolerance, actually lead to the end of free speech! Powerful articles and NPN's new video expose of hate crimes laws in Canada and the United States provide you with the vital tools necessary to combat this imminent threat to freedom. This video is especially important as acts of terrorism extend the power of "Big Brother" to monitor what you do, say, and think. SAVE YOUR FREEDOM NOWLatest Information on Hate Crimes Bill Fight.

3. Stop the Hate Bills:To stop these hate bills, we must repeat the sensationally effective and simple strategy that helped defeat the hate bill two years ago: 1. Phone or email the House and Senate members from your state. Call toll-free 1-877xxx 2. Take 10 minutes each morning or on your lunch break to also call or email the 40 members of the House Judiciary Committee.

Let's alert Congress and ALL Americans of their antics!

New PEW Report Provides SHOCKING Link between Racial Profiling Against Latinos and Latino Federal Prison Sentences!

According to a new study by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center, Latinos accounted for 40% of all people sentenced to federal crimes in 2007, even though they made up only 13% of the U.S. adult population. This is clearly a result of all of the Racial Profiling brought about by the 287(g) policies and the restrictionist policies promoted by the ANTI Immigration Reform forces.

The study, which relied on data from U.S. Sentencing Commission statistics, analyzed the ethnic makeup and citizenship status of offenders sentenced in federal courts in the U.S. from 1991 to 2007.

In 2007, nearly half of all Latino offenders were sentenced for an immigration offense. The heightened focus on immigration enforcement changed the citizenship profile of federal offenders. Among sentenced immigration offenders, most were convicted of the civil violation of unlawfully entering or remaining in the U.S. Fully 75% of Latino offenders sentenced for immigration in 2007 were convicted of merely entering the U.S. unlawfully or residing in the country without authorization.
Some groups of offenders were more likely than others to receive a sentence. Fully 96% of immigration offenders received a prison sentence in 2007, compared with 95% of drug offenders, 94% of firearms offenders and 94% of violent offenders. In 2007, 96% of Latino offenders, and 98% of non-U.S. citizen Latino offenders, were sentenced to prison. In contrast, 89% of black offenders and 82% of white offenders received a prison sentence. Hispanics are much more likely than whites or blacks to be sentenced for an immigration or drug offense (due to Racial Profiling)—two of the crimes most likely to be punished with a prison sentence. In 2007, 85% of Hispanics were sentenced for either a drug or immigration offense. This was 40 percentage points greater than any other racial or ethnic group: 46% of black offenders and 37% of white offenders were sentenced for drug or immigration offenses.

As I previously reported, a new report from the Migration Policy Institute details the FAILURE of the National Fugitive Operations Program (NFOP), led by ICE, to remove fugitive aliens. Even though the NFOP budget has soared from $9M to $218M since 2003, the results have been a reduction of convictions of criminal aliens from 39% to a mere 9%. As I have been reporting for some time, ICE has taken the EASY WAY OUT. They boosted the rate of ICE Raids to meet their NFOP targets. The findings of the MPI report details that ICE has resorted to targetting non-criminals, including seamstresses, meat-packers and technical workers, just to meet their arrest quotas.

What is most alarming is the impact of Racial Profiling on the Latino Community.

MESSAGE TO JANET NAPOLITANO -- Stop the Racial Profiling! Stop the 287(g) programs. Consider the Costs of these unneccessary, lengthy incarcerations. Consider the FAILURE of the NFOP programs. Consider the abuses in the privately owned (RNC Crony Owned), vermin infested, non-humanitarian Detention Centers. Now is the time for Comprehnsive Immigration Reform!

References:

Pew Hispanic Center Report: Hispanics and Federal Crime

Collateral Damage: ICE's Failure to Focus on Felonious Criminals!

MPI Report: An examination of ICE's Fugitive Operations Program

Rupert Murdoch's NY Post Publishes Racist Cartoon Against Obama!

Representatives of the Republican Party, still reeling from their November losses, are at it again. First, Limbaugh, one of their party leaders and chief spokesperson, said he wanted Obama and our country to Fail. Then Chip Saltsman, candidate for RNC Chair, sent out a "Barack the Magic Negro" CD to his fellow RNC members. Now, Rupert Murdoch, owner of Fox News and a large RNC contributor, has his NY Post newspaper publish an extremely racist cartoon against Obama's Stimulus package.
Here is what some have said about the cartoon: Barbara Ciara, president of the National Association of Black Journalists said: "To compare the nation's first African-American commander in chief to a dead chimpanzee is nothing short of racist drivel."
The Rev. Al Sharpton called the cartoon "troubling at best given the historic racist attacks of African-Americans as being synonymous with monkeys." Sharpton planned to picket the Post on Thursday along with others.
Judge the cartoon for yourselves. Clearly Racist!! It appears the RNC is not only desperate, they are resorting to mean racism to rally their troops. Shame on them!!
References:
NY Post cartoon seems to link Obama to dead chimp
blog: New York Post’s Offensive Cartoon

Hate Crime Murder Victim's Mother Feels Sadness for Mothers of the Accused!

Last November, Marcelo Lucero was murdered by the "Caucasian Crew," a group of frenzied teenagers in search of a Mexican to beat up in Patchogue, NY.

Today, Marcelo's mother Rosario Lucero sat in the courtroom as two of the young Caucasian Crew faced justice. With her surviving son Joselo and daughter Isabel, Rosario Lucero sat three rows behind defendants Nicholas Hausch and Jordan Dasch, who were both sitting with their parents. Hausch's mother was holding her son's arm. The atmosphere was somber and quiet and there were no exchanges between the families.

When asked how she felt about the court proceedings, Mrs. Lucero responded, "I feel sadness for the mothers of those kids, because they're going through a lot of pain, however we are all human beings and we don't have a right to take a life."

The judge adjourned the case until April 1, 2009.

References:

Marcelo Lucero's mom faces two hate crime suspects

Janet Napolitano Supports PRO Immigration Reform Recommendations!

Janet Napolitano speaks, for the first time, on her plans for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

In a nutshell, Napolitano says:

1. Secure Southern Border but No 2000 mile Fence: Instead Technology. "Some fencing in some places may make sense, but only if it's part of an overall system."

2. Pathway to Citizenship via facilitating the applications for citizenship of those who are entitled to become citizens.

3. No Mass Deportation, No ICE Raids: We will not focus on raids. Mass Deportation is up to Congress. "But right now we're focusing on human traffickers ." We are after Felonious Criminals!

4. Employer Sanctions: Interior enforcement against those who intentionally are going into the illegal labor market and creating a demand for illegal laborers. "I met with the Attorney General for the United States, Eric Holder, to talk about how we unite the forces of the U.S. Attorney's offices across the country with our offices to make sure that those who are actually benefiting financially in large scale from this pay a criminal sanction."

Napolitano's Bottom Line:

"We want enforcement of our nation's immigration laws; we want at the right time to take up the whole issue of immigration; and we want to do what we can administratively to help those who are entitled now to become citizens under our law to get through that process."

References:

Napolitano Outlines Immigration Priorities

Humanitarian Group "Border Angels" Pray for Peace and Healing in Shenandoah, site of Hate Crime Murder of Luis Ramirez

The Humanitarian Group "The Border Angels" and their famed Humanitarian Founder, Enrique Morones, visited the town of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania on Valentine's Day to honor the memory of Luis Ramirez. Ramirez was the victim of the "Kick in the Head" Hate Crime Murder last August.

The Border Angels and local residents came together to pray for Peace and an end to all Hate Crimes in their Community and across the U.S.

Tom O’Neill, son of Thomas F. O’Neill, who was the mayor of Shenandoah at the time the beating occurred, attended the vigil and spoke to the crowd.“This was tragic for the entire town. The whole town right now needs to heal. If they want change, they’ll have to bring it about on their own,” he said.

Change is exactly what Hazleton resident Dr. Agapito Lopez was looking for Saturday. Lopez came to the Shenandoah vigil in solidarity with the Border Angels mission and with Ramirez’s family.“This was an example of a Mexican immigrant murdered by teens that belonged to the football team. More and more Latinos are becoming victims of hate crimes,” Lopez said. “We’re doing this on Valentine’s Day because we need to stop the hate.”

Standing just feet from where Ramirez was beaten, two Philadelphia immigration activists said the sadness was palpable.“I can’t even begin to describe how sad it makes me to think this happened here,” said Simone Bennett, a Border Angels supporter. “This kind of awareness-raising needs to happen more in our communities.”

Border Angels’ founder Enrique Morones stood in front of a group of sign-toting supporters from states including California, Virginia, Illinois and Pennsylvania to speak about the Ramirez incident and the state of immigration law in the U.S.
“We want humane and comprehensive immigration reform,” Morones, who wore a T-shirt bearing the phrase, “Who would Jesus deport?” told a small crowd Saturday. “It’s time for President Obama to come through with his campaign promises. We need to stop the raids, the walls, and we need immigration reform.” Morones explained the Border Angels are in the midst of a 27-state tour to spark a change in immigration laws. Their visit in Shenandoah precedes similar vigils in New York, New Jersey and Washington, D.C.

“What happened here represents the worst of the American spirit,” Morones said. “We want to show love for Luis Ramirez, for his family, and even for the people who killed him. They are human beings — misguided human beings — but human beings as well.”

The Border Angels started their cross country March on Wednesday, February 2, 2009 at Friendship Park in San Diego. March organizers head to Washington, D.C., Feb. 17-19 to begin lobbying for immigration reform. They will meet with former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, who is now the secretary of Homeland Security.

References:

Immigration reform group gathers near Shenandoah beating site

Immigrant march stops in Yuma