December 30, 2012

Belgium To Prosecute Scientology As Criminal Organization; Church Faces Charges Of Extortion, Fraud

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/28/belgium-prosecutes-scientology-extortion-fraud_n_2375823.html


Federal public prosecutors in Belgium will institute legal proceedings against the church of Scientology in that country and seek to recognize it as a criminal organization.

The church of Scientology -- which is not recognized as a faith in Belgium -- and several of its top-ranking members face charges including extortion, fraud, illegal practice of medicine and violation of privacy laws, according to Flanders News.

The complaint stems from an investigation of fraudulent labor contracts issued by the church of Scientology in an effort to recruit new volunteers and members. A judge ordered raids on Scientology offices in 2008 that allegedly uncovered a "wealth of evidence" that the organization had spied on and extorted money from its members, according to De Standaard.

An estimated 500 people belong to the church of Scientology in Belgium. The organization's European headquarters are located in Brussels....

December 30, 2012

How do you want to die?

On the balcony of the Senate, voice raised to the shame.

December 9, 2012

No, the capital gains tax is not “taxing the same income twice"

Whenever the subject of increasing the capital gains tax from its current 15% rate comes up, you’ll invariably hear opponents breathlessly crying, “but that’s taxing the same income twice! Capital gains is double dipping!”

It’s a great line, and has proven powerful in debates. The only problem is, it’s 100% bullshit.

The capital gains tax is NOT a tax on income already taxed, it’s a tax on the ADDITIONAL income you earn by investing that income. For example:
■You earn $100,000. Yay!
■You are taxed 35% on it. Boo!
■You invest the remaining $65,000, you do well, and you double it! Yay!
■You now have $130,000 in the bank. You are taxed 15% for the capital gains, i.e., the $65,000 you made. You pay $9,750.

More...


http://hlinkoreport.com/2012/12/09/no-the-capital-gains-tax-is-not-taxing-the-same-income-twice/