Government

As Millions Of People Go To The Internet For Commerce And Entertainment, Tax Enforcers Go After Them

The seismic shift of ‘Retail’ consumers going from ‘Pedestrian Shopping’ to ‘Internet Shopping’, steadily increases around the world. This fundamental change in buyers’ techniques is brought about for both convenience and now, due to necessity. The Coronavirus [CV-19] Pandemic, tragic as it is as an Influenza, which can kill, has produced a ‘Commercial Side’. This includes: Increases in retail sales of ‘Pathogen Preventers’ [Sprays, Wipes, et al], Toilet Paper, Vaccine Research Equipment, Pedestrian Control Devices, Bicycles, and Internet Entertainment Contracts.

Many governments, have dwindling revenue streams, caused by negative commercial effects of CV-19. They are now determined to supplement money flows to their Treasury Departments with Value Added Taxes; this, as well as other revenue gaining approaches. We, in International Business, are loathe to see increases in taxes without commensurate increases in benefits to those who pay the taxes. However, we fully understand the needs of governments to sustain themselves; without governments, chaos will surely arise for populations. The ‘fine balance’ that is required: A particular tax to not ‘overburden’ the taxpayer, yet help provide sufficient cash flow towards required treasury needs.

We think there is an even better way to facilitate Treasury Department needs; Close down ‘small’ “Money Launderers” illicit operations of Criminal Enterprises. In particular, by stemming cash ‘outflows’ from a country, a economy is stronger. Also, by carefully examining ‘large’ “legitimate” Corporate investments in other countries, one may detect money laundering on a grander scale. “Piety”,of both behavior and thought, is not evidenced by merely wearing a fine suit and wearing a necktie. Over the years we have met many individuals who have tried to appear, through attire and professional demeanor, as ‘Innocent as Lambs’ but in reality were ‘Black Mambas’, poisonous to their cores. They surely did, do, and will do everything to keep their cash, “Governments’ needs be damned”, is their credo. Fortunately, they are not in great abundance.

The ‘Bottom Line’ is: Treasury Departments need to be aware how, where, and why countries’ cash flows, particularly illicit, are occurring, and then, if criminal, stop them. Also, taxation of the citizens, should be at a level commensurate with the citizens’ gains from their ‘acquisitions’.

Reality: Like superb mechanical Wristwatches, those entities with the greatest accuracy, which endure over the longest time, are of the finest balance.

Reference: https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade/no-more-free-lunch-banks-collecting-vat-on-use-of-foreign-movie-channels-1592452941

“Coral Sea Cable” Brings Wholesale Prices To Papua New Guinea; However, Connections To Nodes Throughout The Country Would Be Even Better

Australia has generously provided the bulk of the funding for the “Coral Sea Cable”, which stretches from Sydney to Honiara and Port Moresby. The transmission line, for a distance of 4,700 kilometers [2,920 statute miles], was supposed to facilitate cheaper data cost for all of Papua New Guinea residents. While the ‘Wholesale’ costs of the data are significantly less expensive, perhaps ‘Retail’ users have not benefitted as much.

Apparently ‘Retail’ users of data have a two-fold situation they confront: [A] While the ‘Wholesale’ price of data has substantially declined, only a portion of the savings appear to have been passed on to residential customers. [B] it appears that connections throughout Papua New Guinea, to additional residences, has barely commenced, if even that. Maybe the ‘game’ of Internet Service Providers [ISP’s] is to wait and hold onto existing cash, if so, then residents throughout the country lose. These losses are due to non-existent services as well as reduced savings per kilobyte not being passed on by ISP’s, as aforementioned.

The leaders of Papua New Guinea should realize that International Businessmen and International Investors hold the Internet in high esteem. ANYONE that curtails the expansion of the Internet in a country, these ‘Outsiders’ might be considering doing business in or with, will be cautiously reviewed. If they detect even a mere scintilla of odor, the ‘Outsiders’ will decline to do business therewith. Their logic is simple: If the leaders of a country, and/or its business leaders, will not attend to the needs of their citizens/customers, how will they treat anyone else entering into commerce with them? It does not take much skill to detect intentions of a ‘executive’ wearing a fancy suit with a lapel pin on his lapel which says: “I want even more, just for myself”. Communications though the Internet are making users more attentive and wiser.

Reality: The Integrity of a conscientious Leader radiates like Uranium; that of a ‘Litter’ appears like Chalcopyrite.

Reference: http://www.cookislandsnews.com/regional/small-world/item/77371-png-s-coral-sea-cable

Australian Bureaucrats, In A Short Span Of Time, Allowed 46,000 Years Of Culture To Be Devastated

When a mining company wanted to engage in site development, it obtained the proper certification from the Australian government. The problem is that the bureaucrats in the government did NOT properly engage in ‘Due Diligence’; this, in assessing the effects of the intended actions of the mining company applicant. Negligently, they approved its permit. The explosives detonated, during site development, collapsed the Aborigines sacred caves; artifacts were destroyed. Unfortunately, 46,000 years of culture went up in smoke, due to the explosives’ forces. .

It appears that the Federal Government of Australia is re-thinking the entire Permit Process on Indigenous lands; this is good. Another large mining company, apparently understood the tragedy of the damage due to ‘Bureaucrat Inefficiency’ and lack of cultural cognizance. This new applicant must now carefully proceed with its intended mining activities. Since mining companies want to engage in resources extractions, with NO intentions of destroying cultures, they ALL must heed the opinions of those who own the land; this, if they want to mine successfully therein.

We love mining and understand the arduous nature of this ‘beast’; one which can be very unforgiving to those ‘plying the ground [above or below]’. It is our opinions that in evaluating a possible site, beyond the topography, core and seismic evaluations, mining executives MUST consider: the flora, fauna, and “Occupant Culture”. That which existed and/or exists, must be entered into the investment equation. This, even if it adds expenses to a potential operation.

Land remediation should also be duly costed into a potential project. It behooves EVERY mining operation to leave a mine site similar to what it was, before even core samples were obtained. Good “Community Will’ is priceless for a successful business. The smell of a bad reputation exceeds the location of the ‘business corpse’.

Reality: There is NO substitute for Integrity, an asset which can only be earned, never purchased.

Reference: https://www.brazilsun.com/news/265435162/australian-indigenous-groups-vow-to-protect-sacred-sites-from-mining

Bangladesh Finance Minister Sets Priorities To Save Lives And Commerce

As the Finance Minister in Dhaka, Bangladesh smartly defined the capitalization needs of his country’s 164 million residents, we as International Businessmen, collectively applaud him. This Gentleman has demonstrated compassion for mankind and leadership using sound judgement. The fact that he is apparently of the opinion: “Solve the immediate CV-19 problem, we can resolve lesser issues later” demonstrates competence in administration.

Bangladesh has quite a variety of export items: Iron, Steel, Metal Products, Pharmaceuticals, Spices, Tobacco, et al. A government led by a business-friendly administration should surely be examined by investors everywhere. A reputation of a strong Bangladeshi work ethic facilitates such decisions by the prudent.

As the Finance Minister understands, CV-19 which arrived, will soon depart, as influenzas do. CV-19, which will have NOT destroyed Bangladesh, will make it stronger. The fact that the country evidences good leadership, furthers our analysis of Bangladeshis beating CV-19; this country being an obvious location to examine business opportunities.

Reality: The integrity of the leaders of a country are even more important than the physical resources of the nation.

Reference: https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/economy/bangladesh/we-will-spend-first-earn-later-finance-minister-1591970088

An Outline For Economic Recovery BY Uzbekistan President

At an International Business level, is is essential that the objectives of a possible investment-targeted country, be openly revealed by its leader[s]. The recovery times of countries from the Covid-19 scheme, must be accelerated to alleviate much of the economic losses suffered; the human loss cannot be recaptured unfortunately. In Uzbekistan, the President wisely has itemized eight essentials to a post CV-19 event. To his credit, he has openly allowed the world investment community to see what his priorities are. The Uzbekistan SOUM should climb in value as more people become aware of the positive actions of the President to move his country, of thirty million people, forward. Cotton, Gold, Machine Building, Mining, Natural Gas, and Textiles are export items which investors may want to consider. The country keeps ‘opening up’ to foreign investors so opportunities may abound in Uzbekistan.

Reality: When a country’s publicized  investment opportunities arise, the Wise get alive.

Reference: https://uzreport.news/economy/prezident-opredelil-vosem-prioritetnih-napravleniy-dalneyshego-rosta-ekonomiki

DT Having Treasury Distribute Monies Quickly To Businesses And Citizens

Expenditures Timing Can Be Vital For A Nation’s Recovery Of Economic Health

All too often, various Nations political leaders are loathe to spend monies towards the well-being of their civilian citizens, but do so with gusto for their militaries and the equipment used by them. For example, Greek leaders purchased submarines, for its financially encumbered country, from Germany, and at least one of the vessels has been described as being dry-docked for several years since acquired. The money spent would certainly help it today as it faces the economic challenges of the insidious virus: CV- 19. Other Nations leaders are just as irresponsible in purchasing hardware for military use, while their citizens can barely acquire food.

The current Covid-19 Pandemic, which a minutiae of non-political International Businessmen, thought had been ideated, and later constructed, then distributed, causing voluminous deaths and hardships, is financially calamitous to many countries. The question of non-political International Businessmen is now, who will show governmental financial leadership and get their country energized again, and which leaders will merely bemoan the situation and not know what to do. America’s President, along with his prudent ‘Ministers’, decided to act decisively and attack both the psychology of ‘Financial Malaise’ as well as its economic destructiveness to the country’s monetary structure. To this, we, as non-political International Businessmen, give them much credit.

Observations are being made as to what other countries’ leaders will immediately do to help their citizens; or will they merely procrastinate about the situation? Their citizens need to determine are their ‘leaders’, ‘Leaders’, or are they ‘Litters’? Only time will tell.

Reality: A true “Leader’ plays his or her hand to the very best of one’s ability, in a steadfast manner, and eventually gains control of the situation. 

Reference: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/jun/9/cbo-trump-team-should-get-lot-credit-fast-coronavi/

★ Corrupt U.S. Government Employee? Is This Odor To Be Bottled And Sold As Expensive “Eau de Garbage”?

News Analysis: Allegations of corruption and ‘cover-ups’ by the former head of Procurement at the U.S. Veterans Administration [and her superiors]  and now a promotion to a more powerful job at the U.S. Treasury is questionable. Typical denials of any wrong-doing by legal counsel is to be expected; it is getting paid by the alleged perpetrator. Denials by her superiors at the Veterans Administration of any cover-ups is more troubling. The historical shoddy performances regarding Veterans Care is deplorable, as reported widely in the Press. Now, it appears that the ‘Fix was in’ regarding this person, her ‘pals’, and her superiors, if the allegations are found to be true. Did all of them personally benefit from the business given to the Contractor?

The present ‘On-Books’ indebtedness of the U.S. Government of $18 Trillion has a certain percentage of corruption built into it, one may think. The exact amount will never be known. What is alleged to be known now is that the migration of Corruption from the Veterans Administration to the larger Treasury Department is tantamount to hard working tax-paying Americans asking: Corrupt U.S. Government Employee? Is this odor to be bottled and sold as Expensive “Eau de Garbage”?

For a Nation that is built on “Excellence”, to which Washington, D.C. Politicians allude, one can only opine: “All That Glitters Is Not Gold”.

As to ‘Top Executives’ anywhere, we suggest: “Trust, But Verify”.

Reality.

Reference: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/dec/15/treasury-procurement-chief-steered-contracts-to-fr/?page=1

☆ A Business Or Political Leader Who Does Not Lead, Is Not A Leader, But Litter.

News Analysis: In today’s very fast moving world, it behooves everyone concerned to review their leaders, business or otherwise. A Business Or Political Leader who does not lead, is not a Leader, but Litter for his or her subordinates. The: Prestige of the position; the Income derived therefrom; the Expense of maintaining the effete individual, all make it necessary for those who “Pay the Tab” to demand effective Leadership.

All too often today, Journalism Majors,  have little critical experience analyzing Business or Political Leaders of which they write. Yet, they often times pen glowing passages about Political Pals or young Nabobs they adulate. Where is the Critical Analysis? Where is the “Trust But Verify”?  What parameters do they use to judge?

Today, as in the past, a Leader is one who has: Ability to make decisions forthwith, High “Emotional Pain” Tolerance; Prescience of Mind; Tenacity, and a Truth Vindication Perception. He or she KNOWS that LONG TERM the Fateful Decisions made must benefit all of his or her subordinates.

History will correctly judge ALL Leaders both Business and Political.

Narcissists will end up with foggy mirrors.

Reality.

Reference: http://www.cnsnews.com/commentary/david-limbaugh/obamas-narcissism-threat-national-security