#compound treasury

[whencyclopedia]

Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional Convention was held at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from 25 May to 17 September 1787. Spurred on by economic troubles left over from the American Revolution and compounded by the weak Articles of Confederation, delegates from twelve states met to draft a new framework of governance, the United States Constitution, which created a stronger federal government.

Background

In March 1781, the Articles of Confederation went into effect as the framework of governance for the fledgling United States, after having been ratified by all thirteen states. Under the Articles, each state essentially operated as a semi-independent republic, bound to one another in a loose 'perpetual union'. The federal government – which at the time consisted only of a unicameral Congress – was intentionally kept weak, to ensure the sovereignty and independence of the states. Congress' only real powers were those relating to war and foreign affairs, and even then, it needed the consent of at least nine states before it could declare war or borrow money from foreign lenders. The framers believed that they needed to keep the federal government weak to protect the rights and liberties of American citizens; their recent experience with the British Parliament seemed to suggest that a powerful central authority would not hesitate to squander those rights. But, before long it would become apparent that weak governments carried their own sets of issues that would be just as dangerous.

The most glaring problem was Congress' inability to levy its own taxes. Rather than raise its own money, Congress instead had to rely on donations from the states to fill the national treasury. But, especially after states began to focus on their own interests after the end of the American Revolutionary War, these donations were not consistently forthcoming. This left Congress with no funds to pay federal soldiers or meet its many other financial obligations. Nor did Congress have the power to compel the states to send money or comply with any other federal legislation. Several attempts to amend the Articles to allow Congress to raise money through tariffs were vetoed by the states. Additionally, a lack of unified foreign policy left Congress ill-equipped to deal with foreign powers, with Britain, France, and Spain all putting restrictions on American trade that the federal government could not retaliate against. Finally, Congress had been unable to respond to Shays' Rebellion when it broke out in western Massachusetts in late 1786. Although the rebellion was eventually suppressed by a privately funded army, it led to fears that future insurrections would not be crushed so easily.

For these, and other, reasons, many Americans became convinced that the Articles of Confederation were not working and that unless the Articles were revised, the United States would soon unravel. This reality weighed heavily on the minds of the delegates who met in Annapolis, Maryland, on 11 September 1786. Representing five states (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia), the delegates had merely been sent to discuss trade between states. But as their discussion touched on other issues caused by the weak Articles of Confederation, the delegates realized that something drastic had to be done. In their final report to Congress, drafted by Alexander Hamilton of New York, the delegates proposed that a constitutional convention should be held in Philadelphia the following May to discuss revisions to the Articles. On 21 February 1787, Congress endorsed the suggestions of the Annapolis Convention, and stated that it would write up a report on which changes to the Articles were necessary. Ultimately, twelve of the thirteen states decided to send delegates to the upcoming Constitutional Convention – the sole holdout was Rhode Island, which believed there was nothing wrong with the existing Articles of Confederation and refused to send delegates to amend them.

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[beardedmrbean]

The Haitian government has deployed specialist anti-gang police units, it said Friday, after an apparent massacre northwest of Port-au-Prince that the United Nations said left at least 70 dead.

Carried out early Thursday in the town of Pont Sonde, some 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the capital, the attack saw scores of houses and vehicles torched after gang members opened fire.

The killings come as an international policing mission, led by Kenyan forces, attempts to restore government control in Haiti, where armed gangs have seized swaths of the capital and countryside and earlier this year helped push out the country's leader.

"Members of the Gran Grif gang used automatic rifles to shoot at the population, killing at least 70 people, among them about 10 women and three infants," UN Human Rights Office spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan said in a statement Friday.

The Haitian Prime Minister's office said in a statement that "this latest act of violence, targeting innocent civilians, is unacceptable and demands an urgent, rigorous and coordinated response from the state."

The embattled Haitian National Police would be "stepping up its efforts," the statement said, adding "agents from the Temporary Anti-Gang Unit (UTAG) have been deployed as reinforcements to back up teams already on the ground."

A spokeswoman for a local civil society group told Haitian media that the attack came after Gran Grif leader Luckson Elan had issued threats against people refusing to pay the group tolls to use a nearby highway.

"They executed dozens of residents," Bertide Horace told radio station Magik 9. "Almost all of the victims were shot in the head."

"Police officers stationed nearby, apparently understaffed, offered no resistance to the criminals, preferring to take cover," she said.

At least 16 people were seriously injured, the UN said, including two gang members shot by police.

The gang reportedly set fire to at least 45 houses and 34 vehicles, it added, forcing many residents to flee.

- Kenyan-led policing mission -

Additional security forces, supported by the Kenyan-led international policing mission deployed to the country, were sent to Pont Sonde overnight Thursday into Friday, the prime minister's office added.

The attack occurred at 3:00 am Thursday, it said.

Prime Minister Garry Conille added that the "heinous crime, perpetrated against defenseless women, men and children, is not only an attack on these victims, but on the entire Haitian nation."

Last week, the UN human rights office said more than 3,600 people had been killed already this year in "senseless" gang violence in the country.

Haiti has for years been beset by compounding political, humanitarian and gang crises, with armed groups rising up to push out then-prime minister Ariel Henry earlier this year in an effort that saw attacks on the international airport and police stations.

Many politicians are intertwined with armed groups: last week, the US Treasury announced sanctions against a member of parliament from the Artibonite Department, where Pont Sonde is located, for allegedly helping form the Gran Grif gang to aid in his 2016 election.

Unelected and unpopular -- and unable to restore order -- Henry resigned, and a transitional government with Conille as prime minister was put in place, backed by the international community.

That government is mandated to restore security and lead the country to its first polls since 2016.

[rametarin]

Things do not become cheaper just because a group of people demand it be so.

It's a very disgusting, mafioso mentality. Where if you just arbitrarily demand a thing be cheap and draw funds from the public treasury to afford it by demanding it be that accessible, you suck profit out of the rest of the system.

What makes something affordable isn't a group of people getting together to mandate it be so under penalty of force or systemic change, it's A.) a process existing that more cheaply and efficiently acquires a thing. B.) Discovering it from not knowing it. C.) Putting it to use.

You can say, "I want everybody in my empire to have steel swords," all you want. But unless your means of mining steel from underground move enough earth for that to happen, you're just forcing the all to cover that. And I guess if your intention is to force the state to do that, okay, then that's the intention to ignore reality by forcing everybody else to provide thing at their expense. Not making a thing cheaper.

If you want cheaper healthcare, you need the overhead to participate in the pharmacological industry cheaper. You need engineers to utilize the latest in nanotechnology and solid state chips and machines for the smallest, cheapest doodads that do the most things in one package. You need carbon based chips that do things into the terahertz range for imaging and software to interpret it.

Once you have those things, where a T-ray or hyper fidelity ultrasound costs about as much as a desktop computer, and complex medicinal compounds can be produced by enzymes and proteins and yeasts to make medicine from equipment that doesn't cost billions of dollars in order to be profitable, that would mean healthcare costs could shrink.

If you want cheap products, find a way to make them out of literal dirt beneath your feet with as few steps as possible, and as many people making them as possible. Arbitrary caps are a tyrant's errand.

[mariacallous]

A week after the Moscow Exchange was hit by U.S. sanctions, the ruble is experiencing unusual swings. In just two days, from June 18 to June 20, the dollar’s official exchange rate against the ruble dropped from 89 to 82.6 rubles, while the euro fell from 95.4 to 89 rubles. However, the very next day, Russia’s Central Bank raised the dollar exchange rate by nearly three rubles to 85.4, and the euro to 91.4 rubles. Meduza breaks down the factors behind this volatility and explains how to track the ruble’s fluctuations going forward.

On June 12, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Russia’s largest stock exchange, the Moscow Exchange (MOEX), and its subsidiaries, the National Clearing Center and the National Settlement Depository — effectively cutting off the Moscow Exchange from the dollar. That same day, the exchange announced that it would halt trading in the U.S. dollar and the euro, starting June 13. (Trading in the Hong Kong dollar also stopped.)

As a result, currency trading shifted to the over-the-counter (OTC) market. Even before the sanctions, 60 percent of currency transactions in Russia occurred off-exchange. Importers and exporters, the primary players on the Moscow Exchange, had the most influence on the ruble’s exchange rate in recent years. Now, they’ve also had to transition to the OTC market, leading to higher costs for buying and selling currency, as well as increased volatility in the ruble’s exchange rate.

These sanctions against the Moscow Exchange are another step towards making the ruble non-convertible and a new blow to importers and exporters, noted Alexander Kolyandr, a non-resident senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), in a column for The Bell.

A faux phoenix

The sharp fluctuations in the ruble’s exchange rate this week are the direct result of U.S. sanctions, which have caused demand for foreign currency to drop. This, in turn, has driven up the ruble.

U.S. sanctions have already been impeding Russian imports, with fewer and fewer banks in China, India, and Turkey offering their services to Russian companies out of fear of secondary sanctions. According to SberCIB analysts, imports in May were about 30 percent lower than they could have been with a normally functioning payment infrastructure. The Central Bank also noted that the expected seasonal spring increase in imports didn’t occur.

Now, this payment issue has been compounded by the sanctions against the Moscow Exchange. The halt in trading of the dollar and euro could affect at least 22 percent of imports, estimated Pavel Biryukov, an economist at Gazprombank. Promsvyazbank analysts believe that the new restrictions could reduce foreign goods deliveries by 15-20 percent.

Meanwhile, exporters continue to sell foreign currency earnings in compliance with a mandatory decree. Each day, the Central Bank sells yuan worth 8.1 billion rubles (over $90 billion) as part of budgetary operations, and exports and the current account surplus remain strong thanks to high prices for oil and other raw materials, Mikhail Vasilyev, the chief analyst at Sovcombank, told Vedomosti.

The Central Bank confirmed this. According to its preliminary data, the surplus in the foreign trade balance of goods from January to May increased to $56 billion, up from $47.6 billion in the same period last year, “due to a more significant drop in imports compared to exports.”

This situation is reminiscent of 2022, when the ruble sharply appreciated due to the withdrawal of foreign companies and the collapse of imports. “In fact, we’re now seeing a classic situation with a pool and two pipes: currency flows into the country in a stable stream through one pipe, and almost none flows out through the other,” explained Alexander Potavin, an analyst at the Finam financial group. According to him, this has led to an “unwanted strengthening of the ruble for the government.”

At the same time, sanctions against the Moscow Exchange are also impacting exporters. The sharp appreciation of the ruble may be due to their reluctance to sell currency at an unfavorable rate. On June 20, Reuters, citing market participants, reported a sharp decline in the sale of export earnings in yuan. The outlet’s sources believe this is because corporate sellers are unwilling to sell at a low rate. It’s also likely that the Russian authorities intervened: the Kremlin might have persuaded exporters to hold on to the currency to prevent the ruble from strengthening too much.

The ruble runaround

Before the U.S. imposed sanctions on the Moscow Exchange, Russia’s Central Bank set the official ruble exchange rate based on currency trading on the exchange. This rate could be tracked in real time on the exchange’s website.

Now that dollars are no longer traded on the exchange, the Central Bank is determining the rate of the U.S. currency against the ruble based on bank reports and information from over-the-counter trades as of 3:30 p.m. Moscow time on the current business day. (This rate is then published at 4:00 p.m. Moscow time.)

There’s nothing unusual about this method of determining the exchange rate, noted Alexandra Prokopenko, a non-resident scholar at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center and co-host of Meduza’s Russian-language podcast View of the Kremlin:

In general, exchange-based currency trading is fairly rare in the modern world. Most currency transactions take place on the interbank over-the-counter market, where participants report to the regulator. The regulator then determines the exchange rate based on these reports. Now, the same thing will happen in Russia.

The absence of trading in dollars and euros on the exchange has also created another problem: investors and ordinary citizens lack a reference point throughout the day. The Central Bank sets the official rate once a day, but with the current level of volatility, actual values can change significantly.

One way to estimate the ruble’s rate against foreign currencies is through the yuan, which is still traded on the Moscow Exchange. Using the yuan-to-ruble exchange rate, the ruble’s value against other currencies can be calculated using data from foreign central banks. Generally, the stronger the ruble is against the yuan, the stronger it will be against other currencies.

According to the Central Bank, the Chinese currency accounted for 54 percent of trading on the Moscow Exchange in May, making it the “primary currency in exchange trading.” “The yuan/ruble exchange rate will set the trajectory for other currency pairs and serve as a benchmark for market participants,” the bank said. 

Non-deliverable forward contracts for dollars and euros are also still traded on MOEX and can also serve as indicators of the ruble’s value against Western currencies. Additionally, dollar futures contracts can be used to track the ruble’s exchange rate, although their prices have always differed slightly from the actual dollar-to-ruble exchange rate, Natalia Pyryeva, an analyst at the Moscow-based investment company Tsifra Broker, told Forbes. Contracts with earlier settlement dates provide a more accurate picture, explained Vladimir Bragin, head of research at Alfa Capital, as those with later dates are less liquid and may not accurately reflect current market conditions.

Although it’s possible to track the ruble’s current value through futures contracts and the yuan exchange rate, there’s no guarantee that Russians will actually be able to buy currency at these rates. The final price is now set by the seller and the platform where the transaction occurs.

Previously, the Moscow Exchange guaranteed that buying and selling dollars and euros was transparent and safe. Now, sellers can essentially set their own prices. As a result, the cost of exchanging currency — the spread between buying and selling rates — has increased, and these rates must be constantly checked. Additionally, the currency might not even be available at a given location. In the first few days following the new U.S. sanctions, many bank branches visited by journalists didn’t have any physical dollars or euros.

[crazysodomite]

tbp mission 3. i forgot to take a screenshot of a really good vista of the factory (?) so im biting my elbows now.

i like this mission. good old good old hammerite compound! took me over 2 hours to complete because i wanted to see the whole map.

i have to say this mission was weirdly easy... again. now i'm not knocking this campaign for being 'too easy' because i would rather have fun exploring big, detailed, well-designed levels without reloading 500 times every time i need to move to and from another room. i guess i was just having different difficulty expectations. i don't Dislike it but i think each mission could use a few more stationary npcs, a few more patrollers. not in a way that makes the mission require extreme precision but at least for some flavor. because on this mission i often found i was just walking around on a whole floor with 1 maybe 2 patrollers max. it was especially weird on the treasury floor.

now the level design is excellent as always. so much stuff to see and explore that i constantly backtrack just to make sure i didn't miss something. and that's a good thing! also something i didn't note before: the sound design. often when you stand close to something or enter/exit certain rooms or buildings the ambience changes accordingly! and i really appreciate that! also i don't know what they did but npc dialogue sounds pretty much exactly like the original games. or at the very least pretty close. not all... but a lot of them.

[ghostbox-nostalgia]

Oh and since I've started the rough drafts of them, here's some info on the 12 disciples in my au. No I did not mean to make 12 it just sorta happened. I also want you to note that all but two had the same thought of "holy shit that's a child" when they met Eden and that's the main reason they decided to become followers in the first place to make sure he would be ok.

This is just some rough info to act as some backround

WARNING THIS IS LONG AS SHIT, MY APOLOGIES!

Starting off with canon(?) sort of characters we have:

-Webber, he/they/we: spider character from the game don't starve who was added during a collab to cotl. the youngest and a disciple in training. We first meet him at age 8 and is the last to come along. Life has been extended

-Haru, he/him: the yellow cat from the one animated short. Was a priest of leshys until he fought the lamb on a crusade and lost. Was brought back after realizing how much was censored about the slaughter of the sheep and asked if he could redeem himself. Age 24 and was the third last to become a disciple. Immortal

Now we have the not Canon characters who I have in my actual save file. I will also share their silly ridiculous names I have for them in game since I am atrocious at being serious.

-Mamer, he/him, has always been Mamer: a teal rabbit and the first follower and disciple of Edens. He was taken in by the compound that eden was born in and swore himself to protecting whoever was to become the prophesied lamb. Was captured by cultists a week before Edens execution and was about to be sacrificed when ratau and eden found him on the way to the compound. Taught eden how to fight and the traditional boxing style of the sheepfolk. Current grounds keeper. In game this man goes on hella missions and is responsible for at least 20 followers. Age 32, immortal.

-Clement, he/they, Friend Traitor in game: a big, surly orange tabby cat. He and his sister Cerise came as a pair and were found in the ruins of a village in darkwood, rummaging through their belongings to see if anything was salvageable. They had been taken temporarily on orders from kallamars clergy to aid in the construction of one of the wings of his temple. While they were away, their village started refusing to give anymore of their materials to the bishops so an attack was ordered on it. When they came back everything was gone. Both Clement and Cerise became disciples at the same time and became disciples second. Clement taught Eden how to build. Clements the head of the builders hut. In game they're just a silly feller with a silly name and I love them. Age 30, immortal

-Cerise, she/her, Amigo Treachery in game: a red and that's more magenta coloured. I said quite a bit of her backstory with Clement but the difference is that she runs the stonemines and lumberyard and taught Eden how to find and gather quality materials while on Crusading. She works in lumberyard mostly in game too but she also spends a fair amount of time at the shrine. Age 29, immortal

-Ellis, they/them, Taxes in game: a rosy maple moth and the third disciple. They were captured by helob while in darkwood and was a day away from being eaten when eden found them and bought their freedom. They had offered to walk Ellis back home but they had decided after working in Shamuras treasury for most of their life they didn't really have anything worthwhile to get back to and so decided to go back to the compound with the lamb and now work as the treasurer and tax collector. In game they're tax enforcer but otherwise kind of unremarkable. Age 34, immortal.

-Finley, she/her, Pæňïş in game (truly terrible name I'm so sorry girl): a raspberry colored raccoon and the fourth disciple along side Merrick, as they came in a pair. Both Finley and Merrick were apart on the Fox' cult and were cannibals for most of their lives. They only left after their fellow cultists turned against them while on a hunting trip. Eden found them an inch away from death and surrounded, and after killing the remaining heretics they took the two back to the compound to heal. After learning the two's story, Eden offered them a chance to redeem themselves and turn their lives around with the caveat that the cannibalism stops. They agreed and joined as followers, and earned their discipleship. Finley's the head cook and is the overseer of all the dietary restrictions, while her fellow workers take care of the compound at large. Despite the cannibalism she's actually quite lovely and very personable. Her and Merrick are just good friends and bonded after their mutual betrayal. In game I send her on missions quite a bit since her stats are good. Age 27, immortal.

-Merrick, he/him, originally Marth (my best friends a fire emblem fan and requested it. Personality doesn't match): a blue fox and the fourth disciple along side Finley. Backround info is above. He's sparky and snappish with a bit of a temper but is very good humored and lovely to be around. His job is the head butcher with a very lucrative side gig of disposing of dissenters. The lamb DOES allow the pair to partake in the occasional heretic or dissenter but by and large they both just eat regular meat now. His in game role is kept empty but he's usually the first to get to the drinkhouse when I need stuff made so there's that. Age 27, immortal.

-Azalea, she/they, was lovingly named *DJ sounds*, pronounced however the hell you want: a black koi fish and the fifth disciple. Originally from Anura and was apart of the lighthouse keeper cult. Was found calling for help just outside the cult after getting injured on the way home. Eden took them to the med bay to get patched up since the scope of the injuries was a little outside of their skill set and escorted them home once they were all fixed. They ended up going back with Eden anyway after they relit the lighthouse (they had been getting wood and Eden had firestarter on them). Her job is loyalty enforcer and assists the grounds keeper in keeping the place safe. Due to the decreased amount of heretics+high faith levels, they more just act as a welcome crew for new members and trains people in self defense. She's hard headed and blunt, and can be rude at times, but she has good intentions and has a soft spot for those close to her. Very sweet and patient with kids, less kind to adults. In the game she's also a loyalty enforcer and I desperately wish you could hide that fuckass hat. Age 28, immortal.

-Nimah, he/him, is Sonic because I had to: an albino hedgehog since I don't wanna make it SO obvious that it's just sonic. He is the sixth disciple and used to be a postman between all of the merchants and settlements outside of bishop control. He always wanted to be a doctor and kept an eye out for medical texts on his travels. He didn't have much luck in that regard until he came to deliver something to the compound and was kept there by a storm. Him and Eden got to chatting and after telling them about this little quest, Eden told him that while there's none at the compound that they could think of, they pick up books all the time while on crusades and could keep an eye out for any. One handshake and a new friend later, Nimah slowly studied and practiced to become a doctor until they got the title of head doctor. Taught some cultborn folks to do the mail route and now spends his days in the med bay. In game his only purpose is to be sonic and nothing else. His existence makes me happy :]. Age 53, immortal.

-Rowan, she/her, JAzz (I fucked up): a crow and the seventh disciple. Was a shrine maiden for Heket, and was trusted enough to be given the uncensored prophecy. After hearing it and making the very uncomfortable realization that they've all been praying for the downfall of a) an innocent race and b) a child, she dissented and fled to the cult to offer her services. Was a thief for a while, but was taken in by some followers of Heket and changed her ways. Was the second follower but had a hard time accepting the gift of discipleship for a while there. Very sweet and soft spoken, very good at quiet rage. In game she's on worship duty and is a very pretty lady and I love her. Age 30, immortal

-Florian, zey/zem/zer, named Alright in game: a silk moth and the eighth disciple. Was a primary weaver in Shamura's coterie for a good century. Zey were delivering tapestries to the main temple of Leshy when zer convoy was attacked by bandits and zey were left hiding and bleeding out. Eden found zem and took them back to their own temple since the med bay didn't exist at that point. When zey awoke, zey found zemselves bandaged in an unfamiliar place with someone they didn't recognize standing near them. Zey were suspicious until zey realized that that is a child zey were thinking of attacking, and that child is holding a med kit in their hands. Zey end up calming down and once zer'e healed, Florian offers to make a proper outfit befitting a vessel of death since zey don't like feeling like zer in debt. Eden agrees to this and they end up becoming friends, with Florian offering zer continued service in exchange for stable living. Zer personality is flamboyant but not loud. I personally imagine zer personality to be akin to one of those mob wives with the smoke pipe and the long satin feather robes. In game this fella was so unremarkable zey died of old age at level 1. Also zey get neos because I think they have so much gender that they/them simply doesn't cut it, although I understand if you use they/them for zem, it's a bit tricky to get used to. Age 33, immortal.

AND THATS A WRAP! Sorry for the length, some people are more thought out than others, not to mention I almost forgot a whole 2 people.

Their designs are coming soonish, I'm just trying to make some improvements with how I draw faces rn because Mamer looks like shit :[ I will get better and no one can stop me

[cuckerfailson]

Actually reading Late Victorian Holocausts and seeing how sugar cane production is the specific cause of so much ecological devastation and worsening of drought, flooding and famine conditions during El Niño in 1880 and during this insane climate change-compounded El Niño in 2023 the exact same thing a focus on sugar cane production to the detriment of everything else (the destruction of indiginous substenance farming practices, mostly) and the reactionary base in the imperial core reacting in the exact same "we want our wittle treaties for working our weally hawd wittle desk jobs as viceroys and cops" way while 8 floods hit the world at the same time. and then the little lines Mike Davis sneaks in about liberal pundits of the time like John Stuart Mill condeming the nearly 50 million dead in India but instead advocating for the replacement of the colonial management with a "more humanitarian liberal administration" and the means tested (the test being forced labor) access to famine relief funds which all get plundered by corrupt officials nearly instantly. by design. the corrupt officials only exist because all of the money of the countryside peasantry and government treasury went into price gougers pockets when they orchastrated a drug war. btw.

[seventhconsumedsigil]

So, this is a trick question. And I just did a whole course on the sort of mathematics that explains why this is a trick question, so please, please let me rant about it.

The most naive way to solve this is just adding it all up at face value, which tells you that the $10,000,000 is 27 years worth of the constant installments. And that's fine, but reasonably you might want the money later, right? But that's ignoring all the extra value you can get out of ten million dollars with just a little very thought.

The basic idea here is time value of money. This is a pretty intuitive thing to explain. $100 now is not worth the same as $100 in 10 years, because $100 now can be used for stuff, even if that is just going for the most boring default use for cash in the world, shoving it in a bond and getting a trickle of interest out of it. That boring use is essentially the "baseline", that financial mathematics assumes anyone can easily do. And it is not kind to the $1,000 a day.

To show this, I'm going to do a lot of simplification in the favour of the $1000 a day. Firstly, we'll be assuming a very low interest rate for comparison, I'll be using 3%, but this is quite literally lower than most bonds will be in anything outside of a severe recession. For comparison, the current 30-year US treasury bond, about the longest term "boring" asset you could go for, currently yields about 4.628% and it'll probably be at least that high some point in the next 30 years for you to renew it. I will also be grouping the $1000 into big massive chunks at the start of each year so I can use a really simple formula(because I'm lazy and breaking out the complicated maths won't change much), which means it's on average getting an extra half a year of interest. This will not save it, nor will only doing interest on the yearly basis rather than continuously.

Now, with these assumptions, we've got a series of cashflows of $365,000, coming at the start of each year, beginning now. This is now reduced to a very simple annuity due, and we can find it's present value at an extremely conservative interest rate of 3%.

365000 x ((1-(1.03)^-n)/0.03) x 1.03, with n being the number of years.

Even at this extremely conservative basis, giving a whole lot of assumptions in favour of the $1000 a day, it will take fifty five years for this to reach a present value of 10 million. That means, even assuming you invested the 10 million so badly that you're getting returns below bond rates, and somehow finding a way to do it that only compounds annually instead of it would take 55 years to run out. At an interest rate of 4%, extremely easy to achieve, it will quite literally never run out. You could make a setup on bonds that would be paying it out split between all of your seven times great grandchildren if the USA government and current financial system survive that long, and it'll probably have grown.

So yeah, I'm taking the $10,000,000, sticking a large chunk of it in something ridiculously safe that'll ensure I get a nice reasonable payout indefinitely and leave orders with the manager that I'm not allowed to do a damn thing with it, and then I've got a few million extra. Probably buy a house, get myself set up, maybe amuse myself with a different fund I can freely invest for recreational purposes, set up all my friends and family nicely enough and then enjoy my life.

(I also realised that I could explain it in terms of putting the 10 million in a bank and supplying the $1000 a day purely off the interest paid on that, but exam brain kicked in and I did it formally so I suppose y'all are getting that instead. Feel free to ask more, god knows I have to justify learning all this shit somehow.)

Explain your reasoning plzzz

[whencyclopedia]

Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional Convention was held at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from 25 May to 17 September 1787. Spurred on by economic troubles left over from the American Revolution and compounded by the weak Articles of Confederation, delegates from twelve states met to draft a new framework of governance, the United States Constitution, which created a stronger federal government.

Background

In March 1781, the Articles of Confederation went into effect as the framework of governance for the fledgling United States, after having been ratified by all thirteen states. Under the Articles, each state essentially operated as a semi-independent republic, bound to one another in a loose 'perpetual union'. The federal government – which at the time consisted only of a unicameral Congress – was intentionally kept weak, to ensure the sovereignty and independence of the states. Congress' only real powers were those relating to war and foreign affairs, and even then, it needed the consent of at least nine states before it could declare war or borrow money from foreign lenders. The framers believed that they needed to keep the federal government weak to protect the rights and liberties of American citizens; their recent experience with the British Parliament seemed to suggest that a powerful central authority would not hesitate to squander those rights. But, before long it would become apparent that weak governments carried their own sets of issues that would be just as dangerous.

The most glaring problem was Congress' inability to levy its own taxes. Rather than raise its own money, Congress instead had to rely on donations from the states to fill the national treasury. But, especially after states began to focus on their own interests after the end of the American Revolutionary War, these donations were not consistently forthcoming. This left Congress with no funds to pay federal soldiers or meet its many other financial obligations. Nor did Congress have the power to compel the states to send money or comply with any other federal legislation. Several attempts to amend the Articles to allow Congress to raise money through tariffs were vetoed by the states. Additionally, a lack of unified foreign policy left Congress ill-equipped to deal with foreign powers, with Britain, France, and Spain all putting restrictions on American trade that the federal government could not retaliate against. Finally, Congress had been unable to respond to Shays' Rebellion when it broke out in western Massachusetts in late 1786. Although the rebellion was eventually suppressed by a privately funded army, it led to fears that future insurrections would not be crushed so easily.

For these, and other, reasons, many Americans became convinced that the Articles of Confederation were not working and that unless the Articles were revised, the United States would soon unravel. This reality weighed heavily on the minds of the delegates who met in Annapolis, Maryland, on 11 September 1786. Representing five states (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia), the delegates had merely been sent to discuss trade between states. But as their discussion touched on other issues caused by the weak Articles of Confederation, the delegates realized that something drastic had to be done. In their final report to Congress, drafted by Alexander Hamilton of New York, the delegates proposed that a constitutional convention should be held in Philadelphia the following May to discuss revisions to the Articles. On 21 February 1787, Congress endorsed the suggestions of the Annapolis Convention, and stated that it would write up a report on which changes to the Articles were necessary. Ultimately, twelve of the thirteen states decided to send delegates to the upcoming Constitutional Convention – the sole holdout was Rhode Island, which believed there was nothing wrong with the existing Articles of Confederation and refused to send delegates to amend them.

Continue reading...

[debtmarketinvestments]

Tax Advantages of Debt Market Investments

Debt market investments offer a range of benefits, including the potential for stable returns and lower volatility compared to equities. Among these advantages, the tax benefits associated with debt investments are a significant draw for investors seeking efficient ways to grow their wealth. Understanding the tax treatment of various debt instruments, such as bonds, municipal securities, and government debt, can enable investors to make tax-smart decisions, ultimately enhancing the net returns on their investments. Tax benefits in the debt market can vary based on the type of debt instrument, the investor's tax bracket, and the specific tax laws of their country.

One notable tax advantage of debt market investments comes from municipal bonds, which are often exempt from federal income tax. In many cases, municipal bonds issued by state and local governments are also exempt from state taxes, provided the investor resides in the same state as the bond issuer. This double tax exemption makes municipal bonds particularly attractive to high-income investors seeking tax-efficient income. The predictable income generated by these bonds allows investors to maximize their returns without incurring heavy tax obligations. For investors who might need help recovering missed payments, a collection agency may step in to manage delinquent accounts, providing an added layer of security for those concerned with default risk on certain debt investments.

Corporate bonds also offer potential tax benefits through deductible interest expenses, which can lower a corporation’s taxable income. This allows corporations to issue debt at lower costs while providing investors with steady income in the form of interest payments. Although interest from corporate bonds is typically subject to federal and state income tax, the predictable income stream and relatively favorable tax treatment make these bonds appealing, especially in a diversified portfolio. Additionally, corporate bonds can offer higher yields compared to municipal bonds, which might appeal to investors prioritizing higher returns over tax-exempt income. Depending on an investor's tax bracket, the after-tax returns of corporate bonds may still be favorable, making them a valuable component of a tax-efficient investment strategy.

Another tax-efficient option for debt market investors is investing in government securities, such as U.S. Treasury bonds or Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS). Treasury bonds are generally exempt from state and local taxes, which makes them advantageous for investors seeking reliable, tax-advantaged income. Although federal taxes still apply, the state tax exemption can lead to substantial tax savings, particularly for investors residing in high-tax states. TIPS also offer a unique tax benefit: they provide inflation protection by adjusting the principal based on inflation rates. However, investors should note that the inflation-adjusted principal increases are taxable as income, so TIPS are often best suited for tax-advantaged retirement accounts.

For investors in high-income brackets, tax-deferred and tax-exempt accounts, such as IRAs and Roth IRAs, provide a valuable tool for debt market investments. Holding bonds and other debt instruments in a tax-deferred account allows interest income to grow without immediate tax implications, potentially compounding wealth over time. In a Roth IRA, qualified withdrawals are tax-free, making it an attractive option for long-term investors looking to minimize taxes on their interest income. By using these accounts, investors can reduce their taxable income while benefiting from the consistent income that debt investments offer.

Tax-loss harvesting is another strategy that can enhance the tax advantages of debt market investments. In cases where bond prices decline due to rising interest rates or other market factors, investors may sell the bonds at a loss, which can be used to offset capital gains from other investments. This strategy allows investors to reduce their overall tax liability while rebalancing their portfolios. Tax-loss harvesting can be especially beneficial in a volatile interest rate environment, where bond prices fluctuate, providing opportunities to optimize tax outcomes.

For many, the key to maximizing the tax benefits of debt market investments is understanding how to balance tax-exempt and taxable debt instruments in their portfolios. High-income investors may benefit from holding a mix of municipal bonds, corporate bonds, and Treasuries, depending on their tax situation and income needs. By strategically selecting debt investments, investors can tailor their portfolios to reduce tax obligations and increase after-tax income. Municipal bonds may offer tax-free income, while government and corporate bonds contribute stability and yield, creating a balanced, tax-efficient portfolio.

In conclusion, debt market investments come with various tax advantages that can be highly beneficial for investors seeking steady returns and tax efficiency. From tax-exempt municipal bonds and state-tax-free Treasuries to tax-deferred retirement accounts and tax-loss harvesting, there are multiple ways to make debt investments more tax-advantageous. By understanding these benefits and integrating tax-smart strategies into their portfolios, investors can enhance their returns, preserve wealth, and achieve financial goals more efficiently in the debt market.

[margadarsi]

5-Year Investment Plans for the Smart Investor: Where to Put Your Money

Making smart investment choices is crucial to achieving financial freedom, and 5-year investment plans offer the perfect balance between risk and return. With numerous options available, selecting the right investment vehicle can be challenging. Here’s a guide to the best 5-year investment plans to grow your wealth securely and effectively.

What is a 5-Year Investment Plan?

A 5-year investment plan is a medium-term financial strategy tailored for investors who seek steady returns without committing to long-term plans. It provides the flexibility to achieve both safety and growth over five years, making it ideal for conservative and risk-tolerant investors alike.

Benefits of a 5-Year Investment Plan

Moderate Risk: These plans offer less exposure to market fluctuations compared to longer-term investments.

Liquidity: Investors gain flexibility and the ability to reinvest after five years.

Goal Achievement: Perfect for goals like a home down payment, higher education, or initial retirement savings.

Top 5-Year Investment Plans to Consider

1. Fixed Deposits (FDs)

Fixed deposits are a popular choice among conservative investors. Offering a guaranteed return on investment, FDs are perfect for those seeking stability over high growth.

Interest Rate: Generally between 5% and 7% annually.

Benefits: High security, guaranteed returns, and protection from market volatility.

Ideal For: Risk-averse investors seeking a stable source of income.

2. Mutual Funds – Debt Funds

Debt mutual funds offer stability with moderate returns. They primarily invest in government bonds, treasury bills, and corporate bonds, making them suitable for low-risk investors.

Returns: Typically around 6% to 9% annually.

Benefits: Diversified portfolio, tax-efficient, and suitable for steady growth.

Ideal For: Investors looking for predictable returns with low-to-moderate risk.

3. Equity-Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS)

ELSS is a high-growth investment that combines tax savings and equity investments. While carrying higher risk, the returns often outpace other investment options over five years.

Returns: Potentially 10% to 15% annually.

Benefits: Tax deductions under Section 80C, high growth potential, ideal for long-term wealth.

Ideal For: Risk-tolerant investors focused on wealth generation and tax benefits.

4. National Savings Certificate (NSC)

For conservative investors looking for assured returns and tax-saving benefits, NSC is an ideal government-backed investment.

Interest Rate: Approximately 6.8% to 7.2% annually, compounded.

Benefits: Government-guaranteed returns and tax deductions under Section 80C.

Ideal For: Investors looking for a safe, tax-efficient, and goal-based investment.

5. Recurring Deposits (RDs)

Recurring deposits are suitable for those looking to save a fixed amount monthly and earn interest over time. It’s an excellent option for salaried individuals who wish to grow their savings gradually.

Interest Rate: Similar to FDs, generally 5% to 6% annually.

Benefits: Regular savings discipline, low risk, and guaranteed returns.

Ideal For: Individuals who prefer fixed monthly contributions with assured returns.

How to Choose the Right 5-Year Investment Plan

Risk Assessment

Evaluate your risk tolerance. Conservative investors might prefer FDs or debt funds, while those seeking higher returns can explore ELSS or mutual funds.

Return Expectations

Estimate the expected returns based on past performance and align them with your financial goals. Equity-linked schemes often yield higher returns, whereas government-backed schemes offer stability.

Tax Efficiency

Many 5-year plans, such as ELSS and NSC, come with tax-saving benefits. Consider plans that minimize your tax liability and enhance net returns.

Liquidity Needs

If liquidity is a priority, opt for mutual funds, which generally offer better flexibility than fixed deposits or NSC.

Conclusion: A Balanced Approach to Wealth Growth

Choosing the right 5-year investment plan can transform your financial future. By aligning your goals with the best-suited investment vehicle, you can grow wealth securely and steadily. A mix of fixed deposits, mutual funds, and ELSS provides the ideal blend of security and returns.

[alanfromrochester]

I think the financial argument is what's best for investing the money once magically getting it.

If you take the 10 million and invest that, you'd need only 0.01% returns to get 1000 per day, so 3.65% a year without compounding, and even very conservative investments get that. For instance, inflation indexed US savings bonds are currently paying 4.28% and other Treasury products pay around that if not a bit more

Yet I agree it's more complicated that.

Besides wait and risk of investment, if you take the 10 million you might waste the principal but at least with the thousand per day, money would keep coming if you screwed up before

I'm pretty financially literate and had to look up and was somewhat confounded by US bond information. Wait includes interest being paid every 6 months, savings bonds needing to be held for a year before cashing and facing a three months interest penalty for cashing before 5 years, more complexity in buying and selling other products

The 1000 daily vs 10 million once question isn't asking "which objectively gets you more money", btw. Which would you rather have. That's a different question.

Yes, people saying "well over a long period the daily sum is more" is wrong when you consider investments and such but like... the question doesn't mention investments either, does it?

You're magically given tax-free money. Does magic money interact with the banking system? There's interest on the magic tax-free money? Do you know that for sure, or is that an assumption you're bringing to a loosely worded would-you-rather question?

Where does "objectively correct answer" come into play, again?

For instance, what if you're someone who poorly understands banking systems and investments, trying to think about large sums of money makes you anxious.

Aren't lottery winners famously frequently made quite unhappy by their winnings? Not just for hollow materialism, but also the way family and friends might turn on you trying to get a piece of that pie?

1000 a day is more than enough to live on, forever.

"Why aren't people picking the option that objectively gives you more money?" - okay, Capitalismbrain, maybe less is actually a valid choice too.

[athomewiththecicadas]

I only hear arguing about the physical fitness standards of the next regulation higher. And the differences in private rank payroll, and government payroll.

And in order to satisfy the regulatory requirements government is demanding, also takes an allotted amount of time. And the amount of time allotted is required, and it's much slower than the demands for instant gratification.

But if I am not allotted the time requirement, the U.S. Military acknowledges a program they use to produce PT requirements.

And ultimately that was the issue in 2006.

But after going through all of this, the U.S Military has already spoken regarding the matter. And clearly there is no shortage of enlistments either.

-------

You can't just leave it wobbling on tax revenues are ill-gotten.

-------

Well, the argument is over when there is the military enumeration, and a U.S. Treasury check to back it up.

-------

Okay the assumption is Taylor should quit. And then that policy rolls until it gets to me. And the Army acknowledges the map in relation to artillery.

And if policy was to lift the map, it would default tax revenues paid. And that is equivalent to getting ripped off to the stated value. Only to be compounded by ill-gotten revenues historically speaking.

It's still back to a military enumeration and a U.S. Treasury check to back it up.

[simaotroco20]

How to Turn $100 into $1,000: Simple Strategies That Work

Turning $100 into $1,000 might seem like a challenge, but with the right strategies, it's possible to achieve this goal in a practical and realistic way. In this article, we will explore effective ways to multiply your money by taking advantage of opportunities accessible to everyone. Whether you're new to the world of finance or looking to increase your income, the following tips are for you.

1. Investing in Fixed Income with Compound InterestOne of the safest ways to grow your money is through fixed-income investments, such as CDBs (Certificates of Bank Deposits) or Treasury Bonds. Although the returns are lower than riskier assets, compound interest works its magic by multiplying your capital over time.

**Practical Example:**Suppose you invest R$100 in a CDB that yields 10% per year. With interest reinvested, your money would double in about 8 years. Of course, to reach R$1,000, you would need to continue investing or opt for an investment with higher returns, but this is an example of how compound interest works in your favor.

2. Stock Market: Investing in Small CompaniesInvesting in shares of small, but promising companies can offer significant returns. These companies, usually referred to as “small caps,” have a high growth potential.

Tip: Look for companies with solid fundamentals and in sectors with growth trends. Although this type of investment carries more risk, the possibility of high returns is also greater.

With R$100, you can start by buying shares or investment fund quotas that include these companies in their portfolios.

3. Reselling Products with High Profit MarginsAnother effective strategy is to invest in products that you can resell with a significant profit margin. With R$100, you can start by buying products in popular markets or even wholesale and selling them for a higher price.

**Practical Example:** Buy accessories, such as jewelry or phone cases, at low prices and resell them on online platforms or social media. With a good marketing strategy, you can quickly double or triple your initial investment.

4. Affiliate MarketingAffiliate marketing is a way to make money by promoting other people's or companies' products. With a small initial investment, like $100 to boost your social media posts, you can generate sales and earn commissions.

Tip: Choose products you believe in and that have good demand. Use your social media, blog, or YouTube channel to promote these products. With dedication, you can turn your initial $100 into $1,000 in commissions.Learn how to make 1000 per week with our course, don't miss the opportunity to be financially independent.

http://speed-wealth.getresponsesite.com

[veale2006-blog]

Benghazi 2.0 🎯

One, this is all theatrics, but strategic for the swamp removal but also President Trump said what?

“We are going to load Gitmo up with a lot of bad dudes.”

Two, it brings back into play Benghazi.

Remember, Killary’s comment after we lost American’s at the U.S. diplomatic compound September 11 & 12, 2012:

“What difference, at this point, does it make?”

Stinger Missile = Air and Missile Defense.

Air and Missile Defense = 14S MOS

Guess whose MOS that was? 🙋🏽‍♂️

Stinger Missiles lock in on aircraft and destroy them.

You cannot run rescue missions with helicopters where stinger missiles are present.

The missile has a speed of Mach 2.54 = 1,930 mph.

The Plan is making everything look just like the Federal Corporation Wars of the past…

Will Americans wake up?

Will Americans say no more?

Any American who claims to support “Biden” or “Harris” are not only blind, but uneducated and brainwashed.

The “war” in Ukraine isn’t about Russia-Ukraine.

It’s about the Biochemical Laboratories that were funded by the United States under Obama, Bush, and Clinton’s.

Remember ‘Uranium One’ that President Trump says is the worst scandal in United States History?

Russia started acquiring stake in UO in 2009 and acquired 51% of the stake in 2010.

Uranium is a National Security asset… so, guess who had to approve the acquisition?

👉🏻 Committee on Foreign Investment that includes input from:

Department of State Department of Treasury Department of Justice Department of Energy Department of Defense Department of Commerce Department of Homeland Security

And Office of the United States Trade Representative.

Who was the Secretary of State in 2010?

👉🏻 Killery

Guess who donated to Killery Clinton and the Clinton Foundation for the 2016 Election?

👉🏻 Uranium One at a cool $145 million.

Guess who was NOT the President of Russia from May 7, 2008, to May 7, 2012?

👉🏻 Vladimir Putin

Russia capitulated to U.S. and President Trump on July 16, 2018.

Chapter 12 of the Law of War Manual. 😎

Now doesn’t that Soccer Ball in Helsinki, Finland, on July 16, 2018, look even more beautiful?🔥

Military Occupation, November 8, 2016 to present day…

👉🏻 45–47

The Dash Matters.

Draining the SWAMP.

Those of us who are awake and know what’s going on… this is one hell of an epic rodeo 🔥🎯🐂🇺🇸