Mitt Romney, the Mormon Bain Capital front man - NEXUS

Mormon Church, Bain Capital or a multi-national corporation in disguised?

We are all familiar with the old adage of “follow the money”, right? Not with the Mormon Church or with Mitt Romney. In fact, the Mormon Church can be likened to a financial labyrinth that no one can ever find the exit.  One can argue that the Mormon Church is masquerading itself as a religious order, but in reality, it is a shadowy multi-national corporation worth in the tens of billions of dollars.  And someone wanting to unveil the mystery of the deep and clandestine financial empire of the church, a quantum mechanics scientist would be more likely to unravel the inside universe of subatomic particles. However, in the Mormon quantum business physics, if you scratch the surface, you will only find buckyballs within buckyballs – and endless shell companies where one will never see the business-God particle.

Today, the Mormon Church is knee-deep in cash and actively involved in real estate, securities, businesses, land holdings, publishing, TV, radio stations and countless other business enterprises, plus, subsidiaries within shadowy companies – all under a nut shell that no one can penetrate.  In fact, the Mormon Church conducts business world-wide, but is also the largest private land owner in the United States. Moreover, the Church has annual revenues in the billions of dollars, which derive from the steady contribution of church members, dividends, trust and of course, from investment income.  Fortune 500 pegs the wealth of the Mormon Church within ten points from the top 100 richest companies. However, how much wealth or income the church receives or has in acquisition, is truly an educated guess, as the Church has refused public review of its finances since 1959.

It’s a fact; the IRS does not have the wherewithal to delve into the business dealings of the Mormon Church as it is sanctioned pursuant to IRC Sec. 501(c)(3) giving Federal tax exemption to religious groups or non-profit organizations.  In addition, Church following is a behemoth curtain which would stand in the way of any government agency or any individuals wanting to peek. 

According to an ABC News report by Mark Mathews and Brian Ross, Mitt Romney, as a Mormon leader and head of the giant equity firm of Bain Capital, he “carved” his church a juicy slice of lucrative business deals, thus providing the church with millions of dollars worth of stock, stock, stock…!  Why the emphasis you may ask? Well, the concern of every American is with the higher tax bracket for the working poor as opposed to the very wealthy, especially those whose income derives from dividends or capital gains, such as with Mitt Romney, who end up paying less in taxes per capita – or nothing at all.

Stock contributions to LDS church, donations or tax scam?

However! Little known to the rest of the American public is, that contributing tithes to the Mormon Church by its members is not only a practice, it is a requirement  – preferably, in the form of stock. Why? Very well known to Church officials  is that stock donations provide for a more favorable tax treatment for the donor. Under IRS rules, an individual gifting stock to a tax-exempt organization or church will receive a tax deductable donation credit against the full value of the holding (value of stock), thereby also exempting the capital gain of the stock and the gain is also not taxed.  This greatly gives tax advantage to the donor but it also overwhelmingly helps the church by receiving capital gains which are untaxed. Therefore, having this latitude or IRS loophole, a fundamental question must be asked; why would the Mormon Church not be inclined to invest in businesses owned or controlled by the church, in which company owners or members of the same church, would be forced or urged to give contributions to the church in the form of stock – whereby, company stock and capital gains would go untaxed? The advantage to the church is that it gets more revenue.

Mitt Romney and Bain Capital - business prowess or church connections?

Candidate Mitt Romney has made it its hallmark that he is a successful businessman and that he understands and can fix the national economy.  He touts his credentials from his alleged start-up of his business and success of his venture and asset management company, Bain Capital. However, what is not widely known is that he was not instrumental in the start up of the company or perhaps the success of the businesses he claims to have managed or owned.  Instead, it is believed that men in black suits approached Mitt and was offered a leading position in a new business venture –where any and all decisions would be made by those men in black, driving cars with Utah license plates. He was not to know where the new venture capital came from or where it would ultimately end.  We do know of course, that by coincidence, his companies consistently contributed stock offerings to the Church of Latter Day Saints. We also now know, that he has untold holdings or cash stored in offshore accounts.

 Thus, the question remains as to whether many of his alleged assets and resources truly belong to Mitt Romney or owns them by proxy? That is still not clear and he is not talking.  In fact, now as the presumptive Republican nominee, he does not give interviews to the press freely and refuses to answer to questions about his business connections.  When he does appear on Fox News however, candidate Mitt Romney is cuddled with softball and leading questions, which only amount to lighting up the mythical little shinny city on the hill.  And yet, the unknown about Mitt Romney’s finances and connection to the Mormon Church agenda remains elusive.  

In sum, what is troubling about Mitt Romney and the connection with the Mormon Church is that he is known as changing his stripes as with the wind changing direction.  The American public does not know if Mitt Romney controls Mitt or if he would be a president that would be manipulated by extreme interest, either in Wall Street, Salt Lake City or from the Knesset in Israel.  The stakes are too high and the gamble too risky if Mitt Romney was to be elected.

This much we do know; he would provide for more loopholes to Wall Street, help the  very rich, he would arm the military to the teeth and place missile systems umbrellas through out, but, he would also cut much needed social programs.  In fact, he has made a promise that he would make the US military force so powerful, that no one would dare challenge.  Which coincidentally, the Mormon Church evangelical agenda is one which will make it the most prominent religion in the world.  So just imagine, if Mitt Romney was to become President, is in collusion with church agenda, and is given the reigns of US military power, would he not place the country into an apocalyptic course? 

Keep in mind, that Mitt Romney has also resurrected the cold-war with the Soviet Union, a system of government which no longer exist, but has also marked Red China as our mortal enemy.  So, what are we to expect from a man whose stripes can change as the wind blows.  Would he work for Wall Street, Zionism or would he legitimize the Mormon Church as the most powerful religion in the world – in which no one would dared question?  

I SMOKED A DOOBIE WITH YOUNG BARACK AT OXY. IT’S WHERE WE BEGAN OUR PLAN FOR CHANGE – SO WHAT’S HAPPENED?

Nov. 5, 2009
By

Joseph Chez

Barry, do you remember when life was just basketball, music and shooting the bull with our friends? Who can forget the good times we had at Haines Hall at Oxy, right? In fact, I still remember nights at the dorm in which music blared and the sweet smell of you know what, lingered up and down the hall. I also remember the day we were on the high, you took a bite of your favorite Hawaiian pizza from Casa Bianca’s and with a mouthful, you said; don’t call me Barry, my name is now Barack. You really looked so serious, but all I could do is laugh. Perhaps it was the high.  And , I don’t supposed you have forgotten your vigorous debates you started in professor Boesche’s Political Thought class, in which you robustly asserted your views for change? Someone changed at Oxy alright –and you were never the same since.

Yes, you continued to play JV with the Tigers, but I knew that in your mind, young Barack was now interested in political discourse and philosophical thought. From there on, you began vigorous debates at the dorms - with brothers, Chicanos and young republicans like “J” Boyers or Ken (S). But, I could never understand why you stopped calling the girl from Brentwood - she was so hot Barack!  Yet, I knew your future was at hand, and as the doobie-smoke cleared in the dorm hall, it was still fun, even though, you had began to take things to heart.

Yes, you became active for divestment of American public funds to end apartheid in South Africa - and you worked so hard. The day Nelson Mandela was released from jail, I believe we celebrated and it felt so right. And yet, many other things were on your our mind. For one thing, you did not like the war in Afghanistan and you used to argue that the Russians had no right to have invaded Afghanistan. You believed then, that the sovereignty of nations should not, for any reason, ever be compromised. And yes, you wanted to rid the world of hunger, poverty and to boot - get rid of all of nuclear weapons and bring proliferation to an end.
So Barack, I am proud to have stayed by your side, from Oxy, to Columbia, to Harvard and to the streets of Chicago, Illinois. But friend Barack, the narrative of your story seems to have changed. You got to the White House and the world rejoiced, but, the world now questions what has happened to those principles that you said should never be compromised?

Mr. President, since you are now in charge, why are so many of the former president’s policies still in place? Much of the Patriot Act which diluted our constitutional rights continues to be in place. You were overwhelmingly elected by the American people to end the war, and yet, you have given your generals the leeway of determining the course for the war. Rendition of foreign nationals continues in foreign soil and frankly, such policy does nothing to RESET our moral goal. Guantanamo remains open in ghastly opposition by nations of the world and so we question; why you do not use your presidential pen for a presidential order to close Guantanamo - and provide American justice to those who have not been tried or been convicted in a court of law?

Today the economy is showing signs of life, and yet, almost 10 per cent of the population remains unemployed, while Wall Street stock and securities pimps continue to rake in the dough. Yes, derivatives and shadowy hedge funds in the banking and securities market continue to thrive without meaningful government regulation. Bush’s privatization of the government continues unfettered; today, there are more private contractors in the war theatre of Afghanistan and Iraq than DOD personnel - with limitless funding and working only under an MOU (good faith agreement) for guidance. Thus, billions of tax dollars are being paid to these private contractors without taxpayer scrutiny. Moreover, the faith base funding, as envisioned by J.W. Bush, bless his soul, is currently funding religious goals, but truly not helping those homeless who live under a bridge. The worthless “No Child Left Behind” left by the Bush administration remains almost intact and the humanities are out the window, while teachers only teach students, standards that pit students against teachers and teachers against school administrators. However, the worst indictment Mr. President, is your naïveté belief that you must build consensus in a bi-partisan fashion in order to bring about change. You must truly understand that republicans are just not into you.  You should understand, that their main objective is to stand in the way - so democrats and you will fail. So I respectfully remind you sir, that you were overwhelmingly elected to lead and implement a democratic agenda, and that means: bringing the war in both Iraq and in Afghanistan to an end; instituting universal health care (a public option) for all and not succumbing to pressure from the health industry; completely ending the Cuban embargo without any preconditions (we do business with other totalitarian and communist states) ; strengthening environmental protection; decisively closing the Guantanamo gulag and returning the land to Cuba; pushing for strict governmental regulations on industry and commerce for the sake of consumer protections; reduce the war machinery and start investing in renewable and environmentally friendly energy; reduce the Pentagon’s limitless funding and start investing in higher education; and last, if we truly wish to end world terrorism, we must be forthright and take an even-handed foreign policy towards the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and abide by the United Nations mandate calling for a two state solution consistent with the 1967 borders.

In sum, I am still your friend and supporter Mr. President, but as the world remains hopeful for change, you must do your part and stand for principle and not political expediency. Wake up Barack!

Believing a victory is possible in Afghanistan is foolish

Oct. 8,2009

By
Joseph Chez

Eight years at war In Afghanistan and the nation questions;' how many more?

Yes, this week marks the 8TH year anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan - the forgotten war that a great majority of Americans has placed in the back or their minds. However, American forces have suffered significant casualties as well as countless severe and disabling war related injuries. Moreover, the ballooning deficit facing the nation is partly the result of the no-ceiling expense for the war.

Today, our economy is moribund and many question if whether the nation is capable of further economic drain. This is one reason national polls are showing wavering support for the war. In contrast, the White House is feeling pressured from the GOP and the Pentagon for continued involvement and even troop level increases. But soon, the President will be deciding on what will be the course for the war; whether to embrace Gen. McChrystal's request for more troops or perhaps come to the realization that it is not in the best interest of the country to continue a military presence in Afghanistan.

But something is needed as the status quo appears not to have an ending. However, the President must also conclude that remaining in that part of the world will not keep us safe here at home, for if that were to be true, we would have to be in every part of the world - forever.

The final caveat : a war with no viable exit strategy may only cause a protracted war that will further strain our economy, weaken our military readiness and not provide the country with meaningful safety. The answer is therefore not difficult; let's get out before the sandpit turns to quicksand.

BORN AGAIN FISCAL CONSERVATIVES RISE FROM THE RUBBLE LEFT FROM THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION

Out of the rubble, from a tattered and violated U.S. national economy, Republican legionnaires are once again becoming born-again fiscal conservative.

With the likes of Rush Limbaugh who has taken the helm of the Republican party -from the grip of Michael Steel (RNC Chairman); Joe the plumber who is now a book author with a ghost writer; Sara Paling who sees herself executive savvy and the future of the party; and Joe Six-pack who unabashedly waves the stars- and-stripes with blind devotion - these acolytes of corporate America are back once more, touting the virtues of the free-market forces vis-a-vis government oversight. However, these fellas conveniently forget that they were once blind to the free-market acts under the Bush Administration which led us to where we are.

Newt Gingrich, whose "Contract with America" was in reality, a contract on America, is on the speaking circuit damming the Democrats and President Obama's economic and social agenda. Sean Hannity, the Fox News show host and pundit, has asked his listeners, what kind of revolution they would like to see against the Democrats in control of government. His "let's take America back" message is becoming red meat for the intellectually-poor Joe six-pack crowd. In fact, the pompous Grand Old Party leader and dean for the center for conservative studies, Rush Limbaugh, has publicly announced that he wishes President Obama's agenda to fail, so the country will win.

Yes, these corporate-America apologist, are coming out of the economic rubble the Bush Administration left for President Obama, and they are fiercely joining the ranks of malcontent Republicans who want to start a ( fiscal conservative) revolution to take back America. Their rhetoric is so inflammatory, that many of the Joe six-pack crowd are confused with the message, and wait patiently for a call to arms. Glen Beck was so enamored with his pitch fork advocacy, that he left CNN and moved to Fox News where he could get a better feel of the grip.

Today, these Republican born-again fiscal conservatives, are denouncing President Obama's $787 billion dollar stimulus package designed to rescue the crumbling economy. An economy so severely damaged, that it may rival the 1930's great Depression. However, these individuals continue to argue that government over-spending is unnecessary, but propose, as they did before, that government should tax less and stay out of the private sector.
But excuse me? Do these nut-jobs not realize that the present economic situation is so dire? Do they not understand that our nation's economic state of affairs is, the result of the prior - Republican; get government off my back, let industry police itself, less taxes-less government, no bid-contracts, less paper work for less paper trail, and turn government over to the private sector by way of out-sourcing? Did they not raped and pillaged our economy?

In 2001, when former President George Bush took office, with a stroke of a pen, by Presidential Order, he ordered all government agencies under the executive branch, to immediately begin a transfer of government services and resources to the private sector. This became known as privatizing government or "outsourcing". In reality however, it was the beginning of ransacking public resources. In fact, the Bush Administration put in place a plan "to get to the green" for each federal agency. The plan was to privatize up to 50 per cent of services and resources for each federal agency. Yes, "green" as in money. Thus, each agency played the game to get to the green with incentives for the head of agencies receiving fat juicy bonuses.

But you know of course, that it was under the former Republican Bush Administration, that even part of the U.S. arm forces became out-sourced (private). Until recently, much of the Iraq war was in the hands of private security companies - under "no-bid contract" of course. Further, you should know that under the Bush Administration, mineral and oil claims were sold to the private sector for pennies on the dollar. You should also know that much of our industry became self-regulated. Peanuts anyone? In sum, industry pollution and profiteering became rampant.

But, what really sacked our kitty, was the investment banking industry. These necro-mongers lavishly lobbied the White House and Congress. Yet, the Bush Administration was the biggest capitulator or "the decider" and thus, the kitty went to bed as the rats ate the cheese. Where was government oversight you ask? Absent. Better yet, embedded with the enemy. In fact, the so called fiscally -conservative Republicans were so inebriated with the free market forces, that they made it possible for Wall Street to have an atmosphere of a free reign. A situation in which Wall Street become more of a gambling casino than an investment industry; Investment banking houses packaged mortgages into security schemes, hedge funds into derivatives and concocted monetary schemes such as credit-default-swaps (insurance for non-secure, non-existent investments).

And there is more; the gas and oil industry was well connected with the Bush Administration, and consequently - were allowed a free reign in the regulation of its own price controls and marketing. So free was the market forces, that the oil industry was putting billions of dollars into the commodities market, betting that the price of oil would be going up, knowing full well that they were controlling the rise and fall of the market. What a scheme. Consistently, oil companies enjoyed the historic billion(s) dollar profits. These oil fellas owe their fortune to their fellow Republican friends - George"W" and Darth Chaney.

But then, the casino free-market forces atmosphere came tumbling down. The American investor was once again beaten by the house, although the house also lost because, crooks within the casino were skimming the profits all along, until there was no more. And thus, the revered American economic model became the emperor with no clothes. Yet, believers of the GOP conservative doctrine are back again, preaching that "fiscal conservatism" is better and the only solution to the economic problem this country is having. They are sharpening their tongues and pitch forks. Sadly, their legion seems smaller and less credible.

So when Rush Limbaugh says, he wants President Obama's economic agenda to fail, I say, bite your tongue sir ! It is you and your like-minded that got us into this economic mess.

President Obama, god speed....
Joseph Chez