Chilean Government? So I'm thinking about moving to Chile. I can't be in the US with the political system the way that it is and seems to be heading (and I don't want to debate about US government so don't even go there). I am looking for any and all inside information on the Chilean government, business, way of life, real estate, how easy/hard it is to get a job.... Anything is helpful! Thanks.

well tell me how you would put it? :) paper due tomorrow on troopscoming back from iraq? Due to the aging of the baby boom generation along with increased average life spans of American citizens, the current system of social security is headed for bankruptcy, meaning it will no longer generate the funds necessary to meet its obligations to retirees. Democrats and Republicans debate the actual timing of this insolvency, but no one disputes the fact that changes must be made eventually to keep the system going. Because the system is severely under-funded, one of two courses must be made at some point: 1) raise taxes to increase revenue generated, or 2) cut back on benefits paid out. President Bush has stated that he likely won't raise social security taxes to cover the difference; thus, he has indirectly acknowledged that benefits will have to be cut. However, his administration has come up with a plan that could make up the difference and even increase the benefits available to retirees -- private accounts. Currently, employees pay 6.2 percent in social security tax, which is matched by another 6.2 percent paid by the employer. Under Bush's plan (or rather Bush's adaptation of an idea that's been used in Britain, Argentina, Australia, and Chile and proposed in the past by President Clinton and Senate Minority leader Harry Reid), employees would be able to take 4 percent and put it into a special private account they own, and for which the government can never touch (with the other 8.4 percent staying in the general trust fund). This private account could be invested in a number of mutual funds which could include stocks and bonds (in addition to no-risk investments such as treasury instruments). This private account would be transferable to next of kin upon death. Since investment in stocks and bonds are historically much higher than the return currently earned by the government system, President Bush is convinced that the additional earnings of private investment will more than make up for the cutback in benefits Billions of dollars will be injected into corporate investment, leading to an economic stimulus. Every economist will tell you that the key to growth is new investment. Economic growth leads to lower unemployment, lower inflation, and a greater standard of living for society as a whole. The implementation of private accounts would mean a significant amount of money would be invested into the private sector. And since money could be shifted around, the most efficient and successful companies would gain additional investment funds. One of the best "leading indicators" of a successful U.S. economic upturn or downturn is the U.S. stock market. Experts almost unanimously agree that the stock market would go up with the use of private social security accounts. One of the foremost economic experts in the world is Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan; he happens to support the idea of private accounts.

How do Hedge Funds Manipulate Stock Prices? As we struggle to fathom why our financial markets have fallen so dramatically, many in the financial media have ignored the role played by short sellers and manipulators. When men controlling billions of dollars in trading power make a bet, they will go to any lengths to make that bet pay off including manipulation and gaming our system. Methods Used To Manipulate Our Markets Establish short positions over a period of 20 30 days at this stage the selling is done gently - the markets do not even feel a ripple. Once that is done, wait for a trigger to crush the price down. Any trigger will do floods in Chile , hurricane in Cuba , bomb blast in Afghanistan . The deliberate heavy selling is now done by different funds and entities allied with the short betters. A lot of the selling and buying thus happens between allied parties something called CIRCULAR TRADING. Circular trading though illegal is hard to trace and the SEC has made no efforts to trace it. By beating down the market heavily, they force those who had bought the shares on margin to be squeezed. Resulting margin calls from brokers will force many to sell at a low price loosing tons of money. Stock analysts allied with the team play a major role in putting a spin to justify the manipulation RIMM profit up 75% - stock down 27% in a single day POT profit up 300% - stock down 50% over the last 3 months From the above its easy to see how our financial system, our government, our regulatory authorities are turning a blind eye to the whole system being manipulated. We only have to take a comparative look at stocks that have short selling banned and those allowed - to make a clear case that short sellers manipulate our stock markets. Bank of America (BAC) up 60% after the shortselling ban CITIBANK (C) - up 40% after the shortselling ban First Bancorp(FBP) - up 45% after the shortselling ban Shortselling permitted stocks- Potash (POT) - down 50% Apple (AAPL) - down - 30% United States Steel(X) down 45% Indian stock market has plunged almost 40% since short selling for major institutions was allowed. [Just a few days before presenting the Budget, finance minister P Chidambaram has finally given the go ahead to short selling by institutional investors by clearing issues on its taxation. - ] Compare the drop in stock markets - Thursday 18, October - major stock markets down 8- 9 % Chinese Shanghai Index down 3% (They dont allow short selling) The major debate has been how big a role short sellers play in a markets decline? When a stock falls by 27$ in a single day how much of that fall can be attributed to short sellers? Hard to say. Same was the problem we faced when elephants and wildlife was being decimated around the globe. How do you prove the ivory tusk you just bought came from a dead elephant or an elephant that was just killed? In our wisdom we humans decided to ban the ivory and wildlife trade completely. [ HYDERABAD : The volatile Sensex has found its victims here in a macabre way. K Upender, 34, killed himself and took along with him his wife Swati and two-year-old son Sai Ashij. The huge losses in the stocks business was too much for him to bear.-] Huge and sudden market declines have caused people to take their own lives along with whole families. When we are dealing with an issue this serious, it is imperative that we ban an activity that contributes significantly to this major problem Short selling originated at a time when brokers ran their own stock exchanges in the wild west style, before there was any regulation. It is as vital to the economy as is a piece of rusted nail on the road that can blow a hole in your tire. My question is - why would the people in power allow this? Is it because the hedge funds contribute few hundred million dollars to political parties every year?

I have land for sale in Chilean Patagonia....? Dear Sirs, I am contacting you to share with you information regarding a property we have for sale. It is a 2025 hectare (5.004 acres) land in Cisne Medio, Austral Road, Aysn Region in the Chilean Patagonia. In the midst of a rustic environment, surrounded by mountains, it is largely covered by native untouched forest, with a 2km long interior lake and three interior valleys, bordered by the Cisnes river and crossed by the Sandoval stream. Chile offers excellent guarantees to foreign investors, something which has been recognized internationally, it's perfectly legal for a foreigner to buy a property. There are special regulations for foreign investments, but they are relatively simple. Chile is a particularly safe and peaceful country, more over in the Patagonia, where in some places you can even leave doors unlocked with no fear something will happen. There is no corruption and public institutions work very well. Certain protocols are necessary for doing business here, so I would suggest you choose a lawyer buffet to assist you if you plan to invest in Chile. There is a small village 12 kms from the property (Villa Amengual) with basic services and a runway suitable for small planes, and Coyhaique, the regional capital, is 160 kms south of the property (110 kms of which are paved). Regional plans include having the Austral Road paved by the year 2010, as well as bringing electricity and telephone services to this area. To reach the property you must fly into Santiago,Chile. Once in Santiago, you must take a connection flight to the Balmaceda Airport, in the Aysen Region. Once in Balmaceda, there is a half hour trip to Coyhaique. The property is 2.5 hours from Coyhaique. Coyhaique has approximately 40.000 inhabitants, hospital, government offices, etc. The property is an ideal site for an avid sports fishing fan, since it is completely isolated by important natural limits: the Cisnes river, that borders the property for 5 kms, and state-owned mountains that surround the rest of the property. To reach the property you must go across the river, but at the same time, since the river is only approximately 1 km from the Austral Road , this makes it both : an isolated place as well as a relatively easy place to reach. Prevalent wildlife: fox, wild boar, Hurons, hares, pudu, pumas, caiquens and other regional birds. No snakes of any type (unless they can use a parka!) Property taxes are currently very low, since it a rustic, rural property, no more than US$ 200 per year. Our property is free of mortgages, all papers and documents are in order, ready to be sold. It is sold directly by us, the owners. Price: US$ 1.780.000.- Why must you invest in Chilean Patagonia? Politically stable democratic government Stable legal system, with clear, non-discriminatory laws A free market economy, deregulated and competitive Sound, stable, non-discriminatory economic policies Constitutional guarantees for foreign investment Favorable economic outlook with very good investment opportunities Extremely open economy, with low customs duties and no non-tariff barrier Highly developed, dynamic capital markets Modern financial system with up-to-date technology Tradition of profound respect for laws regulations If you would like to visit the property, we can help you coordinate your visit. We own a small Mountain Hotel situated 125 kms north of the property, where we can gladly host you and help you with your visit. You can find more information (maps and pictures) at . (if you can't click directly, please copy and paste in your Internet browser). If you have any additional inquiries, please don't hesitate in contacting us. Sincerely yours, Alan Vasquez VALLES PERDIDOS S.A. PROYECTOS EN NATURALEZA PATAGONIA CHILENA Tel: 56 (67) 314141; Fax 56 (67) 314142 .

Are you Liberal or Conservative? Undecided? Why? ? Let's look at the record. In 1776, why did liberals fight for a crazy concept called Democracy? Did conservatives think it was insane to allow common people to determine who governed our nation? Perhaps a compromise would be to make George Washington King? Why did conservatives opposed legislation that would make child labor a crime? Why did conservatives opposed Abe Lincoln and freedom for slaves? In the twentieth century, why did conservatives support dictators in Cuba, Chile, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Germany? Yes, was it not conservatives who filled Madison Square Garden in New York City with supporters of Adolph Hitler? In Chile, did our conservative government promote the MURDER of the elected leader of Chile and put Pinochet in power? Why? Why did the USA refuse to allow elections in Vietnam? Weren't they part of the Geneva Accords? Maybe conservatives did not want Ho Che Min to be elected President? Well, they won that one. Why not think about Social Security, Medicare, Public Education, Libraries, our legal system, innocent until proven guilty? Are these really evil concepts? And they claim that Liberal is a dirty word? Please think about it. I love you and I love our country either way! Get out the vote!