The Daily Report

https://www.facebook.com/cnnpolitics/posts/2064946810213808

"We're reacting to countries that have violated our trade laws for many years, putting us at a disadvantage, and putting at risk an industry that is, in fact, critical to our national defense." John Ferriola, CEO of Nucor the largest steel producer in the United States, said his company "very much supports" President Donald J. Trump's proposed tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. http://fxn.ws/2D8YR0C

"WAL-MART VS. THE MORONS (NOT A JOKE) I know lots of folks don't like Wal-Mart, but this is fascinating. This is spot-on. PLEASE, READ THIS TO THE END. IT IS VERY INTERESTING!!! Wal-Mart vs. The Morons 1. Americans spend $36,000,000 at Wal-Mart Every hour of every day. 2. This works out to $20,928 profit every minute! 3. Wal-Mart will sell more from January 1 to St. Patrick's Day (March 17th) than Target sells all year. 4. Wal-Mart is bigger than Home Depot + Kroger + Target +Sears + Costco + K-Mart combined. 5. Wal-Mart employs 1.6 million people, is the world's largest private employer, and most speak English. 6. Wal-Mart is the largest company in the history of the world. 7. Wal-Mart now sells more food than Kroger and Safeway combined, and keep in mind they did this in only fifteen years. 8. During this same period, 31 big supermarket chains sought bankruptcy. 9. Wal-Mart now sells more food than any other store in the world. 10. Wal-Mart has approx 3,900 stores in the USA of which 1,906 are Super Centers; this is 1,000 more than it had five years ago. 11. This year 7.2 billion different purchasing experiences will occur at Wal-Mart stores. (Earth's population is approximately 6.5 Billion.) 12. 90% of all Americans live within fifteen miles of a Wal-Mart. You may think that I am complaining, but I am really laying the ground work for suggesting that MAYBE we should hire the guys who run Wal-Mart to fix the economy. This should be read and understood by all Americans… Democrats, Republicans, EVERYONE!! To President Obama and all 535 voting members of the Legislature, it is now official that the majority of you are corrupt morons: a. The U.S. Postal Service was established in 1775. You have had 234 years to get it right and it is broke. b. Social Security was established in 1935. You have had 74 years to get it right and it is broke. c. Fannie Mae was established in 1938. You have had 71 years to get it right and it is broke. d. War on Poverty started in 1964. You have had 45 years to get it right; $1 trillion of our money is confiscated each year and transferred to "the poor" and they only want more. e. Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965. You have had 44 years to get it right and they are broke. f. Freddie Mac was established in 1970. You have had 39 years to get it right and it is broke. g. The Department of Energy was created in 1977 to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. It has ballooned to 16,000 employees with a budget of $24 billion a year and we import more oil than ever before. You had 32 years to get it right and it is an abysmal failure. You have FAILED in every "government service" you have shoved down our throats while overspending our tax dollars. AND YOU WANT AMERICANS TO BELIEVE YOU CAN BE TRUSTED WITH A GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM?? Folks, keep this circulating. It is very well stated. Maybe it will end up in the e-mails of some of our "duly elected' (they never read anything) and their staff will clue them in on how Americans feel. AND I know what's wrong. We have lost our minds to "Political Correctness" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Someone please tell me what is wrong with all the people that run this country!!!!!! We're "broke" and can't help our own Seniors, Veterans, Orphans, Homeless etc. and the last months we have provided aid to Haiti, Chile, and Turkey and now Pakistan (the previous home of bin Laden). literally, BILLIONS of DOLLARS!!! Our retired seniors living on a 'fixed income' receive no aid nor do they get any breaks. AMERICA: a country where we have homeless without shelter, children going to bed hungry, elderly going without needed medicines, and mentally ill without treatment, etc. Imagine if the GOVERNMENT gave U. S. the same support they give to other countries. Sad isn't it? *99% of the people receiving this message won't have the guts to forward this. *I'm one of the 1% -- I Just Did BEING UNITED SAVES AMERICA!" - Rick Loebach

First off, I want to start by expressing my heart-felt condolences to all the victims and their families that were affected by this painful tragedy. I won’t even begin to say that I understand their pain because I don’t; I’ve never been a victim of, nor do I have any friends/family members that have been victims of or affected by, a similar tragedy. However, I can at least empathize and imagine what they’re going through. With that being said, all these calls for gun reform, anti-gun laws and what have you, are really not going to do much. Blaming the NRA doesn’t really help, either. Let me put it this way: Chicago, supposedly, has one of the most hardcore gun laws in the country. How is that working out for them? They have one of the most shooting-related deaths and homicide rates in the country! Not only that, but logically speaking, think about what would happen if guns end up being completely banned for all citizens (except for those in law enforcement). I’m sure everyone has heard about the black market trade of firearms, correct? It’s very prevalent. Hell, the Columbian and Mexican drug cartel trade these weapons all the time in the U.S via the black market. If you think about it, anything and practically everything that is completely banned will always find its way into the black market. Period. Same goes with guns. Even after them being banned, anyone that is hell-bent on shooting up any public place is going to find a way to buy the gun(s) and do it. Will it be tougher for that individual to do so? Why, absolutely; the point is, though, that it would still happen. And I can guarantee anyone that the victim would feel much safer if he/she had a gun to protect him/herself. I mean, come on, it’d be stupid to bring a knife to a gun fight. And why in the hell is everyone even blaming the NRA? Are they responsible for Florida’s school shooting? Did they call/e-mail/text the accused and say, “Hey, you should strike fear in America’s hearts and shoot up your old school”? God, no! In fact, contrary to popular belief, the NRA is actually all about security. The worst part about this is the fact that the Mainstream Media is using this story as a conduit to address and persuade the masses with their far-left, borderline socialist leaning agenda against guns (also to raise their ratings/views). I mean, why chase this Florida shooting story so vehemently? Yes, I get it, it needed to be reported so the world can know what happened; however, it shouldn’t get sensationalized. The NRA recently released an ad with a message that perfectly describes the possibly imminent consequence of such mainstream sensationalism regarding this massacre, asserting their viewers that the Mainstream Media “just put out the casting call for the next mass shooter.” I would definitely agree. Honestly, why else has gun violence and school shootings seemingly become so---for lack of a better term---“trendy?” Furthermore, the NRA recently addressed Florida’s school shooting at CPAC, blaming lack of security and the authorities’ lack of action. To quote Wayne Lapierre, chief of the NRA, “They [anti-gun people] want to sweep right under the carpet the failure of school security, the failure of family, the failure of America’s mental health system, and even the unbelievable — the failure of the FBI. They fantasize about more laws stopping what other laws failed to stop. The truth is, laws succeed only when people obey them.” You know what? He’s absolutely right. A while back, when Mr. Lapierre addressed the Sandy Hook shooting, he mentioned how ironic it is that practically every institution, save schools, is armed with security guards (by the way, those security guards have guns, mind you; real guns with real bullets. I wouldn’t want to mess with them). From jewelry stores to concert halls, from sporting venues to museums, and even grocery stores, they all have armed security guards. How ironic is it that the one place that is supposed to be a safe haven for kids---our schools---is a gun-free zone? The point is that banning guns isn’t an option, nor is adding any more gun laws. Laws are only helpful and only work when citizens abide by them. Laws don’t apply to criminals, as criminals, by definition, break laws. Also, please stop blaming and attacking the NRA; they’re not the enemy, rather, they’re actually trying to help. And---I’ll be frank---I’m all for tightening up our already existing gun laws. In fact, Trump’s proposal for further and more extensive background checks, checks for mental instability (or the possibility of), raising the age of gun purchasers to 21 (or even older), and banning sales of bump-stocks (or any attachment that will give the weapon automatic-like abilities) are all really good measures. To conclude, allow me to suggest this: To prevent further school shootings from happening, and to deter possible assailants, I think schools should hire military veterans as armed security guards. That way we’re not arming teachers and school officials. Besides, there are PLENTY of unemployed military vets out there that would be more than happy to have such a job. After all, what better protectors of our treasured children than our own countrymen who were willing to sacrifice their lives for this beautiful country? At least, this suggestion would be tackling our rise of unemployed military vets. That way we’d be---what’s that quote again? Ah, yes---killing two birds with one stone. ---Toufiq Hayder; proud Muslim, proud veteran of the U.S. Army, proud Trump supporter, proud Republican, and most importantly, proud metalhead

CISCO said it plans to bring back $67 Billion, pay $11.1 Billion in charge-off, increase its buyback program by $25 Billion to $31 Billion. Business growth for CISCO is growing at around 3%, you'll see that increase in the near future to 7%. Even higher, if they follow suit with the rest of corporate America, by offering pay raises, extend paid family leave benefits, bonuses, extended retirement match contributions etc.. etc.. What's really going to boost this companies stock prices, revenues and profits will be if their software business grows evening out their business between hardware and software for networking solutions. Added manufacturing in America and a Pro-Small Business approach to sell their products. Buying up all these smaller software company is helping. Bringing back $67 Billion they stored overseas to avoid America's high corporate tax rate, will help with corporate acquisitions to grow their software business and buying out competitors and shareholders. The company said "we plan to bring back $67 billion of funds held overseas in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 by taking advantage of the recent changes to the U.S. tax laws."

Two shooters!

When we start blaming Miller Beer, Anheiser Busch, Jack Daniels and all the other liquor companies for drunk driving deaths, then we can blame the NRA for gun Violence. When we start blaming Apple, Android, Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobil for texting while driving deaths, then we can blame the NRA for Gun violence. When we start blaming big pharma for all the deaths due to overdosing and drug addictions, then we can blame the NRA for gun violence. When we start blaming McDonalds, Burger King, Chick Fil-A, and Taco Bell for all the deaths caused due to heart attacks and diabetes, then we can blame the NRA for gun violence. Humans have the ability to reason, humans have the ability to make their own decisions. Alcohol, Cell Phones, Drugs, and Fast Food isn’t killing people. It’s how people use these things. It’s a people problem. - Sal Blando End of story.

We started the year with $15,000+ in debt. For a high school store in a moderately, conservative town in Wisconsin, it's unusual to see. I had just started as the website developer and was simply tasked with making a modern website that allowed for online payment and delivery integrations. As the year went on, my role in the company had grown considerably as I went from Website Developer to the Manager, my job duties included, but were not limited to Website Developer, Manager, Online Sales Representative, and IT Representative all at once. One of my strengths is being a solutionist. We ran into situation after situation, as businesses do, and I created the solutions. Turns out we were over ordering our product, under pricing our product, and never upselling extra product. It would be almost impossible to create a human-based system to fix this, so I created a program that took all of our products and alerted us 16 days before hand about overstock and depleted inventory based off average daily sales. My boss/teacher, who was also tasked with solving the school store woes, had never run into the situation of filing for taxes while in debt. These were nerve wracking times as we neared the end of 2017. I, along with my team that we had put together, made a few changes in pricing and I added an upselling program to our point of sale system. As the last two days of 2017 had approached, we broke even. By the end of 2017, we were making a profit. Our ultimate goal was to eliminate the $15,000 in debt within 18 months. We did so in less than a year. I will not take credit for this entire scenario, as I wouldn't have been able to go through with my changes without my team and our boss/teacher. What I will take credit for, is my ability to take action when necessary, my ability to analyze situations, and create quality solutions (rather than a large quantity of "quick fixes" that do not last for the long-term). Exercising fiscal restraint by cutting down inventory, keeping prices high enough for profit, automating our point of sales system and streamlining our business model, we turned a failing school store with declining sales and sky rocketing debt into a self-sustaining store that turns a profit. Within months, we'll be able to use our profits, like any business, to buy new products, offer new services, update our hardware and equipment. A business operating in the green is prepared to do business for many years to come.

MetLife (MET) said on Monday it will increase its minimum wage to $15 an hour, enhance its benefits, and boost its retirement plan contributions to all of its employees in the wake of the tax overhaul. The New York-based insurance company also said it plans to create a new $10 million workplace skills development fund to help its employees around the world. "We are investing in their future and strengthening their long-term financial security with structural improvements that will endure," Steven A. Kandarian, president and CEO of MetLife, said in a statement. "We are also channeling most of the benefits to employees at the lower end of the compensation spectrum." The $1.5 trillion tax overhaul that President Donald Trump signed in December reduced the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and changes the way the U.S. government taxes companies that also operate internationally.

Infrastructure XWorkforce Development The White House

Chipotle is allowing corporate tax savings, due to the GOP Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, to trickle-down and benefit its 71,000 employees, including special cash bonuses of up to $1000 and stock grants, along with enhanced paid and parental leave. Chipotle also added life insurance and short-term disability insurance coverage for hourly restaurant managers. Further proving trickle-down economics does work and the free market system and free enterprise does more to spur economic growth, development, raise wages and create jobs. “According to the company, the tax cut and the jobs act made the sweetened compensation and benefits possible. The company will invest more than one-third of its anticipated savings from tax law changes on behalf of its employees, and the remainder will be used to improve its restaurant facilities and operations.” FOX BUSINESS

Thanks to good budgeting & a strong economy, we have another budget surplus. We want to return it to you, the hardworking taxpayers, through a sales tax holiday for EVERYONE and a $100 sales tax rebate.

https://goo.gl/YCzSxS

Budget surplus returns to taxpayers through one-time child sales tax rebate and sales tax holiday under agreement. MADISON – Governor Scott Walker and Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) announced an agreement to return the state’s budget surplus to taxpayers through a one-time child sales tax rebate and sales tax holiday in 2018. “As I promised, when we have a surplus, we will give it back to you. It’s your money,” Governor Walker said. “So, if you’ve got three kids at home under the age of 18, that’s $300 more this year for new shoes, coats, activity fees at school, or a co-pay at the doctor or dentist. Plus, we want to provide a sales tax holiday which comes right in time for back-to-school supplies.” As Governor Walker proposed in his State of the State Address, families across Wisconsin would receive $100 for every child living at home under 18 through a check in the mail this year. Under the agreement with Speaker Vos, when parents make the claim with the state online, they would also have the option to donate the amount to charitable causes, which are currently part of the state tax check-off program. The legislation sets the new sales tax holiday for August 4-5, 2018. Consumers would be exempt from paying state sales tax on all retail “off the shelf” items up to $100. The exemption would not apply to the sale of taxable services, prepared food, motor vehicles, motor vehicle parts, tangible or intangible property used to access telecommunications services, tangible or intangible property provided by a utility, or alcohol and tobacco products. “We know that the hardworking taxpayers in Wisconsin deserve a break,” said Speaker Vos. “It’s great to be in a position that we can return the dollars that taxpayers overpaid.” According to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR), the child tax credit rebate is estimated at $122.1 million in fiscal year 2018. DOR also estimates the one-time sales tax holiday cuts taxes by roughly $50 million in fiscal year 2019. https://walker.wi.gov/press-releases/governor-walker-speaker-vos-agree-tax-relief-package

U.S. airplane manufacturer Boeing (NYSE:BA) announced Wednesday it will change its policies for volunteer and gift match programs, resulting from the tax reform package signed into law last December. http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2018/02/07/boeing-boosts-employee-match-program-after-gop-tax-cuts.html