As debate intensifies between infrastructure spending and tax cuts to stimulate job growth, Small-Business-Stimulus.org announced an alternative that will outperform either option in job creation, economic stimulus and deficit reduction. The new plan, Small Business Stimulus 2.0, will create 6.2 million jobs within six months strictly for unemployed workers at an average cost of ,000 per job. The new plan will drop unemployment numbers from 15.3 million to 9.1 million and the unemployment rate will decrease from 10% to 5.9%. Within one year 78% of the costs will be recovered by existing taxes and unemployment benefit savings. Subsequent periods will yield a net surplus and reduce the deficit.

Since the mid-1990s, small businesses have created 60 to 80 percent of the net new jobs, according to the Small Business Administration. Creative and ambitious entrepreneurs are what’s going to turn our economy around. The Small Business Stimulus 2.0 plan will incent small businesses to hire unemployed workers.

The 7 billion Recovery Act had a goal of creating or saving 3.5 million jobs over two years which calculates to over 4,000 per job. It has fallen short, the economy continues to flounder, unemployment is at 10% and shows little sign of significant job growth. A new, more effective stimulus is needed.

Others are calling for tax cuts to stimulate job growth. But tax cuts do not guarantee job growth and would guarantee an increase in the deficit. Tax cuts appeal only to profitable businesses while a marginally profitable business does not have the cash flow to grow and hire new workers. A tax cut benefit would be used mostly by profitable companies that would be growing and hiring without a tax cut incentive. It does not help and incent struggling small businesses to hire more workers.

Small Business Stimulus 2.0 calls for 0 billion from the 7 billion Recovery Act to reimburse small businesses up to 80% of wages for hiring an unemployed worker for one year. Employers would have a six month window to hire unemployed workers under the plan. The plan would generate 0 billion in new employment wages subject to payroll and income taxes already in place. These taxes would return .6 billion (46% of the plan cost) to the federal government within one year. Additionally, states would save .5 billion in unemployment benefits and collect .8 billion in income and sales taxes. A total of 7 billion (78% of the cost) would be recovered by federal and state coffers within one year. The economic surge caused by Stimulus 2.0 would eventually generate a net surplus resulting in reduction of the federal deficit. Since funding would come from the 7 billion Recovery Act, there would be no new spending or increase in deficit.

A key part of the plan also calls for a big change in the way the legislation would be developed. It calls for entrepreneurs and concerned citizens to write the bulk of the bill rather than Congress or their staffers who have little or no business experience. Business owners know what will work and what things to avoid that would kill effectiveness of the plan. They also know how the system could be gamed and would write rules to minimize fraud and abuse.

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

United States – December 10, 2010 – Most traders know that gold is one of the more volatile instruments in the forex marketplace. Large price shifts for seemingly no reason are practically commonplace, and can often confuse the inexperienced trader. It is for this reason that ForexYard has recently published its latest in-depth analysis: The Impact of Gold Trading. This article will provide you, the trader, with some of the most important tools necessary to become knowledgeable in all things gold.

The Impact of Gold Trading provides a brief history of gold, as well as an analysis of some of the more significant events that have given shape to the precious metal’s rise in value. Furthermore, a detailed examination of the most recent global economic crisis and its impact on gold will help shed light on the direction the commodity is going, and how you can profit from this knowledge.

The gold rush triggered by the deep financial crisis poses serious dangers for frightened Americans looking to buy or sell gold. That’s the alarming conclusion of Scott A. Travers, author of the just-released Random House consumer protection book The Coin Collector’s Survival Manual, Seventh Edition.

Some panicked buyers seeking safe haven for their money are grossly overpaying for gold coins and other precious metal purchases, Travers warns, while some consumers selling coins and jewelry to raise needed cash are receiving only pennies on the dollar from unscrupulous predators in the marketplace.

With information gained through interviews with 19 precious metal dealers, Travers reveals insider secrets for getting the most money when selling coins, jewelry or scrap gold and silver. He cautions that high-profile gold buyers who advertise extensively often pay low-profile prices. “They prey on the unwary,” he writes, “luring cash-starved victims with slick TV commercials or eye-catching newspaper ads promising ‘top dollar’ for the gold that’s sitting idle in their jewelry boxes or drawers.”

Travers advises consumers and investors who want to buy or sell gold to seek local merchants with established businesses; ask relatives, friends and neighbors about their experiences; and check merchants’ credentials and ratings with the Better Business Bureau or local Chamber of Commerce.

“Don’t turn your valuables into fool’s gold,” he counsels readers.

Travers warns that some rip-off dealers are cashing in on the dramatically higher demand for gold by gouging unwary retail buyers, in some cases charging more than three times the value of gold coins.

The Coin Collector’s Survival Manual, Seventh Edition provides consumer-friendly advice on how to buy and sell U.S. and world gold coins, and explains the important differences between bullion gold coins, which generally are worth only as much as the gold they contain, and collectible gold coins, which can be rare and valuable. The book provides consumer protection information about the possible hazards of buying rare coins on the Internet and vital caveats about online auctions

Apple Hotel @ Jalan Alor, located a stone’s throw away from the heart of the Golden Triangle, is the first of three Apple Hotels to open in Kuala Lumpur. The others will be Apple Hotel @ Bandar Sunway and Apple Hotel @ Jalan Changkat Bukit Bintang, set to open in 2012.

Jerry Ho, CEO of Apple Hotel Sdn Bhd, said, ‘We are proud to introduce the Apple Hotel experience to Malaysia and travellers from all over the world. Apple Hotel offers one-of-a-kind experience that appeals to the senses while also satisfying the practical needs of travellers.’

Ho explained that Apple Hotel is designed to meet the needs of well-travelled discerning individuals by focusing on certain priorities such as comfort and security without costly frills. He said, ‘We offer our guests less space for a better price. Our reasonable rates help ensure that our guests will have more to set aside for dining and shopping in Malaysia.’

Located right in the heart of the city, Apple Hotel @ Jalan Alor is a short distance away from the shopper’s paradise of Bintang Walk, and the many malls and plazas located along the Jalan Bukit Bintang shopping strip. The hotel’s ideal location offers easy access to public transportation and is a short drive to the culture, cuisine and commerce centre of Kuala Lumpur downtown.

What makes Apple Hotel so special? Ho said, ‘We are willing to do what no other hotels are doing. Personal hygiene is so important to us that we decided to give our guests their very own fresh towel and personal pillowcase to use and take home*. This is just one of the many ways we take care of our guests.’

Ho pointed out that the industrial cleaning process of towels and pillowcases by hotels is actually very damaging to the environment. Hence, to avoid this process, Apple Hotel encourages its guests to take home the towels and pillowcases that were given to them.

In keeping with the theme, guests will find specially sourced rattan furniture in the main foyer, instead of plastic chairs. The smallest detail is not overlooked as even the bar of soap that is provided to each guest is specially selected to ensure that it is not harmful to the environment. This speaks volumes about Apple Hotel’s passion as an environmentally friendly establishment.

The success of Apple Hotel is driven by it’s A-B-C concept. Ho said, ‘ ‘A’ stands for Affordable, as we offer rooms for a good night’s rest without all the costly extras. ‘B’ stands for Better Value, as we provide our guests with a great place to stay at prices they can afford. Last but not least, ‘C’ stands for Comfortable, for our comfortable rooms that comes with modern amenities.’

Apple Hotel offers single, double,twin or family rooms that are both clean and comfortable. All rooms come with excellent five-star quality beds, air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms with hot shower and LCD television (with selected cable channels).

The rooms are also equipped with modern must-haves such as high speed wireless internet access which is available free of charge for hotel guests. In addition, guests will also enjoy modern conveniences such hair dryer, coffee-making facility and complimentary beverages.

For guests who want to do some sight seeing, they will find the 25ft x 30ft map of Kuala Lumpur, which shows the various places of interest throughout the city, on the feature wall of the main foyer very helpful. If they need directions, the friendly Apple Hotel staff is more than willing to help.

Introductory rates at Apple Hotel start from RM88 per night for Single Room. For reservations or further information, please call 03-214apple / 018-MR APPLE or visit http://www.applehotels.com.

About Jalan Alor, Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is all about eating, and the best place to eat is in Jalan Alor. This lively street, which runs parallel to Jalan Bukit Bintang in the heart of the Golden Triangle, is a short walk away from the modern shopper’s paradise of Bintang Walk.

When the sun goes down, Jalan Alor comes alive as strings of fluorescent lights and bulbs light up the area and hundreds of locals and busloads of tourists dine alfresco. Known for its extravaganza sights, tastes and smells, the street, lined by endless rows of hawker stalls selling various types of food, takes on a life of its own.

About Apple Hotel

Apple Hotel serves today’s discerning travellers and is setting a new standard in the hospitality industry. The Apple Hotel brand promises the unique benefits of the finest designer hotels, including privacy, security, comfort, cleanliness, friendly service and attention to detail combined with modern amenities and conveniences. Apple Hotel is a brand focused on customer satisfaction while taking great care to play its part to be more environmentally friendly.

Learn more at http://www.applehotels.com.

*Terms & conditions apply.

Guests will receive a free towel when they join Apple Hotel in Facebook and a pillowcase when they join Apple Hotel in Tweeter. Items will only be provided during check-in.

**High res images are available for download at http://www.applehotels.com.

Media contacts:

Jerry Ho 012-200 4833

jerry(at)applehotels(dot)com / media(at)applehotels(dot)com

# # #

USApple’s fan page on Facebook and profile on twitter went live Monday, joining a number of other produce industry pages nationwide. USApple aims to distribute positive apple health benefit information to the public and media as well as recipe ideas and general industry information by having a presence on both of these popular social networking sites.

“Social media is an additional, innovative way to engage and educate consumers on delicious and nutritious U.S. apples and apple products. We hope these outlets will provide additional tools for consumers to help them achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle,” states Allison Parker, Director of Consumer Health and Education for USApple.

To visit USApple’s page on Facebook or to become a fan, log in to Facebook and search ‘U.S. Apple Association.’ To follow their tweets, find them @USAppleAssoc.

The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 40 state and regional apple associations representing the 7,500 apple growers throughout the country, as well as more than 400 individual firms involved in the apple business. USApple’s mission is to provide the means for all segments of the U.S. apple industry to join in appropriate collective efforts to profitably produce and market apples and apple products.

Samueli tried to buy the basketball team last year, the station reported, citing unnamed sources. The Kings are in play amid financial issues at the Maloof family, which owns the team, and troubles securing a new Sacramento arena.

A loan from Samueli would be used to help the Maloofs shore up finances and pay the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers for rights to play in Southern California, according to the report. The Maloofs would retain ownership of the team. Samueli would gain a stake if they defaulted on the loan. Michael Schulman, chairman of Honda Center operator Anaheim Arena Management LLC and one of Samueli’s closest confidants, said last year there’s a bettern than 50% chance the arena will add a National Basketball Association team in the next five years. — Orange County Business Journal

That’s the belief of Money Morning Contributing Editor Martin Hutchinson, who writes that tepid growth, inflation, and unbearable tax increases are what lie ahead for U.S. citizens if these destructive fiscal and monetary policies that have loaded the country up with debt are not redressed.

But Hutchinson has a solution that he believes will save the country from these disastrous missteps. And he’s taken it upon himself to detail his plan for rejuvenating the economy in an open letter to President Obama and members of Congress. In his letter, the former merchant banker and currency adviser details a five-point strategy that will get the U.S. economy back on track.

According to Hutchinson, President Obama’s 11th-hour deal with Republicans to cut taxes and extend jobless benefits was a good start, but “without further action, the U.S. economy will not return to full health. Instead, after a few months of stimulated activity, inflation will return, bond yields will soar to uncomfortably high levels, and recovery will be choked off, prolonging the misery of high unemployment.”

Indeed, more needs to be done – much more. And slashing pork-barrel spending and fixing Social Security are just start of his plan.

If policymakers are smart enough to heed Hutchinson’s advice, they will have earned re-election and the right to represent this country. But if they’re not, then the U.S. economy will fail to recover and the American people will rightly react harshly in 2012.

Respectfully,

William Patalon III

Executive Editor

Money Morning

The United States—December, 2010 – More and more it is looking like the reality is that Verizon is prepared to announce its deal with iPhone and that the  announcement will be  made in January 2011.  Verizon is likely to begin selling the iPhone in late January or early February of 2011.

For AT&T, this could be quite devistating because it will no longer be the only wireless partner for iPhone. AT&T has long known as the only wireless provider that has the right to sell iPhone ever since four years ago. The deal that iPhone is about to make with Verizon might cause a major inconvenience to AT&T and it’s bottom line.

Although none can estimate the possible income that Verizon might get from selling the iPhone, it will be quite an advantage for the users of iPhone as Verizon is considered as a more reliable wireless provider if compared with AT&T. It is even has been predicted that Verizon might surpass the selling of iPhone by AT&T that being reported up until now has reached more than 11 million units. Even though it seems very perfect regarding the new contract that Verizon might have with iPhone, it still has some minus sides. Despite Verizon’s new technology that said will cover the 4G, it is said that the deal with iPhone will not change any features from the old iPhone. Verizon has not showed any indication to change iPhone’s features that might give AT&T a space to compete with its rival to provide the best service for the iPhone users all over the country.

Los Angeles, CA  -November, 2010 -  Nearly two-thirds of the unemployed do not collect unemployment benefits, and many are left struggling to find a replacement for their company health insurance. “Smart Unemployment” (www.SmartUnemployment.com) offers a solution for the millions of Americans who are not receiving unemployment benefits, and provides a framework for finding affordable, quality healthcare. With the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February 2009, this missed opportunity for unemployment benefits can amount to over ,000 per person in some states.

The recession claims thousands of jobs every week. Government figures show that approximately only one out of every three unemployed workers actually collect unemployment benefits. “Many people think they are ineligible to file for benefits, while others have become frustrated with the application process,” according to Carl Stevens of Smart Publishing. “And during this recession, we have seen more employers actively disputing unemployment claims.” Stevens also notes, “Each laid off employee who collects unemployment benefits costs a company more money in terms of future payroll taxes, giving companies the incentive to dispute unemployment claims.”

“Smart Unemployment” also addresses the concerns associated with losing employer-provided health insurance during unemployment. Many people who are recently unemployed view COBRA as the only healthcare option. The book provides a three-step, interactive approach to help anyone determine the health plan that best fits his or her needs. “Smart Unemployment” explores multiple forms of healthcare coverage, including individual health insurance, COBRA, temporary health insurance, high-risk pools, non-employer group insurance, relative coverage, free clinics, and a variety of government-sponsored health programs.

Created by an unemployed high-tech worker, Work At Home Jobs.org is helping the estimated 49.5 million unemployed and underemployed find legitimate work from home jobs online. With over 16,000 work from home jobs listed at any given time on the site, Work At Home Jobs.org is by far the largest work at home job aggregator online.

All jobs listed on Work At Home Jobs.org are freelance jobs that either pay on a project by project basis or on a full-time basis. Pay ranges from for a small project (such as writing an article for someone) to ,000 for a large project that will require several months of full-time work.

Work At Home Jobs.org is a 100% free service that anyone can use to find a job that fits their skill set. With over 16,000 jobs listed, in over 250 different job categories, job hunters can easily find customer service jobs, accounting jobs, graphic design jobs, IT jobs, virtual assistant jobs, sales jobs, translation jobs, data entry jobs, etc.

To apply for a job, applicants submit a bid for how much they would charge for the job and explain why they feel they are the best choice for the job. Higher priced bidders that explain themselves well usually get the job. Payment is made on a milestone basis, such as 25% of the pay is distributed when 25% of the job is completed.

“Working from home has enabled me to set my own hours and spend much more time with my daughter and son than when I was working full-time in an office environment,” said the founder of Work At Home Jobs.org. “In fact, without the work from home jobs listed at WorkAtHomeJobs.org, I’d still be on unemployment.”