With only around 8 percent of Americans keeping their New Year’s resolutions – “spend less and save more” is among both the most popular and most commonly broken – the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2020’s Best & Worst Cities for Keeping Your New Year's Resolutions as well as accompanying videos. This new report complements WalletHub’s list of the top New Year’s Financial Resolutions for 2020 and corresponding consumer survey.
To help Americans stick to their 2020 goals, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 57 key metrics. The data set ranges from adult obesity to income growth to employment outlook.
Best Cities for Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions
Worst Cities for Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions
1. San Diego, CA
173. Charleston, WV
2. Scottsdale, AZ
174. Brownsville, TX
3. San Francisco, CA
175. Augusta, GA
4. Seattle, WA
176. Laredo, TX
5. San Jose, CA
177. Huntington, WV
6. Irvine, CA
178. Jackson, MS
7. Austin, TX
179. Detroit, MI
8. Plano, TX
180. Shreveport, LA
9. Salt Lake City, UT
181. Newark, NJ
10. Fremont, CA
182. Gulfport, MS
Best vs. Worst
To view the full report and your city’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-cities-for-new-years-resolutions/28749/
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Dear Editor:
Please consider this historical look by Lawrence Wittner at the rise of fascism and the fight to stop it. For PeaceVoice, thank you,
Tom Hastings
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Historian Reflects on the Return of Fascism
by Lawrence Wittner
967 words
Back in 1941, the year of my birth, fascism stood on the brink of conquering the world. During the preceding decades, movements of the Radical Right—mobilized by demagogues into a cult of virulent nationalism, racial and religious hatred, and militarism—had made great strides in nations around the globe. By the end of 1941, fascist Germany, Italy, and Japan, having launched massive military invasions of other lands, had conquered much of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
It was a grim time.
Fortunately, though, an enormous movement arose to resist the fascist juggernaut. Led by liberals and assorted leftists around the world and eventually bolstered by the alliance of Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States, this resistance movement ultimately prevailed.
The antifascist struggle of World War II established the groundwork for a new and better international order. In January 1941, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in a major public address, outlined what became known as The Four Freedoms. The people of all nations, he proclaimed, should enjoy freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from fear, and freedom from want. That August, Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill unveiled the Atlantic Charter, declaring that people should have the right to choose their own form of government, that force should be abandoned in world affairs, and that international action should promote improved living and working conditions for all people.
These public declarations—coupled with the widespread discrediting of rightwing parties, movements, and ideas—led directly to the establishment, in 1945, of the United Nations. According to the UN Charter, the purpose of the new world organization was to “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war,” “to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights,” and “to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples.”
And, in fact, in the decades following World War II, there were significant strides forward along these lines. Led by Eleanor Roosevelt, the United Nations issued a Universal Declaration of Human Rights, setting forth fundamental rights to be protected. Furthermore, much of Europe, the cockpit of two terrible world wars, cast aside nationalism to establish a federal union. Moreover, a wave of decolonization freed much of the world from foreign rule and the United Nations and many national governments established economic aid programs for the world’s poorest countries.
Admittedly, national policies sometimes fell short of the new internationalist, antimilitarist, and égalitarian ideals and programs. Governments—and particularly governments of the major powers—all too often ignored the United Nations and, instead, squandered their resources on military buildups and terrible wars. Many governments also had a spotty record when it came to respecting human rights, promoting social and economic progress, and curbing the rising power of multinational corporations.
Even so, for decades, humane domestic policies—from banning racial discrimination to scrapping unfair immigration laws, from improving public health to promoting antipoverty efforts and workers’ rights—remained the norm in many nations, as did at least a token genuflection to peace and international law.
But, in the last decade or so, these policies have been swept aside by movements and parties following the old fascist playbook, with rightwing demagogues trumpeting its key elements of virulent nationalism, racial and religious intolerance, and militarism. Seizing, particularly, on mass migration and funded by avaricious economic élites, this resurgence of the Radical Right has made startling progress—undermining the European Union, contesting for power in Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Greece, and taking control of such countries as Russia, India, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Turkey, Brazil, the Philippines, Israel, Egypt, and, of course, the United States.
Long before the advent of Donald Trump, the Republican Party had been shifting rightward, pulled in that direction by its incorporation of Southern racists and Christian evangelicals. This political reorientation quickened after the election of Barack Obama sent white supremacists into a frenzy of rage and self-pity.
Trump’s 2015-16 campaign for the presidency accelerated the GOP’s radicalization. Drawing upon unusually hate-filled rhetoric, he viciously denounced his Republican and Democratic rivals. Along the way, he engaged in his characteristic lying and mocked or incited violence against his critics, the disabled, immigrants, people of color, Muslims, women, and the press. His racism, xenophobia, and militarism, combined with his thuggish style and manifest lack of qualifications for public office, should have doomed his campaign. But, instead, he emerged victorious―a clear sign that a substantial number of Americans found his approach appealing.
As president, Trump has not only displayed a remarkable contempt for truth, law, civil liberties, the poor, civil rights, and women’s rights, but catered to the wealthy, the corporations, white supremacists, and religious fanatics. He has also proved adept at inciting hatreds among his rightwing followers through racist, xenophobic diatribes delivered at mass rallies and through propaganda messages. Meanwhile, he has forged close alliances with his authoritarian counterparts abroad. Either out of fear or love, Republican officeholders cling ever more tenaciously to him as the nation’s Supreme Leader. If the GOP is not yet a fascist party, it is well on its way to becoming one.
Having grown up at a time when ranting maniacs dispatched their fanatical followers to stamp out freedom and human decency, I am, unfortunately, quite familiar with the pattern.
Even so, the struggle to shape the future is far from over. During my lifetime, I have seen powerful movements wage successful fights for racial justice, women’s rights, and economic equality. I have seen massive campaigns successfully challenge wars and nuclear insanity. I have seen the emergence of inspiring political leaders who have toppled dictatorships against incredible odds. Perhaps most important, I have seen millions of people, in the United States and around the globe, turn the tide against fascism when, some eight decades ago, it threatened to engulf the world.
Let’s hope they can do it again.
—30—
Dr. Lawrence Wittner, syndicated by PeaceVoice, is Professor of History emeritus at SUNY/Albany. He is the author of Confronting the Bomb (Stanford University Press).
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Hi Jim
Please feel free to publish all or parts of the following article. If you’d like email comments or an email or phone interview with Greg, please let me know and I will coordinate.
Best,
Terry
If The Tax Cuts Don’t Last, Will Your
Retirement Funds? 4 Ways To Make Sure
Many taxpayers welcomed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that reduced income taxes through 2025, but now some people worry about the possibility of rates going up after the act expires and how that could affect their retirement.
It’s a special concern for people whose savings are in tax-deferred accounts, such as traditional IRAs or 401(k)s.
“The over-reliance on 401(k)s and IRAs is setting people up for a retirement trap,” says Greg DuPont (www.dupontwealth.com), an estate and tax planning attorney. “Given the dynamics of politics and the federal deficit, it’s probable that income tax rates will increase again. There’s a window of opportunity now before 2025 where plans can be adjusted to minimize those effects.
“Focusing on saving for the future using only tax-deferred investments forces you to take more risk to meet your income needs.”
DuPont says a recent bill passed by Congress, the SECURE Act, will affect retirees in numerous ways, including by the removal of the stretch IRA, which allowed an inherited IRA to be paid out over an heir’s lifetime. Now it must be paid out within 10 years, thus increasing the yearly tax burden on heirs.
“Passage of the SECURE Act indicates a real need to address the tax structure of your retirement accounts if they are part of the legacy you intend to leave behind,” DuPont says.
DuPont suggests four ways those approaching retirement or already in it can adjust their plans to reduce the impact of higher taxes:
Roth IRA. A Roth IRA is a retirement savings account that allows the saver to withdraw savings tax-free in retirement. “The contributions are invested in what one selects, such as stocks, bonds or mutual funds, and Roth IRAs tend to offer more investment options than a Roth 401(k),” DuPont says. “Roth IRAs are an underutilized vehicle for retirement savings and investment. When the investments grow in value, you can receive the investment gains tax-free.”
Roth 401(k). Access to Roth 401(k)s is more common these days at companies. Contributions go in after tax. By contrast, with a traditional 401(k), contributions are pre-tax – taken off the top of gross earnings before your paycheck is taxed. “But the downside of a traditional 401(k) is you have to pay taxes on the amount you withdraw based on your current tax rate in retirement,” DuPont says. “That’s a substantial penalty for many people. The biggest benefit of the Roth 401(k) is because you already paid taxes on your contributions, the withdrawals you make in retirement are tax-free. The money you put in, plus its growth, is yours.”
Investments through brokerages. “These have benefits above and beyond your typical IRAs,” DuPont says. “The thing people need to recognize is with brokerage accounts, you pay tax only on the money you gained on the investment. So it’s usually far better than taking out a sizable portion of your IRA, which is all taxable.”
Cash value life insurance. “The modern life insurance product gives the saver the ability to build cash value in that policy,” DuPont says. “That cash value grows without tax liability, giving you access to that cash value and accumulating at a more acceptable rate of return than typical bank rates at this point in time.”
“People strive to be debt-free in retirement,” DuPont says, “yet they disregard the biggest debt they may have – the debt to the IRS in their retirement accounts. You can manage the impact of those taxes and perhaps reduce them by taking determined action.”
About Greg DuPont
Greg DuPont (www.dupontwealth.com) is the founder of DuPont Wealth Solutions. He has been serving clients as an estate and tax planning attorney in Ohio since graduating from Capital University Law School in 1992. A Certified Financial Planner™, he’s also been in wealth management for the past 14 years. DuPont obtained his accounting and finance degree from Ohio State University.
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For Immediate Release:
Contact: Adam Grunwerg
Psychic Ventures Ltd
St Magnus House
3 Lower Thames Street
London
EC3R 6HD
More than 30% of North Americans Used Dark Web Regularly in 2019
Regardless of its predominantly negative connotation, the increasing number of people have started using the dark web to keep their online activity hidden. According to PreciseSecurity.com research, North America is the most active region globally in this part of the internet. More than 30 percent of North Americans have used the deep web regularly during 2019.
North America is the Leading Region in Daily Usage of Dark Web
The dark web represents a network of untraceable online activity and websites on the internet that cannot be found using search engines. Accessing them depends upon specific software, configurations, or authorization. The 2019 survey showed that North America is the leading region in daily usage of the dark web. The statistics indicate that 26 percent of North Americans admitted using the dark web daily. Another 7 percent of them accessed the deep net at least once a week.
Latin Americans ranked second on this list, with 21 percent of respondents visiting the dark web every day and 13 percent weekly. With 17 percent of citizens utilizing it every day, Europe took third place on the global deep net usage list. Another 11 percent of Europeans admitted to doing so at least once a week.
Anonymity and Privacy are the Leading Reasons for Using the Dark Web
The 2019 data showed online anonymity was by far the most common reason globally for accessing the Tor and the dark web. Nearly 40 percent of respondents used the deep net during the last year to stay anonymous. Another 26 percent of them claimed to use it to retrieve the usually unavailable content in their location. This reason is more ordinary in Middle Eastern, African, and BRICS countries. Other reasons include overcoming governmental censorships and protecting online privacy.
Nearly 25 percent of North Americans used the hidden web in 2019 to ensure their privacy from foreign governments. Another 38 percent of them named protecting the privacy from the internet companies as the leading reason for using the deep web.
Nearly 50% of People Don't Use Dark Web Because They don`t Know How to
The recent surveys revealed some interesting facts about the reasons why people don't use technologies like Tor to access the dark web. Nearly 50 percent of respondents globally stated that it is because they don't know how to, while 45 percent of them have no reason for doing so. One in ten citizens views these technologies as unreliable, and only 13 percent of them appear to be concerned about perceptions that it is used by criminals.
The full story can be read here: https://www.precisesecurity.com/articles/more-than-30-of-north-americans-used-dark-web-regularly-in-2019
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Joint County Initiative to Be Named Northern Utah Economic Alliance
Weber and Davis Counties Approve Name and Brand for Regional Economic Development Effort
SALT LAKE CITY (Jan. 6, 2020) - The regional economic development initiative launched by Weber and Davis Counties in June 2019 has a new name – the Northern Utah Economic Alliance (NUEA) – as well as a new logo, according to the organization’s president, Chris Roybal.
NUEA’s core mission is to create high-paying jobs in targeted industries to sustain long-term growth. NUEA will brand and promote the Northern Utah region, which represents a resident and business base of nearly 20 percent of Utah’s total population and economy. NUEA’s goals include assisting local businesses with expansion and retention initiatives, and showcasing Davis and Weber Counties to attract new businesses in aerospace, technology, outdoor products, and other high-growth industries. The organization will highlight the region’s strong labor pool and commercial real estate opportunities.
“This joint effort between the two counties started more than two years ago,” said Weber County Commissioner Gage Froerer. “Both county commissions recognized that by working together, we can grow the Northern Utah economy more quickly and effectively than if we worked separately.”
The two counties and the Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah) contracted with Method Communications, a Utah-based marketing and public relations firm, to conduct research and perform focus groups to develop NUEA’s name, brand, and messaging platform.
“NUEA is leading out in creating a regional economic development strategy,” said Davis County Commissioner Bob Stevenson. “It’s coordinating with municipalities and businesses, and providing organizational structure and resources to implement and deliver on strategy.”
NUEA was approved by the county commissions on June 18, 2019. Prior to those approvals via a competitive bid process, the commissions awarded to EDCUtah the three-year contract to launch and support the new entity.
“With our new name and branding, we are moving forward with efforts to promote the region nationally and internationally,” Chris Roybal, president of NUEA. “We recently launched a direct mail campaign to more than 800 site selection consultants, and we expect to have our website up and running in a matter of weeks. These marketing milestones are important and indicative of the region’s growing momentum.”
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A private, non-profit organization founded in 1987, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah) is a catalyst for quality job growth and increased capital investment in the state. EDCUtah is a statewide economic development organization (EDO) specializing in corporate recruitment, economic research, site selector marketing, and community development. A partner of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development for corporate recruitment, EDCUtah is supported by state government, local governments, and organizations from the private sector. For more information, visit www.edcutah.com.
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Hi Jim,
Please see the below article that is free for your use. If you would like an interview with Dr. Rick Mars on this or related topics, or comments by email for a story that you are working on please reach out and I will be happy to coordinate.
Ashley
Dreading A Dental Visit? 5 Tips
For Getting The Most Out Of It
Many people would just as soon avoid scheduling a dental appointment, unless an unbearable toothache lands them reluctantly in the dentist’s chair.
Fear of pain is one reason for procrastination, but it’s not the only factor. People worry a routine checkup could reveal the need for expensive, major work. Wary patients also sometimes harbor doubts about whether a costly procedure is even necessary.
But patients can put themselves at ease and get the most out of their dental visit by fully vetting their dentist and learning how to weigh options, says Dr. Rick Mars (www.dentalcaregroup.net), author of The Big Smile: The Principles of Modern Dentistry – for Dentists and Patients.
“Many dentists don’t do a good job of educating their patients and communicating with them,” Dr. Mars says, “and most patients don’t do a good enough job educating themselves. We have a saying in dentistry that if you put 10 dentists in a room with a single patient, they will come up with 10 different treatment plans.
“But the great thing about dentistry is the multitude of creative solutions available to patients. You need to ask the right questions to make sure you understand the treatment options.”
Dr. Mars offers these tips for finding the right dental treatment at a fair price:
Educate yourself and listen when your dentist educates. “The worst thing that can happen is that you don’t get the treatment you need and something disastrous happens,” Dr. Mars says. “The second worst thing that can happen is that you do get treatment, but you didn’t actually need it. Taking an active role means you not only do your own research and get a second opinion, but you also listen carefully to your doctor when your doctor educates you.”
Read online reviews with a critical eye. “The internet can be very helpful when you’re vetting a new dentist, but there’s also a lot of misinformation out there with patients’ reviews,” Dr. Mars says. “In today’s world, patients wield power like they never previously had. In general, people who bother to write reviews are disgruntled and want recourse and even revenge. On the other hand, numerous positive reviews, ideally from people you know who were treated by that dentist, can add up to a trustworthy referral.”
Interview your dentist and their team. “You can ask them how many times they’ve done a certain procedure and even ask to see photos of their cases,” Dr. Mars says. “It may require a specialist rather than a general dentist. And find out why they charge what they charge.”
Get an honest second opinion. “Even though you trust your dentist, you might hear a treatment plan that just doesn’t sit well with you,” Dr. Mars says. “Get a copy of your radiographs from your current dentist to take to your second-opinion dentist. Never show the second dentist your treatment plan until they give their final suggestions.”
Ask to see the results of your dental investment. “Rather than limit your evaluation of your dentist to time, cost, or customer service, think about your dental work like you consider mechanical work to your car,” Dr. Mars says. “After treatment, dentists can and should show you radiographs of your teeth and point out the details proving your problem is fixed.”
“If you’ve done your homework,” Dr. Mars says, “your dentist, whether a general practitioner or a specialist, should leave no room for doubt that you’re in the right place.”
About Dr. Rick Mars, DDS
Dr. Rick Mars (www.dentalcaregroup.net) is a general dentist and the author of The Big Smile: The Principles of Modern Dentistry – for Dentists and Patients. Dr. Mars has practiced patient-centered dentistry in the Miami area for over 25 years. Dr. Mars is an Invisalign® Elite Provider and has lectured internationally on Invisalign for over a decade. While he practices family dentistry, he also places an emphasis on cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Mars was voted one of America’s Top Dentists for Invisalign, Cosmetic, and Implant Dentistry by Consumers’ Research Council of America, has been named Invisalign’s GP Faculty Member of the Year and was also awarded the distinction of Master Faculty at the Annual Invisalign Faculty Meeting in New Orleans. He attended Emory University for his undergraduate education and Georgetown University School of Dentistry for his Doctorate of Dental Surgery.
