Daily Archives: March 2, 2017

The Upcoming Economic Recession in 2017 Has Already Begun – Lombardi Letter

Posted: March 2, 2017 at 2:48 pm

The Upcoming Economic Recession Could Be Far Worse Than the Great Recession of 2008

The United States. is heading toward another economic recession in 2017. If the U.S. enters a recession, it wont be long before the rest of the world follows suit. There is an unusual level of uncertainty because the dark years of the Great Recession, or the 2008 recession, that started in 2008 have given way to real growth.

Global growth predictions stand at three percent. But in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, including the U.S. and Germany, gross domestic product (GDP) could hit just below two percent. In some once-leading economies like the U.K. and Italy, growth might reach one percent. In countries outside the OECD, GDP growth might be just above four percent.

Overall, after the last recession, these figures should have been much higher. Instead, the economic recovery is lukewarm at best. Its not enough, then, to speak of an upcoming recession. The world never came out of the last recession. Even China has been forced to revise its GDP growth expectation downward.

China expects six to 6.5% growth in 2017. It could be as low as 5.5% in 2018. The next four years will feature several new terms that all begin with the word Trump. Trumponomics is one of the key terms that will help define the next era. What defines Trumponomics or, if you prefer, Donald Trump policies?

By the new U.S. presidents own description, infrastructure development will play a significant role in driving economic recovery. Infrastructure will serve as the base for Trumps America First policy. But America First represents a much bigger disruption to the current globalist system. More than infrastructure, the America First policy brings back mercantilist policies.

This is not altogether bad. But it might be altogether impossible to achieve. Trumps program is mercantilist because it wants to reduce Americastrade deficit by using its geopolitical clout to curb surplus from its main trading partners. Thus, Trump has essentially put China, Mexico and, evidently, the European Union (EU) on notice.

The problem is that the world has moved away from mercantilism over the past few decades. It has been moving away from that model, in fact, since the end of World War II. To promote greater security and lasting peace, states gradually lifted trade restrictions. In mercantilism, however, the state is solely dedicated to the promotion of its own national wealth.

Mercantilism wants to protect local products from external competition, while aggressively promoting exports and industrialization. It was a policy that found its most aggressive expression in the 16th17th centuries. It was the result of capital influx in the form of precious metals mined in colonies to build up bullion rather than the multilateral free/freeish trade of the present.

The classic mercantilist state was Imperial Spain. The Spanish crown sought to accumulate a maximum of precious metals as a source of national wealth. The Trump administration would not reach that level of mercantilism. It would not pull out of international trade altogether, but it would tend to generate inflation and, therefore, higher interest rates.

Of course, it is the job of every state to protect its national interest. But the current global approach stressed that states could obtain the best compromise between growth and security through cooperation. Thus, looking out for the benefits of trade groupsor trade agreementsbecame the norm.

Apart from the EU, perhaps the most advanced example, there are important trading blocs such as ASEAN in Asia or Mercosur in Latin America. Agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) were the latest such effort and one of the most ambitious where the United States was concerned.

Not surprisingly, one of President Trumps first executive actions was to pull the United States out of the TPP. That was the first big mercantilist signal. The problem is that the rest of the world does not seem ready to go back to that model. Thats why there is no certainty that such a move improves the U.S. economic outlook 2017.

Indeed, because the U.S. seems to be the only economic power willing to exhume mercantilism from the tomb of dead economic theories, it will face resistance. In reality, the Trump administration cannot pull away from global trade. That would kill American business. Trumps policies might favor local production and tax certain imports from China, but Trump may face challenges.

Trump wants to cut imports but promote American exports. He has not shown any sign of discouraging American industrial output. On the contrary, he wants to increase it. But the idea that America can both defend its domestic market from imports while encouraging exports around the world doesnt work. The rest of the world operates through trade blocs and agreements, and substitutes for American industrial products exist.

In addition, by pulling away from globalization, Trump would be doing a major disservice to the United States. Perhaps the point became lost during the presidential campaign, but no country, not even China, has gained as much from globalization as the United States. American technology has spread worldwide.

Global entrepreneurs have invested in the United States; they have listed their companies on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The world invests in U.S. real estate and lives and breathes U.S. culture. Mercantilism may backfire, should it defy logic and socio-economic evolution, to become popular again.

Rather, while increasing the chances of a global economic recession, Trumps neo-mercantilism puts the U.S. economy at greater risk. Yet, many rightly wonder, givenall the risk of Trumps policies, where are the signs of aneconomic recession?

It seems not a day goes by that Wall Street doesnt hit a new record. The performance of the stock markets, and Wall Street in particular, speaks for itself. It was Dow 20,000 in December 2016. Two months later, the Dow seems headed for 21,000. But the stock market is detached from the real economy. Therefore, is the U.S. heading toward economic recession?

Dont let the Dow Jones fool you. Trumponomics does have a special appeal for free markets. In theory, it promises fewer taxes, fewer regulations, more investment, and more spending on infrastructure. The effect of what Trumps policies might unleash on the American economy should not be underestimated.

President Trumps mercantilist and nationalist stance presents risks for the American and global economy. Simply put, the U.S. is still deeply intertwined in worldwide financial and economic affairs. A radical change of approach will therefore cause disruption. Perhaps, in time, some economies will recover, but the effects of the 2008 recession remain.

In other words, while there has been a financial recovery, the real economy remains in a recession state. The much-heralded recovery has not yet completed its course, if it ever began. One of the reasons is that investment has slowed down without recovering.

In this context, there is a pessimistic probability. Good political sense, reinforced by economic history, suggests that should Trump truly unleash a mercantilist and protectionist economic policy, he would trigger an equal escalation in the opposite direction. Its not quantum physics, its basic mechanics: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Yes, you recognized that as Newtons Third Law of Motion. It doesnt just apply to physics. Trumps economic aggression against China and Germany, and also Mexico and Japan, could backfire. These are the biggest exporters of the planet. They have considerable external surpluses.

The United States cannot afford the luxury of protectionism. Not in this world and not now. Trump has claimed that Chinas trade surplus is the result of a deliberate policy of devaluing its currency, the yuan. Nothing could be further fromthe facts. China has tried its hardest to stem capital flight. Thats what has caused the yuan to fall.

Trump has accused Germany of manipulating the euro to its sole benefit at the expense of its EU partners. He may be more correct on Germany than on China, given what many Europeans say, but such logic also has flaws. Trumps mercantilism would promptly crash with harsh reality.

The United States is much more involved in world trade than in the golden age of American supremacy, in the immediate aftermath of the world war. Trades share of GDP has more than tripled since 1950, from four percentthen to 13% in 2016. More significantly, the peak in manufacturing jobs in the U.S. has been declining since the 1950s.

When Trump speaks of bringing back manufacturing jobs, he seems to neglect some basic facts. In the 1950s, manufacturing jobs accounted for about 30% of the total. By 2016, the share had dropped to eight percent. (Source: Tough talk on trade will not bring jobs back, The News, February 6, 2017.)

When you add the protectionism that Trumps mercantilist policies will generate, it seems impossible to achieve that kind of leap into nostalgia. Trumps policies would surely achieve one thing: a drop in world tradewhich is already sluggishand an economic recession worldwide. All the while, the higher Fed interest rates would exacerbate that risk, while boosting the value of the dollar, making U.S. goods less competitive.

As a result, the recent market euphoria and the Trump effect are more the products of the American economic recovery that began a year ago. The stock markets are feeding themselves, surprised that general consumer appetite has not dwindled. But, this is short-term.

Trumps protectionist policies would enforce duties of up to 35% on foreign goods. This would certainly achieve the goal of making imported products more expensive. But, it would drastically reduce consumers purchasing power. It would also cut the competitiveness of American companies, which depend on the imported components.

Meanwhile, China and Europe could also increase tariffs as a reaction. This would result in an all-out trade war. The whole global economy would suffer severely from the resulting isolationism. The first effect would be the loss of millions of jobs worldwideand the United States would not be spared. The result is depression, not even recession: total economic collapse.

The markets are not interpreting Trumps policies as much as what the president has said about his policies. There is a difference. Trumps policies do not represent anything new, much less revolutionary. They are a mild version of basic mercantilism. Under Trump, America expects to grow by promoting as much economic activity as possible within its own borders.

Trump has already shown he plans to protect American industry through tariff barriers. Trump plans to increase spending on the military, which is good for defense sector stocks. But a bigger military might be needed to enforce the kind of political power relations to support exports. Of course, a bigger military and ever more expensive equipment require taxes.

Trump has not indicated where the money to fuel this kind of economy would come from. He wants to reduce taxes. In any economic outlook 2017, Trump has generated risks linked to protectionism, populism, anti-Europeanism, anti-China sentiments, and immigration.

As for the latter, the economic success of the U.S. is strongly dependent on the knowledge and experience of immigrants. Innovation would suffer. Many experts, scientists, and academics, would tend to avoid visiting the U.S. because of doubt about their status. Lets not forget that the leaders of the U.S. atomic program or the space program were immigrants.

Trump has overshadowed the more pressing issues of an aging population and the technological/digital revolution, which will make much of current work redundant. Robots are ready to replace many human functions. These factors, left unheeded, have dangerously become less pressing, even if they are much more destabilizing.

Trump might try to mitigate the effects of his protectionism. He will likely dissuade the U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen from raising U.S. interest rates to keep the dollar competitive. If Yellen doesnt comply, Trump would find an old trick from his The Apprentice handbook: Youre fired, Janet!

To protect yourself against the risk of the almost inevitable recession on the horizon, there are solutions. Learn what you can now, while others revel in the fragile safety of the markets.

Ed Vasicek: The ever-surfacing future has arrived – Kokomo Tribune

Posted: at 2:47 pm

Although I frequently drive through downtown Kokomo, I still marvel at new construction and recently completed marvels. A dozen years ago, who could have predicted todays Kokomo?

No one can predict the future. We can make predictions, and sometimes (just by virtue of statistical probability) they are going to be right. Tomorrow, for example, the temperature is going to be (1) typical, (2) warmer than usual or (3) colder than usual. If I make enough guesses, I will accurately predict the future temperature perhaps a third of the time.

Futurists men and women who specialize in studying trends and taking the futures pulse tend to offer visions of the future that are worth noting, even if they sometimes miss the mark. When documented changes are already occurring, we need to wake up and smell the coffee.

When I was a lad, one major fear was an over-crowded world. We were told mass starvation and a host of others woes would characterize our planet because the earth could not sustain the large population looming at our door.

I am not sure when the sky-is-falling bunch turned their focus elsewhere, but when was the last time you heard a political crusader rant and rave about overpopulation? There is a reason for this silence, according to bbc.com:

Its a largely untold story gradually, steadily the demographic forces that drove the global population growth in the 20th Century have shifted. Fifty years ago the world average fertility rate the number of babies born per woman was five. Since then, this most important number in demography has dropped to 2.5 something unprecedented in human history and fertility is still trending downwards ... The population will continue to grow as the Peak Child generation grows up and grows old. So most probably three or four billion new adults will be added to the world population but then in the second half of this century the fast growth of the world population will finally come to an end.

Our quest to consider the future leads us to Bill Gates. Bill Gates is not so much a futurist as he is a man who makes the future happen. Gates is quite concerned about germ warfare. According to futurism.com:

When billionaire and philanthropist Bill Gates gave a speech at the Munich Security Conference for the first time Saturday, he argued a very alarming possibility: the future of international security will be fought on the biological front. Specifically, Gates warned about the dangers of a bioterrorist attack that could wipe out 30 million people in less than a year and how were not prepared for it.

... What makes Gates warning even more alarming is the fact that bioterrorism can now be done from behind a computer. Its also true that the next epidemic could originate on the computer screen of a terrorist intent on using genetic engineering to create a synthetic version of the smallpox virus ... or a super contagious and deadly strain of the flu, said Gates.

His suggestion: We need to develop the facilities to develop vaccines within 90 days instead of the more typical two-year period. Will our governments take note?

Lets move on to renewable energy. Green energy is no longer a futurists dream, but a dream that is clearly materializing. One state, Texas, leads the way. According to theguardian.com:

For Texas, this most Republican-dominated, oil-rich and fracking-friendly of states has found itself with the improbable status of being a national leader in this growing form of renewable energy.

Texas has 11,592 turbines and an installed wind capacity of 20,321 megawatts, according to the American Wind Energy Association: three times as much capacity as the next state, Iowa. (California is third.) For the 12-month period ending in October last year, wind provided 12.68% of Texass electricity production equivalent to powering 5.7 million homes.

The ever-surfacing future has arrived and continues to arrive at breakneck speed!

Ed Vasicek is pastor of Highland Park Church and a weekly contributor to the Kokomo Tribune. Contact him at edvasicek@gmail.com

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Ed Vasicek: The ever-surfacing future has arrived - Kokomo Tribune

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This Is Why The Youth Is Picking Up Arms In Kashmir – Youth Ki Awaaz

Posted: at 2:47 pm

Excessive military presence in public spaces, a rigid approach adopted by the ruling power in India and, most importantly, the grave human rights violations in the aftermath of the deathof militant commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani have increased home-grown militancy and radicalization among the Kashmiri population.

Educated youth havingpicked up arms to fight for a cause, lackgenuine training and are these days giving a tough time to the highly equipped government forces. Although, the situation exhibits that the current situationin Kashmir is similar toan armed struggle, it can never be compared to the insurgency of the 90s. The popular local support, the seed sown by Burhan Wani and the unrest after his death have motivated the educated youth towards militancy.

They feel that the government of India does not care about their pain and suffering due to the lingering Kashmir issue. In such circumstances, declaring militancy because of lack of economic opportunities and frustration due to high unemployment is contradictory to their demands.

Before the 2016 unrest, the Indian army under theArmed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) used to cordon off the whole area or village for anencounter with armed militants. After Burhan Wanis killing, the whole scenario has changed. Now, the local populace come out on the streets during search operations and start throwing stones to help the militants escape. Many civilians have lost their lives and a large number of people have been injured. With such obstructions the army has, on several occasions, called off the search operations.

Recently, armed personnel of the 55 Rashtriya Rifles (a Special Operation Group of Jammu & Kashmir Police from Pulwama and Newa) cordoned off Urivan village after a tip-offthat two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants were hiding there. When the government forces started a combing operation, the local population attacked the army and SOG personnel with stones, thus, forcing the men in uniforms to vacate the site.

The armed forces in Kashmir are now taking stern steps to deal with the people who help militants. They have been directed to use only rifles and drop their batons. This direction has comeafter General Bipin Rawat issued warnings of harsh action against those who help militants escape.

The army has also tried the use of soft measures like using smoke cover to prevent locals from obstructing operations but this has not yielded much result, forcing them to consider using harsher methods. The state government has now decided to impose strict restrictions within a radius of three km from the site of any counter-insurgency operation in Kashmir.

On the other hand,students in the Valleys educational institutes, including those at Kashmir University, are now openly cautioning the government to end oppression and suppression of the people of Kashmir otherwise they will be left with no choice but to pick up guns. Recently, despite the ban on students politics, there was a protest march inside the campus of Kashmir University expressing solidarity with the families of militants and civilians killed in an encounter in Kulgam South Kashmir. Shouting pro-azadi(freedom) and anti-India slogans, the protesting students carried banners reading, End Occupation, Free Kashmir.

Nowadays, informers have become a new headache for the army units in Kashmir. Twice in the past fortnight, the armys local informers in the Valley double-crossed them and gave ared herring to the units involved in operations, leading theminto the militants trap.

Undoubtedly, there is much support to the militants in Kashmir by the local people, but the fact is that youngsters mostly get killed within a period of a month or two after joining militancy. Every encounter ends on a bitter note. Sometimes, civilians also fall to the bullets from the forces. Militant, innocent, policeman or even army at the end of the day, is made up by humans who lose their precious lives. To end the humanitarian crisis in Kashmir, the ruling partyhas to shun its stubbornness and initiate a process by taking concrete and honest steps for the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

The writer can be reached at: [emailprotected]

Duterte renews attack on Church as he defends war on drugs – Inquirer.net

Posted: at 2:46 pm

President Rodrigo Duterte delivers a speech on Thursday, March 2, 2017, at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway. (Photo from a video by RTVM)

CORDOVA, Cebu President Rodrigo Duterte stepped up his attacks again on Thursday against the Catholic Church, whom he had been accusing of hypocrisy as he defended his administrations war against illegal drugs.

In a speech laced with profanities, Duterte pointed out that priests were fond of wearing golden cross on their chests and using golden chalices while living in palaces.

In contrast, he added, Jesus Christ was nailed to a simple wooden cross and used wooden cups.

Mga pari wa nay gibuhat ug dili magyawyaw. Gwapog mga palasyo. Ibaligya na ninyo. Palit ninyog bugas ihatag sa pobre. Nya undang nag pang (kolekta). Kung dili, ipadakop ta mo. Extortion, he said, speaking in Cebuano, his native tongue.

(Priests do nothing else but rant. They live in palaces. You should sell those and use the money to buy rice for the poor. And stop collecting money. If you dont, I will have you arrested for extortion.

Duterte was here to grace the groundbreaking ceremony for the third bridge that would connect Cebu Island and Mactan Island.

The Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) in Cordova town is a Public-Private Partnership between Cordova town and Cebu City and the private proponent Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. (MPTDC), which is owned by Manny Pangilinan.

Duterte was supposed to arrive at 3:00 p.m. at the boundary of Barangays Dapitan and Pilipog in Cordova to head in the lowering of the time capsule on the site where the bridge would be constructed.

But he arrived at 4:50 p.m.

His 30-minute speech was focused mostly on defending his war on drugs and his scathing attacks against the Catholic Church.

Catholic Church leaders have repeatedly condemned Dutertes war on drugs, which has claimed at least 7,000 lives.

But Duterte maintained that he was committed to stop illegal drugs in the country.

Fathers, monsignors, bishops, this means to say: Marami pang patayan to, kasi lalaban talaga yan, he said.

(Fathers, monsignors, bishops, this means to say: There will be more killings, because they will really fight back.

It wont end tomorrow for as long as there is a drug pusher and drug lord, he added.

He pointed out that while the Catholic priests would not want any more deaths in the ongoing war against drugs, the list of identified drug personalities could not just be disregarded.

He said he would order the precinct commanders in towns and cities all over the country to give the Catholic priests a list of all persons playing drugs and destroying lives of innocents.

Theres a whale of a difference between killing an innocent person and killing a criminal. They ought not to be mixed up, he stressed.

I do not need martial law, he went on. I do not need to declare a suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. You destroy my country, you destroy the youth, I do not give a shit kung tanan pari magluhod, maghangad langit, mag ampo (if all the priest kneel down and pray and beg). I have a country to preserve and that is the Filipino nation. It has nothing to do with religion.

The President also alludedthe contents of the report of the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW).

According to the 124-page report, more than 7,000 people have been killed mostly by unidentified gunmen and some during police operations since Duterte assumed office in July 2016.

But Duterte pointed out that the government had also lost its share of law enforcers. Among them, he said, were the 32 soldiers and 29 police officers who went after the drug laboratories, including in Mindanao.

He said it was his order to the police and military to hunt down drug personalities. If they would violently resist, then law enforcers should just kill these personalities instead of being killed themselves.

I will kill you if you destroy the youth of my land. They are our assets, Duterte said. /atm

Duterte renews attack on Church as he defends war on drugs - Inquirer.net

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State Dept. Official Praises Mexican Efforts in War on Drugs – New York Times

Posted: at 2:46 pm

State Dept. Official Praises Mexican Efforts in War on Drugs
New York Times
WASHINGTON One of the few senior Obama administration appointees still at the State Department delivered a ringing endorsement on Thursday of Mexican efforts to stop illegal drugs from entering the United States, just as the Trump administration is ...

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State Dept. Official Praises Mexican Efforts in War on Drugs - New York Times

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Military involvement in drug war to worsen rights abuseKarapatan – Inquirer.net

Posted: at 2:46 pm

A human rights groupon Thursdayclaimed that the involvement of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in President Rodrigo Dutertes war on drugs will only worsen abuse on human rights.

AFP signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)on Tuesday. The said memorandum stated that the military will lead anti-drug operations in conflict-affected areas.

It will worsen the impact on the civil and political rights of poor Filipinos, without addressing the social, economic and political bases of the problem of illegal drugs, Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said.

With the AFPs notorious record of human rights abuses against civilian communities through counter-insurgency programs like Oplan Kapayapaan and its all-out war campaign, there is no doubt that the AFP will further its militarist policies and approach in suppressing struggling communities using the mantle of the war on drugs, she added.

READ:PNP memo cited as proof kills authorized

The group reiterated that the government should instead uphold social and economic rights of people, instead of curbing peoples civil and political rights.

The provision of secure jobs with living wages, access to social services, and empowerment of the people through organizations, unions, and cooperatives are the most effective deterrents against the use and trade of drugs, Palabay said. ASU/rga

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Military involvement in drug war to worsen rights abuseKarapatan - Inquirer.net

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Gambling Addiction and Problem Gambling: Learn How to Stop …

Posted: at 2:46 pm

Learn How to Stop Gambling and Regain Control of Your Finances and Relationships

It can happen to anyone from any walk of life: Your gambling goes from a fun, innocuous diversion to an unhealthy preoccupation with serious consequences. Whether you bet on sports, scratch cards, roulette, poker, or slotsin a casino, at the track, or onlineif your gambling becomes a problem, it can strain your relationships, interfere with work, and lead to financial disaster. You may even do things you never thought you would, like stealing money to gamble or pay debts. It may feel like you cant stop, but with the right help, you can overcome a gambling problem or addiction and regain control of your life.

What you can do

Gambling addictionalso known aspathological gambling, compulsive gamblingorgambling disorderis an impulse-control disorder. If youre a compulsive gambler, you cant control the impulse to gamble, even when it has negative consequences for you or your loved ones. Youll gamble whether youre up or down, broke or flush, happy or depressed, and youll keep gambling regardless of the consequenceseven when you know that the odds are against you or you cant afford to lose.

Of course, you can also have a gambling problem without being totally out of control. Problem gamblingis any gambling behavior that disrupts your life. If youre preoccupied with gambling, spending more and more time and money on it, chasing losses, or gambling despite serious consequences in your life, you have a gambling problem.

A gambling addiction or problem is often associated with other behavior or mood disorders. Many problem gamblers also suffer with substance abuse issues, unmanaged ADHD, stress, depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. To overcome your gambling problems, youll also need to address these and any other underlying causes as well. The first step is to separate the myths from the facts about gambling problems:

Myth: You have to gamble every day to be a problem gambler.

Fact: A problem gambler may gamble frequently or infrequently. Gambling is a problem if it causes problems.

Myth: Problem gambling is not really a problem if the gambler can afford it.

Fact: Problems caused by excessive gambling are not just financial. Too much time spent on gambling can also lead to relationship and legal problems, job loss, mental health problems including depression and anxiety, and even suicide.

Myth: Having a gambling problem is just a case of being weak-willed, irresponsible, or unintelligent.

Fact: Gambling problems affect people of all levels of intelligence and all backgrounds. Previously responsible and strong-willed people are just as likely to develop a gambling problem as anyone else.

Myth: Partners of problem gamblers often drive problem gamblers to gamble.

Fact: Problem gamblers often rationalize their behavior. Blaming others is one way to avoid taking responsibility for their actions, including what is needed to overcome the problem.

Myth: If a problem gambler builds up a debt, you should help them take care of it.

Fact: Quick fix solutions may appear to be the right thing to do. However, bailing the gambler out of debt may actually make matters worse by enabling gambling problems to continue.

Gambling addiction is sometimes referred to as a "hidden illness" because there are no obvious physical signs or symptoms like there are in drug or alcohol addiction. You may have a gambling problem if you:

Feel the need to be secretive about your gambling.You might gamble in secret or lie about how much you gamble, feeling others wont understand or that you will surprise them with a big win.

Have trouble controlling your gambling.Once you start gambling, can you walk away? Or are you compelled to gamble until youve spent your last dollar, upping your bets in a bid to win lost money back?

Gamble even when you dont have the money. You may gamble until youve spent your last dollar, and then move on to money you dont havemoney to pay bills, credit cards, or things for your children. You may feel pushed to borrow, sell, or even steal things for gambling money.

Have family and friends worried about you.Denial keeps problem gambling going. If friends and family are worried, listen to them carefully. Its not a sign of weakness to ask for help. Many older gamblers are reluctant to reach out to their adult children if they've gambled away their inheritance, but it's never too late to make changes for the better.

Take this test to find out.

In the last 12-months, have you:

1. Needed to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement??

2. Felt restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling?

3. Made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling?

4. Often been preoccupied with gambling, such as reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble?

5. Gambled when feeling distressed in some way, such as anxious, stressed, lonely, guilty, or depressed?

6. After losing money gambling, returned another day to get even or chase your losses?

7. Lied to conceal your gambling?

8. Jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or school or career opportunity because of gambling?

9. Relied on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling?

Please answer all the questions

Interpreting the score:

4 to 5: Indicates a MILD gambling problem

6 to 7: Indicates a MODERATE gambling problem

8 to 9: Indicates a SEVERE gambling problem

This questionnaire is not intended to replace professional diagnosis.

Adapted from: DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria: Gambling Disorder

The biggest step to overcoming a gambling addiction is realizing that you have a problem. It takes tremendous strength and courage to own up to this, especially if you have lost a lot of money and strained or broken relationships along the way. But many others have been in your shoes and have been able to break the habit. You can, too.

Seek help for underlying mood disorders. Depression,stress, substance abuse, oranxiety can both trigger gambling problems and be made worse by compulsive gambling. Even when gambling is no longer a part of your life, these problems will still remain, so its important to address them.

Learn to relieve unpleasant feelings in healthier ways. Do you gamble when youre lonely or bored? Or after a stressful day at work or school? Gambling may be a way to self-soothe unpleasant emotions. But there are healthier and more effective ways of managing your moods, such as practicing relaxation techniques.

Strengthen your support network.Its tough to battle any addiction without support, so reach out to friends and family. If your support network is limited, there are ways to make new friends without relying on visiting casinos or gambling online.Try reaching out to colleagues at work, joining a sports team or book club, enrolling in an education class, or volunteering for a good cause.

Join a support group. Gamblers Anonymous, for example, is a twelve-step recovery program patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous. A key part of the program is finding a sponsor, a former gambler who has experience remaining free from addiction and can provide invaluable guidance and support.

Its true: the Internet has made gambling far more accessibleand harder for recovering addicts to avoid relapse. Online casinos and bookmakers are open all day, every day for anyone with a smartphone. But staying in recoverymaking a permanent commitment to stop gamblingis still possible if you:

One way to stop gambling is to remove the elements necessary for gambling to occur in your life and replace them with healthier choices. The four elements needed for gambling to continue are:

A decision:For gambling to happen, you need to make the decision to gamble. If you have an urge:stopwhat you are doing and call someone,thinkabout the consequences to your actions,tellyourself to stop thinking about gambling, andfindsomething else to do immediately.

Money:Gambling cannot occur without money. Get rid of your credit cards, let someone else be in charge of your money, have the bank make automatic payments for you, close online betting accounts, and keep only a limited amount of cash on you.

Time:Even online gambling cannot occur if you dont have the time. Schedule enjoyable recreational time for yourself that has nothing to do with gambling. If youre gambling on your smartphone, find other ways to fill the quiet moments during your day.

A game:Without a game or activity to bet on there is no opportunity to gamble. Dont put yourself in tempting environments. Tell gambling establishments you frequent that you have a gambling problem and ask them to restrict you from entering. Remove gambling apps and block gambling sites on your smartphone and computer.

Maintaining recovery from gambling addiction or problem gambling depends a lot on finding alternative behaviors you can substitute for gambling. Some examples include:

To provide excitement, get a rush of adrenaline

Sport or a challenging hobby, such as mountain biking, rock climbing, or Go Kart racing

To be more social, overcome shyness or isolation

Counseling, enroll in a public speaking class, join a social group, connect with family and friends, volunteer, find new friends

To numb unpleasant feelings, not think about problems

Therapy, consult Helpguides Emotional Intelligence toolkit

Boredom or loneliness

Find something youre passionate about such as art, music, sports, or books and then find others with the same interests

To relax after a stressful day

As little as 15 minutes of daily exercise can relieve stress. Or deep breathing, meditation, or massage

To solve money problems

The odds are always stacked against you so its far better to seek help with debts from a credit counselor

Feeling the urge to gamble is normal, but as you build healthier choices and a strong support network, resisting cravings will become easier. When a gambling craving strikes:

Avoid isolation.Call a trusted family member, meet a friend for coffee, or go to a Gamblers Anonymous meeting.

Distract yourself with another activity, such as going to the gym, watching a movie, or practicing a relaxation exercise for gambling cravings.

Postpone gambling.Tell yourself that youll wait 5 minutes, fifteen minutes, or an hour. As you wait, the urge to gamble may pass or become weak enough to resist.

Visualize what will happen if you give in to the urge to gamble. Think about how youll feel after all your money is gone and youve disappointed yourself and your family again.

If you arent able to resist the gambling craving, dont be too hard on yourself or use it as an excuse to give up. Overcoming a gambling addiction is a tough process. You may slip from time to time; the important thing is to learn from your mistakes and continue working towards recovery.

Seeking professional help or seeing a therapist does not mean you are weak or cant handle your problems. Therapy can give you tools and support for coping with your addiction that will last a lifetime. Problem gambling can sometimes be a symptom of bipolar disorder, so your doctor or therapist may need to rule out this disorder before making a diagnosis.

Inpatient treatment programs are an option for those with severe gambling addiction who are unable to avoid gambling without round-the-clock support.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT) for gambling addiction focuses on changing unhealthy gambling behaviors and thoughts, such as rationalizations and false beliefs. It can also teach you how to fight gambling urges and solve financial, work, and relationship problems caused by problem gambling.

The Four Steps Program is a variation of CBT aimed at changing your thoughts and beliefs about gambling in four steps: re-label, reattribute, refocus, and revalue. See Resources and References below.

Marriage and credit counseling can help you work through specific issues created by problem gambling.

While compulsive gamblers need the support of their family and friends to stop gambling, its common for loved ones to have conflicting emotions. You may have tried to cover up for the gambler or spent a lot of time trying to keep him or her from gambling. At the same time, you might be furious at your loved one for gambling again and tired of trying to keep up the charade. The gambler may also have borrowed (or even stolen) money from you with no way to pay it back, sold family possessions, or run up huge debts on joint credit cards. As hard as it is seeing the effects your loved ones problem, you cannot make someone stop gambling. The decision to quit has to be theirs.

When faced with the consequences of their actions, a gambler can suffer a crushing drop in self-esteem. This is one reason why there is a high rate of suicide among problem gamblers.

When gamblers feel hopeless, the risk of suicide is high. Its very important to take any thoughts or talk of suicide seriously. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or for a suicide helpline outside the U.S., visit Befrienders Worldwide.

Source: Dept. of Health & Addiction Services

Problem Gambling Awareness Month – WMDT

Posted: at 2:46 pm

Annual Problem Gambling Awareness Month

MARYLAND - Problem Gambling Awareness Month starts today, nationwide.

And Maryland Lottery and Gaming is just one organization doing their part.

47 ABC spoke with Carole Gentry, the director of communications.

Gentry said the state's casinos pay annual assessment fees, which are set aside for "responsible gambling programs".

She said last year, the state collected $3.8 million in fees.

I mean for most people gambling, play at casinos, playing the lottery it's a form of entertainment. But there is a small percentage of people who have a problem with gambling and this is a great way to raise awareness about that, Gentry said.

47 ABC also spoke with Loreen Rugle, the program director at Maryland's Center of Excellence on Program Gambling.

Rugle said that stereotypes about gambling addictions often involve greed.

She adds that this month, the aim is to erase those stereotypes while providing help and resources for those with gambling addictions.

It's your neighbors, your friends, your family. And most people feel so shameful to talk about it. They let it progress until they hit absolute bottom before they reach out and let anybody know, Rugle said.

Both Gentry and Rugle stress that if you, or someone you know, might be struggling with a gambling problem there is a toll free number to call.

1-800-GAMBLER provides confidential, free assistance to connect with local counselors and treatment providers.

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Game over for eight Mong Kok gambling dens as police arrest 57, confiscate arcade machines and seize HK$49000 in … – TheStreet.com

Posted: at 2:46 pm

Eight triad-controlled gambling dens were closed down in Mong Kok with the arrest of 57 people during a week-long police operation that ended on Wednesday. Police seized HK$49,000 in cash along with 28 arcade game machines from the illegal gambling venues that were operated in residential and commercial units in the district. Mong Kok district operations officer Chief Inspector Dick Ma Wang-ngai said initial investigations showed that the eight gambling dens were controlled by four different gangs. Police nab 21, seize HK$53,000 in cash at Hong Kong game centre converted into a gambling den after midnight "One of the gambling establishments had been in operation for just two days before our raid," he said. To avoid police detection, the gambling dens served regular clients. Security cameras had been installed outside every venue, and entrances had two doors. "During the raids, officers had to break through the doors at most of these venues to gain entry," Ma said. According to police, arcade machines were used for betting games. Gamblers were required to buy cards to record their scores before playing on the machines. Points could be exchanged for cash with the operators taking 10 per cent as commission, Ma said. "Daily revenue was between HK$3,000 and HK$10,000 at each venue," the chief inspector said. Police arrest 40 in raid on Yau Ma Tei gambling den in games arcade Officers arrested 13 people when they raided and closed down two gambling dens at Shanghai Street and Sai Yeung Choi Street South on Wednesday. The other venues were at Nathan Road, Soy Street and Reclamation Street.

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Game over for eight Mong Kok gambling dens as police arrest 57, confiscate arcade machines and seize HK$49000 in ... - TheStreet.com

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Free-market group says Congress should repeal federal sports gambling ban – Watchdog.org

Posted: at 2:46 pm

As the nation preps for March Madness, a free-market group argues that Congress should give the power to legalize and regulate sports gambling to the states.

PLACE YOUR BETS: Arizona and USC are both headed for the NCAA tournament this month, but its still illegal to bet on your March Madness bracket in most states.

Twenty-five years ago, Congress passed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which blocked all states but Nevada from regulating bets made on the outcome of individual sports contests. The Silver State was grandfathered in because it already allowed the practice.

But as with the movement to give states the right to choose whether to allow various forms of online gambling within their borders, the Competitive Enterprise Institute says states should also be empowered to decide whether to legalize sports gambling.

Daily fantasy sports, which allow players to select a team of players and risk and win money based on how those players fare statistically over a slate of games, is already legal in the majority of states.

Millions of Americans who bet on March Madness brackets are unwitting lawbreakers, no thanks to a government prohibition on sports betting, saidMichelle Minton, co-author of the CEI report. Even former President Barack Obama openly discussed his bracket picks and admitted to gambling on the games.

CEI said the PASPA has essentially created a massive black market for sports gambling in which at least 95 percent of the money wagered is bet illegally, from the office bracket pool to the local bookie to offshore websites. That deprives Americans the protection of a legal market, CEI said.

After Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in 2006, several online poker sites some of which also offered sports betting pulled out of the U.S. market, taking the bankrolls of many Americans with them. Although the vast majority of players on leading sites Poker Stars and Full Tilt Poker were eventually paid, millions of dollars were still lost from sites such as Absolute Poker and World Sports Exchange.

The Department of Justice, under the Obama administration, ruled the 1961 Interstate Wire Act applied specifically to sports betting and not other forms of gambling, which led states such as Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware to offer online poker and other states to sell lottery tickets online. That decision has also led to a call for the federal government to take its foot off of online wagering, in general.

However, newly minted Attorney General Jeff Sessions has expressed an interest in revisiting the Obama administrations Wire Act interpretation.

RELATED: Free-market coalition urges Sessions, Pence to oppose online gambling ban

Because so much of sports wagering takes place under the table, its unclear how much money is actually involved, although CEI estimates it at between $150 billion and $400 billion annually. Because of the federal ban, states are deprived of billions of dollars in potential tax revenue, the institute said.

Congress should repeal this prohibition and let states decide whether it makes sense to legalize sports gambling for their citizens, Minton said.

Johnny Kampisreports on national issues for Watchdog.org. Contact himat [emailprotected] and on Twitter.

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Daily Archives: March 2, 2017

The Upcoming Economic Recession in 2017 Has Already Begun – Lombardi Letter

Ed Vasicek: The ever-surfacing future has arrived – Kokomo Tribune

This Is Why The Youth Is Picking Up Arms In Kashmir – Youth Ki Awaaz

Duterte renews attack on Church as he defends war on drugs – Inquirer.net

State Dept. Official Praises Mexican Efforts in War on Drugs – New York Times

Military involvement in drug war to worsen rights abuseKarapatan – Inquirer.net

Gambling Addiction and Problem Gambling: Learn How to Stop …

Problem Gambling Awareness Month – WMDT

Game over for eight Mong Kok gambling dens as police arrest 57, confiscate arcade machines and seize HK$49000 in … – TheStreet.com

Free-market group says Congress should repeal federal sports gambling ban – Watchdog.org

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