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Thank you, Alain!

Here is an interesting article. Will this pledge by Warren Buffett soften those stone hearts?

Buffett to Republicans: if you pay, so will I

Warren Buffett issues challenge to GOP The billionaire puts his money where his mouth is in a dare to Republicans in Congress. Instant controversy

WASHINGTON/BOSTON (Reuters) - Warren Buffett is willing to put his money where his mouth is, if only congressional Republicans would join him.

The American billionaire investor, in the new issue of Time magazine, says he would donate $1 to paying down the national debt for every dollar donated by a Republican in Congress. The only exception is Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell - for whom Buffett said he would go $3-to-$1.

The idea stems from a New York Times opinion piece Buffett wrote last August in which he said the rich ought to pay more taxes. It sparked an instant controversy, with some Washington conservatives calling on the 81-year-old "Oracle of Omaha" to voluntarily pay extra.

McConnell said at the time that if Buffett felt "guilty" about paying too low a tax rate, he should "send in a check." This was quickly followed by introduction of a bill to give taxpayers an option on tax forms to make voluntary donations.

"It restores my faith in human nature to think that there are people who have been around Washington all this time and are not yet so cynical as to think that can't be solved by voluntary contributions," the Buffett told Time for an article hitting newsstands on Friday.

An aide to McConnell suggested that the Berkshire Hathaway CEO should expand his matching offer to President Barack Obama and his Democrats.

"Senator McConnell says that Washington should be smaller, rather than taxes getting bigger. And since some, like President Obama and Mr. Buffett want to pay higher taxes, Congress made it possible for them to call their own bluff and send in a check," said Don Stewart, McConnell's deputy chief of staff.

"So I look forward to Mr. Buffett matching a healthy batch of checks from those who actually want to pay higher taxes, including Congressional Democrats, the President and the Democratic National Committee," he added.

The jabs over voluntary payments come as higher taxes for the wealthy and extension of payroll tax breaks for middle-class Americans are becoming increasingly contentious issues for the 2012 presidential race. Obama is trying to paint Republicans as only favoring the wealthy, while Republicans are trying to brand the president as relying on tax hikes to fund excessive spending.

Buffett said in the Time interview the United States needed a tax system that favored people who were not born investors.

"We need a tax system that takes very good care of people who just really aren't as well adapted to the market system, and to capitalism, but are nevertheless just as good citizens, and are doing things that are of use in society," he said.

Buffett, who has raised money for President Barack Obama recently, also takes swings at Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich in the Time interview, criticizing Gingrich's track record and Romney's ties to the private equity business.

(Reporting By Ben Berkowitz and David Lawder; Editing by Eric Walsh)

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Master Hilarion's Weekly Message

January 2- 9, 2011

Beloved Ones,

The year end festivities are completed and the New Year has arrived with such a stupendous display of Unity in the form of a major Worldwide meditation with ten of thousands of Lightworkers such as yourselves all over your Planet saying yes to the remembrance and the embodiment of their Divinity. From our perspective, the tide has turned and the people of the World will be seeing many changes taking place, both within themselves, their loved ones, their neighbors and within the structures of daily life that have been in place for so long. We from the Higher realms were in attendance during this massive observance on the first day of your New Year and there were Legions of Angels assisting in the activations that occurred.

Each person who took part is a Wayshower and a Pattern Maker who realized the great potential of this major event to create positive change for Humanity and all upon the Earth and there will be many more of these taking place through the entire year of 2011, for this is the year of the unification of forces for good upon this Planet in a big way. What a wondrous boost to the Divine Plan this event was! We are still in celebration! Each of you is so powerful and so courageous in your determination to be the change you wish to see. The peaceful revolution we spoke of before is now upon us and we applaud you all! Your combined and individual energies have made a remarkable difference upon your Planet and this will become observable in your daily lives.

Continue to walk your Path of Light, Dear Ones, and hold fast to your visions for the highest outcome for the Ascension of the Planet Earth and all upon Her, for it is happening in this time of Now. Continue in your purifying efforts for your bodies, minds and emotions. Know that what comes forth and is cleansed and transmuted is creating room within you for greater Light to take its place and every time this occurs, it is another step forward upon your spiritual journey to Ascension. Remember that we stand ready to assist you in every moment of your life and all that is required is that you ask us, for we must honor your free will.

Your Higher Self is now working more assertively within each of you and it behooves you all to become aware of this and be willing to hand over the reins to Her/Him, stating daily “not my will but thine be done in and through me now”. This will help facilitate the unfoldment of your Divine Plan in an easy and graceful manner and will also bring about many positive changes that seem to happen without conscious thought on your part. Remember that your Higher Self can bring only the highest and the best outcomes within all facets of your life and is now endeavoring to establish a greater Oneness with You, Its outer expression in this World. This is a truly exciting development that is now taking place.

Be at peace, Beloved Ones, for you will be finding more Lightness of Being in your daily existence and will be feeling more extended periods of joy, happiness and bliss. Continue to practice your attitude of gratitude and daily list at least five things that you are grateful for.

Until next week….

I AM Hilarion

©2011 Marlene Swetlishoff

Permission is given to share this message as long as the message is posted in its entirety and nothing has been changed, or altered in any way and Scribe's credit, copyright and website is included. www.therainbowscribe.com

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Hello Luis Miguel!

Interesting article indeed... but, like Patricia, I do not have great expectations. I don't feel many will move on with the Buffett's idea.

Blessings,

Alain

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Hundreds Of Occupy Wall Street Protesters Reclaim Zuccotti Park

• by Beth Buczynski
• January 11, 2012

Following a triumphant return to Zuccotti Park on New Year’s Eve, Occupy Wall Street protesters decided to reclaim the movement’s birthplace earlier this week. On January 10, about 300 calm but celebratory protesters entered New York City’s Zuccotti Park just a few hours after news spread that the metal barricades were coming down.

Watch the protesters re-enter the park in this AP video:

According to CSB News, the barricades, which Mayor Bloomberg and the NYPD claimed were put in place to protect the park, were removed after the City received complaints about their appearance. A spokesperson for the NYPD and Brookfield Office Properties claims that the barricades were removed because they were no longer deemed necessary.

A Brookfield employee who refused to give his name told an Associated Press reporter: “The barriers are down, but the other rules are the same.”

As OWS supporters trickled back into the park, observers say the mood was peaceful, with many sharing food, playing chess, or recreating in the public space designed for just such a purpose. Some tried to erect tents, the symbol of many public occupations, but they were quickly dismantled by watchful police officers.

So far, only three protesters have been arrested for trying to sleep in the park.

Many thought the November 15th police raid on the OWS encampment in Zuccotti Park would be the end of the movement, but its members have simply found other, more creative ways to continue their fight against corporate greed and political corruption.

“We were recovering,” Occupier Felix Rivera-Pitre told NY Daily News about the movement’s low profile in recent months since the NYPD stormed the park evicted everyone. “Everything we had was lost during the raid.”

There is nothing on the official Occupy Wall Street website to indicate if the protesters intend to remain in the park permanently.

Related Reading:

OWS Protester Challenges Romney’s Claim That “Corporations Are People”

Senior Citizens Occupy, Shut Down Bank Of America

Occupy Wall Street Sues Cities For Unlawful Evictions

Image via OccupyWallSt.org – 2011: A Year In Revolt

Read more: bloomberg, new years eve, NYPD, occupy wall street, ows, protest, Zuccotti Park

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/hundreds-of-occupy-wall-street-protesters-reclaim-zuccotti-park.html#ixzz1jI9qi4JE

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He hasn't put one out for 2012?