The Ron Paul Scenario

Let’s imagine, for a moment, that Ron Paul is elected President of the United States–even though we know that voting machines have been shown to be rigged with predetermined outcomes. What then?

I’ve heard some people say that Ron Paul will end all the “bad stuff,” if elected. I’ve heard that he will use Executive Orders to end the Federal Reserve, Department of Education and other “unconstitutional”  agencies and programs (doesn’t go far enough, but would be a good first step). From listening to some of the chatter, some folks are making Ron Paul out to be some kind of Messiah.

Unfortunately, it is not true and those things will never happen.

First of all, Ron Paul doesn’t believe that Executive Orders are Constitutional, so he would never use them. If he did, he would be helping to legitimize the process and open himself up to criticism from his detractors and those who do want to use them (“If you don’t believe they’re Constitutional, why are you issuing them?”), so don’t hold your breath waiting for Ron Paul to use dictatorial “stroke of the pen, law of the land” stuff anytime soon.

Second, even if Ron Paul was elected, he would be overriden by the Legislature at every turn, in the same way that Mark Sanford (former Governor of SC) had around 98% of his vetoes overriden with every new budget. Also, nearly every time Sanford wanted to push through a new idea, eliminate wasteful spending, cut taxes, consolidate agencies or eliminate redundant offices, the State Legislature pounded him from every angle, used the progressive (WIS-TV, The State Newspaper, PBS/ETV, Free Times, etc.) local media to make him look like an idiot for even asking for those things, and then boldly refused to give him what he was asking for–and it was done by both Democrats AND Republicans.

The only reason I could see for The Powers That Be to give–yes, give–Ron Paul the Presidency would be for accomplishing something like eliminating the Electoral College–something the progressives have wanted to do, for decades.

If Paul wins the “Presidential Preference” vote (public vote), the Electors are not bound to cast their votes for the popular choice (the candidate for which the public cast the most votes). If the Electors choose to cast their electoral votes to elect a different candidate, the country will come close to another civil war, with riots in the streets. The cries for eliminating the Electoral College will be heard far and wide, and the People will probably be duped into going along with it–including an increase in police power and presence to control any “civil unrest.” (Not that there should be elections for Masters, in the first place, but you get what I’m saying.)

The end result would be that the Statists have more police power and control, and the Socialist Republic of California has control of every new presidential election.

Remember: No matter who is elected, the State always wins.

In over 200 years of voting, we have only gotten higher (and more) taxes, more regulations, more currency manipulation and wealth destruction, more war, more surveillance (monitoring emails and phone calls, street cameras, tracking our cell phones, etc.), and so much more. Minor “victories,” once in awhile, keep the clueless Sheeple thinking that voting can make a difference, but history shows otherwise, so STOP VOTING! Stop legitimizing the rigged game of politics and keeping it alive! Separate yourself from it, and get “off the grid,” as much as possible.

Personally, I would actually like to see Ron Paul win, for one main reason: When his supporters watch as he is rendered completely ineffective, they will come to realize that voting accomplishes nothing but giving the People more of what they were getting, before. Even Ron Paul, himself, stated that he could “only be so independent.” At that point it will hopefully be easier for supporters of Voluntaryism (http://voluntaryist.com/fundamentals/introduction.html) to share the message of peace, cooperation and real freedom.

So…yay! Ron Paul 2012! Woo-hoo!

Amazon Deal Might Be On Again In South Carolina

Now that the Amazon deal is apparently back on the bargaining table in South Carolina, the anti-Amazon “Main Street” group (rumored to be Wal-Mart backed) is back to running their commercials, stating Amazon would destroy “375,000 main street jobs”–and I have a BIG problem with that.

First of all, according to 2009 City Data figures there were 129,333 people in Columbia, so someone please tell me how Amazon building a new distribution center–not retail store–in the Midlands would “destroy” a number of jobs equal to nearly THREE TIMES THE POPULATION OF THE CAPITAL CITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, and tack on another 12% in unemployment, statewide!

All that because of a distribution center? Absolutely preposterous!

This is evil, outlandish, anti-competition fear-mongering at its worst, folks. If Amazon was going to destroy “Main Street,” it would have done it a long time ago, because Amazon’s retail presence is ONLINE, not on the street corner–and has been for years.

And why should businesses down on “Main Street” be protected from competition, in the first place–and let’s be honest: That’s exactly what this is. Horse-and-buggy makers didn’t like automobile competition, back in the early days of cars, either, but progress is a wonderful thing!

But I digress.

Even if Amazon did construct a new distribution center, nothing would change; people are ordering from Amazon, right now–in South Carolina, too (*GASP!*)–and a new warehouse isn’t going to change a thing.

Amazon’s opponents say it’s “unfair” to let Amazon off the hook for collecting sales taxes on purchases made from people in South Carolina, while stores on the streets have to do so at the point of sale. Again, what is it that these people aren’t grasping about a DISTRIBUTION CENTER? It’s not a retail store! There are no–and will be no–Amazon point of sale purchases on the streets, in South Carolina.

Sometimes, it’s very easy to see why South Carolina consistently ranks near the bottom in educational achievement, because our government “leaders” are apparently dumb as rocks, too.

The Voting Booth – A Suggestion Box for Slaves

“If you don’t vote, you can’t complain” is one of the most ridiculous, illogical statements I’ve ever heard. The only people who rightfully can complain are those who choose not to be a part of the political process.

Many people who have decided not to vote have awakened to the realization that the people they “elect” will be expected to initiate force against their friends, family and neighbors–a criminal activity–and those non-voters have chosen not to be an accessory to crime.

To those who claim to be a part of the “freedom movement,” please understand that you shouldn’t have to band with others to petition ‘Master’ (government) for your freedom. The system’s very nature is to control; that’s what government does. So, to ask people who gravitate to positions of power and control to please not exercise power and control over you is a waste of time–actually, it’s dangerous and counterproductive.

When you cast a vote, regardless of your intentions, you are helping to perpetuate and legitimize the system. By doing so, you are giving other people–typically an unenlightened majority–the opportunity to vote for things with which you disagree. Also, the votes cast may not even be the true results, but as long as masses of people show up to the polls the outcomes can be manipulated fairly easily.

And what has voting gotten you, anyway? Do you have more freedom than you parents enjoyed? How about less taxation? A stronger economy? More opportunities for enterprise and prosperity? More privacy? Less government intrusion into your life?

Every election cycle, we hear the people cry to “Vote the rascals out!” What has that done for the country? It’s given us increased taxation, a destroyed economy, a worthless currency, more surveillance cameras, militarized police, Homeland Security, email and Internet monitoring, cellphone tracking, more required licenses and permits (permission from a pay-off), molestation of our kids and spouses at airports, more checkpoints, more wars, more invasions, more murder, more destruction, more angry world neighbors…and on and on.

Because you voted, this is what you have received–regardless of what you wanted. YOU are the only one who cannot complain, because you enabled it by participating!

Voting doesn’t ensure success, anyway, regardless of the vote total.

I’ve sat through meetings and watched government officials hear 95% of people in a room say “No!” only to watch the officials vote “yes.” They know you’ll just complain to your friends, write an angry letter to the newspaper editor (which probably won’t get printed, anyway), and post an angry status update on Facebook–and then you’ll get over it and forget, because your kid’s soccer game, or going clubbing, is more important than the risk involved with running these officials out of town. As a politician once stated, “You can complain all you want, as long as you pay your taxes.”

The only way to truly bring about change is to STOP VOTING and participating in the system. Operate outside of it, as much as possible. End all support for it. When support is gone, there will be no system left to manipulate.

And Libertarians should take note: Government is borne of an entitlement mentality. Even if you want a “small,” “limited,” or “Constitutional” government (something that has never been and never will be), you are saying that you feel entitled to some government function and you feel that others should be forced to pay for it (taxation). Sorry, but that’s a socialist mindset–certainly not freedom–and it makes you no better than the other socialists (Rs & Ds) who are destroying the country. You all want to steal and spend the wealth of others; you just differ on how much, and where it should be spent.

Break free from the Matrix. Think outside the box. Overcome your conditioning. Be what you want to see in others. And, please, stop helping to perpetuate a slavery system!

(What is government, anyway? Read this and have your eyes opened, further: http://anarchistpov.wordpress.com/2009/02/24/reality-check/ )

Amazon Decides To Leave SC Rather Than Give In To Government Mafia

Amazon has decided that, rather than give in to South Carolina government mafia tax thugs, it will halt building plans and move its proposed distribution facility out of South Carolina. After the 71-47 House vote against the company, Amazon halted building contracts and pulled job postings. The reported 1250+ jobs, plus a reported additional 1000+ jobs from an engineering firm and other support companies, and over $100 million in investments will be going to a more business-friendly state.

Here’s a list of the Representatives who stood against Amazon:

Agnew, Paul L.
Alexander, Terry
Allen, Karl B.
Anderson, Carl L.
Anthony, Michael A.
Barfield, Liston D.
Bedingfield, Eric M.
Bikas, Eric J.
Bowen, Don C.
Bowers, William K.
Brown, Robert L.
Chumley, William M.
Clemmons, Alan D.
Corbin, Thomas D.
Crawford, Kristopher R.
Crosby, William E.
Delleney, F. Gregory, Jr.
Dillard, Chandra E.
Edge, Tracy R.
Erickson, Shannon S.
Funderburk, Laurie Slade
Gilliard, Wendell G.
Govan, Jerry N., Jr.
Hamilton, Daniel P.
Hardwick, Nelson L.
Hearn, George M.
Henderson, Phyllis
Hiott, David R.
Hixon, William M.
Horne, Jenny Anderson
Hosey, Lonnie
Howard, Leon
Jefferson, Joseph H.
Johnson, Kevin L.
King, John Richard C.
Limehouse, Harry B., III
Long, Deborah A.
Lowe, Phillip D.
Lucas, James H.
McCoy, Peter M., Jr.
McEachern, Joseph A.
Moss, Dennis C.
Munnerlyn, Elizabeth R.
Murphy, Christopher J.
Nanney, Wendy K.
Neal, James M.
Norman, Ralph W.
Owens, Phillip D.
Parker, Steve A.
Parks, J. Anne
Pinson, Lewis E.
Pitts, Michael A.
Pope, Thomas E.
Ryan, Kevin R.
Sandifer, William E., III
Simrill, J. Gary
Smith, G. Murrell, Jr.
Smith, Garry R.
Smith, J. Roland
Taylor, Bill
Thayer, Anne J.
Tribble, David, Jr.
Vick, Ted M.
Viers, Thad T.
Weeks, J. David
Whipper, J. Seth
White, W. Brian
Whitmire, William R.
Williams, Robert Q.
Willis, Mark N.
Young, Thomas R., Jr.

It has been reported that Governor Nikki Haley also opposed the Amazon deal, and that Wal-Mart organized a coalition to oppose the deal, as well.

Personally, I want to see each of these dirty, rotten, scumbag politicians stand face-to-face with the people who applied for those jobs and have the balls to tell them exactly what happened: “Amazon didn’t want to help fatten the State’s coffers, so we ran off all those jobs for which you applied. Yes, we realize these are very tough economic times, but the State getting money is more important than you being able to work and feed your families. Deal with it.”

These evil, crooked people should be tarred, feathered and run out of town–at the very least!

This is just another example of how government destroys prosperity and employment opportunities.

Television: Slave Driving Is Entertainment

Over the last few months, I kept track of  TV shows that dealt with law enforcement and emergencies. I knew that cop shows were a big part of TV programming, but I was surprised to find out just how much.

Here is the list I compiled of (recent) past, present and future shows:

48 Hours

48 Hours: Hard Evidence

Alaska State Troopers

All Worked Up

America’s Most Wanted

American Greed

Animal Cops: Detroit

Animal Cops: Houston

Animal Cops: Philadelphia

Bait Car

Best Ranger

Bones

Border Wars

Boston Legal

Boston Med

Breakout

Burn Notice

Case Crackers

Castle

Cellblock 6: Female Lockup

Chasing Justice

CNBC Investigates

Coast Watch

Cold Blood

Cold Case

COPS

CourTV

Covert Affairs

Crime 360

Crime Scene Wild

Crime Stories

Crime, Inc.

Criminal Minds

CSI

CSI: Miami

CSI: NY

Dark Blue

Dateline NBC

Deadly Women

Diagnosis: Unknown

Disappeared

Disorder In The Court

Dog The Bounty Hunter

Drugs, Inc.

Evening News broadcasts

Extreme Forensics

Fight Quest

Flashpoint

Forensic Files

Fringe

Fugitive Chronicles

Grey’s Anatomy

Haunted

Haven

Hawaii Five-O

Hawthorne

Heavy Metal Task Force

Homeland Security

Hot Pursuit

Human Target

I (Almost) Got Away With It

ID Channel

In Plain Sight

Inside American Jail

Inside Cocaine Submarines

Jack Ford: Courtside

JAG

Judge Joe Brown

Judge Judy

Justice 101

Justified

Las Vegas Jailhouse

Law & Order

Law & Order: CI

Law & Order: SVU

Leverage

Lie To Me

Lock Up: San Quentin

Lockdown

Locked Up Abroad

Lockup: Holman

Lockup: Raw

Mall Cops

Mall Cops: Mall of America

Manhunters

Masterminds

Memphis Beat

Mercy

Most Daring

Most Shocking

Murder By The Book

Mystery Diagnosis

NCIS

NCIS: LA

North Mission Road

Numb3rs

Operation Wild

Outlaw

Paranormal Cops

Parole Board

Party Heat

Past Life

Pit Boss

Police Women

Police Women of Maricopa County

Police Women of Memphis

Prison Wives

Psych

Psychic Investigations

Rizzoli & Isles

Rookie Blue

Rubicon

Sanctuary

Science of the Elite Soldier

Scrubs

Shadow Soldiers: Mexico

Showdown: Air Combat

Solitary Confinement

Solved: Extreme Forensics

Southern Friend Stings

Southland

Speeders

The Closer

The Event

The FBI Files

The First 48

The Forgotten

The Good Guys

The Investigators

Three Rivers

Trauma

TruTV

UnderCovers

Warehouse 13

Whale Wars

White Collar

World’s Wildest Police Chases

World’s Wildest Police Videos

It’s hard to look at this list and realize that people view this stuff–slave driving (law enforcement)–as entertainment.

For those who say this isn’t slavery, can you speak freely without consequences from the State, work any kind of job you desire, travel unimpeded, start a business, freely exchange goods and services, eat what you want, smoke what you want, marry whomever you choose, build without a permit or license (permission), and not be forced to give your wealth to other people, etc.? No, you can’t, and just because you don’t have physical chains on your legs doesn’t mean you aren’t a slave to the will (“law”) of others.

The worst part about all these cop and emergency shows is that they are being used 1) to psychologically condition you to obey your law enforcement masters, and show you the consequences that may result if you don’t; 2) hopefully make you think that these people are just regular good guys, like you, who are just doing their jobs (jobs that they voluntarily signed on for, I might add, so them trying to hide behind that excuse is ridiculous); 3) condition you to understand and accept that law enforcement will be in every area of your life, from womb to grave, and you should accept it as normal; and 4) as a recruiting tool for authoritarians.

Even National Geographic and Syfy have introduced cop shows into their channel lineups. Is nothing sacred, anymore?

I want to be clear that I do not support any kind of activity that harms another person. But in this case, all types of “criminal” activities are being used in TV programming to condition you to a Police State. Don’t fall for it, and see these shows for what they really are–and turn them off!

What a Wonderful Life

I’ve had a few things on my mind, lately, so I’m going to use this as an opportunity to get some of them off my chest.

1.  First and foremost, I want to punch all the people who said that Windows 7 was their idea. If they had anything to do with another buggy software product from MicroSoft, they deserve a good smacking.

2.  Most modern-day so-called “rock” music only seems to rock me to sleep. I guess that’s what they mean by “rock,” these days.

3.  Companies that say you can get a new laptop computer for only “$29.99 per week for 12 months” are rip-off artists.  You can currently get a brand new laptop at major office supply stores for only $299.99, so why in the world would you pay $1559.48 for one? Don’t fall for this crap!

4.  Same goes for “free credit report” services. If you have to buy a product or service before you can get a report, it isn’t free. If you want a truly free credit report, you can get one every year by writing to the credit bureaus and simply requesting one.

5.  I’m really getting tired of seeing Safe Auto car insurance commercials that use the threat of police officers locking you up, or taking your car away, in an effort to sell their insurance. Personally, I wouldn’t use them if they were the last insurance company on the planet, because of it. Friends do not let friends buy Safe Auto insurance!

6.  If you’re going to hold up traffic, it’s probably a good idea to drive something other than a company vehicle. There are some companies I will not do business with, because their drivers have a regular habit of doing stupid crap on the highway–and because they were stupid enough to let me know where they work, I’m going to do my best to give their competitors my money.

7.  Speaking of bad driving, please stop holding up traffic so someone can make a turn across multiple lanes! So many accidents are caused by someone holding up traffic to make a gap for another car to cross through, while a car in the adjacent lane doesn’t see what’s going on and…BAM! Traffic collision. Don’t do it! Let them think you’re a prick, if they must. At least you’re safer. Get the driver of the other car to realize he needs to go to the nearest intersection and turn. Don’t take a risk of causing an accident, just because someone doesn’t feel like driving a few extra yards to a traffic light.

8.  Reading “a shine that lasts for weeks” on tire shine products really irritates me, because I know that the shine may “last for weeks” only if you don’t actually drive the vehicle. If you must actually drive it, the shine typically lasts for 3 to 5 days.

9.  Ever notice how the burger or sandwich you get at the fast food joint never looks like the product they display in those (false advertising) commercials? Getting a compressed, dried-out, lukewarm sandwich that looks to be about half the size of what I saw in the commercial is not cool, at all.

Okay, I think that’s enough venting for now. I’m sure I’ll have more to add, soon, because it seems the world is full of people who don’t get it or don’t care–or both.

Stay tuned…

Government is like a Casino

In a casino, the odds are stacked against gamblers; the House is going to come out on top, at the end of the day, overall. There are some winners, here and there, but there are many more losers so the casino makes the most money.

Informants are hired to look and act like regular gamblers, in an effort to keep tabs on the regular folks who are gambling. If someone regularly beats the House, and amasses a considerable amount of wealth, the casino is alerted and the goon squad is dispatched to find out why–and possibly (forcibly) eject the person from the premises. Their business model is based on the idea that the House is the only one that should be making any serious money.

It’s the same with government and politics. With electronic voting machines, scare tactics, back-pocket media and an ignorant Electorate the odds are stacked against The People.

Any time a “third” option or activist group mounts a serious challenge to the Establishment Parties (RepubliCrats), the attack-dog media outlets go to work to discredit the candidate and cast doubt in the minds of voters: “It’s a wasted vote,” “People who associate with that group must be hate-filled or racist,” or “If you don’t vote for our candidate the [other "major" Party candidate] will win!” It’s all about dividing, conquering and advancing agendas through compromise and fear–and making sure no alternative can gain any type of ground to upset the balance.

And don’t get me started on the widespread ballot access laws, reporting mandates, contribution caps, etc. that seriously hinder any “third party” upstarts, but don’t really do much to hinder the “major” Parties who are already large and powerful. To me, it’s akin to the lopsided tax on the Southern states that led to the Civil War.

Infiltrating one of the other Parties– to try and win an election, based solely on the fact that some (idiots) blindly push an “R” or “D” button at the polls, without even knowing who the candidates are–will get you nowhere, either, because those Parties carefully vet their members and candidates. If you don’t play along with the Good Ol’ Boy game, you will never even make it through the nomination process. (Ron Paul is a good example of how these groups will cannibalize their own, if their agendas are threatened.)

By now, you’ve probably heard reports and seen evidence of vote tampering on electronic voting machines–everything from vote totals being switched, artificially casting votes for one candidate based upon the votes received by the opposition, etc. There is even video footage of a chimp hacking one of the machines. To put it all in perspective, Russian dictator Josef Stalin once said, “It’s not the people who vote that count. It’s the people who count the votes.”

With all of those things stacked against you–those who want real change and real freedom–why do you continue to try and work within the system to try and change it?

I guess it’s like playing the lottery, even though a player is more likely to be struck by lightning–twice–than win the jackpot.

And the local government council meetings, where “public input” is permitted–but usually at no more than 2 or 3 minutes per person–are just dog and pony shows, too. Listening to the citizens is just a formality to most of these people, and necessary to keep you thinking that you actually have a voice in government proceedings, so you don’t rebel.

I’ve seen too many meetings where citizens packed the house, and overwhelmingly disapproved of a certain measure that was up for a vote, only to watch their local officials completely ignore the voices of the People and approve it, anyway. It was almost comical to watch these officials pay little attention to what the People had to say, knowing how they were going to vote before the first person even stepped up to the mic.

Threats to vote them out don’t work, because they know that most people don’t even know what’s going on with their government and will vote to re-elect them–and if that fails, there’s always those wonderful, programmable, electronic voting machines…

Stop putting your faith and energy into a system that is rigged to keep outsiders from succeeding. Don’t be fooled by the illusion.

It’s time to remove all compliance and support for this corrupt, freedom-destroying Establishment. Doing so is the only way we’re ever going to get things moving back in the right direction.

That’s some real “hope and change.”

(Related article: http://anarchistpov.wordpress.com/2009/02/24/reality-check/ )

Glenn Beck on Ron Bloom

Glenn Beck keeps harping on Ron Bloom, Obama’s Manufacturing Czar, who said that the free market system is nonsense and who agreed with Mao that political power comes from the barrel of a gun. I hate to say it, but the guy is right. His perspective is probably much different than mine, concerning the reasons why he feels it’s nonsense and what he would do to change it, but he’s right.

Socialists/Communists constantly try to get (ignorant) people to believe that what we currently have in the US is a free market or Capitalist system (See Michael Moore’s new movie for proof), but it’s not true. What we have is a socialist government (the majority of the federal budget is for social programs) and Corporatism–and Corporatism is very different from Capitalism.

Government destroyed the free market with such things as the Constitution’s Interstate Commerce Clause, business licensing, permits, fines, feees, regulations, ordinances, Affirmative Action, taxation/duties, sales restrictions, product bans, etc. There hasn’t been a “free market” in the US, for a very long time.

As for political power coming from the barrel of a gun, how else is political power (law and dictatorial Executive Orders) enFORCEd? Are fancy titles, like “Senator” or “Congressman” enough? How about their wealth? Good looks? No! The power of government is backed by guns and the people who wield them!

Do I support such power and enFORCEment? Absolutely not, but the fact remains that political power (government) is always backed by firepower.

Does that make you feel uneasy? Do something to change it!

Internet Speedway Warning

I have been hearing a lot of radio commercials for Internet Speedway, and their “free” CD that will cost you nearly $10 to have shipped to your address, so I decided to do some background checking on the company.

The following alert was posted to the “Consumer Alerts for March 2009″ section of the Better Business Bureau’s Eastern NC site:

“The Internet Speedway offers a business opportunity via television commercials.  They promote selling products on the Internet.  Products include health and beauty items, ladies and men’s apparel, jewelry, designer sunglasses, cookware, customer luggage equipment and sports apparel.  One consumer paid the initial $9.95 fee for the software and was then charged additional “hidden fees.”  Other complainants have alleged unauthorized withdrawals up to $347.75.  Over 340 complaints have been filed against this Arizona business, and they have the BBB’s lowest rating.”

I have also seen numerous posts on work-at-home forum pages telling others to avoid this business, calling it a “scam,” so I thought I’d share this information with all of you.

In tough economic times, it can be tempting to try something like Internet Speedway to make some extra money, but with “over 340 complaints” and “the BBB’s lowest rating,” I think I’ll stay far away from this one.

Tricks of the Trade

“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” I couldn’t agree more.

For instance, I regularly hear car dealerships advertise in their TV and radio ads that “all credit applications will be accepted!” Sounds great, right?

Of course, the dealership will accept all credit applications, but that doesn’t mean that they will approve them. There’s a big difference between taking your application when you turn it in and approving it because you meet the criteria for receiving a loan. I refuse to do business with any company who uses that slick business tactic.

Another thing I have noticed is “unique,” one-of-a-kind t-shirts. The producing company states that it is a unique shirt that is unlike the others that are similar in design.

In my experience, the “unique, one-of-a-kind” properties come from a crease being present in the fabric when the decal was applied, a blemish in the cloth’s coloring due to a factory error, the decal being off-center or slanted, or some other production mistake. Instead of throwing the lower-quality shirts out, and eating the cost, some companies try to sell them as “unique.”

Another thing that irritates me is “price and participation may vary.” In other words, not all of our stores are going to offer you what we just showed you in our ad, and if they do they might not sell it to you at the sale price we just advertised.

Rebates drive me absolutely nuts, too, for several reasons – and if I walk into a store and see that the “sale price” of a particular product depends on a mail-in rebate, I usually walk out without buying the item.

If a business wants to give me a sale price, just give me the sale price at checkout instead of requiring me to fill out specially-approved forms, give out my personal information, send a copy of my receipt, trust the postal service to deliver it, and then typically wait several months for a rebate check that might never arrive. Businesses use rebates, instead of in-store sale prices, because they know that many people won’t send in the rebate forms and claim the rebate money, for various reasons (lost rebate form or receipt, too much hassle, etc.), and they can potentially profit from those who do.

If you happen to be one of those who actually sends your paperwork off to get a rebate, the company may rent, sell, share, trade or otherwise transfer your personal information to other companies and affiliates so they can send you spam and crap mail, clogging up your mailboxes with unwanted advertisements and solicitations.

In addition to the examples mentioned above, be wary of offers that give you a special price for a limited period of time. Some of these promotional packages will lock you into 2 year contracts and charge you an outrageous monthly fee after the promotional period is over.

In any type of business transaction, always read the fine print and details and know what you’re getting into.