One of my friends Erik Wesner has written an Amish business book.  It just came out and I can recommend it if you want to learn about how people who use very little technology, credit or anything else connected to a post modern world, not only survive the recession but thrive.

Amish economics

For me as an armchair economist (I have a master’s degree in Economics from Trinity) and with a passing interest in the Amish in America, it will be an interesting read for me.  I want to know why exactly do the Amish do so well in business, further, what are the take aways for me personally that I can apply to my life?

This is not some abstract book but rather a book written by someone who has lived and worked with the Amish and seen first hand what their economic community is about. I hope to gain some  of that  good old fashion, uncommon commonsense from the Amish which will apply to me personally.

This is what I hope to get out of the book when I discover the business secrets of the Amish.

How to purchase an EU citizenship or EU citizenship for sale has been something I get a lot of questions about. The purpose of this post is to clarify the rules on how to buy an European Union passport and the alternatives to getting a citizenship or dual passport.

Obtain an EU citizenship

Law on getting buying an EU citizenship

I want to be clear it is illegal to buy an EU citizenship and the I am not recommending you buy an EU citizenship. However, there are legal and moral ways to obtain an EU citizenship without paying for your passport.

Marriage an an EU citizenship

Marrying for an EU citizenship

If you are married to an EU citizen, in most countries can apply for a citizenship. This means after you have been living in a country with a legal visa first. Then you can start the application process, which I think takes about 3 months to get all your paperwork together. The you submit your application for review and from that date you wait about three to five years. However, you must live in the country you apply and the police check you in many cases to see if you ave a real marriage.

The good news is if you are married and it is real it is no problem but if you trying to get a passport with a fake marriage you can face criminal charges.
Many people write and say why not for love and for citizenship. I know several cases where it messes up people’s lives. They have tax and legal problems when one partner over the years changes their mind about the fake marriage agreement. Further many times, for example Arabian men, who wanted to Passport to work in London, have married Polish girls after paying the girls 15,000 Euro. The girls are happy until they try to get a divorce and the guy is not around. Then they can not get married legally anywhere in the world. I think there are easier ways to make 15,000 Euro, like pick apples in Norway or something.

Citizenship granted for contribution to an EU country

If you are a world famous football player or scientist there are cases EU countries have granted citizenship as these individuals will contribute to the country. They give more than they take in a big way.

European roots and getting a passport

Citizenship by ancestry

If you have ever wondered if you can get an EU citizenship because your grandparents were German or Polish citizens, the answer in most cases is no. But the good news is you can often get a visa to live in the EU. Basically it is about piling papers and providing as much documentation as you can, legal documentation, such as birth certificates and marriage certificates all supported by a family tree. Once you have a visa just life and work legally in your new country for five years and apply for a citizenship. Even if the wait might be a year after that it is worth it. Having two passports have countless benefits I can not go into in this post.

Being a political refugee

If you have been persecuted for your religious or political beliefs and you feel your life is in danger, you could make an argument to an EU government for refugee status. It requires proof and commitment, but it can be done. A lot of Jewish people were able to get visa’s for the US because they had such hard times in their own countries, real hard times.

Buying a EU citizenship

I think some countries like Bulgaria allow you to bring a lot of capital and set up businesses that would have a long term positive impact on employment they can set you up with a citizenship. But this is not buying a citizenship directly. Russia you can do this also but again it is more a matter of having a large amount of capital and Russia is not in the European Union.

You can buy a fake passport also. But I do not recommend this. A professional fake passport will cost about 5,000 Euro. One that is done really well with official numbers etc. This more common in Eastern Europe, however, if you get caught you will be in prison for at least ten years and there is little you can do about it. I can only recommend legal ways to get a citizenship.

What if I want an EU citizenship and can not do the above

You still have many options. You can get an EU citizenship if you really want.

Work for your EU citizenship

Best way to obtain an EU citizenship

Live and work legally with a company sponsoring you. Develop some skill, that a company would shire you as opposed to someone else. This may take years but if you work legally in a country with time there is no reason you can not get a citizenship. My brother lived in the UK for 20 years (he is American) working and in a second he could pick up a UK citizenship. I have been living and working legally in Poland for over 5 years and my EU passport is around the corner. Why not do it with patience, like my brother and I did. This is the way to obtain a EU citizenship.

If you think you can just pick up a passport and be an instant citizen, your dreaming there are billions of people waiting in line ahead of you. Do it the old fashion way, develop yourself and be valuable and then work and live there and then apply after many years legally. This is the way you can buy an EU citizenship with patience and honesty.

Please leave a comment if you have any questions I might be able to help you. Also look for some immigration lawyers if you feel you have a special case where you need to be a European citizen, sometimes they can help.

Wake up!

• Russia is a Empire. It always has been and they are not going to change soon.  I am an American in Poland and see that Russia has been an Empire for at least 500 years and why would they change.
• Putin is a Czar. Does anyone really think Russia is a democracy? Come on.  Why does Gary Kasparov get arrested all the time.  If Russia really had a free market the people of Russia would be better off.
• Ukraine wants to be NATO and EU. However Europe and the US are afraid of Russia so tip toe around the issue.

The Ukrainian Russian gas dispute reality

In a time of falling prices Russia wants next year gas to Ukraine to be 300 percent more in one year.  Is this fair?  Russia makes many lies against Ukraine and is trying to keep it from joining the west.  If the Russian government had its way it would annex Ukrainian territory and bring back the old Union.   Do not be so naive.  It is mid January and the Russian government cut off gas to the Ukrainian pipelines.  The Russian government will always be this way, unless Ukraine can join NATO and EU.  Why do you think Russia invaded Georgia? To keep its Empire from falling. The Russians are great, the Russian government is cruel.

Obama’s citizenship is it still a question? Here is the answer, Yes, he is a US citizen. But my point is just show the people questioning it respect and open up your past official documents.  I think honestly and and open government is important. Yes Obama is a citizen, but why not be more open about your past.

Obama wants transparency in government but why not do the same for your life if you are a public official? If you want honesty in government start with openness. I think he is a citizen.  Just open your past and put this to rest. There is nothing to be ashamed of in your past it is what it is.

Obama citizen facts are here from the other side.  I recommend you read this before you react.  I think Obama is a natural citizen.  But its funny all the strange things around his citizenship issue.  Take a look.

Could Obama not be a citizen and still get on the ballot.

Yes,  In  2008, there was another candidate for president that was on the ballot in ten US states and he was not born in the US and not a citizen. He was born in Nicauagua and living in the US on a Visa, he was the socialist party, canidate but made it on the ballot in ten states. It was clearly a violation but no one cared. Do not assume anything.  Do not take things to granted.  Expore things with your own objective mind. Be skeptical and open.

Is Obama a US citizen

My view: Obama is a US citizen, but show us respect and just show your birth certificate (not certificate of live birth).   Maybe he is a natural born citizen but he also might have something to hide.  I would like someone to look at his birth certificate as there is a reasonable case that questions his citizenship.  I am think the constitution is more important than my political views.  Obama, I think he has many good ideas, but I do not agree with many of his other ideas. But lets look at why people are saying he is not a citizen.

There is a case that says Obama is not a natural born citizen.  US law says you must be a US Citizen to be president of the USA.  A natural born Citizen of the USA.  Obama might now be. Further, Obama has not presented his birth certificate to prove he is a citizen of the US. The Supreme court of the USA has ordered this but he has not produced his Birth Certificate.  Why? Obama is not a US citizen or he has bigger fish to fry than to responded to this.

Obamacrimes is a site that talks about this. that citzenship has not been established.  It is run by a respected democrat (Obama’s party) that is not some conspiracy guy, but rather a lawyer whose goal to defend the US constitution. If Obama is not a citizen then what he as done is a crime.

Obama was born in Kenya and not a US citizen

This is according to sworn statements.   If this is true – he can not be president of the US. I think this is not true, I think he was born in HI which was a state.

Obama is not a citizen as stated by his own family

Obama was not born in the USA and never was a US citizen, this is according to his own family.  His own grandmother (and others) claims he was born in Kenya.  His grandmother stated ‘she was there when Barack Obama was born in Kenya’.  She said she saw it with her own eyes. Further, His mother could not fly in the 9th month of her pregnancy because airlines restrictions about flying when pregnant is true. Is Obama a US citizen? I think not. Does the US consitution matter?  Yes, but it puzzles me why to Obama it seems not to? Is Obama above the law?

Kenyan Official states Obama was born in Kenya

Although I have not confirmed this a high ranking Official from Kenya does say Obama was born in Kenya. Further under HI law you can get a live birth certificate and not be born in HI.  Its something different then a Birth Certificate.  Therefore, you can be born in Kenya and have a HI live birth.  So there could be true to this.

Obama and the Supreme court

I believe the constitution was written for a reason in the way.  So foreign influences like we saw in Europe do no imped the democratic process.  Why has Obama not responded about his US citizenship?

If not Obama why not Putin

I mean if Obama is not a US citizen and his citizenship does not matter to people as it seems not to to some, why not have Putin as the next president after Obama.

Check my comment below and see the site I referece, if you do not want to look in Photoshop yourself.

Obama is Indonsian not US citizen

In 1981, the 20-year-old adult, Obama travelled to Pakistan on an Indonesian passport – the passport of a nation which does NOT allow dual citizenship – thereby proving that Obama considered himself to have been a citizen of Indonesia and NOT a citizen of the United States of America.  To be Indonesian he could not be US citizen.

Factcheck and Obama citizenship

FactCheck is an Obama organization, which Obama has open ties with.  They are not objective, they did not produce the real birth certificate nor are they experts on false documents., which in my opinion the short form on their website is.  Look for yourself in photoshop. But if HI says it is OK it is OK in my book. I think again it is a matter of respect.

Obama, citizenship and natural born

There is also a case that is being taken seriously as to how the constitution defines a natural born citizen.  Because of the lack of reference to this term in the 14th amendment there is a good argument that even if Obama was born in HI, he still would not be a natural born citizen as define by the constitution. Too complex to get into here, but it is a reasonable arguement.

Obama and honesty

There are many other issues.

His family gave contradictory states on which hospital he was born in in Hawaii, I think they should have got their story straight. I know the hospital I was born in.

Obama said he was never a Muslim, yet on his records in Indonesia it clearly states he declared himself a Muslim.

In the USA he said he never has any other name, yet this is untrue as he had several including an Indonesian legal name.

I want honesty in government before stardom.

Obama citizenship: I care more about the US constitution

This is why as an American citizen I want to see the full birth certificate one real paper with a seal and signature looked at. Why not open up school records or anything else people question. If you do not want to be open then maybe public office is not the place for you. I care less about the election mania than I do about honesty in government. I would like nothing more than Obama put this issue to rest by presenting to the supreme court his real orginal Birth certificate in paper in hand of experts in the court. My question is why does he not do this? My opinion? Like his family says, he was not born in the USA. Obama might have something to hide, even something small. Why are not school and other records not open. If I were a public official any one would be able to know anything about me. Nothing to hide. How bad I did in school or top marks. My jobs, the ones I did well at and others I did less then well at. It is not about being seen as good, it is more important to be good. It is not important what the world things of you, but more important who you are.  However, is Obama a US citizen? Yes he is.

Bakalland is a Polish fruit and nut company. Bakalland in my opinion is sold out by buying food from China. Why do I think this about Bakalland? Because Poland is the land of ‘milk and honey’ when it comes to agriculture. Many Poles take pride in the quality and standard of Polish food, or at least European food. Bakalland on the other hand has replace Poland and Ukraine and Europe as the supplier of its products like sunflower seeds and pumkin seeds etc with China. China (Chiny in Polish) is found on the back of Bakalland food. Yes Poland the cornucopia of food and Ukraine the bread basket of the Europe next door is replaced with Chinese food. Yes I have a tolerance for Chinese clothes, but food is something that goes in your body. Bakalland does not care. I wrote Bakalland and they did not reply to my inquiries. This is crazy, Poland importing food from China. Bakalland importing low quality and raising the price.

Update: I have noticed the company has Bulgaria now instead of China as a supplier. They are a company I will buy from again. I trust EU quality and Eastern European farming. I do not trust Chinese low cost supplier of food. Hats off to this company for being aware of the issue.

The rest of this post is based on dated information.

Bakalland

Bakalland has actually raised prices on its food since it sold out to China, not cut prices. Therefore the executives got fat profit margins and profits. On the other hand, as a result of Bakalland sell out, the Polish people from now on will get lower quality food from China, grown who knows how, and with child labor? I do know that many people in my country the USA have died from Chinese food and many store ban Chinese food or limit it like such as the store “Traders Joes”. What if they use some chemicals not test for that will cause health problems? What is they use child labor?

Here is a quote from AsianResearch “According to most “official” state-run Chinese Central Television reports, the “fragrant and delicious” sunflower seeds put out by the largest producer at Taiping market in Bengfu City of Anhui Province contain potassium alum, the industry’s salt, talcum powder and an industry paraffin wax along with other processing agents. The aluminum in the sunflower seeds is as much as 13 times that in daily tap water. Expert analysis has pointed out that aluminum is usually absorbed through the intestine and stomach and then deposited in the body, but, in excess, it can harm organ function. The early symptoms include weakness, depression, anxiety and memory loss. When it is serious, it can cause kidney failure, uremia, dementia, and even Parkinson’s Disease if excessive amounts are deposited in the brain.” I am sure Bakalland is aware of this.

Did you know the Chinese still use DDT? …and adding something as toxic as melamine to their farming?

There is no way you can check this if its from China. It is a fact that when it comes to exports, bribes and simply neglect is the rule. Too much money involved. Bakalland really should have considered this before it decided to turn its back on the Polish people. The Chinese do not care what goes into food, plus Bakalland quality has gone down. Now all that said sometimes I buy their dates and a few other products not made in China. But before you buy food just make sure its not from China. Word of advice. Next time you pick up a package of from Bakalland check out where it is from.

I am an American that lives in Poland. I can take perspective and objectivity by looking at Poland and the Polish people. Every expert on TV is calling for the end of the US economy. This is not true. It is not even close to true. The US economy is not over. It is moving forward. How do I know? Well the US economy is 1000 times better off then Poland was under communism when the shops where empty and you had eight people in one room. Are the experts saying that the US economy will regress to that state?� Not a chance. Even if it did. And it will not, look at the hard working Polish people who built up their country in 20 years from a desert to a beautiful modern wealthy EU country. This is why Americans do not have to worry about what is being blasted at them on CNN. Look at Poland before you look at CNN for perspective. America like Poland is moving forward.

Jewish property in Kazimierz – Krakow, Poland is a curious thing. I live in Krakow, Poland or more precisely in Podgorze in what was the Jewish ghetto during the war. Many people ask me why so many of the homes in Kazimierz, which is just across the river from me are in such a state of disrepair. It is as if no one was repaired this property in fifty years. The truth is they have not. What happened was the Germans forcibly removed the peaceful Jews of Kazimierz to Podgorze in a small ghetto. The Jewish property that was left behind by the Jews, was abandon property. After the war, Poland had a communist state, and the communist government just stuck families into tight quarters in the old Jewish houses in Kazimierz, and their they remained. Few if any Polish Jews survived in Poland, if they did they escaped. After the Poles brought down communism Poland passed a law that allowed for restitution of Jewish property in Poland and in Krakow of course.

Jewish property in Krakow – an American perspective

As an American in Krakow, I have to say the Polish government and people has extended very warm greetings to the Jews visiting and seeking restitution. Many Poles are very curious about Jewish culture and history. My perspective is the Jews lived in Poland for over 500 years, and they were Polish.

What seems to be going on now is this. Poland has an open law that Jewish owners can reclaim their property if they want to go through a lot of paperwork in the Polish courts. Many descendants of the owners have not bothered. Therefore, the situation is many Poles live in these houses still, as their families have for over 50 years, however, they have deemed it unwise to put money into a major repair of their flat, because at any moment an owner from the 1930s could appear a reclaim what in title is theirs. This has happened. People invest their hard earned savings in the property they live in and then they lose it in court.

This is neither the Jews nor the Poles fault. They both were robbed by the Germans (political movement not people) 50 plus years ago. It was caused by the German forced displacement of people during the war. This is why if you ever go through Jewish Krakow, you will see a lot of property in disrepair. If you have questions about Poland, Krakow, Jewish or Polish history, just ask. I live in the center of Krakow and this history.

It is very unfair to the Jews this happened, they brought so much to Poland and the synergy between the Poles and Jews made it a remarkable place. It was very unfair to the Poles their country was destroyed. The war made so many suffer.

I think at this juncture most of the statue of limitations have expired on that property. I am not a lawyer or an expert but I think at this point it is very hard to get real estate back. I have been looking for a lawyer I could trust to recommend people to, however, I think the only ones who win are the lawyers. I think it would cost more money in legal fees etc than the abandon parcel of land is worth. Maybe I am wrong. If anyone has any further information please let me know.

I live in Eastern Europe and might have a better view point than simply watching TV as I know people from the region in question, from both sides. Georgian people are saying Ossetia is a peaceful region with no fighting. Most people are enjoying their summer vacations and relaxing. However, Russia has made claims that they are coming to the help of the Ossetia people, and the Russians have moved their army and tanks in to ‘protect’ these people from the waring Georgians. I think the former story sounds more likely than the Russian version.

Why Russia invaded Georgia

Here is why –
1)Georgia is connecting to Europe as it wants to join NATO. Russia is having trouble with Ukraine and certainly does not want another neighbor falling from their empire. So they are going to teach their neighbors a lesson. If you try to cooperate with anyone but Moscow you will pay. Now many NATO countries after this invasion are thinking twice before allowing Georgia to join NATO, as an attack on NATO would mean a world war.
2)With a route from the middle east to the black sea via Georgia – black sea – Ukraine- Europe, Europe does not need a Russian pipeline for oil.

Its very simple. These two reason are why Russia attacked Georgia. Russia does not care about human rights. They do not even care about their own citizens. On one hand, I have never meet a Russian person I did not like. But on the other, the government of Russia is nothing but a Czardom ruled by Czar Putin.

I am a big fan of Russia, the Russian language, Russian culture and of course I know scores of amazing Russian people. I also do not understand the whole situation in Georgia, it seems that the Georgians were disallowing a break away province to have independence. However, the imperialistic Russian government continues to operate with ‘cloak and dagger’ politics and strong hand when it can. The Russian people have to realizes that Russia would be richer without the politics of Czar Putin. What Russia needs is free movement of labor and capital with the west and a strong middle class not imperialism which only benefits the oligarchs. I think many Russians support the government because Russia has prospered; however, if Russia did not play the these games it would be much more powerful and wealthier for all. Look at Gary Kasparov, a fairly bright man in my opinion, is he the only one in Russia that can see how badly this Russian oligarch feudalism is making most of the Russian people live on a marginal level? In Kasparov’s the Other Russian he tries to make the world aware of this.
This invasion of Georgia by Russia is out of control. 1000s have died. And if you read Pravda, they Russians say the USA is the cause of the invasion. I have no idea how this invasion of Georgia an independent nation will end, but I hope with no more loss of life.

Howard Webb was the referee at the the Poland – Austrian Euro Cup match. It was a great game. Poland dominated as Austria had no attacking force, however, Austria was able to tie it up in the last minutes with the help of referee Howard Webb. Everyone saw that Webb was penalizing the Polish team and ignoring the Austrian fouls but could do nothing about it. If you ask Howard Webb why he did so, he might say I tried to be fair. But from a bird’s eye view and instant reply you could see he was, in my opinion, an Austrian player in a referee’s uniform. But over all a very well played game by Poland.

The Austrian Government’s coordinator-in-chief for EURO Heinz Palme, totally agreed with Polish fans.  That is Howard Webb was wrong. Read what you want into this… that the respect International referee, Tadeusz Diakonowicz, said that financial and political matters stood behind the controversial decision made by Howard Webb.

Howard Webb’s motivation

1. Howard Webb is an English football fan, and Poland basically replaced England
2. Howard Webb wanted Austria not to lose all four games, as Austria was the hosting team, he help them tie. He thought he was being kind to the Austrians. This is why Howard Webb was the 12th Austrian player.
3. Some people say Howard Webb got money, but I have no evidence for this, but possible.

Whatever his motives, you will see if you watch the replays, Howard Webb ignored the Austrian fouls compared to the Polish fouls at a greater 2 to 1 ratio. How is the honest? He can not be that stupid can he?
Remember Hegel said “the truth is neither seen at the beginning or the end but always the whole” you have to consider all the events leading to his Howard Webb’s call not just his one call.

Polish coach’s comment on Howard Webb

The Polish Coach who has been in football for over 45 years said, ‘he never saw anything like that in his life.’ He did not want to say it directly about Howard Webb, but this is what he was talking about, Howard Webb’s bias or maybe dishonesty.

Howard Webb is not a fair referee