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How to bring down the System

Bruce Krasting's picture




 

There are a lot of angry people out there. I see it every day in my
writing. All you have to do is look at the comments at a site like Zero
Hedge to realize that fact. To some extent you saw this in the last
election. Those who vote (less than half the population) sent a message
and as a result there has been a significant change in the political
landscape.

But what do the voters get for sending the message? A slap in the face.
A few weeks later we get a monster tax break for high end earners, a
roll over of the tax treatment for hedge fund mangers (just obscene),
another $120 billion “stimulus” that won’t do a damn thing but add to
the debt and an extension of unemployment payment for yet another year
(now three years!)

If you pay bills (who doesn’t) you know that all banks, credit card
companies, utilities, insurance companies and all the others are just
nickel and diming us to death. Every month I am nicked for some damn
thing or the other. I think the FinReg rules that were supposed to
protect the average Jane or Joe actually just codified what the bastards
could charge. As a result we get hit with new fees, charges and higher
costs.

The very frustrating part of all this is that there is not a thing you
can do about it. Go write you congressperson, you’re lucky to get a form
response. Get on the phone to your CC provider and bitch over a $25
late charge on a $15 balance? Good luck.

I have been doing something for the past few months that might send a
message. If I continued for the next hundred years it would not make a
dent. If a hundred thousand did as I am doing it would be noticed but
still wouldn’t mean a thing. But if the number got into the millions it
would start to make a difference.

I have been sending 1 cent more than what is due on every bill that I
get. Citi sends a CC balance of $134.82? I send them $134.83.

I have a small sample of about 30 bills that I have been doing this
with. Well more than half get it right. On the next month CC bill you
get the Prior Balance as (-0.01). What this means is that a real person
actually got the bill and the check (or electronic payment) and made the
correct entry and gives you the once cent credit you deserve. This
result should not be surprising as people make incorrect payment amounts
all the time. What I am trying to do is force more human intervention.
That is time and money.

I paid a six-month insurance bill and added a penny to what was owed. So
far I have two letters that show the credit. How much does two computer
generated letters cost? At least a dollar a pop. There is no better
measure of success of my approach than to get a letter like this.

More exciting are the bills that do not pick up the one-cent variance.
When this happens your penny is lost. It will show up in an Exception
Report. Some computer recognizes that there is a penny that is not
properly accounted for. I assume that this happens (accidentally)
thousands of times a day. But what would happen if the number of
Exceptions all of sudden exploded to 20-50 million a month? Once again,
this would force humans to get involved.

The cost of this social protest is very minimal. Say you get 4 bills a
month. 48 pennies a year is the maximum cost. Based on my experience the
net cost would only be 20 cents or so. But the rewards on the 20 cents
just keep on giving. Every month after you can see the results. Either
they do it right or wrong. Either way there is an incremental cost. Your
penny is gumming up the system.

What if 10mm people did this on a regular basis? That would be a half
billion one-penny exceptions a year. If just one in ten resulted in an
“exception” it would mean that there would be an incremental cost
someplace of at least $50 million. In my dream world 25mm people would
do this and get just two letters a year as a result. Cost of that? Who
knows? It would imply 1.2 billion exceptions a year. That would be
noticed. (It would blow their collective minds if this started to
happen)

So if you’re mad at the system and want some revenge send an extra penny
to your friends at the gas-company, electric company, insurer, bank, CC
company, etc. I highly recommend it. The cost is negligible. Yes, it is
true that this form of protest will accomplish very little unless it
catches on like a fad. But should you get (as have I) some evidence that
your lousy penny is in fact causing someone someplace to spend time and
money trying to figure it all out you will beam with happiness at your
success. I am.

 

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Fri, 12/31/2010 - 22:37 | 840945 hardmedicine
hardmedicine's picture

I must be a lot more mad than you Bruce.  I stopped buying insurance about 7 years ago.  I dropped disability, car, life and health.  I have only the minimum required by law for the car.  I supposed that there are a lot of other people doing the same.  This is the reason they have passed the law to MAKE people like me pay.  But I'm getting ready now to leave the system entirely which may not even be possible.  I'm continuing to research.  I'm tired of being a slave.  The regulations and hassle have doubled about every 3 years since 2000 and the state is continuing to grow.  I can't believe it because I thought states were going broke!  No.  The state is DOUBLING it's investigations personnel in Texas for 2011.  Unbelievable.  I am leaving Texas anyway.  I just don't see it getting better without some very brave people willing to do some really difficult things.

 

All the best to you Bruce .  Thanks for a great year.

Sun, 01/02/2011 - 04:49 | 842375 Dave
Dave's picture

Good move getting out of Texas. I left there about 18 years ago and

my son stayed. It took 2 years more for him to clear out for more or

less the same reasons you're leaving. Texas is a world all of its own.

Sat, 01/01/2011 - 20:10 | 841977 GreenSideUp
GreenSideUp's picture

+++++

The only way to bring down the system is to stop participating in it.  Have done a few of the things you mentioned and then some.  Only obstacle is a spouse who thinks I have lost my mind. 

Sat, 01/01/2011 - 01:15 | 841156 RockyRacoon
RockyRacoon's picture

Be sure to wave at all the people moving into Texas while on your drive out of Texas.   Some think the place will be Heaven in a social explosion.  Conclusion:  No place will be safe -- be prepared to guard the ground you are on now.

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 17:59 | 840501 DosZap
DosZap's picture

I refuse to pay cash to someone who skates, while I am forced to pay.

Esp when they make $45.00-$80.00hr.

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 22:31 | 840936 cranky-old-geezer
cranky-old-geezer's picture

And we refuse to work for assholes like you.

Ah yes, the joy of being able to pick and choose customers.  I've gotten pretty good at it.  I can tell on the phone who the assholes are.

Actually I don't refuse to work for them.  I just give them a longer time estimate. :)

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 19:28 | 840680 New_Meat
New_Meat's picture

negotiation vs. absolutism:

... er ... what would be the cash price if I bought all of the fittings, please give me a list.  Oh? you'll be working over lunch?  What could I get for you guys?

- Ned

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 12:27 | 839571 Boilermaker
Boilermaker's picture

INTERPOL would like to speak with you....

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 17:57 | 840494 DosZap
DosZap's picture

InterPol?..sorry, not a recognized agency under my Constitution.

Sun, 01/02/2011 - 04:39 | 842373 Dave
Dave's picture

Yet...

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 19:24 | 840675 New_Meat
New_Meat's picture

Dos: Happy New Year.

Seems like the new congresscritters want to read your and my Constitution to all concerned at the opening of the next session of Congresscritters.  Probably won't be in PowerPoint, so the record will be clear, but the understanding will be spotty.

PowerPoint: 'hmmm'

http://www.s2company.com/files/readings/pptcreed.htm

Rocky and other misguided children will appreciate.

And a Happy New Year to all.

 

 

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 16:12 | 840245 GoinFawr
GoinFawr's picture

...broken condom trouble? RED ALERT!

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 12:26 | 839570 MrPalladium
MrPalladium's picture

The copper in the penny you picture (and in every penny minted prior to 1982) is worth about 3 cents.

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 22:33 | 840938 hbjork1
hbjork1's picture

That 1917 D in the condition shown is worth quite a bit.

Much better to always send an electronic penny.

 

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 16:20 | 840255 Strongbad
Strongbad's picture

"The copper in the penny you picture (and in every penny minted prior to 1982) is worth about 3 cents."

A 1917 D in that condition is worth about $4-5

Sat, 01/01/2011 - 15:26 | 841676 docsdoc
docsdoc's picture

And the value of a dollar today buys what a penny did in 1917...

Sat, 01/01/2011 - 04:09 | 841287 USGrant
USGrant's picture

Retail on a 17-D in this condition, at least XF-40, would be about $20.

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 14:50 | 839987 bunkermeatheadp...
bunkermeatheadprogeny's picture

I separate the pre-1982 pennies every time I come home with change, silver coins all over the bedroom, cupboards filled with canned food, I don't thow away aluminum cans anymore, I crush and bag them. 

I might be prepared for a socioeconomic collapse, but in the interim, I'm really pissing my wife off.

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 19:15 | 840665 New_Meat
New_Meat's picture

Have you seen Gingery's series on building up a shop from AL scrap?  Genius im(nv)ho!

He's at:

http://www.lindsaybks.com/index.html

and at:

http://www.lindsaybks.com/dgjp/index.html

whole block is like 10,000 of current pennies.

- Ned

<I have no interest in their profits, I have great interest in their continued operation, as they keep unveiling new-to-me articles.>

<<really OT-I placed an order, miscalculated the postage by like 2 FRNs, they shipped.  Two years later (next order) I sent them an additional 5 FRN, they gave me the credit, I tore it up, great service and info.>>

<<<

"I'm really pissing my wife off."

>>>

but I did more-or-less clear the porch off today, what with all the snow.  We'll see if it helps.

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 15:21 | 840102 DaveyJones
DaveyJones's picture

i was doing that to my wife way before things got tight

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 19:02 | 840643 New_Meat
New_Meat's picture

lmao

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 17:31 | 840433 Lord Koos
Lord Koos's picture

Big deal, I can piss mine off by doing absolutely nothing.

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 13:48 | 839826 covert
covert's picture

very similar to the heinlein concept. sometimes varing the small amounts helps also. like 2 cents or 7 cents etc.

http://covert2.wordpress.com

 

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 17:54 | 840491 DosZap
DosZap's picture

Getting a check for $0.24 is a hoot.

Sat, 01/01/2011 - 13:42 | 841565 Things that go bump
Things that go bump's picture

I got one for 0.02 from Comcast.  I didn't both to cash it. 

Sun, 01/02/2011 - 04:35 | 842372 Dave
Dave's picture

I got a $0.03 check from EXXON about 20 years ago as a royalty

payment on a well. I still have it in my desk drawer.

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 14:23 | 839918 rosiescenario
rosiescenario's picture

....how about including mils? The computers probably will have a problem with 3 decimal places....

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 13:21 | 839742 Urban Roman
Urban Roman's picture

As of this morning,

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 14:21 | 839910 bigking12345
bigking12345's picture

so the dollar is worthless but the penny is worth .03 cents. I'm going to the bank and ask for $100k in pennies and melt them down and make 200%.

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 19:01 | 840639 New_Meat
New_Meat's picture

nat gas is cheap.  Zinc volatiles kinda toxic, need a (hot) collection mechanism.

Fricken Thermodynamic Truth bites you in the ass every time it is tried.

- Ned

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 17:54 | 840482 DosZap
DosZap's picture

Nicklesbitchezz

$0.0676644

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 16:20 | 840260 Strongbad
Strongbad's picture

Only about 25% of circulating one cent coins are from before 1982, so you will just end up with a big blob of zinc if you try that. 

Sun, 01/02/2011 - 00:00 | 842196 mamba-mamba
mamba-mamba's picture

In my experience, it is much less than 25%. May vary by region.

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 15:46 | 840180 ElvisDog
ElvisDog's picture

I think it's against the law to melt down U.S. coins and sell the metal content. I'm not sure how they would catch you though.

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 14:53 | 839995 A Nanny Moose
A Nanny Moose's picture

you will just get shitload of >1982 pennies

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 16:30 | 840278 Windemup
Windemup's picture

I'll punch holes in my zinc pennies and use them as washers to nail down my 100yr copper roof.

Sat, 01/01/2011 - 13:36 | 841560 squidward
squidward's picture

Or use them as flooring,

http://www.luuux.com/design/floor-made-pennies-0

Cheaper by the square foot than most alternatives.

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 12:56 | 839656 Vendetta
Vendetta's picture

the zinc in the penny is probably worth 1.2 to 1.6 cents

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 17:12 | 840373 dark pools of soros
dark pools of soros's picture

have you seen the new pennies??  one guy at the store said maybe its made of fiberglass... probably is

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 21:13 | 840847 infinity8
infinity8's picture

the new pennies scare me. . . they look like they should say "E Pluribus Barnum"

Sat, 01/01/2011 - 03:12 | 841250 dark pools of soros
dark pools of soros's picture

can you use them to see the side show??

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 18:58 | 840635 New_Meat
New_Meat's picture

next time at the grocery store, go through the self-checkout and try to make up the odd pennies with those in the "give-a-penny/use-a-penny" container.

Processing rate for "accepted" pennies is < 20% (my anecdotal data/experience over the last 3 months).  Maybe I'll scoop up some "failures" and do a test.

How rich would it be to dump fake pennies into Coinstar?  Well, not really fake, just "got them from the store."

- Ned

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 15:27 | 840123 Cleve Meater
Cleve Meater's picture

So... Riddle me this:  Wouldn't it be a more profitable way to bring down the system if we all took the jars of pennies we have lying around, melt dem bitchez and sell the raw zinc and copper?

Sat, 01/01/2011 - 00:05 | 841073 pvzh
pvzh's picture

I think it is federal offence in US for individuals / private companies to melt coins for metals.

Sat, 01/01/2011 - 23:56 | 842195 mamba-mamba
mamba-mamba's picture

Until recently it was unambiguously legal to melt coins. Now, the mint has declared that it is illegal. But it is not clear that the mint has the autority to do this. Pre-82 copper pennies aren't the problem. The just get replaced with zinc ones anyway. The problem is nickels. Their melt value is over face, and they cost much more to make than they are worth. Really, buying nickels is a great way to get copper (and nickel) at below melt value. But $1000 of nickels weighs around 220 lbs.

Sat, 01/01/2011 - 22:25 | 842117 Guy Fawkes Mulder
Guy Fawkes Mulder's picture

I think it usually is in 9 out of 10 moments in 9 out of 10 governments in 9 out of 10 examples from history.

And yet...

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 18:54 | 840620 New_Meat
New_Meat's picture

Cleve, you might be on to something:

"melt dem bitchez".

Of course, dem republicanz be too cold to melt.  Cool 'em off and fracture them?

Just trying to prioritize projects for '11.

- Ned

Sat, 01/01/2011 - 07:19 | 841335 cossack55
cossack55's picture

Along the same lines, I send a $0.01 check to all my local/national empty suits and empty suit wannabes as I understand the cost of processing the check is many times more expensive.  About half never get processed.

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 13:57 | 839839 mogul rider
mogul rider's picture

The penny in the penny is worth .000000000000000000000000000000001/2

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 13:50 | 839832 Trial of the Pyx
Trial of the Pyx's picture

nah, the zincs are still under face

 

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