Pyramid Schemes - A Matrix of Financial Ruin

Pyramid Schemes are not a way to improve your finances. Instead, these plans defraud many people of their money because the returns can never be realized.

In these harsh economic times, persons seeking a quick and high return on their money can be easily swayed to invest. Many people worldwide have lost money in pyramid schemes because of the promise of huge payouts on the initial investments. In recent days, investors in the Virgin Islands have suffered losses in a pyramid scheme. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that persons remain cognizant of fraudulent schemes when investing.

What is a Pyramid Scheme

A pyramid scheme entices investors by offering a huge and quick return on the initial investment with money earned from recruiting more persons to invest. Each new investor is also promised the same high returns once he brings more persons on-board. 

A Live Pyramid Scheme Example

John joins an investment plan where he invests $100 and once he can find four persons to join, he will get $20 for each one that joins. So John can make $80 if he recruits four friends while there is actually $400 being paid in by his four recruits. When each of the four persons, John's second level, invites four more persons, John gets $10 for each of the new investors, now John's third level, and he reaps $160. At John's third level, $1,600 would have been paid in by these new investors.

At John's fourth level, there will be 64 people investing with $6,400 paid in and John will make $320 if his cut is $5 per investor. At a sixth level, the investors increase to 1,024 and at John's seventh level, the numbers soar to 16,384. When the number of investors under John is totaled, it is 21,844 persons and they would have invested $218,440 ($100 from each person) through John's pyramid if there were enough new recruits. This cycle continues because every new investor to the scheme becomes a 'John' starting his own pyramid inviting new recruits.

Why Pyramid Schemes Fail

In the example above, the chances of John being able to increase to the seventh level are slim and an

eighth level would require 87,376 new persons. Problems with recruitment may begin at John's third level because difficulties may have already begun with gathering the 256 investors and as the pyramid grows, it gets worse. According to the Security and Exchanges Commission, "at some point the schemes get too big, the promoter cannot raise enough money from new investors to pay earlier investors, and many people lose their money". After a lower level investor makes his payment and can not find new recruits because of over-saturation, lack of interest or negative feedback, the scheme begins to collapse.

In the Prepared Statement of Debra A. Valentine, General Counsel for the U.S. Federal Trade Commission on "Pyramid Schemes", she considered this latest recruit's perspective as they would have started their pyramid of investors but with being unable to gather recruits, would be unable to recoup their investment.

Virgin Islanders are Defrauded

Janice Dorette Rey, an Anguillan who resided in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) at some point and also the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), was arrested in Dade County, Florida on charges of Obtaining Money by False Pretense, Drawing and Delivering Worthless Checks, Securities Fraud, and Being an Unregistered Broker-Dealer. Rey, according to the USVI Department of Justice and the St. Thomas Source online news, defrauded investors in the USVI and in the BVI of over three million dollars with her pyramid scheme "Global Cohesive Economics (GCE)". She promised high returns on the investments and in the end was unable to maintain the promises and was eventually caught by authorities.

Errol George of the BVI Financial Investigation Agency Speaks

Rey's scheme caused the Financial Investigation Agency of the British Virgin Islands (FIA) to remind the territory of the danger of investing without researching first. FIA's Director, Errol George issued a press release about Rey's fraud advising people to be more vigilant because such fraudulent schemes are marketed well and lack of understanding and ease of trust make for easy targets.

The Director, when interviewed, suggested that persons interested in investing should be extremely careful before entering any investment and they should research, investigate and ask questions if there are any doubts. He noted that it is very prudent to seek advice from the general business community and the financial regulatory body in the country, such as the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in the BVI. George also suggested that persons should go with their gut feelings especially if the aura is negative. Everyone wants to make large sums of money in the fastest and easiest way. This makes it easy for thieves to come up with ways to defraud investors who are not investment or business savvy.

Pyramid and Ponzi schemes sound good to the listener but really do cause monetary losses and potential financial ruin depending on the level of investment since there is no way for the scheme to maintain the promised returns. Investors are reminded that they need to think carefully and choose wisely about the type of investment they want to pursue to avoid such schemes. Research, consultation and investigation are key to avoiding financial ruin from pyramid schemes. 

POEM: A New Definition

Check out my poem: A New Definition with Kanye West's "Touch The Sky" instrumental. "Touch The Sky" was inspired by Curtis Mayfield's "Move On Up":

Teeth, Ears and Immunizations: Things Parents Should Know

Parents have to stay abreast of their children's growth and ensure that children's teeth and ears are checked and immunizations are up to date.

Parents of infants and toddlers in most countries are constantly reminded that they should maintain their children's health by monitoring the youth's growth and development. Parents need to observe growth milestones and ensure that the children's immunizations are up to date. Before a child is ready to attend elementary or primary school, there are certain tests that should be completed before he starts classes. School-aged children should have already had their first dentist visit. A hearing test is also important to assess if the child has any ear issues.  While some countries require that these tests and vaccinations are completed, parents should also take the initiative to ensure that their children are in good health.

If Parents Choose to, Children Should be Fully Immunized to Enter School

If parents choose to immunize their children, they should be aware of the schedule set out by their country for the vaccinations. Parents who wish not to immunize their children for religious or other reasons should visit their doctor and provide the necessary information to their child's school with the application for admission. When it comes to immunizations, the vaccine for Hepatitis B given in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) is given in three doses and if parents miss the second shot, this affects the child's immunization record by delaying the date for the third dose. By age four, any child entering the school system in the British Virgin Islands would have received the vaccine for Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), Polio, Diphtheria and Tetanus and Pertussis (DTP or DTaP). Haemophilus influenzae type b (HiB) vaccine which prevents meningitis and Varicella for chickenpox and BCG are also administered within the first four years of life.

Five Year Old Children Should Be Regularly Visiting the Dentist

Countries and individual dentists may vary with their recommendation for when a child should first visit the dentist. Upon the recommendation of the local dentist in the BVI, my children had their first visit at age three and were comfortable. Since that first visit, they look forward to visiting the dentist and are comfortable with the procedures. By age five, most children start to lose their teeth and if the teeth are coming in crooked, it is good to already have the child comfortable with the dentist for those extra consultations. Going to the dentist is overall a good habit to get children accustomed to even if your child's school or public clinic does not require it. Healthy teeth are important for our smiles, our consumption of food and overall well-being.

Hearing Test

After birth, babies are usually given a hearing test. However, when a child becomes eligible to enter primary or elementary school, a follow-up hearing test is also important to ensure that your child can hear well. In the BVI, at age three, all children are required to have to have a hearing test at no cost to the parents. Not being able to hear well also affects the way the child learns and speaks. Education and health professionals are basically using the concept of "prevention is better than the cure" when it comes to hearing. Any hearing disability that is detected early can be corrected with further assessment which may range from simply clearing the ear of wax to getting the child equipped with a hearing aid. As stated earlier, requirements for children entering school vary from country to country.

Parents should monitor their children and ensure that their teeth are checked by a dentist at least every six months. Hearing should also be re-checked before entrance to primary or elementary school. Vision screening can be checked during a general physical and if the general practitioner sees the need for further screening, he will recommend the child to an eye specialist. Today, parents are able to work with dentists, audiologists and general practitioners to ensure that their four and five year olds are ready to learn when entering school.

Classic Reggae Music from 1979: Trod On by Culture

The reggae group Culture was very influential in reggae music. Their Trod On album was originally released in 1979 with songs like "Black Rose."

 

Reggae music has had several extremely talented artists who really took the genre to an international level. We always hear about Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer.

The reggae group, Culture, was also very popular and influential with their style of performing. They released songs like "Blood in a Babylon," "Weeping Eyes" and "No Sin" on their fourth album, Trod On. Culture's members originally were Joseph Hill, now deceased, Kenneth Paley and Albert Walker.

Reggae Group Culture Gave Us Good Reggae Music*

The reggae group Culture released several albums including Two Sevens Clash, Cumbolo, One Stone, International Herb Culture and Harder Than The Rest." Stoute also shared in his article that Culture was inducted "into the Jamaican Reggae Walk of Fame" and was given a "2005 Independence Award presented by the Prime Minister of Jamaica."

Reggae's Culture Worked with Jamaica's First Female Music Producer

Culture released Trod On in 1979. According to the notes to the Trod On album, "this album is Culture's fourth album for producer Sonia Pottinger."

The Reggae Album Trod On

Trod On has twelve songs including two under the title "Grounation" featuring Count Ossie and the Mystic Revelation of Rastari. While Trod On was originally released in 1979, it was re-released in 1993 on compact disc. Joseph Hill wrote all of the songs and the music was engineered by Errol Brown.

• Title Track "Trod On": "Trod On" has a catchy instrumental and inspiring words. Lyrics include "this is the time when I and I should be free" and "majority of them don't want to see dread survive / but no matter what they do, dread must stay alive." Culture encourages people of all races to "trod on" and keep moving forward to victory and to prosperity. "Trod On" also makes several biblical references to Samson, Jacob, Joseph (in the pit), Daniel and David.
• "Blood In A Babylon": "If Babylon kill one more Rastaman / the sun will stop from shining / the grass will stop from growing" start the first verse of this piercing song. The chorus repeats the words "Blood, blood, blood in a Babylon" and "Fire, Fire, Fire in a Babylon" is added as a second chorus. The artist is expressing his pain for the youth and elders in the community who were being persecuted at that time.
• "Fussing And Fighting (Take Two)": Joseph Hill was basically making an appeal to his people to find unity in this song. The hook contains the simple, yet powerful words "Stop this fussing and fighting, brother." The 'Take Two' is only to reiterate that it does take two persons to make an argument. "It's a shame to see the people fighting in the streets / drawing guns at each other" are lyrics from the first verse.
• "No Sin" with Count Ossie & Mystic Revelation of Rasta: "No Sin" is one of the songs listed under the title "Grounation," which the album booklet describes as a "gathering of Rastafarians who come together to 'reason,' mingle ideas through discussion, chanting and beating drums." "No Sin" has rhythmic drum beats which remind the listener of Bob Marley's "Rastaman Chant" and is the longest track on the album with over seven minutes of chants. One of the popular bible verses, "Let the words from I mouth and the meditation of I heart might able be acceptable in thy sight" from Psalm 19:14 is sung. "No sin, no sin at all... cannot enter Zion" is repeated throughout "No Sin."
• "Ticklish Ghetto": "Ticklish Ghetto" has a classic ska rhythm. "Sometimes it's hard, hard, hard, so very so hard, my friend, to get a job / when you work and get pay and walk go a street, I say / them there a want to shoot you down" describes the singer's thoughts about the perils in the "Ticklish Ghetto." While people may work hard, there is always someone who wants to take what they earn. In the chorus, Culture admonishes "Work hard, natty, work hard, yea, till Jah Jah come."

Culture is a well-loved reggae group who has performed all over the world. Their 1979 Trod On album gives listeners inspirational words, grooving reggae rhythms and a glimpse into life in Jamaica. Culture's Joseph Hill passed away in 2006 but Culture continues to perform with the other founding members, Kenneth Paley and Albert Walker, along with Hill's son, Kenyatta. 

A Sitcom Fanatic - That's me

I am proud to say that I do love TV! I love a good detective/courtroom drama like Law & Order. I love the original, SVU and Criminal Intent. By the way, I still love Matlock.

Sitcoms have fallen by the wayside as more networks seem to want to feature reality shows. I've been a viewer of I Love New York, Flavor Flav, Bret Michaels, Chance & Real and I love America's Top Model.

I naturally love to laugh and that's where my sitcoms come in. From Hanging With Mr. Cooper, Cosby Show, Saved By The Bell, Frasier, Friends - I grew up watching these. The Jeffersons, Sanford & Son, Good Times all can give me a good laugh today.

I think I was devasted when they cancelled Girlfriends. The show ws entertaining an relatable. I am looking forward to seeing the new episodes of The Game and the new Let's Stay Together. On January 11, I will be sleeping late to see these new shows.

I just love me some sitcoms!!!!!!

Top R&B of 1998: Whitney Houston's My Love is Your Love Album

Whitney Houston has a dynamic voice and stage presence. This singer and actress has released several powerful albums including My Love is Your Love in 1998.

 

Whitney Houston is a talented singer with a voice that has smoothly performed the National Anthem of the USA and has won her many accolades and awards such as Soul Train Awards and countless Grammys. Houston has released several albums since the 1980s including her first release, the self-titled Whitney Houston in 1985, to her 2009 release, I look to You. She also added acting to her resume by starring in roles opposite Denzil Washington, Angela Bassett, Loretta Divine and Kevin Costner.

Whitney Houston's Albums from 1985 and On

Whitney Houston has a body of music that encompasses over twenty-five years of stellar performance. Her individual albums, features on movie soundtracks and compilations of her music show how immense her talent is.

• Whitney Houston's Early Hits: Whitney Houston hit the charts with songs like "You Give Good Love" and "How Will I Know" from her first album, Whitney Houston. Whitney was released in 1987 with chart toppers like "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" and "Where Do Broken Hearts Go." I'm Your Baby Tonight was released after in 1990 and the title track had everyone grooving.
• Movie Soundtracks with Whitney Houston's Songs: Houston's songs were featured on soundtracks of films that she had major roles in, The Preacher's Wife (1996), Waiting To Exhale (1995) and The Bodyguard (1992). According to Houston's biography on her official site, "The Bodyguard soundtrack is one of the top 10 biggest-selling albums of all-time (at 17x-platinum in the U.S. alone)." The Bodyguard soundtrack carried one of Houston's best loved songs, the rendition of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You." The Preacher's Wife soundtrack gave fans songs like "I Believe in You and Me" and "I Love the Lord." On Waiting To Exhale's soundtrack, Houston sang "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" and "Why Does It Hurt So Bad."
• Houston's Hits Since 2000: Houston released Just Whitney in 2002 and this album featured a rendition of Debbie Boone's "You Light Up My Life." One Wish: The Holiday Album was released in 2003 to share the Christmas spirit. The songs included Houston's rendition of "Little Drummer Boy" and "The First Noel."
• Whitney Houston Has Several Greatest Hits Compilations: Good compilations of her hits include Love, Whitney (2001), Whitney Houston - The Greatest Hits (2000) and Whitney Houston: The Ultimate Collection (2007).

My Love is Your Love Gives Good R&B Music

My Love is Your Love is Houston's 1998 album released by Arista Records. This album was produced by Houston and Clive Davis. Thirteen songs make up this album and which features other artists such as Faith Evans and Kelly Price in "Heartbreak Hostel," Mariah Carey in "When You Believe" from the Prince of Egypt soundtrack and Missy Elliot. Other talented persons who had creative input on this album include Babyface, Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill in "I Was Made to Love Him" and Rodney Jerkins from DarkchildEntertainment in "If I Told You That."

• "Heartbreak Hotel": After hearing this song, no one ever wanted to go to the "Heartbreak Hotel" because it is a song about breakup, thus heartbreak. "Heartbreak Hotel" features Faith Evans and Kelly Price (http://www.kellyprice.com/kelly/index.html) and this song is about a cheating man who was running around on his lady. "You've been doing wrong / played me all along" and "all I really wanted some of your time / instead you told me lies when someone else was on your mind" are some of the lyrics which were written by Carsten Schack, Kenneth Karlin and T. Savage.
• "It's Not Right But It's OK": "It's Not Right But It's OK" is another song about a cheating man. "Friday night you and your boys went out to eat…if six of ya'll went out, then four of you are really cheap / cause only two of you had dinner / I found your credit card receipt" end the first verse. Houston sings at the ending of the chorus, "I'd rather be alone than unhappy." This song was written by Rodney Jerkins, F. Jenkins, LaShawn Daniels and Isaac Phillips.
• The Title Track - "My Love is Your Love": Vocalized by Whitney Houston with background vocals by Family Friends Community Choir, this is one of the most powerful songs on this album. "If I lose my fame and fortune / and I'm homeless on the street / and I'm sleeping in Grand Central Station / it's ok, you're sleeping with me" are some of the lyrics." "My Love is Your Love" is written and produced by Wyclef Jean and Jerry Duplessis.
• "In My Business": "In My Business" was written by Missy Elliot, Kelvin Bradshaw and Lloyd Turner and Missy Elliot also raps on this song. The talented Houston sings both the lead and background vocals. "Why they all in my business / it's just too ridiculous / I can't get no sleep …don't they know I've made up my mind" are some of the lyrics in the chorus. Missy Elliot raps "…since I got you, they wanna fight me / cause I'm the chick walking round with the ring…" talking about how the young ladies hate her for the man she has.

During Whitney Houston's career, she released several albums that gave fans top R&B songs. One of her premier albums is My Love is Your Love which was released in 1998. Houston had us singing along with hits like "Until You Come Back," "I Learned From The Best" and the title track "My Love Is Your Love."

Let's Stay Together: Who are the Actors on This Sitcom

Let's Stay Together is a new sitcom that BET is launching in 2011. Read more to learn about the cast and the characters on this program.

Let's Stay Together promises to be a fun comedy sitcom airing on BET (http://www.bet.com) for 2011. The clips advertising Let's Stay Together show that there will be witty banter between the characters and a lot of drama. This sitcom has a cast of actors who are no strangers to film and television. The clips show that there is a rapport between them that will bring good entertainment.

"Jamal" is Played by RonReaco Lee

RonReaco Lee plays "Jamal." We know Lee from the sitcoms Sister Sister and Girlfriends, and movies such as Guess Who (2005) and Tyler Perry's Madea Goes To Jail (2009). Based on what BET.com shares, Jamal is a legal aid attorney in his twenties who is married to the character "Tasha." In the  dvertisements, Jamal talks a lot about romance and even states that women want "good food, candlelight ...you have to soothe her into submission." Jamal is the father of twins with a wife who demands what she wants. In one of the commercials, Jamal tells Tasha that he does her hair which shows how dedicated he is to his wife.

Let's Stay Together's Housewife, "Tasha"

The spicy Tasha, Jamal's wife, is played by Joyful Drake. BET promises that this character will offer a lot of 'drama' to the show. In one clip from the show, Tasha is seen asking her Dad for money. BET.com shares that she is a housewife but one with flair and style. One of the advertisements has her complaining about Jamal preparing a picnic for her in the park. Tasha has no qualms in saying that she made him take her to 'a real restaurant.' Joyful Drake has acted in several movies including Phat Girlz (2006) with Mo'Nique and Beauty Shop (2005) with Queen Latifah.

Nadine Ellis is on Let's Stay Together

"Stacy Lawrence" is Tasha's sister and the fiance of "Charles Whitemore". Stacy is played by Nadine Ellis who has had roles in Hairspray (2007) and Idlewild (2006) with Big Boi and Dre also called Andre 3000 from the hip hop duo Outkast. Originally Malinda Williams was slated for  this character, according to Erica Hubbard's news page and to Gina DiNunno's April 7, 2010 article on TV Guide, BET Orders Comedy Pilot. Stacy is older than Charles and apparently makes more money than he does. BET.com shares that Stacy is a "conservative, independent woman."

BET Brings Us Bert Belasco as "Charles Whitemore"

"Charles Whitemore" is a strong character who works as a contractor. His love is Stacy but his views on love are funny. Charles seems to think that women want a man that is in control when it comes to sex. This character also admits that he has a comic book collection in one of the ads for the show. Charles is played by Bert Belasco who has appeared on

House.

Erica Hubbard and Her Character's 'Mancation'

The woman who claims that she is on a 'mancation' is Charles' sister, "Kita Whitemore." Erica Hubbard (http://www.ericahubbard.com/), from Save the Last Dance (2001) and Light It Up (1999), plays Kita and brings a different type of drama than Tasha does. Kita does not seem to hate men but she seems to want to take a break from serious relationships for a while. One of the clips from the Let's Stay Together shows Kita talking to a character played by America's Next Top Model supermodel and actress, Eva Pigford. They meet at an event and Kita is talking about a man that she dated that was married.

Let's Stay Together seems to bring romance and comedy for viewers looking for a new fun sitcom to watch. Airing on January 11 on BET, the promotions for Let's Stay Together have everyone in high gear to be entertained by this group of young, experienced and talented actors.