This year’s federal budget revealed new programs that may benefit anyone planning to buy or renovate a home.
Help for first time homebuyers
First-time home buyers who purchase a qualifying home after January 27, 2009 will be able to claim a new 15% non-refundable tax credit based on an amount of $5,000, for a maximum credit of $750. A qualifying home is one that is currently eligible for the Home Buyers’ Plan. The First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit can be claimed by either the purchaser or by his or her spouse. Any unused portion of the credit can be claimed by the individual’s spouse.
First-time home buyers will also be able to take advantage of an increase in the Home Buyers’ Plan withdrawal limit from $20,000 to $25,000. The increase applies to 2009 and subsequent calendar years for withdrawals made after January 27, 2009.
Home Renovation Tax Credit available to all homeowners
The 2009 budget includes a temporary Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC) to encourage Canadians to invest in home improvements. All homeowners, including those who have just purchased a new or resale home can take advantage of the HRTC.
A 15% non-refundable tax credit will apply to eligible expenses over $1,000 and up to $10,000 for a maximum credit of $1,350 [($10,000 - $1,000) x 15%]. The credit will only apply to the 2009 taxation year for eligible expenditures made after January 27, 2009 and before February 10, 2010. Costs must be detailed on receipts.
Eligible improvements must be of an enduring nature and would include many of the ones commonly done by new home owners such as:
Renovating a kitchen, bathroom, or basement
New carpet or hardwood floors
Building a deck, fence or retaining wall
A new furnace or water heater
Painting the home’s interior or exterior
Laying new sod
Helping your clients get into the home they want
Purchasers are faced with making many significant decisions when buying a home which can make it a confusing and stressful time for them. They may know what they want, but may not know how to turn their dream into a reality — your advice and guidance can provide home buyers with the confidence to move ahead.
You can bring great value to your clients by making them aware of programs like those in this year’s federal budget which can help them get into the home they want sooner. Your clients will also appreciate learning how they can save energy while saving money through Eco Renovation Tips and the RBC Energy Saver Mortgage.
.
Additional information for clients
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website provides additional information about programs in this year’s federal budget:
First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit
Home Buyers’ Plan
Home Renovation Tax Credit
RBC Wealth Management’s The 2009 Federal Budget Special Report provides a summary of key tax measures which you can share with clients and referral sources.
Do your clients want to receive the latest economic news? Sign them up — free of charge — at rbc.com/economics.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
The Art of Mortgage Renegotiation (SWITCH OR NOT?)
The art of mortgage renegotiation ROB CARRICK
February 12, 2009
Falling mortgage rates have revealed yet another way the banks are charging their clients more in these financially stressful times.
Rates on mortgages have fallen a lot in the past several months, prompting many people to ask about renegotiating in order to cut costs. "The bulk of my business today is people breaking their mortgages," said Jim Tourloukis, a mortgage broker with Advent Mortgage Services in Markham, Ont.
The problem in breaking a mortgage is the penalty that lenders charge. Banks typically have two ways to calculate the penalty and recently they've switched to the more expensive one.
A little context may help you gauge how annoyed you should be about this. With a recession and global financial crisis hurting their revenues, the banks have been pushing up interest rates on lines of credit, charging more in service fees and adjusting credit card rules to extract more money from clients. Mortgage penalties are somewhat different in that they're mainly influenced by what's happening with interest rates.
boilerplate in mortgage contracts for penalties associated with breaking a loan to be set at the greater of three months' interest or the difference between the interest the bank could make on your mortgage as originally arranged versus lending money out at current rates.
Mr. Tourloukis explained that three months' interest was the typical penalty until rates began to fall hard in the past couple of months. Now, the so-called interest rate differential, or IRD, is the larger penalty.
"The spread between the client's rate and what banks can lend money for now has grown dramatically," he said.
If you have any thoughts of breaking your mortgage, get on it today. If mortgage rates fall further, and they could ease a little bit more, then interest rate differentials will grow in size and cost you more.
Mortgage brokers say breaking your mortgage is worth some thought if your current rate is in the low 5-per-cent range or more. Mr. Tourloukis said he's been renegotiating five-year, fixed-rate mortgages at 3.99 per cent for clients who several months ago signed up for similar loans at 5.79 per cent. Other mortgage brokers are showing five-year rates in the low 4-per-cent range.
The first step in breaking a mortgage: Ask your lender what your penalty would be. There's no standardized calculation of penalties, so your number will depend on your lender's own policies and personal circumstances like the amount you've borrowed and the number of years left on your mortgage.
In some cases, breaking your mortgage just won't make sense because of the steep IRD amount. "If you have a lot of time left on your term, it could be deadly," said Vince Gaetano, vice-president at Monster Mortgage in Toronto.
Practices vary widely among banks, but one method for calculating the IRD is to compare a client's original rate against the posted rate for the term that corresponds with the remaining time left on the mortgage. Example: You're two years into a five-year mortgage, so your IRD would be calculated using the current posted three-year rate.
Once you know your penalty, ask your lender to show you how much interest you'd save by renegotiating with the best possible current rate. If the penalty overwhelms the potential savings, then you have a couple of options beyond giving up.
One is to try and negotiate the penalty lower, or have it eliminated altogether. Mr. Tourloukis said lenders have the discretion to help clients out this way.
Another is to chop the amount of money you owe on your mortgage, thereby reducing the penalty for breaking the loan. The way to do this is to take advantage of the prepayment privileges built into most mortgages.
For example, you might be allowed to prepay as much as 20 per cent of your outstanding balance in a year without incurring any charges. Make this lump-sum payment and then get a quote on the penalty to break your newly shrunken mortgage.
There are a couple of strategies to look at if you'd benefit from breaking your mortgage but can't afford the penalty charge.
One is to take the cost and add it to your mortgage balance. In some cases you'll still end up paying less interest than if you stayed with your current mortgage.
Another possibility is a blend and extend, where you jump into a new mortgage that blends your existing rate with the lower current rate and extends your term by a few years. There's no penalty charged in a blend and extend, but you won't save as much as you would if you paid the penalty and got the best possible current interest rate.
"If you want the better rate, you have to come up with the cash," Mr. Gaetano said.
Breaking a mortgage
Falling interest rates mean it's a good time to look at the possibility of breaking your mortgage to lower your borrowing costs. Here's an
example of how this might work supplied by mortgage broker Jim Tourloukis of Advent Mortgage Services. The assumption used here is that you took out a $200,000 five-year mortgage three months ago.
Your rate
5.79%
Best current five-year rate
3.99%
Potential rate savings
1.80%
Interest savings from lowering your rate
$19,000
Penalty for breaking your mortgage
$12,400
Net benefit from breaking your mortgage
$6,600
Don't have $12,400 to cover the penalty charge? Then try adding it to your mortgage balance
Mortgage balance at the end of five years if you do nothing
$189,633
Mortgage balance at the end of five years if you add your penalty to your mortgage balance
$185,725
Net benefit to breaking your mortgage
$3,908
THE GLOBE AND MAIL
February 12, 2009
Falling mortgage rates have revealed yet another way the banks are charging their clients more in these financially stressful times.
Rates on mortgages have fallen a lot in the past several months, prompting many people to ask about renegotiating in order to cut costs. "The bulk of my business today is people breaking their mortgages," said Jim Tourloukis, a mortgage broker with Advent Mortgage Services in Markham, Ont.
The problem in breaking a mortgage is the penalty that lenders charge. Banks typically have two ways to calculate the penalty and recently they've switched to the more expensive one.
A little context may help you gauge how annoyed you should be about this. With a recession and global financial crisis hurting their revenues, the banks have been pushing up interest rates on lines of credit, charging more in service fees and adjusting credit card rules to extract more money from clients. Mortgage penalties are somewhat different in that they're mainly influenced by what's happening with interest rates.
boilerplate in mortgage contracts for penalties associated with breaking a loan to be set at the greater of three months' interest or the difference between the interest the bank could make on your mortgage as originally arranged versus lending money out at current rates.
Mr. Tourloukis explained that three months' interest was the typical penalty until rates began to fall hard in the past couple of months. Now, the so-called interest rate differential, or IRD, is the larger penalty.
"The spread between the client's rate and what banks can lend money for now has grown dramatically," he said.
If you have any thoughts of breaking your mortgage, get on it today. If mortgage rates fall further, and they could ease a little bit more, then interest rate differentials will grow in size and cost you more.
Mortgage brokers say breaking your mortgage is worth some thought if your current rate is in the low 5-per-cent range or more. Mr. Tourloukis said he's been renegotiating five-year, fixed-rate mortgages at 3.99 per cent for clients who several months ago signed up for similar loans at 5.79 per cent. Other mortgage brokers are showing five-year rates in the low 4-per-cent range.
The first step in breaking a mortgage: Ask your lender what your penalty would be. There's no standardized calculation of penalties, so your number will depend on your lender's own policies and personal circumstances like the amount you've borrowed and the number of years left on your mortgage.
In some cases, breaking your mortgage just won't make sense because of the steep IRD amount. "If you have a lot of time left on your term, it could be deadly," said Vince Gaetano, vice-president at Monster Mortgage in Toronto.
Practices vary widely among banks, but one method for calculating the IRD is to compare a client's original rate against the posted rate for the term that corresponds with the remaining time left on the mortgage. Example: You're two years into a five-year mortgage, so your IRD would be calculated using the current posted three-year rate.
Once you know your penalty, ask your lender to show you how much interest you'd save by renegotiating with the best possible current rate. If the penalty overwhelms the potential savings, then you have a couple of options beyond giving up.
One is to try and negotiate the penalty lower, or have it eliminated altogether. Mr. Tourloukis said lenders have the discretion to help clients out this way.
Another is to chop the amount of money you owe on your mortgage, thereby reducing the penalty for breaking the loan. The way to do this is to take advantage of the prepayment privileges built into most mortgages.
For example, you might be allowed to prepay as much as 20 per cent of your outstanding balance in a year without incurring any charges. Make this lump-sum payment and then get a quote on the penalty to break your newly shrunken mortgage.
There are a couple of strategies to look at if you'd benefit from breaking your mortgage but can't afford the penalty charge.
One is to take the cost and add it to your mortgage balance. In some cases you'll still end up paying less interest than if you stayed with your current mortgage.
Another possibility is a blend and extend, where you jump into a new mortgage that blends your existing rate with the lower current rate and extends your term by a few years. There's no penalty charged in a blend and extend, but you won't save as much as you would if you paid the penalty and got the best possible current interest rate.
"If you want the better rate, you have to come up with the cash," Mr. Gaetano said.
Breaking a mortgage
Falling interest rates mean it's a good time to look at the possibility of breaking your mortgage to lower your borrowing costs. Here's an
example of how this might work supplied by mortgage broker Jim Tourloukis of Advent Mortgage Services. The assumption used here is that you took out a $200,000 five-year mortgage three months ago.
Your rate
5.79%
Best current five-year rate
3.99%
Potential rate savings
1.80%
Interest savings from lowering your rate
$19,000
Penalty for breaking your mortgage
$12,400
Net benefit from breaking your mortgage
$6,600
Don't have $12,400 to cover the penalty charge? Then try adding it to your mortgage balance
Mortgage balance at the end of five years if you do nothing
$189,633
Mortgage balance at the end of five years if you add your penalty to your mortgage balance
$185,725
Net benefit to breaking your mortgage
$3,908
THE GLOBE AND MAIL
喜欢去HK血拼的TIP:香港10大秘密名牌仓和特卖场
喜欢去HK血拼的TIP:香港10大秘密名牌仓和特卖场
秘密站点一 Joyce特卖场
Joyce售卖多个欧美品牌，连日本游客也慕名而至扫货，粗略估计也有200多个牌子，可以说是目前最多名牌特卖的一间。比如Giorgio Aamani、Issey Miyake、Marni、Dries Van Noten，每季均推出大量新款，供应源源不绝，数量非常惊人，更设有试身室，让客人自由选购。其货品价格每两个月便会调低一次，如果你是某些品牌的爱好 者，这里必定是寻宝胜地！
地址：香港仔利荣街2号海怡工贸中心21楼。
秘密站点二 Space
专售自家品牌Gucci、Prada、Helmut Lang、Miu Miu的Space，装修极富格调，灯光柔和，没有Outlet给人简陋粗糙的感觉，而且货品按牌子及种类整齐陈列，OL最爱的手袋、鞋都为搜购重点，只需千多元便可以把它们抱回家。
地址：海怡半岛屿东翼商场地下。
秘密站点三 Label For Less
由The Swank Shop开设的Label For Less，网罗顶级品牌如Chloe、Givenchy、Kenzo、 Christian Lacroix等男女服饰，店铺面积达8000平方米，让客人自由自在地挑选水货，而店内首选较隆重的晚装及宴会礼服。
地址：中环国际金融中心3楼3008-3011。
秘密站点四 I.T.特卖场
如嫌以上特卖场货品太昂贵，IT特卖场的价目就显得平易近人。这里货物种类繁多，有些货品更低至2、3百元，香港本地品牌b+ab、5cm到Miu Miu、House of Jazz、Helmut Lang都有 售，而且提供更多尺码的选择。
地址：尖沙嘴新港中心3楼。
秘密站点五 迪生名牌平价仓
比位于太古城中心的出口店大3倍的沙田平价仓，特卖货品的种类当然也较多，尤其是女装手袋的款式更超过70个之多。
地址：沙田新城市广场4层417-418铺
秘密站点六 Esprit特卖场
Esprit在尖沙嘴地铁出口、半岛酒店对面有个占据四层楼空间的特卖场。这是一个绝妙的去处，门口贴着全场$9起，真让人不兴奋都难！卖场的布局很简 洁，挂架一列列拍开，每列挂架由上下两排陈列架构成，每一排密密麻麻的挂满了按类分开的服装。包括red earth化妆品区、儿童用品区、edc品牌区、Esprit女装、男装区、鞋区、包及附件配饰区，所有在Esprit专卖店里能找到的类别，在这里都以 折扣和特价品形式出售。和国内的正价品相比，这里的相同款式基本上都会低于半价出售，更可以让你轻易挑出超值物品.每位顾客都推着一辆超市中常见的推车， 象在超市选购日用品一样闲逸。而且顾客不多，没有任何干扰。在这里，你只用按这个简单程序来完成只是在你需要时帮你寻找到合适的尺码，完成挑选进试衣间从 容试穿，来到出口收银台付款、打包。虽然特价，但这里的东东可不次呀，如果耐心挑，绝对象在挖宝藏，永远让你有惊喜期待！
秘密站点七 Acetex
位于金钟的Acetex及铜锣湾Twist的是最方便的特卖店，Acetex专营意大利顶级品牌如 Prada、Fendi、MaxMara等，货色以斯文大方的时尚OL服为主，一般都比专卖店便宜1、2千元，遇上减价清货期间，还低于半价发售。
秘密站点八 Twist Birkin
Twist是专门售卖名牌衣饰Birkin的集中营，包括很多牌子及款式，而且不少当季的衣物已经享有7-8折优惠，不妨一逛。
地址：铜锣湾280号告士打道世贸中心地下
秘密站点九 贝纳通特卖场
特卖场以常年超低价处理库存，仔细淘，一定收获不少。
地址：九龙旺角新世纪广场3楼。
秘密站点十 Swatch精品廊
太平山顶上有一座亮丽的现代建筑--精品廊，进正门迎面的第一家店就是一个名表廊，占大部分面积的展柜都陈Swatch。这里和其他Swatch专卖店 有不同，不光卖当季的新款，更多的是值得收藏的历年纪念款、特别版。最值得一提的是它这里的存货大都按原价出售，但实际收藏价值已远远高过它的标价。安静 的环境、精心的陈列，只会慢慢激起你更多的占有欲。
女孩4千万买下法古堡酒庄 法国人惊呼被中国吞并
女孩4千万买下法古堡酒庄 法国人惊呼被中国吞并
年仅28岁的青岛女孩不久前还是青岛一名普通的公安干警，现在已经是一跨国公司“拉图拉甘（青岛）国际酒业有限公司”的董事长。
不久前她花3000万人民币买下法国有600年历史的古堡，同时斥资1000万用于装修费用。法国人不由惊呼“中国即将吞并法国”!
购波尔多酒庄先河
程海燕对葡萄酒的记忆最早可以追溯到她的幼年时期。前后思考一下，那时候的那瓶酒一定有“魔力”，让这个中国人成为法国葡萄酒圣地波尔多拉图拉甘（Latour Laguens）的庄主。
程海燕常常给人留下邻家小妹的印象，但是正是这个笑声朗朗的女孩，在去年第一场春雪尚未消退的时候带领着青岛龙海国际贸易有限公司以惊人的气势收购了波 尔多拉图拉甘（Latour Laguens）酒庄。而当这个消息通过法新社传到国内的时候。人们惊讶的不仅仅是中国人在世界葡萄酒发展史的这浓重一笔，更多的是为这个年轻女孩的选择 而感慨。
Chinese Family Buys Into Bordeaux
China's interest in wine has grown steadily over the past few years and many companies have been involved in helping China create thriving vineyards. Now for the first time, a Chinese citizen has bought a chateau in France's Bordeaux region. The Cheng family has purchased the 500-year-old Château Latour-Laguens property.
The property includes a 15th-century tower, courtyard and pond. Haiyan Cheng, the daughter of wealthy Chinese businessman Zuochang Cheng, bought it all in January for about £1.5 million. Zuochang Cheng already imports wines to China from other winegrowing regions such as Australia, Italy and South Africa.Now they have an esteemed French name. Château Latour-Laguens produces red, white and rosé wines. The Chengs are planning to restore the castle, add accommodations for guests at wine tastings and wine seminars and to double the amount of vineyard space, possibly acquiring additional property.
Mid-market French wine has taken a major hit over the past few years. Champagne continues to thrive and the big name Chateaux continue to be highly collectible but other small producers have been struggling. According to an article in the Scotsman, buyers from Russia and Indian have also been shopping in the area looking to pick up vineyards from producers who are facing declining sales, low on cash, and eager to sell.
年仅28岁的青岛女孩不久前还是青岛一名普通的公安干警，现在已经是一跨国公司“拉图拉甘（青岛）国际酒业有限公司”的董事长。
不久前她花3000万人民币买下法国有600年历史的古堡，同时斥资1000万用于装修费用。法国人不由惊呼“中国即将吞并法国”!
购波尔多酒庄先河
程海燕对葡萄酒的记忆最早可以追溯到她的幼年时期。前后思考一下，那时候的那瓶酒一定有“魔力”，让这个中国人成为法国葡萄酒圣地波尔多拉图拉甘（Latour Laguens）的庄主。
程海燕常常给人留下邻家小妹的印象，但是正是这个笑声朗朗的女孩，在去年第一场春雪尚未消退的时候带领着青岛龙海国际贸易有限公司以惊人的气势收购了波 尔多拉图拉甘（Latour Laguens）酒庄。而当这个消息通过法新社传到国内的时候。人们惊讶的不仅仅是中国人在世界葡萄酒发展史的这浓重一笔，更多的是为这个年轻女孩的选择 而感慨。
Chinese Family Buys Into Bordeaux
China's interest in wine has grown steadily over the past few years and many companies have been involved in helping China create thriving vineyards. Now for the first time, a Chinese citizen has bought a chateau in France's Bordeaux region. The Cheng family has purchased the 500-year-old Château Latour-Laguens property.
The property includes a 15th-century tower, courtyard and pond. Haiyan Cheng, the daughter of wealthy Chinese businessman Zuochang Cheng, bought it all in January for about £1.5 million. Zuochang Cheng already imports wines to China from other winegrowing regions such as Australia, Italy and South Africa.Now they have an esteemed French name. Château Latour-Laguens produces red, white and rosé wines. The Chengs are planning to restore the castle, add accommodations for guests at wine tastings and wine seminars and to double the amount of vineyard space, possibly acquiring additional property.
Mid-market French wine has taken a major hit over the past few years. Champagne continues to thrive and the big name Chateaux continue to be highly collectible but other small producers have been struggling. According to an article in the Scotsman, buyers from Russia and Indian have also been shopping in the area looking to pick up vineyards from producers who are facing declining sales, low on cash, and eager to sell.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
ZT::: 蜀故妓的博客 --- 福州地区偷渡风盛行之我见:
http://blog.wenxuecity.com/blogview.php?date=200902&postID=18270
-----------------------------
李白 评论于：2009-02-15 20:17:42 [回复评论] 今天下午发了点评论,不过作为一个从福建长乐出来的留学生,在下觉得还要补充几点.
福建有些很根深蒂固的传统习俗,就算当年的文化大革命,也无法在这个边陲之地消除这些传统习俗和迷信活动.婚丧上,还有过年过节,我们家族都还保存着中国 古代那一套非常完整的祭祀活动.一般来说,婚丧的场面应该是比大部分的内地要大得多,涉及面也更广.这也使得没钱的家庭在经济上和面子上,很难应付红白喜 事的开销.
相对文化水平低下的福州地区偷渡客,并没有很强烈的国家面子观念,也很难意识到自己的编造理由申请难民,会对国家有什么影响.一般来说,内地文化水平较高 的移民,有些人加入美国国籍,心里还是会有点很沉重的感觉.不过我认识的一些偷渡客和他们的家人,很多人认为拿到绿卡之后要加入美国国籍,是很正常的想 法.而生下拥有美国国籍的孩子,是比生下中国国籍孩子更值得炫耀的事情(其实有些高文化水平的人也这么想).
其实社会低层老百姓的偷渡,我觉得不应该对他们大加声讨.社会讨伐的声音,更多的要对准那些贪官奸商的移民,特别是贪官的.
至于文中作者说的"利用他们虚伪的人道主义拿到绿卡，是智慧",我不同意.我觉得背叛自己的良心编造理由来获得绿卡,本身就是这些偷渡客为留在美国不得已 而为之的手段,是很辛酸很无奈的一种选择,作为旁观者我们可以理解.但是,真的不应该说是"智慧"而给予褒扬.不但伤了我们旁观者,也伤了这些无奈作出这 种选择的国人的心.
至于数万的偷渡费用,有些评论者有疑问.其实,偷渡客在出国之前并没有钱,而是在福州地区,你如果是偷渡出国,你会很容易从有钱的亲戚朋友处贷到这笔钱,贷款利息也不会很高.然后你到了美国,埋头苦干N年而还清这笔钱.
抗日战争的主角,应该是国民党.在下觉得,蒋介石的功劳,绝对比毛泽东大得多.蒋介石当时有点犹豫,觉得揽外必先安内,并不是不抗日的意思,而是先准备 好,去除内乱之忧再与日本打.在某种意义上说,蒋介石并没有错.抗日战争结束时,国民党的部队损失惨重,而共产党的部队却越打越多,真是一个讽刺.
福建的偷渡客,主要在福州地区.福州地区的偷渡,主要在八县.福州市区的人很少有偷渡的.
现在的偷渡,已经很少再坐船了,而是更多地走半正式途径.比如说B1,K1等签证,然后滞美不归.很难届定,这种滞美不归的变相性质与坐船偷渡的性质孰轻 孰重,都是违反移民法.在下觉得是一样的性质.不过,有些从内地来滞美不归的国人可能有不同见解,想要强烈地与偷渡行为划清界限.可是,如果这不算是偷 渡,那么实际上,福州地区的偷渡已经在慢慢地减少了.
| 福州地区偷渡风盛行之我见 |  |
———前言——— 几 年前,家母就劝我写一些有关海外福建人的文章,但说起海外福建移民,自秦汉时代向周边国家迁徙、经商、或躲避战祸到近代的合法移民或非法偷渡, 又牵涉太广,况且对早期福建移民，历史已有定论。最具争议性的还数当今福建偷渡客，对这一族群的评价，众说纷纭，贬多褒少。网上更有不少对福建偷渡客大肆 攻击的口水文章，比起真正的居住国的媒体的评论火力，有过之而无不及，好像福建人偷渡到他们的国度。我也是福建人，来自偷渡事件频发的长乐市(县)农村， 我虽然三分之二的时间生活在国外，但在长乐也居住过十几年。对偷渡行为从小耳染目濡，福建人为什么要偷渡？绝不是那些肤浅的口水文章能够说清楚。但要写一 篇让福建人无话可说、外省人心服口服的文章绝非易事。请教过家母，回答是：只要写得是事实，不管好听不好听，谁都得接受，又不是写小说 。要想客观、全面了解福建偷渡客，得先了解福建的移民历史和文化。于是乎，笔者近期查阅了大量有关福建移民史的文献。 福建古称闽越，历史 上名人辈出。南北朝时期大批的河洛移民为躲战乱大举南迁，也为福建带来了灿烂的中原文化。特别在宋朝福建共有状元19名，全国状元总数为109名，中进士 的人数在中国名列前茅，朱熹更使福建成了南方理学圣地。民族英雄郑成功和施琅先后两次收复台湾，是中国统一大业的实现者。虎门销烟的林则徐堪为闽人的杰出 代表，张之洞的幕僚辜鸿铭更是一代奇才，精通17国语言，且其绝代才华和风流曾经风靡了全球。他的著作《春秋大义》被几十个国家争相翻译。“脚踏中西文 化，一心只评宇宙文章”的林语堂，思想家严復的译作《天演论》让中国人领悟了“物竞天择、适者生存”，彻底明白了为何人为刀趄，我为鱼肉。文学家冰心，郑 振铎都是长乐人------一直到解放后中国海军将领有九成是福建人！科学家人数更是不容小看，据统计福建籍的两院院士有119人之众，列全国第三，而福 建的人口只有3500万！ 福建位居中国东南沿海，山林多，耕地少，故有“八山一水一分田”之说，经济发展受此制约。中华人民共和国成立以 后，因为台湾省一直没有“解放”。福建就一直是战争前线，共和国很少在福建进行投资和大型建设，并且把原有的一些工厂北迁，以免毁于战乱。千百来，闽山依 在、闽水悠悠。可福建人的优势和优越感却因地处战争前线慢慢地消失，但也因此造就了福建人爱拼搏、勤劳勇敢、敢为天下先的性格。我们没有京城人的狂放，没 有上海人的傲慢，除此二地，我们和大多数中国人一样，勤劳、节约、能吃苦。 自古以来，福建沿海居民就有海外通商和出海谋生的传统，因为偏 好航海和冒险，郑和下西洋需要大批通水性的水手多来自福建沿海一带*，这些航海专家个个精通海象，看飞鸟、察流云、观水纹、听海风、再加上密彻注意日月星 斗的位置变化，就能准确地算出几天甚至半个月后的天气。就是这些土里土气的航海专家把郑和拱上世界级航海家的地位，其实郑和会不会游泳都还说不定，更别说 航海。找福建人驾驶船队，并信任福建人，这才是郑和的高明之处。为他的七次下西洋奠定成功的基础，船队所到之处，当地居民无不感受我中华民族的强大和繁 荣。大批福建人也随着“七次下西洋”分散到世界各地，甚至非洲大陆。 几百年来，中华民族屡受列强侵辱，再则内战频频，福建人不堪忍受战 乱、灾荒、和官府欺压。漳州一带的农民开始大批东渡台湾，他们以先进的农业技术和优质的种子在岛上开垦出良田万亩，不但丰衣足食，每当福建闹灾荒，他们总 是慷慨相助。因为他们知道自己虽然以“垦民”的身份在台湾创下一片基业，但福建才是他们的根。今天我们去台湾所看到的台湾文化，其实就是闽南文化，台湾话 即闽南话。 另外一批人远下东南亚，他们在那里落地生根，这些人大多数来自福州和厦门一带的农民。他们身无分文，仅仅秉持一股勇气和满腔热 血在东南亚闯出一大片天地,福建人几乎控制了菲律宾、印尼、泰国、马来西亚等东南亚国家经济命脉，更破天荒地创造了一个由中国人（福建人）控制的国家—— 新加坡。这绝不是广东人、温州人或中国其他地方的人能够做得到的。成功的原因很简单：因为“土”所以不像读书人那样顾虑那么多，敢做敢为加上中华民族的传 统美德。这就是福建人控制东南亚经济命脉的不二法门。这些远在南洋的华侨在抗战期间，出钱出力，把大批的抗战物质涌涌不断地运回祖国，为驱赶日寇他们不遗 余力。陈嘉庚先生的一通电报：言和者，汉 奸论！让多少贪生怕死的国民党将领心惊胆跳，不得不和共产党军队一起抗日。 在改革开放之前，还 没有“偷渡”这一说，坐船或游泳去金门、马祖岛（均由台湾驻军管辖）的被抓者，大陆称“下海投敌”，以反革命罪论处；成功者到了台湾则被称为“投奔自由、 反共义士”，台湾当局还给以嘉奖。其实那些人只是为了一个更好的生活环境，他们哪里知道什么叫“革命”。 偷渡风开始于改革开放以后，大批 华侨陆续回到家乡探亲、投资，并对家乡的建设总是慷慨相助，没从政府得到帮助的人理所当然地把华侨当成他们的救星和偶像，更从华侨的口中意识到外面的世界 更精彩。有朝一日也出国，拿到居留权，成为华侨，赚钱养家，并帮助乡里乡亲成为大多数年青人梦寐以求的目标。邓小平不是有“黑猫白猫”论吗？那么偷渡出国 的福州人应该属于不寻常的猫。他们在异国他乡拼搏出来的成果大家有目共睹。 福州人大量移民海外，特别是美国，其中不仅有以上历史上的原 因，还有现实中的原因。福州人是一个非常独特的群体，自尊心超强，极爱攀比，谁也不甘心落在人后（物质方面）。由于自古重商轻文，所以绝大多数福建人对政 治不感兴趣，甚至对官场的勾心斗角及官吏对百姓的欺压深恶痛绝。所以经商致富取代了读书当官，前者成为绝大多数人的愿望。此时，你难免会问：既然你们很有 经商头脑，为何不在国内施展拳脚，何必冒着生命危险去偷渡？实话告诉你，中国任何地方的市县都有福州人在那里投资做生意，仅仅无锡一地，就有四万长乐人在 那里打天下，他们的投资超过50亿，在全国各地的钢铁厂更不计其数。在长乐本地，各行各业也欣欣向荣，在金峰镇附近光纺织厂就400多家。经济这么发达， 更没有理由去偷渡。但并非所有的乡镇都像金峰镇一样工商业发达，其他乡镇由于大量的农田被划进所谓“开发区”、“工业区”，或被地产商开发成商品房、别 墅，没被征收的土地也被纺织厂、染整厂污染得根本长不出庄稼；河流要么被大量的工业垃圾填平，要么就没有鱼虾活在里边。农民虽拿到一点微不足道的补偿，但 赖以生存的土地没啦。政府腐败，在工业高速发展的同时，对高污染的企业没及时加以管制，大量工业污水排入河流、再流向大海，多少“讨海人”在祖祖辈辈赖以 生存的大海里已很难捕到海货。虽然有一部分人转行成功，也开工厂、办企业，当了老板，但毕竟少数。其他人去工厂打工，一两千元工资只够抽烟、喝酒。再加上 福州周边的农民重亲情，崇尚“百善孝为先”，冠婚礼葬讲究排场，过年过节光给亲戚、老年人、小孩子的礼物、红包就是一个不小的负担。而有钱人（暴发户）却 大肆铺张浪费，无所不用其极地炫耀自己的财富，从此攀比风再也禁不住，愈演愈烈。娶个老婆都可能花上几十万元，可这里是农村呵！在沉重的生活压力和负担 下，一些高不成、低不就的人开始把目光投向国外，由于福州本来就是侨乡，找亲戚、托朋友总能搭上海外关系。由亲至疏移民排期不同，但他们总会等到签证下来 这一天。可是那些没有海外关系的人想合法移民，几乎不可能。呆在家乡做大生意，又没那么多的资金，因为做小生意只够养家糊口，不做大的，不可能有发展；想 出国，又没海外关系，这时候非法偷渡成了唯一的途径。还有福州籍华侨遍布世界各地，偷渡去大部分的国家，总会有亲朋好友或乡里乡亲来接应。这才是福州人敢 只身一人、飘洋过海的主要原因。某种意义上说：福州人比其他地方的中国人更具备偷渡的条件，可谓天时、地利、人和样样都有。你如果叫一个湖南、四川或其他 地方的农民去偷渡，我看他们连海在哪里都不一定知道，更何况七、八万美元的偷渡费他们也不见得筹得来，我看在国内很多地方的农村，七、八万美元足以当上村 里的首富，可在福州一带农村，这笔钱算不了什么。不信的话，我们那里有很多外省民工，如有你们的人，打听一下即知道。 偷渡虽然是农民致富 的一条捷径，但是不合法，并有损国格。即使福州人不偷渡，近百年来世界上有几个国家瞧得起中国呵？所以因福州人偷渡使我们的国家让别的国家的人瞧不起这一 说不成立。再说这么多的农民不让他们出去，留在农村种田、捕鱼，我看他们只能养活自己，对国家来说也是一个负担，处理不好搞出一个大乱子，不利社会稳定的 事我们可不想干。 走出国门，成为农民求发展的最佳选择。邓小平不是说要一部分人先富起来吗？我认为偷渡出国福州农民的致富方式属于一种不寻常的致富方式。 花 时间研究福州农民为何冒着生命危险去偷渡，不如问问国家和福建省政府的高官们，他们身为一方父母官，他们到底为福建和福建人民做了什么？赖昌星就是他们的 杰作。况且许多重大偷渡事件没有司法部门的配合，是不可能成功的。蛇头（偷渡集团）和司法部门之间的利益输送更是司空见惯。偷渡不成被抓住、或从国外遣送 回国的还要被公安边防部门剥一层皮，每人都要罚款5000元至20000元不等。对这些部门来说，这是一块多肥的肉啊。 我相信没有人愿意背井离乡，只身闯天涯。在攀比和“一切向钱看”的风气下，乡下人要想有所作为，迅速致富，并想被人看得起，唯有偷渡这条路。难道叫我们去抢去偷？ 福 建省政府若不抓紧在环境保护、减轻农民负担、增加就业机会、大幅度提高农民所得（别老给公务员提工资）、改革医疗制度（逐步让农民医疗费全免）、监控和限 制通货膨胀、农民子弟考上大学者，学费由当地村政府负责50%，其余50%由海外华侨捐款设立教育基金拨款，让农民子弟也有接受高等教育的机会，大力普及 九年义务教育（其他地方已免缴学杂费，我们那里照收）及廉政等方面下狠药，光靠抓、罚、关是绝对禁不住偷渡风的。特别是教育方面，要不惜一切代价投入任何 可利用的资源，只有重视教育，才能提升农民的素质，素质一达到某种程度，人就不会老在物资方面攀比，就会追求精神方面的价值，只有这样才能煞住各种陋习歪 风。 偷渡此风不可长，但光靠我们说没有用，关键在政府怎么做，政府应该检讨一下自身，不然的话，上梁不正下梁歪。 我们海外福州人虽然每年往家乡汇回几十亿美元的外汇，让很多亲人过上富裕的生活，但也影响到千千万万想出国深造的莘莘学子，他们不像其他省份的学生那么容易得到签证。这是我们福州人心中永远的痛，除了他们，我们对得起国家，对得起任何人。 很 多人批评福州人为拿绿卡，让国家蒙羞。那美国佬炸毁我们的驻外使馆、在我们的领空撞毁我们战机，而我们政府却无动于衷，这才是奇耻大辱，更别提令人伤心的 钓鱼岛。你以为美国佬不知道福州人五花八门的申请理由大多数是瞎编的，美国佬给我们绿卡并不心甘情愿。利用他们虚伪的人道主义拿到绿卡，是智慧；有了合法 居留权后为家乡建设出钱出力，是良心。 （全文完） *注：郑和船队入海前会先在长乐太平港驻扎、等待季风。故，长乐又称吴航。 |
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| 由蜀故妓张贴 @ 2009-02-12 23:43:53 (34379) |
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李白 评论于：2009-02-15 20:17:42 [回复评论] 今天下午发了点评论,不过作为一个从福建长乐出来的留学生,在下觉得还要补充几点.
福建有些很根深蒂固的传统习俗,就算当年的文化大革命,也无法在这个边陲之地消除这些传统习俗和迷信活动.婚丧上,还有过年过节,我们家族都还保存着中国 古代那一套非常完整的祭祀活动.一般来说,婚丧的场面应该是比大部分的内地要大得多,涉及面也更广.这也使得没钱的家庭在经济上和面子上,很难应付红白喜 事的开销.
相对文化水平低下的福州地区偷渡客,并没有很强烈的国家面子观念,也很难意识到自己的编造理由申请难民,会对国家有什么影响.一般来说,内地文化水平较高 的移民,有些人加入美国国籍,心里还是会有点很沉重的感觉.不过我认识的一些偷渡客和他们的家人,很多人认为拿到绿卡之后要加入美国国籍,是很正常的想 法.而生下拥有美国国籍的孩子,是比生下中国国籍孩子更值得炫耀的事情(其实有些高文化水平的人也这么想).
其实社会低层老百姓的偷渡,我觉得不应该对他们大加声讨.社会讨伐的声音,更多的要对准那些贪官奸商的移民,特别是贪官的.
至于文中作者说的"利用他们虚伪的人道主义拿到绿卡，是智慧",我不同意.我觉得背叛自己的良心编造理由来获得绿卡,本身就是这些偷渡客为留在美国不得已 而为之的手段,是很辛酸很无奈的一种选择,作为旁观者我们可以理解.但是,真的不应该说是"智慧"而给予褒扬.不但伤了我们旁观者,也伤了这些无奈作出这 种选择的国人的心.
至于数万的偷渡费用,有些评论者有疑问.其实,偷渡客在出国之前并没有钱,而是在福州地区,你如果是偷渡出国,你会很容易从有钱的亲戚朋友处贷到这笔钱,贷款利息也不会很高.然后你到了美国,埋头苦干N年而还清这笔钱.
抗日战争的主角,应该是国民党.在下觉得,蒋介石的功劳,绝对比毛泽东大得多.蒋介石当时有点犹豫,觉得揽外必先安内,并不是不抗日的意思,而是先准备 好,去除内乱之忧再与日本打.在某种意义上说,蒋介石并没有错.抗日战争结束时,国民党的部队损失惨重,而共产党的部队却越打越多,真是一个讽刺.
福建的偷渡客,主要在福州地区.福州地区的偷渡,主要在八县.福州市区的人很少有偷渡的.
现在的偷渡,已经很少再坐船了,而是更多地走半正式途径.比如说B1,K1等签证,然后滞美不归.很难届定,这种滞美不归的变相性质与坐船偷渡的性质孰轻 孰重,都是违反移民法.在下觉得是一样的性质.不过,有些从内地来滞美不归的国人可能有不同见解,想要强烈地与偷渡行为划清界限.可是,如果这不算是偷 渡,那么实际上,福州地区的偷渡已经在慢慢地减少了.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
是不是要付罚款，把现有的固定贷款转成比较低的贷款？
我的意见：不要转变。
转成：固定：rbc 4yr 4.29% 5yr 4.34%, 但是节省的利息和罚款差不多。还有，罚款$XXXXX的机会成本(OPPOTUNITY COST) 也要算进去。
转成：浮动： （including loc which is base on p) 没法算。 我们都是假设p维持在3。0或更低。 用这个
预设立场来看问题不全面。 只能说“眼下”。。。如何如何。。。
简单说：都是在猜。 能不能省钱不好说， 罚款却是真金白银：）
p 一上调， 省的钱又全没了。
唯一可以考虑的请况是：
您觉的目前交贷款又困难，想每月少交点，罚款多少无所谓。。。
分摊之后，月供还是少了几百。
转成：固定：rbc 4yr 4.29% 5yr 4.34%, 但是节省的利息和罚款差不多。还有，罚款$XXXXX的机会成本(OPPOTUNITY COST) 也要算进去。
转成：浮动： （including loc which is base on p) 没法算。 我们都是假设p维持在3。0或更低。 用这个
预设立场来看问题不全面。 只能说“眼下”。。。如何如何。。。
简单说：都是在猜。 能不能省钱不好说， 罚款却是真金白银：）
p 一上调， 省的钱又全没了。
唯一可以考虑的请况是：
您觉的目前交贷款又困难，想每月少交点，罚款多少无所谓。。。
分摊之后，月供还是少了几百。
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