What’s In My Book?
By Steve GillmanSomebody asked me what was in my ebook “99Lies,” which comes with The Secrets Package. Here are some samples, but I have to warn you. These are “teasers” - meant to get you interested in the package. For the “rest of the story,” you’ll have to check out The Secret Information Site.
Lie # 1 - You Should Change The Oil Every 3,000 Miles
Why has 3,000 miles become the standard for oil change frequency in cars? Is it because that’s what’s best for your car? No! It is because it has been effectively promoted by the oil change industry. This lie makes them a lot of money. Even though no auto manufacturer recommends such frequent oil changes, they have… (continued in the book)
Lie # 2 - A Daily Aspirin Is Good For You
The Reason For The Lie… The companies producing aspirin have funded research showing “benefits” of the daily regimen. They promote the idea, and make more money when aspirin sales go up as a result… The Truth… Contrary to what the mainstream may say, it is not a safe practice to take aspirin daily. The University of Maryland Medical Center did a study and found blood platelet clumping - which can lead to heart attacks - in 64% of daily aspirin-takers whose blood cholesterol levels were considered too high by modern medical standards (LDL over 130). In other words, daily aspirin may increase the risk of … (continued in the book)
Lie # 3 - Raising Taxes Raises Revenue
Raise tax rates, collect more in taxes - it seems logical. It isn’t, but rather than educate the populace, politicians play to their ignorance for political purposes. Mostly it is just ignorance - that of the politicians and the public. However, there is also some political power to be derived from hurting the wealthy (and therefore the whole economy) for the pleasure of those non-wealthy voters who are envious… What is lost in all the debate over tax increases versus tax cuts, is science… (continued in the book)
Lie # 8 - Collision Insurance Is Needed On Used Cars
The motivation for this lie is simple: The insurance companies want to sell more insurance. Consumers are happy to believe it because paying for the extra insurance, while expensive, is simpler than analyzing the alternatives… The Truth… Let’s start with a modest example. I have never had collision insurance. In twenty two years of driving… (continued in the book)
Lie # 11 - Free Markets Are The Reason For U.S. Prosperity
This is just one of partial truths that are so common in areas of economics. It is easier to understand than the whole truth… Many countries have free markets but slow or chaotic economies. Some even try to copy the same market rules and laws as the United States, but the result isn’t the same. What’s the difference? Don’t ask a U.S. economist. The most systematic research on capitalism is now being done at… (continued in the book)
Lie # 18 - Premium Gas Is Better
Gasoline stations love to let people believe this one, because premium gasoline often sells for as much as twenty cents more per gallon… Refiners make more profit on premium as well… Modern engines that are designed to run on regular gasoline don’t run better on premium, and sometimes even run worse, according to engineers, scientists and … (continued in the book)
Lie # 23 - Millionaire’s Always Buy New Cars
This lie… is more of an assumption. Many want to believe it, because they want to justify their own desire for a new car… The Truth… In researching the book, “The Millionaire Next Door,” Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko found that 40% of millionaires buy used cars. What do they know that you don’t? They understand that… (continued in the book)
Lie # 27 - Whole Wheat Means Whole Wheat
More and more, consumers want healthy foods. Producers have found that they can often just give the appearance of healthy ingredients and make more money, instead of actually making their products out of healthy things, which would cost them more… demand is as often for the illusion of healthy food as it is for the real thing. That is why most “whole wheat” breads are just white bread, with enough whole wheat flour… (continued in the book)
Lie # 32 - Illegal Immigrants Don’t Pay Taxes
…a misunderstanding of how things work, but others propagate this lie to push their anti-immigration agenda as well… The Truth… When I lived in Michigan, I knew many illegal immigrants… They all had fake identification and social security numbers, and worked regular jobs and paid taxes… There is more to this though. They paid into social security, with no chance of ever collecting. They paid more income taxes overall as well. This is because they usually… (continued in the book)
Lie # 34 - A Juror Has To Judge Only The Facts
Judges, lawyers and others in the justice system tell jurors they may only judge the facts in the case, and not let their opinion of the law, their conscience, or the motives of the defendant affect their decision… authorities don’t want to lose control of the process of “justice” to mere citizens… The Truth… “Jury nullification of law,” as it is sometimes called, has been a recognized right since the founding of the United States… from John Adams, our second president: “It is not only his right but his duty…to find the verdict according to his own best understanding, judgment, and conscience, though in direct opposition to the direction of the court.” In the… (continued in the book)
Lie # 38 - You Need Money To Make Money
This is one of the lies that people tell themselves in order to excuse their inaction… Having money helps if you want to make money, but it certainly isn’t necessary. I invested only a few hundred dollars to start an online business that now makes thousands per month. Some might say, “But you had to at least have that few hundred dollars.” That would be another excuse or a lack of imagination. I had credit cards I could have used instead of my own cash, friends and family I could have borrowed from, and … (continued in the book)
Lie # 46 - Public Health Officials Work For Your Health
Governments need to motivate people to cooperate in public health campaigns, and so they appeal to self interest, letting people believe that the goal is their individual health… The Truth… Public health campaigns are meant to treat health issues on a societal scale, even when that goes against the interests of a given individual. For example, suppose the risk of getting Polio was slightly greater from the vaccine itself than from just going without it. As an individual, you would be better off… (continued in the book)
Lie # 52 - Antibacterial Soap Is Better
This lie sells soap. There is no study showing that antibacterial soap is better at cleaning your hands than regular soap. Either one works primarily by… (continued in the book)
Lie # 62 - We Will Run Out Of Oil Soon
There is a limited amount of oil, but if markets are left alone, it won’t run out soon. You’ll be able to buy all the gas you want for a long time to come. Of course, you won’t want it at $25 per gallon, but that’s okay. Once it hits even $10 there will be companies lining up to sell you… (continued in the book)
Lie # 77 - Dealer Invoice Is The Dealer’s Cost
Some car dealers will promote a sale of cars for some small amount over “dealers invoice,” leading you to believe this is their cost. Some will even show you… (continued in the book)
Lie # 78 - Honestly, It’s A Size Six
Clothing manufacturers mostly ignore the voluntary industry size standards in women’s clothing. More and more, they each have their own sizing scheme, often resorting to what is called “vanity sizing,” which is the practice of… (continued in the book)
Lie # 98 - You Are Pre-Approved For This Credit Card
There are two types of lies here. One is an outright scam that goes around, asking you to send money for a “secured card.” The other type is the regular credit card companies playing… (continued in the book)
Lie # 99 - Creative Ideas Only Come Spontaneously
Myths about “creative geniuses” who spontaneously come up with new ideas, discourage “ordinary” people from being more creative. Sometimes, this lie is also an excuse to avoid creative work. The truth is that if you learn and use… (continued in the book)
There are 50 lies covered in depth, followed by 49 more lies that warrant just a paragraph ortwo. For more on the whole package, visit http://www.TheSecretInformationSite.com
Tags: book, lies, secret information