It is easy to rant about the economic condition of this country and the world. It is, quite simply, horrible and terminal. The US economy, like a zombie, staggers around half alive and half dead in its own special purgatory. The other developed social welfare states of the world are in similar condition. This blog frequently discusses why there can be [...]
Economic Collapse
standard Investors Must Become Traders
The Past Is No Longer A Guide For The Future The financial and economic world has changed, dramatically! What lies ahead is bigger change still. Few are capable of even imagining what is likely to occur. Forces driving change are diverse and include technology, the imposition of demonstrably incorrect economic policy and increasing government interventions. The first force is arguably [...]
standard Economic Armageddon Is Coming
The US and other modern industrialized nations are headed for economic collapse. Political excesses created unwieldly and insolvent social welfare states in every modern democracy. The notion of providing for those who cannot or do not provide for themselves has limits. As Lady Margaret Thatcher expressed the problem: The trouble with Socialism is, sooner or later, you run out of [...]
standard Inflation Is Political Cowardice and Chicanery
It is no secret that politicians prefer inflation over tax increases. Zerohedge explains why: If the authorities raise taxes explicitly and openly, voters know exactly why they have less spending power. They also know how much less spending power they have. But if the authorities instead raise money by simply printing it, they raise the revenue by stealth. No one knows [...]
standard How Can Hyperinflation Be Avoided?
Kyle Bass, via Zerohedge, provided his thoughts on how the current economic mess might end: Trillions of dollars of debts will be restructured and millions of financially prudent savers will lose large percentages of their real purchasing power at exactly the wrong time in their lives. Again, the world will not end, but the social fabric of the profligate nations [...]
standard Inflation Is Theft and Fraud
Inflation, in a fiat currency world, is inevitable. It is not an economic inevitability but a political one. Politicians like to spend money and buy votes. They don’t like to raise taxes. A central bank makes it possible for them to have the best of all worlds, at least for a time. The US Fed, with its new QEternity policy, [...]
standard Our Fate Is Sealed
These four links from yesterday’s Drudge Report say it all: JOBLESS… INFLATION… POVERTY… RECESSION… Five years into this mess and we are no closer to climbing out. Collapse of financial institutions was averted (temporarily?) by massive infusions of government and taxpayer funds but the economy has not budged. More and more people are beginning to think that we should have [...]
standard The Debt Ceiling Debate — Another Washington Farce
Another debt ceiling drama is upon us. Despite the political buzz and the media hype, the event is inconsequential to the country and its economic future. A heated debate between the two political parties will occur. Both will claim to be against deficits. Both will emphasize the need to keep the government running (why!?). Both will talk about spending cuts. [...]
standard Obama’s Election Seals Our Fate
The Obama re-election dooms the country. It ensures that his philosophy will be imposed for another four years. His election ensures the continuing shift away from the Rule of Law, property rights, free men and free markets. Obama’s vision of how the world works ensures a dire economy until an economic collapse resets everything. The rest of the world, apparently [...]
standard Why Investors Must Behave More Like Traders
The Past Is No Longer A Guide For The Future The financial and economic world has changed, dramatically! What lies ahead is bigger change still. Few are capable of even imagining what is likely to occur. Forces driving change are diverse and include technology, the imposition of demonstrably incorrect economic policy and increasing government interventions. The first force is arguably [...]
standard Western Democracies Are In Collapse
Most people cannot conceive of an economic collapse. Normalcy bias is common and distorts expectations, especially in areas outside of personal expertise. If it didn’t happen yesterday or last month or in their lifetime, then many people consider the outcome “impossible.” Those who can conceive of such events may try to convince others, but proselytizing can be frustrating and usually fruitless. Most [...]
standard Common Sense Video — Why An Economic Collapse Cannot Be Avoided
When government runs most things, the rewards of running government trump ethics and morality. The bigger the government, the less moral the society.