While out for my morning ride I was thinking of topics to write about and the thought popped into my head “what could possibly go wrong?” Actually, I then thought to myself “with everything as they are, what could possibly go right?” I normally out of habit because the way I am wired put “odds” on almost everything. The odds in my opinion for the current system to go forward for any length of time and “right itself” are zero. Not “almost zero,” ZERO! I will get into the “zero” part in bit, I first want to point out where we are since it’s hard to keep track with the age of information overload we live in.
Financially we are broke. When I say “we,” I am talking about the U.S. though it might as well be the entire world because the dollar floats and permeates everywhere. We have run deficits every single year that I have been alive since 1960 (please don’t tell me about Clinton’s smoke and mirror one year surplus because our debt increased that year also). The “promises” made can never ever be kept. Social Security, pensions, disability, welfare, they are all broken programs. While on this subject, I will ask a couple of questions. How is it we always hear about Social Security going broke? This is a program that “we” actually paid into, our employers also paid and are currently pay into it. Why is it we never hear that “welfare” is going to go broke? Shouldn’t this go broke first? Why should people who paid into a plan not get their money back while people who never paid into “the plan” don’t have to worry about their program “going broke?” It doesn’t make sense to me but little does these days.
But not to worry, the stock market is at all-time highs and who needs stable finance when “we got the Dow Jones” right? I want to point out a little something under the surface of this “all-time high.” Volume has collapsed almost entirely. Stock market volume is now down 60%+ from where it was in 2006. Think about this, volume is down 60% but the market is higher? Can this be? This is so, even with the HFT’s trading stocks in nano seconds for nano penny profits. But ask yourself this, if volume is down and the price is at an all-time high, what is the “substance” or the meat, or in reality the “foundation” to the stock market? Like I said, what could possibly go wrong?
Then of course we have politics and religion, you know, the two subjects you’re not supposed to talk about because you might offend someone? We have completely lost it in these categories, no more “God” in school or public places because we might offend someone. The “someone” however is probably here illegally but still, let’s not offend them. And politics? They are all full of it. Chances are 99 something%, if a politician is speaking, he/she is knowingly telling a lie. Politicians have always lied for a living, I get it, but it seems to me the lies in earlier years were “better” or at least plausible. The lies today are ridiculous, nearly every single economic report is manufactured backwards from the number they want to show that “all is well.” The problem is these numbers are now conflicting with each other where if one is true, the other cannot be and so on. But no matter, CNBC reports it and everyone knows, “if it’s on TV or the internet it must be true!”
Regarding politics and religion, have you recently read the comments section of a controversial article? The hate is boiling over at 212 degrees where conservatives and liberals attack each other. The way I see it, the “left vs. right” argument is really foolish because they are both wrong. We are always offered “two choices” to make us feel like we actually have a choice …but who’s in charge of picking what the choices are? This is a topic for another day.
Of course we also have foreign relations and it seems the U.S. has not “played well with others” for so long, the world is finally leaving us to play by ourselves in our own sandbox. Our foreign policy is so messed up, all you need to do is look at what is being discussed with the Islamic State situation. ISIS, which was originally funded by the CIA and now using U.S. armaments taken from the Iraqis, is in the midst of forming their own state. President Obama has ordered airstrikes without consent of Congress (which is now “par for the course” with U.S. presidents) against ISIS. But there is a funny thing here, we are now siding with Syria to stop ISIS. Weren’t we ready to bomb them back into the Stone Age last November just 9 months ago? If this isn’t enough, China and Russia seem to be calling our foreign policy bluffs on a daily basis from an intellectual standpoint. They expose our lack of any logic in forming foreign policy which in turn the rest of the world see. In short, we look like lying bullies who can’t or don’t bother to use reason or logic.
Oh, and let’s not forget a little domestic unrest in St. Louis or the Secretary of Defense and a sitting U.S. Senator telling us a “U.S. city will be bombed” by terrorists. Big subjects here and too little space to do justice to them but I do have a few comments. How about patrolling our borders and enforcing laws which are already on the books? Don’t let foreigners in except through proper channels and deport illegals. How hard is this? Just do what should be done, but no, we might “offend” someone again.
As for the civil unrest, why does it always have to be a racial thing? I’ll tell you why, because the “racial flames” have been fanned with more fury since President Obama came into office than ever before. A white cop shoots a black thief who punched the cop in the eye in front of more than a dozen witnesses, cop shoots assailant and this is the reason for looting? Looting? This is the form of protest? I saw one interview where a looter actually said “we deserve this.” Really? Just yesterday I went to the store to buy a steak, some mushrooms and corn amongst a few other items and the woman in front of me had just one item. I didn’t pay attention to why she was hanging around at the end of the aisle but I found out later. I got to my car and realized the corn and mushrooms weren’t there so I went back in. The checker looked at me and said “corn and mushrooms right?” Yes, it turns out the lady in front of me grabbed the bag and told the kid “I bought the same stuff” and walked out. The moral to this story? …the mindset is becoming (has already become) like the guy from St. Louis said, “I deserve this.”
My point to writing this piece is not to blow off a little steam but to point out the fact that we are breaking down in every way imaginable. The answer to “what could possibly go wrong?” is simple, EVERYTHING! Every facet of life is going to change, and change soon! What you have been watching for the last 5+ years (really 20++) and hoping was an anomaly or a passing phase is now becoming ingrained as the new normal. The U.S. is broke and losing status globally. Internally we are becoming a police state where the residents (legal and illegal) are at odds with each other and divided by race, religion, politics, ideology and wealth status. Many have nothing and have never saved anything, some have saved and believe they in fact do have something. What will happen when banks, brokers and insurance companies close? These people who believe they “have something” will be angrier than the ones who already know they have nothing, and for good reason. They worked and saved yet are having their savings “stolen” though debasement…bail ins will be the coup de grace. I do want to point out the maybe not too obvious about this, the ones who saved are also the ones who are more likely to be armed with more than just one clip of ammo and the anger level will be off the charts.
In light of what I have written above and I challenge you to disagree with much of what I wrote, how will it be possible for the U.S. dollar to retain any purchasing power? How will a bankrupt entity which continually issues more debt and currency just to keep the game going … support its own currency? This is an effort in making something out of nothing but faith. A “faith based” currency as dollars (and all others) are, must rely on “trust.” Trust in the rule of law, its leaders, the military, the financial system itself, and the country’s morals. Its populace and industry. The way I see it, there is a 100% probability we will see a complete breakdown whereas screwed up as things are currently will be looked upon as “the good ole’ days!”
WOW Bill — another very powerful piece. It is obvious that your words are completely heartfelt.
I saved your quote “The way I see it, the “left vs. right” argument is really foolish because they are both wrong.” I really look forward to what more you have to say on this topic.
Thanks for an excellent blog!
u r welcome Mike, suffice it to say, the left/right argument is in place so that people argue (are distracted) from what is really important.
Exactly. Great article Bill. Distractions; Distractions; Distractions. This is what TPTB manufacture in order to keep the peoples focus off those devils (TPTB). May they all burn in Hell. Again, great article. Richard
thank you Richard.
Bill,
Thanks for hitting the ball in deep left field, and yes, it went out of the stadium! Yes, the false left-right choice is clearly smoke and mirrors. It’s clear as the light of day we are in rapid decline. Get your preps in order and collberate with your closest friends and neighbors. It’s going to get nasty…
it’s obvious to the few but the few are growing.
Bill, I’ve listened to interviews you’ve done. As well as read some of your thoughts on the matter of expatriating. I know you’ve experienced costa rica & ultimately left because you weren’t a “tico”. But with that being said. Most other countries don’t have the police state in place to crack down on the populace on the level of USA. Plus with continued western financial isolation. Coupled with the state of moral & social decay that USA is experiencing. Wouldn’t it be better to be postioned in a country that “gets it” & is more or less trying to aligned itself with the future financial powers (China, Russia, etc)? I know, no country will go unscathed, but in USA when you’ve been at the top for so long there’s only one direction things will go at this point right!? For myself I recently obtained dual citizenship as a plan B & have seriously been contemplating sitting this one out abroad. When we get a “hot” WWIII, is a dumbed down, mis informed, morally vacant society really a place you wanna be? Don’t get me wrong I love this country & it saddens me to be living through it’s fall. But at some point you have to do more than just Gold & Silver.
I don’t disagree with anything you’ve said, we made a personal choice and like you said … “nothing will go unscathed”.
Great summary of dangers in our system Bill and a reality check. I see a lot of indicators everywhere these days pointing to all sorts of dangers coming soon, yet when I go outside everything looks normal and my reality quickly shifts to business as usual and everything is okay type of mode.
It’s not easy making decisions to prepare yourself for something that hasn’t happened in many decades like the total collapse of the reserve currency and the depression and civil unrest that will follow. Though looking at history can put us on the right track and we only have to go back to 2008 to realize that we came very close to falling off that cliff.
I think we need to remind ourselves that fundamental analysis of today’s events combined with technical plus history can help us understand and come closer to reality than going outside and looking at things on the surface level which can put us right back to normalcy bias.
just use common sense.
Bill,
Great article. I wish you were wrong but believe you are right about everything mentioned. When I think of what’s to come for the U.S. and the world, it causes great despair. We live in a broken world. However, I am reminded of the ultimate victory to come. I pray more and more people wake-up and realize the days in which we are living … these last days and the signs we are being given on a daily basis with seemingly more clarity than ever before. There is one truth, one light, and only one way to leave this world victoriously … through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We need to turn to the cross and repent of our sins for the hour is nigh.
yes.
I guess this is inevitably going to be a charged topic today but it’s pretty clear that the collapse we’re facing today is nothing more than what Malthus predicted a couple centuries ago. He predicted a more imminent decline back then but did not anticipate the immense energy reserves that were soon discovered underground, which enabled us to burn tremendous amounts of long-dead things, as opposed to only recently-dead things upon which he based his population studies and predictions. Fundamentally, he was right. The problem we now face is that not only do we not have additional energy reserves to power even more growth, but our existing energy supplies are declining.
This is a classic case of population growth, resource decline, overshoot, and collapse. It’s happened countless times before. But this time with the US it will be worse than previous instances because 40 years of reserve currency status has allowed that country to import resources that were declining on home soil and therefore it could grow to heights well beyond what were possible if it was a closed system not receiving war-won energy subsidies from the rest of the world.
correct Mark.
Bill, Wow … Great insight. This reads like a “fictional” movie script on “how to destroy a once great empire” except, tragically, it is all REAL! It would have been humorous and considered ridiculous satire to even contemplate such a scenario 10 or 15 years ago, yet here we are living it today.
You have a gift of condensing complicated ideas into “down home” and “folksy” easy to comprehend explanations. I think more and more people are starting to “get it” and your easy writing style is contributing to that “wake up”.
When people ask me for my ideas on these same issues, one of the places I refer them to is your articles.
thank you Steven, yes, fact is now stranger than fiction.
Good article. I believe the reason all this is happening is because the “sheeple” condom it by not voting or not being informed when they vote. They don’t stand up for their rights and really don’t care. They are more interested in the BS reality shows and sports than the news. They feel entitled to things their parents had to work hard for.
Things will not change anytime soon for the good because the few good (like the ones taking time to read this article) are few and far between. We will all get what the sheeple deserve….
Bill: all the geopolitical and global macroeconomic risks are out there, and of course, are of great concern to all of us dot-connectors, especially those of us who realize how psychotic and treasonous our leaders are, irrespective of the R or D designation. But all of this is fairly immaterial in the face of the unremitting and unstoppable radiation spewing globally by both sea and wind currents from Fukushima. Few people born today along the Pacific Rim or in North America will make it to age 30 without life threatening cancer. Radionuclides are already in the North American food chain and the vast Pacific is dying, soon to be unsustainable for any life form. I’m reminded of a great novel (and subsequent movie) by Nevil Shute called “On the Beach”. Very apropos to this time.
not much if anything is said about this in the press, you must look for it to find it.
Gil
I think you are spot on.But i’m leaving Panama in 2 days coming back to Montana.I must be out of my F*****g mind,exect one thing .I need to do some things there and also i have left my everything in place here to walk back in.I will not burn that bridge.I don’t want to come back but i know in my heart i will have to.They have biger guns than we do.You will never hear the shot coming.We are not equal,they have all the cards.
Bill and i have talked of this.When it comes down and the dollar fails they are going to be real upset in Panama buy 75% of them don’t have anything to start with.Are they going to be worse off,not really ,just another day.Yes there will be some,but ther only real income is the canal.How long before they call China and get something new and boats pay in whatever they come up with.Do you think there going to let 100s of boats just sit there.
Bill i can’t give my email out buy if anyone wants the real grit on living here i will tell you flat out.Ain’t good (75%)ain’t bad (25%),just different.
Bill,had a stroke 3 weeks ago,small one but haven’t been in touch.Keep the light on.
Tom
hope you recover fully!
Bill,read what i wrote,my fingers are not good yet,sorry
10-4 Tom, they’ll come around and you’ll be dealing poker again!
Hello Bill, nice thoughts again.
“Beyond your imagination” is the quote that people need to keep in mind. The enlightened ones are right here, right now. We’re so late stage that I have a “good” suspicion that not too many can be awakened anymore. OK, we can’t save the entire world, that concept just isn’t feasible. You and many others have been providing just thát excellent platform. You & your friends will be regarded as very good men! Know that. Now, my comment might not apply to the article content, but it is surely relevant for sharing a healthy mindset for those who are still in doubt. At first it is very difficult, but later, you benefit. Retain good thoughts and say a prayer once a day. Regards!
… but you can try to help prepare those around and close to you.
Bill, consider it done. My sister was on a 7 day holiday in Budapest. On her departure, I gave her a one ounce buffalo golden coin, “just in case”. She returned today. I felt really nerveos during those seven days. I’m so glad she’s back home.
The only question is timing. Got some Triffin dilemma going on now with the dollar strengthening despite a weak economy. For those who don’t know about it, there is an excellent article. Google “Triffin dilemma Daily Reckoning.”
am currently working n a piece entitled “when”?, regarding timing. It is close at hand as the U.S. is being disrespected at every turn.
I like the question: What could possibly go right?
Answer: At this point – NOTHING!
Bill, have you read The Fourth Turning by Strauss & Howe? It seems highly applicable to your post today. I highly recommend it to anyone who has not. Here’s a brief summary for those interested:
http://www.goldsqueeze.com/fundamentals/the-fourth-turning-be-prepared-for-crisis
yes, thanks.
Bill, I appreciated your post. Chaos does seem to be the order of the day. So much so, it makes my head hurt. But then I get to remember that I’m not in charge, that God is. He sees and knows the wickedness of the many global characters who plan and manipulate world chaos so they can be the masters of change!
I did have a question relating to Stanley Fischer’s bank bail-in speech in Sweden on 8/12. What do you read into the hidden bank lingo? So sorry if you already addressed this in an earlier post!
bail ins are coming because they have run out of “other people’s money”. Bank deposits will be a new source in my opinion.
Dear Bill,
I have been reading your post for a while now and want to thank you for the information you provide. I read many other blogs and post as well but your opinion ranks up there at the top.
I have a few questions for you but I must first give you and your readers this link to the second declaration of independence by David Shapiro. I thought it was a good start.
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/08/13/A-Second-Declaration-of-Independence
Here are my comments and questions:
We are on a path that the Central Planners have all mapped out(except they are not planning on divine intervention) and the major banks like Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan, the Federal reserve and the government are all in bed with each other and know about this end game which is repulsive.
I am convinced that the leaders of our country are just pawns in the hands of the Central Planners so it doesn’t matter which party is in office. It has been this way for decades and probably over a 100 years.
What can we do besides somewhat preparing ourselves for this end game by buying precious metals, storing some food and water, praying, and voting the criminals out of office who have shredded our constitution and turned our country into a socialistic society with tyrannical leadership?
Are we really going to be helpless against our government as individuals when war breaks out, they declare martial law and confiscate everything you have including your bank accounts, 401Ks, pension plans, personal possessions and eliminate their unfunded liabilities like Social Security, Welfare, Medicaid, Medicare, etc. for the best interest of the country?
I heard it said in one of the blogs that the government is spending $200,000,000 every hour of every day 365 days a year. This is criminal.
We need to do what Greenland did and throw all the traitors out of office, put the bank and political criminals in jail and reform the constitution to have a government of the people, by the people and for the people and not big government controlling the people.
One last comment:
When it all goes down I wonder if our wonderful men and women of the armed services, many government employees and many citizens of this once great nation will remember the Oath of Allegiance they have taken that was written in 1778 at Valley Forge during the revolutionary war that includes the phrase “I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic;…” The key word in this oath because of what is happening in the United States right now is domestic.