Mon, 20 May 2019
Google just drive a spike through the heart of Huawei's hearth. No more Android phone operating system for them! Everyone spies, especially the US. Is it better to have Alexa spying on you or the US Government. Neither of them have any concern for your privacy or your rights. Privacy as we used to conceive of it is rapidly disappearing. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thu, 16 May 2019
Prepping is an individual decision that depends upon where someone lives and their situation. It's not really about people who build ultra-lux bunkers with decades worth of food storage. Rather, it's about being prepared for local emergencies that can leave families scrambling. First, devise a plan that allows your family to meet at pre-determined locations, should home not be available and should communications be interrupted. It's a good idea to have some food and a water filter. Canned soup is a great nutritional source to store up on. It lasts a long time and is highly nutritious. There's lots more to think about and it's a good idea to pick up Anthony's book about. It's practical and necessary. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wed, 15 May 2019
Many people are emotionally tied into their homes. As they get older, their earnings potential declines but they want to maintain their quality of life. That's where a reverse mortgage can help. Rather than doing the rational thing - selling their home while investing the proceeds, a reverse mortgage allows them to eliminate their mortgage payments while still living in their home and thus cut their monthly living costs. It's a good idea to go over this scenario with a financial advisor or accountant to see if it makes sense for you. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wed, 15 May 2019
Many of us look at the precious metals markets and believe that there's something amiss. With all the money printing and geo-political turmoil, it's believed that the price should be much higher. Is it a conspiracy to hold prices down or is the market functioning the way it was intended? Peter believes that the demand just isn't there to make prices go higher. He gives the example, If the US and Iran went to war tomorrow, the price of gold would probably go over $1400, and not even JP Morgan could stop it. Interesting theory, we all have our own opinions on the subject. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wed, 15 May 2019
Nathan Lewis writes, "I think the time is coming for an idea that is so old that it is new again: cutting the Federal government in half. The idea is: cancel all Federal welfare-type programs, including all means-tested welfare programs (apparently there are over 150 of them), all healthcare-related programs including Medicare and Medicaid, all education-related, arts-related and housing-related programs, and anything else of this sort — in short, most everything except for the military, national parks, and maybe some public works. Social Security could eventually be reformed to a system of private retirement accounts, known as a “provident fund” system and in use today in over thirty countries. No “block grants” or other such schemes. Just terminate the programs. This would make State governments responsible for all such welfare-type programs, to do as they see fit, and to impose taxes appropriately to pay for them. Give them twelve months to get ready. States like California and Massachusetts would be free to introduce the single-payer healthcare system of their dreams, while other states, like Utah or Texas, might have more private-sector-based solutions. States are active in all of these spheres already." |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tue, 14 May 2019
It's no secret that the average worker's income has remained stagnant for decades. This has happened in the face of rising productivity and technological innovation and increased corporate profits. So what's a politician to do? Impose tariffs and blame the Chinese. At least that's what Danielle is thinking. At the same time, the economy could very well be headed for a slow down. How convenient, blame the eventual recession on the Chinese. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tue, 14 May 2019
Now that the Mueller Investigation is over perhaps the truth can finally be told. Was there a plot to depose a duly elected president? Was it hatched at the highest levels of the Obama Administration with the invaluable assistance of the deep state, our intelligence agencies and foreign intelligence operatives? It looks like it's all about to come out. President Trump is promising to declassify all the relevant documents that will shed cleansing sunlight upon the cancerous rot in today's body politic. Which is probably why the rats are running for the exits. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tue, 14 May 2019
President Trump pushed the button and the tariffs blasted off. What will be the net result? Will there be a redefinition of the China - US trade relationship? Now that the trade war has taken off in earnest, where will it all end? Where's the conversation about things we can agree upon? |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mon, 13 May 2019
The West is breaking down. Democracies seem unable to handle the onslaught of problems being thrown at them. According to Alasdair Macleod, Russia and China will be the last men standing once this economic cycle reaches its unhappy conclusion. Perhaps the rest of the world will wind up emulating their oppressive systems. It's happened in history before, and there's definitely a large rhyme taking place. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mon, 13 May 2019
John Rubino and Andy Schectman joined us for a roundtable today. If the economy looks so great then why would anyone be worried about it. As John and Andy point out there's lots to worry about and that's why gold prices are breaking $1300 yet again. No doubt, President Trump will pull another rabbit out of a hat with China Trade, but then what? Debt keeps going up and so do entitlements and the demise of social security is just around the corner. And it's not much better in the rest of the world. The case for the world's most historically proven store of value just keeps getting strong and stronger. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mon, 13 May 2019
Adam Andrzejewski runs OpenBooks.org, a fiscal watch dog that often blows the lid off of corrupt spending. Corporate welfare now runs $400 billion per year. Boeing is by far the largest benefactor receiving billions yearly. And they're certainly not alone. Adam tells us about $1000 coffee cups at the Pentagon, that 5 sided paragon of waste, inefficiency and corruption. It's Adam's hope that Trump will address the true swamp in his second term, should he be reelected. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thu, 9 May 2019
Jason and I discussed the economic expansion and how much longer it can continue. The answer, contrary to popular belief and punditry, is that it can go on for quite a bit longer, perhaps many years. There are mega-trends taking place that can keep it going, almost indefinitely. Everyone already knows that this is the longest stock market advance in history. However, the real economy didn't start moving until Trump's election. GDP growth had been lackluster and anemic during the Obama years. The major opposing trend is a potential debt crisis lurking in the future. But, Europe is starting to send flight capital come to the US and that will be a strong countervailing force. And real estate is going to benefit from all of this, Bigly. Just wait, the best is yet to come. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wed, 8 May 2019
Trade Deficit Improves 3.4% as China Deficit Hits Best Level in 23 Months. Now Trump has imposed 25% tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods. There's more to come and Trump isn't backing down. On brighter news, the U.S. trade deficit in goods and services for February was $49.4 billion, an improvement of 3.4 percent over the January figure of $51.1 billion, providing more evidence that tariffs are reducing the U.S. deficit. That’s according to figures published by the Department of Commerce. Equally significant, our goods deficit with China came in at $24.8 billion, nearly $10 billion or 28.1 percent better than January’s $34.5 billion, and our best monthly China deficit figure since March 2017. The China deficit in February tends to be smaller due to the Chinese New Year holiday, but the figures still provide evidence that tariffs are reducing our imports from China. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tue, 7 May 2019
“To disarm the people; that … was the best and most effectual way to enslave them.” |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tue, 7 May 2019
Your medical insurance won't cover glasses or contacts. Nor will it cover cavities or root canals. What about preventative care and routine visits? You know medical insurance is a must, but when it comes to dental and vision plans, do you really need it? Certified Healthcare Consultant Rich Wessenberg breaks down what you need to know: Most insurance premium dollars are returned for dental and vision policies by taking advantage of annual preventive care visits! |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mon, 6 May 2019
One of the most important news items, the virtual rebirth of the American economy under the Trump Administration, is also one of the most under-reported. The reasons for that are political. Obviously, it is a success for a White House that most of the media almost desperately attempted to prevent getting elected, and, once that effort failed, did everything possible to cripple. The magnitude of the Trump economic revival could be sufficient to get the President re-elected, an outcome that media seeks to prevent at all costs. There is also an embarrassment factor, as key left-wing writers and politicians claimed Trump's policies were incompetent or worse. Just two examples: The New York Times' Paul Krugmanpredicted that Trump's policies would lead to a "Global recession, with no end in sight." Obama himself mocked Trump's promise to revive manufacturing employment, stating that "those jobs aren't coming back." Obama's approach of extensive regulation at home and timidity in confronting China abroad provided poor results for American industry and related employment, continuing a downward spiral that could be traced back to the Clinton Administration. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Slate's Jordan Weissman, noted: "Things have not worked out quite as the 42nd president hoped. Normalizing trade with China set our rival on a path to becoming the industrial powerhouse the world knows today, decimating American factory towns in the process and upending old assumptions about how trade effects the economy. Thanks to a growing body of academic research, we're only just now beginning to understand the extent of the economic fallout..." |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mon, 6 May 2019
They used to say, follow the money, now it's follow the debt. John Rubino believes that the key to deconstructing the news media's latest hype or fake news is to simply watch the debt explode geometrically. Excessive debt causes irrational behavior which leads to comedians getting elected president. Where have we seen that before? |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thu, 2 May 2019
The Blockchain technology appears to be moving away from crypto/klepto currencies and towards systems and controls to help facilitate accurate and timely record keeps and memorializing transactions. Now that the hype has somewhat subsiding from currencies, Paul Snow explains the true impact of the Blockchain and what his company has is working on. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thu, 2 May 2019
You've heard it here on this show before, there's trouble brewing in hog heaven. Seems the African Swine Flu has wiped out large portions of China's pig population. If the flu comes to the US, all bets are off. We could see a parabolic rise in pork belly futures. Bill Baruch has been trading since he was a kid. He got hooked on the old S&P Stock Guide, long before there was an Internet. Now he'll trade anything if there's a profit to be made. He's neutral on gold, negative on copper, and has an opinion on just about every market. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wed, 1 May 2019
– Forty-four percent of Americans say the political environment in Washington is the biggest threat to the U.S. economy over the next six months, according to a new Bankrate.com report. This is more than three times the amount who cite terrorism or political/economic developments overseas, the next most popular choices (both 14%). Other perceived economic risks include a decline in the stock market (11%), interest rate decisions (8%) and something else (2%). The propensity to point to politics in Washington is greatest amongst Republicans (49% vs. 45% of Democrats and 42% of Independents), and increases with age, income and education level: 40% of Millennials (ages 23-38) cite politics as their chief economic concern, compared to 51% of those who are ages 55 and older. 52% of those who make at least $50K per year single out Washington, compared to 40% who make less than that. While nearly all Americans (93%) can point to some factor as being a potential threat to the economy over the next six months, the majority are not taking appropriate measures to prepare for a downturn. Just one-quarter of those who identified a threat to the economy are spending less as a result, 25% say they are paying down more debt and only 23% are saving more. “With the economic expansion set to become a decade-old this summer, more Americans should be focused on paying down debt and saving more both for retirement and for emergencies,” said Bankrate.com senior economic analyst Mark Hamrick. “Savings rates are the highest we’ve seen in some time (https://www.bankrate.com/banking/savings/rates/), and there are generous balance transfer offers on the market (https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/balance-transfer/) to help knock down high-interest credit card debt. Take advantage while things are going well, otherwise, when the inevitable downturn does occur, individuals risk having failed to improve their finances when the proverbial sun was still shining.” While the political environment in Washington was the most commonly cited economic threat, worries about a stock market decline are most prevalent amongst Millennials, especially younger Millennials (ages 23-29), and those who make less than $50K per year. Terrorism is more of a concern for those with lower income and education levels, while interest rates worry Millennials and Gen Xers (ages 39-54) more than their elders. Fears about international politics or economic developments are highest amongst younger Baby Boomers (ages 55-64). |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wed, 1 May 2019
US Stock markets led by the S&P and NASDAQ hit record highs during April. Canadian markets up and emerging markets up as well. Dollar up, Euro flat, Bitcoin up to 5248, 10 year treasury yield up to 2.54. Silver and gold got hit again. Platinum looks like it's bottomed and Palladium was flat after last month's huge decline. Copper down a paltry 1.3%. WTI up another 6.3% and Brent up 7.7% for the month. Natgas continued its slide down another 4.8%. Uranium stabilized at 25.13. Gold/silver ratio almost at 86. Plat to AU at .69, Plat to Pal up a bit to .65. That's it for April, check back next month for May's performance.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tue, 30 April 2019
Danielle joined us to talk about the global luxury housing slump. Whether it's in the Hamptons, Vancouver or LA, it's happening now. How can this be with such a strong economy? We also talked about the fallacy of recycling, how it's devolved into a corporatist affair and isn't doing much to help the environment or the economy. Recently, Trudeau was called out for shipping Canada's garbage to the Philippines. Ah the global non-economics of recycling. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tue, 30 April 2019
No sooner has the Mueller Report come up snake eyes for the Dems then they are busy issuing a flurry of subpoenas to the Trump Admin. They cover a variety of topics but their sole intent is to harass and attempt to dig up negative info on Trump, his businesses, his family members and administration members. Seems they're jealous of the 2800 subpoenas issued by Herr Mueller and are doing their best to play catch-up. But now Trump has turned the tables. He's asserting executive privilege and refusing to comply. Is this the start of a new impeachment drive. Stay tuned! |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tue, 30 April 2019
Daniel Greenfield believes that the Democrat Party is rapidly shifting towards being the anti-semitic party. Their resounding failure to censure Rep. Omar is a perfect case in point. It's an amazing thing when we consider that the modern Democrat Party was in large measure supported and brought into being by all too many Jews. What does that say about its future? |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mon, 29 April 2019
A listener question triggers an interesting debate about the Commitment of Traders (COT) Report. How can the so-called Speculators keep on losing every month? How do the Commercial Traders always get it right? And who in their right mind is coming back month after month only to lose bigly? John believes that there's a constant supply of new Speculators. But are they really so rich and so dumb to keep this market going? Or maybe there's something else at work here. We're going to invite Craig Hemke to discuss this soon. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||