Economy

Economy watchers looking for a spark of life in the exhausted, debt-ridden American consumer are quick to latch on to any signs of a pulse and the latest came in the form of higher personal borrowing in March. The $6.02-billion (U.S.) increase marked the sixth consecutive monthly advance and was nearly three times higher than the most bearish forecasts. The best news of all, however, is that credit-card debt climbed, marking only the second such rise since the housing and credit market collapse. [Unfortunately, however,] “We’re only 20 per cent of the way there" says Stephen Roach. "The American consumer is toast - stuck with a legacy of excessive debt, inadequate saving, and facing high unemployment, higher under-employment, weak incomes and holding on to assets that are under water... [As such,] you can not rule out the chances of the world sliding back into recession.” Words: 1004

The rat-through-the-snake process of working down existing and prospective distressed properties is likely far from over, and how that process plays out will no doubt have an impact on how much housing prices will ultimately adjust. [Let's take a look at some differing points of view in that regard.] Words: 497

We are approaching the end of the current 8.6 year wave come June 13th, 2011. What awaits us on the other side is a change in the overall trend. [Let me explain what is developing.] Words: 420

Our government has grown too big, promised too much and waited too long to restructure. Our fiscal clock is ticking and time is not working in our favor. The Moment of Truth is rapidly approaching. We'll soon know whether Washington policymakers are up to the challenge and whether they will start focusing more of doing their job rather than just keeping their job and on focusing first on their country rather than their party. [To accomplished what is needed] the President and Congressional leaders from both political parties need to be at the table and everything must be on the table in order to achieve sustainable success. [Here's an outline of our country's predicament and how it might be resolved.] Words: 3110

Sadly, the great American public doesn't understand what is happening...[and that it will be] on a greater scale than has ever occurred before in the history of mankind. It's going to hit the current generation of Americans like a whirlwind. It will be historic in its intensity and destructiveness. [Here is an attempt to enlighten them.] Words: 939

The National Inflation Association (NIA) has just posted an article* which makes a number of interesting arguments for the advent of hyperinflation and, while I agree with the conclusion that we could potentially face such an event, I see it as just one of a few possible outcomes. Let me comment on the specific points in the NIA article. Words: 1666

In the months leading up to Osama bin Laden’s death a survey of Muslim publics around the world found little support for the al Qaeda leader. [That being said, over 20% of Muslims in several of the countries surveyed still had favorable views of al Qaeda itself. Let's take a closer look at what the survet results conveyed.] Words: 502

While the [financial] events of the past few months have not been a surprise [to many I can just imagine how shocking they must be,] however, for those just waking up to the ongoing implosion of our fiscal infrastructure, the bubbling inflationary meltdown just over the horizon, the nightmare unfolding around our national debt... With gasoline nearing $5 a gallon, grain prices doubling, and shelf prices beginning to skyrocket, it’s hard for even the most ignorant suburban schlep to remain oblivious to the problem anymore. We are no longer on the edge of the abyss; we have fallen into it head first… [Let me explain.] Words: 2311

As the advance squalls from this great financial tempest come ashore, the government could be expected to launch a variety of efforts at forestalling the hyperinflation’s landfall, but such efforts will buy little time and ultimately will fail in preventing the dollar’s collapse.

We are being bombarded daily with breathy articles about a United States groaning under deficits that surely signal bankruptcy, Social Security checks that eventually won't clear, and of course a looming financial crisis...Much of this commentary is well written - it certainly is popular - but it is total nonsense. [Let me explain.] Words: 960