Think Swiss Family Robinson

[LeoinSA]

Yeah... We could debate the thesis of this article, but I hope that most on this forum will agree with its overall premise if not the particulars.

Ugly times ahead if even 50% of this dire straits prediction come to pass.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-to-invest-for-the-debt-bomb-explosion-2010-02-09?reflink=MW_news_stmp

[RainDog]

Well, there goes my perfectly pleasant morning.

Why you wanna do that to me? 

[pagan]

We cannot continue allowing a greedy few, very few, to take what is a grossly disproportionate share of wealth. CEOs draw multi-million dollar salaries, bonuses notwithstanding, while they continue to drive down workers wages all in the name of "efficiency" and "good business." I'll refrain from expressing my feelings about celebrities and so called athletes. Unfortunately they, the wealthy, are getting the government they've so richly paid for and they're reaping those rewards. How many people here actually believe their elected representatives truly represent them and their interests? The recent ruling by the SCOTUS regarding campaign finance will only make matters worse.

Here in lies my problem with this article. The author continues fostering the alienist tendencies that have caused so many problems. For starters we must continue with rampant greed... make tons of money quickly. Further greed...buy a farm, stock it and prepare to defend your homestead. If all of the rich people follow his advice they'll drive up the prices on everything so shortly they'll be the only ones able to afford anything.

For the rest of us lowly workers...get ready for the coming anarchy because you'll be alone in this future world destroyed by the wanton greed of a select few, and, according to the author, only the rich will survive. If this is the case, shouldn't we just start killing them off now? A preemptive strike is prudent, given their continued destruction of our country.

Why not use this impending social calamity as an opportunity to foster greater community? If we work together in our communities we could mitigate most of the problems that will arise from the "Happy Conspiracy" insiders' global **** show. But no, it's far easier to place blame, further alienating people and fanning the flames of hatred that will explode when the world economy collapses. All the preparation, however, is for naught in the end for I fear some moron with an itchy finger will press the proverbial button, and then we're all powdered toast.

[muldoon]

so, his advice is for people to "make lots of money" and go to the mountains?

On the basic premise, I do not understand how he gets to the conclusion that a debt-meltdown == anarchy.

On many levels, we DID crash last year, we are still seeing ramifications of that event, we did CRASH already.  We are not in anarchy today.  There is nothing I see to lead me to the conclusion that future events would be any different.  If everything crashed tomorrow, do you really think the government would just pack up their suitcases and go home?  Did they anywhere else we have had a crash in the  last 200 years?  During the 1860s crash where the robber barrons and the bankers took the wealth of the country, or again in the 30s?  In USSR when they broke up into states, in Latin America?  People need to realize that crashes are not new to the history of banking, and even if we see another one, it does not mean we go to some mad max scenario. 

But, let's for argument look past that.  He is saying that those who have stolen the welath of the nation should go out and buy country properties and find a way to secure them?  That is insanity.  If the world were to get that bad, those people will have nowhere to hide.  Especially in the mountains surrounded by people who live in the country, know the land, have guns, and are pissed off about the situation. 

-
My thoughts, the european debt bomb will detonate.  But not just Europe, today we have Australia saying they will not be able to make their debt payments soon.  This is global in scale, this is a reset.   It will affect all countries, however I personally feel the USA is positioned relatively well in context to other nations. 

The 299million americans who are not millionaires from this article are not necessarily destined to shambles and anarchy.  However the standard of living is certainly likely to change.  Some good can come of this, some of the bulls** practices done for decades will get undone.  Maybe eventually we get jobs in the US because of it.  Maybe lots of things.  One thing is certain, the old normal is gone but that does not mean anarchy has to replace it. 

We do have a choice in this. 

[ScottA]

muldoon is correct IMO. There have been booms ands busts all the way back to Roman times. It's nothing new. Even if a government does go under a new one will be set up so fast it'll make your head spin. It would be nice though if society could learn from these events and improve the situation instead of wash - rinse - repeat.

[glenn kangiser]

I agree with what muldoon and Scott are saying.  muldoon knows mountain people too - he's been here....

[pagan]

Ah yes, censorship.