War is not necessarily certain. And certainly not necessary. But like drugs and adultery, it never quite goes out of style. Instead, it goes around and comes around.
Musk and Ramaswamy are what is known in business parlance as “without portfolio”. As businessmen who have been operationally in charge of successful businesses they surely know this. They also know what it means. Recall the humorous tv commercial some years ago of the meeting where a consultant recommends large and disruptive changes to the bosses of a large enterprise. After listening to the proposal the boss smiles and says “I like it! Do it!”. The consultants face immediately becomes crestfallen and everyone gets the joke at that point. The consultant couldn’t “do” anything”. He was a second generation talking head among talking heads. Without portfolio.
But that may not actually be the point here. The point may simply be to spend some time truly educating the American people on what a giant, out of control, sclerotic and corrupt behemoth the US federal government has become. Many people today think they know. A few do, most don’t, and many remain completely in the dark, all by design of course. The situation is far worse than the imagination can keep up with. No other government on the planet can compete with it on the same playing field. Not even China. It is, in all its putrified and petrified glory, the largest criminal enterprise on earth, having lost any connection or resemblance to what it was originally created to do or to be.
Musk and Ramaswamy are in a unique position to shine a bright light on it. Time will tell if this is in fact the assignment. If so it just might be worth the price of the ticket, whatever happens to the portfolio in the near term.
Until Americans understand that government is the cause of our problems, and that the citizenry is ultimately responsible, nothing of substance will change. This is why the government got seriously into vote-buying in the 60s, making it impossible for the average man to understand his role in operation of the "country". The economic success of the US in the 20th century enabled the vast expansion of government via "benefits" and the bureaucracy to support same. Best always. PM
Yes, and Musk has X to shine the light on it. As MSM will concur, social media is a very powerful force and can be a wrecking ball to the status quo. DOGE could end up taking on a life of its own. The establishment will soon get educated on a very old lesson; its no fun being on the receiving end of pitchforks and torches.
"Without portfolio" if I think It means what I believe it to mean reminds me of LVM description of or the Integral Vs the Real entrepenuer, one who has his own capital at stake and bares complete responsibilty. Correct if Im wrong please and as to your comment; situation being far worse than the imagination, I have my own thoughts, though would enjoy your insights on the matter. And believe me I have no concrete or hard biases on the matter at all just purely from a genuine interest.
The global elites need to start WW3 to distract the world from the collapse of the global economy due to excessive money printing. They just lost heir chief stooge in biden but he does have 2 months to seed death and destruction.
Good summary, Bill. It really is nothing more than psychopathic elites attempting to retain their power. Look at the harassment these elites have dished out. Cutting up our children's body parts and giving them sexual removal drugs to "make sure they don't commit suicide." Only an imbecile can't see through this shit. Then there is the men in girl's bathrooms. Then there is the men punching girls in the face. Then there is the Olympics opening ceremonies degrading Christianity. Then there is the covid vax being essential to keep society from dying off while it is killing the healthiest cohort on the planet i.e. illuminated by Ed Dowd. Then there is the censorship and propaganda owned by the same elites trying to kill us. Then there is eat insects! Then there is have nothing and be happy! Then there is abortion, taking away "women's right to control their own bodies." I could go on but you've seen it all. Now we have the Ukraine war which Britain, the EU and US (i.e. NATO aka DAVOS started by pestering Russia by closing in on its capital from a lying, warring and completely worthless NATO of rulers who want to retain power illegally within their own countries, disregarding voting rules and constitutions). The disgusting lies upon lies upon lies and re-representation of facts, opposite of reality based upon more lies and misrepresentation.
Amazingly there are people who can't see through this aggression. Can't see what these evil psychopaths are trying to do. Can't see the lies of this group of "leaders." The exact ones who have banned together and trained together at Davos, under 2000 swiss army guards. Of course they need protection because there are people who do see the evil and hence they absolutely need protection. Why anyone can't see through these lies and can't see that this is the exact same people "our leaders" banning together to harass and hopefully remain in office. The exact same people over and over and over again trying to control and harass society into submission to their will. In America is there really such devotion to their familial Democrat tradition or Marxist wonderful "equality" or anarchist frustrations that these people can't see through this aggregation of Davosian rulers who believe they can control Americans through censorship and propaganda?
My guess is these rulers can control for a while, they can censor and propagandize, they can come up with new perspectives to confuse society for a while but now that all this becomes obvious through the information explosion of the internet and alternative sources, that people just aren't that dumb. Trump's election proves it. The human mind will comprehend this BS and these rulers will fall into their graves. Unfortunately that means from their perspective they might as well die killing others. So it now appears they will promote nuclear destruction as their retribution to the human race for not accepting their simple desire to take from society and lead so foolishly. Can they wise up? Do they care for their families? Will they swallow their pride and rejection? Or would they rather press the button of insanity? So far it looks like our current leaders prefer destruction, which makes sense given their past performance.
And the Uni-party, with few excrptions, permit it to happen. The citizenry must demand complete transparency, and total accountability. Let the chips fall where they may..
For all intense purposes he hss ... he has not made a single decision since he first drsenrd into his basdment circa 'The Vid'. But it is our duty as citizens to discover exactly eho has been governing under 10% Pedo Joe's avatar.
C ETI: I do watch various news station, plus I read the newspaper. I also watch both Trump and Biden speeches and esp., when they were campaigning. As you know Biden didn’t run so it was Kamala.
I like the history lesson today. Many of You have written already. Do not forget that this is his opinion on many fronts. Yes He is going to ruffle feathers, no doubt. That is part of his "job". As Far as the history lesson goes, it opens My eyes to see a broader picture . As I can not research all this history . My time is limited . I say thanks Bill.
Sure, I subscribe to this service, same as you, but I perceive my benefit from doing so to be shrinking. I've been following, and paying, Bonner for 30 years; it's become a tradition, and that makes it hard fr me to break away; I remember better times. Bonner is in his 70s, and he is becoming more strident and more expansive in his older days, and I am sure I am doing the same. Still, I can't willy-nilly accept all of Bonner's history or opinion, since even his caption with the lead picture today is wrong and misleading. You might wish, or not, to refer to my comment on that. Best always. PM
You certainly have been a longer reader than Me. I am sure that if You disagree with his history. You will check it out. I trust that what He says is true. As We grow older, things that used to excite seem out of context, if context is the right word. We have lived and seen a lot in our life times. Hope that We can continue to see. this world is peat and repeat. Maybe a rinse here and there. Human nature does not change. But will some time in the future. I am still glad to read BB's missives. A lot of the times I disagree. But that is My prerogative.
Sure, I get it. He didn't used to be so harpy. That could be an "age" thing; it could also be his personal evolution. I don't consider him the resource I once did. I still perceive enough value in his views and commentary to stick around. It's just not as informative now as it used to be; it's more preachy. I enjoy the interaction with my fellow readers/participants more than I do Bonner's essays. Best always. PM
I wonder if the progression in Bill's attitude stems from the evolving circumstances around debt levels and money printing. I also am a long-time subscriber and recall that years ago Bill used to suggest that it was becoming dangerous for the country to continually go further into debt, and especially that undermining a currency, by overprinting, is extremely harmful. Having failed to take his (implied) corrective action, and gone past the point of no return, Bill is left with nothing else to do but keep warning us of his long-predicted outcome.
Opinions are like butt holes, Don - everyone's got one - and I fully appreciate Bill's right to his opinion, even if I don't always agree. Same for all commentators here too, for that matter. It's hard to have a debate without airing different views and as long as an opinion can be voiced without vitriol then I say lets hear it. Nearly everything is just an opinion anyway
I do not have a butt hole! At least i've never seen it. I'm French, so I would call it an anus. Is still to your point. .... Like most opinions they are stinky Without proper hygiene. A good swipe with your deodorant every morning and your opinions will be less stinky.
Yes opinions they are. Seeing that I can not tell the future, they certainly are opinions. Maybe one day Our opinions will be fact. Hard to say not knowing!
BB cannot go a single day without writing the most outlandish BS. Today he writes: “And war pays. … Veterans get special benefits. What agency has the biggest payroll in Washington? Veterans‘ Affairs.” So, according to Mr. Bonner, the people who actually sacrifice and fight the wars benefit the greatest. Is it possible to be more insulting? As a military retiree who served during the Vietnam and Gulf War eras, as well as working in a VA Hospital for close to two decades, I can assure you veterans have not received special benefits from war. There may be many within Veterans’ Affairs who have benefitted, but it most certainly isn‘t the veteran.
Since you are so wise, Bill Bonner, please elaborate on the exact ways veterans received special benefits from wars they had no role in starting or propagating. Assistance with educational costs after giving years of their youth at low wages? Receiving healthcare to help alleviate the ills incurred due to military service? Being paid a small disability payment for what will be lifelong mental and physical problems resulting from their sacrifices? Being able to acquire a home loan without a down payment?
Our nation should be (and most are, except for people like you) forever grateful and glad to assist those veterans. What a small price we’ve paid to veterans for all they‘ve done. Shame on you. After my charter membership to BPR expires next month, I will be grateful to put you in my rearview mirror.
Kenny - I'm a disabled combat veteran. I spent 30 years in uniform, which I would gladly do all over again if I could.
Bill, a Navy veteran, was not castigating us and our brethren. He was observing that there are costly, long term consequences to the wars many of our Administrations have wrought. The human consequences are the worst as you and I have witnessed.
Eisenhower saved untold lives when he declined to join France and England seize the Suez Canal. Kennedy negated the threat of a nuclear war when, via a back channel, he agreed with Khrushchev to remove missiles from Turkey in exchange for the USSR removing its missiles from Cuba. Both these presidents were WW II combat vets
Too bad LBJ, also a WW II vet, never saw a day of combat. How different our country would be had he experienced the horrors of war. Vietnam would never have happened.
Mr. Bonner could have simply stated that war is costly and caring for veterans can be costly for a nation. But he didn‘t. He explicity stated that veterans get special benefits. Please don’t get sucked into defending Bill Bonner. He could care less about you or any other veteran.
In Oz, veterans are now entitled to some benefits after one days service. There are rorts in veteran benefits as there are in any type of organisation, government or otherwise, when free things are on offer. Being a veteran does not preclude the temptation to take advantage and being a veteran service provider does not preclude us from gaming the system.
Kenny -- Of course we get special benefits. I receive several. Bill's point is none of those benefits would be payable if presidents had not joined or caused any wars.
You of all people will admit that every veteran suffering from war wounds would gladly give up their benefits in exchange for the life they could have had without donning a uniform and then being harmed.
My VA hospital is in Salem VA. Enormous campus. Excellent service
I thank you all: Kenny, David and Jimm for your service. My Uncle was a decorated WWII Veteran and my Dad served in the South Pacific on the USS Yorktown, but just missed the Korean War. I was fortunate to be a little too young for Vietnam.
To Jimm: After listening to my Uncle, that saw a lot of combat up close and personal (and what little he told me about it had to be pried out of him) there's no question that avoiding war is the best option. However, think Pearl Harbor, there are situations where it is unavoidable.
The problem many of us have with Bill is that he needs someone like you to reinterpret what he writes. Instead of mocking or besmirching the government or the bureaucrats that run the VA Admin, he insults the soldier, sailor and airman. Why? Because deep down, Bill believes in big government. And, those of us that are clear eyed see through his sometimes clever decoys to the contrary.
Dave -- Like you, I am also the son of the Greatest Generation. My father survived W W II but with a disability rating that grew to 100% when he died.
Unlike you, I was the perfect age for Vietnam. Let me tell you: You didn't miss a thing.
As for Bill, I didn't detect any insult to veterans.
What came through to me is the costly, long term financial legacy of the many wars the Democratic and Republican Administrations have waged beginning with LBJ's tenure in office
These long term consequences of these wars, of which all but the one -- Kuwait -- we lost, are borne by veterans, most of whom are out of sight and nearly all of whom, including me, hurt in some manner.
I share Bill's observation that the billions given by taxpayers to veterans would never have occurred if those wars never happened. After all, they all began when we invaded Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, three dirt pile countries no threat to us.
And you can bet your bottom dollar that any disabled vet would be more that happy to exchange their benefit for their health
Finally, Bill's opinions reflect to me a discontent with Big Government.
He's been way ahead of Trump wanting, for example, to cancel the charter the Federal government gave to nine money-center banks to operate what we know as the Federal reserve and which has, for reasons that escape me, devaluing our currency ever since it commenced operations
I believe Bill is talking about the bureaucratic Department of Veteran Affairs. Not the veterans who have been the manipulated pawns suffering the damages of war throughout the ages.
I don‘t think Bill Bonner needs his readers to also do his apologetics. He specifically stated that veterans get special benefits. BB knows how to write clearly. He does not have a word limit on what he writes. If he meant something different, he could have stated such. No, I have grown to learn what kind of man Bill Bonner is. He is an elitist who is out of touch with reality and the common man. He provides ample evidence every time he shares his missives. And he surely knows nothing about veterans, no matter how knowledgeable he might try to portray himself about war, the military, and history.
"Veterans get special benefits. " Coming from a man who, at best, "served" as a cowardly spook (or a facilitator of same) sending boys to their death from his desk in the shadows.
Yes, as a Veteran that sentence turned my stomach as well. Disgusting and not worthy of my time or money.
So you made the disingenuous leap from the MIC/ Pentagram and lifers in the VA Admin. (with obvious bias) to BB bashing the veterans !?! You might have viewed reality differently had you been drafted into the meat grinder as potential cannon fodder vs. could not figure out any other way to make a buck
Just me: if Putin is willing to go nuclear over Ukraine, I say cut both of them, Putin and Ukraine, off and let it go where it may. Our war is here it at home, and it's in plain sight for all to see. It's going to take everything we have just to manage that, and it's questionable even then. Sorry to offend. Best always. PM
Hi Paul - Easy to say, hard to do when it is American missiles that are raining down after having been programmed and launched by American personnel...
I agree. If that provokes an escalatory response from Russia, stop the missiles, stop the money, stop it all. Again, I'm sorry if this is a contrary view. America First. Best always. PM
The problem is we should have cut Ukraine off a long time ago. Victoria "Cookies" Nuland bragged about spending $5 billion of our tax dollars to bring "democracy" to Ukraine. You can read a Rand Report outlining the MICs plan to weaken Russia using Ukraine.
The man closest to Kennedy in the picture is not a "pilot". That man is General Curtis LeMay, chief of staff of US Air Force 1961-65, a Republican, and an alumnus of the Ohio State University, and later vice-presidential candidate with Gov. George Wallace, the most successful independent candidacy for president in modern times, going back to Teddy Roosevelt's "Bull Moose" effort of 1912, carrying 5 states with 46 electoral votes, and garnering 13.5% of the popular vote. Ross Perot collected 18.9% of the popular vote but 0 electoral votes in 1992. Best always. PM
Your comments about war and the people who run the world are, as one would expect, very well stated. But it seems to me that your crack about veterans receiving "special benefits" seems truly misplaced. Why should someone who has had extremities blown off, internal organs removed or now has a mind that has been shattered by stress not receive "special benefits'?
Collectively, we sent them there, we should be willing to put them back together as best we can so they have some sort of life during the short years they have left. Sarcasm seldom plays well in the aftermath of war.
As a drafted, (under penalty of 'rule of law') disabled Viet Nam era vet, I believe that I am allowed to make a distinction.
Anyone who signed up to kill other people for a few bucks, and future grandios tales are precisely what Henry Kiss'of death'inger defined them as ... stupid, expendable pawns. Only those who start the conflicts, their immediate families, and anyone dumbed-down enough to sign up as supporters, should be sent into the actual fighting arena.
That would be demonstrating actual responsibility, and accountability for their ignorance, mental challenges, and cognative dissonance.
Like I have responded before to your letters Bill, you have little good to say about much of anything you write about. We know some sort of government is needed, so why don't you enter the fray with your "expertise" and straighten everyone out. It might be fun to see what happens. Yeah, go tiger!
Bill's perspectives are always refreshing. He's not a "fixer;" he's not seeking approval. He's an observer whose assessments are candid and educational.
And there are a gazillion frays.
The most harmful is our very own Federal government -- via a long line of Republican and Democratic Administrations, especially our current and previous one.
These Administrations have been and are now deliberately causing inflation by intentionally overspending.
And by sums that now exceed all the combined national debts of every nation on this planet.
The solution is two fold: produce more wealth to tax while our Federal government spends less
100%! A constitution republic like the U.S. was until Lincoln killed it. Nobody even knows who the president of Switzerland is which confirms they're doing it right.
CW: Since 1-1-24 Viola Amherd has served as President of the Swiss Confederation. The Swiss Federal Council is a seven-member executive council that heads the federal administration. Their decisions are made by consensus. Been there twice.. great country to visit.
An outlander country for sure. A whole different concept of governing, easier through smaller population. Authorizes population to arm through individual firearm training while most other countries divest their citizens of firearms; however, I believe they require their citizens to notify the police when and where they move, like Germany does. As a whole, Individual freedoms are not as prevalent as our country.
Lowell, I agree with you. I am curious about what other solutions could work in conjunction with avoiding the Big Loss. I may be in the if you are a hammer; everything looks like a nail category with this idea. I teach entrepreneurship to high school students and wonder if we should be considering starting businesses to avoid the Big Loss. The dividend-paying companies are sort of out-performing the market by operating with profits. A startup or existing business could provide similar benefits. Buying a plumbing company as an example.
Why do we persist in "Biden authorized or ordered whatever?" Biden was essentially braindead before he was elected and has gone downhill. These things are being done by whoever is pulling his puppet strings and using his name as a front. As noted in your post - this is a very dangerous time.
Bill, I know it is hard to imagine that two young bright guys might have some success in reducing our bloated bureaucracy after another young bright guy did not years ago, but we all need a little hope.
"But Kennedy was assassinated sixty-one years ago tomorrow. Eisenhower died six years later.
Joe Biden could have followed Eisenhower and Kennedy. "
When I read that I thought you meant that Biden could have gone to his eternal reward. That doesn't sound like you, though, so I went back and re-read it. I get it now. Pity.
I don't know the answer to that - but I DO know that RU has had some of the best years (economically speaking) in their History since joey instituted the ignorant "sanctions." Hmmm - apparently there is a bunch of stuff going on behind the scenes that we are unaware of - surprisesurprise, eh?
Musk and Ramaswamy are what is known in business parlance as “without portfolio”. As businessmen who have been operationally in charge of successful businesses they surely know this. They also know what it means. Recall the humorous tv commercial some years ago of the meeting where a consultant recommends large and disruptive changes to the bosses of a large enterprise. After listening to the proposal the boss smiles and says “I like it! Do it!”. The consultants face immediately becomes crestfallen and everyone gets the joke at that point. The consultant couldn’t “do” anything”. He was a second generation talking head among talking heads. Without portfolio.
But that may not actually be the point here. The point may simply be to spend some time truly educating the American people on what a giant, out of control, sclerotic and corrupt behemoth the US federal government has become. Many people today think they know. A few do, most don’t, and many remain completely in the dark, all by design of course. The situation is far worse than the imagination can keep up with. No other government on the planet can compete with it on the same playing field. Not even China. It is, in all its putrified and petrified glory, the largest criminal enterprise on earth, having lost any connection or resemblance to what it was originally created to do or to be.
Musk and Ramaswamy are in a unique position to shine a bright light on it. Time will tell if this is in fact the assignment. If so it just might be worth the price of the ticket, whatever happens to the portfolio in the near term.
Until Americans understand that government is the cause of our problems, and that the citizenry is ultimately responsible, nothing of substance will change. This is why the government got seriously into vote-buying in the 60s, making it impossible for the average man to understand his role in operation of the "country". The economic success of the US in the 20th century enabled the vast expansion of government via "benefits" and the bureaucracy to support same. Best always. PM
Hopefully a
a bright light on the corruption will disinfect.
That economic success also lured the producing Citizens into a stupor...
Big time.
Yes, and Musk has X to shine the light on it. As MSM will concur, social media is a very powerful force and can be a wrecking ball to the status quo. DOGE could end up taking on a life of its own. The establishment will soon get educated on a very old lesson; its no fun being on the receiving end of pitchforks and torches.
"Without portfolio" if I think It means what I believe it to mean reminds me of LVM description of or the Integral Vs the Real entrepenuer, one who has his own capital at stake and bares complete responsibilty. Correct if Im wrong please and as to your comment; situation being far worse than the imagination, I have my own thoughts, though would enjoy your insights on the matter. And believe me I have no concrete or hard biases on the matter at all just purely from a genuine interest.
There is no better cover up for government malfeasance than starting a world war.
The global elites need to start WW3 to distract the world from the collapse of the global economy due to excessive money printing. They just lost heir chief stooge in biden but he does have 2 months to seed death and destruction.
And Putin is hoping so. Nothing but profitiers.
Good summary, Bill. It really is nothing more than psychopathic elites attempting to retain their power. Look at the harassment these elites have dished out. Cutting up our children's body parts and giving them sexual removal drugs to "make sure they don't commit suicide." Only an imbecile can't see through this shit. Then there is the men in girl's bathrooms. Then there is the men punching girls in the face. Then there is the Olympics opening ceremonies degrading Christianity. Then there is the covid vax being essential to keep society from dying off while it is killing the healthiest cohort on the planet i.e. illuminated by Ed Dowd. Then there is the censorship and propaganda owned by the same elites trying to kill us. Then there is eat insects! Then there is have nothing and be happy! Then there is abortion, taking away "women's right to control their own bodies." I could go on but you've seen it all. Now we have the Ukraine war which Britain, the EU and US (i.e. NATO aka DAVOS started by pestering Russia by closing in on its capital from a lying, warring and completely worthless NATO of rulers who want to retain power illegally within their own countries, disregarding voting rules and constitutions). The disgusting lies upon lies upon lies and re-representation of facts, opposite of reality based upon more lies and misrepresentation.
Amazingly there are people who can't see through this aggression. Can't see what these evil psychopaths are trying to do. Can't see the lies of this group of "leaders." The exact ones who have banned together and trained together at Davos, under 2000 swiss army guards. Of course they need protection because there are people who do see the evil and hence they absolutely need protection. Why anyone can't see through these lies and can't see that this is the exact same people "our leaders" banning together to harass and hopefully remain in office. The exact same people over and over and over again trying to control and harass society into submission to their will. In America is there really such devotion to their familial Democrat tradition or Marxist wonderful "equality" or anarchist frustrations that these people can't see through this aggregation of Davosian rulers who believe they can control Americans through censorship and propaganda?
My guess is these rulers can control for a while, they can censor and propagandize, they can come up with new perspectives to confuse society for a while but now that all this becomes obvious through the information explosion of the internet and alternative sources, that people just aren't that dumb. Trump's election proves it. The human mind will comprehend this BS and these rulers will fall into their graves. Unfortunately that means from their perspective they might as well die killing others. So it now appears they will promote nuclear destruction as their retribution to the human race for not accepting their simple desire to take from society and lead so foolishly. Can they wise up? Do they care for their families? Will they swallow their pride and rejection? Or would they rather press the button of insanity? So far it looks like our current leaders prefer destruction, which makes sense given their past performance.
Biden should be removed, there is enough evidence...
They are trying their hardest to create mischief for Trump!
"Biden administration told Congress it plans to cancel $4.65B in debt owed by Ukraine"
And the Uni-party, with few excrptions, permit it to happen. The citizenry must demand complete transparency, and total accountability. Let the chips fall where they may..
For all intense purposes he hss ... he has not made a single decision since he first drsenrd into his basdment circa 'The Vid'. But it is our duty as citizens to discover exactly eho has been governing under 10% Pedo Joe's avatar.
For sure but I would never expect it to happen.
CD: Trump should be removed, there is a mountain of evidence.
Your record is skipping, Dot. Give the ol' Victrola a kick..
BH: Sorry to inform you but I have the state- of-the- art equipment. How about you?
Nah, I prefer the analog..
Dots gets her info from only the FINEST propaganda sources available...
BH: Nothing wrong with that.
Give up Dot, only evidence against Trump is completely politically motivated and laughable!
CD: Only to you. Why don’t you read more factual information.
Exactly what sources do you recommend for factual, unbiased information? Could you provide a list?
C ETI: I do watch various news station, plus I read the newspaper. I also watch both Trump and Biden speeches and esp., when they were campaigning. As you know Biden didn’t run so it was Kamala.
Notice how you didn't hear back from Dot on that question. As Musk likes to say, she "is infected by the woke mind virus".
I like the history lesson today. Many of You have written already. Do not forget that this is his opinion on many fronts. Yes He is going to ruffle feathers, no doubt. That is part of his "job". As Far as the history lesson goes, it opens My eyes to see a broader picture . As I can not research all this history . My time is limited . I say thanks Bill.
Sure, I subscribe to this service, same as you, but I perceive my benefit from doing so to be shrinking. I've been following, and paying, Bonner for 30 years; it's become a tradition, and that makes it hard fr me to break away; I remember better times. Bonner is in his 70s, and he is becoming more strident and more expansive in his older days, and I am sure I am doing the same. Still, I can't willy-nilly accept all of Bonner's history or opinion, since even his caption with the lead picture today is wrong and misleading. You might wish, or not, to refer to my comment on that. Best always. PM
You certainly have been a longer reader than Me. I am sure that if You disagree with his history. You will check it out. I trust that what He says is true. As We grow older, things that used to excite seem out of context, if context is the right word. We have lived and seen a lot in our life times. Hope that We can continue to see. this world is peat and repeat. Maybe a rinse here and there. Human nature does not change. But will some time in the future. I am still glad to read BB's missives. A lot of the times I disagree. But that is My prerogative.
Sure, I get it. He didn't used to be so harpy. That could be an "age" thing; it could also be his personal evolution. I don't consider him the resource I once did. I still perceive enough value in his views and commentary to stick around. It's just not as informative now as it used to be; it's more preachy. I enjoy the interaction with my fellow readers/participants more than I do Bonner's essays. Best always. PM
Yes the reactions of the readers/ participants are certainly enjoyable. But would not be there without the catalyst. Bill is this catalyst.
Agree.
I wonder if the progression in Bill's attitude stems from the evolving circumstances around debt levels and money printing. I also am a long-time subscriber and recall that years ago Bill used to suggest that it was becoming dangerous for the country to continually go further into debt, and especially that undermining a currency, by overprinting, is extremely harmful. Having failed to take his (implied) corrective action, and gone past the point of no return, Bill is left with nothing else to do but keep warning us of his long-predicted outcome.
Confusing “England” “Britain” and “UK” is boring, passé for many
Opinions are like butt holes, Don - everyone's got one - and I fully appreciate Bill's right to his opinion, even if I don't always agree. Same for all commentators here too, for that matter. It's hard to have a debate without airing different views and as long as an opinion can be voiced without vitriol then I say lets hear it. Nearly everything is just an opinion anyway
I do not have a butt hole! At least i've never seen it. I'm French, so I would call it an anus. Is still to your point. .... Like most opinions they are stinky Without proper hygiene. A good swipe with your deodorant every morning and your opinions will be less stinky.
Yes opinions they are. Seeing that I can not tell the future, they certainly are opinions. Maybe one day Our opinions will be fact. Hard to say not knowing!
BB cannot go a single day without writing the most outlandish BS. Today he writes: “And war pays. … Veterans get special benefits. What agency has the biggest payroll in Washington? Veterans‘ Affairs.” So, according to Mr. Bonner, the people who actually sacrifice and fight the wars benefit the greatest. Is it possible to be more insulting? As a military retiree who served during the Vietnam and Gulf War eras, as well as working in a VA Hospital for close to two decades, I can assure you veterans have not received special benefits from war. There may be many within Veterans’ Affairs who have benefitted, but it most certainly isn‘t the veteran.
Since you are so wise, Bill Bonner, please elaborate on the exact ways veterans received special benefits from wars they had no role in starting or propagating. Assistance with educational costs after giving years of their youth at low wages? Receiving healthcare to help alleviate the ills incurred due to military service? Being paid a small disability payment for what will be lifelong mental and physical problems resulting from their sacrifices? Being able to acquire a home loan without a down payment?
Our nation should be (and most are, except for people like you) forever grateful and glad to assist those veterans. What a small price we’ve paid to veterans for all they‘ve done. Shame on you. After my charter membership to BPR expires next month, I will be grateful to put you in my rearview mirror.
Kenny - I'm a disabled combat veteran. I spent 30 years in uniform, which I would gladly do all over again if I could.
Bill, a Navy veteran, was not castigating us and our brethren. He was observing that there are costly, long term consequences to the wars many of our Administrations have wrought. The human consequences are the worst as you and I have witnessed.
Eisenhower saved untold lives when he declined to join France and England seize the Suez Canal. Kennedy negated the threat of a nuclear war when, via a back channel, he agreed with Khrushchev to remove missiles from Turkey in exchange for the USSR removing its missiles from Cuba. Both these presidents were WW II combat vets
Too bad LBJ, also a WW II vet, never saw a day of combat. How different our country would be had he experienced the horrors of war. Vietnam would never have happened.
Mr. Bonner could have simply stated that war is costly and caring for veterans can be costly for a nation. But he didn‘t. He explicity stated that veterans get special benefits. Please don’t get sucked into defending Bill Bonner. He could care less about you or any other veteran.
In Oz, veterans are now entitled to some benefits after one days service. There are rorts in veteran benefits as there are in any type of organisation, government or otherwise, when free things are on offer. Being a veteran does not preclude the temptation to take advantage and being a veteran service provider does not preclude us from gaming the system.
Regards,
David (20 years service)
Kenny -- Of course we get special benefits. I receive several. Bill's point is none of those benefits would be payable if presidents had not joined or caused any wars.
You of all people will admit that every veteran suffering from war wounds would gladly give up their benefits in exchange for the life they could have had without donning a uniform and then being harmed.
My VA hospital is in Salem VA. Enormous campus. Excellent service
And since when did Bill Bonner become a Navy veteran? I can find no mention of that fact anywhere, from any source.
Ask him
I thank you all: Kenny, David and Jimm for your service. My Uncle was a decorated WWII Veteran and my Dad served in the South Pacific on the USS Yorktown, but just missed the Korean War. I was fortunate to be a little too young for Vietnam.
To Jimm: After listening to my Uncle, that saw a lot of combat up close and personal (and what little he told me about it had to be pried out of him) there's no question that avoiding war is the best option. However, think Pearl Harbor, there are situations where it is unavoidable.
The problem many of us have with Bill is that he needs someone like you to reinterpret what he writes. Instead of mocking or besmirching the government or the bureaucrats that run the VA Admin, he insults the soldier, sailor and airman. Why? Because deep down, Bill believes in big government. And, those of us that are clear eyed see through his sometimes clever decoys to the contrary.
Dave -- Like you, I am also the son of the Greatest Generation. My father survived W W II but with a disability rating that grew to 100% when he died.
Unlike you, I was the perfect age for Vietnam. Let me tell you: You didn't miss a thing.
As for Bill, I didn't detect any insult to veterans.
What came through to me is the costly, long term financial legacy of the many wars the Democratic and Republican Administrations have waged beginning with LBJ's tenure in office
These long term consequences of these wars, of which all but the one -- Kuwait -- we lost, are borne by veterans, most of whom are out of sight and nearly all of whom, including me, hurt in some manner.
I share Bill's observation that the billions given by taxpayers to veterans would never have occurred if those wars never happened. After all, they all began when we invaded Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, three dirt pile countries no threat to us.
And you can bet your bottom dollar that any disabled vet would be more that happy to exchange their benefit for their health
Finally, Bill's opinions reflect to me a discontent with Big Government.
He's been way ahead of Trump wanting, for example, to cancel the charter the Federal government gave to nine money-center banks to operate what we know as the Federal reserve and which has, for reasons that escape me, devaluing our currency ever since it commenced operations
I believe Bill is talking about the bureaucratic Department of Veteran Affairs. Not the veterans who have been the manipulated pawns suffering the damages of war throughout the ages.
I don‘t think Bill Bonner needs his readers to also do his apologetics. He specifically stated that veterans get special benefits. BB knows how to write clearly. He does not have a word limit on what he writes. If he meant something different, he could have stated such. No, I have grown to learn what kind of man Bill Bonner is. He is an elitist who is out of touch with reality and the common man. He provides ample evidence every time he shares his missives. And he surely knows nothing about veterans, no matter how knowledgeable he might try to portray himself about war, the military, and history.
I'm not apologizing for Bill, I'm saying that's how I understood his comment to mean. I don't apologize for anyone. I just call em as I see em.
"Veterans get special benefits. " Coming from a man who, at best, "served" as a cowardly spook (or a facilitator of same) sending boys to their death from his desk in the shadows.
Yes, as a Veteran that sentence turned my stomach as well. Disgusting and not worthy of my time or money.
Thank you for your service...
So you made the disingenuous leap from the MIC/ Pentagram and lifers in the VA Admin. (with obvious bias) to BB bashing the veterans !?! You might have viewed reality differently had you been drafted into the meat grinder as potential cannon fodder vs. could not figure out any other way to make a buck
You seem to know a great deal about me without knowing me at all. Very impressive!
Just me: if Putin is willing to go nuclear over Ukraine, I say cut both of them, Putin and Ukraine, off and let it go where it may. Our war is here it at home, and it's in plain sight for all to see. It's going to take everything we have just to manage that, and it's questionable even then. Sorry to offend. Best always. PM
Hi Paul - Easy to say, hard to do when it is American missiles that are raining down after having been programmed and launched by American personnel...
I agree. If that provokes an escalatory response from Russia, stop the missiles, stop the money, stop it all. Again, I'm sorry if this is a contrary view. America First. Best always. PM
Also, identified, and tracked with US of A.. Inc.,'s sattelites and intel.
The problem is we should have cut Ukraine off a long time ago. Victoria "Cookies" Nuland bragged about spending $5 billion of our tax dollars to bring "democracy" to Ukraine. You can read a Rand Report outlining the MICs plan to weaken Russia using Ukraine.
The man closest to Kennedy in the picture is not a "pilot". That man is General Curtis LeMay, chief of staff of US Air Force 1961-65, a Republican, and an alumnus of the Ohio State University, and later vice-presidential candidate with Gov. George Wallace, the most successful independent candidacy for president in modern times, going back to Teddy Roosevelt's "Bull Moose" effort of 1912, carrying 5 states with 46 electoral votes, and garnering 13.5% of the popular vote. Ross Perot collected 18.9% of the popular vote but 0 electoral votes in 1992. Best always. PM
Both Teddy, and Ross performed their assigned rolls as the PTB's designated vote splitters as planned.
Interesting take.
Your comments about war and the people who run the world are, as one would expect, very well stated. But it seems to me that your crack about veterans receiving "special benefits" seems truly misplaced. Why should someone who has had extremities blown off, internal organs removed or now has a mind that has been shattered by stress not receive "special benefits'?
Collectively, we sent them there, we should be willing to put them back together as best we can so they have some sort of life during the short years they have left. Sarcasm seldom plays well in the aftermath of war.
As a drafted, (under penalty of 'rule of law') disabled Viet Nam era vet, I believe that I am allowed to make a distinction.
Anyone who signed up to kill other people for a few bucks, and future grandios tales are precisely what Henry Kiss'of death'inger defined them as ... stupid, expendable pawns. Only those who start the conflicts, their immediate families, and anyone dumbed-down enough to sign up as supporters, should be sent into the actual fighting arena.
That would be demonstrating actual responsibility, and accountability for their ignorance, mental challenges, and cognative dissonance.
Like I have responded before to your letters Bill, you have little good to say about much of anything you write about. We know some sort of government is needed, so why don't you enter the fray with your "expertise" and straighten everyone out. It might be fun to see what happens. Yeah, go tiger!
Au contraire.
Bill's perspectives are always refreshing. He's not a "fixer;" he's not seeking approval. He's an observer whose assessments are candid and educational.
And there are a gazillion frays.
The most harmful is our very own Federal government -- via a long line of Republican and Democratic Administrations, especially our current and previous one.
These Administrations have been and are now deliberately causing inflation by intentionally overspending.
And by sums that now exceed all the combined national debts of every nation on this planet.
The solution is two fold: produce more wealth to tax while our Federal government spends less
Care to point out a better govt. In this world?
How about Switzerland?
100%! A constitution republic like the U.S. was until Lincoln killed it. Nobody even knows who the president of Switzerland is which confirms they're doing it right.
CW: Since 1-1-24 Viola Amherd has served as President of the Swiss Confederation. The Swiss Federal Council is a seven-member executive council that heads the federal administration. Their decisions are made by consensus. Been there twice.. great country to visit.
An outlander country for sure. A whole different concept of governing, easier through smaller population. Authorizes population to arm through individual firearm training while most other countries divest their citizens of firearms; however, I believe they require their citizens to notify the police when and where they move, like Germany does. As a whole, Individual freedoms are not as prevalent as our country.
Lowell, I agree with you. I am curious about what other solutions could work in conjunction with avoiding the Big Loss. I may be in the if you are a hammer; everything looks like a nail category with this idea. I teach entrepreneurship to high school students and wonder if we should be considering starting businesses to avoid the Big Loss. The dividend-paying companies are sort of out-performing the market by operating with profits. A startup or existing business could provide similar benefits. Buying a plumbing company as an example.
What school at present has entrepreneurship classes; I'm curious?
Hammond Academy of Science and Technology, Hammond, IN. There is an Entrepreneurial pathway in Indiana; we are not the only school teaching it.
High dividend companies are the only answer now-a-days.
Why do we persist in "Biden authorized or ordered whatever?" Biden was essentially braindead before he was elected and has gone downhill. These things are being done by whoever is pulling his puppet strings and using his name as a front. As noted in your post - this is a very dangerous time.
Bill, I know it is hard to imagine that two young bright guys might have some success in reducing our bloated bureaucracy after another young bright guy did not years ago, but we all need a little hope.
Jim C.
"But Kennedy was assassinated sixty-one years ago tomorrow. Eisenhower died six years later.
Joe Biden could have followed Eisenhower and Kennedy. "
When I read that I thought you meant that Biden could have gone to his eternal reward. That doesn't sound like you, though, so I went back and re-read it. I get it now. Pity.
Sure like to know what to have said on the phone call to stop Putin.
Or Netanyahu!
Easy - "The money stops if the killing doesn't...."
Same old song and dance, fellahs...
Better yet, put a bullet in both the Ukrainian Midget's and Netanyahu's head. Time to be done with these societal menaces.
I thought the money to Putin did stop but the killing didn’t
What am I missing?
I don't know the answer to that - but I DO know that RU has had some of the best years (economically speaking) in their History since joey instituted the ignorant "sanctions." Hmmm - apparently there is a bunch of stuff going on behind the scenes that we are unaware of - surprisesurprise, eh?
“The first panacea of a mismanaged nation,” wrote Hemingway, “is inflation. The second is war...”
Truer words have not often been spoken.
If you seem to hate everything Trump is proposing to do, why not move to California and be free from any desire to do anything-about everything...
Spot on and well said - kudos!