Hell, this is so easy to identify and diagnose, even an American can figure it out: the government got out from under the control of the people, because the people NEVER took self-government seriously, and the government, first testing and nibbling around the edges (FDR shenanigans in the 30s), decided it could hide its lying eyes and first ditched silver (1965) and then gold (1971), and we were off to the races, or free fall, however you want to look at it. As if this weren't enough (and it was), socially, America threw what worked away, and went "progressive", thinking the rules didn't apply to US, and, like trying to drive a car at night without headlights, started blindly losing its way morally, and "POOF!", no more America. Welcome to the "United" States of America, Mr. Ambassador... Best always. PM
Interesting timeframe. What you are doing, basically, is taking my analysis and moving it back nearly a century. And you know what? It works! We had many chances to stop, even reverse, our aberrances and get back on track, but no. There is no doubt that 1913, with the income tax and Bretton Woods I, killed the American Idea of 1776. And 1861 demonstrated, in world-stopping fashion, that Big Government and knuckling under were clearly in our future. Such should not be a surprise. It's happened that way throughout history. The problem is human nature. Best always. PM
-I don't know what you are talking about:"1861". It mayr have been the start of Our "Cival War". I probably was not paying too much attention in H.S. US History. and Civics. Don't quote me, but I don't think they even teach Civics anymore. I personally think it started with the Spanish/American War. We probably Started it. Teddy Rooseveldt gave us a good saying.
"WALK SOFTLY, BUT CARRY A BIG STICK". We ignorded or tried to ignore the WALK SOFTLY. But the second part, "CARRY A BIG STICK' appealed to us greatly. We tried to stay out of the NAZI Europeon War but was furnishing Big Stiicks and Boots on the Ground; then Japan joined the Party. We ended the War in Euprope. Then we developed the Dirty Atomic Bomb and ended the Pacific War. I am not saying "we haven't done some good in the World". "BUT UNDERLINED", we have done more "good" mostly for Ourselves and an Enormous Harm to our Democratic Repulican form of Government. BUT, we wanted to make every Country Like USA, Nearly Imposible. There is an Old saying, "You Can't Change A Leopord's Spots" Of course, we can NOWDAYS through Selective Breeding, Cloning, and DNA. RIGHT NOW, we Probably have the "BIGGEST STICK" on Earth. There was no such thing as Extrta-Terrestials according to our "Government". We and all the other people and governments were HALUCINATING. Now "our government" is admitting there are unexplained things happening on the ground and in the air amd even in Space. We even have a Space Force. We maynot be the Biggest Stick in This UNIVERSE.
To this Day, the wonderful USA is the only one that has used an Atomic or Nuclear Weapon against another Country or People. I personally think we will see Tactical Nuclear Weapons being used before the end of the Century, possibly before a Score of Years has passed. It would probably be started in the Middle East by Iran.
EMF(Electro Motive Force) weapons began being developedby by the USSR after the Korean Conflict. The USA and USSR used Vacuum Tube Electronics in their Military Toys. I am not certain, but I believe the USSR began changing to Micro-electronics at the same time they started developing EMF. For a period of time, USSR's Mi[itary Big Stick was hardend to EMF, and the USA's was not. The USA's Militaty/Idustrial Complex rushed to the job of Hardening the "Big Stick". The use of EMF is very possibe in Ukraine now that we are furnishing Ukraine better Big Stick. It may be outlawed by the Nucear Proliferation Treaties which are in flux most of the time. Just Saying! Florida Jimmy.
Forgive some mis-spellings. I did this on my DELL Laptop. I don'i have GRAMMERLY installed to correct my spelling errors. My teribyte Computer is in the Computer Shop for repair. Just Saying! Florida Jimmy.
Michael I heard the message about a country’s culture of dividing the world (America). And your comment confirms that. Maybe someday it won’t be about being right and rather about good for the whole.
America has put a lot of effort into dividing the Middle East. The conflict you are referring to has had tragic consequences on BOTH sides. Curious how the essence of both religions is love based, interpreted into hatred and violence. My hope for you is that you can take a moment and see the magic in a grain of sand…take care.
What? The essence of Mohammedanism is subjugation and elimination of free will, heaven for those who don't want to have to think, just do. The idea obviously appeals to many. The essence of Judaism is justice. Where do you get "love" out of this? The Jewish principle of justice was amended and clarified when Christ came to Earth and preached "love" as a coda to the Jewish dogma. What did the Jews in charge at the time do to Him? The Prophet (peace be upon Him) decided "love" doesn't get you anywhere and "love" could wait until after the entire world was forced under the yoke. The Middle East was divided LONG before the US got there. Best always. PM
I’m no expert Paul, I listen and try to discern the underlying messages. The metaphorical writings have been translated to serve those translating. I choose to interpret or translate differently. And again, my hope for you is that you can take a moment and see the magic in a grain of sand…take care.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts as they are valid to you.
Patti, you say the essence of BOTH religions is love based; and I hope someone can correct me, but I've read that the word "love" is nowhere to be found in the Quran, except as an admonishment, ie. over-love of money, for instance. Can another reader help?
Mao killed his own people what was it, 40 million 60 million 80 million, hard to say its statistics but, there had to be one or two toddlers in there no ?
This train of thought reminds me of two (2) quotes: 1.) It's not what you know that gets you but what you know for certain that just ain't so; and, 2.) Face with the choice between changing one's mind and proving that there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof.
I love your comments. However, sometimes you express your views without really reading what you wrote. You said ‘the US assists Israel in the slaughter of terrorist toddlers’. This is real BS. Israel was attacked by Hamas and they killed more than 1200 Israelis. Israel retaliated against Hamas. Yes, in war, there will be innocent people and children killed. In this war it’s mainly because Hamas use them as human shields. Israel did not attack the Gaza area for no reason. Get your facts straight.
Sadly, the toddlers who survive will be the members of the next effort to return to the lands from which their forebears fled or were expelled. And with some Israelis fervently believing their god gave them the West Bank, the next war is already gestating
MB, unfortunately for Israel, social media shares the atrocities. There is no justification for murdering thousands of civilians unless you are clearing out the population on purpose. Israel’s actions are no longer defensible. Sorry about that.
Where did you get the idea that war can exist without atrocities? War IS atrocity. Things could be just as they were in September 2023 if October 2023 had not happened. I guess that wasn't "atrocity". Best always. PM
Ah PM, you are a product of recent generations. There was a time when civilians were not accepted as targets of war. Unfortunately the grand old US and UK escalated this practice in WWII and now I guess it is commonplace to punish civilians for the acts of their governments. Hope you don’t get called up with uncle Joe at the genocide trial.
MarcusTC says, “There was a time when civilians were not accepted as targets of war.”
Hey Marcus, tell that to the wonderful muslims spreading islamic “religion of peace” (my ass) terrorist good cheer. Those assholes started Oct 7th; hope Israel wipes every damn one of them off of the Earth.
Good grief man. Do you know your history? Read about the wars of ancient Greece, Rome, Israel etc. Butchery of civilian populations was most common. The machines of modern warfare have simply allowed us to up the ante. Wishing you well my friend.
We have done it right from our keyboards. It is with great pleasure and a tear of joy to announce this.
The Biden administration's (expensive) efforts at beefing up the IRS' ability to target wealthier Americans with unpaid federal taxes have FINALLY netted $1 billion in additional revenue.
Or, to put it another way, the yearlong IRS campaign has generated enough cash to fund the federal government for…about 90 minutes.
Do the math. The United States spent about $6.1 trillion last year. That translates to roughly $16.7 billion per day or about $700 million per hour.
Holy c%@# ! Against the US federal government's insatiable appetite for spending, even unfathomably large figures like $1 billion are reduced to mere rounding errors. I REPEAT about 90 minutes. The Manifest Debt Destiny. The world’s fate is sealed.
After a rare excellent column yesterday, Bonner is up to his old theme of exploring the muck of human history and seeing humans as clueless pawns to its forces. If one is so inclined, there is much muck to explore, and Bonner is very willing to oblige.
It is possible to take a different tack, however, and look at human progress trying desperately to rise out of the muck. From the dark ages to the beginning of the Middle Ages when Aquanis was an advocate for the newly discovered works of Aristotle, we humans slowly came to understand the process of reason. It was a slow process - it took centuries - before it erupted in the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and the Age of Reason, leading to exploration, discovery, science, and the affirmation of the individual as unique, not the ruling class, in the formation of the United States of America through its Revolution and founding documents. This was a great achievement as it was an affirmation of rational thought, because, you see, ideas are what drive history, not some unknowable patterns as Bill suggests. Unfortunately, the march toward individualism and individual rights which brought much advancement and higher and higher standards of living was met with the forces of irrationalism - the various philosophers, who, in one way or another denigrated individualism and pointed towards various forms of collectivism. This again, was not inevitable. They were ideas that eroded what was becoming a self-confident philosophy of achievement as we humans partially embraced (and, actually, never let go of) these collectivist ideas. The battle has been going on ever since and the collectivists have been winning despite the efforts of some noble thinkers, including Ayn Rand.
I, for one, am not ready to dismiss the USA out of hand. There are many still fighting for individual rights and rational thought despite the irrationality all around us. Many of them, unfortunately, have mixed premises that detract from their effectiveness, so the outcome is in doubt. Bonner, on the other hand, is unwilling to see them and the forces of human good. He loves playing in the muck. Let him play. Those who want to join the fight have a country and a species to save.
Mr. Gallien, I think most Americans are clueless pawns as long as their "leaders" can provide them with jobs. Since the mid-90s, the Globalist Elite have tried very hard to hollow out the U.S. manufacturing sector, thinking tech would replace it, which turned out quickly to be wrong. So they replaced it with "debt-for-jobs." This lunacy is bound to fail at some point, causing unemployment in the U.S. to skyrocket; or, as Bill predicts, Fed intervention by digitizing trillions out of thin air to keep jobs propped up, but causing hyper-inflation. With so many soft Americans, pacified by debt, I just don't see how the debt-for-jobs train can be stopped until things crash. Neither party wants to force American voters to face reality for two-to-three years, then be wiped out at the ballot box.
I'm with you. I'm not ready to dismiss the U.S. out of hand either. But I think we will find out a lot about our fellow Americans when this debt-for-jobs lunacy blows up, whenever that is. Until then, I think this country, and the First World in general, will just muddle along, not overly concerned about much of anything.
Thank you for your comment. While I don't necessarily disagree with you, I was trying to emphasize the positive rather than dwell in Bonner's constant negativism. I do not believe we are powerless to outside forces as Bill suggests, but that we can shape our own future by the power of ideas.
As far as Americans being clueless pawns, there is some truth to that, but it is because our education system has been hijacked by the Progressives whose sole purpose is to make Americans subservient to the collectivist state while also doing their best to squelch any independent thought. (Note: this is why they are trying to manipulate language.) Ayn Rand wrote about this in the 60's and 70's, but nothing was done. So, the average American muddles on, many just trying to make a living while absorbing all the welfare state collectivist bromides sent their way. The only way to stop this is to advocate for better ideas - politically, that means for individual rights. If our leaders (politics, business, and education) were predominantly rational, the "clueless masses" would be better educated and follow along.
So, the answer is to advocate for the right ideas and support individuals, institutions, and groups that do the same. There are many out there. The last four years have exposed the Democrats for what they are. The question, as you suggest, is whether we are too far gone to right things before a collapse. Only time will tell. But if we do have some sort of collapse, only rational ideas will get us out of it. So, either way, we have to continue to fight for the minds of Americans.
Yes and No. I am an Optimist. I like to think that things will always get better. It's kind of hard to keep that Attitude when you examine the Facts. Optimism is a State of Mind. Facts are Reality and can only be argued with facts. Just Saying! Florida Jimmy.
Well, of course, what you write is true. But you seem to be responding to one sentence in my posts and ignoring the rest in which I give examples, present my case, and make arguments based on the facts. I don't just write that I like to think things will get better; I explain how we got here and what it will take to get on the right path again.
What I find amusing is that Washington knows it is imploding but is so addicted to its ghost money that, just like the addict—who, by the way, knows he is an addict, doesn't care to see his circle of destruction before he shoots up his last line! Don't forget to vote.
The Chinese Ambassador quote is what stuck in my mind. Seems like someone who looks out for their own people and nation, while recognizing Win/Win deals benefit both. He seems to have a better grasp of both American strengths and weakness, than most Americans.
American national strategy has become making sure next quarter's earnings 'beat the street'. We're up against those who plan in terms of generations.
C’mon y’all, cut Bill a break: easier to rant on about Israel than admit he and the others of this newsletter TOTALLY missed this fantastic market rally and that they keep adjusting “The Big Loss” timeline goalposts….nothing to see here, hey!…look at how bad Israel is!
So it was 20 years ago that I first read Empire of Debt? It could've been written yesterday, for all that's changed. Rinse and repeat, but every day in every way we slip closer to the edge.
SPOT ON!! I am outing myself, so to speak. I AM a Christian Scientologist: OT46. I have followed you since 2007, for MARKET Analysis and Comments. Then for Geography Lessons from the place you were located and Comments, and now for History lessons and Comments. I have followed you through the different Platforms you have used to write on. Sub stack has been the Best until lately. I especially like the "Read in Browser" feature; which recently disappeared. Thank You JESUS, Mariah still has it. I follow Mariah and Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a little hard to follow, because of the French she uses but now I am learning French and French History. Elizabeth doesn't have the "Read in Browser" feature either. That's fine: your business not mine. I am now on Sub stack, not by my volition. I tried to increase
my doation to Mariah and Sub stack jumped in and signed me up to Sub stack for $235. So now I have a Publisher that I wrie for. I will never use Sun stack. Just Saying! Florida Jimmy.
Hell, this is so easy to identify and diagnose, even an American can figure it out: the government got out from under the control of the people, because the people NEVER took self-government seriously, and the government, first testing and nibbling around the edges (FDR shenanigans in the 30s), decided it could hide its lying eyes and first ditched silver (1965) and then gold (1971), and we were off to the races, or free fall, however you want to look at it. As if this weren't enough (and it was), socially, America threw what worked away, and went "progressive", thinking the rules didn't apply to US, and, like trying to drive a car at night without headlights, started blindly losing its way morally, and "POOF!", no more America. Welcome to the "United" States of America, Mr. Ambassador... Best always. PM
1861 was the beginning of the end; 1913 was the end.
Interesting timeframe. What you are doing, basically, is taking my analysis and moving it back nearly a century. And you know what? It works! We had many chances to stop, even reverse, our aberrances and get back on track, but no. There is no doubt that 1913, with the income tax and Bretton Woods I, killed the American Idea of 1776. And 1861 demonstrated, in world-stopping fashion, that Big Government and knuckling under were clearly in our future. Such should not be a surprise. It's happened that way throughout history. The problem is human nature. Best always. PM
Look carefully at the people who put Lincoln and Wilson on a pedestal. They're your enemy and the reason why America is circling the toilet bowl.
-I don't know what you are talking about:"1861". It mayr have been the start of Our "Cival War". I probably was not paying too much attention in H.S. US History. and Civics. Don't quote me, but I don't think they even teach Civics anymore. I personally think it started with the Spanish/American War. We probably Started it. Teddy Rooseveldt gave us a good saying.
"WALK SOFTLY, BUT CARRY A BIG STICK". We ignorded or tried to ignore the WALK SOFTLY. But the second part, "CARRY A BIG STICK' appealed to us greatly. We tried to stay out of the NAZI Europeon War but was furnishing Big Stiicks and Boots on the Ground; then Japan joined the Party. We ended the War in Euprope. Then we developed the Dirty Atomic Bomb and ended the Pacific War. I am not saying "we haven't done some good in the World". "BUT UNDERLINED", we have done more "good" mostly for Ourselves and an Enormous Harm to our Democratic Repulican form of Government. BUT, we wanted to make every Country Like USA, Nearly Imposible. There is an Old saying, "You Can't Change A Leopord's Spots" Of course, we can NOWDAYS through Selective Breeding, Cloning, and DNA. RIGHT NOW, we Probably have the "BIGGEST STICK" on Earth. There was no such thing as Extrta-Terrestials according to our "Government". We and all the other people and governments were HALUCINATING. Now "our government" is admitting there are unexplained things happening on the ground and in the air amd even in Space. We even have a Space Force. We maynot be the Biggest Stick in This UNIVERSE.
To this Day, the wonderful USA is the only one that has used an Atomic or Nuclear Weapon against another Country or People. I personally think we will see Tactical Nuclear Weapons being used before the end of the Century, possibly before a Score of Years has passed. It would probably be started in the Middle East by Iran.
EMF(Electro Motive Force) weapons began being developedby by the USSR after the Korean Conflict. The USA and USSR used Vacuum Tube Electronics in their Military Toys. I am not certain, but I believe the USSR began changing to Micro-electronics at the same time they started developing EMF. For a period of time, USSR's Mi[itary Big Stick was hardend to EMF, and the USA's was not. The USA's Militaty/Idustrial Complex rushed to the job of Hardening the "Big Stick". The use of EMF is very possibe in Ukraine now that we are furnishing Ukraine better Big Stick. It may be outlawed by the Nucear Proliferation Treaties which are in flux most of the time. Just Saying! Florida Jimmy.
Forgive some mis-spellings. I did this on my DELL Laptop. I don'i have GRAMMERLY installed to correct my spelling errors. My teribyte Computer is in the Computer Shop for repair. Just Saying! Florida Jimmy.
Spot on! Agree 100%
Bonner is at it again throwing in a lie about Israel attacking toddlers. I think he has spent too much time in Ireland and la la land.
Michael I heard the message about a country’s culture of dividing the world (America). And your comment confirms that. Maybe someday it won’t be about being right and rather about good for the whole.
America has put a lot of effort into dividing the Middle East. The conflict you are referring to has had tragic consequences on BOTH sides. Curious how the essence of both religions is love based, interpreted into hatred and violence. My hope for you is that you can take a moment and see the magic in a grain of sand…take care.
What? The essence of Mohammedanism is subjugation and elimination of free will, heaven for those who don't want to have to think, just do. The idea obviously appeals to many. The essence of Judaism is justice. Where do you get "love" out of this? The Jewish principle of justice was amended and clarified when Christ came to Earth and preached "love" as a coda to the Jewish dogma. What did the Jews in charge at the time do to Him? The Prophet (peace be upon Him) decided "love" doesn't get you anywhere and "love" could wait until after the entire world was forced under the yoke. The Middle East was divided LONG before the US got there. Best always. PM
I’m no expert Paul, I listen and try to discern the underlying messages. The metaphorical writings have been translated to serve those translating. I choose to interpret or translate differently. And again, my hope for you is that you can take a moment and see the magic in a grain of sand…take care.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts as they are valid to you.
They're facts. Tough, ain't it? Best always. PM
Hey Paul. We can't let facts get in the way. Keep up your good work my friend.
Patti, you say the essence of BOTH religions is love based; and I hope someone can correct me, but I've read that the word "love" is nowhere to be found in the Quran, except as an admonishment, ie. over-love of money, for instance. Can another reader help?
Mao killed his own people what was it, 40 million 60 million 80 million, hard to say its statistics but, there had to be one or two toddlers in there no ?
LOL - cognitive dissonance is one helluva drug.
This train of thought reminds me of two (2) quotes: 1.) It's not what you know that gets you but what you know for certain that just ain't so; and, 2.) Face with the choice between changing one's mind and proving that there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof.
Your perspective on truth and faulty truth is the kind of thinking that divides us. Less certainty and more humility would be a good thing. I reckon.
Yes, I hope you become less certain and have more humility. Unfortunately, probably not going to happen
Bill:
I love your comments. However, sometimes you express your views without really reading what you wrote. You said ‘the US assists Israel in the slaughter of terrorist toddlers’. This is real BS. Israel was attacked by Hamas and they killed more than 1200 Israelis. Israel retaliated against Hamas. Yes, in war, there will be innocent people and children killed. In this war it’s mainly because Hamas use them as human shields. Israel did not attack the Gaza area for no reason. Get your facts straight.
Sadly, the toddlers who survive will be the members of the next effort to return to the lands from which their forebears fled or were expelled. And with some Israelis fervently believing their god gave them the West Bank, the next war is already gestating
https://sonar21.com/yes-israel-massacred-its-own-civilians-on-october-7-and-nima-and-i-discuss-unfolding-disaster-in-ukraine/
AP, would you change your opinion if half those Israeli victims were killed by the IDF to prevent them from being held as hostages?
MB, unfortunately for Israel, social media shares the atrocities. There is no justification for murdering thousands of civilians unless you are clearing out the population on purpose. Israel’s actions are no longer defensible. Sorry about that.
Where did you get the idea that war can exist without atrocities? War IS atrocity. Things could be just as they were in September 2023 if October 2023 had not happened. I guess that wasn't "atrocity". Best always. PM
Well said: War is an atrocity.
Sadly, it’s our nature to wage war.
Throughout recorded history, one or more wars have been underway.
And the many gods who have been revered over the centuries during these wars have never been able to end any.
What’s assured is more wars
Ah PM, you are a product of recent generations. There was a time when civilians were not accepted as targets of war. Unfortunately the grand old US and UK escalated this practice in WWII and now I guess it is commonplace to punish civilians for the acts of their governments. Hope you don’t get called up with uncle Joe at the genocide trial.
MarcusTC says, “There was a time when civilians were not accepted as targets of war.”
Hey Marcus, tell that to the wonderful muslims spreading islamic “religion of peace” (my ass) terrorist good cheer. Those assholes started Oct 7th; hope Israel wipes every damn one of them off of the Earth.
Good grief man. Do you know your history? Read about the wars of ancient Greece, Rome, Israel etc. Butchery of civilian populations was most common. The machines of modern warfare have simply allowed us to up the ante. Wishing you well my friend.
We have done it right from our keyboards. It is with great pleasure and a tear of joy to announce this.
The Biden administration's (expensive) efforts at beefing up the IRS' ability to target wealthier Americans with unpaid federal taxes have FINALLY netted $1 billion in additional revenue.
Or, to put it another way, the yearlong IRS campaign has generated enough cash to fund the federal government for…about 90 minutes.
Do the math. The United States spent about $6.1 trillion last year. That translates to roughly $16.7 billion per day or about $700 million per hour.
Holy c%@# ! Against the US federal government's insatiable appetite for spending, even unfathomably large figures like $1 billion are reduced to mere rounding errors. I REPEAT about 90 minutes. The Manifest Debt Destiny. The world’s fate is sealed.
After a rare excellent column yesterday, Bonner is up to his old theme of exploring the muck of human history and seeing humans as clueless pawns to its forces. If one is so inclined, there is much muck to explore, and Bonner is very willing to oblige.
It is possible to take a different tack, however, and look at human progress trying desperately to rise out of the muck. From the dark ages to the beginning of the Middle Ages when Aquanis was an advocate for the newly discovered works of Aristotle, we humans slowly came to understand the process of reason. It was a slow process - it took centuries - before it erupted in the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and the Age of Reason, leading to exploration, discovery, science, and the affirmation of the individual as unique, not the ruling class, in the formation of the United States of America through its Revolution and founding documents. This was a great achievement as it was an affirmation of rational thought, because, you see, ideas are what drive history, not some unknowable patterns as Bill suggests. Unfortunately, the march toward individualism and individual rights which brought much advancement and higher and higher standards of living was met with the forces of irrationalism - the various philosophers, who, in one way or another denigrated individualism and pointed towards various forms of collectivism. This again, was not inevitable. They were ideas that eroded what was becoming a self-confident philosophy of achievement as we humans partially embraced (and, actually, never let go of) these collectivist ideas. The battle has been going on ever since and the collectivists have been winning despite the efforts of some noble thinkers, including Ayn Rand.
I, for one, am not ready to dismiss the USA out of hand. There are many still fighting for individual rights and rational thought despite the irrationality all around us. Many of them, unfortunately, have mixed premises that detract from their effectiveness, so the outcome is in doubt. Bonner, on the other hand, is unwilling to see them and the forces of human good. He loves playing in the muck. Let him play. Those who want to join the fight have a country and a species to save.
Mr. Gallien, I think most Americans are clueless pawns as long as their "leaders" can provide them with jobs. Since the mid-90s, the Globalist Elite have tried very hard to hollow out the U.S. manufacturing sector, thinking tech would replace it, which turned out quickly to be wrong. So they replaced it with "debt-for-jobs." This lunacy is bound to fail at some point, causing unemployment in the U.S. to skyrocket; or, as Bill predicts, Fed intervention by digitizing trillions out of thin air to keep jobs propped up, but causing hyper-inflation. With so many soft Americans, pacified by debt, I just don't see how the debt-for-jobs train can be stopped until things crash. Neither party wants to force American voters to face reality for two-to-three years, then be wiped out at the ballot box.
I'm with you. I'm not ready to dismiss the U.S. out of hand either. But I think we will find out a lot about our fellow Americans when this debt-for-jobs lunacy blows up, whenever that is. Until then, I think this country, and the First World in general, will just muddle along, not overly concerned about much of anything.
Frank,
Thank you for your comment. While I don't necessarily disagree with you, I was trying to emphasize the positive rather than dwell in Bonner's constant negativism. I do not believe we are powerless to outside forces as Bill suggests, but that we can shape our own future by the power of ideas.
As far as Americans being clueless pawns, there is some truth to that, but it is because our education system has been hijacked by the Progressives whose sole purpose is to make Americans subservient to the collectivist state while also doing their best to squelch any independent thought. (Note: this is why they are trying to manipulate language.) Ayn Rand wrote about this in the 60's and 70's, but nothing was done. So, the average American muddles on, many just trying to make a living while absorbing all the welfare state collectivist bromides sent their way. The only way to stop this is to advocate for better ideas - politically, that means for individual rights. If our leaders (politics, business, and education) were predominantly rational, the "clueless masses" would be better educated and follow along.
So, the answer is to advocate for the right ideas and support individuals, institutions, and groups that do the same. There are many out there. The last four years have exposed the Democrats for what they are. The question, as you suggest, is whether we are too far gone to right things before a collapse. Only time will tell. But if we do have some sort of collapse, only rational ideas will get us out of it. So, either way, we have to continue to fight for the minds of Americans.
Yes and No. I am an Optimist. I like to think that things will always get better. It's kind of hard to keep that Attitude when you examine the Facts. Optimism is a State of Mind. Facts are Reality and can only be argued with facts. Just Saying! Florida Jimmy.
Well, of course, what you write is true. But you seem to be responding to one sentence in my posts and ignoring the rest in which I give examples, present my case, and make arguments based on the facts. I don't just write that I like to think things will get better; I explain how we got here and what it will take to get on the right path again.
What I find amusing is that Washington knows it is imploding but is so addicted to its ghost money that, just like the addict—who, by the way, knows he is an addict, doesn't care to see his circle of destruction before he shoots up his last line! Don't forget to vote.
The Chinese Ambassador quote is what stuck in my mind. Seems like someone who looks out for their own people and nation, while recognizing Win/Win deals benefit both. He seems to have a better grasp of both American strengths and weakness, than most Americans.
American national strategy has become making sure next quarter's earnings 'beat the street'. We're up against those who plan in terms of generations.
Chinese play go
Russians play chess
Americans play checkers
...
And the US govt plays Tiddleywinks (barely)
C’mon y’all, cut Bill a break: easier to rant on about Israel than admit he and the others of this newsletter TOTALLY missed this fantastic market rally and that they keep adjusting “The Big Loss” timeline goalposts….nothing to see here, hey!…look at how bad Israel is!
Carpet bombing the City of London would be a Great Reset I could get behind.
I know where your coming from, easier just to nuke it.
Our druthers don’t always reflect the druthers of others and our solutions may be inconsistent with doing the most good.
Bill, The American people can no longer afford to " not minding our own business".
So it was 20 years ago that I first read Empire of Debt? It could've been written yesterday, for all that's changed. Rinse and repeat, but every day in every way we slip closer to the edge.
Many thoughts have come out. I am glad to read them thanks to Bill and all of His readers.
SPOT ON!! I am outing myself, so to speak. I AM a Christian Scientologist: OT46. I have followed you since 2007, for MARKET Analysis and Comments. Then for Geography Lessons from the place you were located and Comments, and now for History lessons and Comments. I have followed you through the different Platforms you have used to write on. Sub stack has been the Best until lately. I especially like the "Read in Browser" feature; which recently disappeared. Thank You JESUS, Mariah still has it. I follow Mariah and Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a little hard to follow, because of the French she uses but now I am learning French and French History. Elizabeth doesn't have the "Read in Browser" feature either. That's fine: your business not mine. I am now on Sub stack, not by my volition. I tried to increase
my doation to Mariah and Sub stack jumped in and signed me up to Sub stack for $235. So now I have a Publisher that I wrie for. I will never use Sun stack. Just Saying! Florida Jimmy.
Never Say Never. Good advice. I said I would never write om Sub stack, nut I think I may try it. But not on my Laptop!. Just Saying! Florida Jimmy.