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Brien's avatar

The US now has a centrally controlled, fake economy. It is no longer free, as it was for nearly 250 years. Government accounts for over 30% of GDP, and that slice is based entirely on grifting and redistribution. It destroys both productive capacity and opportunity. It is, in its’ entirety, a criminal enterprise.

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Paul Murray's avatar

We have become the "Germany" of the world. In the 2nd World War (actually just a continuation of the 'Great' War after a 20-year hiatus), German design, engineering, and manufacturing turned out vastly superior technical and technological weaponry. Each tank was by far superior in design and function, and even in a pressure-rush situation, the Germans on the line labored to make sure the "details" were perfect. Meanwhile, America was busy cranking out inferior but serviceable designs by the 10s and 100s of thousands. A one-on-one confrontation often went to the Germans; the battle went to the Americans (Allies, haha). China is incapable of competing with our Navy if the object is style points; nevertheless, let's say that what they can produce is serviceable. I'm not willing to concede that presently, inasmuch as they've never been tested, but let's just say it's true, that they can produce serviceable ships and crews. The sheer numbers of the serviceable will overcome the one-on-one technical and technological expertise of the one and/or few. Having the best possible ships is an advantage when yours is the only viable navy afloat. If what we (think we) are learning about the Chinese is true, we are facing challenges, likely dire. Another consideration is that the USA no longer has huge factories and industrial capacity in every city, town, and burg. We got away from that, because it wasn't cool, hep, and socially acceptable; it didn't fit the new, social "noblesse oblige" of the elites, and it certainly was harmful to the envahrunment and killing(!) us all, except, somehow, our competitors. When you start believing your own hype, not only do others get sick and tired of you, you are, as my Grandmother would say, "cruising for a bruising." It's our turn in the drum. Best always. PM

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Alex's avatar

Indeed. This may have something to do with Operation Paperclip. WWIII will be a continuation of WWII, since WWII solved nothing. To be fair, I'm pretty sure it wasn't supposed to. (Satan and his angels delight in war and confusion.) WWIII will be lost by the US and it's allies, and even the victors will be astonished. After that, the long anticipated 'mark of the beast' will be imposed - by the bastion of freedom, the US.

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Paul Murray's avatar

The US was never the "bastion of freedom". It was/is the "bastion of hubris". No mortal or group of mortals, no matter how well intentioned and no matter how much intoxicated with their own virtue, propriety, and discernment can undo/overcome human nature. Best always. PM

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StarboardEdge's avatar

Hi Alex -

"by the bastion of freedom, the US."

You misspelled "Babylon"...

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Alex's avatar

Not Babylon. The US is the lamblike beast that speaks as a dragon, see Revelation 13:11. The first beast comes up out of the sea, which represents a populated area (Europe), the lamblike beast comes up out of the earth, representing a relatively unpopulated area, the US.

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StarboardEdge's avatar

Hi Alex -

Agree to disagree my friend...

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Alex's avatar

Of course. But think about it; it can't be anything else.

Revelation and Daniel are companion books, and complement each other. The first beast of Revelation 13 is described in Daniel as well, in chapter 4:7, 19-25. But not the second beast; that was for John the Revelator to see, and complete the picture, since the second beast has to do with the very end of time. See: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/25833/25833-h/25833-h.html#toc53

Scroll down and start on page 439 (page numbers on left).

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StarboardEdge's avatar

Good stuff all through there Alex. I have skipped around and found some very insightful writing and the glossary is a gold mine. Ellen was down with the Spirit; I will be saving that site. Thanks...

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Steve Krasnow's avatar

Hyman Minsky was my advanced Economics Professor when I was an undergraduate at Washington University in Saint Louis in 1972. He was BRILLIANT. He was smarter than all 12 Federal Reserve Governors combined ( well way smarter). Professor Minsky taught me how to think out of the box and look at the bigger picture. 50 years plus later it is still paying dividends. His Financial Instability Hypothesis is happening in front of us right now unfortunately.

My fellow Boomers may regret not studying Hyman Minsky as our world evolves in the twilight of our years. Steve

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MURREYVONMISES's avatar

When are Bill and Dan and Tom finally going to get to the CBDC nightmare question????? I have a lot of essays from Rickards and his group and Tiwari and Prins but so far nothing really worthwhile that I can see (couple of ideas are better than others). I strongly suggest they get their butts in gear and discuss this potential catastrophe in more than one essay if they have any ideas. I do myself but there are problems with each one of the solutions. I suggest to all you readers that you put additional comments requesting some thorough feedback about this problem. Far more important than the stock market crap---up or down etc. With a CBDC it won't matter whether your stocks did one or the other because you won't be able to spend the money the way you want. Thank you.

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William Nolan's avatar

All right I am a Trumper, but your comments on the spending during Trumps Presidency are not fair. If I remember there was some thing called covid that greatly influenced spending. People were dying and money had to be spent to allow some relief. A bent democratic health and welfare also forced spending during the lock downs. Trump allowed the lock downs, but was not the total cause. I can not imagine the cost had Hillery had been President.

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Jul 14, 2023
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StarboardEdge's avatar

Hi Altschule -

"30 million"? Thinkin' you misunderestimated that...

(H/T George Bush)

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David Lowe's avatar

In your comment on the War Between the States, I've always wondered had the British come to the South's aide, not supplying troops, but manned Naval ships, and supplying needed war equipment, we all might be enjoying our afternoon "sweet tea."

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A.L.'s avatar

I'm listening to all the talk about how many shells the Ukies are firing and I'm thinking the limiting factor for future shell requirement is the wear out factor on the cannon tubes, not the production of more ammo.

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Richard Smith's avatar

"The Art of War",maybe we should budget a Trillion dollar reading course for our Politicians,Corporate executives and Pentagon Generals,before they jump on the ships heading to China.Hopefully they still won't be able to read.

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Glenn E Long's avatar

Its a beautiful mess. The American government is not different that a customer with a 100k credit card limit. They will spend and spend until they reach the point of no return (It appears we may already be there) and wait for the vultures to attack (e.g. Bond Holders trying to cash in under desperation). Once the US defaults, the ship will have already begun to sink. Sooner or later the US will learn there is no other option but to stop paying for wars and raise taxes to Swedish or Norwegian levels in order to pay the debt down. US Citizens have never listened to and don´t understand the Libertarian approach to financial responsibility, but they should start.

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User's avatar
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Jul 14, 2023
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Steve L's avatar

Yes Altschule, Mr Calhoun's "Mouse Utopia" or as we now witness, Human Utopia, is inevitable, as most species will self destruct under those same circumstances. It's just natural...

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