a life is passed in small increments. Minutes, hours, day, full of sights, sounds, tastes, touches and words. Let economists worry about GDP; we just want a quiet place to have a cup of coffee
Bill, for sure the cafe is a beautiful place to enjoy a cup or two of coffee. I read Joel Bowman daily so I am aware of the good things Milei has done to date but I am afraid he has a big hill to climb to bring the country back to the glory days of the past. When I look at America I wonder if it will ever be possible to bring the financial structure back to a reasonable level.....I fear not! I will bet the majority of your readers are over 50 and they too wonder if sanity will ever return to our financial structure. Never sell your gold!
What makes the Argentine experiment so fascinating to me is not ideology alone, but the deeper institutional question behind it.
I always assumed that modern political systems make it nearly impossible to meaningfully reduce the size of the state once a certain level of dependency and bureaucracy has been reached. Any politician seriously attempting it would face political suicide.
That is why Argentina feels historically important. If a democracy can actually reverse part of this process and move toward a more sustainable monetary and fiscal path, then perhaps history is less deterministic than many of us assumed after decades of observing similar cycles repeat themselves.
Success is far from guaranteed. But the possibility alone is intellectually exciting.
I have not been to Buenos Aires either, but I hope to visit someday myself. From everything I have read, it seems like one of those rare places where history, culture, cafés, architecture, and everyday life still create a very special atmosphere.
And yes, I think age slowly teaches us that companionship matters more and more. Perhaps that is one of the few advantages of getting older: we start understanding what truly has value.
Bill's report makes me think Milei now has geopolitical ambitions.
Even if they were free, Argentina doesn't need F-16's.
Their operational costs (e. g. parts, fuel, training) are going to be a net drain of the meager surplus he's created to date to defend his country from whom?
Better if he left his surplus in the private sector where, until he snatched what constitutes his surplus, it was created.
US bases in Argentina? If the shoe were on the other foot would you want foreign military bases in the US. Plus, which countries are such threats to Argentina that they require US bases on their soil? Plus with over $38 trillion in national debt why do we need to pay forore bases?
Rickards is, in my opinion, too impressed with his credentials/experience and comes off as a blowhard. My opinion. Casey is more consistent with his original self. Bonner has gotten a little wonky. My opinion. Best always. PM
Who better to run Venezuela? But that's not going to happen if the World Bank does not approve and there's talk of a default. I'm very sure Milei was separated from his security then handed a note: Congratulations, and keep up the good work, but don't go to far...that's a lovely family you have.
Bill that is an excellent report ! better than anything from Joel in the last few months .. always great to get first hand facts rather than "impressions" .. the facts alone allow one to make decisions regardless of what the "vibes" or other BS feelings tell you as everyone's feelings are subject to the taste on their tongues or what they ate yesterday .. well done and more of the same please ..
Really.....the truth and nothing but the truth..........who actually knows what really happened.........think you know the truth......think again........there are always two sides to anything and usually the victor writes the history.........
It is comments like these that need to be left off this forum. I agree we are the envy of the world. I to, am proud to be an American and to live in this beautiful country! The fraud and incompetence our government shows us every day is disheartening. Patrick G and his "stay tuned", has no business in this forum.
You my friend are the very epitome of the leftist who wants to eliminate that which you do not agree with, as though your beliefs and perspectives are truth. Wisdom requires humility and humility requires the recognition that the variability of thought is sacrosant and wise.
Ah, wisdom. When our ideas have become so sacrosant that just the comments coming from the opposite are perceived as threatening (to eliminate) and should be disregarded, maybe a little humility is wise. Eliminating one perspective just opens the door to stagnation, complacency and eventually corruption. I'm a true believer that each side has good ideas and should be debated.....on another forum. This forum is for the wisdom that Bonner can share with us in the financial system.
How do you know that no place is better than the US? Isn't that a matter of perspective? For example, the difference between a factory worker in Georgia who just lost his job and his medical benefits and a worker in Norway who has a national health care system and college education provided by his government.
And an oil field, owned by the Norwegian gov’t to support and pay for all the freebies…. Personally, i have been to 37 countries, coming in 1st place (besides the USA) is Israel, fantastic food, fantastic people, booth Jew and Muslim - those that work have no beef, its not what you hear on the news here. 2nd Switzerland, reminded me of the years of my adolescence, where children are out playing into evening without problem. Except it is very expensive to live there and finally 3rd is Greece, exception food exceptional people - but even with all that i agree with Patrick G. No place like the USA. None. Nada.
You forgot to answer my question. Wouldn't a worker with a family whose factory had been closed be better off in Norway? At least he wouldn't have to worry about going bankrupt because of medical bills. As far as college not for everyone I agree. But even Norwegians have to qualify to be accepted.
The point is that the greatest country in the world title is highly subjective. Should the greatest country in the world lead the developed countries in incarceration rates and total prisoners (more than China), obesity, healthcare costs?
Evil just within the DNC? There's evil on both teams. Lots of pedos too. That's why there was never a real investigation into to the Epstein blackmail operation.
Speaking of mooches, seems like Israel as a country is mooching off us, especially since they have national health care and a debt/GDP ratio half of ours. But both teams vote to send our tax dollars there. In fact in the land of the free any politician who votes against it will immediately be targeted by AIPAC.
Seriously...............Zelensky is a HERO. Please stop or go somewhere else. Another delusional MAGA. Geez............and are you still getting COVID shots.........
Its funny ask any Eastern European and they will tell you the Ukraine is the most corrupt in all of Europe. Ukraine is not to be trusted, said to go back to the days of WWII. But I hear that B actor now has multi million dollar villas in two different locations. I ll let you guess where one of them is. True scum of the earth like many who gravitate to high positions, engage into foreign entanglements to lord over the dellusional diehard gnocchi's
And, you "one of those". And, paranoid too. And, you need CAPS to express what? Your disagreement with what Bill writes. Really....CAPS.........I thought MAGAs had come and gone...........one never knows.
You are right. It is also right to question the motives of those who enter public service. Looking at the result of “good intentions” one begins to wonder about both intentions and motives.
Completely agree. All the Argentinians I know think these reforms are causing a lot of suffering and won’t work. But maybe a rich tourist and his taxi driver know better. Go figure.
Bill, for sure the cafe is a beautiful place to enjoy a cup or two of coffee. I read Joel Bowman daily so I am aware of the good things Milei has done to date but I am afraid he has a big hill to climb to bring the country back to the glory days of the past. When I look at America I wonder if it will ever be possible to bring the financial structure back to a reasonable level.....I fear not! I will bet the majority of your readers are over 50 and they too wonder if sanity will ever return to our financial structure. Never sell your gold!
Jim Marshall
I still hold to the rule of not investing more than 10% of my assets in real gold.
Gold is an insurance policy on investments.
...Bill appreciates a quiet restaurant experience, with respectful properly attired waiters.
Such a scenario can only be had in a country where most all share the same values and appreciate the same culture.
When you have establishments residing within a diversity of culture, you will get that diverse service experience too...
Amen to that brother.
What makes the Argentine experiment so fascinating to me is not ideology alone, but the deeper institutional question behind it.
I always assumed that modern political systems make it nearly impossible to meaningfully reduce the size of the state once a certain level of dependency and bureaucracy has been reached. Any politician seriously attempting it would face political suicide.
That is why Argentina feels historically important. If a democracy can actually reverse part of this process and move toward a more sustainable monetary and fiscal path, then perhaps history is less deterministic than many of us assumed after decades of observing similar cycles repeat themselves.
Success is far from guaranteed. But the possibility alone is intellectually exciting.
I have not been to Buenos Aires either, but I hope to visit someday myself. From everything I have read, it seems like one of those rare places where history, culture, cafés, architecture, and everyday life still create a very special atmosphere.
And I sincerely hope you get there as well.
Went to Paris, and toke a Viking cruise to Normandy on our 50th Anniversary. A trip we will never forget.
After 43 years of marriage, making those journeys together sounds even more meaningful than the destinations themselves.
Thank you, that is very kind.
And yes, I think age slowly teaches us that companionship matters more and more. Perhaps that is one of the few advantages of getting older: we start understanding what truly has value.
I visited Buenos Aires in 1994, when I was much younger. Beautiful city.
Bill's report makes me think Milei now has geopolitical ambitions.
Even if they were free, Argentina doesn't need F-16's.
Their operational costs (e. g. parts, fuel, training) are going to be a net drain of the meager surplus he's created to date to defend his country from whom?
Better if he left his surplus in the private sector where, until he snatched what constitutes his surplus, it was created.
Governments don't create wealth; they take it
My point: Argentina doesn't need F - 16's.
Better it effect a defense agreement with the US allowing USAF F-16 units to be stationed there
And for USN P-8's to perform sea surveillance from Argentinean bases
US bases in Argentina? If the shoe were on the other foot would you want foreign military bases in the US. Plus, which countries are such threats to Argentina that they require US bases on their soil? Plus with over $38 trillion in national debt why do we need to pay forore bases?
Sensible questions all. To them, my responses are No, None and We Don’t
I'm retired from Lockheed.
Among its engineers whom I met in my day was Kelly Johnson, the Skunk Works director and designer of the P -38, F-80, F-104, SR71 and the U2
He was maybe 5 feet tall. Very affable. He was a legend when I met him a fair number of years ago, a one on one meeting that I recall to this day.
I am impressed too that you few the U2 and the SR71. You are among the rare pilots who flew both.
Excellent piece today.
Bill Bonner, good cop. Doug Casey, bad cop. Best always. PM
Bonner and Casey, both are my #1 read. Visted BA, Salta, and Mendoza - good memories.
Rickards is, in my opinion, too impressed with his credentials/experience and comes off as a blowhard. My opinion. Casey is more consistent with his original self. Bonner has gotten a little wonky. My opinion. Best always. PM
Mentioning UNC, I often use this analogy to explain the Bonner-Casey arrangement: Bonner is Dean Smith, and Casey is Bob Knight. Best always. PM
Opinions are way cheaper than a cup of coffee in the short term and can be exorbitantly expensive over time.
I’m not suggesting silencing anyone. Opinions without understanding or wisdom lean toward mobocracy, imho.
ChatGPT says: $300 million for 24 fighters is relatively cheap by modern fighter standards.
New fighters often cost tens or hundreds of millions per aircraft.
Denmark is transitioning to Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II jets, making its F-16 fleet surplus.
So the core claim is accurate:
Argentina bought 24 used Danish F-16s for roughly $300 million.
The “bankrupt country” phrasing is an opinionated characterization rather than a precise legal description.
Who better to run Venezuela? But that's not going to happen if the World Bank does not approve and there's talk of a default. I'm very sure Milei was separated from his security then handed a note: Congratulations, and keep up the good work, but don't go to far...that's a lovely family you have.
Bill that is an excellent report ! better than anything from Joel in the last few months .. always great to get first hand facts rather than "impressions" .. the facts alone allow one to make decisions regardless of what the "vibes" or other BS feelings tell you as everyone's feelings are subject to the taste on their tongues or what they ate yesterday .. well done and more of the same please ..
I suppose the chart speaks for itself
Thank you Bill for inviting us to your relaxing day and the gentle but instructive narrative that I remember from your past writings.
Really.....the truth and nothing but the truth..........who actually knows what really happened.........think you know the truth......think again........there are always two sides to anything and usually the victor writes the history.........
You can think what you want but that isn't always so. Others have different opinions. And, like you - I don't care if you like it or not.
It is comments like these that need to be left off this forum. I agree we are the envy of the world. I to, am proud to be an American and to live in this beautiful country! The fraud and incompetence our government shows us every day is disheartening. Patrick G and his "stay tuned", has no business in this forum.
You my friend are the very epitome of the leftist who wants to eliminate that which you do not agree with, as though your beliefs and perspectives are truth. Wisdom requires humility and humility requires the recognition that the variability of thought is sacrosant and wise.
Ah, wisdom. When our ideas have become so sacrosant that just the comments coming from the opposite are perceived as threatening (to eliminate) and should be disregarded, maybe a little humility is wise. Eliminating one perspective just opens the door to stagnation, complacency and eventually corruption. I'm a true believer that each side has good ideas and should be debated.....on another forum. This forum is for the wisdom that Bonner can share with us in the financial system.
Yup, let me know when that starts.
You have a forum? I see you are the author of a news letter.
I understand from where you are coming, but I don't understand where you're going...
I agree each side has good ideas... don't forget bad too!
Boys being girls, open borders, increased taxation, non-assimilating immigration and outsourcing goods to cheap foreign labor...
Doesn't leave a lot of room for debate.
How do you know that no place is better than the US? Isn't that a matter of perspective? For example, the difference between a factory worker in Georgia who just lost his job and his medical benefits and a worker in Norway who has a national health care system and college education provided by his government.
And an oil field, owned by the Norwegian gov’t to support and pay for all the freebies…. Personally, i have been to 37 countries, coming in 1st place (besides the USA) is Israel, fantastic food, fantastic people, booth Jew and Muslim - those that work have no beef, its not what you hear on the news here. 2nd Switzerland, reminded me of the years of my adolescence, where children are out playing into evening without problem. Except it is very expensive to live there and finally 3rd is Greece, exception food exceptional people - but even with all that i agree with Patrick G. No place like the USA. None. Nada.
How many countries have they invaded in the last 25 years?
American. What am I next for? Oh I get it you are a Just another keyboard tough guy. I am so scared.😂😂🇱🇷
American. What am I next for? Oh I get it you are a Just another keyboard tough guy. I am so scared.😂😂🇱🇷
come on
You forgot to answer my question. Wouldn't a worker with a family whose factory had been closed be better off in Norway? At least he wouldn't have to worry about going bankrupt because of medical bills. As far as college not for everyone I agree. But even Norwegians have to qualify to be accepted.
The point is that the greatest country in the world title is highly subjective. Should the greatest country in the world lead the developed countries in incarceration rates and total prisoners (more than China), obesity, healthcare costs?
Evil just within the DNC? There's evil on both teams. Lots of pedos too. That's why there was never a real investigation into to the Epstein blackmail operation.
Speaking of mooches, seems like Israel as a country is mooching off us, especially since they have national health care and a debt/GDP ratio half of ours. But both teams vote to send our tax dollars there. In fact in the land of the free any politician who votes against it will immediately be targeted by AIPAC.
Dude you're wasting your time. He's just another delusional boomer. What's with all the caps ?
Yeah, the republicans are so good. Wake up dude there are pigs on both sides. Maybe 3 or 4 good republicans. Pigs on both sides.
Seriously...............Zelensky is a HERO. Please stop or go somewhere else. Another delusional MAGA. Geez............and are you still getting COVID shots.........
Its funny ask any Eastern European and they will tell you the Ukraine is the most corrupt in all of Europe. Ukraine is not to be trusted, said to go back to the days of WWII. But I hear that B actor now has multi million dollar villas in two different locations. I ll let you guess where one of them is. True scum of the earth like many who gravitate to high positions, engage into foreign entanglements to lord over the dellusional diehard gnocchi's
All par for the course.
Italy???
Yup
And, you "one of those". And, paranoid too. And, you need CAPS to express what? Your disagreement with what Bill writes. Really....CAPS.........I thought MAGAs had come and gone...........one never knows.
Actually your “nutjobs” are the politicians who can do real harm.
You are right. It is also right to question the motives of those who enter public service. Looking at the result of “good intentions” one begins to wonder about both intentions and motives.
Completely agree. All the Argentinians I know think these reforms are causing a lot of suffering and won’t work. But maybe a rich tourist and his taxi driver know better. Go figure.