Thursday, May 15, 2025
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1922004098192494598.html?utm_source=tldrcrypto
@tikhbana
May 12 • 1 tweets • 1 min read •
Read on X
*** begin quote ***
had a call with a freelancer in tripoli, libya last week
he found us by asking perplexity:
“how do i send an invoice where my client pays by card and i receive crypto?”
we got on a call. he said he uses stablecoins because shops in libya will swap them for cash at a better rate than USD. but his client don’t want to pay in stables, but he wants to receive it. so he needed a way to bridge that.
then he said:
“getting paid in stablecoins is like your client handing you cash, instantly, across a border.”
*** end quote ***
here’s an interesting factoid about the U$D and stable coins. in libya, stable coins get a better exchange rate than the U$D?
Very interesting to me. A use case for stable coins in international trade?
So if you’re going overseas or on an international cruise, then carrying some stable coins makes sense.
How will the various Gooferments enforce “money laundering” or “capital controls” when there’s nothing to show that value or wealth is crossing the boundary?
The use case for ₿ (bitcoin) of that Ukrainian crossing into Poland (I think that was the fact) with the clothes he had on and his memorized 24 words.
Demonstrates the freedom of ₿ and crypto in general.
YMMV
—30—
Leave a Comment » | 
ECONOMICS | Tagged: @tikhbana, CRYPTO, cryptocurrencies | 
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Posted by reinkefj
Monday, May 12, 2025
https://x.com/rickydoggin/status/1902482549609545959?s=51&t=fNifJ9M-EU2FgGneNcz51w
G. Edward Griffin, author of the legendary “The Creature From Jekyll Island,” outlines seven compelling reasons why the Federal Reserve should be abolished.
1) It is incapable of accomplishing its stated objectives.
2) It is a cartel operating against the public interest.
3) It is the supreme instrument of usury.
4) It generates our most unfair tax.
5) It encourages war.
6) It destabilizes the economy.
7) It is an instrument of totalitarianism.
# – # – # – # – #
As Ron Paul pointed out, the fiat money steal wealth from the poor, those on fixed income, and the young trying get ahead.
My particular gripe is with the “2% inflation target” that devalues our savings. The Ponzi scheme of “Social Security Insurance” (what a joke) — while transfer wealth from poor minority men to rich white women — take my dollars in “contributions” and returns inflation ravaged “dollars” decades later that are worth a few pennies in purchasing power. Argh!
Wake up people!
When we were on a gold standard, prices deflated, savings were easy in gold coins, and life was predictable. Now with fiat dollars (it’s a dollar because the Gooferment says it is), the Gooferment gets an endless spending spree, forever wars, and welfare to but votes.
Sigh!
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: #endthefed, G. Edward Griffin, rickydoggin, The Creature From Jekyll Island | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Sunday, March 30, 2025
https://bitcoinmagazine.com/bitcoin-for-corporations/gamestops-bitcoin-move-looks-bold-but-it-might-be-brilliant?_kx=pYguJkB4-5NWNPpHSMMFBEIA8mUlSirEDlJPaB68tH8lzIRLbKOSwm282F8TWY5D.RLfipm
GameStop’s Bitcoin Move Looks Bold—But It Might Be Brilliant
- GameStop’s Bitcoin move left many scratching their heads. But behind the confusion is a clear, calculated strategy that more CFOs should be watching closely.
By Nick Ward — March 26, 2025
*** begin quote ***
This week, GameStop quietly updated its investment policy to include Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset. With approximately $4.78 billion in cash—nearly 37% of its $12.9 billion market cap—this move marks more than just a diversification of reserves.
*** and ***
For companies with material cash holdings, the erosion of purchasing power is no longer theoretical—it’s measurable. Over the past decade, the U.S. dollar has declined in real terms by more than 25%, driven by inflation, expansionary monetary policy, and global fiscal uncertainty.
Bitcoin presents a compelling counterweight to this degradation, particularly for balance sheets with the flexibility to tolerate mark-to-market volatility in pursuit of long-term strategic payoff.
*** end quote ***
Now a corporation doing this can spend resources ensuring the security of its assets.
However, the average consumer retail type needs to be extremely careful not to lose their “wallet”.
Considering the 25% loss of purchasing power over 5 years, that can put a hole in anyone savings.
It’s the same problem as Social Security “Insurance” (see my many rants about that — the prepaid Death Tax). You pay in with “good” dollars say in 1970 and get out “bad” dollars that have lost 90+% of their purchasing power.
Given the state of Gooferment finances (i.e., the current 140T+ national debt and the guesstimated 200T+ in unfunded liabilities that our posterity will have to deal with) how does one preserve wealth in this disastrous era.
I, personally, have some savings, but not enough, in ₿itcoin, gold, silver, and Goldbacks. As always YMMV.
How does the consumer, to use a military term, “get small in your hole”? Where is your “underground bunker” for this “tornado”. Everyone should have one.
In the pre-1913 era, you could save your gold dollars in jar or bury some in your back yard. Then in your old age you’d find that the money had actually increased a little in purchasing power. What can you do today?
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: BITCOIN, Bitcoin For Corporations, bitcoin treasury, Bitcoin Treasury Strategy, Corporate Bitcoin Strategy, gamestop, Nick Ward | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Monday, March 24, 2025
https://survivalblog.com/2025/03/17/preparedness-notes-monday-march-17-2025/
Preparedness Notes for Monday — March 17, 2025
James Wesley Rawles
*** begin quote ***
Here is another example: An Old Timer Schrade Two Blade Folding Knife, priced at $110, plus $15 postage. (Total of $125, divided by 24.7 = $5.06. When rounded down, that would be just $5.00 face value in 90% silver coins. So mailing us 20 silver quarters would buy you that knife.)
As you can see from that example, as a nation we have been collectively robbed by both inflation and currency debasement. The real tangible VALUE of a knife or a silver coin has not changed much since 1964. It is the overproduced Federal Reserve Note “dollars” (both paper and digital) that gradually have had less and less purchasing power.
*** end quote ***
Yeah, yeah, I rant on this all the time.
Fiat (i.e., it has value because the Gooferment says so) has declined in value somewhere around 95%. I’ve posted about: penny candy, nickel cigars, dime store novels, and 30¢ a gallon gas. Also, the minimum wage of five silver quarters per hour would be worth about $25 per hour today.
Funny how that works but yet “We, The Sheeple” refuse to see Gooferment politicians and bureaucrats as the parasites and thieves that they are.
Imagine what the Dead Old White Guys would think of all this?
#endthefed would be a policy not a hashtag.
Ron Paul was, and is, right. When you cut out a cancer, what do you replace it with? Nothing!
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: Federal Reserve Note, James Wesley Rawles | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Thursday, February 27, 2025
https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/how-did-108-economists-predict-mileis-results-exactly-wrong/
How Did 108 Economists Predict Milei’s Results Exactly Wrong?
- Leading lights on the left said Milei’s free market reforms would be disastrous. Instead, they’ve been hailed as a miracle.
Jon Miltimore
February 15, 2025
*** begin quote ***
“Their understanding of how markets work and of how governments work is superficial,” writes Henderson. “I wonder if any of them, seeing the apparent success of Milei’s policies, are questioning their prior views. We can always hope.”
Indeed we can. But for now, it’s not unfair to assume from their silence that they’ve learned little from Argentina’s economic progress.
As President Donald Trump begins his own second term as president, there’s much he can learn from Milei’s first year in office.
This includes ignoring economists who claim that cutting government spending, regulations, and bureaucracy will result in economic devastation. And perhaps most importantly, the danger of using government printing presses to avoid making difficult budget decisions.
*** and ***
Jonathan Miltimore is Senior Editor at AIER. His writing/reporting has been the subject of articles in TIME, Wall Street Journal, CNN, Forbes, and the Star Tribune. He is a contributor at the Washington Examiner and has had bylines in Fox News, Newsweek, National Review, the Epoch Times, Real Clear Politics, the Washington Times, and other media.
Prior to joining AIER, Jon served in editorial roles at the History Channel magazine and the Foundation for Economic Education. He also served in the Bush Administration as an intern in the Department of Speechwriting. When he is not working, Jon enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with his wife and three children. He also coaches youth football, baseball, and wrestling.
*** end quote ***
All the little L libertarians knew that, if allowed, Milei’s free market reforms would radically change the incentive structure in that socialist economy. Just like that, freeing people’s competitive skills and ability from the chains of a Welfare State would stun all the pessimists. And it did.
Inflation from 300% to 2.4%. GDP of 5%.
I guess that the people of any country would want stats like that. Now it’s time to get the leadership that will give it to them.
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Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: AIER, CNN, Forbes, Fox News, Jon Miltimore, National Review, Newsweek, Real Clear Politics, The Epoch Times, The Washington Times, thedailyeconomy.org, Time, Wall Street Journal, Washington Examiner | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Sunday, February 23, 2025
https://dailyreckoning.com/blissful-ignorance-now/
Blissful Ignorance Now
By Sean Ring
Posted February 13, 2025
*** begin quote ***
I was recently watching Landman, which is a TV series about the oil industry in West Texas. Tommy Norris, the Landman, explained to his female lawyer colleague the economics and environmental impact of wind turbines and how oil companies use them to power the wells. They need to use those monstrosities because the wells are off-grid.
*** and ***
Tommy: “Do you have any idea how much diesel they have to burn to mix that much concrete or make that steel, and haul this shit out here, and put it together with a 450-foot crane? You wanna guess how much oil it takes to lubricate that fucking thing or winterize it? In its 20-year lifespan, it won’t offset the carbon footprint of making it. And don’t get me started on solar panels and the lithium in your Tesla battery. And nevermind the fact that if the whole world decided to go electric tomorrow, we don’t have the transmission lines to get the electricity to the cities. It’d take 30 years if we started tomorrow. And, unfortunately, for your grandkids, we have a 120-year petroleum-based infrastructure. Our whole lives depend on it. And hell, it’s in everything. That road we came in on, the wheels won’t every car ever made, including yours. It’s in tennis rackets, and lipstick, and refrigerators, and antihistamines, pretty much anything plastic. Your cell phone case, artificial heart valves, any kind of clothing that’s not made with animal or plant fibers, soap, fucking hand lotion, garbage bags, fishing boats, you name it. Every fucking thing. And you know what the kicker is? We’re gonna run out of it before we find its replacement.”
Rebecca: “It’s the thing that’s gonna kill us all as a species.”
Tommy: “No, the thing that’s gonna kill us all is running out before we find an alternative. And, believe me, if Exxon thought them fucking things right there were the future, they’d be putting ’em all over the goddamn place. Getting oil outta the ground is the most dangerous job in the world. We don’t do it ’cause we like it, we do it ’cause we run outta options. And you’re out here trying to find something to blame for the danger besides your boss. There ain’t nobody to blame, but the demand that we keep pumping it.”
*** end quote ***
Funny how we have to rely on TV fiction to “explain” why “green energy” is fictional concept.
And, even more peculiar, that we need nuclear power before we run out of oil.
The alternative is we die off as a species.
ECONOMICS is truly the dismal science of limited resources and the recognition there of.
Argh!
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: dailyreckoning.com, environmental impact, Landman, Sean Ring, wind turbines | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Sunday, February 16, 2025
https://nypost.com/2025/02/07/business/investors-take-aim-at-nba-with-plans-to-create-5b-basketball-league/
Investors take aim at NBA with plans to create $5B basketball league: ‘Opportunity is massive’
By Reuters
Published Feb. 7, 2025 Updated Feb. 7, 2025, 5:54 p.m. ET
*** begin quote ***
A group of investors are looking to create a new basketball league that will span Asia and Europe to one day rival the NBA, with Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund as a strategic partner and Swiss bank UBS serving as an adviser.
The Financial Times reported that the $5 billion basketball competition plans to create six men’s teams and six women’s teams that will compete in eight host cities.
*** end quote ***
Interesting. The NBA is a “monopoly”. Economics teaches that monopolies don’t last since competition seeks to “eat their lunch”. Here’s real life proof of that economic ‘lesson”.
From Standard Oil on to every other attempt to corner the market, we see monopolies destroyed without Gooferment intervention almost immediately after they come into being. Remember Standard Oil went from 100% market share to under 70% in a decade due to competition. And, then the Gooferment got involved.
The only way you can have a monopoly today is with a Gooferment grant of immunity. Like Baseball, the Post Office, or Amtrak. And, it usually comes with subsidies (i.e., why does the Gooferment build NFL stadiums?) that return to the politicians and bureaucrats as payoffs (i.e., campaign contributions).
In the end, the Taxpayers and the Customers get <synonym for the act of procreation>!
Argh!
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Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: NBA, nypost, Reuters | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Sunday, February 9, 2025
FROM A EMAIL THREAD:
LUDDITE:
*** begin quote ***
Wow this is beyond mind blowing! The list of blatant wastes of billions of U.S. tax dollars is really hard to comprehend. It will probably reach trillions very soon, there are no words to describe what the scabs have been doing to us!
Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) / X
x.com
https://x.com › doge
Through 1/29/2025, 85 DEIA related contracts totaling ~$1B have been terminated within the Dept. of Ed, GSA, OPM, EPA, DoL, Treasury, DoD, USDA, Commerce,
*** end quote ***
REINKEFJ:
Very sad indeed. And, a lot of “little people” are going to be displaced. It’s not just the “leadership” that gets fired. Argh!
Last tin foil hat estimate I read was that 3T$ could be freed up if 12 Departments, about 15 “agencies”, and a bushel basket full of other types of activities were eliminated.
Sigh!
A YOUNGER RELATIVE:
I don’t think anyone disagrees with cutting poor employees. But, as the reaction to grant programs being cut showed, red states are disproportionately impacted by government program cuts and those senators and congressman got an earful hence that idea was quashed. Today offices across the Midwest and south got hammered by calls regarding the tariffs. Farmers want their government handouts to continue. Biggest welfare group in the country and they have some power in the republican caucus so it’ll be interesting to see. President Musk is certainly leaving his mark but you’d think his lackey will want to regain some control soon.
REINKEFJ:
Well, it’s about time that EVERYONE got off the dole. The fiscal ship is sinking and if we don’t want a complete financial meltdown, everyone has to take their cuts.
Farmers, especially the corporate farmers like ADM, have been “milking” the system. Parity payments for sugar are a classic example. Paying farmers not to grow crops is another. America could feed the world if the Gooferment would just get out of the way and allow the really free market to explode our productivity.
Sorry but EVERYONE is not entitled to a handout. Ponzi scheme of Social Security needs to be unwound.
The Federal Reserve is a huge stumbling block to a healthy economy. But probably too big for DJT47 to tackle. Although I did read that his advisors were floating a trial balloon of 50 year bonds pegged to the price of gold as a way to retire the national debt. If so, then the FED would be unnecessary. Shade of Andrew Jackson, imaging no Federal debt to service.
I have high hopes that the DJT47 team can turn the Titanic away from the icebergs.
First time in decades that there is a glimmer of hope.
# – # – # – # – #
I think this dialogue is instructive in that everyone sees the problem but no one wants their “Sacred Cow” to get killed.
Hopefully, if everyone is upset, then the country is getting back on track.
The good ideas seem to keep flowing in. From “Kill the Department of Education” to defund NPR, nothing is too big or too small to get the AXE.
One thing I learned and was astonished to find out was that “USAID” was not “USA foreign aid” but “USA International Development” and was a CIA front for “foreign adventures”. Surely that should be axed.
Another surprising revelation, was that all the Ukrainian cash aid didn’t get to Ukraine.
Finally, the NGO’s like Red Cross and Catholic Charities were getting gazillions for “illegals” “resettlement”.
No wonder the USA is going broke, too many grifters robbing us blind.
Argh!
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: USA foreign aid, USA International Development, USAID | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/armstrongeconomics101/economics/the-recession-into-2028-trump-does-not-understand/
The Recession into 2028 Trump Does Not Understand
Posted Nov 17, 2024 by Martin Armstrong
*** begin quote ***
As I said, Trump’s plan to eliminate and replace the income tax with tariffs will fail. I understand those who proposed the idea, citing that the nation was funded by tariffs before the income tax, and a return to that funding system may look good in bullet points, but the economy is far more complex, and the socialistic goals will not be able to simply be cut without resistance.
*** end quote ***
I think the biggest risk is, like with the proposal for a national sales tax, is that we wind up with both tariffs and the income tax.
I am struck by the realization that some people have had that only “We, The Sheeple” pay taxes. Corporate taxes are passed through to the consumer — “We, The Sheeple”. ALL taxes eventually are our burden.
So why not swap the IRS for tariffs?
Yeah, it may cause some disruption but it has to be a net positive to eliminate all the bureaucrats and administrivia surrounding the income tax. Everyone will be better off when the annual ritual is terminated. Yeah, I am sure that H&R Block will scream bloody murder. But imagine getting your paycheck without deductions?
I like it.
And I still haven’t heard a good argument why not.
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: armstrongeconomics.com, Martin Armstrong | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Friday, November 22, 2024
https://www.dailywire.com/news/javier-milei-staunch-economist-brings-argentinas-inflation-to-less-than-3
Javier Milei, Staunch Economist, Brings Argentina’s Inflation To Less Than 3%
‘We are emerging from the desert, the country is starting to grow again’
By Hank Berrien
Nov 13, 2024 DailyWire.com
*** begin quote ***
Staunchly libertarian Argentinian President Javier Milei’s economic plans are proving enormously successful, as the country’s inflation plunged to 2.7% in October, the lowest level in three years.
*** and ***
n 2022, the Argentinian inflation rate was 72.43%. Barrons reported that when Milei took office last December, “monthly inflation leapt by 25.5 percent after he devalued the peso by more than 50 percent. It has since been on a downward trajectory, coming in at under five percent each month since May. … Milei, who wielded a chainsaw on the campaign trail last year as a symbol of his plan to slash public spending, has cut energy and transport subsidies and thousands of public sector jobs.”
*** end quote ***
Hopefully DJT4547 is watching this success.
We can only hope.
There are so many great ideas floating about. Someone once said, Regan I think, that a President can only try to accomplish three things. I hope world peace, immigration, the Federal deficit / debt / inflation, and making elections like Florida are DJT4547’s three. Yeah I know that’s four, but what’s one more when you have a mandate.
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: Argentina, DailyWire.com, Hank Berrien, Javier Milei | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/12/trump-tariffs-companies-scramble-lobbyist-loopholes.html
‘Everyone is calling’: Trump’s tariff threats send U.S. companies scrambling for lobbyists and loopholes
Published Tue, Nov 12 20244:08 PM EST
Updated Tue, Nov 12 20244:46 PM EST
Rebecca Picciotto
Lora Kolodny
*** begin quote ***
Trump made universal tariffs a core tenet of his economic campaign pitch, floating a 20% tax on all imports from all countries with a specifically harsh 60% rate for Chinese goods.
*** end quote ***
It seems really simple — tariffs or the IRS!
Both get the money from the same pocket — we, the Taxpayers.
Without the income tax and the IRS, there’s no need for lobbyists and loopholes. Pay when “stuff” comes in, no exceptions, and there is no need for an IRS,
We’ll still be paying. Of course, there will be a period of adjustment. Some prices will go up and some won’t. We’d be changing the entire “incentive” structure back to one the Dead Old White Guys intended.
Of course, we should be very afraid on winding up with both! That’s one of the arguments for any tax reform (i.e., flat tax; fair tax; national sales tax; etc. etc. Etc.).
I’m not sure that One Fell Swoop (i.e., shut down the IRS and impose tariffs on the same day like February First) is the “best” implementation strategy but we drive on roads with potholes all the time. So what.
I’d say: “Just Do It”.
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: @beccpicc, @in/lorakolodny/, cnbc.com, Lora Kolodny, Rebecca Picciotto | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Sunday, October 27, 2024
https://www.lewrockwell.com/2024/10/lew-rockwell/why-equality-is-bad-2/ lewrockwell.com
No Compromise With the Fed! – LewRockwell
By Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr.
*** begin quote ***
Some people argue like this: Although the Fed as it now exists is very bad, a nation needs a central bank to regulate its money supply, and the Fed is better than nothing. That being so, we should try to urge the Fed to adopt a non-expansionary monetary policy. In this view, calls to “End the Fed” are mistaken. I’m sure most of my readers already know what I’m about to say, but, just to be clear, that view is disastrously wrong. We do not need a central bank, and to argue in the way indicated is to betray the great Murray Rothbard and the great Dr. Ron Paul, whose slogan “End the Fed” has galvanized so many of us.
*** and ***
The transitional demands, then, must be framed while
- always holding up the ultimate goal of liberty as the desired end of the transitional process; and
- never taking steps, or using means, which explicitly or implicitly contradict that goal.”
Let’s do every we can to end the Fed now! On this, there can be no compromise.
*** end quote ***
Imagine a world with no Central Banks! Unimaginable? Think of the USA before 1913, and you can imagine that. Where “inflation” was negative. Real money — commodity money — circulated freely. Foreign coins, like the Spanish real, were used along side of gold and silver coins. Prices were always coming down. Want to save your old age, put some coins in a jar on the mantle like my paternal grandmother did — right under her rifle over the mantle.
The best argument against the FED or any central bank that “prints” money is that it allows the Gooferment to inflate the currency to pay for wars.
#ENDTHEFED
We don’t need it and it’s evil.
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: #endthefed, FED, inflammation, Jr., Llewellyn H. Rockwell | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
https://internationalman.com/articles/david-stockman-on-the-battle-of-the-liars-trump-versus-harris-and-the-folly-of-uniparty-economics/
David Stockman on The Battle of The Liars… Trump Versus Harris and The Folly of UniParty Economics
by David Stockman
<< EDITOR ADDED DATE 2024-10-18>>
*** begin quote ***
The Dem candidate brags about 16 million new jobs on the Harris-Biden watch and Trump claims the Greatest Economy Ever—evidenced in part by low inflation that his successor purportedly blew sky high.
Both are lying. Both ignore crucial matters of context—such as stage of the business cycle, Fed policy actions, forces arising from the $105 trillion global economy in which US growth, jobs and inflation are inextricably rooted and the fact of lag times in transmission of Washington policy into economic outcomes.
*** and ***
In any event, the real culprits are the spenders and money-printers. And not surprisingly, both candidates want more of both.
Editor’s Note: The amount of money the US government spends on foreign aid, wars, the so-called intelligence community, and other aspects of foreign policy is enormous and ever-growing.
It’s an established trend in motion that is accelerating, and now approaching a breaking point. It could cause the most significant disaster since the 1930s.
*** end quote ***
I keep banging the drum on “debt, unfunded liabilities, and Gooferment deficit spending at all levels”.
The UniParty makes picking the “lesser of two evils” a frustratingly failed strategy.
As Tom Woods says “No matter who I vote for I get John McCain”. Sadly true.
All “We, The Sheeple” can do is prepare for the eventual collapse of the dollar when the debt becomes unrepeatable. Till then remember the old military directive “get small in your hole”.
As when I was counseling FOWG “turkeys” — Success for your generation is: (1) ruthless financial discipline — no bad debt; (2) a life long interest in learning — education — a degree — they can’t take it away from you; (3) a NON-OFFSHORABLE white collar job in order to save big bux; (4) a blue collar skill for hard times — never saw a poor plumber; (5) one or more internet based businesses — your store is always open; (6) a free time hobby that generates income; and (7) a large will-maintained network of people who can “help” you.
That’s the same advice for dealing with the UniParty’s economic disaster.
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: David Stockman, DEBT, deficit spending, foreign aid, foreign policy, intelligence community, internationalman.com, unfunded liabilities, uniparty, Wars | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Friday, October 11, 2024
One would think that someone would recognize that “shipping all the jobs overseas” was a fundamentally flawed strategy to bankrupt the middle class. Seems obvious to me.
DJT’s tariffs would be a step in the right direction IF AND ONLY IF it was done “gently” (so as not to ignite a trade war) and strategically (focus on the key industries need in war time). Same with mergers and acquisitions approval.
In the financial realm, TBIF (too big to fail) is TBTE (too big to exist). Balance sheets should be limited to a reasonable amount percentage relative to the national GDP.
Unfunded liabilities by any entity should be outlawed.
Also, executive compensation should be “taxed” to the extent that it exceeds what the President is paid and any other compensation should be “laddered” (i.e., vested non-transferable corporate bonds staggered in equal amounts over a long term time horizon) say thirty years to encourage long term decision making (i.e., no sacrificing long term survival for short term profitability).
Don’t tax savings or whatever it earns. Distinguish between savings, investment, and speculation.
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: investment, savings | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Monday, September 30, 2024
Target reduced the number of baby wipes in a case from 12 to 8. That’s a ⅓ reduction. At a “new lower price”! Which, of course, is more than ⅔ of the old price. I guess they think we are stupid or math challenged! Argh!
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: #target, @target, Target | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Monday, September 2, 2024
https://a.tldrnewsletter.com/web-version?ep=1&lc=59038840-6904-11ee-b58c-ff3e3245800a&p=d6d820a0-6458-11ef-b2cb-45ae9ed9a73f&pt=campaign&t=1724760456&s=a4d4dc8d5599a4dfd9723c7b933879aee51bd33d73d67bdffb0cfe73c7647cc4
TLDR Crypto 2024-08-27
Wyoming is pushing crypto payments and trying to beat the Fed to a digital dollar
Wyoming plans to launch the Wyoming stable token, a US-dollar-backed stablecoin, in Q1 2025. Its goal is to facilitate faster and cheaper transactions while introducing a new revenue stream for the state. The token will serve as a model for a federally digitized dollar, and the state will invest reserves into Treasury Bills to fund public schools. If successful, Wyoming hopes to expand to tokenizing other assets like commodities and real estate.
# – # – # – # – #
If WY is really interested in building up their State investing in US Treasury bonds is NOT a good long term strategy. A better one would be to foster Wyoming businesses like ranches, farms, and homes with “friendly” financing for things whole within their State. The North Dakota bank is the exemplar of how to do it. All State, City, and local Gooferments can do their “banking” with the WY Bank and cut Wall Street out of the “supply train”. By developing Wyoming’s financial infrastructure it can prepare for the hard times ahead. Think local; act local. #endthefed
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: #endthefed, TLDR Crypto, Treasury Bills, Wyoming | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Friday, August 30, 2024
FROM NEXTDOOR
*** begin quote ***
John German — Milltown — 2024-08Aug-20
I keep reading about people getting ripped off by home improvement people.
1) If you aren’t given a detailed quote on letterhead with a physical address you are taking a chance.
2) If you hire a tradesperson without a license, you are taking a chance. A licensed individual is accountable for his/her license and usually will not risk getting board complaints.
3) If you hire a person who has no insurance, you are taking a big chance. Ask for proof of insurance. If a contractor shows up at your house with a crew of day laborers and has no workers comp. insurance you can be held liable if they get hurt on your property.
4) A contractor should have the business name, location, license # on their trucks. That’s a law.
There is a reason some contractors charge more money, it’s called overhead. Licensed workers and insurance are for your protection.
Years ago, a friend of mine hired a guy “on the side” to put in an oil burner. The guy did a lousy job with the connections. A day later, a line leaked. His entire 500 gallon oil tank sprayed out onto the basement floor. It went into the sump pump and it got discharged into his backyard which had a stream. 500 gallons of heating oil into the stream and the inexpensive guy was nowhere to be found.
*** end quote ***
Remember you get what you pay for … …
… … sometimes “cheap” is much more expensive.
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: Insurance, license, tradesperson | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/28/conservationists-warn-unauthorised-releases-beavers-english-rivers?ICID=ref_fark
Beaver-bombing’: unauthorised rodent releases on the rise in English rivers
Experts say trend is because of failure by successive governments to approve releases despite promises
Patrick Barkham
Wed 28 Aug 2024 07.05 EDT
*** begin quote ***
Debbie Tann, the chief executive of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: “We’ve got beavers living wild quite happily and quietly [across southern England] and yet to get a licence to release a native animal back into its natural habitat we’ve got to do this 100,000-word application to assess its impact on every single aspect of everything.”
*** end quote ***
Only the Gooferment could try to manage beavers … … with a 100,000-word application.
Hey, here’s a thought, deregulate anything to do with the beaver. No forms, no bureaucrats, no beavers constrained and fighting to the death for their space.
Especially no “red tape” and all the people to shuffle paper.
Frankly I’d bet “Mother Nature” can control the beavers and provide for all the predators to feed off them with a meal.
Now if we could just find a predator to control all the politicians and bureaucrats!
Sigh!
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: Beaver-bombing, Debbie Tann, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Patrick Barkham, theguardian.com | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Monday, August 19, 2024
https://armageddonprose.substack.com/p/brics-alternative-currency-near-realization
BRICS Alternative Currency Near Realization, American Empire Death Imminent?
Ben Bartee — Aug 11, 2024
*** begin quote ***
The U.S. government cannot print its way out of this mess because the only value that it derives from the dollar, it being based on nothing, is based on global demand.
*** and ***
On the positive side, though, the U.S. government won’t be able to waste nearly a trillion dollars on “defense budgets” any longer to start global wars, nor will it be in a position to export child trannyism or any of its other degenerate machinations throughout the world by leveraging its financial dominance. As long as finances matter, it also won’t be able to exert the same degree of domestic political oppression and surveillance as it once did — although it will certainly try to continue doing all of those things, possibly via World War III to try to maintain its global position.
Ben Bartee is an independent Bangkok-based American journalist with opposable thumbs.
Follow his stuff via Substack. Also, keep tabs via Twitter.
For hip Armageddon Prose t-shirts, hats, etc., peruse the merch store.
Support always welcome via the digital tip jar.
Bitcoin public address: bc1qvq4hgnx3eu09e0m2kk5uanxnm8ljfmpefwhawv
*** end quote ***
Recognition that the US$ is essentially worthless (i.e., can’t be redeemed for gold or silver) will doom the USA to hard times.
Remember the meme: “hard time make great men”. So we can hope that the politicians and bureaucrats, that are replaced, are replaced with good productive visionaries that will get the Gooferment out of the way.
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: alternative currency, American Empire, Ben Bartee, BRICS, child trannyism, defense budgets | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Saturday, July 13, 2024
Tropicana OJ came in a new bottle.
I wondered why they would do that.
Eliminated the inner seal, slimmer cap.
Ahh hah. new 315 ml; old 325 ml.
Don’t know if the price changed.
Sneaky <synonym for excrement>!
—30—
2024-07Jul-18
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13647497/woman-calls-tropicana-juice-trick-brand-money.html
Someone else noticed!
—30—
2024-11Nov-18
https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/18/business/tropicana-orange-juice-bottle/index.html?ICID=ref_fark
More Tropicana shrinkflation
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: Dunkin Donuts, Tropicana OJ | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Sunday, July 7, 2024
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/01/business/adjustable-rate-mortgages-higher-payments/index.html?ICID=ref_fark
Thousands of homeowners are about to get slammed with higher monthly payments
By Samantha Delouya, CNN
Published 4:00 AM EDT, Mon July 1, 2024
*** begin quote ***
Andrew Marquis, a loan officer in Lexington, Massachusetts, said he has recently seen a dramatic increase in ARM loan applications. Homebuyers increasingly believe that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in the next few years, giving these buyers time to refinance their loans before the clock on the fixed period of their ARM runs out, he said. The Fed doesn’t directly set mortgage rates, but its actions influence them. This year, the Federal Reserve has signaled that it may possibly cut its benchmark interest rate one time.
*** end quote ***
I guess no one learned anything from the 2008 Housing bubble.
If you need an adjustable rate mortgage to afford the house, that’s a red flag that you can’t afford it.
If the max increase is more than you can afford, then you are rolling the dice. If the professionals knew what the interest rates would be, they could make a fortune in the options market. Instead they are selling you mortgages.
For the average Joe Six-Pack, 30 year fixed is still the best buy; unless you can afford a 15 year fixed.
Argh!
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: CNN, cnn.com, Samantha Delouya | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Sunday, June 9, 2024
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/new-tool-to-mitigate-algal-blooms-is-making-breakthrough-results-in-utah-scientists-say/
New Tool to Mitigate Algae Blooms Shows Breakthrough Results in Utah, Scientists Say
By Andy Corbley – May 31, 2024
*** begin quote ***
The restoration process was undertaken by the Utah Waterbodies Restoration Program, which in turn was carried out in partnership with Brigham City, Utah, at no cost to the city because of the 12,913 tonnes of carbon credits that were sold to fund the clean-up of Mantua Reservoir.
*** end quote ***
Well, imagine if the Mantua Reservoir was privately owned. An entrepreneur would look at it as an untapped resource. Not hard to imagine the reservoir owner investing in clean up to sell fishing and boating licenses. As well as all the other economic activity that would “spring up” like bait shops, fast food, boat sales, boat storage, and things we can’t even imagine.
So instead of “worshiping at the false god of climate change” and Gooferment bureaucrats preventing economic activity, let’s unleash the creativity for a truly free market economy.
Argh!
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: Andy Corbley, Good News Network, Mantua Reservoir | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Friday, May 24, 2024
https://jeffjacoby.com/27794/in-argentina-milei-exhilarating-chainsaw
In Argentina, Milei’s exhilarating chainsaw revolution is underway
by Jeff Jacoby The Boston Globe
May 19, 2024
*** begin quote ***
Through it all, Milei keeps “making the argument,” as Matthew Lynn wrote recently in The Telegraph. Underneath his brash style he is committed to serious economic and philosophical ideas —about free markets, individual liberty, and a smaller state. Like the economics professor he was for 20 years, he wants people to understand the case he makes for the efficacy of competition and the harms caused by overbearing governments. Everywhere politicians are addicted to subsidies, price controls, deficit spending, and corporate welfare. It is exhilarating to see a national leader who has a radically different vision and champions it unapologetically.
Jeff Jacoby is a columnist for The Boston Globe.
*** end quote ***
One an only hope that this catches on with “We, The Sheeple”. “Soft landing” might be possible if we get rid of all the mochers, parasitic politicians, and useless bureaucrats!
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: corporate welfare, deficit spending, Jeff Jacoby, Price controls, subsidies, The Boston Globe | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Saturday, May 18, 2024
https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/crews-rescue-injured-man-trapped-on-hoodoo-towering-over-utah-canyon?ICID=ref_fark
Crews rescue injured man trapped on hoodoo towering over Utah canyon
By: Jeff Tavss
Posted at 3:04 PM, May 10, 2024
and last updated 7:55 PM, May 10, 2024
*** begin quote ***
GRAND COUNTY, Utah — Utah search and rescue crews put their lives on the line in some of the most treacherous conditions around the state, often helping those who bite off a little more than they can chew.
Grand County Emergency Medical Services shared photos from an incredible rescue last Saturday that found a man stranded on a hoodoo towering thousands of feet in the air over the canyon below.
*** end quote ***
# – # – # – # – #
FROM FARK
Subby doesn’t subscribe to the notion that someone in danger should pay for their rescue, but, of course, there are exceptions
# – # – # – # – #
A rescue crew for 3 hours costs something. Why should “rescues” be “free” except to the Taxpayer.
Maybe there should be a sliding scale for reimbursement based on “forseeability of requiring rescue” or total cost or some other factors.
One buys travel and medical insurance in connection with a cruise. Why not something similar for venues like the Grand Canyon, National Parks, or ski slopes?
Maybe I’m a grinch but the Taxpayers should not be the stuckee.
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: FARK, fox13now.com, GRAND COUNTY, Jeff Tavss, Utah, Utah canyon | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Friday, February 23, 2024
https://www.lewrockwell.com/2019/08/bill-sardi/the-dumb-american-worker/
The Dumb American Worker
By Bill Sardi
August 6, 2019
*** begin quote ***
Here we go, socialist jingo. Note the words “income inequality.” Joining a union is not going to get you anywhere as the union takes a cut of your paycheck. Unions, plus or minus, socialize what a worker is worth.
Businesses operate in a competitive market. Cost of labor can doom a restaurant owner who is only working on a 10% profit margin to begin with. Of course, we can halt competition. Then the cost of everything rises.
We send American kids to school with no orientation on how to get a job, how to build their worth, how to develop job skills. Students pass a few college classes that hand out true or false tests and that makes them worth more in the labor market? Young Americans would be better off working as an understudy plumber.
A few years ago The Wall Street Journal published a report showing plumbers make more money (six figures) than college graduates.
*** end quote ***
And, I just shake my head at the “stupidity” of “immature adults” taking loans for degrees that command no use in the market place.
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: Bill Sardi, LewRockwell.com | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Sunday, February 18, 2024
https://www.ericpetersautos.com/2024/02/14/why-they-dont-care/
Why They Don’t Care
By Eric – February 14, 2024
*** begin quote ***
People ask why the CEOs of major automakers go along with what’s going on; can’t they see it’s killing their business?
Of course. They are not stupid people. But they are extremely wealthy people. So wealthy they don’t have to care – about anything. Certainly not whether the company they head goes under at some point in the future.
It won’t affect them, you see.
Consider GM’s Mary Barra as a case in point. She is paid around $29-30 million every year. It is difficult for the average middle class person who earns a “good living” to appreciate just how much money Barra is paid (I am careful to not say earns) in just one year.
*** end quote ***
I have long thought that “executive compensation” focused on high salaries and stock options. This has lead to a conflict in “incentives”. The short term focus of corporate management and investment firms has been disaster for the economy, all the “little people”, pension funds, and investors. Corporate management has no incentive to manage for the long run.
It’s time for the Gooferment and the tax code to change the incentives.
I’ve always thought that “corporate management” should be paid is a modest “salary” (i.e., the average paid to individuals in their company), and any “excess” or “performance bonuses” in laddered tiers of non-transferable corporate bonds (with allowances for death and personal bankruptcy). Should their corporation goes “tits up” before those bonds mature, well then that’s just tough luck.
That will realign the incentives quickly.
To “encourage” quick adoption, excessive salary could have a special FU tax associated with it. I’d like it paid to the share owners, but that is getting down the road.
Maybe this would make those i the C-suite care!
—30—
Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: ericpetersautos.com, executive compensation | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
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