RANT: Socialist Insecurity — not a Secure Retirement Plan — is a Ponzi scheme

Monday, October 13, 2025

https://internationalman.com/articles/revealed-5-more-dangerous-myths-of-modern-finance-11-15-exposed/

Revealed: 5 More Dangerous Myths of Modern Finance (#11–15) Exposed
by Nick Giambruno

*** begin quote ***

Myth #13: Social Security Is a Secure Retirement Plan

Social Security is often sold as a “safety net,” a dependable program where you pay in during your working years and collect later in life. It sounds responsible, almost like a personal retirement account managed by the government.

In reality, it’s nothing of the sort.

The money you pay in today doesn’t go into some locked box with your name on it. It is spent immediately to cover current obligations—mostly to today’s retirees and other government programs.

Social Security isn’t voluntary, it isn’t market-based, and it doesn’t offer real security—especially not for younger generations who are coerced into funding a system that likely won’t support them in return.

That’s why the more accurate name is Socialist Insecurity.

 *** end quote ***

“Social Security Insurance”, (note the word insurance — even though it bears no resemblance to real world insurance), is a de jure Ponzi scheme paying current takers from current workers. What could go wrong with that (i.e., scope creep; aging population; longevity discoveries; political corruption; moral hazard). And, de facto, a wealth transfer from poor minority men to rich white women. All set up, by the D’s to create another permanent class of dependent voters (i.e., the third rail of politics). Also, it’s a “political axiom” that one someone gets a “benefit” it can never be taken away. Argh! What a load of “barbara streisand” aka <synonym for excrement>! Argh! Argh!

“For those looking for security, be forewarned that there’s nothing more insecure than a political promise.” – Harry Browne

I’ve read rants by some about if they had had their “voluntary” “Social Security Insurance” “contributions” and the return on “investment”. 

Specifically, “A person retiring at age 65 will only benefit more from Social Security relative to a private investment in the S&P 500 if he is a low earner and lives to be at least 96 years old. For those retiring at age 70, the only individuals that benefit more from Social Security are low earners who live to be at least 94 years old and average earners who live to be at least 108 years old.”

https://www.cato.org/commentary/social-security-vs-stock-returns-no-contest#

Wish I could find that Facebook post that compared ROI on voluntary” “Social Security Insurance” “contributions” versus DIY investing.  The difference was huge. 

The Gooferment politicians and bureaucrats are drones and parasites on “We, The Sheeple”!

— 30 —

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LIBERTY: End the TSA and the FAA; let the airlines “do” security

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

https://internationalman.com/articles/the-day-freedom-ends/

The Day Freedom Ends
by Jeff Thomas

<< EDITOR ADDED DATE 2025-05-20>>

*** begin quote ***

Temporary Becomes Permanent

Sounds Orwellian. And of course, it is. It worked well for others (Messrs. Hitler and Stalin come to mind), and if a population is properly prepped (as Americans have been), it should be accepted. After all, it’s for the sake of safety and will only be temporary, right?

Possibly not. As Milton Friedman so correctly stated, “Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program.” So, if the above premise seems to the reader to be the logical outcome of the present direction of the government, what of the timing? Well, if we observe the rapidity at which the US is implementing its controls and we hazard a guess as to when they will become so overbearing that a dramatic event is necessary before full lockdown can be implemented, the reader can make his own guess. A year? Two years? Longer?

*** end quote ***

Seems like a great time to end the TSA.  DOGE likes to nuke whole functions; turn them lose on the TSA.

If El Al can do their own security, why not all the other airlines.

And, while we’re at it, why should Gooferment run airports and Air Traffic Control?  Let’s turn that over to the airlines as well.  #endtheFAA

That’s a lot of overhead that can be better managed that with Gooferment politicians and bureaucrats involved.

I think FedEX and UPS would like to have voice in “air travel” and I bet they are not using obsolete systems on 1950’s hardware and COBOL/CICS.

Argh!

—30—

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LIBERTARIAN: I beleive that individuals have a right to do anything that doesn’t impinge on the common-law rights of others

Friday, November 1, 2024

https://internationalman.com/articles/doug-caseys-top-five-reasons-not-to-vote/

Doug Casey’s Top Five Reasons Not to Vote
by Doug Casey

<< EDITOR ADDED DATE 2024-10-31>>

*** begin quote ***

Democracy is vastly overrated.

The national elections this November 5 (Guy Fawkes Day, FWIW) have every chance of turning into a chaotic catastrophe. I’m not, therefore, going to discuss either candidate. Let’s instead talk about principles. That’s something few people discuss these days.

“Democracy” is not like the consensus of a few friends agreeing to see the same movie. Most often, it boils down to a kinder and gentler variety of mob rule, dressed in a coat and tie. The essence of positive values like personal liberty, prosperity, opportunity, fraternity, and equality have little to do with democracy. Those things exist because of free minds, free markets, and limited government.

Democracy, by contrast, focuses people’s thoughts on politics, not production, on the collective, not on their own lives. That’s not good.

*** and ***

A libertarian believes that individuals have a right to do anything that doesn’t impinge on the common-law rights of others, namely force or fraud. Libertarians are the human equivalent of the Gamma rat, which bears a little explanation.

Some years ago, scientists experimenting with rats categorized the vast major ity of their subjects as Beta rats. These are basically followers who get the Alpha rats’ leftovers. The Alpha rats establish territories, claim the choicest mates, and generally lord it over the Betas. This pretty well corresponded with the way the researchers thought the world worked.

But they were surprised to find a third type of rat as well: the Gamma. This creature staked out a territory and chose the pick of the litter for a mate, like the Alpha, but didn’t attempt to dominate the Betas. A go-along-get-along rat. A libertarian rat, if you will.

My guess, mixed with a dollop of hope, is that as society becomes more repressive, more Gamma people will tune in to the problem and drop out as a solution. No, they won’t turn into middle-aged hippies practicing basket weaving and bead stringing in remote communes. Rather, they will structure their lives so that the government—which is to say, taxes, regulations, and inflation—is a non-factor. Suppose they gave a war and nobody came? Suppose they gave an election, and nobody voted, gave a tax, and nobody paid or imposed a regulation, and nobody obeyed it?

*** end quote ***

Credit for the picture to where I found the definition.

https://americanhandgunner.com/our-experts/guncrank-diaries/year-of-the-gamma-rat/

I hope I’m a gamma rat.  Wish we could all be such. 

Dona Nobis Pacem

—30—

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ECONOMICS: UniParty is responsible for debt, unfunded liabilities, and Gooferment deficit spending

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—

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GOLD: Time to become a gold bug — just like a good Hindu should

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

https://internationalman.com/articles/time-to-become-a-hindu/

Time to Become a Hindu by Jeff Thomas

*** begin quote ***

For centuries, East Indians have regarded gold as the primary source of wealth. All Indians own gold if they can afford to. They keep it as close as possible, sometimes in coin form, but often as jewellery, since “wearing wealth” means that it can be kept very close. They’re often especially reluctant to trust banks to hold their gold.

Hindus make up 80% of India’s population and, to Hindus, gold is sacred. Lakshmi (pictured above) is the Hindu goddess of purity, prosperity and good fortune. Her symbol is gold, so gold plays an important part in Hindu ceremonial occasions and Hindus donate large amounts of gold to the temples in Lakshmi’s name.

In recent years, the Indian government has tried one ploy after another to gain control of the temples’ gold. The most recent ploy was a programme whereby the temples could deposit the parishioners’ gifts to Lakshmi in banks. The gold would then be melted down and the temples would be given cash in an amount that would exceed the value of the gold.

*** and ***

As every Indian – even those of limited means – understands, the greatest protection from such looting by governments is to liquidate assets and convert the proceeds into precious metals.

It’s unlikely that the average westerner will become a Hindu, but, if he’s wise, he’ll acquire his own personal Lakshmi in the form of precious metals storage and he’ll do so outside of his home jurisdiction, in order to have even greater insurance against confiscation.

*** end quote ***

FDR’s diktat robbed Americans of their gold and their freedom at the same time.  Time to take both back!

—30—

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GOLD: Time to become a gold bug — just like a good Hindu should

Sunday, June 30, 2024

https://internationalman.com/articles/time-to-become-a-hindu/

Time to Become a Hindu by Jeff Thomas

*** begin quote ***

For centuries, East Indians have regarded gold as the primary source of wealth. All Indians own gold if they can afford to. They keep it as close as possible, sometimes in coin form, but often as jewellery, since “wearing wealth” means that it can be kept very close. They’re often especially reluctant to trust banks to hold their gold.

Hindus make up 80% of India’s population and, to Hindus, gold is sacred. Lakshmi (pictured above) is the Hindu goddess of purity, prosperity and good fortune. Her symbol is gold, so gold plays an important part in Hindu ceremonial occasions and Hindus donate large amounts of gold to the temples in Lakshmi’s name.

In recent years, the Indian government has tried one ploy after another to gain control of the temples’ gold. The most recent ploy was a programme whereby the temples could deposit the parishioners’ gifts to Lakshmi in banks. The gold would then be melted down and the temples would be given cash in an amount that would exceed the value of the gold.

*** and ***

As every Indian – even those of limited means – understands, the greatest protection from such looting by governments is to liquidate assets and convert the proceeds into precious metals.

It’s unlikely that the average westerner will become a Hindu, but, if he’s wise, he’ll acquire his own personal Lakshmi in the form of precious metals storage and he’ll do so outside of his home jurisdiction, in order to have even greater insurance against confiscation.

*** end quote ***

FDR’s diktat robbed Americans of their gold and their freedom at the same time.  Time to take both back!

—30—

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GOLD: Time to become a gold bug — just like a good Hindu should

Sunday, June 30, 2024

https://internationalman.com/articles/time-to-become-a-hindu/

Time to Become a Hindu by Jeff Thomas

*** begin quote ***

For centuries, East Indians have regarded gold as the primary source of wealth. All Indians own gold if they can afford to. They keep it as close as possible, sometimes in coin form, but often as jewellery, since “wearing wealth” means that it can be kept very close. They’re often especially reluctant to trust banks to hold their gold.

Hindus make up 80% of India’s population and, to Hindus, gold is sacred. Lakshmi (pictured above) is the Hindu goddess of purity, prosperity and good fortune. Her symbol is gold, so gold plays an important part in Hindu ceremonial occasions and Hindus donate large amounts of gold to the temples in Lakshmi’s name.

In recent years, the Indian government has tried one ploy after another to gain control of the temples’ gold. The most recent ploy was a programme whereby the temples could deposit the parishioners’ gifts to Lakshmi in banks. The gold would then be melted down and the temples would be given cash in an amount that would exceed the value of the gold.

*** and ***

As every Indian – even those of limited means – understands, the greatest protection from such looting by governments is to liquidate assets and convert the proceeds into precious metals.

It’s unlikely that the average westerner will become a Hindu, but, if he’s wise, he’ll acquire his own personal Lakshmi in the form of precious metals storage and he’ll do so outside of his home jurisdiction, in order to have even greater insurance against confiscation.

*** end quote ***

FDR’s diktat robbed Americans of their gold and their freedom at the same time.  Time to take both back!

—30—

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