This page has been archived and commenting is disabled.
Guest Post: In the Summer of 2010
Submitted by Ron Holland, previously published on LewRockwell.com
In the Summer of 2010
Are you ready for interesting times and an exodus from the United States? A possibly apocryphal ancient Chinese curse goes "May you live in interesting times." Those words may derive from an authentic Chinese proverb: "It is better to be a dog in a peaceful time than be a man in chaos."
Either way, the message is easy to understand for anyone living in the summer of 2010. As I look over at Lucky, my golden retriever whose only concerns are when do we eat and when do we go back in the ocean to play ball, I can see the advantages of being a dog. But as a man I know it is time to defend my freedom and secure my wealth for myself and for my posterity.
The U.S. is wandering through a fake recovery, an expanding sovereign debt crisis, a stock market downturn and a double-dip real estate collapse. Meanwhile, the Swiss franc is moving to historic highs to the euro. And what does the conventional press want to tell us about? The "strong" dollar, who's to blame for the oil disaster, the newest episodes in a host of foreign and domestic political soap operas and – a fresh diversion – which politicians are telling the biggest lies about their military records.
Welcome to the Fake, Jobless Economic Recovery
Last Friday, The Feds announced that the U.S. economy has added 431,000 jobs. The boldest spokespersons tried to announce this as good news, but the details revealed that only 40,000 of the total are private-sector jobs – the kind that produce things people want and are willing to pay for. The rest are little more than assignments in make-work projects designed to buy votes and beef-up the statistics on a fake recovery.
The American financial press asks hourly, "Will the euro survive as a currency?" And every time, the question is a prelude to "Again the dollar's strength indicates it remains the world's safe-haven reserve currency." My response is, "Oh, really?" This is just more lies from Washington and Wall Street that you believe at your peril.
"Lies, damnable lies and statistics." It's an expression attributed to Benjamin Disraeli, one of my favorite British historical figures. He was prime minister twice, but in his early years he had been a stock promoter. When a boom in South American mining stocks collapsed in 1825, he lost everything, much as a later Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, did in 1929. Both Disraeli and Churchill turned to writing to repair their finances (Disraeli also married a rich widow many years his senior). Again like Churchill, Disraeli went into politics with success, and both secured loans from the Rothschild banks.
Interesting to some, though perhaps not to others. But British history over the last century is a worthwhile topic for all of us. It's a model of what happens when an empire reaches its pinnacle and then slides into decline. It's a model of what is happening to America today.
The Swiss Franc Benefits
As I've written before, the Swiss National Bank tries to keep the franc aligned with the euro, in order to protect cross-border financial relationships and trade. If the dollar goes down, usually the euro and Swiss franc both go up. If the dollar goes up, both the euro and Swiss franc go down, although not always at the same rate.
Just days ago the Swiss franc hit an all-time high verses the euro, so although both have lost some value relative to the dollar, the franc's retreat is more modest. The real challenge for the Swiss National Bank is to limit the franc's appreciation when billions of investor euros are flooding into Switzerland and bidding for the local currency. Contrary to what you'll read in the American financial press, the smart money is moving into Switzerland in big volume.
Exodus Then & Now
The establishment media have been covering the challenges to Israel's Gaza blockade with references to the excellent 1960 epic/propaganda film, Exodus. There are quite a few similarities between the British blockade of Palestine in 1947 and what Israel is doing now, including forced boarding in international waters, resistance by ship passengers, the death of Americans, a widely published film record of events and complaints of excessive use of force.
If it's presented artfully, overreaction by those in power can feed public support for the target and sometimes allows the weaker party to prevail. The image of Gandhi and his followers being imprisoned by the British for harvesting salt from the ocean supported the formation of the state of India. The story of the SS Exodus and the British Navy sending Holocaust survivors back to Germany helped bring about the establishment of Israel. Pictures of "Bull" Connor attacking civil rights protestors in Birmingham, Alabama led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Whether the Palestinians and their allies will succeed in playing the victim card, time will tell.
The British resistance to the 1947 Exodus demonstrated how incompetent and cruel a collapsing empire can be. While this might be news to the general public, it isn't news to freedom-loving entrepreneurs who are making plans to avoid the turmoil, taxes and terror coming from our desperate politicians in Washington.
Hence the exodus from America of productive, innovative Americans acting to get themselves and their wealth out before it is too late. This outflow of talent and wealth doesn't get much coverage in the establishment news media.
The media are too busy with the pushing and shoving in the Middle East, the sovereign debt problems in Europe, the volatility of the U.S. markets and the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Those things are important (the oil trail from the Gulf may eventually run past my home in the U.S., which is on a coastal island). But an exodus from the Land of Immigrants is a far bigger story. Saving what is left of the American Dream calls for you to get at least your wealth outside the disaster zone of Washington incompetence, as one remarkable American is now doing.
The New American Exodus Begins With Entrepreneur Steve Wynn
On May 28, Steve Wynn, the entrepreneur who led the rebirth and explosive expansion of the Las Vegas Strip in the early 1990's, made it clear that he's had enough of the United States government. To listen to his astounding CNBC interview, Click Here. In just 4 minutes, Winn lays out a shocking indictment and heartfelt critique of the failures of Washington and the U.S. political system. Here are some excerpts:
"The climate for business is frightening here," he says, and that's why he's moving half his operation to Macau.
"Common sense has disappeared in Washington DC."
"There's more stability and predictability in China than in Washington these days."
"Those hypocritical SOBs in Congress, the one thing they didn't do in the new healthcare law was to control frivolous lawsuits."
"We're on our way to Greece, in the hands of a confused, foolish government. It's got to stop. It's got to stop."
That's the verdict from the 468th richest man in the world. The successful, the best and the brightest are heading to the lifeboats.
Baron Nathan Mayer Rothschild boasted, "I care not what puppet is placed upon the throne of England to rule the Empire on which the sun never sets. The man that controls Britain's money supply controls the British Empire, and I control the British money supply."
What Rothschild said about England is just as true today in the United States. All political offices, from prime minister to president, congress and parliament, can be vacated by election, threat, bribe or scandal. The incumbents all serve at the pleasure of international monetary elites and their allied interests; an officeholder is merely a front man on a long leash. He has plenty of freedom to pursue pet projects and policies as long as he doesn't stray from the reservation and threaten key policy and legislative goals.
Most economic, political and military events are just business as usual for financial elites and the industries beholden to them. They take advantage of real or contrived economic crises, military operations and foreign conflicts the way stockbrokers churn stocks to generate commissions. The collateral damage, causalities, wealth transfers, confiscation and mass hardship are just tricks of the trade.
Steve Wynn didn't become the 468th richest man in the world without knowing the odds and understanding that the house always wins. If he thinks the game is rigged here in the U.S., I suggest you join him by cashing in your chips and securing your wealth so that one day you can play again in a game with reasonable odds and fair returns. It's time to head for the cashier window, settle up and get out of the American casino.
June 11, 2010
Ron Holland [send him mail] is a contributing editor to the Swiss Mountain Vision Newsletter and Swiss Confidential published by Appenzeller Business Press.
»
- 11023 reads
- Printer-friendly version
- Send to friend
- advertisements -
I suspect that this indictment of the travesty of liberty, justice and fiscal common sense that is the USA today will receive few disagreements or challenges from anyone here on ZeroHedge (except Leo, of course).
I myself have lately thought about permanently leaving the USA for good, and finding some measure of sane exile elsewhere in the world --- something that I could have never imagined only a few short years ago. Sadly, I see few if any obvious choices, as growing statism seems to be a worldwide phenomenon. Welcome to the new Dark Ages.
I have long thought about exfiltrating too akak. A poster named Shameful (who I have not seen around for a long time) was thinking and writing here at ZH just that thought some time ago.
You are correct that there are few decent choices. Different languages, food, laws, corruption "over there", taxes, weather, etc.
If you have a pretty decent amount of money, you can do this if you are willing to put up with a different culture.
Singapore is near the top of the list for many.
My escape hatch, if it comes to that would be Peru, where we have a business and nice in-laws. Good food, and I speak Spanish. Peru is not for everybody, only if you have money already.
On the other hand, I will probably just decide to stay here and make them try to come for my gold and my guns if TSHTF.
Tough choices ahead.
Latin American countries are a great place to go to if the world collapses and you're looking to die a gruesome death. Take a look at nearby Bolivia for what can happen.
Suisse, risks are everywhere. I feel like a paranoid rat, seeing danger around every curve, every corner.
You cannot even completely escape by going to Suisse! I know a Swiss cop who told me that the Albanian mobs are the worst of the bad guys there.
Besides, I like warm weather...
Weather and a place when you can have a good life with a relative modest amount of money. Alaska is one of the safest, but hell, I want to down my beer in the beach!!
Soon will be specialized relocating services, when the s@#$hits the fan again, people will discover some lovely spots where to weather the though years, so far, this crisis is nothing compared to what it will become.
Glad to be remembered :)
I had a series of harsh project deadlines, finals, and moving. Finally things have settled down, even had one of my many active projects canceled today. Thank God too, the client was insane (actively refused to give me critical data), and I was convinced that I would never roll out a completed version.
Going to a new country isn't easy, but seeing the idea is starting to catch on a little more. I'm wondering myself where other Americans are thinking about going. The US has befitted from the brain drain of other nations for generations. All good things come to an end.
Oh there you are ;-) I too had been wondering about your absence. Welcome back.
Good to see you around!
Yes, thought of you a few days ago. :-)
Allow me to recommend Singapore.
I was always partial to Chile and Costa Rica.
I've heard some good things about Chile anyone have any actual experience in that neck of the woods?
I have considered Costa Rica and now Panama and Belize. I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt things will be worse if I stay (I live in S. Florida) rather than expatriate. One need only examine demographics to realize this will be a war zone. My wife is not yet convinced but getting closer by the day. I am opening a bank account now and will stuff my assets into as quickly as I can. My intent is to immediately position for a hasty exit.
The opportunities afforded me and my business partner will never be here again. I laugh when I hear we are in the midst of a recovery. The coming implosion will be greater for the US than any other country. The tiny blip called recovery is a giant head fake executed better than any in last nights NBA game. I believe the time is fast approaching for the mass exodus to be apparent to all. Sadly they will lock down the borders, at least for your assets. They care not if we leave physically.
To emigrate to a desirable country you need to be either very rich or marry a citizen. In most countries you will always be regarded as a foreigner. Equal justice before the law is not very sacred in many countries. If we can clean up the corruption in the DC/Wall Street cabal, we can restore Constitutional government and a free market. This can once again be the best country in the world.
Aaaaaaand be sure to conceal your wealth - or you will be a target. Locals have plenty of time to imagine up what it is that you are up to. In Brazil the high-rise condos (classic middle class abode; the poor and the very rich own houses) are high-fenced, barb-wire, electrified, lasered with a booth and entrance guard. The only the absolutely desititute don't have some kind of wall; most have cemented broken glass or metal spikes on top. This is perfectly normal. And this was in the poor NE in a major coastal city. Plenty of fruit and seafood - life will go on just fine outside the big cities. Lots of God-fearing people; become a pillar in the community and their collective eyes will watch over you.
wow, this is pulitzer stuff bro. damn...
It's time to head for the cashier window, settle up and get out of the American casino.
No, it's time to fight the tyranny.
Capital flight will starve & weaken the monster.
Started down that trail already Apostate.
Have my gold (& guns) as well. Some investment overseas (Peru, but hey, it is diversification).
Best way to fight the Obama Tax Hikes coming next year? Spend less, cannot be taxed on money you do not spend. That too will help weaken the monster.
Right... this will be a long fight. It may take generations of successive struggle (as in we will have to make lots of babies and educate them properly). Mobility may be necessary. It'll be hard as hell and there is no guarantee of success.
John Galt lives?
Actually, the US has the capability to tax all around the world (including non US citizens)
US citizens like one idea, that the US depends on them. It is less and less true. The US government has extended its base on a large part of the world.
Many US citizens are aware that if they leave the US, they might find themselves on the wrong side of the fence.
Good luck in Macau Stevie...you're going to need it.
wow, this is pulitzer stuff bro. damn...
Summer of 2010 won't be the Summer of Love.
Now living in Costa Rica, but I started the move 26 years ago. On SS which covers food and beer, in small house on the Pacific and no car. Watching with horror the downward spiral in the US, glad to be gone - and to be old.
American Expatriation Guide
http://dumpdc.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/expatriation-guide.pdf
wow, that was a fascinating read, thanks for posting. the only caveat that i would have about it is the recommendation of canada as your next country... i would advise first researching the "north american union" and the "amero"...
:)
Also, living in Canada will be like living next to a biker gang when the meth runs out.
Depends where you are. But yup, places like Vancouver, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal would burn pretty quickly.
St John's, Newfoundland though. I get the feeling life won't change much. Same with PEI.
In the summer of 2010, this archive ZH posting should probably be updated, no?
http://www.zerohedge.com/article/brace-impact-2010-private-demand-us-fixed-income-has-increase-elevenfold-or-else
its not all bad . check the signs at the gulf.
Free OIL ..... you pick
2 pm channel 7 .... jesus walks on water, gets stuck!
Ok, guys. I've been reading the comments here for since the beginning and I've done my part to educate and incite. It seems that there are plenty of like-minded people about and we've even made a few converts.
Now, all I see is the same tired bitching and worn out diatribes. We know what the problem is, we know where we're heading, we know what the fix is, and we know that the fix is in. So now we gotta ask ourselves: what now?
Time to start talking about solutions and pledging to do your part in your neck of the woods to get local communities active in their own future. Fuck the macro picture. It doesn't matter what's happening around the world. Figure out your local situation first, then expand outwards in your concerns.
I plan to write up an introductory paper about the crisis we're in and suggesting that it's time to get to know one another and begin to organize and put a copy in every mailbox up and down my street and within a block radius of my house. The idea is to meet neighbors I don't yet know, to find the like-minded ones, to find those who know something is amiss but are too timid to speak out, and to start getting people talking and preparing for what's to come.
Enough of the bitching. Time to start digging in and taking the initiative. Best start preparing now because it'll be increasingly challenging as things begin to deteriorate.
I am Chumbawamba.
The thing I would suggest doing is to simply opt out of the system by finding people willing to trade labor for PM's. It might also help if they had guns as well and knew what to do if/when johnny law came around to confiscate their property.
Just my two cents.
At last....I thought it was just me.
Thank you Chumba.
I've been an avid reader of the site for a year and have learned a great deal. The regular contributors and posters have done a fantastic job and people like me are far more aware of reality because of it. That on it's own is a great achievement but the question I have been wrestling with lately, is at what point do ZH's have to also tackle/promote solutions. And that includes people like me who are not in finance, commenting and getting more involved I guess. I can't analyse the latest 10yr auction particulalry well but I can discuss/comment on how my community can react to this farce.
Maybe we need a different part of the site, i dunno, but Chumba nailed it - we have to take the initiative. There are millions of people like me who want to start taking action, but just need a bit of pointing in the right direction.
oh and btw, before Gordon et al hit me with "Buy Gold", when I say take action- whilst you are undoubtedly right, thanks to you guys, i've done that bit already to the limit of my means.
Agree 100%
http://www.motherearthnews.com/
This was usful over thirty years ago..Bet it still is..
You are absolutely correct - an abundance of useful information.
Agreed, Chumbie. I lived abroad, in Latin America, when I was in the Peace Corps. It was a blast, but I like America.
Best for each of us to find a way to insulate ourselves from the macro issues and try to do good work, locally, for our own families and communities. I just don't see how I could walk away from all of my own here. And my aging parents aren't about to move with me.
Chumba, these are my thoughts exactly, as you probably know.
As the collapse is entering the second phase so must we. The first step was understanding, and the second must be action.
"...a copy in every mailbox."
Indeed. I propose a modern day Common Sense pamphlet. There is no need for you to write this alone. Let us put the minds of Zero Hedge into putting together a titanium solid one page, succinct, synopsis of where we are at and where this is all headed; along with a few resources to find more information. Ideally it would include the issuer's contact information, and have a meeting time and place locally to discuss the issues mentioned in the pamplet. Then? Then we print them, and put them in every mailbox, and on every doorknob, in the neighborhood.
I'm on board. It's time for action, it's time to stand up.
CC:
agreed.....pamphleteering was the spark that lit the fire that ultimately set the colonies free.....anything written must be in the context and venacular of the original writers.....that is the language of liberty that will be undeniable..............it will be impossible for even the dimmest bulbs and lowest forms of political life at the top of the food chain to deny the truths of ther own history.
WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF EVIDENT:
That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.
DON'T TREAD ON ME!!!!!!!!
CC, i suggested exactly that 2 months ago. No one replied at the time. I did my part in my small community and will keep on.
Cracking idea - i'm in. Won't be much help with the content but i would happily comment and distribute.
Hey Chum, freedom parties!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFKzbN_0WLw
I agree wholeheartedly about all the incessant bitching. I am also tired of all the talk of leaving this country. We need to meet our challenges head on, not turn tail and run. Speak truth to power. There are more of us out there. Once you feel you have protected yourself and your family, it is time to turn to your neighborhood and help prepare others. Not to be altruistic, but because in the long run, it benefits you and your family.
The People Front of Judia! Fuck off.
We're the Judian People's Front...
That popped in my head for some reason while reading thought the comments.
I stepped into that arena (state politics, the federal system is near beyond repair) very actively 6 months ago. My mission: prepare my state for surviving/thriving during radical economic change. As economic conditions deteriorate the national government will become more and more desperate and imposing. US state governments must vigorously defend individual liberty and become havens for genuine productive free market economic activity.
Chumba: You'll be outed in 2 minutes by someone "loyal" who'll turn your ass in as a trouble-maker. You're nuts. You think this is a survival strategy? Its probably a suicide shot.
CHUMBA:
it's about time someone saw the light. the question is what to do and how to do it. gold and guns are not enough. i own both, but by themselves, they, gold and guns, are are not a viable solution. they are , instead, simply part of another leg down in the descent into the maelstrom.
any real viable solution has to include local, like minded people working together toward a common end....maybe just growing food and helping each other thru the coming 'tribulations'......
how do we do that?? HOW DO WE ORGANIZE???
you are chumbawamba and i'm not.......................................
And there it is. Forget the macro.
without community, co-operation and common goals, there is just hunkering down based in fear. . . it needn't be that way, but consumer based society is competitive and does not foster trust. . . it's a great idea to bring communities together to work towards common benefit - anybody excluded will see you as "competition" or even "enemy" as the situation grows worse. . .
there are many, many sites out in internet-land that are great examples of how to build community - it would be brilliant to have a thread here at ZH - maybe over a weekend? - where people could contribute ideas, suggestions, and even some of the research and experiences gained already? lots of great folks here lurking in between the "lines" - !
Chumba,
I've done the planning. I have food, water, guns, ammo, and gold. I reached out unsuccesfully to my neighbors. While out to dinner at local restaurants I tried conversing with people only to get the "look". They flat out don't get it, at least not yet. The problem is soon it will be too late. When this really goes down they will be at our doorstep just like the ilk coming out of the cities. If you are not preparing now at some point it will be too late. Let me share with you the fact that the "ruling elite" do get it. They are better prepared, financed and organized. Nothing short of a nuke in London and Tel Aviv will stop them.
I expect the gov to continue trampling on civil liberties while the support mechanism (handouts) are ratcheted down because they no longer can be funded. My conclusion as I have mentioned is to prepare to get out of the US. This is not an easy decision. But I believe the US will end up in worse condition than Central America. This is amazing to me that I would be saying this! The US will not rise from the ashes for decades. Orlov suggests the US will break up into regions. I believe this could be true. It will not resemble what we have known and loved. The economic catastrophe coming dwarfs the GOM oil spill. Another example of America at it's finest.
Some thoughts from Lao Tzu, care of the von Mises Institute:
The greater the number of laws and restrictions, the poorer the people who inhabit the land. The sharper the weapons of battle and war, the greater the troubles besetting the land. The greater the cunning with which people are ruled, the stranger the things which occur in the land. The harder the rules and regulations, the greater the number of those who will steal. The sage therefore does not contrive, in order to bring about reform, but teaches the people peace of mind, in order that they might enjoy their lives.
Tao Te Ching Section 57
The quote is taken out of context. Picking up quotes from philosophies wishing to be a consistent set is useless without replacing in their context.
The discussion of a government in Tao starts on totally different grounds than the western tradition.
Other countries have lost confidence in the US. Not according to Treasury Auction results? However, we know how fast the bond market dynamics can change.
----------
My feeling is the US sovereign debt crisis will not initially start with the market. I think the trigger will be initiated by the states. There will be a default event, which is downplayed, but in actuality reveals the one dynamic which many seem to overlook, and that is, you cannot separate the states financial stance on debt and default from the central government.
There is no rating for US Government debt without a tally of the state's ability to support it.
There is no separation between DC and the republic, in the health and ability to meet obligations. How will the citizens pay for Central Government debt when they cannot afford to even pay the state's?
So it will start with a collapse from within. Once the market understands it is the states which will ultimately pay for any debt interest through the taxation of its citizens, our bond rating will be no better than the weakest link. Which, after municiple defaults, ultimately will be junk.
Mark Beck
two thoughts on this:
1. out of everything that is TBTF, i think state and muni debt is going to be deemed NOT TBTF. around 70% of muni holders are individual investors, because they get the tax break on it. using globalist logic, fuck the little guy... munis are not TBTF.
2. federalism is a pain in the ass from the globalist perspective. they would like to see states fail, and then come in as the heros, with an attendant loss of states rights.
remember, 'ordo ab chao' is their motto!
I completely agree that munipical debts will not be "rescued". The Socialist leader (Obama) will "rescue" the state and local employees and their retiree brethren, but the Socialist Obama will sacrifice the creditors. This is exactly what the Socialists did when they nationalized GM and Chrysler and tore-up 200 years of corporate legal precedent.
Confidence, faith have been tainted by religion. Most people equate faith with religious faith, that is a faith rooted in a no evidence ground.
Confidence in the USD is totally different. It is rooted in the repeated experience that the US buys things. It is as strong as opening a door by operating the handle.
Personally, I guess that many countries have given up on the idea of a US repaying on its debts other than through scarcity. Countries are interested in the USD as its key to open the commodities world market. Without USD, China's capability to operate on the commodities world market would be seriously impaired.
The consequence is that US states can default on their debts.
Any takers on the next failed auction?
Wasnt a failed auction supposed to a trigger to the disaster?
A useless article. He didn't even seem to know that it was 41000 jobs and that most of those temporary jobs were census takers. I like to get my weekly fix of verbiage from Jim Kunstler. At least he writes well, even if he is a bit too obsessed with happy motoring and Nascar.
What are you talking about? He acknowledged it.
Kunstler is very intelligent, but sadly ignorant of economics.
I was actually irritated by the article too. First of all, the
May you live in interesting times," is one of the most ill-quoted sayings of all time. It's origins aren't known, but the suspicion is that the origin is from English, likely America. And it's meant as a curse.
Also, that 1 in 500 rich people is saying publicly that he's sheltering money abroad means fucking nothing whatsoever (heard of incorporating in Bermuda?).
I'm glad he guest-posted the article because it spurred conversation. But to me it's just more guns and gold hyperbole.
Finally, just what makes someone think that living abroad is going to resolve anything? Exactly which country is going to have it all just right enough that it would be worth leaving behind everything and everyone you know? I'd say take a vacation first to think about it.
If living in a community under the jackboot of gov thugs, and you don't know who the sucker is sitting at the table, you have already missed the optimum time to emigrate from that community.
If reading news articles about newly unveiled military hardware, and your immediate thoughts are "that's cool and all, until they start using it on their own people", you have already missed the optimum time to emigrate from that community.
If reading about the median household income in your community for those on welfare is higher than the median household income of private sector employees, you have already missed the optimum time to emigrate from that community.
Large swathes of the immigrant gateway states in the US now have all three of the above scenarios operative.
Having grown up in one of those states, living amongst refugees from the former USSR, the former Yugoslavia, various war torn regions of Africa, and most recently refugees from Hugo's Venezuela, please remember this:
Those who immigrate first and create beachheads are the pillars of the future (USA) expat immigrant enclaves.
The cane toads on the leading edge of the westward invasion of Australia had 20% larger legs than their slower cousins closer to the original point of entry. Be bold.
Isnt securing the future of one's posterity a collectivist idea? Like building a dynasty?
jesus, this got an incredible yawn from the markets... when hungary did this a week ago, it was chaotic!
JAPAN PM warns of Greece-like Crisis
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Japan-PM-warns-of-Greecelike-apf-4204817831.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=main&asset=&ccode=
I keep wondering what is the SHTF moment.
When the lights don't turn on
THE NEW NEW WORLD:
http://williambanzai7.blogspot.com/2010/06/world-map.html
I agree with this article. Anyone with big money should get a second passport and drop their US citizenship. Paraphrasing Doug Casey who said America was an idea that is gone, what is left is the United States.
Why be a patriot to this government when it should be replaced.
If you want to know what your future looks like just compare where the US is now to where England was at the end of the First World war,that was the event that broke the British economy and ultimately led to the collapse of the British Empire,but as if the debts it ran up during the First World War weren't quite certain to fininsh it off,it made absolutely certain it would by getting into WWII,from that there was no way back.The US had Vietnam and the Apollo space programme that broke its economy which ultimately led to Nixon breaking the link with gold and we all know what happened since.
Since the end of WWII the UK's cycle of devaluation and inflation has never stopped,every crisis being dealt with by the short term fix of easy money,the decades of North Sea oil revenues pissed away into the pot of general government spending instead of investment(compare Norways aproach), the mistakes are now being repeated stateside, the hundred year time gap is the only difference.
The country is screaming out for a change to the rotten corrupt systemthat has led it to the brink but all it gets is more of the same failed policies that led it there. Washington is populated by those who don't understand the problems and therefore cannot hope to fix them, those who are being bought off who obviously don't want change and finally those who understand but are hopelessly outnumbered by the prior two.
It's all rather depressing but your future is written in the past,like the old saying goes,it is just history repeating itself.
No shit here: Doomsday in NY for monday...
http://wcbstv.com/politics/nys.goverment.shutdown.2.1745114.html
Hi Folks
I made the decision to leave my home country 3 years ago due to high tax's and government incompetence and interference. For those with the money to do so, one place i can recommend is DUBAI. Yes you herd me correct and before all you naysayers jump in with all those uninformed negative comments please here me out. Dubai has NO personnel or corporate income tax's. You can open up a company in a free trade zone and do business all around the word with no tax's due anywhere. Setting up this company is cheap and easy and will give you a residency visa or alternatively real estate here is fairly cheap and plentiful at the moment and by purchasing a property it entitles you to a residency visa. The infrastructure here is world class and you have all the amenities you could ever want. You are only 5 hrs away from Europe and 7 hrs away from asia. The lifestyle here is free and easy almost perfect weather for 9 months of the year but for 3 months during summer it is DAM hot and this is the perfect time to go traveling. It's not going to be home forever but for the next few years it will do very nicely indeed.
One of my motto in life is learn think and evaluate before you speak, so please feel free to comment and I hope this post opens up peoples minds to the possibility. But please do your research before commenting, for if you do the smart money will see that dubai is one of only handful of good places to relocate for a while and Wait for the dust to settle.
Yes it is a Muslim country but very moderate indeed, you can go to restaurants and drink alcohol, you can buy alcohol and drink in your home. Normal bathing attire on public beaches (no G-strings obviously) I myself was bought up catholic and do not find it a problem living here at all. There are churches here and I could go on forever but I think you get the point. Everyone speaks excellent english and life here is very cruisy folks, definitely one area to consider.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
New Hampshire has no personal income tax. But it's not muslim.
There's just something about a country with debtors' prisons... literal debtors' prisons. Are you indebted to any Dubai nationals in any way? Better hope you never have cashflow problems... Also, I like to be able to kiss my wife when the envy strikes me. I don't really want to have to worry about going to jail because I felt like getting into an embrace going up an escalator at the mall. On the plus side, I suppose you can get a Murcielago for pennies on the dollar if you don't mind dusting off the sand that accumulated while it was parked at the airport, where the last expat left it on his way out of the country because he didn't want to end up in that debtor's prison... Way too much uncertainty for my comfort level. If you're willing to deal with it, more power to you.
How big do your tomatoes grow there?
The U.S. has become a wallstreet/pentagon fiefdom.
Hey "Joe Shmoe"
I was bought up Catholic, but in all reality i'm an atheist really. I don't give a rats arse about religion to be frank with you sir and that was not the point of the post. A number of the previous post's eluded to the fact people were wanting to exit the USA and find alternative places to live, so that was the context of my comments. Based on your post you wouldn't happen to be Jewish by any chance would you sire !!!!!!!
I'm in New Zealand and will help any ZHers who want to relocate. Eastern Europe lost up to 1/4 of its skilled people pre-Berlin Wall; let's see if we can do better. Anyone interested?
I'm interested.
I've had my eyes on Kiwi country for some years. I left the US, permanently, in 08. Since then, brief stints in Malaysia and Singapore (which I don't recommend as highly as other posters do), and am right now typing this from Auckland; I'll take any suggestions you have to offer!
MP
Email me valis rising (all one word) at gmail dot com. I don't check this very often, but will check it over the next week.
I'm in Auckland, too. Know anyone else looking to escape from America, Britain, or Europe? I want to starve the Beast.
Done.
Again, thanks for extending the offer. I think we're breaking some new ground here. Perhaps we can begin the first ZH satellite group?
Chumba, are you volunteering to spearhead the pamphlet writing campaign? If so, I'll volunteer my editing abilities (I'm only good at telling other people where they went wrong;-)).
Anyone else in Auckland care to join in?
MP
For those folks with teh desire or interest to make a change these guys do a credible job of explaining the process of leaving not just the US but Canada and others.
I live part time in Belize and Mexico. Piece of cake with the Internet now. Do all my meetings over video. However, since I'm the boss I can do what I want. Thta being said taking hte plunge is easier than you think.
You just have to de-program. Your life doesn't change one iota, but, your consciousness takes leaps.
http://www.escapeartist.com/
Try Uruguay, much better than Mexico...
Thanks for the link, looks like a great site. My kids are 8 and 13, it's going to be pretty tough to uproot them. I hope the inevitable can wait at least until my oldest is out of high school, not looking good though. My wife's grandfather visited NZ when she was a little girl and brought back a hand made doll. Maybe I can convince her to bring the doll back to it's home.
Kudos to the nexus of ZH and LRC.
May it live long and prosper.
Hey Tyler
Just a thought but maybe we could have a section somewhere on the ZH site where people wanting relocation to a particular country can ask questions about the process involved.
Then those of use living in those locations can post our thoughts and advise on what we experienced in moving their.
Just a thought TYLER
Cheers
Come to Brazil and open a Beach Inn, you will not regret it.
Having to pay bribes from time to time is the worst that can happen, and will not cost you so much.
Eeerrrr... Just a correction:
Since we have a lot of offshore drilling here in Brasil, and it will increase much more in the next few years, the worst that can happen to your Beach Inn is what is happening now in Pensacola, Florida.
The author's basic premise seems to be that things will continue to deteriorate at home, but not elsewhere. It's a dangerous assumption. Take Costa Rica for example. If you can live with a little inflation, it's a nice place. No military to pay for, relative economic stability, free health care (if you can call the Caja health care, etc. but there are also risks and when you read articles like this you never, and I mean NEVER hear about the risks.
America is broken, but so is just about everyplace else and to the dude. Where do you run and hide? Some of what I read is laughable. Argentina? Uruguay? Seriously? As for Dubai, no thanks. Yes, it's marvelous now but Iran was marvelous under the Shah or so I've heard. Everything is temporary and anyplace a bunch of fat cat American ex-pats land is a place that will eventually be known for skinning fat cat American expats. I know enough about world history to know that.
So what's a freedom loving American to do? I would never presume to tell anyone what to do. Personally, I have chosen to join the underground resistance. I've moved as far from big cities as possible. This year I will grow 25% of my own food. Next year close to 50%. I make very little money at this point and pay virtually no taxes. I am debt free. I live simply and devote my time to constitutional issues. I intend to win, either with regime change at home and by that I mean not Democrat AND not Republican or, absent that, secession. I am committed to the principles of the Founders. Since the USA no longer honors them I will seriously consider joining any country that still does but I haven't found one yet. Dubai doesn't. Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Costa Rica don't. New Zealand and Argentina don't. I can't think of one place that does, so my decision is to stay and fight for my mythical country, the one that a bunch of people want to take from me. Win or lose, that's my decision and this is where I make my stand. I think it's worth fighting for, and I've never been the kind to run and hide. Good luck to all.
Good luck to you, who will continue in the US...
Good for you! This is our place, where we were born, and where we should die. Perhaps we will meet at the Revolution!
Agreed morph. I have lived and worked all over the world. I have family in many of the places mentioned. Each place has its advantages and disadvantages. But US people forget, the only reason you are welcome in many countries is because of your wealth and privilege bestowed upon you by colonialism. When chaos descends, people will look for scapegoats and whether you were "nice" or not, you will be viewed as outsiders or part of a hated people/culture. The US will be blamed for much of what is coming and I would not want to be in any of those places then. Just because you cannot discern your own privilege, doesn't mean others can't.
I was born in the US of immigrant parents/grandparents. This is my country. I choose to stay and try to change and defend it from the infestation plaguing it. But then, that is my nature.
When chaos descends, people will look for scapegoats and whether you were "nice" or not, you will be viewed as outsiders or part of a hated people/culture. The US will be blamed for much of what is coming and I would not want to be in any of those places then.
IMO this is one of the most important statements anyone considering expatting could read.
"economicmorphine"
Not everyone on this forum is American, so as you can appreciate there are those with a different perspective and alteria motives for wanting to leave their country of residence.
It could be something as simple as in increadibly high taxes, no one is saying leave your ountry of residence forever especially me. But in order to get ahead in life and set up a nest egg one can leave to go to a tax free and stable region work and play, live well and in time if and when it suites return back home if required.
But as far as not making any money in order to not be taxed well thats like saying I will no longer breath air in order to avoid pollution. Personally if i'm going to live on my own land my own peace of paradise. I to want to grow my own organic food but at the same time I want a beautiful house I want to go on holidays and I want my toys like cares boats ect. This all takes money my friend.
All i'm saying is this while the world is in turmoil you need to protect yourself and your assets and a bit of diversification outside ones own country is a good thing. Then if and when the dust settles you have a choice and funds left to do as you please and not as others dictate for you to do.
Cheers
"According to FT Deutschland, the EU is preparing itself for a Spanish bail-out (hat-tip, Open Europe). If Spain were to follow Greece, the money so far set aside by the eurozone states would be wholly inadequate, says the EU President. The debt cancer metastasising across the Mediterranean; but, rather than seeking to amputate the tumour, the EU’s leaders are preparing for a course of chemotherapy: expensive, debilitating and of uncertain outcome" - http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/100043152/e750-billion-is-still-not-enough-admits-herman-van-rompuy/
10 reasons to choose expatriation:
http://www.caseyresearch.com/editorial/3450?ppref=GLD067ED0610A
You guys get this one pager created (I of course will help if asked) and I will also do my part to get the word out in my neck of the woods.
Amazing idea.
...and even more stability and predictability in North Korea -- maybe that self-indulgent pratt would be even happier there. What a retarded thing to say.
...further goes to show how little he knows. Anyone who complains like this about "frivolous lawsuits" either (1) has never really thought about what s/he is saying or (2) has a small, immature intellect.
Given Wynn's jackass comment about "stability and predictability" in China, I would say he's #2. (He's #2 in another context as well....)
I'm gonna stay & fight - November is right around the corner
+ infinity
I'm not going anywhare, and I'm not taking any sh*t from the banskter bastards or their political whores anymore.
It's time to take a stand, and get down and dirty... I choose to stay and Fight the Fascists!
Reforming politics through voting seems about as useful as trying to empty the ocean with a bucket.
1) There are too many people who live with their heads in the sand.
2) There are too many people who contribute nothing to society and receive benefits from the government. They don't want change.
3) It's the lobbyist system, not the individual politicians that are what matters. All but a tiny percentage of politicians either are or will be bought.
4) I'm not convinced that every election isn't already rigged anyway.
5) I'm not convinced that politicians are even in charge.
Remember, remember the 5th of November, the gunpowder treason and plot.
Keep Ron Paul home that day! :-)
+1
Imagine if he told us to do the same.
Chumba and Crab Cake...I,m with you.....great idea on the one page.....when the going gets tough...the easy-money gets going...time to dig-in, re-trench, find like-minded people, and fight for the rights and liberties that others before us have fought and died for....I'm not ready to give up.....perhaps you need to evaluate a like-minded place like Montana....one of the first states to proclaim their state's sovereign rights.....don't tread on us......nothing worth fighting for comes easy.
A series of detailed handbooks for expatriates - 20 countries
http://www.cultivatorshandbook.com/cultivators/Cultural_Handbooks.html
But ask yourself - am I willing to become fluent in a new language? If not, give up the expat dream. Without fluency you will aleays be a stranger, and strangers are always the most vulnerable when tshtf.
I fear that those who think they can run somewhere else and hide from what's coming, truly don't understand the extent of what's coming.
Learn to provide for your own needs. If you can do that, it will matter less where you actually are. Arguing about foreign tax policies and expatriation procedures during a global currency crisis is like arranging deck chairs on the Titanic. Stop worrying about whether there's a better buffet on a different crusie line, and start growing some vegetables.
truth.
mmmmmmmm, "homemade lasagna" !!! yum.
Seeing as how this discussion has a more local than macro theme, I will provide a few local observations. During college I convinced a handy friend of mine, fortunate enough to "not have the opportunity" to attend college, to allow me to fund him in a start up construction business. Turns out I was a pretty decent salesman and by the time I graduated I found more people dependent on my payroll than I wanted to see suffer so I decided to join the corporate world with my fresh new degree and allow this little venture to continue on. Most of the customers served in this construction business are located in a specific area of Connecticut currently known for its high concentration of hedge fund and other investment company entities. There is also a good chance the management of your favorite corp or bank resides here. Anyway, interesting observation - the building never stopped here for the mega wealthy. And the trend? Major focus on security. As many confidentiality contracts required to be signed while working for these folks, people talk. There are million dollar hidden underground bunkers and other such systems being installed at these residences. Hard to say what the mentality is driving this, whether it is anticipation of something specific in the future or simply a general desire for security and protection that is a result of power. Maybe it is just the nature of the industry as physical conflict, bombs and suicide have all been the result of "work related stress" in the past. These measures are also hedged with residences outside of the US.
Now, I am also a CPA..a worthless beancounter counting beans based on rules of a system that are bound to change or be irrelevant in the near term. I work for a large firm filled with an asian staff who have an attention span and work ethic that rivals the CPU in their computers while performing a disk defrag - certainly not a result of a U.S. upbringing (for most). If I could go long laziness and short work ethic as a long term trade for their kids growing up here, I would leverage X500. Bottom line is its not genetic. Anyway, interesting observation #2 - I see where the money is going for many individual PE investors, and this contributor is correct..home base is becoming more frequently somewhere else while the U.S. is used as a playground..like a GM taking his travel team on a road trip to compete, hoping to bring his team back safely with a win.
There are many good ideas flowing from this post.My personal experience was that my father thought he was fighting for "change he could believe in" in 1957, got more than he bargained for in 1959, spent 2 years fighting the man and if he hadn't gotten the hell out of dodge I would be stuck in that carribean hell hole. By leaving everything he knew and loved behind in 1961 he gave me the opportunity to have a free life in America. Sad thing is, my father's advice now is to teach my kids NOT to be patriots. He was considered a traitor for leaving his country when he did but those who stayed got screwed. He has wanted me to leave the US for awhile fearing that it has forsaken the path of liberty, Argentina is his favorite place (he has traveled alot but not in Argentina for >10 yrs). I am a physician and so is my spouse so I think we would be welcome most places but I have kids 23, 19 and 18 that would be tough to relocate....2 of them are at Stanford and by the way are disgusted with the political correctness brainwashing BS!!! They are still teaching the Econ BS that got us into this mess. Fortunately my kids are taking alot of math and science which is more difficult to corrupt but they still try. Anyway, my gut tells me I should be moving or at least buying a place outside the US but where? Meantime I would like to park some cash in rural land that is off the radar but driving distance from the left coast....any suggestions? Finally, the pamphlet sounds like something the college kids are ready for. I am amazed at how many 20 somethings actually sense that something is seriously wrong. Let's help save our kids!