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"I Believe..."

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Self-admitted 'crazy-guy-at-every-cocktail-party', Santiago Capital's Brent Johnson believes there is something really wrong in the world today. But as he notes as an introduction to his presentation, "while I am not naive to the way the world works, I at least want to try to make it better." Rather than tell us what we should do, he tells us what he believes in the hope that just maybe, we may believe in many of the same things... for instance, that despite the S&P 500 returning to its all-time highs, the real economy has not recovered; that holding interest rates at less than 1% for 5 years is an indicator of a recession if not a depression and that the fact that that middle class jobs have not returned is indicative of an economy in trouble. This brief but full presentation is a litany of all that is wrong today - see how many of his 'beliefs' you agree with...

 

 

"I believe..."

  • S&P is at highs but the real economy has not recovered
  • Rates at 0% is indicative of a recession or maybe a depression
  • middle class jobs have not returned signals an economy in trouble
  • and that these the three put together is a major problem

"I believe..."

  • it is impossible to borrow your way out of debt...
  • or spend your way to prosperity
  • our representatives in Washington do not think the rules of mathematics do not apply to them
  • very few people understand the power of the exponential curve
  • and recognizing it when its right in front of you (national debt)
  • that this system puts our kids in jeopardy (owing $350,000 at the age of 4)
  • most people think these problems are so far off in the future that it is senseless to worry about them now
  • they are wrong

"I believe..."

  • See Something, Say Something should be applied to our government - we should tell our neighbors what our government is doing

"I believe..."

  • Nikita Kruschev had at least one thing right, politicians are the same all over, "they promise to build a bridge even where there is no river."

"I believe..."

  • Leadership starts at the top (and drops off fast from there) - and you gotta call them on their bullshit (Bush abandoning free-markets to save free markets & Obama 'stopping these ridiculous wars' and still fighting them 5 years late)

"I believe..."

  • It is wrong that the Attorney General openly admits that large banks are 'too big to jail'

"I believe.."

  • It's wrong when guys in suits and ties get off easy (Cassano, Corzine, Mozilo), yet organic farmers and young entrepreneurs have their business closed down and lives ruined - so the Justice Department can send a message that noone is above the law.

"I believe..."

  • The greatest trick the world's central bankers ever pulled was convicing you they were on your side.
  • They are not.

 

"I believe..."

  • That Cyprus will not be able to live up to the terms of the latest bailout, and
  • It won't be long before the ECB comes back for round 2

"I believe..."

  • Once the confidence in fiat currency is gone, its over...

"I believe..."

  • It's still a beautiful world, and that
  • Most people want the same things in life, to be left alone to make their own decisions and live life the way they see fit

and one last thing

"I believe..."

  • It is better to deserve honors and not have them, than to have honors and not deserve them...

 

 

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Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:42 | 3375142 Croesus
Croesus's picture

I believe the day will come, when people decide they've had enough.....and banksters and politicians will have nowhere to hide.

Remember, ye boys and girls on the hill: "I was doing my job and following orders" was not a valid defense at Nuremberg, and it probably won't work for you either.

 

 

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:43 | 3375165 James_Cole
James_Cole's picture

Krugman's 'Nobel' - worth noting that the Nobel in economics is NOT really a Nobel prize, it is not recognized by the Nobel family and was added much later (1901 vs. 1969) than the others.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:51 | 3375202 toys for tits
toys for tits's picture

Brent is a ZHer at heart.

I don't know if he knows it yet.

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 09:25 | 3376341 BorisTheBlade
BorisTheBlade's picture

It's not about branding, ZHer or not, one should understand the idea that creation of money can go simultaneosuly with the destruction of capital. Majority is thinking that money is capital and that's at the heart of the current confusion. People blame capitalism, which is long gone, for the ills of fraudulent, in essense, money creation mechanism. Money creation and capital formation, which normally would go hand in hand are divorced and have been for quite some time and only few can recognize that. What follows is the pain with no gain, pure sunk cost to human capital. Children are heavily indebted even before born, grandchildren are into even bigger mess and masses screaming and chanting for the saviour. There won't be a saviour, whoever comes with that intention will save a few at the expense of many. Better be ready for that as well as the question from one of the kids: "What the hell you were looking at while it was right before your eyes?".

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:53 | 3375204 Pegasus Muse
Pegasus Muse's picture

I've read prize funded by Wall Street Gangster Banksters and is awarded to the academic economist who has his nose lodged the furthest up the Banskters' asses.  

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:02 | 3375257 pods
pods's picture

I thought it was whoever could handle all of Sir Evelyn "Footlong" de Rothschild?

pods

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:07 | 3375271 knukles
knukles's picture

Where, Pods, did "footlong" come from?

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:14 | 3375312 Ms. Erable
Ms. Erable's picture

4:1 leverage?

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:45 | 3375427 SafelyGraze
SafelyGraze's picture

I believe I'll have a beer now

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 23:06 | 3375493 Manthong
Manthong's picture

“Rates at 0% is indicative of a recession or maybe a depression”

NO..  a suppression maybe, a subjugation more likely.   

Wake up and smell the bitter almonds.. Know your fascists.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:15 | 3375315 Terminus C
Terminus C's picture

He owns Subway?

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 07:45 | 3376022 Loose Caboose
Loose Caboose's picture

He owns everything.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:22 | 3375342 pods
pods's picture

I saw it on the internet.

:)

pods

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:01 | 3375252 Kastorsky
Kastorsky's picture

ha-ha

it's fake like George Costanza "human fund" - "Money for People"

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:05 | 3375263 fonzannoon
fonzannoon's picture

"Believe it or not, George isn’t at home.
Please leave a message at the beep.
I must be out, or I’d pick up the phone.
Where could I be?
Believe it or not, I’m not home"

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:26 | 3375358 NoDebt
NoDebt's picture

I've been burshing up on my Seinfeld quotes lately- especially George Costanza.  They just seem so appropriate to so many situations these days.  My favorite and probably the best one to ever use in political or economic discussions:

"It's not a lie if YOU believe it."

 

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:28 | 3375366 fonzannoon
fonzannoon's picture

When I read half the shit on here I keep going back to this Kramer scene

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61uWowYxzQ8

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 23:19 | 3375544 Big Slick
Big Slick's picture

To Paul Krugman: "If every instinct you had was wrong, then the opposite would have to be right."

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 03:56 | 3375825 akak
akak's picture
"I think that you think that a certain economic something is not all that it could be, when, in fact, it is all that it should be... And more!"

"I'm sure it is."

"Look, you don't understand. There was GDP shrinkage!."
Tue, 03/26/2013 - 06:07 | 3375910 Obadiah
Obadiah's picture

Significant shrinkage

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 10:50 | 3376784 viahj
viahj's picture

And last year was suppossed to be "the Summer of George [recovery]"

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:10 | 3375289 wee-weed up
wee-weed up's picture

The Nobel Peace Prize is a joke anymore... just look at some of the awardees in the last 20 years.

And the most outrageous Peace Prize winner by far...  The drone assassin himself - Obama!

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:30 | 3375376 Tod E. Tosspot
Tod E. Tosspot's picture

To be fair, obummer was awarded the peace prize before he sent any drones up...or did anything else for that matter.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 23:20 | 3375552 Big Slick
Big Slick's picture

Word has it Arafat buys his there

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 02:27 | 3375767 Real Estate Geek
Real Estate Geek's picture

  .

The Nobel Peace Prize is a joke anymore... just look at some of the awardees in the last 20 years.  And the most outrageous Peace Prize winner by far...  The drone assassin himself - Obama!

To be fair, obummer was awarded the peace prize before he sent any drones up...or did anything else for that matter.

 

Well, if that ain't QED, I don't know what is.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 23:02 | 3375498 thisandthat
thisandthat's picture

That'd be Kissinger

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 05:58 | 3375902 NoClueSneaker
NoClueSneaker's picture

No way . How about Henry Kissinger ? His bodycount is unmathcable . OK, Barry has a chance to nuke Iran - but even that would't be enough .

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 03:46 | 3375822 nothing can go wrogn
nothing can go wrogn's picture

Also worth noting is that economics is a "social science" like psychology or communications.

Economists rely on fancy terminology, mathematics and "nobel prizes" to try and convince the general populace that they are not completely full of shit.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:13 | 3375306 prains
prains's picture

Any indicator of authority or intellectual expertise unspoiled by greed has forever been removed from the 21 st century and we are in a fight to the death with an oligarchy that has captured the entire economic_political_social system that determines all our fates as well as your childrens and their chidren

 

there is no authority left to guide you to the truth but you know what must be done

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:29 | 3375368 CheapBastard
CheapBastard's picture

"Leadership starts at the top."

 

Reminds me of what the Dean of the local MBA school told me at dinner one time:

"Fraud starts at the top and flows down hill."

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:36 | 3375402 Son of Loki
Son of Loki's picture
Student loan write-offs hit $3 billion in first two months of year

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Banks wrote off $3 billion of student loan debt in the first two months of 2013, up more than 36 percent from the year-ago period, as many graduates remain jobless, underemployed or cash-strapped in a slow U.S. economic recovery, an Equifax study showed.

 

http://news.yahoo.com/student-loan-write-offs-hit-3-billion-1st-22484503...

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 23:10 | 3375520 HowardBeale
HowardBeale's picture

"They" might have written it off, but you can bet that the ultimate debt owed by those students has been significantly increased at the subsidiaries of those very same criminal fuck fascist corporations. Bet on it! What a fucking scam. What a fucking country. This place called the U.S. is the "pinnacle" of Man's dark side. Just a land mass infested by psychopathic murderers and their cheeto snorting, big gulp inhaling, MePhone addicted consumer victims. Sieg Heil! To the ovens with you and you and--wait! Where are the pliers? This peasant has a gold tooth. Here Sir Dimon. Would you like the pleasure of taking the tooth while she is not quite dead? The squels of unendurable pain are almost orgasmic--or, at least, that's what Blankfeind said.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 23:23 | 3375556 Big Slick
Big Slick's picture

Probably make good cufflinks.

Keep an eye out for that at the next Congressional hearing

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 23:10 | 3375521 Temporalist
Temporalist's picture

That's not fair, there is a low-income, minimum wage or temporary job available somewhere.

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 00:56 | 3375661 dark pools of soros
dark pools of soros's picture

A whole 3 billion in two months? Ask uncle Benny for some loose change

Wake me up when it's 3 trillion

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:45 | 3375428 rotagen
rotagen's picture

One "belief" covers all these and simplifies things immensely.  Only it's not a belief it's a fact.  Well 2 of them really.

 

1. I believe the world is run by a cartel of Private central banking families at least 50% "jewish", who started all the wars and created all this slavery.  

 

2.  I believe there is no such thing as debt Since the forementioned wankers I mean bankers produce nothing but fake money from thin air, so don't    even talk to me about a "budget deficit".

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 00:58 | 3375663 dark pools of soros
dark pools of soros's picture

They only have to bribe a few to bury the many

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:57 | 3375476 HowardBeale
HowardBeale's picture

"...banksters and politicians will have nowhere to hide."

And, when that day comes, they better hope they don't end up in my town, recognized by any of the 300+ concealed-carry devotees I know that have pledged themselves to the protection of the constitution...

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 01:01 | 3375664 dark pools of soros
dark pools of soros's picture

Do you have Bently and Tiffany in your town? Never
mind you a visit

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 03:36 | 3375815 The Second Rule
The Second Rule's picture

I don't care if he is the crazy uncle who lights the 4th of July Bar-b-que with a gasoline soaked tennis ball...this guy deserves top billing. He speaks the truth.

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 05:48 | 3375898 deKevelioc
deKevelioc's picture

"Any institution which does not suppose the people good, and the magistrate corruptible, is evil."

Maximilien Robespierre 

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 11:16 | 3377036 escargot
escargot's picture

Hey let's add the media whores to that list.  Let's not forget who was SUPPOSED to be "informing" everyone.  Every single paid mouthpiece on TV should be lined up at the guillotine right along with the bankers and political puppets.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:36 | 3375147 knukles
knukles's picture

Believes there's something wrong with the world today?
What?
No shit?
Terroristic statements?

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 01:03 | 3375667 dark pools of soros
dark pools of soros's picture

I believe slavery will be welcomed by the sheep

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 03:11 | 3375800 Scarlett
Scarlett's picture

why the future tense?

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:38 | 3375151 zerozulu
zerozulu's picture

OT

 

 

U.S. Applies New Money Laundering Rules to Bitcoin, Defeating Its Purpose

http://mashable.com/2013/03/23/bitcoin-regulatio/

 

 

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 01:05 | 3375669 dark pools of soros
dark pools of soros's picture

A guy in Canada is selling his house for bitcoins now

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:40 | 3375154 Ironmaan
Ironmaan's picture

I believe I'll have a drink.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:52 | 3375206 LeisureSmith
LeisureSmith's picture

Amen.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:40 | 3375156 nmewn
nmewn's picture

Something wrong with the world today...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MiF1mSzpJc

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:43 | 3375166 palmereldritch
palmereldritch's picture

 "Hello, my name is Brent...and I'm a Propofolic."

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:21 | 3375337 Bárðarbunga
Bárðarbunga's picture

Ah, I see. You're a fellow molecular pharmacologist. I see what you did there.

But you've still received your second down arrow.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:36 | 3375404 palmereldritch
palmereldritch's picture

That's OK.  I forgive you.  Remember me though, when like Brent you finally wake up and you're ready for step number 9.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:33 | 3375388 H E D G E H O G
H E D G E H O G's picture

"Hello, my name is Brent...and I'm a Prophylatic.".............................there, fixed it for ya Brent.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:46 | 3375435 palmereldritch
palmereldritch's picture

Are you new to the party too?

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:45 | 3375174 partimer1
partimer1's picture

I believe Cyprus bank is game changer, that is bank is no longer giving a shit about its customers. And more, bank openly run that way.

I believe Washington and Wall Street are in bed and nobody will ever be able to run for president from outside.

I believe there are only haves and havenots. If you are not the haves, you are probably fucked forever.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:02 | 3375238 NoDebt
NoDebt's picture

I believe those banks will not reopen.  They're all pushed back to a Thursday reopen- for fear there will be a bank run (surprised ZH didn't have an article on that yet).  Like adding days to the wait is going to make that outcome LESS likely?

Their "customers" (victims) are probably going to say "Ya know, you can keep the toaster, I just want my money back.  On second thought, give me my money back AND the toaster..... and this pen with the chain on it..... and all these deposit slips because you're sure as hell not going to need them any more.  See ya."

 

 

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:13 | 3375302 A Nanny Moose
A Nanny Moose's picture

...give me my money back AND the toaster..... and this pen with the chain on it..... and all these deposit slips

 

...the ashtray and the paddle game! That's all I need!

/watch?v=4VbI5zcB8Ac

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:46 | 3375176 sodbuster
sodbuster's picture

The older I get, I believe the most important thing to me isn't money, it isn't power, it isn't even the love of a good woman and family- the most important thing to me, is taking a good shit every morning!!

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:54 | 3375213 fonzannoon
fonzannoon's picture
“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church....a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes.”
? Charles R. Swindoll

 

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:56 | 3375227 Croesus
Croesus's picture

+1,000 Fonz!

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:01 | 3375254 fonzannoon
fonzannoon's picture

I used to draw strength from that quote. Now I draw strength from a bunch of avatars and anonymous people all over the world, almost all of whom I will never meet, but feel like I know better than most of the people I see everyday.

That is some cool shit.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:07 | 3375276 nmewn
nmewn's picture

"I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it."

We don't have to meet in person...that says it all ;-)

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:30 | 3375374 AlaricBalth
AlaricBalth's picture

I second that!

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 23:28 | 3375562 Big Slick
Big Slick's picture

+1,000 Fonz!

WHAT IS IT about ZH threads??

So much more cerebral, sensical, humorous, and respectful than any other blog or social media outlet I know of

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 00:13 | 3375626 McMolotov
McMolotov's picture

It's all the swearing and booze.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:31 | 3375375 AlaricBalth
AlaricBalth's picture

Double post. My bad.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:39 | 3375417 SubjectivObject
SubjectivObject's picture

Ha! Wooda ben poetic to leave it stand.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:08 | 3375284 Bay of Pigs
Bay of Pigs's picture

You got that right brother...

Peace and Aloha fonz,

Bay of Pigs 

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:17 | 3375318 fonzannoon
fonzannoon's picture

Thanks BOP and nmewn and all the rest of you guys.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 23:21 | 3375553 Temporalist
Temporalist's picture

I am having a virtual orgasm from this ZH love orgy. 

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 00:13 | 3375625 IridiumRebel
IridiumRebel's picture

I love u

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 04:02 | 3375831 e-recep
e-recep's picture

pass the kleenex, please.

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 08:01 | 3376058 Mentaliusanything
Mentaliusanything's picture

Hey Fonz.. I told you I dont kiss on the first date. For fuck sake its been over a year and you get all touchy feely now. Now on the cyproitic vinigar stroke. pull your self together and harden the fuck up Princess.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:13 | 3375309 NoDebt
NoDebt's picture

Because truth is truth.  Geography doesn't matter.  When you find others who recogize it and give it it's due, you're home, no matter where you are.

 

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 00:17 | 3375630 McMolotov
McMolotov's picture

"Sometimes you wanna go... where everybody knows your fake name."

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:30 | 3375378 pods
pods's picture

Well fonz, we have to come to the hedge to find our kindred spirits.  My better half starts looking at me funny when I converse with myself too much.

We'd have one hell of a camp softball team.  Let's hope we end up in the same one!

:)

pods

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:36 | 3375399 fonzannoon
fonzannoon's picture

I hear you pods. I'd give almost anything to play a round of golf with knukles with a 12 pack and hear the crazy shit that comes out of his mouth by the 9th hole.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:47 | 3375441 pods
pods's picture

I'll bring the Jet Fuel, more Knukles (and my)  style.  I'm in for golf, if I can ever find my swing.  I read an article a long time ago "How to play the power draw" and it has not been the same since.

I'll bring along my knife (1 iron blade) for a cold NY spring and see if we can actually find the sweet spot, or face the consequences. <shudder> if you catch that thin.

:) 

pods

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:38 | 3375410 SubjectivObject
SubjectivObject's picture

Spritual sex, and for that, bodies need never touch.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 23:19 | 3375550 Professorlocknload
Professorlocknload's picture

Spot on. We are what we think.

And now is all we really have.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYNS_piIwiI

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 23:26 | 3375560 Hulk
Hulk's picture

Try this out fonz:

http://teamfroglogic.com/

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 02:12 | 3375760 Croesus
Croesus's picture

@ Fonz, et al: Inspiration is where you find it, bro! Don't ever rule out possibilities, and don't discount what you cannot believe.

It's an amazing world.

Just when I've thought I've seen it all, a surprise happens.

It is the thoughts of ZH'ers like yourself that serve to convince me that there may be Hope, just yet!

Forget the paper game. How many of us spend much of our lives, energies, and resources, caring about paper?

The people around us are ALL that matters. They're it! My "stuff" means nothing to me. In the absence of the people and animals who add emotional value to my life......what is the fucking point?

So I can "collect more shit"? Rhetorically speaking, "What do you get the man who has everything?". What do you get for the man who already has it all? My username should be a clear indication of a lesson learned. 

Via con Dios, Bro!

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:31 | 3375384 Harbanger
Harbanger's picture

I always enjoy reading his bedside blessings.  Thanks Fonz.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:47 | 3375179 Salah
Salah's picture

Who said it, Kruggie = "Cliff Claven with a Phd"?  OUTSTANDING!

What's really at the root of all this distortion?  

What are global governments trying to hide, prolong, or promulgate?

It's there...probably buried deep, deep...going back to the 1950s.

 

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:52 | 3375208 hooligan2009
hooligan2009's picture

governments = people

banks = legalised gangs of predator people

the people arent as smart as banksters, thats why people become predators

the socialisation of a free market economy has bankrupted it

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:48 | 3375183 H E D G E H O G
H E D G E H O G's picture

i believe that last hit of acid i took back in '69 ain't wore off yet.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:50 | 3375197 hooligan2009
hooligan2009's picture

maybe you have a cleft palate and it wasn't acid, but  trillion dollar coin shaving?

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:53 | 3375217 sgorem
sgorem's picture

+1000

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:00 | 3375247 nmewn
nmewn's picture

Try a seven way hit of pure LSD25...I know mine apparently hasn't considering all this.

But I don't pay extra for the different colors of ink paper being offered to me by hobbits & elves these days! ;-)

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:07 | 3375278 H E D G E H O G
H E D G E H O G's picture

+25 :-)

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:14 | 3375313 nmewn
nmewn's picture

It was my last. I lost two days of this life.

I wouldn't do it again but I wouldn't trade it for anything, you know ;-)

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:41 | 3375420 SubjectivObject
SubjectivObject's picture

WWWW

WindowWallWaterWash

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:48 | 3375186 venturen
venturen's picture

SAVE THE BANKERS(and Washington)...SCREW THE REST OF YOU! That is the new motto of the country!

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:16 | 3375317 ziggy59
ziggy59's picture

New? 100 years old in dec'13

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:54 | 3375189 Iocosus
Iocosus's picture

"our representatives in Washington do not think the rules of mathematics do not apply to them"

I believe... that there are one too many "nots" unless..... he thinks they understand the mathematics behind their actions, thus effectively making him a conspiracy theorist like the rest of us here. In that case, welcome to the party pal.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:49 | 3375191 Downtoolong
Downtoolong's picture

Here's a test. Show your one year old a flash card with the amount $350,000 on it. If his first words later turn out to be "Fuck you, I'm not paying it", and he or she flips you the bird, there's still hope. 

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:49 | 3375192 hooligan2009
hooligan2009's picture

bah ...humbug

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:50 | 3375199 DirkDiggler11
DirkDiggler11's picture

I believe it's time to lock and load. Enough of the BS talk and endless chatter, it's time to take out country back.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:55 | 3375225 besnook
besnook's picture

all hat. no cattle.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:59 | 3375234 PeeramidIdeologies
PeeramidIdeologies's picture

Meh, pull your cash, become self sufficient, sit back and watch it crumble down around their necks...

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:26 | 3375356 alien-IQ
alien-IQ's picture

That's rebellion. That's the way to go. You need not do anything but cease to participate in the scam for the scam to end.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:22 | 3375344 alien-IQ
alien-IQ's picture

Rebellion is more effective in the long term than revolution. There is a difference.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:45 | 3375429 PeeramidIdeologies
PeeramidIdeologies's picture

Your right, as we have had revolutions before. Yet here we are. I do believe it is called a revolution for a reason. Revolution denotes cyclical movement, a return to a fixed point. Evolution on the other hand...

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 23:05 | 3375505 alien-IQ
alien-IQ's picture

Revolutions are by nature, violent. In order to lead a revolution you must be unconscionably violent. The end result is that you just replace one violent despot with another. In the end, you are still ruled by a violent despot.

Rebellion, on the other hand, is a mass of people who refuse to play ball. Enough people refuse to play ball...game over.

The problem is that rebellion requires an educated mass, which we do not have, as opposed to revolution which requires only angry mob, which is easy to find.

Lead by example. Don't play ball.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:53 | 3375210 alfbell
alfbell's picture

 

 

When buying 1 oz. gold coins... I see there are different prices for different coins (Kruggerands, Maple Leafs, Eagles, etc.). I don't see why a 1 oz solid gold coin would be worth more than another one. Can someone explain why?

I'm just interested in some gold and silver coins as a store of wealth, just in case the infrastructure shuts down and I need some way to purchase clean water and food. If that is my purpose I think I would want to just buy the cheapest 1 oz coin and get the biggest bang for my buck. Am I missing anything?

 

 

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:01 | 3375249 alien-IQ
alien-IQ's picture

It's illusion. When push comes to shove, one ounce of gold or silver is one ounce. I refuse to pay a premium for a more "fashionable" stamp on my silver. The only stamp that matters is ".999 Fine Silver". Anything beyond that is just fashion and contradictory to the purpose of the purchase.

Others may see it differently. That's just my .02...

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:03 | 3375260 hooligan2009
hooligan2009's picture

do a google, you will find millions of sites to help you

start with this one maybe:

http://www.usagold.com/productspage.html

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:05 | 3375265 thewayitis
thewayitis's picture

alfbell ...Its pretty much a majority preference. Eagles favored then Kruggs then Maples. I prefer Maples for their 999 purity . JMO

  Anyone else here ...

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:07 | 3375281 ziggy59
ziggy59's picture

Gold Maples and their less costly, as beautiful, Silver Sisters, are .9999 pure.

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 08:04 | 3376074 Oracle of Kypseli
Oracle of Kypseli's picture

There are reasons that we may not quite understand. There are customs regulations about pure bullion coins and their crossborder transfer without taxation, There is the fact that some have a declared value on them which may mean that they can be confiscated and you get the stamped value, There is the kruggerrand that has no value stamped and so on.

I still have some of my maples and Krug's recovered from that boating accident in that Zerohedge sponsored cruise.

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 08:33 | 3376113 Oracle of Kypseli
Oracle of Kypseli's picture

I still think that 22K gold wire is the best way to preserve wealth and be low key about it. I want to refer you to one of my ZH posts from 2009 or so.

While I was traveling in the Sinai dessert, (circa 1977) I stopped at a town to buy gold jewelry. A Bedouin family traveling with Camels was buying 22K gold wire. (Semi-circle profile 1.4? wide.) At the end of the bargaining, the store owner cut the wire into several 6-7 inches long pieces and crudely created bracelets. The Bedouin wife dressed in long black garb lifted her long sleeves and slipped the bracelets into her arms. To my amazement it looked like she had bracelets going al the way up to her underarms.

The owner explained to me later that they were traveling between Egypt, Israel, Gaza, Jordan and other countries. No trust in paper money and counterfeit bills. Any time they make money on trading, they buy more gold wire, anytime they need money, they go to the gold market of whichever country they are in and sell bracelets.

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/local-gold-inventories-depleted-panicking-german-dealers-stage-run-krugerrands

scroll down hald way or so

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 23:38 | 3375574 Professorlocknload
Professorlocknload's picture

I like the 9999 quality of the  Au maple for the simple reason it can be converted to jewelry or whatever, and still pass the acid test as pure. Just in case bullion or bullion coins are ever made illegal, mind you. Could be hammered down into something as simple as gold leaf for a post card, buttons or any form of adornment.

And they will still be in perfect condition if I ever get out to the lake on the wildlife refuge and manage to find them again.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:13 | 3375308 ziggy59
ziggy59's picture

If in US, think about pre65 dimes, quarters, and halves too. Usually lower premiums for what is called junk silver.
They are 90% silver and a dime is worth over 2.00 bux, a convenient small exchangeable amount of silver. Bullion coins like kruges, philharmonics, eagles have higher premiums associated with them . At end of day he with most oz smiles most.

Look at www.coinflation.com

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 02:39 | 3375771 Real Estate Geek
Real Estate Geek's picture

Although that was true in the past, there is no longer a material difference in premium between junk and maples.  For example, both have a $1.99 premium at Tulving.  I noticed this about six weeks ago.  YMMV

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:36 | 3375403 howenlink
howenlink's picture

Beware that some coins have "numismatic value", meaning they are sought as collector's items for their rareity, just like antiques.  Avoid those collectible coins as you will pay a premium beyond their metal value.  You are not looking for collectibles.

It is my experience that the first purchase is the hardest.  Take $30 and go buy a silver dollar tomorrow.  Worry not about getting the very best deal on your first purchase.  Get over the stimatism of buying "real money".  Meet your local dealers, or find dealers on-line whom you can trust.  In future purchases you will learn better who you like to deal with, and who has the smallest mark-up.  As an example, one dealer I know charges $3.00 per one-ounce coin above the "spot price" for silver.  You can find the spot price widely publicized on the Internet.  You might find dealers who charges less or more.

Good luck!

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:56 | 3375474 gwar5
gwar5's picture

Alf,

Gold Eagles and Krugerrands are 91.6% gold content. But they still have 1 full ounce of gold content so are actually more than one troy ounce in total weight to make up the difference. To these they have added copper, etc., to make the metal harder and more durable to hold up better. These do not have the gold % content stamped on them but are well known and easily recognizeable. 

 

True bullion coins: Canadian Maples, American Buffalos, Australian Mint coins, and Austrian Philharmonics are 99.99% gold; Chinese Pandas are 99.5% pure. These are all softer bullion coins, hence were not made to be clanked around. These do have the gold % stamped on them.

Prices and premiums vary slightly because of desireability and cool factor of true bullion 99.99% gold coins vs non bullion coin. I believe good delivery 'bullion' is considered >99.5% gold content, but all of the coins have 1 ounce of gold. 

Silver coins might work better for barter and everyday use. End of day, easily recognizeable and well known coins are best for emergency purposes so they are not questioned, hence cheaper gold Krugerrands are fine.  

And get some LIFESTRAWs for clean drinking water and you will have water wherever you go and don't have to worry. Search internet, specialty outdoor stores.

 

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 23:52 | 3375597 seek
seek's picture

As others have noted, there's differences in alloys, what % gold is in the coin, etc. This is a factor in how the coins wear.

The main differences in prices basically come down to the premiums demanded over and above the cost of the gold, and those premiums are driven by if the coin is numismatic (i.e. has collector value) and some other factors. Eagles, for example, often have among the highest premium, but they (and a few other coins) enjoy some special status with respect to taxation and reportability (for now at least.) When you sell the coin back to the dealer (shame on you!) certain coins (Eagles, Aussie kangaroos and Austrian philharmonics, I think) don't trigger any reporting, e.g. a 1099B.

There's also variation on premiums based on the date the coin was minted, which for basic gold eagles is just ridiculous, but it's there nonetheless.

Part of the reason premiums are higher is also recognizability. I've always heard that it's best to buy the coins most likely to be from the region you're buying (so eagles, in the US, maple leafs if you're in canada, etc) as they'll be recognized.

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 06:31 | 3375926 Esso
Esso's picture

"...just in case the infrastructure shuts down and I need some way to purchase clean water and food."

Alfbell, I think it's best to secure a method of supplying yourself with food and clean water (and other needs) before buying PMs hoping to buy your way through what's coming. A can of beans or bottle of water may consume your entire stack of PMs.

I believe the utility in PMs lies in their ability to transfer wealth through what lies ahead, but you must be alive to get to the other side. JMHO.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:55 | 3375212 The Navigator
The Navigator's picture

"In the acausal world, scientists are helpless. Their predictions become postdictions. Their equations become justifications, their logic, Illogic. Scientists turn reckless and mutter like gamblers who cannot stop betting. Scientists are buffoons, not because they are rational but because the cosmos is irrational. Or perhaps it is not because the cosmos is irrational but because they are rational. Who can say which, in an acausal world?"


"Most people have learned how to live in the moment. The argument goes that if the past has uncertain effect on the present, there is no need to dwell on the past. And if the present has little effect on the future, present actions need not be weighed for the consequences. Rather, each act is an island in time, to be judged on its own."

Page 31, "Einstein's Dreams" by Alan Lightman

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:58 | 3375233 DirkDiggler11
DirkDiggler11's picture

Been hangin out with the Hedgehog again haven't you? You were warmed to leave that last tab of 4-way alone.......

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 21:25 | 3379827 The Navigator
The Navigator's picture

Yep ;-)

That and a little red wine.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:54 | 3375216 alien-IQ
alien-IQ's picture

That was simply wonderful. Thank you.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:55 | 3375221 PeeramidIdeologies
PeeramidIdeologies's picture

That picture, of those bankers, makes me want to laugh, then slap the fuck out of each of them....

I believe that is the biggest bunch of tools I have ever seen.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:56 | 3375222 thewayitis
thewayitis's picture

 

   I believe in everything the guy says AND

   I believe we're .ucked from here onward

   I believe there's nothing we can do about it.....Unless we stand up to them

 

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 21:56 | 3375228 Temporalist
Temporalist's picture

According to that Anderson Cooper guy $12 Billion has been spent on high speed rail in the US since 2009 by the Obama and Biden administration.  There are little to no high speed rails to show for it.

 

$12 billion for nothing.  Forward!

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:24 | 3375355 H E D G E H O G
H E D G E H O G's picture

wtf? OUR illustrious vice president just spent almost $600,000 of taxpayer money on a ONE NIGHT STAY at some 5 star flop house in Paris back in February. If it ain't got a BIG TEE "T" in front of the -illion, then don't sweat the small shit. $12 billion? poof..................

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:02 | 3375229 Lotus
Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:08 | 3375282 hooligan2009
hooligan2009's picture

yep, that guy has been a prick for years; now he is just an old prick living on th power of assertive speech patterns. just like dubya!

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:00 | 3375243 djsmps
djsmps's picture

The picture next to Gandhi should have been Obama's.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 23:41 | 3375581 Kirk2NCC1701
Kirk2NCC1701's picture

True, but too dangerous career-wise.

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 06:40 | 3375937 Esso
Esso's picture

Or drone-wise.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:04 | 3375261 sgorem
sgorem's picture

Am I the ONLY person who cherishes the thought of one day taking a fucking baseball bat to paul krugmans fucking face?

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:06 | 3375272 hooligan2009
hooligan2009's picture

probably not, heh...but you have to at least take a sip of a shared beer and give him a chance to leave

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:05 | 3375262 slightlyskeptical
slightlyskeptical's picture

I'm that guy too. Problem is that people don't want to hear that everything they believe in is a lie. The cocktail parties are getting less and less frequent.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:12 | 3375303 toys for tits
toys for tits's picture

Even Cypher wanted back in the Matrix.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:16 | 3375321 PeeramidIdeologies
PeeramidIdeologies's picture

Been there myself. I have a couple buddies, and some family that will hear me out from time to time, but... I believe most people would say, "he's lost his shit..."

I throw out some breadcrumbs here and there though social media for those who may be looking to connect the dots, but other then that I just allow people to exist as they were. The beauty is that the Truth always come out in the end :)

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 23:35 | 3375576 Temporalist
Temporalist's picture

I have found in the very recent past that more people are becoming aware.  Diners in a random restaurant, shoppers and workers in a low income supermarket, waitstaff from foreign countries.  People are learning and maybe they just haven't gotten to the point of putting their finger on it but they are searching and the more people that are awake the more the message is refined and the source becomes clear.  I find that older people are the most reluctant to see reality or consider the problems; even if they've been burned a thousand times they still return to their abusers.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:05 | 3375266 ziggy59
ziggy59's picture

I believe a word is missing from picture..

We are on your BACKside

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:09 | 3375286 q99x2
q99x2's picture

I believe terrorism whether it is financial or political.is terrorism. That's what I believe

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:15 | 3375300 Radical Marijuana
Radical Marijuana's picture

I believe in the same things as in the first 95% of this.

I wish that I could, but, do not believe in the last 5%!

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:12 | 3375304 LFRD
LFRD's picture

WELL ** DONE.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:22 | 3375343 IamtheREALmario
IamtheREALmario's picture

The Nobel prizes have become a joke ... of someone wins one these days thnen it is certain they did not deserve it. Krigman for economics? Obummer for peace. Give me a break. It discredits everyone who has ever one! Sadley, even the ones who were not given theirs through a flawed political process and may have actually deserved one.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:42 | 3375394 Kiss My Iceland...
Kiss My Icelandic Ass's picture

Don't forget Henry Kissinger for Peace ? LMFAO. I guess they didn't have a prize for napalm, agent orange, carpet bombing and genocide ?

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:24 | 3375349 Father Lucifer
Father Lucifer's picture

Ghandi, my hero.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:36 | 3375407 Kiss My Iceland...
Kiss My Icelandic Ass's picture

Ghandi -> Gandhi .

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:32 | 3375380 Kiss My Iceland...
Kiss My Icelandic Ass's picture

I believe ... Barack Obama, Tim Geithner, Ben Bernanke, Hank Paulson, Jamie Dimon and their ilk are criminals. They deserve the Ceausescu / Saddam Hussein / Muammar Gaddafi treatment. At best ...

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:32 | 3375390 alfbell
alfbell's picture

 

Ok, thanks. So the way to go is... the cheapest 1 oz gold coins (don't pay a premium for "prettiness"); and some junk silver in dimes, quarters and halves, which would be very conducive to making purchases (such as food and water) and save me from having to break and get change for a 1oz gold coin (it would be difficult and problematic having a gold coin worth $3,000 when I only want to buy $50 of food). Do I have this right gold and silver stackers?

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 22:43 | 3375425 howenlink
howenlink's picture

Yes you have it right.  Start stacking.

Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!