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Only 17% Of Americans See The US As The World's Economic Superpower

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Submitted by Simon Black via Sovereign Man blog,

Only hours ago, Gallup released a new poll showing that only a small minority (just 17%) of Americans still view the US as the world’s economic superpower.

Echoing former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers’ quip, “There is surely something odd about the world’s greatest power being the world’s greatest debtor,” it appears that economic reality is finally beginning to set in for Americans.

Yes, it turns out there are consequences when you habitually indebt future generations in order to buy bombs, drones, and body scanners.

There are consequences when you regulate every aspect of society, from how much people can earn on their savings, to what they can/cannot put in their own bodies.

The decline of the United States as the world’s dominant superpower was always inevitable. No nation or empire can hold the top spot forever.

History is full of examples of once-dominant superpowers that have declined (and even collapsed altogether).

Italy was the center of power and wealth in the world, not once but twice. France. Spain. England. Many nations have had their time as #1. The US is no different.

While many Americans are starting to realize that this is happening, what many probably don’t realize is what else happens as a result.

The last 2,000 years of global finance shows that the dominant superpower generally sets the global reserve currency.

Early civilizations used the Byzantine gold solidus for centuries given that the Byzantine Empire was the dominant power at the time.

But as Byzantium’s power rapidly faded, the government played dangerous games with their currency, prompting the rest of the world to find an alternative.

Italy rose to the occasion. As the most prominent rising power in Europe’s early renaissance, ducats and florins quickly replaced the solidus as the dominant reserve currency.

Spain’s later rise to power saw the ‘real de ocho’ dominate global trade. Britain’s rise to power in the 19th century saw the pound sterling become the supreme global currency.

And for the last seventy years, the US dollar has been the world’s dominant reserve currency.

Make no mistake—as US power shifts, so will the dollar’s reserve status. And this changes everything.

The dollar’s reserve status is why so many foreigners buy US government debt despite its extreme level.

It’s why the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet can explode by 500% without hyperinflation gripping the nation.

It’s why Americans can borrow at absurdly low interest rates in order to finance a higher standard of living that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford.

All of this goes away as US power wanes. And folks who don’t see the trend coming will probably see their lives turned upside down.

But this doesn’t mean the world is coming to an end. It’s not. The world is changing. And rapidly.

This is not some doom and gloom scenario. On the contrary, it’s ridiculously exciting. Great change brings about great opportunity for anyone who is willing to look at the big picture.

On one hand, it’s important to protect what you’ve got. A major change in the reserve currency will bring about significant turmoil in the financial system.

We could easily see multiple currency crises, bank failures, and capital controls.

But there are some simple, rational steps you can take to ensure you’re not a victim.

If your country is flat broke, then move a portion of your savings offshore to a strong bank in a country with no debt. Simple.

Likewise, move a portion of your retirement funds abroad to a safe place where your insolvent government can’t “help you” manage it.

Definitely put on your seatbelt. Develop a Plan B.

But then once your livelihood is secure (here’s the best part), look forward to the incredible business, investment, and lifestyle opportunities that will come from this great change.

Just imagine how prosperous you would have become if you had known what was to come in Rome before 476? Or France before 1789? Or the US before…?

There will be chances to build generational wealth betting on these big trends… for those who are willing to be a few years early rather than a minute too late.

 

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Tue, 03/03/2015 - 15:54 | 5850942 youngman
youngman's picture

You just have to watch Obama throw a baseball or ride a bike to see we are no longer a super power....we are girlymen...sad but true

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 15:57 | 5850958 FireBrander
FireBrander's picture

hold it

 

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 15:59 | 5850970 macholatte
macholatte's picture

 

Gallup Poll = irrelevant horseshit.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:02 | 5850990 Skateboarder
Skateboarder's picture

America's major export is consumption.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:14 | 5851043 ZerOhead
ZerOhead's picture

America's major export is war... followed by jobs and Treasury debt.

To be #1 again we need a global nuclear war where noone fires back...

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:17 | 5851070 FieldingMellish
FieldingMellish's picture

Ask... and ye shall receive...

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:26 | 5851118 Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill's picture

For what we are about to recieve.........

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 17:17 | 5851341 Stuck on Zero
Stuck on Zero's picture

We may receive but it won't be made in the USSA.  We don't make phones, we don't make ships, we don't make A380s, we don't make computers, and we don't grow as much food as we import.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 17:55 | 5851494 rocker
rocker's picture

We are no longer the USA. We are the USJEWA.

We must ask mother NitAYhoo what we can do.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 18:21 | 5851597 giovanni_f
giovanni_f's picture

And Ukraine is a threat to the US, believe it or not:

“The actions and policies of persons that undermine democratic processes and institutions in Ukraine… continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.”

Notive by US President Barack Obama to US Congress to continue the national emergency wrt Ukraine for one more year.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 19:34 | 5851819 NidStyles
NidStyles's picture

Those 17% probably hold positions in the government.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 23:03 | 5852551 847328_3527
847328_3527's picture

bullish

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:21 | 5851098 sam i am
sam i am's picture

 

I'm a Russian Occupant

This great video has over 3 mln views.

With English, German, French, Spanish subtitles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T65SwzHAbes

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:25 | 5851114 yogibear
yogibear's picture

And a major exporter of debt.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:08 | 5851021 kaiserhoff
kaiserhoff's picture

There is plenty of truth in what "Simon says",

  but the third world shit holes he is always pimping are not the answer.  Fun to visit, but full of risks under any circumstances.  Better to dig in someplace you know, with those you know.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:18 | 5851076 Max Steel
Max Steel's picture

"3rd world nations" . Who came up with it ? Yanks only . What is there in your 1st class world actually ?

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:27 | 5851133 angel_of_joy
angel_of_joy's picture

In the 1st world you can witness events like this one almost daily now...

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:28 | 5851136 Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill's picture

Lets face it, those 3rd world countries will not miss a beat when SHTF.

Supposed first world ones, not so much.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 17:15 | 5851330 Oldrepublic
Oldrepublic's picture

The term 3rd World is a little dated, was first used in the 1950s by a French academic (from the French 3rd estate  of the French Revolution).

This old cold war phrase should be relegated to the dustbin of history!

 

 

 

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 18:10 | 5851554 Raging Debate
Raging Debate's picture

I agree Kaiser - If I was going to put money in the bank overseas it would be in Hong Kong. Gold for now in my underground lair just as good. The saying "head West young man" is reversing to head East.

I've been considering moving to China there is demand there for what I do and my kids are grown but I think I'll stay put here in America a couple more years and reconsider. China is going through there own harsh correction now.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 19:37 | 5851831 NidStyles
NidStyles's picture

China is to the west of the US. ;-)

 

It's called East because Enlgand thought it was the center of the world.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:12 | 5851049 giovanni_f
giovanni_f's picture

What would qualify as relevant horseshit?

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:09 | 5851013 FireBrander
FireBrander's picture
"WASHINGTON (AP) — In a major victory for President Barack Obama, the Republican-led House relented on Tuesday and will back legislation to fund the Homeland Security Department through the end of the budget year, without restrictions on immigration."

What a bunch of pussy fucking morons!

"Freedom Summit" recently held by the Republicans...lamenting the "Loss of Freedom" and how they're going to restore it...and here they have a chance to defund the BIGGEST, PROVEN, FUCKING THREAT TO OUR "FREEDOM", "Homeland Security" and the dipshits cave to Obama's veto pen or whatever other shitface reason they'll come up with for failing on the promises.
Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:21 | 5851092 McMolotov
McMolotov's picture

Shocking.

Do people still expect Republicans to actually stop the big government freight train in its tracks? They're all talk and no follow through, time and time again. I can't believe there are still idiots out there who view something like this as "betrayal" instead of expected behavior. Fool me once, blah blah blah. How many times do Republicans have to fool people before those people start to catch on?

But hey, maybe they're just holding back and waiting for their shot at the White House in 2016, right? And then they'll really fix things! And maybe I'll start shitting gold nuggets.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:27 | 5851129 TeethVillage88s
TeethVillage88s's picture

Clearly Boner was hired and told that he would have to preside over GOP cave-in to Democratic President and all his Amnesty, Health Care, and Gay Agenda Ideas.

Boner knew it was an Honor to be the House Speaker and suffer the plight of being a turncoat and betrayer to his constituents.

This is how Politics are played. The Power is outside of Congress... these guys have to follow orders.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:47 | 5851213 Anusocracy
Anusocracy's picture

That's right, a cave-in. Like the last 150+ years.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 17:50 | 5851480 g'kar
g'kar's picture

The only way the dicktator can be stopped is by shutting off his money supply. Clearly Boner has no stones nor the inclination to do it.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 17:13 | 5851322 rejected
rejected's picture

Works for them at election time...

Hey! There's a castle!

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 15:58 | 5850967 SethDealer
SethDealer's picture

of course we are pussies. been subsidizing losers for so long they are now the majority. Alphas take aback seat and pay your taxes!!

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:02 | 5850981 HonkyShogun
HonkyShogun's picture

We're definitely super at feeding the leeches. Not sure what else though.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:04 | 5850995 angel_of_joy
angel_of_joy's picture

So 17% of Americans are still delusional. I'm ready to bet that 90% of them are in the highest paid quarter, money wise...

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:16 | 5851056 giovanni_f
giovanni_f's picture

Google approved fact is, US is superpower by any standard, in everything, forever. As a first step, Google will tag anything 17% as non-fact. Problem solved.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 18:22 | 5851244 giovanni_f
giovanni_f's picture

Wow. A google-critic comment receives two downvotes in less than 5 minutes. Is this a so-far-unknown kind of google-fact bot on its digital-truth rectifying mission?

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:22 | 5851102 Hohum
Hohum's picture

Presidents don't throw the old fastball like Warren G. Harding once did.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 17:23 | 5851365 Boozer
Boozer's picture

"You just have to watch Obama throw a baseball or ride a bike to see we are no longer a super power....we are girlymen...sad but true"

100% true youngman.

Also hold a shotgun, swing a golf club, wear jeans like a normal dude...

list goes on and on.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 15:56 | 5850949 Bastiat
Bastiat's picture

They need to watch more TV, dammit.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 15:57 | 5850956 WTFRLY
WTFRLY's picture

The whole Syria proxy war is dirty. She had proof and they killed her.

New Anonymous op as White House still ignores murder of American reporter Serena Shim in Turkey

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 15:58 | 5850965 pods
pods's picture

Plan B: Alpacas

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:04 | 5850996 HonkyShogun
HonkyShogun's picture

Do they kick or otherwise protest?

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:24 | 5851113 cornfritter
cornfritter's picture

talk to a professional before handling, seriously

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:53 | 5851236 pods
pods's picture

Well that depends on what your intentions are.

:D

pods

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 15:59 | 5850968 ZoroAustrian
ZoroAustrian's picture

I don't see a lot of opportunity for prosperity in the chaos that will accompany a reckoning for the paper/debt system that the anglo-saxon empire created.

Simon's got something to sell here, obviously, but it really is a gloom and doom scenario.  There were centuries of dark ages after Rome - I guess those clairvoyants in 476 didn't live that much better than the rest ...

and the current mess is far deeper and more pervasive than the Roman one - nowhere to hide, in spite of what Simon will tell you

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:09 | 5851028 KnuckleDragger-X
KnuckleDragger-X's picture

The next collapse will likely be the big one and prosperity is a relative thing. Having a warm, dry, safe place to sleep, enough food to eat and clean water to drink will be the definition of prosperity if things fall far enough.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 15:59 | 5850971 mtndds
mtndds's picture

transitory, bullish!!!

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:00 | 5850974 LawsofPhysics
LawsofPhysics's picture

"Echoing former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers’ quip, “There is surely something odd about the world’s greatest power being the world’s greatest debtor,” it appears that economic reality is finally beginning to set in for Americans."  ---  Well then how ironic that this criminal was part of the fuckers that facilitated the increasing of the debt and facilitating fraud in the first place!!!!!

 

Summers is most certainly at the top of the guillotine list.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:15 | 5851062 pods
pods's picture

Seriously. I bet his fat laden cantaloupe would land quite softly after the blade comes down.

Sucker would land softer than a Tour Balata on a green.

pods

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:29 | 5851141 El Vaquero
El Vaquero's picture

So, you're saying that it would sound like a half gallon of soft ice cream hitting the ground? 

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:01 | 5850976 barry2001
barry2001's picture

If you are into drones check out this site : http://pickyourdrone.com/

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:02 | 5850984 European American
European American's picture

The World is, as you are.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:04 | 5850991 FireBrander
FireBrander's picture
is this thing on?
Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:05 | 5850993 Dr. Engali
Dr. Engali's picture

Shit, my 7 year old daughter even noticed everything is made in China. Besides the fact she has great observation skills, what does that tell you

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:04 | 5850998 Fun Facts
Fun Facts's picture

America is being used until it's used up by the global ziobanking cartel.

It's an open secret.

The middle class is gone, the standard of living is plummeting for 99.997 percent of the population, a police state is being ushered in to deal with the plebes, and the country is already entirely bankrupt.

The banksters will pull the plug at the most profitable time of their choosing.

If money is the root of all evil [it is] then why would any country allow dual citizens of very questionable loyalty to hold the three most powerful money positions of Secretary of the US Treasury, head of the FED, and deputy head of the FED?

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:19 | 5851077 Radical Marijuana
Radical Marijuana's picture

Yes, Fun Facts, America has more and more ended up being controlled by the best professional liars and immaculate hypocrites, who actually do the opposite of what they say. There is almost nothing but a core of organized crime, surrounded by layers of controlled opposition groups. One can do enough research to understand that problem better. However, the only thing that accomplishes is that THE MORE ONE KNOWS, THE WORSE IT GETS.

The American people have been the victims of the best scientific brainwashing that money could by, for generation after generation. Their level of cognitive dissonance is belatedly boiling over, as the blatancy of the contradictions of the government being controlled by the banksters' political puppets becomes more obvious. However, that still goes NOWHERE, since almost all of the publicly significant opposition continues to be controlled.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:24 | 5851111 Hohum
Hohum's picture

Love of money is the root of all evil, at least from a Biblical perspective.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:04 | 5851000 Frank N. Beans
Frank N. Beans's picture

So Simon, who is going to be the next economic super power?  Where do we put our money?

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:44 | 5851201 Max Steel
Max Steel's picture

Israel ?

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:50 | 5851205 Radical Marijuana
Radical Marijuana's picture

It depends upon your time horizon, Frank N. Beans.

There will probably never be another. The natural resources of the planet have already been strip-mined. The established systems were already globalized. After the decline and fall of the Anglo-American (Zionist) Empire, there will probably never be another one that is able to rise again ...

The fundamentally fraudulent financial accounting systems directed civilization to be able to privatize the profits while socializing the losses. Those losses were always discounted and disregarded as much as possible, for as long as possible. However, attempting a more objective assessment of the global situation, those losses have accumulated to become far greater than the temporary profits. Civilization "should" develop a radically different, integrated system of human, industrial and natural ecologies, however, it is much more probably going to actually finish committing collective suicide.

Human civilization could not stop itself from developing as organized crime, surrounded by controlled opposition. There was never any way to actually prevent civilization being directed by the most dishonest and violent people, to act in ways which followed the path of least morality.  Your "money" was created ex nihilo, as debts, which have "paid" for strip-mining the planet, through an economic system that turned natural resources into garbage and pollution as fast as possible. Hence, it is impossible to exaggerate the degree to which we are living inside of a Bizarro Mirror World, or Wonderland Matrix, wherein the triumphs of enforcing frauds have resulted in everything becoming as backward and absurd as possible.

"The next economic super power" could only exist IF it developed a radically different evolutionary ecology, after running into the limits of diminishing returns from having already strip-mined the whole planet's natural resources. Unfortunately, we have already high-graded ourselves to hell along that path. The ONLY way that "the next economic super power" may emerge and survive is by more rationally connecting human economics to environmental ecology. However, since human society is almost totally dominated by systems of legalized lies, backed by legalized violence, which have become runaway criminal insanities, all of your "money" only exists as symbolic tokens with those systems. In that context, there is no way to hedge the unhedgeable. Since private property cannot exist outside of some system of public violence, the trends towards privatization of the planet are probably going to mostly end up killing it.

Theoretically, human beings ought to understand themselves better as entropic pumps of energy flows, which could be reconciled with industrial and natural energy systems. However, the entrenched human systems are based on the paradoxical social successes of being able to enforce frauds, so that all of the "money" is fundamentally fraudulent accounting. It is hard to imagine how there could ever be "the next economic super power" that continued to the historical trajectory of Neolithic civilizations developing systems of organized lies operating robberies at an exponential rate ...

Theoretically, "the next economic super power" MIGHT be the development of a radically different dynamic equilibria of the systems of organized lies operating robberies. However, at the present time, the much more probable future is that the human species will commit collective suicide, and so, there will NEVER be any future in which there exists "the next economic super power."  In that context, your "money" will end up being dust in the wind of severe social storms.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:58 | 5851259 LawsofPhysics
LawsofPhysics's picture

The only constant in a healthy ecosystem is change.

Same as it ever was. 

In terms of being a dominant species, humanity really isn't shit in the context of the geological record...

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 17:12 | 5851314 Radical Marijuana
Radical Marijuana's picture

Quite correct, but still tragic.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 17:18 | 5851342 PresidentCamacho
PresidentCamacho's picture

I enjoy reading your comments. I always like to compare natural economics with biological ecosystems. Except there is one major difference between human activity and natural energy systems.

Humans can create enormous amounts of energy now using existing technology. If our country was in control of its finance and we just developed energy. I don't think energy is our problem.

What we are not immune  in our "economic ecosystem"  to the same predators and parasistes that plague, natural ecosystems. Itis the evolution and exploitation of niches that plague the common man who follows the rules.
We have bankers that parasite our medium of exchange. We have politicians that parasite our common will. We have "intelligence agencies" that parasite our need for peace. Then we have all of our lesser parasites, police unions, teacher unions, race politics, Tribe Cronyism, Academic corruption. With countless others that I can't mention all at once with my human brain. WE can pinpoint the people that cause these problems. But it is a natural cycle. Eventually something will have to give. Sometimes the parasites get purged, genocided, exodused, ovened. Then sometimes the corrupt and unscrupulous win and stamp on the face of humanity.
There were some safegaurds for americans in the bill of rights, but those have mostly been evicerated and need to be restored before we can get back to a efficeint system.

Remember, Nice guys finish last. IF you want something to change you can either do it in small steps or you go after the ones that cause the problems, but even that is likely to backfire. The power structure is so strong, any attack on it is mocked ridiculed and slandered to make the opposing partise out to be demons. The suffering will have to be so great for the mass before any popular movement could have any effect. The populace has been divided, our religiouns have been subdued, and our culture corrupted.

Its unfortunate, but I think we need a new demagogue of the likes of napolean or hitler to restore america. I don't think it will ever happen.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 17:49 | 5851476 Hohum
Hohum's picture

PC,

Have you ever heard of the First Law of ThermoDynamics?  Just asking.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:05 | 5851003 ebworthen
ebworthen's picture

The U.S. is #1 when it comes to economic parasites:  corporate leeches, insurance mosquitoes, bankster tapeworms, and the government ticks and fleas.

If you want to be bled - this is the place to be!

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:05 | 5851009 lizzy36
lizzy36's picture

Since 80% of Americans cannot correctly identify 5 "other countries" around the world i do not take this very seriously.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 17:27 | 5851382 PrecipiceWatching
PrecipiceWatching's picture

What an absolutely ridiculous statement.

 

 

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:06 | 5851011 moonman
moonman's picture

"If your country is flat broke, then move a portion of your savings offshore to a strong bank in a country with no debt. Simple."

 

 

 

BA HAHAHAHAHAH HAHAHHA HAHAHHAH

 


Wed, 03/04/2015 - 13:47 | 5851679 a common man
a common man's picture

.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:07 | 5851014 czarangelus
czarangelus's picture

It also factually isn't, right? China surpassed the USA in GDP and global trade?

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:09 | 5851031 Hohum
Hohum's picture

17%?  Gallup should get President Romney to do something about that.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:12 | 5851050 koreangold
koreangold's picture

83% were right? bullshit!

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 17:09 | 5851298 rejected
rejected's picture

You mean bullish, there, fixed it for you....

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:15 | 5851060 To Infinity And...
To Infinity And Beyond's picture

The best preparation one could take would be to alter your lifestyle to be able to get by with half your current income. Start as soon as possible. Stash some cash and buy "real" physical assest with your savings. Most likely you have less than a year to get ready.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:19 | 5851079 mastersnark
mastersnark's picture

Green shoots, damn you, there are green shoots I tell you!

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:20 | 5851089 Gringo Viejo
Gringo Viejo's picture

I see America more along the lines of The Greatest Show On Earth. (with all due deference to Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey).

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:41 | 5851186 cornfritter
cornfritter's picture

"soon the gypsy queen, in a glaze of vaseline, will perform on guillotine"

ELP: Karn evil 9, 1st impression, part 2 (aka "come and see the show")

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VsifANR96s

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:24 | 5851110 q99x2
q99x2's picture

The United States of America is an economic super power among nations that have a black muslim man as president.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:29 | 5851124 Thirst Mutilator
Thirst Mutilator's picture

They must have only polled folks in NYC, Washington, & Hollywood, & West Palm Beach [who were holders of dual passports], otherwise the number might have only been 2%...

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:27 | 5851128 yogibear
yogibear's picture

"noticed everything is made in China"

US is #1 in the production of debt.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 23:35 | 5852640 Caleb Abell
Caleb Abell's picture

The US is also the number one exporter of death.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:29 | 5851139 Bam_Man
Bam_Man's picture

I'm surprised that it's as high as 17%.

I would have expected to see a figure like 1% or maybe even .01%.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:30 | 5851149 yogibear
yogibear's picture

The US is the roach of the world.

Consumes overseas products and produces debt and waste byproducts (boxes from Chinese goods,etc).

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:55 | 5851235 Elliott Eldrich
Elliott Eldrich's picture

Gosh, wasn't passing NAFTA and GATT and all of the other horrifying monstrosities masquarding as "free trade" agreements just the best idea ever? I sure can't think of any other thing done in the last fifty years that has done more to evicerate our economy than these utterly treasonous treaties. And never forget, it was Democrats who passed NAFTA and GATT, and one of those Democrats is now the front-runner for the 2016 Presidential nomination. 

As far as I'm concerned, our trade policies have become the number one problem that we need to address, by a country mile. Any candidate that expects me to take them seriously must be fully against so-called "free trade" and willing to propose not only rescending those treaties, but implementing tariffs in their place. The idea is not to eliminate trade, but to add enough of a handicap to compensate for the price advantage given goods coming from countries that have no effective environmental, legal, intellectual property or workplace safety protections, and/or low wages. 

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 16:54 | 5851241 Mike Honcho
Mike Honcho's picture

Cue Ross Perot vacuum clip.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 17:08 | 5851292 rejected
rejected's picture

Hey Simon... the ussa proudly boasts more McD's and Taco Bells than the whole world.

USA, Usa. usa.....

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 17:23 | 5851368 Dre4dwolf
Dre4dwolf's picture

Economic super power? no.

Financial wizzardry super power? maybe.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 17:39 | 5851413 ben_bernanke
ben_bernanke's picture

The US is far and away the greatest power in the world.

Where is the Apple of China? 

What has been invented AT ALL that anyone cares about outside the US? Maybe some robot fish in Japan because they're fun to laugh at.

Just to put it in perspective, Google is banned in China, and they are coming out with a host of new innovations on a seemingly DAILY basis. Pretty much spells it out.

But I'm sure all the cranky babies on Zero Hedge NEVER have used any Google products (a US company).

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 18:20 | 5851580 Firewood
Firewood's picture

 

 

Third World Fourth Reich.... getting out of hand... take your pick

 

 

http://www.theburningplatform.com/2015/01/17/russia-is-preparing-for-nuc...

"We have two nations with 20,000+ nukes of various types between them.

Both nations suddenly hate each other again, and one nation is primarily responsible for this … constantly demeaning the other nation and falsely blaming it for everything.

We have one nation more than willing to bomb the shit out of other sovereign nations.

We have one nation who already nuked another nation.

We have one nation with LOTS of oil and gas who is looking to accept payment in their OWN currency, and not something called the petro-dollar.

The nation who prefers petro-dollars is on the verge of economic collapse, and is desperate.

One nation has completely surrounded the other nation militarily, even though they promised they would never do that. This surrounded nation is feeling like a trapped rat, and that’s not good for anyone.

I trust you can tell which nation is which."

 

 

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

 

 

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

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 18:39 | 5851665 Longarm
Longarm's picture

America is stupid, broke, fat and in debt. Get over it.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 20:11 | 5851916 Mi Naem
Mi Naem's picture

"something odd" this way comes, eh Mr. Summers?         Wow, understatement extraordinaire! 

Also, I'm all for "Plan B", but regarding "If your country is flat broke, then move a portion of your savings offshore to a strong bank in a country with no debt. Simple.    &     Likewise, move a portion of your retirement funds abroad to a safe place where your insolvent government can’t 'help you' manage it", doesn't FATCA kind of unravel that opportunity? 

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 21:45 | 5852074 essence
essence's picture

OK, I have a fundamental problem with this type of article and I can't contain myself any longer.

For years Simon Black and others of his kind (e.g. International Man) have been posting articles about "protecting yourself" by squirreling away assets and getting a 2nd passport. These articles, while formulaistic, have been well written. I've enjoyed the little parable that goes with them. These guys are well educated, well seasoned, they write a good post ...what's not to like?

Here's my problem. Exactly whose assets are they protecting. Could it be, per chance an executive of a fortune 500 company who made obscene amounts of money by stock buy backs predicated on Central Bank easy money credit to the 1% --- AND outsourcing/laying off homeland workers via laws they bribed politicians to enact?

Does Simon Black vet his clients and how they made their money or is he simply a dispassionate mercenary?
Sorry you all, I've had enough. Far as I can see it, Simon Black will take on clients, help them hide millions in Chile or Cook Island trusts or whatever, and not think twice about how these people came to such amazing amounts of money.
My issue isn't just the injustice of this, it's that these folk will be doubly well situated after any 'reset". It's difficult enough to compete against them now without Simon making them twice as strong.

Oh, but this is capitalism you say, it's just class envy on my part that I'm expressing. Hell NO ...IT IS NOT! For the longest time it's been cronyism. Our system is based on cronyism. Cronyism throughout the world. And Simon Black makes a living helping high end people get their assets of out of view lest they inadvertently get entangled in the custerfuck of an ensuing meltdown.

Let's be real, is it John Galt that Simon is assisting, or TBTF execs?

 

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 21:59 | 5852365 Raging Debate
Raging Debate's picture

Essense - So we're going to blame the bartenders in NYC for serving drinks now? Simon Black is not bribing our government. As my commentary above showed, I don't agree with him that your money is safer in South America. If I was a lot wealthier Hong Kong or Caymen Island's would be my choice.

Tue, 03/03/2015 - 23:39 | 5852641 essence
essence's picture

Bartender?  No, I view Simon more as the guy driving the get away car. 

Granted, Simon isn't that important, nevertheless, he presents this facade of helping hard working, straight shooters  "protect" themselves  (and let's not forget "the loved ones too") from a rapacious, out of control government.
That might actually be the case with some of his clients. However his services are geared to the high end and we all know the factors concerning  who is in the high end and how (increasingly) they get there. By and large they get there because there's some law or code that permits them to feed at the trough, gives them an edge, protects their position and consolidates it.

Look,Simon is sharp, polished, knows the playing field and has figured out the angles. He's had years of grace here and no doubt views this as prime advertizing territory.

But if he posts on ZeroHedge then he should expect that some will see him for what he really does and call him out for it.

 

 

Wed, 03/04/2015 - 06:30 | 5853187 localizer
localizer's picture

With true visionary leaders like Clinton, Bush, Obama, another Clinton and/or another Bush there's no wonder USSA is going down the drain, - the rest of the world can only hope USSA does not take them down with them...

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