Something Wicked This Way Comes
or is it just the same ol’, same ol’?
I tend to think both … but “comes” implies future tense; “is here” may be better words.
A sign from … somewhere
Epstein
It could have been Harobama instead of Trump … Frying pan or fire?
It’s just my opinion – worth what you pay for it …
But I’m thinking it may be a good time to “take profits” from your savings or stock plans and if nothing else, leave it as cash in the account.
Better yet, I’m also suggesting it may be time to make a significant deposit to the Bank of Mattress.
’cause everyone knows the govt would never shut the banks down.
And I could be just talking through my hat …
Since I became semiretired one of my pastimes has been to micromanage my meager finances. Looking at the long and short view and trying for balance. Basically, I have money in the bank, in the mattress, and in silver.
So, a little bit at a time so as to not draw attention, I take money from the bank and put it into the other 2 places.
It’s a crying shame but, now the game is called “How much will you let them take?”, rather than “How much can you save?” We used to live in more honest times.
I pull 3 or 4k in cash out of the bank and now I’m confronted with their question, “What are you doing with this money?” They say there’s so many decrepit retirees who are getting scammed of their life savings but I don’t believe that. They’re getting very stingy with the cash and it makes them uncomfortable watching it go out the door. I tell them, “I pay for everything with cash. I’ve never bought groceries or gasoline with plastic.” This is the truth and their eyes grow wide. I deliver a warning that if people stop using cash then the gummint will end it forever. They’ll say cash facilitates drug transactions or spreads covid-19 but it’s going to be saaaafety why there’s no more cash. I also tell them, “When the cash is gone so is your job.” They get very uncomfortable hearing what they don’t want to think about. Very few think about much of anything. Better than a mattress is a steel safe embedded in the concrete foundation. Yes indeed, buy silver, buy gold, buy Wolf Brand Chile. Sorry, ghost, the Hormel’s got too many beans. Avoid crowds and don’t buy that property next to the river.
Kunstler’s Monday column is analysis of everyone’s Epstein shenanigans and well worth reading. https://www.kunstler.com/p/summer-storms
Mark Dice has a solid video of evidence this morning regarding “that certain little country in the Middle East” as he refers to it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGelfduHbbU
Vox Day has a couple different ideas on this epstein stuff worth pondering.
It comes down to, the long view, the short view, and the truth.
The truth is not always palatable but it is always inviolate.
https://voxday.net/ (scroll down)
In 1970, we didn’t listen to (much) music from 1915. In 2025, we’re still privileged to hear music from 1970.
But in 1915 a dollar was still worth a dollar.
$1 in 1970 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $7.81 today, an increase of $6.81 over 54 years. The dollar had an average inflation rate of 3.88% per year between 1970 and today, producing a cumulative price increase of 680.98%.
$1 in 1915 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $31.83 today, an increase of $30.83 over 110 years. The dollar had an average inflation rate of 3.20% per year between 1915 and today, producing a cumulative price increase of 3,082.82%.
Where did all of it go?
hookers and blow
(back view)
In 1915, silver dollar coins were in general use; gold coins were also used. A double eagle ($20 gold -weighed about 1oz) now has a melt value of about $3250.
Minimum wage in 1970 was $1.60/hr … and one could still be paid with 6 silver quarters and a silver dime. I use the melt value of silver as my basis for inflation; the coin actually had better purchasing value (or ShadowStats which uses the govt’s 1980 method of calculation).
Those coins lasted until the Hunt brothers tried to corner the silver market in 1980 or so. (I was in Vegas then and the sound of silver coins rattling in the slots has not been reproduced)
As I write this, the spot price of SLV is $34.63 making those 7 coins – 6 quarters and a dime – worth $40.
All things considered, I think the years just before WWI were probably the best overall for the US citizenry. Probably I’m influenced by my grandparents and great-grandparents who were alive then (as adults) and told me tales when I was a bit younger than I am today.
[added later] Those silver coins are probably the most useful “silver and gold” products to have “just in case”; better than bullion. A silver dime is still worth 10¢ and a return to sensible currency would adjust the value of the dollar such that a silver dime would be 10¢. Of course that would force a 40-fold deflation; one of today’s $1 bills would be worth less than a nickel, that $100,000 in your retirement account would now only have a value of $2500.
That $100 bag of groceries would cost $2.50 and that new $40k truck would cost $1,000., etc., etc. If all things dropped simultaneously I’d have no problem with it.
I’m reminded of a skit on SNL many years ago about, I think, Jimmy Carter. (I’m paraphrasing) “My plan will make everyone a millionaire. Yeah, that cheeseburger will cost you $100 but what’s the diff?, you’ll be a millionaire!”
It’s all relative.