Economy and the USA

[Error Nut]

Does anyone have any thoughts on the upcoming year and years to come on how things will turn out in our Country?
Right now in Our town here we are having more businesses and Government funded medical facilities closing down. I know this isnt a great subject, just trying to see how things are going on around the country. Just preparing the best I can.

[Dick]

I'm bno politician, and even less an economist, but IMHO, don't look for any changes until 2012, and then keep your budget tight!
We need to 'clean house", and that will take time, at least two elections, if all goes well.

[Error Nut]

I Myself am no politician either, just hoping for the best outcome possible. We need to weed them out one by one. I imagine that it wont be overnight. The bad things that are happening is the inflation on food and every day essentials that keep us going are rising way to fast. Where does it stop? Hoping for a break to come soon.

[fiddle-fart]

There is a thing going around the internet about congressional reform for it has become a career for most if not all politicians.
There is a group of rich and powerful people that have written laws for both political parties(and the tea party is included) that makes the laws for the benefit of big business.
Just look at the laws passed in your state and see who will benefit the most out of the new laws.
ALEC is the name of this non political party ( that doesn't use lobbiest toget laws passed) that helps politicians get elected, that will do their bidding.
They sometimes get in there and forget the our founding fathers set our goverment that was for the people.
I know some where in the progression(?) of America companies went from "take it on the chin" to "what are you goiing to do for me" at a cost to the American Tax payers.
I'm off my soap box for now
Thank you for reading

[fiddle-fart]

I'm hearing alot in different chat groups that when Gold hits its peak, that the world economy is going to crumble and that gold and silver will be back to their 1960"s levels

They say Golds peak will be $3500.00 p oz.

Just saying

[Error Nut]

I hear very similar things. I also heard that gold could peak at 6,000 and silver around 200. If and when this does happen what might be the outcome of the world economy? What kind of preparations should be taken to be a step ahead? Just looking for other opinions on this. Thanks

[fiddle-fart]

Well I myself, living on several acres, can alot of food and when the wife goes to the store she looks for deals to put food up that have a long shelf life. We get a 1/2 pig and 1/2 a cow per year and keep it in the freezer.
Just looking at the worse case scenerio, towns and big cities food stores will be over whelmed by people looking for food and the mass killings that will take place in today's city workings ( its happenning now to a certain degree). I'll just protect what is mine....

[eagames]

I think less drastic things will happen than people expect.

My realistic expectation is that things bounce around until Q1 of 2012 then a slow drop (but nothing dramatic).

For the most part the US will be in a decade or two of similar economics as Japan has been in since the 80s. Things will be slow and stagnant low growth and low interest from banks and treasuries. Basically a low or no growth period.
Since US has such a big debt they can not really afford to increase interest rates so that will keep them low. Japan is the best model, a lame stock market and little or no GDP growth and interest rates people get will stay near zero. (of course the rates people pay will be high) Unemployment will stay fairly high. House prices will stay low for at least a decade. (there's a ton of inventory of houses) The stock market will not be making anyone rich, if anything it will be a lousy decade for long term investors.

I won't be surprised if PMs (gold/silver) rise then pull back.

[Error Nut]

We too have been putting up food and supplies for long term and for emergency situations. Hoping that major issues do not arise in the US but it could. I myself feel that planning extra protection for my family is a necessity also. Utter chaos could one day break out. Better to be prepared than not.

[fiddle-fart]

On that side of the economy, Business will have to start doing a different of thinking. People on the hill say that economical aid to business is vital to the unemployement, but we have seen that "trickle down" or "flat out bailout" doesn't work either. For when did it become the goverments business to pay companies to do business in any given area.
Back in the day, if a business failed, it did just that. If a business had money issues, it went to the bank and got it straighten out. If an company hired a person, they were expected to give an honest day work for an honest wage.
Now companies wants tax abatements, interest free loans, lower wages for their employees, and higher dividends for their stock holders.
All of this and the tax code(which needs reformed) has put a downward spiral on America since the Nixon era.

[Dick]

While I agree with all the above, I don't think there will be such a drastic change, that a "six-month"s) supply of food will be required, it is a good idea to have two weeks to a month supply of the basic necessities. Water, gas, and a means of getting around. I would add a good power unit to prevent the loss of the frozen foods, just as a matter of course.
I expect to see the similar conditions to come into effect, as were after the '29 crash, and the state of the economy, as it was back then. many of the ones who will read this, have never seen conditions, like it was in the Mid-west, when the huge dust storms went thru KA, NB, and all tat area. The flood of People coming west to CA, just hoping to find anything that would provide food for the family. nothing fancy, just something bor the "belly"!
I don't expect to see gold over $2500, if it even goes that high. There are other countries who will flood the market, to keep it down. Silver,
might hit $100, but again that id just an opinion.

[Dick]

To continue, The "city life style will be very rough, and dangerous, if things get really bad. You just don't know who is out there. Consider the millions of "newly-arrivals". They are NOT typical Mexicans. The ones who did not come, had no reason to leave, in the first place. The ones who are mostly found, are also "share-croppers", form what are known as the "Ejidos". They are the farms that produce the food, etc, and the gov't "shares" what little was left over, or useless.
Those who live in the suburbs, and in the "country", will have it better, if for no other reason, than solitude". That will provide a place to put in a small garden, and raise your own foor, to a certain extent.
One of the things that will change is the way kids are raised. The results of the last 50-60 years of kids "auto-raising" themselves, without the guidance, and punishment, normally guiven by the parents, is obvious, and will need to change. I have nothing against the kids. They did what they thought was "okay". many times it was not the best decision.
A whipping only hurts for a littkle while, and it wasn't physical abuse, rather a means to get their attention. The most damage, probably, was to their dignity!
IMHO, it will get worse, before it gets better, but not too bad, as to cause national onrcern.
One last thing:
The dicision just made by our "illustrious President", was the legalizing of the last bunch to 'make it across the border".
How stupid can he get?

[Error Nut]

Lots of good information and opinions here. Thanks for the updates. Well the economy just had it's first effect on me today. Just found out that my health insurance was raised by 20 dollars a week.
That is not a good start for the year to come. Just makes me wonder what will be next? I agree with having back up of light, power, medicine, food and all other necessities. for at least a month if not more. As far as the President making a decision like that I personally do not understand what He is doing at all.

[coop]

Opinions are like noses.

Everyone get to pick their own.

[Dick]

True, very true!
I was NEVER in agreement with the original "amnesty", and sure don't go along with the one that is now in effect.
We have too many of our "OWN", on wlefare, as it is, and now we add to it!

Now if the country would listen to folks like us, it would not be in the shape it is. But then, who are we?