Great Depression of 2016

[rufus]

Futures down to 17,951 as of 9:20 p.m. West coast time. Scary times, no QE1, QE2, etc. to bail out Wall Street at this time. Wonder how this scenario, if it should happen, might affect the election? I'm afraid no financial disaster on the horizon will get the attention of low information voters until it hits them in the pocket book.I got out prematurely when it was under 16,000, converted to cash because I figured 1929 was around the corner and I was about to retire anyway and I am not a risk taker. Bird in the hand is worth two free range chickens in the bush. If a crash occurs before people heavily invested can cash out, there's gonna be a lot of angry people out there. With interest rates pretty much at 1% or less, the only viable option for many was to invest in a bloated stock market that is overpriced and due for a major correction, but the "smart" investors who have friends in the business will dump their stocks before the rest of the investors wake up and smell the coffee.

The function of the small investor in the market is to absorb losses. I retired in 2004 and used my deferred comp monies to send kids to law school. My co workers kept their funds in the system. Now, they are in their 80's and still working. Some are on food stamps.

 

[rufus]

Generally I agree with the both of you, but I don't think it's quite as simple as, 'be a good person if you want a good life'. I do believe that being a good person is central to living a good, happy life, but bad stuff happens to everyone. Life can be exceptionally cruel, regardless of how good a person you are, and some people really don't get a good start.

In this country, poverty is a self inflicted wound. Free public education is available to all. Dropping out of school to hang out and smoke dope is not a real career path. To envy those that do the right thing and succeed is wrong. But, unfortunately, it is the bread and butter of some politicians.

 

[Oliver Douglas]

In this country, poverty is a self inflicted wound. Free public education is available to all. Dropping out of school to hang out and smoke dope is not a real career path. To envy those that do the right thing and succeed is wrong. But, unfortunately, it is the bread and butter of some politicians.

Two thumbs on on your post. Politicians who curry the plights of the "victims" always seem to get their votes when it comes to promises of handing out the freebies. The system failed them, their parents weren't doting on them, etc etc ad infinitum...like John Wayne said..."Life is tough...it's even tougher if you're stupid." Play stupid games (drop out of school, use drugs, waste your life on meaningless activities) and you win stupid prizes. I agree there are some situations beyond the control of people that affect their life outcomes, but many are self-inflicted. Smart people learn from their mistakes...stupid people just keep repeating them hoping for a different outcome.

 

[Athaid]

In this country, poverty is a self inflicted wound.  Free public education is available to all.  Dropping out of school to hang out and smoke dope is not a real career path.  To envy those that do the right thing and succeed is wrong.  But, unfortunately, it is the bread and butter of some politicians.

All I mean is that if a person, for example, is born into an abusive family, or a bad neighbourhood, where they're told from the start that their life has no value - how are they going to see themselves? If you don't value your own life and if you think you're worthless, then it's hard for you to succeed in anything.

 

[Athaid]

I know a lot of people bring things upon themselves and then look for other people to blame. I'm not trying to excuse that.

 

[rufus]

Ruth Bader Ginsburg said "Do you know the difference between a bookkeeper in the New York garment district and a Supreme Court Justice? The answer is one generation."

Whole segments of our society seems to be subject to "I can't, I don't want to, I won't."

We are fast approaching a situation where we cannot, we don't want to and will not be able to support a parasitic social class. I fear the day that the government cannot or will not fund those food stamp accounts.

The social welfare programs have failed, and it is time for them to go.

 

[MrsBrooke]

Obama is making decisions on Syria Friday with reports of America releasing 9,000 ISIS fighters to attack Russian troops.

Russia just rolled out a mega-EMP thing.

The British RAF has been ordered to shoot down Russian fighters if they "feel like they might be fired upon."

I'm over here collecting canned tuna, guns/ammo, and silver.

Also, you might wanna check into these snazzy little things...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006QF3TW4?ref_=ams_ad_dp_asin_1

MrsB

 

[Oliver Douglas]

Obama is making decisions on Syria Friday with reports of America releasing 9,000 ISIS fighters to attack Russian troops.

Russia just rolled out a mega-EMP thing.

The British RAF has been ordered to shoot down Russian fighters if they "feel like they might be fired upon."

I'm over here collecting canned tuna, guns/ammo, and silver.

Also, you might wanna check into these snazzy little things...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006QF3TW4?ref_=ams_ad_dp_asin_1

MrsB

Been following your listed advice. No water purifier yet, but we have adequate camping equipment, propane for cooking, 60 pounds of silver in small denominations, and lots of lead and brass. Also the devices for expelling them at great velocities. Here in California, they have a proposition on the ballot to require background checks on ammo, no internet sales...reloading supplies will be next...reminds me, gotta order some more of that old brass and lead...8K rounds ain't enough. If you want to PM me, I can refer some internet sources that have quality stuff at reasonable prices.

 

[rufus]

I hope you all get a chance to eat that stored food. If it goes nuclear, it will all be dust.

 

[Oliver Douglas]

But it will be "tasty" dust....I remember the old adage..."In the event of a nuclear war, the survivors will envy the dead." I am more concerned about local rabble in the event of an economic disaster rather than the potential of a nuclear attack from the Soviets...but if the heathens in the mid-east get a viable nuclear weapon and threaten, or actually use it against Israel...all bets are off. If the targeted areas post initial attack are major cities, we in the boonies may not survive, but we have a better chance than those at ground zero...when I was in 5th grade, I read the book "Alas, Babylon" about a small town's post nuclear survival and the aftermath...it should be required reading today. Not 50 shades of grey or whatever the latest craze of literature is. Even books of fiction can have a kernel of truth regarding the world's predicament. And lessons to be learned. On the Beach was among the most depressing post nuclear films of the 1950's....but it reflected the end of everything and how people coped with their eventual extinction due to radioactive fallout.