I HAVE A NEGATIVE OUTLOOK BECAUSE LIFE IS NOT A BOWL OF CHERRIES

Life is not a bowl of cherries.

Recently, some folks have taken me to task for my negative outlook on the future of the US economy. Indeed, they have referred to my concerns by addressing me as "Mr. Doom and Gloom" 😎.  Everyone has an opinion, I base mine on the experience, education, knowledge, and instincts that I have acquired over a lifetime of learning. Others will base their opinions on whichever factors they believe to be of the most importance. The important thing is to remember that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and if we can have a reasonable and logical discussion on these issues, it is to everyone's benefit. If we can not have an intelligent conversation because we become frustrated or angry, we lose something very important, that aspect of human civilization that makes us civilized. We are not animals, we have the ability to express complex and abstract thoughts, and we should be able to express those thoughts in a civil and polite manner.

The US economy is going to crash in a very bad way: unemployment will be staggering, it may reach 30% or more; entire supply chains that supply merchandise to restaurants, hotels, salons, gyms, and retail shops are beginning to crash; major retailers, such as giant department stores Macy's and Ross, are cancelling merchandise orders for the foreseeable future; the government effort to stimulate the economy will have a reverse effect, it will cause an inflationary rise in prices which will negate any benefits it may bring to the working class. At some point there may be a run on banks, a shortage of food, riots, and other assorted activities normally observed in the world's poorest nations, right here in the USA.

Regardless of COVID-19, if we reach 30% unemployment, and people lose thier homes and apartments, if they see their children starving with no food to be found, the US will become Venezuela. We will see mob violence with masses of starving people demanding food. The virus along with the sick and the dead will be quickly forgotten in favor of people's more immediate needs. This is not a prediction of doom and gloom based on some personal bias, this is what happens in every nation when people allow government too much control over their lives and their economy. It has happened before and it will happen again. Life is not a bowl of cherries, it's a bowl of live hand grenades ready to explode, and we should take precautions and prepare for the inevitable.

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

Support local businesses.
Today we feature the 2400 Diner, a great little place to eat. It's currently restricted to carryout service only, as are all restaurants in the state of Virginia.
It offers a large variety of meal choices, starting with an award winning breakfast menu, and includes many favorite American, Greek and Italian dishes for lunch and dinner.
Currently operating between 8-8.
Call ahead for your order.

2400 Princess Anne St.
Fredericksburg, Va 22401

540-373-9049

THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM

Screenshot from media website

Everyone has been taught to expect governments to initiate economic growth miracles (through inflationary spending), but the US government does not have any real solutions to the coming economic crash. This crash will not be similar to other economic slowdowns in the past, because commerce is deliberately being stifled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Trump with a cooperative Congress, and the profit motivated bankers at the Federal Reserve, will try to "pump" the economy through massive spending and loan programs, but such efforts will be futile and ultimately counterproductive. What the economy requires is a period of deflation, a period in which prices appear to drop as the value of currency increases. This economic phenomenon is based on the laws of supply and demand as they apply to money. When the supply of money and credit is greater than the demand for money and credit, the value of money and credit decreases; thus prices appear to rise as the money can purchase less goods. Economic deflation is always difficult and painful, but it ultimately allows a nation to prosper as the cost of living begins to fall and the working class can save and invest more of their money. The enemies of deflation are the bankers, wealthy industrialists, and politicians, it is to their benefit to gouge the working class with higher prices.

Do not put your trust in politicians, bankers, the media, academicians, or anyone else that declares we must "trust" this corrupt and inefficient system. Put your trust in God, in yourself, your family and friends, and in the notion that regular people working together can overcome any obstacle when given the freedom to make their own choices.

ECONOMIC SUICIDE ON A GLOBAL SCALE

State government across the US, and governments around the world, have taken extraordinary steps in the fight against COVID-19. Never in the history of this, or any other nation, has a government deliberately shut down the economy for an extended period of time. The consequences of these rash policies are too dreadful to consider, but we must now consider them. The coming economic crises will be unlike anything we have ever seen, world unemployment may reach 50% or more. Unemployment in the US will be far greater than the 25% during Great Depression. During the Great Depression things were tough, but commerce was allowed to continue, unlike what is happening now. The politicians may try to "spend" their way out of this disaster, but all such efforts will fail.

We are in a scenario in which governments can claim victory, no matter what happens. If the COVID-19 is not as bad as they claim it is, governments will declare it was their swift and decisive action which saved humanity. If the disease is as bad or worse than claimed, and many thousands perish, governments will claim it was because they lacked enough power and control to effectively fight the outbreak. In either scenario, personal freedom is the enemy. Liberty must be surrendered so the politicians can save us from ourselves.

Yet, no one has asked the most basic question, "who will save us from the politicians?". Trump seems prepared to impose draconian and dictatorial restrictions on society. I hope he retains enough sense to avoid making a dreadful situation even worse.

SOME THINGS ARE BEYOND BEAUTIFUL

A YouTube.com video of a very beautiful service, which is very appropriate during this time of crises.

The service of the Small Paraklesis is chanted in times of distress and sorrow, and during the first fourteen days of August.

Translation can be found at the Greek Orthodox Archdioceses website