The world will not end on December 21, 2012 or anytime soon. I think the Mayan calendar indicates the end of a very long-term cycle that has a gradual impact upon the world, just as other long-term cycles make significant but gradual changes. Increases and decreases in solar output (a long-term cycle) may create ice ages or droughts that slowly and gradually change the world.

I’m also not worried about the other “end of the world” that we continuously hear about – The Fiscal Cliff. That topic has been worked to death. But the important information is simple:

Politicians brought the United States into our current fiscal mess, with the help of The Federal Reserve and bankers.
We have entrusted politicians to solve the problem. Really? The same political elite who created the problems will solve them? And what is your current belief structure regarding the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy?
We have way too much debt and far too much government spending. The supposed plan is to increase debt forever and without end (sounds like a prayer) and to marginally decrease the rate of increase in spending – and call it a spending cut. If I call a donkey a mosquito, is it really a mosquito, or just a renamed donkey? If I have a debt and spending problem and my plan is to continue spending excessively, should I expect my problem to persist or disappear? If I have a serious drinking problem, should I expect to cure it with vodka?
So, the world is not going to end on December 21 or January 1. More of the same will beget more of the same.

But what does worry me are the actions that we, the supposedly most intelligent species on the planet, have made over the past several hundred years. Actions have consequences. Consider these actions:

Creation of Fractional Reserve Banking: This allows bankers to create money “from thin air” and loan it to businesses, individuals, and governments and collect the interest on that created money. The result is that debt increases, additional interest must be paid, and the financial services portion of the economy increases at the expense of the manufacturing economy. The paper shufflers won, and the manufacturers of useful and valuable products lost.

Creation of Central Banks: Central banks, not the free market, currently control the money supply and interest rates, enable politicians to spend excessively and government to expand more rapidly than the productive economy. Consequently, the economy becomes overburdened with debt, interest payments, and government regulations. What could go wrong?

Corporate control over the government and regulatory process: If a business owns many politicians, it can purchase the legislation and regulation it desires. The US tax code is an estimated 70,000 pages of legislation and regulations, as purchased by wealthy and powerful special interests. Intelligent action or payoff action?

Demonetization of gold and the use of unbacked paper money: When paper money is not backed by gold (silver, oil, etc.), then the total quantity of money in circulation can increase almost without limit. Hence, the purchasing value of the money decreases and prices rise. Consumer price inflation is guaranteed.

Politicians, bureaucrats, and bankers control markets and make decisions that should be left to free markets. Another writer likened that process to handing a Stradivarius to a gorilla. Freer markets do a better job of managing the economy, money supply, interest rates, prices, and production. How do we know? Ask the survivors of the hyperinflations in the last century.

Actions have consequences. What are the consequences to the above actions? Read We Have Been Warned!

If not, why not?

GE Christenson
aka Deviant Investor

If you would like to be updated on new blog posts, please subscribe to my RSS Feed or e-mail

© 2012 Copyright Deviant Investor - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

Only logged in users are allowed to post comments. Register/ Log in

The Market Oracle is a FREE Financial Markets Forecasting & Analysis web-site.
(c) 2005-2024 MarketOracle.co.uk (Market Oracle Ltd) - Market Oracle Ltd asserts copyright on all articles authored by our editorial team and all comments posted. Any and all information provided within the web-site, is for general information purposes only and Market Oracle Ltd do not warrant the accuracy, timeliness or suitability of any information provided on this site. nor is or shall be deemed to constitute, financial or any other advice or recommendation by us. and are also not meant to be investment advice or solicitation or recommendation to establish market positions. We do not give investment advice and our comments are an expression of opinion only and should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as recommendations to enter into a market position either stock, option, futures contract, bonds, commodity or any other financial instrument at any time. We recommend that independent professional advice is obtained before you make any investment or trading decisions. By using this site you agree to this sites Terms of Use. From time to time we promote or endorse certain products / services that we believe are worthy of your time and attention. In return for that endorsement and only in the cases where you purchase directly though us may we be compensated by the producers of those products.