investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--Would Stocks Be Lower WITHOUT COVID-19?

Would Stocks Be Lower WITHOUT COVID-19?

While the stock market has been flying high , the Fed came out with a somber Minutes release .
The Minutes stated , “ Participants commented that , in addition to weighing heavily on economic activity in the near term , the economic effects of the pandemic created an extraordinary amount of uncertainty and considerable risks to economic activity in the medium term.
” If the Fed let off the gas pedal , there would be chaos in markets because then they would reflect the actual economy .
The financial conditions index would spike again .
The question remains how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stave off the economic weakness before markets start to worry again .
Secondly , in the next few quarters , investors will worry how the handoff will go as the Fed eventually unwinds its expansionary policy .
This handoff is likely far in the distance .
It depends on if a second wave of COVID-19 forces more shutdowns this fall .
If it doesn ’ t , we could be looking at a hand off in 2021 .
Our point is simply that monetary stimulus isn ’ t forever .
There ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This economy is more fragile than it has been in decades .
In recent years we ’ ve seen stocks fall a few percentage points on hawkish Fed statements .
We even had a 20 % correction in Q4 2018 when the Fed got too hawkish .
If the Fed made a mistake like that this year , stocks would fall further .
The potential recession in 2019 wouldn ’ t have been close to as bad as this one has been .
@ Econompic on Twitter came up with an interesting thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stocks would be lower now had the pandemic not occurred .
That sounds insane because the economy would have been in solid shape without this .
However , when you consider the facts that the S & P 500 is only down 8.02 % year to date and is up 4.63 % in the past year , it ’ s not insane .
This hasn ’ t been a bad year for stocks .
We ’ re speaking in general terms , not in specific terms .
If you consider what has happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His point likely supports the notion that we would have seen a correction this spring anyway because stocks were overheated .
We considered the possibility of multiple contraction with very modest returns at the start of the year .
Given the excitement in February a 10 % -15 % correction was almost to be expected .
Stocks have held up this year either because of euphoria or fiscal/monetary policy ( maybe a combination of both ) .
There ’ s also the outperformance of the big cap tech stocks which have dragged the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take a bigger hit in recessions .
This one was an extreme example because the economy is in disaster mode .
The unemployment rate of those without a high school degree ( 25 years and older ) is 21.2 % which is the highest ever .
It could easily hit 25 % in the May unemployment report .
As you can see from the chart below , 53.9 % of households earning less than $ 25,000 say they lost employment income since March 13th .
It ’ s 54.6 % for those making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The percentage steadily falls as income increases with only 29.4 % losing income in households making $ 200,000 or more per year .
The good news is unemployment benefits are helping the working class more than ever and the backlogs of claims have mostly been worked through .
The potentially bad news is Mitch McConnell , the Senate majority leader , is vowing to not extend the $ 600 extra benefit to unemployed people .
This is a tricky subject because as states reopen , the unemployment rate will fall .
It comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to normal .
Extending benefits to January would encourage people to not work when they could .
The easy answer is to kick the can down the ground and go for the middle ground by extending benefits into October .
That ’ s logical because by then we will know if a second wave is coming .
If it doesn ’ t come and the economy has been recovering for a few months , they can be ended .
If it does come , the government will need to extend them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more questions about the government ’ s balance sheet because it would be facing longer term elevated deficits .
The slide below is from Murphy USA which is a gas station and convenience store .
The market data gives us a glimpse into how the economy is doing .
As you can see , the last 10 days of March saw a 47 % decline in fuel gallons sold because people stopped driving .
Growth slightly improved to -45 % in April and then it sharply improved to -38 % in May .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ date through the 13th which makes it updated .
Non-tobacco sales went from -23 % in March to 3 % in May .
That ’ s despite the 16 % decline in merchandise transactions in May , implying higher tickets .
This is an early sign of the potential improvement in retail sales in May .
China is further along its recovery than America is .
It ’ s about 2 months ahead .
As you can see from the chart below , China ’ s coal consumption recently spiked above its 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 shutdown the economy .
The Fed Minutes were much closer to reality than the stock market is .
Stocks have done so well that people think stocks would be lower if COVID-19 didn ’ t occur .
The worst recession since the Great Depression isn ’ t good news for stocks no matter how much stimulus is done .
If Mitch McConnell gets his way on jobless benefits , stocks could plummet .
We think there will be a compromise which could be the best policy anyway .
The lowest income households @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by this recession as usual .
Murphey USA ’ s slide showed the sequential improvement in sales in May .
China ’ s coal consumption has fully recovered which gives us a glimpse of how the U.S. economy might look in 2 months if all goes well .

by UPFINA
While the stock market has been flying high, the Fed came out with a somber Minutes release. The Minutes stated, “Participants commented that, in addition to weighing heavily on economic activity in the near term, the economic effects of the pandemic created an extraordinary amount of uncertainty and considerable risks to economic activity in the medium term.” If the Fed let off the gas pedal, there would be chaos in markets because then they would reflect the actual economy. The financial conditions index would spike again.
The question remains how long the Fed and fiscal policy can stave off the economic weakness before markets start to worry again. Secondly, in the next few quarters, investors will worry how the handoff will go as the Fed eventually unwinds its expansionary policy. This handoff is likely far in the distance. It depends on if a second wave of COVID-19 forces more shutdowns this fall. If it doesn’t, we could be looking at a hand off in 2021.
Our point is simply that monetary stimulus isn’t forever. There’s risk the Fed botches this situation. This economy is more fragile than it has been in decades. In recent years we’ve seen stocks fall a few percentage points on hawkish Fed statements. We even had a 20% correction in Q4 2018 when the Fed got too hawkish. If the Fed made a mistake like that this year, stocks would fall further. The potential recession in 2019 wouldn’t have been close to as bad as this one has been.
Thought Experiment (World Without COVID-19)
@Econompic on Twitter came up with an interesting thought experiment. He considered the possibility that stocks would be lower now had the pandemic not occurred.
In an alternative universe where everything is identical except there is no virus, there is a decent probability the S&P 500 is lower. — Jake (@EconomPic) May 21, 2020
That sounds insane because the economy would have been in solid shape without this. However, when you consider the facts that the S&P 500 is only down 8.02% year to date and is up 4.63% in the past year, it’s not insane. This hasn’t been a bad year for stocks. We’re speaking in general terms, not in specific terms. If you consider what has happened, stocks have done spectacularly well.
His point likely supports the notion that we would have seen a correction this spring anyway because stocks were overheated. We considered the possibility of multiple contraction with very modest returns at the start of the year. Given the excitement in February a 10%-15% correction was almost to be expected. Stocks have held up this year either because of euphoria or fiscal/monetary policy (maybe a combination of both). There’s also the outperformance of the big cap tech stocks which have dragged the indexes higher.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Lower Income Households Taking A Big Hit
Lower income households always take a bigger hit in recessions. This one was an extreme example because the economy is in disaster mode. The unemployment rate of those without a high school degree (25 years and older) is 21.2% which is the highest ever. It could easily hit 25% in the May unemployment report. As you can see from the chart below, 53.9% of households earning less than $25,000 say they lost employment income since March 13th. It’s 54.6% for those making from $25,000 to $34,999. The percentage steadily falls as income increases with only 29.4% losing income in households making $200,000 or more per year.
53.6% of households making below $50k have taken a hit to employment income since the coronavirus shock hit the US economy. t.co/CHIeGhVFeJ pic.twitter.com/cBgNWfoBv1 — Nick Bunker (@nick_bunker) May 20, 2020
The good news is unemployment benefits are helping the working class more than ever and the backlogs of claims have mostly been worked through. The potentially bad news is Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, is vowing to not extend the $600 extra benefit to unemployed people. This is a tricky subject because as states reopen, the unemployment rate will fall. It comes down to how quickly the economy gets back to normal. Extending benefits to January would encourage people to not work when they could.
The easy answer is to kick the can down the ground and go for the middle ground by extending benefits into October. That’s logical because by then we will know if a second wave is coming. If it doesn’t come and the economy has been recovering for a few months, they can be ended. If it does come, the government will need to extend them. At that point, there might be more questions about the government’s balance sheet because it would be facing longer term elevated deficits.
The response to the #Covid_19 crisis will push government #debt levels to a 70-year high! pic.twitter.com/dF5XaW0BZ5 — jeroen blokland (@jsblokland) May 21, 2020
Murphy USA Gives Insights
The slide below is from Murphy USA which is a gas station and convenience store. The market data gives us a glimpse into how the economy is doing. As you can see, the last 10 days of March saw a 47% decline in fuel gallons sold because people stopped driving. Growth slightly improved to -45% in April and then it sharply improved to -38% in May. May’s data is month to date through the 13th which makes it updated. Non-tobacco sales went from -23% in March to 3% in May. That’s despite the 16% decline in merchandise transactions in May, implying higher tickets. This is an early sign of the potential improvement in retail sales in May.
China Is Recovering
China is further along its recovery than America is. It’s about 2 months ahead. As you can see from the chart below, China’s coal consumption recently spiked above its 3 year average for the first time since COVID-19 shutdown the economy.
Conclusion
The Fed Minutes were much closer to reality than the stock market is. Stocks have done so well that people think stocks would be lower if COVID-19 didn’t occur. The worst recession since the Great Depression isn’t good news for stocks no matter how much stimulus is done. If Mitch McConnell gets his way on jobless benefits, stocks could plummet. We think there will be a compromise which could be the best policy anyway. The lowest income households were the most likely to be hurt by this recession as usual. Murphey USA’s slide showed the sequential improvement in sales in May. China’s coal consumption has fully recovered which gives us a glimpse of how the U.S. economy might look in 2 months if all goes well.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--Rent to salary ratio by U.S. metro

Rent to salary ratio by U.S. metro

I ’ m a data scientist at LinkedIn and created with ggplot2 in R. Data source is LinkedIn Salary and @ @ @ @ @ post source on LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/posts/brixu_workforcereport-activity-6669273938411044864-DIZA

by brixu
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
I’m a data scientist at LinkedIn and created with ggplot2 in R. Data source is LinkedIn Salary and Zillow Rentals data. My post source on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/posts/brixu_workforcereport-activity-6669273938411044864-DIZA


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--Just IMAGINE the media reaction if  @realDonaldTrump  said this to a black person that asked questio

REMINDER BLACK PEOPLE : If you don ’ t do the bidding for wealthy white Democrats “ YOU AIN ’ @ @ @ @ @ IMAGINE the media reaction if @ realDonaldTrump said this to a black person that asked @ @ @ @ @ Or if Trump said “ ain ’ t ” when speaking to black people ?
@

REMINDER BLACK PEOPLE: If you don’t do the bidding for wealthy white Democrats “YOU AIN’T BLACK”.
Just IMAGINE the media reaction if @realDonaldTrump said this to a black person that asked questions about his policies?
Or if Trump said “ain’t” when speaking to black people? pic.twitter.com/ipKNPUVhC9
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) May 22, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--The UK is being paid to borrow just as it borrows record amounts

Sometimes even when you expect something it still creates something of a shockwave .
We knew that UK public spending was on speed and that tax receipts were going to be like one of those cartoon characters running off the edge of a cliff .
But even so this had an impact .
Boom Boom Pow as the Black Eyed Peas would say .
As we break it down we see it is a central government game as it also is pouring money into local authorities as we noted last time .
If we look at spending we see this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion in social benefits which ordinarily would be a big deal but this time gets swamped as the “ other ” category rises by £36.1 billion .
We can start to break that down .
A fair bit of the amount below would have gone on the NHS .
Also I did say they were pouring money into local government .
The only gain was from lower inflation This is an awkward category as it relies on past patterns and well you can guess the rest .
But they have tried to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to allow for the lower level of activity although sadly the numbers they have used have come from the Office for Budget Responsibility or OBR .
For newer readers the first rule of OBR Club is that it is always wrong .
We do get some further clues from the Retail Sales numbers also released earlier .
As you can see VAT receipts will be hit as will income tax payments from many shop workers .
Also we got evidence that there was a lot of panic buying of food when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are all sober when you are reading this .
As you can imagine a trend we have been noting for some years got another boost .
As well as being sober I hope you are dressed reading this .
The uncertainty about the amount of tax receipts is highlighted by what has just happened to the March data .
The main player here was this .
This comes with some caveats but the ONS has tried to allow for an expected lower level of economic activity here so fair play .
Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary ” as regards Bank of England activities !
However I have always thought it odd ( and frankly a bad design ) where the Term Funding Scheme ended up inflating the national debt .
Losses on it should be counted but there is collateral held so any net impact should be far lower than the gross .
The only flaw here is the use of an OBR scenario as I have explained above , but it is a worthy attempt none the less .
I thought I would now spin things around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ film there would be no demand for any with titles like “ Revenge of the Bond Vigilante ’ s ” .
Over the past week or two the UK has in fact increasingly been paid to borrow , so in fact we now inhabit a sort of anti matter driven Bond Vigilante universe .
I have been noting for a while that the two-year UK Gilt yield has been on the edge and it has been slip-sliding away this week to -0.07 % .
It has been joined by the five-year which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shift to the causes of this as at first the Bond Vigilantes will be revving up on the start line .
But the Bank of England has stepped in with its QE purchases .
As you can see this effectively neuters a lot of it and let me bring you right up to date .
This week the UK debt management office has been working hard and issued some £16.5 billion of UK Gilts but if it was a race the Bank of England has only been a few paces back as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bank of England has been driving us into negative yields by for the first time buying them as it has done on at least 4 occasions this week .
So we borrow enormously and can do so at record low yields .
So for now we are “ lucky ” according to the definition provided by Napoleon .
On the pattern so far we may see our benchmark ten-year yield go negative as well ( currently 0.14 % ) .
One consequence of this is I expect cheaper fixed-rate mortgage deals as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it has gone negative .
If the banks are as “ resilient ” as we keep being told they will be slashing rates .
Meanwhile back in the real world we may see some mortgage rates being trimmed .

by Shaun Richards
Sometimes even when you expect something it still creates something of a shockwave. We knew that UK public spending was on speed and that tax receipts were going to be like one of those cartoon characters running off the edge of a cliff. But even so this had an impact.
Borrowing (public sector net borrowing excluding public sector banks, PSNB ex) in April 2020 is estimated to have been £62.1 billion, £51.1 billion more than in April 2019; the highest borrowing in any month on record (records began in January 1993).
Boom Boom Pow as the Black Eyed Peas would say. As we break it down we see it is a central government game as it also is pouring money into local authorities as we noted last time.
In April 2020, central government borrowed £66.2 billion, while local government was in surplus by £7.3 billion. This local government surplus partially reflects the increase in current transfers from central government to fund its COVID-19 measures.
If we look at spending we see this.
In April 2020, central government spent £109.3 billion, an increase of 38.3% on April 2019.
There was an increase of £1.6 billion in social benefits which ordinarily would be a big deal but this time gets swamped as the “other” category rises by £36.1 billion. We can start to break that down.
This month we have recorded the expenditure associated with the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) for the first time. CJRS is a temporary scheme designed to help employers pay wages and salaries to those employees who would otherwise be made redundant……..In April 2020, central government subsidy expenditure was £16.3 billion, of which £14.0 billion were CJRS payments.
A fair bit of the amount below would have gone on the NHS.
Departmental expenditure on goods and services in April 2020 increased by £7.1 billion compared with April 2019, including a £1.2 billion increase in expenditure on staff costs and a £5.7 billion increase in the purchase of goods and services.
Also I did say they were pouring money into local government.
Central government grants to local authorities in April 2020 increased by £14.2 billion compared with April 2019, mainly to fund additional support because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The only gain was from lower inflation
Interest payments on the government’s outstanding debt in April 2020 were £5.0 billion, a £1.2 billion decrease compared with April 2019. Changes in debt interest are largely a result of movements in the Retail Prices Index (RPI) to which index-linked bonds are pegged.
Tax Receipts
This is an awkward category as it relies on past patterns and well you can guess the rest. But they have tried to come up with some suggestions.
In April 2020, central government receipts fell by £16.4 billion compared with April 2019 to £45.6 billion, including £29.6 billion in tax revenue.
They have tried to allow for the lower level of activity although sadly the numbers they have used have come from the Office for Budget Responsibility or OBR. For newer readers the first rule of OBR Club is that it is always wrong.
We do get some further clues from the Retail Sales numbers also released earlier.
The volume of retail sales in April 2020 fell by a record 18.1%, following the strong monthly fall of 5.2% in March 2020.
As you can see VAT receipts will be hit as will income tax payments from many shop workers. Also we got evidence that there was a lot of panic buying of food when the pandemic hit.
The fall of 4.1% for food stores was mainly due to a fall back from the strong growth of 10.1% in March 2020. Retailers provided feedback of panic buying in March, which caused a sales spike.
Also I hope that you are all sober when you are reading this.
In April, 13.6% of alcohol and tobacco stores reported having zero turnover, however, the volume of sales for these stores increased by 2.3%; a further rise from the strong growth of 23.9% in March.
As you can imagine a trend we have been noting for some years got another boost.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Online sales as a proportion of all retailing reached a record high of 30.7% in April 2020, exceeding the original record reported last month of 22.4%. All sectors reached their highest-recorded proportions except non-store retailing, which reached record proportions in February and March 2020, both at 83.2%.
As well as being sober I hope you are dressed reading this.
The sharp decline in April 2020 has resulted in the lowest levels seen in the volume of textile, clothing and footwear sales since the beginning of the series, when March 1988 was at a similar level.
Last Month
The uncertainty about the amount of tax receipts is highlighted by what has just happened to the March data.
Borrowing in March 2020 was revised up by £11.7 billion to £14.7 billion, largely due to a reduction in the previous estimate of tax receipts and National Insurance contributions and the recording of expenditure associated with the Coronavirus Job Retention scheme.
The main player here was this.
Additionally, the subsidies paid by central government in March 2020 have been increased by £7.0 billion to reflect the additional CJRS payments not previously recorded.
National Debt
This comes with some caveats but the ONS has tried to allow for an expected lower level of economic activity here so fair play.
The Bank of England’s contribution to debt is largely a result of its quantitative easing activities via the Bank of England Asset Purchase Facility Fund and Term Funding Schemes. If we were to remove these temporary effects, debt at the end of April 2020 would reduce by £184.5 billion (or 9.6% percentage points of GDP) to £1,703.1 billion (or 88.1% of GDP).
Of course we know about the word “temporary” as regards Bank of England activities! However I have always thought it odd ( and frankly a bad design) where the Term Funding Scheme ended up inflating the national debt. Losses on it should be counted but there is collateral held so any net impact should be far lower than the gross.
The only flaw here is the use of an OBR scenario as I have explained above, but it is a worthy attempt none the less.
Comment
I thought I would now spin things around a little because if this was a film there would be no demand for any with titles like “Revenge of the Bond Vigilante’s”. Over the past week or two the UK has in fact increasingly been paid to borrow, so in fact we now inhabit a sort of anti matter driven Bond Vigilante universe. I have been noting for a while that the two-year UK Gilt yield has been on the edge and it has been slip-sliding away this week to -0.07%. It has been joined by the five-year which is now -0.02%.
Now let me shift to the causes of this as at first the Bond Vigilantes will be revving up on the start line.
In April 2020, the Debt Management Office (DMO) issued £51.7 billion in gilts at nominal value, raising £58.5 billion in cash. This represents an unprecedented increase in gilts issuance (at nominal value) compared with March 2020.
But the Bank of England has stepped in with its QE purchases.
At the end of April 2020, the gilt holdings of the APF have increased by £43.7 billion (at nominal value) compared with the end of March 2020,
As you can see this effectively neuters a lot of it and let me bring you right up to date. This week the UK debt management office has been working hard and issued some £16.5 billion of UK Gilts but if it was a race the Bank of England has only been a few paces back as it bought some £13.5 billion. Also the Bank of England has been driving us into negative yields by for the first time buying them as it has done on at least 4 occasions this week.
So we borrow enormously and can do so at record low yields. So for now we are “lucky” according to the definition provided by Napoleon. On the pattern so far we may see our benchmark ten-year yield go negative as well ( currently 0.14%). One consequence of this is I expect cheaper fixed-rate mortgage deals as the five-year yield is my proxy for that and it has gone negative. If the banks are as “resilient” as we keep being told they will be slashing rates. Meanwhile back in the real world we may see some mortgage rates being trimmed.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--Record High Price Spike For Food At Grocery Stores As Farmers Dump Milk, Smash Eggs

Food prices have soared in recent weeks while at the same time , farmers are smashing eggs and dumping out milk .
Farmers are wasting more food than ever while most Americans are feeling a pinch at the grocery store .
The power-hungry elitists have done their job .
The wealthy will get to eat while the poor , who were forced out of work will have to just “ figure it out.
” A lot of Americans will soon be eating a lot less .
Grocery prices spiked by the largest amount in nearly 50 years last month because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy , including food facilities .
There is now much more demand there is supply , therefore , food will go to those who can afford to buy it .
“ Just about everyone is looking for assistance because the pandemic has hit every kind of person , ” said Paula Murphy , a spokesperson for the Houston Food Bank .
“ We ’ re serving the clients we served pre-pandemic and we ’ re serving the clients who never thought they would need to visit a food bank , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to food factories closing in obedience to government demands , farmers are destroying their own products .
An unprecedented amount of food is getting dumped even before making it into grocery stores .
Governments are the cause of all of the food shortages .
Around the globe , production is handled through what ’ s known as just-in-time methods .
The output from farms can be shuttled into stores or restaurants within just a few days , and the next batch of crops and livestock is ready to take its place immediately .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Food Shortages ” – Food Is A Weapon In The Hands Of The Powerful With all of this waste happening while demand is high , food prices will soar even more .
“ People who can barely afford to feed themselves now will face even more problems , ” said Marc Bellemare , a co-editor of the American Journal of Agricultural Economics .
“ What worries me is human welfare .
”

by Mac Slavo of SHTFplan
Food prices have soared in recent weeks while at the same time, farmers are smashing eggs and dumping out milk. Farmers are wasting more food than ever while most Americans are feeling a pinch at the grocery store.
The power-hungry elitists have done their job. The wealthy will get to eat while the poor, who were forced out of work will have to just “figure it out.” A lot of Americans will soon be eating a lot less. Grocery prices spiked by the largest amount in nearly 50 years last month because of the draconian shutdown of most the economy, including food facilities. There is now much more demand there is supply, therefore, food will go to those who can afford to buy it.
Prepping For The Upcoming Government-Induced Food Shortages
“Just about everyone is looking for assistance because the pandemic has hit every kind of person,” said Paula Murphy, a spokesperson for the Houston Food Bank. “We’re serving the clients we served pre-pandemic and we’re serving the clients who never thought they would need to visit a food bank,” she said according to Yahoo News.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
In addition to food factories closing in obedience to government demands, farmers are destroying their own products. An unprecedented amount of food is getting dumped even before making it into grocery stores. Governments are the cause of all of the food shortages. Around the globe, production is handled through what’s known as just-in-time methods. The output from farms can be shuttled into stores or restaurants within just a few days, and the next batch of crops and livestock is ready to take its place immediately.
“Any Crisis Can Bring About Immediate Food Shortages” – Food Is A Weapon In The Hands Of The Powerful
With all of this waste happening while demand is high, food prices will soar even more. “People who can barely afford to feed themselves now will face even more problems,” said Marc Bellemare, a co-editor of the American Journal of Agricultural Economics. “What worries me is human welfare.”
Prepping For The Upcoming Government-Induced Food Shortages


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--How I finally learned “You can’t time the market”

I cashed out about 40 % of my positions a month ago .
I bought a bunch of stocks I liked long-term near bottom and my portfolio had made it back to pre-COVID breakeven , but I got spooked by economist warnings of an actual depression , the billionaire investors sitting on the largest cash position in history , the tech stocks hitting ATHs in the middle of a dead underlying economy , bankruptcies starting and epidemiologists warning of major disaster if we reopen too soon .
Earning season would be a bloodbath and unemployment hitting record levels since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a pure v-shaped recovery , so why would this be the first one ?
“ You can ’ t time the market ( as in sell at the peak and buy at the bottom ) , but you can be rationally optimistic or pessimistic about the overall direction and act accordingly ” I thought .
“ I ’ m going to take profits from this irrational FOMO bubble and keep some money on the sidelines so I can snatch up long-term stocks for well below current valuations when this whole thing inevitably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want to see my portfolio back down 30 % again if could avoid it .
Welp , most the stocks I sold are up ~20 % since then .
I still hold positions in all of them , but missed out on thousands and thousands of gains .
The reason you “ can ’ t time the market ” is that market is not rational .
The market goes up on bad news and down on good news .
Stock valuations have nothing to do with actual values , the underlying economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future growth .
People want to get into positions in good companies as quickly as possible , and thus it becomes a FOMO race all the way back up or above where you started , like an eBay auction where competition drives a price above where you might have sold had you simply offered a flat price .
Rational economic pessimism has been a disaster ever since the economic reforms in 2009 .
The Fed is always going to work against any bets against the economy ( well , unless you are investing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , apparently…The Fed is lending money at no interest and bailing out failing companies , leaving no room for such opportunists to profit . )
Thus they ’ ve detached Wall Street from the underlying economy almost completely .
And you know the second you spend every penny going long on everything , the whole house of cards will finally collapse and you ’ ll be holding underwater stocks at extremely high valuations or with extreme risk of a prolonged shutdown .
Because that ’ s what you deserve for being so irrational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for educational purposes .
Do not make any investment decisions based on the information in this article .
Do you own due diligence .

by devilmaskrascal
I cashed out about 40% of my positions a month ago. I bought a bunch of stocks I liked long-term near bottom and my portfolio had made it back to pre-COVID breakeven, but I got spooked by economist warnings of an actual depression, the billionaire investors sitting on the largest cash position in history, the tech stocks hitting ATHs in the middle of a dead underlying economy, bankruptcies starting and epidemiologists warning of major disaster if we reopen too soon. Earning season would be a bloodbath and unemployment hitting record levels since the Great Depression. There’s never been a pure v-shaped recovery, so why would this be the first one?
“You can’t time the market (as in sell at the peak and buy at the bottom), but you can be rationally optimistic or pessimistic about the overall direction and act accordingly” I thought. “I’m going to take profits from this irrational FOMO bubble and keep some money on the sidelines so I can snatch up long-term stocks for well below current valuations when this whole thing inevitably collapses.” Moreover, I didn’t want to see my portfolio back down 30% again if could avoid it.
Welp, most the stocks I sold are up ~20% since then. I still hold positions in all of them, but missed out on thousands and thousands of gains.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
The reason you “can’t time the market” is that market is not rational. The market goes up on bad news and down on good news. Stock valuations have nothing to do with actual values, the underlying economy, etc – only whether investors perceive future growth. People want to get into positions in good companies as quickly as possible, and thus it becomes a FOMO race all the way back up or above where you started, like an eBay auction where competition drives a price above where you might have sold had you simply offered a flat price.
Rational economic pessimism has been a disaster ever since the economic reforms in 2009. The Fed is always going to work against any bets against the economy (well, unless you are investing in Berkshire or banks during a crisis, apparently…The Fed is lending money at no interest and bailing out failing companies, leaving no room for such opportunists to profit.) Thus they’ve detached Wall Street from the underlying economy almost completely.
And you know the second you spend every penny going long on everything, the whole house of cards will finally collapse and you’ll be holding underwater stocks at extremely high valuations or with extreme risk of a prolonged shutdown. Because that’s what you deserve for being so irrational.
Disclaimer: This information is only for educational purposes. Do not make any investment decisions based on the information in this article. Do you own due diligence.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--Fed’s Money Printing & Bail-Out Policies Are Driving Investors Out Of US Assets?

With the world increasingly realizing that the Federal Reserve ’ s plan is apparently to print and assume any and @ @ @ @ @ system , not surprisingly , the smart investors are already diversifying away the central bank @ @ @ @ @ expert and author Dan Becker joined me on the show to share the steps he @ @ @ @ @ his assets safe from Uncle Sam , and what he ’ s learned from his @ @ @ @ @ also talks about his book “ Towards Freedom ” which is a great handguide for @ @ @ @ @ the latest production of The Fed Gone Wild and wants to keep their savings and @ @ @ @ @ find out how to keep yourself protected from bankrupt governments , click to watch the @ @ @

Dan Becker interviewed by Chris Marcus on Arcadia Economics
With the world increasingly realizing that the Federal Reserve’s plan is apparently to print and assume any and every obligation in the financial system, not surprisingly, the smart investors are already diversifying away the central bank risk.
Fortunately, internationalization expert and author Dan Becker joined me on the show to share the steps he’s taking to keep his assets safe from Uncle Sam, and what he’s learned from his years of research.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
He also talks about his book “Towards Freedom” which is a great handguide for anyone who’s noticing the latest production of The Fed Gone Wild and wants to keep their savings and assets safe.
So to find out how to keep yourself protected from bankrupt governments, click to watch the interview now!


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--Illinois Gov. Pritzker to allow online SNAP grocery purchases; big companies to benefit

Almost a year ago I quit shopping at Wal-Mart due to their relationship with China .
We now make our grocery purchases from a local employee-owned grocery store .
We use to make monthly trips to the city to do large purchases at a family-owned , Oklahoma grocery chain .
That has come to an end , unfortunately , because of the Wuhan virus .
I really miss that monthly trip as this store is THE BEST : Extremely WIDE aisles , HUGE grocery carts , good prices , TONS of checkout stations available and they employ people with disabilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of going out to grocery stores and catching the virus combined with the severe restrictions stores have been ordered to implement ( only one person per cart , only go one way in the aisle , etc . )
, many people are now ordering online for delivery or pick up .
And they are ordering from those big chain stores that have the resources to implement those options : Walmart , Target and Amazon .
Demorat Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has recognized that many SNAP recipients may want to use their benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow online SNAP purchases ( which was approved by the federal government ) .
From his tweets : “ To keep more families safe and healthy , my administration is expanding the ways in which SNAP recipients can acquire groceries to include online purchasing .
The best part is that in addition to helping families shop a little easier and safer during this pandemic , this is a permanent new feature of the SNAP landscape in Illinois that will support our residents for many years to come.
” While I ’ m all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchasing , I ’ m saddened to see that major , big-box corporations will most likely be the primary beneficiaries ( Walmart and Amazon have already agreed to be part of the program ) .
Aren ’ t those the exact type of wealthy companies that demorats claim to despise ?
You know the local mom-and-pop stores and locally-owned stores aren ’ t going to benefit from this new SNAP option nearly as much as Walmart and Amazon .
Just a shame that while big boxes thrive , our local small businesses are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxpayer dollars .

by DCG
Almost a year ago I quit shopping at Wal-Mart due to their relationship with China. We now make our grocery purchases from a local employee-owned grocery store.
We use to make monthly trips to the city to do large purchases at a family-owned, Oklahoma grocery chain. That has come to an end, unfortunately, because of the Wuhan virus. I really miss that monthly trip as this store is THE BEST: Extremely WIDE aisles, HUGE grocery carts, good prices, TONS of checkout stations available and they employ people with disabilities to bag your groceries.
The fear of going out to grocery stores and catching the virus combined with the severe restrictions stores have been ordered to implement (only one person per cart, only go one way in the aisle, etc.), many people are now ordering online for delivery or pick up. And they are ordering from those big chain stores that have the resources to implement those options: Walmart, Target and Amazon.
Demorat Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has recognized that many SNAP recipients may want to use their benefits in the same way and will now allow online SNAP purchases (which was approved by the federal government). From his tweets:
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
“To keep more families safe and healthy, my administration is expanding the ways in which SNAP recipients can acquire groceries to include online purchasing.
The best part is that in addition to helping families shop a little easier and safer during this pandemic, this is a permanent new feature of the SNAP landscape in Illinois that will support our residents for many years to come.”
While I’m all for people having options to make online purchasing, I’m saddened to see that major, big-box corporations will most likely be the primary beneficiaries (Walmart and Amazon have already agreed to be part of the program). Aren’t those the exact type of wealthy companies that demorats claim to despise?
You know the local mom-and-pop stores and locally-owned stores aren’t going to benefit from this new SNAP option nearly as much as Walmart and Amazon. Just a shame that while big boxes thrive, our local small businesses are dying. With the support of our taxpayer dollars.
DCG


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--That’s it; the top is here. Many Americans used part of their coronavirus stimulus check to trade st

That’s it; the top is here. Many Americans used part of their coronavirus stimulus check to trade stocks

Many Americans used part of their coronavirus stimulus check to trade stocks • Trading stocks was among the most common @ @ @ @ @ checks in nearly every income bracket , according to software and data aggregation company Envestnet @ @ @ @ @ between $ 35,000 and $ 75,000 annually traded stocks about 90 % more than the @ @ @ @ @ stimulus check .
• “ There ’ s clearly a correlation between Covid and people @ @ @ @ @ , ” Bill Parsons , Group President , Data Analytics at Envestnet Yodlee told CNBC @ @ @ @ @ also appeared to bring a copious amount of new accounts to online brokers in the @ @

by j33tAy
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Many Americans used part of their coronavirus stimulus check to trade stocks
Trading stocks was among the most common uses for the government stimulus checks in nearly every income bracket, according to software and data aggregation company Envestnet Yodlee.
People earning between $35,000 and $75,000 annually traded stocks about 90% more than the week prior to receiving their stimulus check.
“There’s clearly a correlation between Covid and people being reengaged with their money,” Bill Parsons, Group President, Data Analytics at Envestnet Yodlee told CNBC.
The coronavirus rout also appeared to bring a copious amount of new accounts to online brokers in the first quarter
"We continue to have the most accurate longer-term view of both the US and Global economic cycles out of anyone you read for shorter-term updates. It’s uniquely multi-duration research that has no FOMO or feelings. via @KeithMcCullought.co/EwC05xpU8N — Hedgeye (@Hedgeye) May 22, 2020
Market falls 8-10 points in half an hour reverses it all in half a second. The panic buying “we will never get another chance to buy this if it isn’t now”….is real — hks55 (@hks55) May 22, 2020
Why would you not buy this. That’s the only question here. Long weekend. Stocks at lifetime highs. Pandemic. Depression. War. Invasion. If you don’t buy this now you’ll never get another chance. Never. Rolling limit ups start next week. This is your last chance. Very last. — hks55 (@hks55) May 22, 2020
Bored Day Traders Locked at Home Are Now Obsessed With Optionst.co/OoYV2iORHo and yesterday I heard from my mechanic asking me to teach him some tricks with options @SarahPonczek @TheStalwart @LJKawa pic.twitter.com/i7JwIWwAwG — Thomas Thornton (@TommyThornton) May 22, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--17 states laid off more than 5% of government workers

17 states laid off more than 5 % of government workerst.co/zub2AeUcL0

17 states laid off more than 5% of government workerst.co/zub2AeUcL0
WI 11.9%
HI 10.3%
CT 9.0%
IA 9.0%
NH 7.8%
SD 7.4%
MN 6.5%
AK 6.5%
ND 5.9%
WV 5.8%
IL 5.7%
MI 5.7%
NI 5.6%
VT 5.2%
KY 5.1%
MA 5.0%
OH 5.0%
— Michael Madowitz (@mikemadowitz) May 22, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--GEORGE SOROS SAYS SURVIVAL OF EU IS CHALLENGED: “THIS IS NOT A THEORETICAL POSSIBILITY; IT MAY BE TH

GEORGE SOROS SAYS SURVIVAL OF EU IS CHALLENGED: “THIS IS NOT A THEORETICAL POSSIBILITY; IT MAY BE THE TRAGIC REALITY”

GEORGE SOROS SAYS SURVIVAL OF EU IS CHALLENGED : `` THIS IS NOT A THEORETICAL POSSIBILITY ; IT MAY BE @ @ @ @ @ Soros says EU may not survive coronavirus crisis … RTRS Soros said the European Union @ @ @ @ @ wake of the new coronavirus pandemic unless the block issued perpetual bonds to help weak @ @ @ @

GEORGE SOROS SAYS SURVIVAL OF EU IS CHALLENGED: "THIS IS NOT A THEORETICAL POSSIBILITY; IT MAY BE THE TRAGIC REALITY"
George Soros says EU may not survive coronavirus crisis … RTRS
Soros said the European Union could break apart in the wake of the new coronavirus pandemic unless the block issued perpetual bonds to help weak members such as Italy.t.co/ySeL2w0BwQ
— Trading Floor Audio (@TradeFloorAudio) May 22, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--BoA: Central Banks Are Creating ‘Fake Markets’…. Buying $2.4 Billion In Financial Assets Every Hour

BoA: Central Banks Are Creating ‘Fake Markets’…. Buying $2.4 Billion In Financial Assets Every Hour To Support Markets

Stocks have become detached from reality due to recent interventions from central banks into the bond markets , according to @ @ @ @ @ .
Stocks have become detached from reality due to recent interventions from central banks into @ @ @ @ @ to analysts at Bank of America .
In a research note Friday , the Bank @ @ @ @ @ the question of why the stock market is so divorced from reality as one of @ @ @ @ @ investors .
Despite the economic crisis brought about by the coronavirus pandemic , which has @ @ @ @ @ Americans file for unemployment and brought about sharp contractions in global GDP ( gross domestic @ @ @ @ @ have been rallying of late .
Central Banks Buying $ 2.4 Billion In Financial Assets @ @ @ @ @ Bank of America ’ s Flow Show report suggests central banks have hoovered up more @ @ @ @ @ financial assets over the past two months .

Stocks have become detached from reality due to recent interventions from central banks into the bond markets, according to analysts at Bank of America.
Stocks have become detached from reality due to recent interventions from central banks into the bond markets, according to analysts at Bank of America.
In a research note Friday, the Bank of America Securities division highlighted the question of why the stock market is so divorced from reality as one of the most frequently asked by investors.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Despite the economic crisis brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, which has so far seen 38 million Americans file for unemployment and brought about sharp contractions in global GDP (gross domestic product), risk assets have been rallying of late.
Bank of America’s Flow Show report suggests central banks have hoovered up more than $4 trillion in financial assets over the past two months.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--Marc Lasry says the market will eventually realize the U.S. will be in a recession ‘for a while’… Ba

Marc Lasry says the market will eventually realize the U.S. will be in a recession ‘for a while’… Banks will struggle to generate profits even as the global economy recovers

Marc Lasry says the market will eventually realize the U.S. will be in a recession 'for a while' t.co/zGwTEIB74C — CNBC (@CNBC) May 21, 2020
Banks will struggle to generate profits even as the global economy recovers, IMF says t.co/L2cYMF9xcY — CNBC (@CNBC) May 22, 2020
Talk about a head fake. My SPX bear sentiment indicator was breaking out last week, now back towards the lower end of the high volume distribution showing a return to irrational exuberance fast approaching. As a reminder this includes VIX, put/call, AAII, skew and front fra/ois. pic.twitter.com/Q04PIBv7EI — GomezYFY (@YfyGomez) May 21, 2020
#BofA ratcheted down their #GDP recovery forecast. I am pretty sure this does not qualify as a "V-shaped" recovery. (And it's probably still overly #optimistic.) pic.twitter.com/NyiWq3JqyU — Lance Roberts (@LanceRoberts) May 22, 2020
My fractal keeps going on.. ES continues to reject this maginot line.. pic.twitter.com/ZAk8rWfp9c — Alessio Urban (@AlessioUrban) May 22, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--David Stockman: There will be a massive stampede into real money … Rick Rule: How not to lose money

David Stockman : There will be a massive stampede into real money … Rick Rule : How not to lose @ @ @ @ @ stocks … Mike Maloney : How deflation turns into hyperinflation … Daniel Lacalle : How @ @ @ @ @ crisis … Joe Rogan and Matt Taibbi : Epstein was clearly murdered …

BY JOHN RUBINO
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
David Stockman: There will be a massive stampede into real money … Rick Rule: How not to lose money in gold and silver stocks … Mike Maloney: How deflation turns into hyperinflation … Daniel Lacalle: How gold performs in times of crisis … Joe Rogan and Matt Taibbi: Epstein was clearly murdered …


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--27 GOP sens call for investigation into Planned Parenthood’s PPP funding

Planned Parenthood took money they weren ’ t entitled to , thereby keeping it from a mom and pop business @

Planned Parenthood took money they weren’t entitled to, thereby keeping it from a mom and pop business!
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
AO


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--Hong Kong: What is in Beijing’s proposed law? – BBC News(The End of Hong Kong) (China makes a huge m

Hong Kong: What is in Beijing’s proposed law? – BBC News(The End of Hong Kong) (China makes a huge move to squash citizens)

“ The laws will bring Hong Kong into line with the mainland ” Protesters will be extradited to mainland China @ @ @ @ @ That would terrify me too , go to organ harvesting camp , go directly to @ @ @ @ @ Set up Beijing Intelligence Agencies in the city * “ Improve ” one country , @ @ @ @ @ China to Allow State-Security Agents to Police Hong Kong A new detail in the proposed @ @ @ @ @ security bodies to operate officially in the semiautonomous city

“The laws will bring Hong Kong into line with the mainland”
Protesters will be extradited to mainland China under the new law.
That would terrify me too, go to organ harvesting camp, go directly to organ harvesting camp.
China moves to end Hong Kong’s autonomy
* Tackle secession, subversion, terrorism, foreign interference
* Set up Beijing Intelligence Agencies in the city
* “Improve” one country, two systems style of governance
Hong Kong lawmaker mourns ‘end of homeland’ as China mulls anti-protest law
www.nbcnews.com/news/world/hong-kong-lawmaker-mourns-end-homeland-china-mulls-anti-protest-n1212721
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Businesses fear the worst for Hong Kong’s future
www.cnn.com/2020/05/22/business/hong-kong-business-fears-intl-hnk/index.html
China to Allow State-Security Agents to Police Hong Kong
A new detail in the proposed national-security law would allow state security bodies to operate officially in the semiautonomous city
www.wsj.com/articles/china-to-allow-state-security-agents-to-police-hong-kong-11590145427
China Dares Trump to Hit Back With Hong Kong Power Grab
www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-22/cornered-china-dares-trump-to-hit-back-with-hong-kong-power-grab
AO


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--The Current Collapse Shortages in Venezuela: Clothing, Shoes, and Fuel

Dear readers , most of you already should know my country was a successful oil and derivatives producer until the red plague devastated it .
Political facts that led to man-made disasters apart , there are some crucial aspects this fuel crisis has made me more aware than ever .
First , you really need a place with a garden to produce your stuff and the means to defend it .
( I think I had mentioned this already ) .
Second , you´re going to need much more than just canned food , guns , and ammo .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , very likely this can last 5 years .
Don´t ask me how I know that .
This being said , you´re going to need much more than just what I have mentioned .
Everything we used to have on the cheap just in a few weeks , suddenly is under jeopardy , threatened by the coming and goings of international trade , now under a new and fairly gloomy light .
Cheap shoes , clothing , blankets , I start to wonder if they are going to be there in a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , prices are going to go up .
Given anything is left .
With this situation and everyone´s income diminished severely , the procurement of some basic needs has been delayed .
Underwear buying , shoes , and other stuff we need have been put on hold…indefinitely .
And yes , these items are as important as the other ones .
Maybe not “ urgent ” but important , yes , they are .
In all-seasons weather , where you need more clothes , one of the solutions is to have tons of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for better times .
You will have to use the same clothes maybe for two or three years , that´s why you´re going to need good quality stuff .
Depending on how vigorously you wash it , it should last longer .
( One of my “ green ” devices is going to be exactly for that very same application ) .
Our weather is normally as hotter , and much more humid , than your average summer .
Therefore , we tend to use our same clothes until these are faded and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to buying clothes for the “ new season ” .
In my case , I´d been buying clothes a piece every couple of months , needed it or not .
That was when I had a good salary , but I had already understood that having plenty of clothes and using them alternately should make them last longer .
Same with shoes .
Most of my college years I used two pairs of welder´s boots with steel toes ( they were comfortable enough and dirt cheap ) , one pair of cowboy boots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I used sparely .
I´m talking 5 years .
My daily driver was the cowboy boots , and they were repaired beyond believing .
I used to walk a lot , and the leather held up pretty well .
At least in city conditions .
In , other soil and terrain , duration surely decreases .
I am looking now to get a pair of jungle boots ( terrain at my cottage is rocky , and snakes are abundant ) and make some knee-high ankle protection for the kiddo , just like those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been thinking than some soft leather properly treated should work as a good start , but that is material for coming articles once I can produce my own hide from some native species .
For those with more manual skills , I would advise getting some shoes repairing material and I mean the good stuff .
Kilometer of thread in diverse sizes , and a good quality leather sewing machine ( after a couple of years , polymer-based fabrics may start to show wear , unless they are extremely good quality ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investment .
Experience has taught me enough these last few years , and I´d rather have a few profitable skills than just one specialization in this now confined-by-disease new world .
I would advise quite seriously those in warmer climates to get a few pairs of leather sandals .
These can be repaired at home ( make sure to look and download for some online tutorials and get the materials you may need ) and could last for years without excessive wear .
In weather such as Tibet , sherpas use Yak leather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have been using them for a long time .
Maybe this would help to make your rubber boots last longer .
What about the fuel shortage ?
This being said , I am analyzing how to get around the fuel scarcity we will find once we arrive in Venezuela .
One of the possibilities , is generating fuel to burn .
A biodigester would be the choice and a very good one .
However , until not trying it actively , I can´t but keep an enthusiastic optimism about it .
Once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottle at 4 bars with a compressor , and drove to my hometown back and forth in my cruiser , I will be able to base my articles on solid facts .
It´s almost 40 kilometers , and using the bike daily is prohibitive .
Too much fuel needed for such a large engine , over 1000cc .
( 75 cu .
In . )
Even being gentle on the throttle , it would gulp gas .
I´m already in the concept and visualization stage of the needed accessories : a “ governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gas valve attached to this lever , next to the carb , with a fitting and a hose running straight into it .
Diameters will be dictated by trial and error , and the gas reservoir will be a small bottle .
This will be carried in a bracket inside a small two-wheeled trailer , indispensable to increase the loading capacity of the bike and taking some products to the hometown .
Stay tuned for this project .
It´s going to be a real survival essay , on how to actually make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ land .
The other alternative is using an electric motor for our already existing bike .
There are different designs , but I´d favor the one used on the front wheel , with a pull-behind cart to carry a large battery rack , with a 30 or 50W solar panel on top .
In my area , this could be a huge lifesaver .
Electric bikes are all but forbidden .
No one is going to give a 2nd look at a bicycle with a cart .
A real problem could be delinquency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a smart schedule and without routines .
No thug wakes early , at least in my hometown .
Anyway , the armed ones have been so active roaming the streets terrifying people that any potential assaulter is going to think twice before leaving out on the open .
Once the quarantine is finished , people will start to move more or less normally…without gasoline .
I´ve heard about elders and pregnant women walking 7 or 8 km from their humble homes to downtown to buy some food .
People is seen walking on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of vehicles , instead of cars .
Therefore , the kit to assemble or convert your current bike to an electric bicycle would be a great addition for most people in Venezuela .
No matter your country is filled up to the top with fuel .
Just assign a low priority but keep it in mind just in case .
See what has happened , and use it to prepare your plans B , C , and D. The possibility of a global fuel supply scarcity or some other holocaust , now seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under this light .
Back on topic , just the possibility to move silently for a relatively long distance without too much physical effort is worth it .
It is even possible to make an off-road bug out , if you have experience in off-road cycling .
Remember we are not getting any younger , and carrying a load is a completely different experience than just hiking with a small daypack and a few items .
That ’ s why my plans have changed drastically for the next threats .
Because I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mark my words .
I will not provide any links this time , and please forgive me this time .
There are too many alternatives out there and I can not check which ones are suited .
Make sure you get your equipment from a trusted source preferably local , and that you are not feeding any beast that has already bitten our ( global ) backside .
We have to make an effort to recover our respective local economies , instead of buying manufactured goods made by slave workers exploited by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are cheaper .
Remember , if you buy cheap , you buy twice .
There will arise tons of opportunities , now the global market seems to be reshaping completely .
If you have some business idea to execute from a small or medium-sized workshop , I am sure that in countries with a developed economy and stability , it will be taken in account much differently .
Be safe people , and keep prepping no matter what .
Jose is an upper middle class professional .
He is a former worker of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s degree from one of the best national Universities .
He has a small 4 members family , plus two cats and a dog .
An old but in good shape SUV , a good 150 square meters house in a nice neighborhood , in a small but ( formerly ) prosperous city with two middle size malls .
Jose is a prepper and shares his eyewitness accounts and survival stories from the collapse of his beloved Venezuela .
Thanks to your help Jose has gotten his family out of Venezuela .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ life in another country .
Follow Jose on YouTube and gain access to his exclusive content on Patreon .
Donations : paypal.me/JoseM151

By J. G. Martinez D.
Dear readers, most of you already should know my country was a successful oil and derivatives producer until the red plague devastated it. Political facts that led to man-made disasters apart, there are some crucial aspects this fuel crisis has made me more aware than ever.
First, you really need a place with a garden to produce your stuff and the means to defend it. (I think I had mentioned this already). Second, you´re going to need much more than just canned food, guns, and ammo. If you plan for a six months disaster, very likely this can last 5 years. Don´t ask me how I know that.
This being said, you´re going to need much more than just what I have mentioned. Everything we used to have on the cheap just in a few weeks, suddenly is under jeopardy, threatened by the coming and goings of international trade, now under a new and fairly gloomy light. Cheap shoes, clothing, blankets, I start to wonder if they are going to be there in a few more months. Once stocks run dry, prices are going to go up. Given anything is left.
With this situation and everyone´s income diminished severely, the procurement of some basic needs has been delayed. Underwear buying, shoes, and other stuff we need have been put on hold…indefinitely. And yes, these items are as important as the other ones. Maybe not “urgent” but important, yes, they are.
Clothing
In all-seasons weather, where you need more clothes, one of the solutions is to have tons of good quality clothes. Fashion can wait for better times. You will have to use the same clothes maybe for two or three years, that´s why you´re going to need good quality stuff. Depending on how vigorously you wash it, it should last longer. (One of my “green” devices is going to be exactly for that very same application).
Our weather is normally as hotter, and much more humid, than your average summer. Therefore, we tend to use our same clothes until these are faded and worn, because they are not used to buying clothes for the “new season”. In my case, I´d been buying clothes a piece every couple of months, needed it or not. That was when I had a good salary, but I had already understood that having plenty of clothes and using them alternately should make them last longer.
Shoes
Same with shoes. Most of my college years I used two pairs of welder´s boots with steel toes (they were comfortable enough and dirt cheap), one pair of cowboy boots, and a pair of sports shoes I used sparely. I´m talking 5 years. My daily driver was the cowboy boots, and they were repaired beyond believing. I used to walk a lot, and the leather held up pretty well. At least in city conditions. In, other soil and terrain, duration surely decreases.
I am looking now to get a pair of jungle boots (terrain at my cottage is rocky, and snakes are abundant) and make some knee-high ankle protection for the kiddo, just like those used in the trench wars. I have been thinking than some soft leather properly treated should work as a good start, but that is material for coming articles once I can produce my own hide from some native species.
For those with more manual skills, I would advise getting some shoes repairing material and I mean the good stuff. Kilometer of thread in diverse sizes, and a good quality leather sewing machine (after a couple of years, polymer-based fabrics may start to show wear, unless they are extremely good quality) is going to be a quite good investment. Experience has taught me enough these last few years, and I´d rather have a few profitable skills than just one specialization in this now confined-by-disease new world.
I would advise quite seriously those in warmer climates to get a few pairs of leather sandals. These can be repaired at home (make sure to look and download for some online tutorials and get the materials you may need) and could last for years without excessive wear. In weather such as Tibet, sherpas use Yak leather sandals, with thick wool socks, and have been using them for a long time. Maybe this would help to make your rubber boots last longer.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
What about the fuel shortage?
This being said, I am analyzing how to get around the fuel scarcity we will find once we arrive in Venezuela. One of the possibilities, is generating fuel to burn. A biodigester would be the choice and a very good one. However, until not trying it actively, I can´t but keep an enthusiastic optimism about it. Once I´ve built one, filled up a bottle at 4 bars with a compressor, and drove to my hometown back and forth in my cruiser, I will be able to base my articles on solid facts.
It´s almost 40 kilometers, and using the bike daily is prohibitive. Too much fuel needed for such a large engine, over 1000cc. (75 cu. In.) Even being gentle on the throttle, it would gulp gas. I´m already in the concept and visualization stage of the needed accessories: a “governor” fixed to the right handle and a gas valve attached to this lever, next to the carb, with a fitting and a hose running straight into it. Diameters will be dictated by trial and error, and the gas reservoir will be a small bottle. This will be carried in a bracket inside a small two-wheeled trailer, indispensable to increase the loading capacity of the bike and taking some products to the hometown.
Stay tuned for this project. It´s going to be a real survival essay, on how to actually make something within limited means in a devastated land.
The other alternative is using an electric motor for our already existing bike. There are different designs, but I´d favor the one used on the front wheel, with a pull-behind cart to carry a large battery rack, with a 30 or 50W solar panel on top. In my area, this could be a huge lifesaver. Electric bikes are all but forbidden. No one is going to give a 2nd look at a bicycle with a cart. A real problem could be delinquency, but this could be managed with a smart schedule and without routines. No thug wakes early, at least in my hometown. Anyway, the armed ones have been so active roaming the streets terrifying people that any potential assaulter is going to think twice before leaving out on the open. Once the quarantine is finished, people will start to move more or less normally…without gasoline. I´ve heard about elders and pregnant women walking 7 or 8 km from their humble homes to downtown to buy some food. People is seen walking on the streets, or in all kind of vehicles, instead of cars.
Therefore, the kit to assemble or convert your current bike to an electric bicycle would be a great addition for most people in Venezuela. No matter your country is filled up to the top with fuel. Just assign a low priority but keep it in mind just in case. See what has happened, and use it to prepare your plans B, C, and D. The possibility of a global fuel supply scarcity or some other holocaust, now seems to be more plausible than ever, under this light.
Back on topic, just the possibility to move silently for a relatively long distance without too much physical effort is worth it. It is even possible to make an off-road bug out, if you have experience in off-road cycling. Remember we are not getting any younger, and carrying a load is a completely different experience than just hiking with a small daypack and a few items. That’s why my plans have changed drastically for the next threats. Because I’m sure, this is just beginning. Mark my words.
Choose carefully
I will not provide any links this time, and please forgive me this time. There are too many alternatives out there and I cannot check which ones are suited.
Make sure you get your equipment from a trusted source preferably local, and that you are not feeding any beast that has already bitten our (global) backside. We have to make an effort to recover our respective local economies, instead of buying manufactured goods made by slave workers exploited by a despotic regime, just because they are cheaper.
Remember, if you buy cheap, you buy twice. There will arise tons of opportunities, now the global market seems to be reshaping completely. If you have some business idea to execute from a small or medium-sized workshop, I am sure that in countries with a developed economy and stability, it will be taken in account much differently.
Be safe people, and keep prepping no matter what.
About Jose
Jose is an upper middle class professional. He is a former worker of the oil state company with a Bachelor’s degree from one of the best national Universities. He has a small 4 members family, plus two cats and a dog. An old but in good shape SUV, a good 150 square meters house in a nice neighborhood, in a small but (formerly) prosperous city with two middle size malls. Jose is a prepper and shares his eyewitness accounts and survival stories from the collapse of his beloved Venezuela. Thanks to your help Jose has gotten his family out of Venezuela. They are currently setting up a new life in another country. Follow Jose on YouTube and gain access to his exclusive content on Patreon. Donations: paypal.me/JoseM151


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--Attorney: 1,200 California Pastors Agree To Reopen May 31 In Defiance Of Stay-At-Home Order – CBS Sa

Attorney: 1,200 California Pastors Agree To Reopen May 31 In Defiance Of Stay-At-Home Order – CBS San Francisco

SACRAMENTO ( CBS / AP ) — More than 1,200 California pastors say they will resume in-person services on May @ @ @ @ @ .
Gavin Newsom ’ s stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ some businesses to reopen as the state ’ s number of virus-related hospitalizations has flattened @ @ @ @ @ banned , along with hair salons and sporting events .
Newsom said Monday churches could @ @ @ @ @ months .
But many churches are tired of waiting .
Wednesday , a lawyer representing @ @ @ @ @ has sued Newsom said more than 1,200 pastors have signed a “ declaration of essentiality @ @ @ @ @ to reopen on May 31 while observing physical distancing and other precautions .
Attorney Robert @ @ @ @ @ multiple churches .
He expects as many as 3,000 churches across California could have in-person @ @ @ @ @ “ This letter was not sent for the purposes of asking for permission , ” @ @ @

SACRAMENTO (CBS / AP) — More than 1,200 California pastors say they will resume in-person services on May 31 in defiance of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.
Newsom has gradually allowed some businesses to reopen as the state’s number of virus-related hospitalizations has flattened. But churches are still banned, along with hair salons and sporting events. Newsom said Monday churches could reopen in weeks, not months.
But many churches are tired of waiting. Wednesday, a lawyer representing a church in Lodi that has sued Newsom said more than 1,200 pastors have signed a “declaration of essentiality” that announces their plan to reopen on May 31 while observing physical distancing and other precautions.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Attorney Robert Tyler said some pastors represent multiple churches. He expects as many as 3,000 churches across California could have in-person services on May 31.
“This letter was not sent for the purposes of asking for permission,” he said.
sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/05/21/1200-california-pastors-agree-to-reopen-may-31-defy-newsomf-stay-at-home-order/


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--Sydney Powell just dropped “The Hammer” on Fox Business. Reveals that Obama had a massive widespread

Sydney Powell just dropped “The Hammer” on Fox Business. Reveals that Obama had a massive widespread secret surveillance system called The Hammer to illegally spy on ALL THE DEMS‘ POLITICAL OPPONENTS.

Obama used the intelligence agencies to listen in on all his political opponents .

by BigDaddyKaner
Nixon tapped one phone.
He’s reviled and hated.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Obama used the intelligence agencies to listen in on all his political opponents.
Dindu Nuffin


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--It’s time to stop dealing with China and remove all Chinese interests from the west. They are a lite

It’s time to stop dealing with China and remove all Chinese interests from the west. They are a literal communist plague.

The world is divorcing from China .
Sky News host Paul Murray says “ there is a brand new threat @ @ @ @ @ Communist Party who have said they “ are ready to hurt the Australian economy ” @ @ @ @ @ Global Times reported “ it seems the Australian government has no intention of sowing new @ @ @ @ @ China , but the possibility of deteriorating tensions escalating into a trade war should not @ @ @ @ @ Murray said it is clear China is once again “ threatening us ” and they @ @ @ @ @ actions that they are going after us ” .
“ First it was barley , @ @ @ @ @ and now the big game , iron ore ” .
The Age reported “ China @ @ @ @ @ released new rules coming into force on June 1 that officials would conduct quality inspections @ @ @ @ @ the request of the buyer ” .
“ The buyer of course is the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ Murray said .

The world is divorcing from China.
Sky News host Paul Murray says “there is a brand new threat” issued by the Chinese Communist Party who have said they “are ready to hurt the Australian economy”.
China’s The Global Times reported “it seems the Australian government has no intention of sowing new troubles in its trade with China, but the possibility of deteriorating tensions escalating into a trade war should not be ignored”.
Mr Murray said it is clear China is once again “threatening us” and they “are confirming by their actions that they are going after us”.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
“First it was barley, then a bit on beef and now the big game, iron ore”.
The Age reported “China’s customs authorities have released new rules coming into force on June 1 that officials would conduct quality inspections for iron ore shipments at the request of the buyer”.
“The buyer of course is the Chinese Communist Party,” Mr Murray said.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--LPT: Don’t bother using Google to research topics that are contrary to the establishment narrative.

LPT: Don’t bother using Google to research topics that are contrary to the establishment narrative. Use Duck Duck Go instead.

As you can see from the two google searches shown in the images , Google has completely scrapped any mention @ @ @ @ @ due to censorship .
On the other hand , the SAME EXACT search term yields @ @ @ @ @ Duck Duck Go .
The point is whenever you are researching a topic that is @ @ @ @ @ narrative , don ’ t bother using Google because they will censor EVERYTHING .
Use @ @ @ @ @ uncensored search engines .
EDIT : Looks like Google eased up restrictions on the search @ @ @ @ @ Either way , here ’ s another example of search results suppression : deep state @ @ @ @ @ DDG : i.imgur.com/TLM1Cqb.png

by TAEHSAEN
As you can see from the two google searches shown in the images, Google has completely scrapped any mention of Joe Rogan leaving Youtube due to censorship.
On the other hand, the SAME EXACT search term yields the exactly relevant results on Duck Duck Go.
The point is whenever you are researching a topic that is contrary to the prevailing establishment narrative, don’t bother using Google because they will censor EVERYTHING.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Use Duck Duck Go or similar uncensored search engines.
EDIT: Looks like Google eased up restrictions on the search results since my post.
Either way, here’s another example of search results suppression: deep state killed kennedy, Google vs. DDG: i.imgur.com/TLM1Cqb.png


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--Video captures brutal nursing home beating involving 20-year-old suspect also living in the home

Detroit police say a 20-year-old patient is a suspect in the violent attack that occurred in a Detroit nursing home @

Detroit police say a 20-year-old patient is a suspect in the violent attack that occurred in a Detroit nursing home.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--President Dwight Eisenhower, in His 1961 Farewell Speech, Prophetically Warned Us of the Country Bei

President Dwight Eisenhower, in His 1961 Farewell Speech, Prophetically Warned Us of the Country Being Ruled By an Unelected ‘Scientific-Technological Elite’

President Dwight D. Eisenhower was one of the most intelligent men to sit in the Oval Office .
He wasn ’ t just a good leader .
He was also quite prescient , known for his discussion of the Military Industrial Complex during his farewell speech in 1961 .
This was essentially a prediction of what we saw with the Vietnam War and both Gulf Wars , particularly the second that was driven by this so-called Military Industrial Complex .
But in the same speech , he told of another challenge America would face , a challenge that we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the coronavirus crisis .
His fear was that scientific-technological elite would drive policy .
When you read this quote , keep Dr. Anthony Fauci , Bill Gates , and other scientific-technological elites in mind .
We are seeing this very clearly happening today .
It is the scientific-technological elite who are driving lockdown policies .
Our “ leaders ” are deferring to these elites in ways that are harming our nation and destroying our very future .
We will be discussing Bill Gates specifically in our NOQ Report Podcast later this afternoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words and the current state of affairs in this latest episode .
As long our leaders allow their decisions to be driven almost exclusively by the “ approved ” doctors , we ’ re going to continue these piecemeal “ ends ” to the lockdowns .
We need to hear all of the facts .
Eisenhower ’ s warning must be heeded .
You may want to watch , Secret History of Silicon Valley .
Definitely aligns with Eisenhowers speech , since it was all being developed on the west coast at that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on that video , which adds additional context to the original lecture .

by Venus230
President Dwight D. Eisenhower was one of the most intelligent men to sit in the Oval Office. He wasn’t just a good leader. He was also quite prescient, known for his discussion of the Military Industrial Complex during his farewell speech in 1961. This was essentially a prediction of what we saw with the Vietnam War and both Gulf Wars, particularly the second that was driven by this so-called Military Industrial Complex.
But in the same speech, he told of another challenge America would face, a challenge that we’re seeing rearing its ugly head today during the coronavirus crisis. His fear was that scientific-technological elite would drive policy. When you read this quote, keep Dr. Anthony Fauci, Bill Gates, and other scientific-technological elites in mind.
In holding scientific research and discovery in respect, as we should, we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific-technological elite.
We are seeing this very clearly happening today. It is the scientific-technological elite who are driving lockdown policies. Our “leaders” are deferring to these elites in ways that are harming our nation and destroying our very future. We will be discussing Bill Gates specifically in our NOQ Report Podcast later this afternoon, but I addressed Eisenhower’s words and the current state of affairs in this latest episode.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
As long our leaders allow their decisions to be driven almost exclusively by the “approved” doctors, we’re going to continue these piecemeal “ends” to the lockdowns. We need to hear all of the facts. Eisenhower’s warning must be heeded.
NOQ Report Podcast.
You may want to watch, Secret History of Silicon Valley. Definitely aligns with Eisenhowers speech, since it was all being developed on the west coast at that time.
James Corbett did a video on that video, which adds additional context to the original lecture.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--Dire Situation In Alabama Capital: ICUs Full, Coronavirus Cases Double In May

The mayor of Montgomery , Alabama , says the city ’ s health care system has been “ maxed out ” as cases of coronavirus have more than doubled in May—a sharp contrast to the slowing coronavirus spread that ’ s taken place across much of the U.S.—while city businesses were allowed to reopen May 11 , even as it appeared that Alabama hadn ’ t hit White House reopening guidelines .
Major hospitals in the Montgomery area have run out of ICU beds , Mayor Steven Reed said at a news conference Wednesday , while others only one or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of care are now instead being sent 90 miles away to Birmingham , Alabama , the mayor said , a step the city hasn ’ t had to take until now .
Over 470 people have tested positive in Montgomery over the past two weeks , the Alabama Political Reporter notes , while the city only had a cumulative total of 355 cases going into May .
With cases quickly rising , the city was placed on an unreleased White House hotspot watch list on May 7 , according to NBC News , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But despite the rapid spread , businesses in the city were allowed to reopen starting May 11 , after Governor Kay Ivey officially moved Alabama into Phase 1 of its reopening .
As of now , Montgomery is not expected to run out of ventilators , a city health official said at Wednesday ’ s news conference .

The mayor of Montgomery, Alabama, says the city’s health care system has been “maxed out” as cases of coronavirus have more than doubled in May—a sharp contrast to the slowing coronavirus spread that’s taken place across much of the U.S.—while city businesses were allowed to reopen May 11, even as it appeared that Alabama hadn’t hit White House reopening guidelines.
Major hospitals in the Montgomery area have run out of ICU beds, Mayor Steven Reed said at a news conference Wednesday, while others only one or two beds left.
Patients in need of care are now instead being sent 90 miles away to Birmingham, Alabama, the mayor said, a step the city hasn’t had to take until now.
Over 470 people have tested positive in Montgomery over the past two weeks, the Alabama Political Reporter notes, while the city only had a cumulative total of 355 cases going into May.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
With cases quickly rising, the city was placed on an unreleased White House hotspot watch list on May 7, according to NBC News, which obtained a copy of the report.
But despite the rapid spread, businesses in the city were allowed to reopen starting May 11, after Governor Kay Ivey officially moved Alabama into Phase 1 of its reopening.
As of now, Montgomery is not expected to run out of ventilators, a city health official said at Wednesday’s news conference.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--Grocery stores need to be designed better for the pandemic

Currently , all stores are optimized for shoppers to spend as much time inside the shop as possible so that @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t intend to .
That is the reason we have the milk and @ @ @ @ @ the entrance , so that you circle through the other aisles to get there .
@ @ @ @ @ they don ’ t label the aisles with what is present there and instead just @ @ @ @ @ here you are forced to either interact with the workers or move through the aisles @ @ @ @ @ to look up the aisle numbers online ) .
I get that grocery stores are @ @ @ @ @ virus , instituting senior hours , enforcing social distancing , masks and ramping up their @ @ @ @ @ all that .
But these huge box stores need to seriously consider design changes as @ @ @ @ @ not like people aren ’ t buying at these stores — in most places , @ @ @ @ @ up .

by Responsible_Reveal
Currently, all stores are optimized for shoppers to spend as much time inside the shop as possible so that people buy stuff they initially didn’t intend to. That is the reason we have the milk and eggs aisle furthest away from the entrance, so that you circle through the other aisles to get there. Costco is even worse, they don’t label the aisles with what is present there and instead just number them. Again, here you are forced to either interact with the workers or move through the aisles (not everyone is going to look up the aisle numbers online).
www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct-xpm-2010-10-13-sc-food-1008-supermarket-20101013-story.html
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
soyummy.com/no-costco-aisle-signs/
I get that grocery stores are actually coping well with the virus, instituting senior hours, enforcing social distancing, masks and ramping up their curbside programs and I appreciate all that. But these huge box stores need to seriously consider design changes as well, it’s not like people aren’t buying at these stores — in most places, grocery store sales are way up.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--Blood VS swab test

Blood VS swab test

I only posted this for informational purposes only .

by Paulsybrandy1980
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
I only posted this for informational purposes only.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--Governor Cuomo urges New Yorkers to wear masks

If people wear mask , the infection rate will decrease and businesses can open safely .

If people wear mask, the infection rate will decrease and businesses can open safely.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
AC


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--More evidence emerges on why covid-19 is so much worse than the flu

Critical parts of the lungs of patients infected by the novel coronavirus also suffered many microscopic blood clots and appeared @ @ @ @ @ by growing tiny new blood vessels , the researchers reported .
The observations in a @ @ @ @ @ buttress reports from physicians treating covid-19 patients .
Doctors have described widespread damage to blood @ @ @ @ @ blood clots that would not be expected in a respiratory disease .

Critical parts of the lungs of patients infected by the novel coronavirus also suffered many microscopic blood clots and appeared to respond to the attack by growing tiny new blood vessels, the researchers reported.
The observations in a small number of autopsied lungs buttress reports from physicians treating covid-19 patients. Doctors have described widespread damage to blood vessels and the presence of blood clots that would not be expected in a respiratory disease.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
www.washingtonpost.com/health/more-evidence-emerges-on-why-covid-19-is-so-much-worse-than-the-flu/2020/05/21/e7814588-9ba5-11ea-a2b3-5c3f2d1586df_story.html


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--Now I understand Why Bill Gates is so powerful in the COVID19 Issue

Social media platforms keeps censoring nurses and doctors but allow an engineer to tell us about our health .
Disclaimer @ @ @ @ @ post and it doesn ’ t necessarily represent the views of IWB .

by makiababi
Social media platforms keeps censoring nurses and doctors but allow an engineer to tell us about our health.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Disclaimer: This is a guest post and it doesn’t necessarily represent the views of IWB.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-22--McCarthy on Pelosi’s “Proxy Voting” – The Biggest Power Grab In the History of Congress

Throughout the past several months , this pandemic has wreaked havoc around the world .
There has been devastating loss of life , millions have been forced out of work , and others have been asked to work from home .
But some Americans are essential to our safety and well being .
And they continue to report to their appointed place of duty .
Among them are the heroes who put on their uniform every single day to serve and protect our communities .
This week as we recognize National Police Week , I want every one of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Capitol and those standing watch across the country – to know how much America appreciates their dedication to our safety .
May God Bless you each and every day .
—— For weeks now Republicans have urged the Speaker to re-open Congress and get us back to work for the country .
But eroding the power of the people and attempting to pass a parody of a relief bill isn ’ t what we had in mind .
Yet , that is exactly what Democrats have on the agenda for today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through their “ proxy vote , ” or Congress ’ s most significant power grab in history actually means : Lets members of Congress stay home while they continue to collect a paycheck – a luxury many Americans don ’ t have Diminishes the voice of the people — individuals lend their voice to their representative .
Democrats are trying to erase Americans ’ vote by making it transferable to other members .
Tramples on the Constitution and destroys 200-years of precedent and tradition .
There is no question we must continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why myself and ranking members Rodney Davis and Tom Cole proposed a plan to do just that .
But the proxy vote falls woefully short of that objective .
HEROES Act We will also be voting on the Democrats ’ so-called Heroes Act , or a more suitable description “ Pelosi ’ s Partisan Wishlist.
” The only bipartisan consensus on this joke of a legislation , including analysis by the media , is that this bill is an unrealistic proposal that has no chance of becoming law .
Here are a just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is beyond parody , and includes many provisions that have absolutely nothing to do with fighting COVID-19 : Mentions “ cannabis ” more than job Aims to change election laws Suspends the cap on SALT tax deductions – a policy change that would directly benefit millionaires and billionaires Provides millions of more dollars for an endowment for the arts and humanities This proposal is laughable at best – a slap in the face to the American people .
Even more insulting to our constituents is that Democrats have included a provision into today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remain in recess until July 21 .
In other words , while many Americans are working , Pelosi is preparing the House for extended recess , even beyond the initial 45-day proxy voting period .
This is not only unacceptable , it is a dereliction of our duty as representatives .
At a time of unprecedented need , Congress must answer the call to fulfill our responsibilities to the American people , not remain in recess for months at a time .
Instead of pushing a liberal wishlist , we must focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work safely , incentivizing rehiring and removing regulatory barriers to help job creation , protecting our mom and pop shops from frivolous lawsuits , and returning our supply chain from China .
That should be our focus – it is why the American people voted for us to represent them in Washington , and it is the mission we must work tirelessly to fulfill .
—

Throughout the past several months, this pandemic has wreaked havoc around the world.
There has been devastating loss of life, millions have been forced out of work, and others have been asked to work from home.
But some Americans are essential to our safety and well being. And they continue to report to their appointed place of duty. Among them are the heroes who put on their uniform every single day to serve and protect our communities.
This week as we recognize National Police Week, I want every one of our officers – from those serving right here in the Capitol and those standing watch across the country – to know how much America appreciates their dedication to our safety. May God Bless you each and every day.
——
For weeks now Republicans have urged the Speaker to re-open Congress and get us back to work for the country. But eroding the power of the people and attempting to pass a parody of a relief bill isn’t what we had in mind. Yet, that is exactly what Democrats have on the agenda for today.
Proxy Vote
First let me talk through their “proxy vote,” or Congress’s most significant power grab in history actually means:
Lets members of Congress stay home while they continue to collect a paycheck – a luxury many Americans don’t have
Diminishes the voice of the people — individuals lend their voice to their representative. Democrats are trying to erase Americans’ vote by making it transferable to other members.
Tramples on the Constitution and destroys 200-years of precedent and tradition.
There is no question we must continue to deliver for the country, which is why myself and ranking members Rodney Davis and Tom Cole proposed a plan to do just that. But the proxy vote falls woefully short of that objective.
HEROES Act
We will also be voting on the Democrats’ so-called Heroes Act, or a more suitable description “Pelosi’s Partisan Wishlist.” The only bipartisan consensus on this joke of a legislation, including analysis by the media, is that this bill is an unrealistic proposal that has no chance of becoming law.
Here are a just a few examples of how this bill is beyond parody, and includes many provisions that have absolutely nothing to do with fighting COVID-19:
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Mentions “cannabis” more than job
Aims to change election laws
Suspends the cap on SALT tax deductions – a policy change that would directly benefit millionaires and billionaires
Provides millions of more dollars for an endowment for the arts and humanities
This proposal is laughable at best – a slap in the face to the American people.
Even more insulting to our constituents is that Democrats have included a provision into today’s rule that allows the House to remain in recess until July 21.
In other words, while many Americans are working, Pelosi is preparing the House for extended recess, even beyond the initial 45-day proxy voting period.
This is not only unacceptable, it is a dereliction of our duty as representatives.
At a time of unprecedented need, Congress must answer the call to fulfill our responsibilities to the American people, not remain in recess for months at a time.
Instead of pushing a liberal wishlist, we must focus on helping to get America back to work safely, incentivizing rehiring and removing regulatory barriers to help job creation, protecting our mom and pop shops from frivolous lawsuits, and returning our supply chain from China.
That should be our focus – it is why the American people voted for us to represent them in Washington, and it is the mission we must work tirelessly to fulfill.
—