investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--Will The Labor Market Continue To improve?

Based on continued claims in the survey week , consumer confidence , the ISM services employment index , the household pulse survey , and the ADP private sector payrolls survey , this July labor report was supposed to be very weak .
We actually thought there might be job losses .
This was completely wrong as there were 1.763 million jobs added .
That ’ s below the 4.791 million added in May , but that ’ s a given .
Even if we saw no economic slowdown , there was always going to be fewer jobs added because the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still plenty of room left in the labor market obviously .
It ’ s just that the trend is towards more normalized job creation .
This report slightly beat estimates for a 1.675 million increase .
This report is very exciting because we are left to imagine how great the reading would have been without the spike in COVID-19 cases in the hotspots .
We already saw the labor market is starting to improve at a more rapid pace in the jobless claims reading from the week of August 1st .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August than July .
You know this report was great because on Friday the small cap value index rose 2.4 % even though a stimulus package wasn ’ t passed .
Where The Jobs Were There were 301,000 government jobs added which means there were 1.462 million private sector jobs added which slightly missed estimates for 1.525 million .
That ’ s immaterial when you consider private sector job creation was about 1.3 million above the ADP reading and we thought there might be job losses .
As you can see from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hospitality jobs added .
This industry pays the least , but it still needs to add the most jobs .
At the bottom it lost almost half its jobs .
It ’ s now down 25.7 % since February .
On the other side , information lost 15,000 jobs and it pays its workers the most .
Even though the tech sector has had a great recovery since the bottom in March , this sector has experienced the 3rd most losses on a percentage basis .
Information employment is down 11.4 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This sector is experiencing a strong recovery , but don ’ t expect it to drive job creation as this is a service based economy .
The fear has always been that permanent job losses would slow a recovery .
The temporary job losses are easy to regain , while the permanent losses would be a long slog to regain like a typical recession .
There were 2.9 million permanent job losses in July which is slightly lower than in June .
The chart below shows the decline in the unemployment rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change in the non-temporary losses .
Some economists are saying this is as good as it gets because unemployment insurance ran out .
We disagree .
This solid report came in spite of a rise in COVID-19 cases in the south and the west .
If the recent decline continues , the labor market will rapidly improve in August with or without a bolstered stimulus ( compared to Trump ’ s executive order ) .
To be clear , the stimulus is still important .
Last month we mentioned that a weak jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal quicker , but instead we got a great report .
It ’ s also notable that there were strong job gains again even with the boosted unemployment benefits in July , proving again that people aren ’ t purposely staying unemployed to collect benefits .
The labor market is obviously still in terrible shape as the current unemployment rate is higher than the peak in the last cycle .
In this report , it fell from 11.1 % to 10.2 % which was below the consensus of 10.5 % .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the unemployment rate only fell from 10 % to 9.8 % .
In this recovery it has fallen 4.5 % .
If the jobless claims report from the week of August 1st is any indication of August ’ s report .
The U3 rate could fall even more than it did in July .
The U6 unemployment rate fell from 18 % to 16.5 % .
Since it fell more than the headline rate , there were fewer under-unemployed people .
The labor force participation rate fell 0.1 % to 61.4 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it rose 0.7 % last month .
Generally , when this metric rises fast , it reverts back .
It was at 63.4 % before the recession .
It might never get back to the pre-recession rate because it ’ s in a long term downtrend as baby boomers age and retire .
By the time the labor market gets as full as it was in February 2020 , many boomers will have aged out of the labor force .
The prime age labor force participation rate fell from 81.5 % to 81.3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ below where it was in February .
Average hourly earnings growth was 4.8 % on a yearly basis which was down 0.1 % from June and above estimates for 4.1 % .
Growth was pretty strong when you consider that the most jobs were created in the lowest paying industry and the most losses were in the highest paying industry .
The Craziest Chart of The Year The chart below is the craziest chart of the year .
That ’ s saying something because we have extreme rallies in precious metals and speculative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the housing market .
As you can see , the used car index had a recessionary decline in 1 month and then a meteoric rise off the bottom in the next 3 months .
Normal used car supply is 44 days of sales , but in July it was 34 days as there is a used car shortage .
Cox Automotive estimates used vehicle sales fell 4 % yearly which beat out the 12 % decline in new vehicle sales .
Wholesale used vehicle prices rose 5.8 % monthly and 12.5 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transportation carries virus risk .
Plus , people are doing more outdoor activities .
This was a very strong jobs report which is different from what we expected based on a number of indicators .
If the labor market can grow solidly when COVID-19 cases are spiking , imagine how good it will do when cases are falling like they are in August .
The used vehicle index had an unbelievable rebound as people are using public transportation less and need a car for various social distancing activities .
People are also flying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is the perfect storm for used car demand .

by UPFINA
Based on continued claims in the survey week, consumer confidence, the ISM services employment index, the household pulse survey, and the ADP private sector payrolls survey, this July labor report was supposed to be very weak. We actually thought there might be job losses. This was completely wrong as there were 1.763 million jobs added. That’s below the 4.791 million added in May, but that’s a given. Even if we saw no economic slowdown, there was always going to be fewer jobs added because the easiest fruit had been picked.
There is still plenty of room left in the labor market obviously. It’s just that the trend is towards more normalized job creation. This report slightly beat estimates for a 1.675 million increase. This report is very exciting because we are left to imagine how great the reading would have been without the spike in COVID-19 cases in the hotspots. We already saw the labor market is starting to improve at a more rapid pace in the jobless claims reading from the week of August 1st. There might actually be more jobs created in August than July. You know this report was great because on Friday the small cap value index rose 2.4% even though a stimulus package wasn’t passed.
Where The Jobs Were
There were 301,000 government jobs added which means there were 1.462 million private sector jobs added which slightly missed estimates for 1.525 million. That’s immaterial when you consider private sector job creation was about 1.3 million above the ADP reading and we thought there might be job losses. As you can see from the table below, there were 592,000 leisure and hospitality jobs added. This industry pays the least, but it still needs to add the most jobs. At the bottom it lost almost half its jobs. It’s now down 25.7% since February.
On the other side, information lost 15,000 jobs and it pays its workers the most. Even though the tech sector has had a great recovery since the bottom in March, this sector has experienced the 3rd most losses on a percentage basis. Information employment is down 11.4% since February. Manufacturing created 26,000 jobs. This sector is experiencing a strong recovery, but don’t expect it to drive job creation as this is a service based economy.
Permanent Job Losses Maintained
The fear has always been that permanent job losses would slow a recovery. The temporary job losses are easy to regain, while the permanent losses would be a long slog to regain like a typical recession. There were 2.9 million permanent job losses in July which is slightly lower than in June.
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The chart below shows the decline in the unemployment rate for temporary job losses and basically no change in the non-temporary losses. Some economists are saying this is as good as it gets because unemployment insurance ran out. We disagree. This solid report came in spite of a rise in COVID-19 cases in the south and the west. If the recent decline continues, the labor market will rapidly improve in August with or without a bolstered stimulus (compared to Trump’s executive order). To be clear, the stimulus is still important. Last month we mentioned that a weak jobs report might encourage Congress to make a deal quicker, but instead we got a great report. It’s also notable that there were strong job gains again even with the boosted unemployment benefits in July, proving again that people aren’t purposely staying unemployed to collect benefits.
Permanent job loss has flatlined, while temporary layoff unemployment shrinks. pic.twitter.com/b94mhwkns4 — Nick Bunker (@nick_bunker) August 7, 2020
The labor market is obviously still in terrible shape as the current unemployment rate is higher than the peak in the last cycle. In this report, it fell from 11.1% to 10.2% which was below the consensus of 10.5%. In the first 3 months of the last recovery, the unemployment rate only fell from 10% to 9.8%. In this recovery it has fallen 4.5%. If the jobless claims report from the week of August 1st is any indication of August’s report. The U3 rate could fall even more than it did in July. The U6 unemployment rate fell from 18% to 16.5%. Since it fell more than the headline rate, there were fewer under-unemployed people.
Participation Rate & Wage Growth
The labor force participation rate fell 0.1% to 61.4%. That’s still good since it rose 0.7% last month. Generally, when this metric rises fast, it reverts back. It was at 63.4% before the recession. It might never get back to the pre-recession rate because it’s in a long term downtrend as baby boomers age and retire. By the time the labor market gets as full as it was in February 2020, many boomers will have aged out of the labor force. The prime age labor force participation rate fell from 81.5% to 81.3%. It’s 1.7% below where it was in February.
Average hourly earnings growth was 4.8% on a yearly basis which was down 0.1% from June and above estimates for 4.1%. Growth was pretty strong when you consider that the most jobs were created in the lowest paying industry and the most losses were in the highest paying industry.
The Craziest Chart of The Year
The chart below is the craziest chart of the year. That’s saying something because we have extreme rallies in precious metals and speculative stocks along with a V shaped recovery in the housing market. As you can see, the used car index had a recessionary decline in 1 month and then a meteoric rise off the bottom in the next 3 months. Normal used car supply is 44 days of sales, but in July it was 34 days as there is a used car shortage. Cox Automotive estimates used vehicle sales fell 4% yearly which beat out the 12% decline in new vehicle sales. Wholesale used vehicle prices rose 5.8% monthly and 12.5% yearly. Cars are important when public transportation carries virus risk. Plus, people are doing more outdoor activities.
Cox Automotive: Used Vehicle Values Set New Record for Second Straight Month. Seasonally-adjusted wholesale used vehicle prices increased 5.84% m/m in July. This brought the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index to 158.0, a 12.5% increase from a year ago pic.twitter.com/8hB9Ynwef7 — autoanalyst (@autosanalyst) August 7, 2020
Conclusion
This was a very strong jobs report which is different from what we expected based on a number of indicators. If the labor market can grow solidly when COVID-19 cases are spiking, imagine how good it will do when cases are falling like they are in August. The used vehicle index had an unbelievable rebound as people are using public transportation less and need a car for various social distancing activities. People are also flying much less and have extra savings. This is the perfect storm for used car demand.


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--It’s time to load on puts?

It’s time to load on puts?

Forgive me the language/grammar , I am Italian I am 100 % certain that we ’ ll see a small correction in the coming weeks .
It might even be a big one .
Follow me .
• VIX Index is heading for its “ support level ” at 22 .
As you can see on the daily chart , when the market priced in the fear for the pandemic and the sell off started on the 24th , the VIX raised its threshold , and we are now headed back for that .
In my opinion it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are not ready to go lower than 22 unless there are some new bullish fundamentals .
And even if we break 22 we shouldn ’ t go lower than 20.2 • We are heading for all time highs on S & P 500 .
Huge psychological milestone coming up .
There will be a lot of headlines saying that we reached ATH on stocks just a few months later the whole crisis started and there will be a lot of profit taking and after a few red days , it could quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at options prices , in particular spreads , it ’ s easy too see that the sentiment is overly bullish compared to the actual real probabilities based on historical data • As stocks are volatile assets , the S & P 500 obviously deviates quite a lot form its 200 week moving average .
Hower , it stays in a certain range and it ’ s pretty rare that it goes 25 % higher than its 200 week moving average , and we are already there • RSI on the weekly chart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” of the past 2 and a half years in the 63-68 range , when it reached it previously we had a correction 75 % of the time .
• Daily volume is at its minimum since the corona crash • There ’ s a lot of uncertainty with fundamentals , such as the election that is coming up , and the COVID cases that are rising rapidly in a lot of developed economies as we are heading for the autumn The early target for SPY for this correction is in the 306-308 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is only for educational purposes .
Do not make any investment decisions based on the information in this article .
Do you own due diligence or consult your financial professional before making any investment decision .

by bragghy
Forgive me the language/grammar, I am Italian
I am 100% certain that we’ll see a small correction in the coming weeks. It might even be a big one. Follow me.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
VIX Index is heading for its “support level” at 22. As you can see on the daily chart, when the market priced in the fear for the pandemic and the sell off started on the 24th, the VIX raised its threshold, and we are now headed back for that. In my opinion it’s likely that volatility will rise and that we are not ready to go lower than 22 unless there are some new bullish fundamentals. And even if we break 22 we shouldn’t go lower than 20.2 We are heading for all time highs on S&P 500. Huge psychological milestone coming up. There will be a lot of headlines saying that we reached ATH on stocks just a few months later the whole crisis started and there will be a lot of profit taking and after a few red days, it could quickly become panic selling. If you look at options prices, in particular spreads, it’s easy too see that the sentiment is overly bullish compared to the actual real probabilities based on historical data As stocks are volatile assets, the S&P 500 obviously deviates quite a lot form its 200 week moving average. Hower, it stays in a certain range and it’s pretty rare that it goes 25% higher than its 200 week moving average, and we are already there RSI on the weekly chart is heading for its “resistance level” of the past 2 and a half years in the 63-68 range, when it reached it previously we had a correction 75% of the time. Daily volume is at its minimum since the corona crash There’s a lot of uncertainty with fundamentals, such as the election that is coming up, and the COVID cases that are rising rapidly in a lot of developed economies as we are heading for the autumn
The early target for SPY for this correction is in the 306-308 range imo.
Positions:
9/04 VXX 40c
9/11 SPY 310p
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 or consult your financial professional before making any investment decision.


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--We’ll be at $30T in debt in early 2021. Then adding $1.5-$2T/yr thereafter (if we’re lucky)

These deficits assume no recessions other than the one we 're in now .
The red blocks are the ongoing @ @ @ @ @ + the green are the ongoing impact of tax extensions .
We 'll be at @ @ @ @ @ early 2021 .
Then adding $ 1.5- $ 2T/yr thereafter ( if we 're lucky @ @ @

These deficits assume no recessions other than the one we're in now. The red blocks are the ongoing impact of paying for Covid-19 + the green are the ongoing impact of tax extensions. We'll be at $30T in debt in early 2021. Then adding $1.5-$2T/yr thereafter (if we're lucky)🤔🤦♂ pic.twitter.com/EN12oSLY5P
— M/I_Investments (@MI_Investments) August 10, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--Never give out personal or financial information on a call you did not initiate

It happens often , and it seems like common sense .
But , how often have you been called by your loan company , or your phone company , or your insurance company , or internet company , and that call has started with something like : And then you just tell them .
This is insanely easy to spoof .
It doesn ’ t matter if you have legitimate business with the company , or if you owe them money .
It doesn ’ t matter if you ’ re worried that ignoring them will “ make them angry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t matter if the caller ID matches the number you expect it come from .
Even these simple phone calls should be refused .
If they refuse , then hang up .
If you are worried , then call the official number anyway and tell the representative that you just received a call that got disconnected , and you ’ d like to know what the call was about .
Do not let them make you feel crazy .
Do not let them make you feel paranoid .
Do not give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seem .
Once , I was 45 days late on my car payment .
They obviously called me about that .
They always tried to verify .
I always refused .
This didn ’ t result in anything extra on my credit , this didn ’ t result in anything worse for me , it didn ’ t make them pursue legal action .
It didn ’ t affect my future customer service with them .
I simply called back on the number that I usually contacted them , then verified who I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and when I planned on bringing my account back up to date .
Never , ever , ever give out any Personally Identifiable Information on a call unless you made the call and you trust the other party .
This includes , but isn ’ t limited to : • Account numbers ( even for non-financial accounts like your electric company ) • Names of people you live with Don ’ t give any information to someone who calls you and claims to be with a company that has business with you .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a government agency that calls you , such as a tax authority , a licensing board , or a welfare agency .
No government agency is going to throw you in jail for refusing to give personal information over the phone in nearly every country on the planet .
This also includes asking them questions which reveal personal information .
Such as , “ do you have my new address ?
” or “ Did you send an email to [ address ] ?
” or “ What was the amount I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask these questions in an attempt to reverse it and make them verify themselves .
But even questions like the last example above give away information you don ’ t want a scammer to have .
You don ’ t want a scammer to know for sure that you have made payments to a specific company , you don ’ t want them to know you recently changed addresses , you don ’ t want them to know your email address .
This is why , as I said above , you should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them verify who they are .
This is true even if it ’ s from a company you know you do not have business with .
If you get a call “ from Comcast ” about your account , but you have a different provider , don ’ t let the caller know that you don ’ t have a Comcast account , and don ’ t let them know who your provider actually is .
Tell them the same thing you would tell them if you did have an account : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can call the normal customer service line and discuss it ?
” This is true even if they volunteer some kind of verification .
A scammer might know the last four digits of your SSN , or know the last four digits of your credit card , and then leverage than into getting more information from you .
It doesn ’ t matter what they say , or what they provide as proof .
You still never give out personal information over the phone unless you made the call yourself .

by JordanLeDoux
It happens often, and it seems like common sense. But, how often have you been called by your loan company, or your phone company, or your insurance company, or internet company, and that call has started with something like:
“Hello, this is Sandra from Comcast calling about your account. Before going any further, for your security, please verify the last four digits of your social security number.”
And then you just tell them.
This is insanely easy to spoof. It doesn’t matter if you have legitimate business with the company, or if you owe them money. It doesn’t matter if you’re worried that ignoring them will “make them angry” or anything like that. It doesn’t matter if the caller ID matches the number you expect it come from.
Even these simple phone calls should be refused.
“I do not give out any personal information to someone who calls me. I have no way of verifying who you are, or if the phone number has been spoofed. Please tell me what matter this is about, and I will call the number posted on your company website to discuss it.”
If they refuse, then hang up. If you are worried, then call the official number anyway and tell the representative that you just received a call that got disconnected, and you’d like to know what the call was about.
Do not let them make you feel crazy. Do not let them make you feel paranoid. Do not give in no matter how reasonable it may seem.
Once, I was 45 days late on my car payment. They obviously called me about that. They always tried to verify. I always refused. This didn’t result in anything extra on my credit, this didn’t result in anything worse for me, it didn’t make them pursue legal action. It didn’t affect my future customer service with them.
I simply called back on the number that I usually contacted them, then verified who I was, then I explained my situation and when I planned on bringing my account back up to date.
Never, ever, ever give out any Personally Identifiable Information on a call unless you made the call and you trust the other party. This includes, but isn’t limited to:
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Address
Full name
Drivers license
Bank information
Credit card information
Payment history information
Current balance information
Connect/Disconnect dates
Account numbers (even for non-financial accounts like your electric company)
SSN
Tax information
Employment information
Names of relatives
Names of people you live with
Don’t give any information to someone who calls you and claims to be with a company that has business with you.
EDIT:
I should note, this includes calls from a government agency that calls you, such as a tax authority, a licensing board, or a welfare agency. No government agency is going to throw you in jail for refusing to give personal information over the phone in nearly every country on the planet.
EDIT2:
This also includes asking them questions which reveal personal information. Such as, “do you have my new address?” or “Did you send an email to [address]?” or “What was the amount I paid last month?”
You might ask these questions in an attempt to reverse it and make them verify themselves. But even questions like the last example above give away information you don’t want a scammer to have. You don’t want a scammer to know for sure that you have made payments to a specific company, you don’t want them to know you recently changed addresses, you don’t want them to know your email address.
This is why, as I said above, you should hang up instead of trying to make them verify who they are. This is true even if it’s from a company you know you do not have business with. If you get a call “from Comcast” about your account, but you have a different provider, don’t let the caller know that you don’t have a Comcast account, and don’t let them know who your provider actually is. Tell them the same thing you would tell them if you did have an account:
“What is the matter about so that I can call the normal customer service line and discuss it?”
EDIT3:
This is true even if they volunteer some kind of verification. A scammer might know the last four digits of your SSN, or know the last four digits of your credit card, and then leverage than into getting more information from you. It doesn’t matter what they say, or what they provide as proof. You still never give out personal information over the phone unless you made the call yourself.


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--Tech is eating the world: The recent surge in Apple shares is pushing the value of the world’s large

Tech is eating the world : The recent surge in Apple shares is pushing the value of the world ’ @ @ @ @ @ of the entire Russell 2000 Index .
The iPhone maker is worth $ 1.93tn , @ @ @ @ @ mkt cap of 2,000 US small-cap stocks listed in Russell .
( via BBG ) @

Tech is eating the world: The recent surge in Apple shares is pushing the value of the world’s largest company toward that of the entire Russell 2000 Index. The iPhone maker is worth $1.93tn, almost 90% of combined mkt cap of 2,000 US small-cap stocks listed in Russell. (via BBG) pic.twitter.com/ifBI1lK6aP
— Holger Zschaepitz (@Schuldensuehner) August 10, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--NY Fed on corporate leverage:

NY Fed on corporate leverage:

`` Looking ahead , we find that a sizable share of U.S. corporations have interest expense greater than cash flow @ @ @ @ @ ability of those corporations to endure further liquidity shocks .
`` t.co/K9SqSCswwU

NY Fed on corporate leverage: "Looking ahead, we find that a sizable share of U.S. corporations have interest expense greater than cash flow, raising concerns about the ability of those corporations to endure further liquidity shocks."t.co/K9SqSCswwU — Brian Chappatta (@BChappatta) August 10, 2020
Zombie companies' YTD returns have essentially closed the gap to the S&P 500. Falling real yields typically very kind to the walking dead 🧟♂t.co/8iHl0vbUC7 pic.twitter.com/laIQPNj6j6 — Ben Breitholtz (@benbreitholtz) August 10, 2020
The credit markets no longer have any meaning t.co/APpk147OLg via @markets — Robert Burgess (@BobOnMarkets) August 10, 2020
This is the original link, 1.3m views. Princes of the Yen
The central banking documentary t.co/ndOqpzrb8U t.co/0gHV5ctjs1 — Richard Werner (@scientificecon) August 9, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--Exactly – By design – Savings (and wages) are punished and debt and leverage is encouraged.

Exactly – By design – Savings ( and wages ) are punished and debt and leverage is encouraged .
Is @ @ @ @ @ the same time period , global debt INCREASED by over $ $ 185 Trillion ?
@ @ @ @ @ is going to be an ugly unwind !
t.co/0TQiMnsF2F

Exactly – By design – Savings (and wages) are punished and debt and leverage is encouraged. Is it any wonder that over the same time period, global debt INCREASED by over $$185 Trillion? Look out below – it is going to be an ugly unwind! t.co/0TQiMnsF2F
— Jeff Booth (@JeffBooth) August 10, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--JPM’s Feroli on the four executive actions:

JPM 's Feroli : `` If this is all we get for fiscal policy for the rest of the year @ @ @ @ @ significant downside risk to our growth outlook . ''

JPM's Feroli: "If this is all we get for fiscal policy for the rest of the year, it would represent a significant downside risk to our growth outlook."
— Nick Timiraos (@NickTimiraos) August 10, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--August 2020?  No, March 1930…

August 2020?  No, March 1930…

Heaven Help Us if Unemployment Follows the Path of the Great Recession Here ’ s a series of charts showing @ @ @ @ @ by a comparison to what happened in the Great Recession .
Banks Sit on Money @ @ @ @ @ Just Like During The Great Recession Traditional finance is dead .
Let it die.There is @ @ @ @ @ should have to wait for the money that you need in a global pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ spent your time and emotional capital building relationships with financial institutions only to get the @ @ @ @ @ investors are suddenly showing foresight like never before , and are looking past the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ But probably not .

Global Coronavirus infections surpass 20million people, resulting in upwards of 700,000 deaths. While it took 6mths after virus first surfaced to reach 10m infections, spread has steadily accelerated since then, taking little more than 6 weeks to double that total, BBG calculated pic.twitter.com/1z8xMkb2TL — Holger Zschaepitz (@Schuldensuehner) August 11, 2020
Here’s a series of charts showing the duration of unemployment followed by a comparison to what happened in the Great Recession.
Traditional finance is dead. Let it die.There is absolutely no reason that you should have to wait for the money that you need in a global pandemic. Especially if you’ve spent your time and emotional capital building relationships with financial institutions only to get the cold shoulder when you…
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Don’t Let The Stock Market Rally Mask Reality
Maybe investors are suddenly showing foresight like never before, and are looking past the pandemic to an eventual recovery. But probably not.


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-12--Kamala Harris asked a crowd if they wanted her to be president.  Their response: “no.”

Kamala Harris asked a crowd if they wanted her to be president .

Kamala Harris asked a crowd if they wanted her to be president.
Everything you need to know about Kamala. pic.twitter.com/3uQ0CSG31R
— Quoth the Raven (@QTRResearch) August 12, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--IT’S OFFICIAL: Joe Biden picks Sen. Kamala Harris to be his vice presidential running mate, making h

IT’S OFFICIAL: Joe Biden picks Sen. Kamala Harris to be his vice presidential running mate, making her the first black woman on a major ticket. WILLIE BROWN TO KAMALA HARRIS: DON’T JOIN BIDEN’S TICKET.

CNBC : Joe Biden picks Sen. Kamala Harris to be his vice presidential running mate , making her the first Black woman on a major ticket • Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden has chosen Sen. Kamala Harris of California to be his running mate .
• Widely considered a moderate Democrat , Harris will be the first Black woman nominated as part of a major party ticket .
• The announcement caps off a monthslong process that saw nearly a dozen prospective running mates vetted by the Biden campaign .
What could go wrong ?
Is Joe Biden Sure He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
His VP Pick Is Explosive .
Brown believes that the coming years will be a “ bumpy ride ” for the White House occupant .
He may be right .
On the other hand , the coming years might well see an end to the pandemic and a massive economic recovery .
The coming years are likely to be a very bumpy ride for a Democratic Attorney General , should the nation be saddled with one .
The Wuhan coronavirus will very likely recede before the wave of homicides and other violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris would either have to alienate the Democratic base by standing up against lawlessness or preside over anarchy in our cities .
In all likelihood , she would satisfy neither the Democratic left nor those who desire some semblance of order .
Better to be more or less out of sight as vice president .
The nomination isn ’ t Harris ’ to decline at this moment .
If she gets the nod , she should jump at the opportunity — and almost certainly will .
Related : There is no ‘ do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris ticks all the right boxes in terms of look and backstory , but her presidential campaign has already proved she doesn ’ t attract voters .
Rice is a Washington operator , not a campaigner .
She is arguably the most establishment black woman in America ; it will be hard to portray her as a great leap forward .
Which might be why Team Biden has been stalling on its decision .
They know that , in trying to ‘ do no harm ’ , their vice-presidential nomination could end up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

CNBC: Joe Biden picks Sen. Kamala Harris to be his vice presidential running mate, making her the first Black woman on a major ticket
Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden has chosen Sen. Kamala Harris of California to be his running mate.
Widely considered a moderate Democrat, Harris will be the first Black woman nominated as part of a major party ticket.
The announcement caps off a monthslong process that saw nearly a dozen prospective running mates vetted by the Biden campaign.
What could go wrong? Is Joe Biden Sure He Really Wants This Woman on the Ticket? His VP Pick Is Explosive.
WILLIE BROWN TO KAMALA HARRIS: DON’T JOIN BIDEN’S TICKET.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Brown believes that the coming years will be a “bumpy ride” for the White House occupant. He may be right. On the other hand, the coming years might well see an end to the pandemic and a massive economic recovery. The coming years are likely to be a very bumpy ride for a Democratic Attorney General, should the nation be saddled with one. The Wuhan coronavirus will very likely recede before the wave of homicides and other violent crimes does. As Attorney General, Harris would either have to alienate the Democratic base by standing up against lawlessness or preside over anarchy in our cities. In all likelihood, she would satisfy neither the Democratic left nor those who desire some semblance of order. Better to be more or less out of sight as vice president. The nomination isn’t Harris’ to decline at this moment. If she gets the nod, she should jump at the opportunity — and almost certainly will.
Related: There is no ‘do no harm’ VP pick. “Harris ticks all the right boxes in terms of look and backstory, but her presidential campaign has already proved she doesn’t attract voters. Rice is a Washington operator, not a campaigner. She is arguably the most establishment black woman in America; it will be hard to portray her as a great leap forward. Which might be why Team Biden has been stalling on its decision. They know that, in trying to ‘do no harm’, their vice-presidential nomination could end up shooting their campaign in the foot.”
Trump Campaign: ‘Phony’ Kamala Harris Is ‘Slow’ Joe Biden’s “Political Living Will”
h/t Ed


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--Nightmare for equities is if dollar bottomed and reverses… Zoom just broke down today

nightmare for equities is if dollar bottomed and reverses pic.twitter.com/C6Z6NPeMYq
— Alastair Williamson (@StockBoardAsset) August 11, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--Real rates from -1.10% to -1.00% nominal yields up 10bps to 65bps and market can’t handle it.

Real rates from -1.10 % to -1.00 % nominal yields up 10bps to 65bps and market can ’ t handle @ @ @ @ @ really hard to kill US economy throught zombification and counter productivity shoveling QE to biggest @ @ @ @ @ unemployment higher and bust anyway .

Real rates from -1.10% to -1.00% nominal yields up 10bps to 65bps and market can’t handle it. So FED working really hard to kill US economy throught zombification and counter productivity shoveling QE to biggest losers which will finally drive unemployment higher and bust anyway.
— GregTheAnalyst (@Analyst_G) August 11, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--Trump’s Secret Weapon: “The Black Silent Minority”

No , I ’ m not kidding .
I believe the black vote will be the key to President Trump ’ s coming electoral landslide .
No , it ’ s not a “ Black Silent Majority.
” Trump and Republicans aren ’ t winning a majority of black votes in 2020 .
But we don ’ t need a majority .
We just need a “ Black Silent Minority ” to clinch a Trump victory .
I may understand black voters better than any white Republican in America .
I ’ m a S.O.B .
( son of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong side of the tracks .
I grew up on the Bronx borderline in Mt .
Vernon , NY , a majority black town .
I attended an almost all black middle school .
Then I attended an almost all black Mt .
Vernon High School- 4000 students and only a few were white .
I was one of them .
Here ’ s what I learned about black Americans .
Just like any other race , the vast majority are good people .
Even in the poorest of neighborhoods , the vast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and law-abiding .
I believe a “ Silent Minority ” of black Americans are conservative .
I believe this “ Silent Minority ” will vote for Trump , now more than ever .
Not in spite of Black Lives Matter , or defund the police movement , or riots across America .
But because of all of that .
Will it be big enough to give Trump 30 % , or 40 % of the black vote ?
Of course not .
But all Trump needs to guarantee re-election is to double his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 to 16 % in 2020 .
If Trump gets 16 % , Democrats have literally no path to victory .
Here ’ s why I believe it will happen .
Who makes up this “ Black Silent Minority ?
” Black business owners , black homeowners , black gun owners , black church-goers , black families with children attending charter or religious school .
These voters often live in dangerous , high-crime neighborhoods .
Or they ’ ve escaped those dangerous neighborhoods for the suburbs .
They understand , perhaps more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are “ the Thin Blue Line.
” Disband police , or defund police , and it ’ s black neighborhoods that will suffer the most .
The latest polls prove my gut instincts right .
A new Gallop poll reports over 80 % of black Americans do not support disbanding or defunding police .
More significantly , about 20 % want more police .
I don ’ t believe black homeowners in the suburbs support the Biden goal of filling the suburbs with high density , low-income housing .
No one wants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see its value ruined as the government builds low-income housing next door .
Anyone want to live next door to a drug den ?
Anyone want drug needles on the street in front of your home ?
The latest poll proves me right again .
A Rasmussen poll finds that 83 % of voters agree with President Trump ’ s decision to kill an Obama-era regulation that brings “ diversity ” to suburbs by building low-income housing .
But it ’ s not just blacks .
Research shows literally everyone wants out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rushing to find a home in the suburbs , safe from crime and Covid .
The four states with the highest home appreciation in 2020 are Idaho , Montana , Wyoming and Utah .
Trust me , the people escaping to the Rocky Mountain West aren ’ t voting Democrat .
The Black Silent Minority that has good-paying jobs doesn ’ t want higher taxes .
The Black Silent Minority that owns businesses doesn ’ t want BLM riots , looting , or torching .
The Black Silent Minority that owns guns for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control .
The Black Silent Minority doesn ’ t want the same political or economic agenda as the late civil rights icon John Lewis- because they don ’ t want their neighborhoods looking anything like his Baltimore district .
The Black Silent Minority doesn ’ t support the Democrats open border agenda- because millions of foreigners will take away black jobs .
Is there still some racism in America ?
Sure .
But the Black Silent Majority knows America is much like marriage .
Marriage is the worst institution in the world- except @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Silent Minority feels the same way about America .
It isn ’ t perfect .
I hear lots of complaining , but I don ’ t see anyone leaving .
America has lifted more blacks out of poverty than any other nation on earth .
America isn ’ t perfect .
But it ’ s the best we ’ ve got in world history .
The same can be said about President Donald J. Trump .
He ’ s not perfect , but he created more black jobs and lower black unemployment than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s why the black vote for Trump will double from 8 % to 16 % on November 3rd .
And that ’ s why the Black Silent Minority will be President Trump ’ s secret weapon .

by Wayne Root
No, I’m not kidding. I believe the black vote will be the key to President Trump’s coming electoral landslide. No, it’s not a “Black Silent Majority.” Trump and Republicans aren’t winning a majority of black votes in 2020. But we don’t need a majority. We just need a “Black Silent Minority” to clinch a Trump victory.
I may understand black voters better than any white Republican in America. I’m a S.O.B. (son of a butcher) who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. I grew up on the Bronx borderline in Mt. Vernon, NY, a majority black town. I attended an almost all black middle school. Then I attended an almost all black Mt. Vernon High School- 4000 students and only a few were white. I was one of them.
Here’s what I learned about black Americans. Just like any other race, the vast majority are good people. Even in the poorest of neighborhoods, the vast majority of blacks are decent, hard-working and law-abiding.
I believe a “Silent Minority” of black Americans are conservative. I believe this “Silent Minority” will vote for Trump, now more than ever. Not in spite of Black Lives Matter, or defund the police movement, or riots across America. But because of all of that.
Will it be big enough to give Trump 30%, or 40% of the black vote? Of course not. But all Trump needs to guarantee re-election is to double his black vote percentage from the 8% in 2016 to 16% in 2020. If Trump gets 16%, Democrats have literally no path to victory.
Here’s why I believe it will happen.
Who makes up this “Black Silent Minority?” Black business owners, black homeowners, black gun owners, black church-goers, black families with children attending charter or religious school.
These voters often live in dangerous, high-crime neighborhoods. Or they’ve escaped those dangerous neighborhoods for the suburbs. They understand, perhaps more than any other group, the police are “the Thin Blue Line.” Disband police, or defund police, and it’s black neighborhoods that will suffer the most.
The latest polls prove my gut instincts right. A new Gallop poll reports over 80% of black Americans do not support disbanding or defunding police. More significantly, about 20% want more police.
I don’t believe black homeowners in the suburbs support the Biden goal of filling the suburbs with high density, low-income housing. No one wants to buy a $500,000 home, then see its value ruined as the government builds low-income housing next door. Anyone want to live next door to a drug den? Anyone want drug needles on the street in front of your home?
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The latest poll proves me right again. A Rasmussen poll finds that 83% of voters agree with President Trump’s decision to kill an Obama-era regulation that brings “diversity” to suburbs by building low-income housing.
But it’s not just blacks. Research shows literally everyone wants out of big cities. The whole America is rushing to find a home in the suburbs, safe from crime and Covid. The four states with the highest home appreciation in 2020 are Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah. Trust me, the people escaping to the Rocky Mountain West aren’t voting Democrat.
The Black Silent Minority that has good-paying jobs doesn’t want higher taxes.
The Black Silent Minority that owns businesses doesn’t want BLM riots, looting, or torching.
The Black Silent Minority that owns guns for self-defense doesn’t want Chicago-style gun control.
The Black Silent Minority doesn’t want the same political or economic agenda as the late civil rights icon John Lewis- because they don’t want their neighborhoods looking anything like his Baltimore district.
The Black Silent Minority doesn’t support the Democrats open border agenda- because millions of foreigners will take away black jobs.
Is there still some racism in America? Sure. But the Black Silent Majority knows America is much like marriage. Marriage is the worst institution in the world- except for all the others.
The Black Silent Minority feels the same way about America. It isn’t perfect. I hear lots of complaining, but I don’t see anyone leaving. America has lifted more blacks out of poverty than any other nation on earth. America isn’t perfect. But it’s the best we’ve got in world history.
The same can be said about President Donald J. Trump. He’s not perfect, but he created more black jobs and lower black unemployment than any president in history- including Barack Obama.
That’s why the black vote for Trump will double from 8% to 16% on November 3rd. And that’s why the Black Silent Minority will be President Trump’s secret weapon.


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--New York City Police Use Pandemic To Create COVID-19 Checkpoints

A recent article in The New York Post revealed how the NYPD used the pandemic to justify creating COVID-19 checkpoints .
Police are using the pandemic as an excuse to circumvent the Fourth Amendment by asking a vehicle ’ s occupants to answer questions like have they spent more than 24 hours during the previous 14 days in any state on New York ’ s restricted list ?
The city has the audacity to claim that these stops are “ quick and educational.
” There is nothing quick and educational about being stopped and questioned by government officials .
Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10,000 dollars ?
Earlier this year , The Orlando Sentinel called COVID-19 checkpoints security theater , and worried about the cost to taxpayers .
COVID-19 checkpoints have also been set up in Rhode Island , North Carolina , Colorado , Mississippi , Louisiana and Texas .
Government officials use COVID-19 as an excuse to question and interrogate visitors .
Imagine getting off a train or bus in New York City and being forced to go through a government checkpoint .
This is America , you say .
I can refuse to answer their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to answer their questions could be fined anywhere from $ 2,000- $ 10,000 dollars .
Three years ago , I revealed that police have created thirty-three different types of checkpoints .
But this latest ploy ; using a pandemic as an excuse to create another police checkpoint , is inexcusable .
COVID-19 checkpoints make a mockery of police reform and tramples our Bill of Rights .
It is only a matter of time before COVID-19 checkpoints spread across the country .

by mapi
A recent article in The New York Post revealed how the NYPD used the pandemic to justify creating COVID-19 checkpoints.
“New York officials have stopped 353 cars at entrances to the Big Apple to warn travelers of the mandatory two-week quarantine rule. The stops were made from Wednesday through Friday at bridges and tunnels, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office.”
Police are using the pandemic as an excuse to circumvent the Fourth Amendment by asking a vehicle’s occupants to answer questions like have they spent more than 24 hours during the previous 14 days in any state on New York’s restricted list?
The city has the audacity to claim that these stops are “quick and educational.” There is nothing quick and educational about being stopped and questioned by government officials.
Is there anything educational about fining people $10,000 dollars?
“Travelers who violate the quarantine rule could face up to $10,000 in fines. There are currently 35 states plus Puerto Rico on the list.”
Earlier this year, The Orlando Sentinel called COVID-19 checkpoints security theater, and worried about the cost to taxpayers. COVID-19 checkpoints have also been set up in Rhode Island, North Carolina, Colorado, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
A WKZO article shows U.S. military personnel conducting a COVID-19 checkpoint at Penn Station.
“A few dozen travelers got off a train from Miami at New York City’s Penn Station on Thursday and were greeted by a team of public health workers and mayoral office staff who handed them informational fliers about the state’s new COVID-19 quarantine rules.”
Government officials use COVID-19 as an excuse to question and interrogate visitors.
“The team, comprised of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s public engagement unit and the city’s COVID-19 Test & Trace Corps, were running a checkpoint starting at Penn Station on Thursday to ensure that visitors from any of the 35 states on New York’s travel advisory were aware of the 14-day quarantine mandate.”
Imagine getting off a train or bus in New York City and being forced to go through a government checkpoint. This is America, you say. I can refuse to answer their questions, right?
People who refuse to answer their questions could be fined anywhere from $2,000-$10,000 dollars.
“A spokeswoman for City Hall said refusing to fill out the quarantine form could subject travelers from designated states to a $2000 fine, and violations of the quarantine orders could result in a $10,000 fine.”
Three years ago, I revealed that police have created thirty-three different types of checkpoints. But this latest ploy; using a pandemic as an excuse to create another police checkpoint, is inexcusable.
COVID-19 checkpoints make a mockery of police reform and tramples our Bill of Rights. It is only a matter of time before COVID-19 checkpoints spread across the country.


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--Global Lockdowns Set To Plunge 100 Million Into Extreme Poverty

“ The impact of the global coronavirus lockdown is set to plunge 100 million people into extreme poverty , warns a new report by the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting .
The report appears to pin the blame on COVID-19 itself for the economic impact , yetthe actual culprit is discovered to be the “ restrictions ” put in place by governments in response to the pandemic .
“ With the virus and its restrictions , up to 100 million more people globally could fall into the bitter existence of living on just $ 1.90 a day , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ well below any reasonable conception of a life with dignity , ” the United Nations special rapporteur on extreme poverty wrote this year .
And it comes on top of the 736 million people already there , half of them in just five countries : Ethiopia , India , Nigeria , Congo and Bangladesh.
” The report notes that the impact of the lockdown on the poor in countries like India was “ so abrupt and punishing ” that their Prime Minister , Narendra Modi , begged for forgiveness .
The report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether the global lockdown will prove more deadly than COVID-19 itself , with extreme poverty being directly linked to death and shortened life spans .
According to research published by Imperial College London and Johns Hopkins University , around 1.4 million people are expected to die from untreated TB infections due to the coronavirus lockdown .
Experts have also warned that hundreds of thousands or even millions of people could die in the longer term as a result of the lockdown preventing them from receiving treatment for cancer and other serious illnesses.
“

by secretymology
www.zerohedge.com/political/global-lockdowns-set-plunge-100-million-extreme-poverty
“The impact of the global coronavirus lockdown is set to plunge 100 million people into extreme poverty, warns a new report by the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.
The report appears to pin the blame on COVID-19 itself for the economic impact, yetthe actual culprit is discovered to be the “restrictions” put in place by governments in response to the pandemic.
From the report;
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“With the virus and its restrictions, up to 100 million more people globally could fall into the bitter existence of living on just $1.90 a day, according to the World Bank. That’s “well below any reasonable conception of a life with dignity,” the United Nations special rapporteur on extreme poverty wrote this year. And it comes on top of the 736 million people already there, half of them in just five countries: Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Congo and Bangladesh.”
The report notes that the impact of the lockdown on the poor in countries like India was “so abrupt and punishing” that their Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, begged for forgiveness.
The report will stir up further debate as to whether the global lockdown will prove more deadly than COVID-19 itself, with extreme poverty being directly linked to death and shortened life spans. According to research published by Imperial College London and Johns Hopkins University, around 1.4 million people are expected to die from untreated TB infections due to the coronavirus lockdown.
Experts have also warned that hundreds of thousands or even millions of people could die in the longer term as a result of the lockdown preventing them from receiving treatment for cancer and other serious illnesses.“
preview.redd.it/s0z0iyxdlcg51.png?width=2224&format=png&auto=webp&s=f1546e31590bbbab7abedbd8b8bde117ce201582
pulitzercenter.org/reporting/extreme-poverty-rises-and-generation-sees-future-slip-away


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--Reminder – over 90% of all US Media is controlled by 6 companies. If you control these – you can vir

Reminder – over 90% of all US Media is controlled by 6 companies. If you control these – you can virtually control “democracy”.

Yes the image with the logos is not up2date ( over a year old ) but the message is still @ @ @ @ @ ’ s okay for me .

by IchKommeAusDenBergen
Yes the image with the logos is not up2date (over a year old) but the message is still the same, so it’s okay for me.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News_Corporation_(1980%E2%80%932013)#Split_and_21st_Century_Fox's_eventual_sale_to_Disney#Split_and_21st_Century_Fox’s_eventual_sale_to_Disney)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acquisition_of_21st_Century_Fox_by_Disney


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--History being made:  Put/Call ratio’s 50 dma is at the LOWEST level in the past 20 years.  Even less

History being made:  Put/Call ratio’s 50 dma is at the LOWEST level in the past 20 years.  Even less extreme cases led to pullbacks/corrections. Worrisome?

Put/Call ratio 's 50 dma is at the LOWEST level in the past 20 years .
Even less extreme cases @ @ @ @ @ ?
pic.twitter.com/2IDcgqoei0

History being made:
Put/Call ratio's 50 dma is at the LOWEST level in the past 20 years.
Even less extreme cases led to pullbacks/corrections. Worrisome? pic.twitter.com/2IDcgqoei0
— SentimenTrader (@sentimentrader) August 11, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--MicroStrategy, a Nasdaq-listed software firm worth $1.2 billion, has bought $250 million in bitcoin

MicroStrategy, a Nasdaq-listed software firm worth $1.2 billion, has bought $250 million in bitcoin as a “reasonable hedge against inflation”

“ Our investment in Bitcoin is part of our new capital allocation strategy , which seeks to maximize long-term value for our shareholders , ” said Michael J. Saylor , CEO , MicroStrategy Incorporated .
“ This investment reflects our belief that Bitcoin , as the world ’ s most widely-adopted cryptocurrency , is a dependable store of value and an attractive investment asset with more long-term appreciation potential than holding cash .
Since its inception over a decade ago , Bitcoin has emerged as a significant addition to the global financial system , with characteristics that are useful to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognized Bitcoin as a legitimate investment asset that can be superior to cash and accordingly has made Bitcoin the principal holding in its treasury reserve strategy .
Mr. Saylor continued , “ MicroStrategy spent months deliberating to determine our capital allocation strategy .
Our decision to invest in Bitcoin at this time was driven in part by a confluence of macro factors affecting the economic and business landscape that we believe is creating long-term risks for our corporate treasury program ― risks that should be addressed proactively .
Those macro factors include , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health crisis precipitated by COVID-19 , unprecedented government financial stimulus measures including quantitative easing adopted around the world , and global political and economic uncertainty .
We believe that , together , these and other factors may well have a significant depreciating effect on the long-term real value of fiat currencies and many other conventional asset types , including many of the assets traditionally held as part of corporate treasury operations .
”

www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200811005331/en/MicroStrategy-Adopts-Bitcoin-Primary-Treasury-Reserve-Asset
“Our investment in Bitcoin is part of our new capital allocation strategy, which seeks to maximize long-term value for our shareholders,” said Michael J. Saylor, CEO, MicroStrategy Incorporated. “This investment reflects our belief that Bitcoin, as the world’s most widely-adopted cryptocurrency, is a dependable store of value and an attractive investment asset with more long-term appreciation potential than holding cash. Since its inception over a decade ago, Bitcoin has emerged as a significant addition to the global financial system, with characteristics that are useful to both individuals and institutions. MicroStrategy has recognized Bitcoin as a legitimate investment asset that can be superior to cash and accordingly has made Bitcoin the principal holding in its treasury reserve strategy.
Mr. Saylor continued, “MicroStrategy spent months deliberating to determine our capital allocation strategy. Our decision to invest in Bitcoin at this time was driven in part by a confluence of macro factors affecting the economic and business landscape that we believe is creating long-term risks for our corporate treasury program ― risks that should be addressed proactively. Those macro factors include, among other things, the economic and public health crisis precipitated by COVID-19, unprecedented government financial stimulus measures including quantitative easing adopted around the world, and global political and economic uncertainty. We believe that, together, these and other factors may well have a significant depreciating effect on the long-term real value of fiat currencies and many other conventional asset types, including many of the assets traditionally held as part of corporate treasury operations.”


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--California judge granted a preliminary injunction Monday requiring Uber/Lyft to stop classifying dri

California judge granted a preliminary injunction Monday requiring Uber/Lyft to stop classifying drivers as independent contractors. Serious implications for Uber/Lyft, both are not yet profitable, are now required to pay for costly benefits that come with a full-time staff.

A California judge granted a preliminary injunction Monday requiring Uber and Lyft to stop classifying their drivers as independent contractors pending further action by the court .
The order will take effect after 10 days , as the companies requested a brief stay during the appeals process .
If upheld , the ruling could have serious implications for Uber and Lyft , both of which are not yet profitable and have seen their ride-hailing businesses suffer during the pandemic .
By classifying their drivers as independent workers , rather than employees , the companies have not had to pay for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff .
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra requested the injunction as part of a lawsuit he brought in May along with city attorneys from San Francisco , Los Angeles and San Diego .
The suit , filed in San Francisco Superior Court , alleged Uber and Lyft violated the state ’ s new law known as Assembly Bill 5 ( AB5 ) , which was created as a way to classify gig workers as full employees and ensure benefits from their employers .
Uber and Lyft were among a group of tech companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arguing their workers enjoy the flexibility of creating their own schedules as contractors .
California officials sought an injunction on the alleged misclassification and restitution for workers and civil penalties worth up to hundreds of millions of dollars .
Shares of Uber were down 0.8 % during extended trading Monday and Lyft shares were down 1.7 % .
Both companies said they would appeal the ruling immediately .
“ The vast majority of drivers want to work independently , and we ’ ve already made significant changes to our app to ensure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” an Uber spokesperson said .
“ When over 3 million Californians are without a job , our elected leaders should be focused on creating work , not trying to shut down an entire industry during an economic depression.
” “ Drivers do not want to be employees , full stop , ” Lyft said in a statement .
“ We ’ ll immediately appeal this ruling and continue to fight for their independence .
Ultimately , we believe this issue will be decided by California voters and that they will side with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in and agreed : Uber and Lyft need to put a stop to unlawful misclassification of their drivers while our litigation continues , ” Becerra said in a statement .
“ While this fight still has a long way to go , we ’ re pushing ahead to make sure the people of California get the workplace protections they deserve .
Our state and workers shouldn ’ t have to foot the bill when big businesses try to skip out on their responsibilities .
We ’ re going to keep working to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules .
”

www.cnbc.com/2020/08/10/judge-grants-preliminary-injunction-requiring-uber-and-lyft-to-stop-classifying-drivers-as-contractors.html
A California judge granted a preliminary injunction Monday requiring Uber and Lyft to stop classifying their drivers as independent contractors pending further action by the court. The order will take effect after 10 days, as the companies requested a brief stay during the appeals process.
If upheld, the ruling could have serious implications for Uber and Lyft, both of which are not yet profitable and have seen their ride-hailing businesses suffer during the pandemic. By classifying their drivers as independent workers, rather than employees, the companies have not had to pay for costly benefits that come with a full-time staff.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra requested the injunction as part of a lawsuit he brought in May along with city attorneys from San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. The suit, filed in San Francisco Superior Court, alleged Uber and Lyft violated the state’s new law known as Assembly Bill 5 (AB5), which was created as a way to classify gig workers as full employees and ensure benefits from their employers. Uber and Lyft were among a group of tech companies that have previously opposed the bill, arguing their workers enjoy the flexibility of creating their own schedules as contractors.
California officials sought an injunction on the alleged misclassification and restitution for workers and civil penalties worth up to hundreds of millions of dollars.
Shares of Uber were down 0.8% during extended trading Monday and Lyft shares were down 1.7%.
Both companies said they would appeal the ruling immediately.
“The vast majority of drivers want to work independently, and we’ve already made significant changes to our app to ensure that remains the case under California law,” an Uber spokesperson said. “When over 3 million Californians are without a job, our elected leaders should be focused on creating work, not trying to shut down an entire industry during an economic depression.”
“Drivers do not want to be employees, full stop,” Lyft said in a statement. “We’ll immediately appeal this ruling and continue to fight for their independence. Ultimately, we believe this issue will be decided by California voters and that they will side with drivers.”
“The court has weighed in and agreed: Uber and Lyft need to put a stop to unlawful misclassification of their drivers while our litigation continues,” Becerra said in a statement. “While this fight still has a long way to go, we’re pushing ahead to make sure the people of California get the workplace protections they deserve. Our state and workers shouldn’t have to foot the bill when big businesses try to skip out on their responsibilities. We’re going to keep working to make sure Uber and Lyft play by the rules.”


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--Robinhood to stop sharing app’s popular stocks

Robinhood Markets Inc. will no longer provide data that shows which stocks are popular among its users .
The decision @ @ @ @ @ , Calif.-based trading app developer wants to shed the perception that its service is mostly @ @ @ @ @ “ At Robinhood we ’ re committed to enabling people to participate in the markets @ @ @ @ @ a company spokesperson said in a statement .
“ Moving forward , our web platform @ @ @ @ @ of customers who hold a particular stock on Robinhood .
In the near future , @ @ @ @ @ the use of our API .
”

Robinhood Markets Inc. will no longer provide data that shows which stocks are popular among its users.
The decision comes as the Menlo Park, Calif.-based trading app developer wants to shed the perception that its service is mostly used by day traders.
“At Robinhood we’re committed to enabling people to participate in the markets through responsible investing,” a company spokesperson said in a statement. “Moving forward, our web platform will not display the number of customers who hold a particular stock on Robinhood. In the near future, we’ll also limit the use of our API.”


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--Sen. Mitch McConnell: “Democrats said nobody gets a penny unless Texas and Florida bail out New Jers

Sen. Mitch McConnell: “Democrats said nobody gets a penny unless Texas and Florida bail out New Jersey.”

Sen. Mitch McConnell : `` Democrats said nobody gets a penny unless Texas and Florida bail out New Jersey .
@ @

Sen. Mitch McConnell: "Democrats said nobody gets a penny unless Texas and Florida bail out New Jersey." pic.twitter.com/WuJwAvw8lm
— The Hill (@thehill) August 10, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--Trump: If I lose the election, you’re going to have to learn to speak Chinese

From the Donald Trump Official YouTube Channel
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investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--Trump signs executive order to bring pharmaceutical manufacturing back to the United States

( Natural News ) President Donald Trump has signed an executive order ( EO ) to bring the production of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies back to the United States , and out of communist China .
While speaking at a Whirlpool Corporation manufacturing facility in Clyde , Ohio , Trump spoke about the need to “ end reliance on China just like we did with the washers and dryers.
” “ As we celebrate Whirlpool ’ s 109-year legacy of American Manufacturing excellence , today I want to lay out my vision to bring millions more jobs and thousands more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they belong , ” Trump is quoted as saying .
Back in 2018 , Trump imposed tariffs on imported washers and dryers to help domestic companies like Whirlpool , which is based out of Michigan , better compete .
Since that time , Whirlpool ’ s nine factories across the United States have thrived .
“ During the course of the next four years , we will bring our pharmaceutical and medical supply chains home , ” Trump announced about the next phase of ending America ’ s reliance on communist China to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rely on China and other nations across the globe.
” Entitled , “ Combating Public Health Emergencies and Strengthening National Security by Ensuring Essential Medicines , Medical Countermeasures , and Critical Inputs are Made in the United States , ” Trump ’ s EO covers a broad swath of products ranging from masks , gloves , and goggles to medical equipment such as ventilators .
One component of the EO includes a “ Buy American ” provision that applies to government agencies such as the departments of Veterans Affairs , Health and Human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , requiring them to purchase American-made medical products .
The second component involves making it easier for the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) and the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) to approve the development of advanced manufacturing facilities here in the U.S. as opposed to in China .
According to White House trade adviser Peter Navarro , this new regulatory approach will help to create “ a more rational and streamlined regulatory process ” to address threats to national security in a timelier manner .
The final component of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as low as possible in order “ to catalyze advanced manufacturing and continuous manufacturing techniques , ” according to Navarro .
“ The objective is to create economies of scale and scope to help reduce the cost of production in the United States , ” writes Emel Akan for The Epoch Times .
Trump : No more counterfeit “ medicines ” coming in from China Trump ’ s overall goal , in keeping with his campaign promises , is to foster more demand for domestic-made products .
Trump also wants to create more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so as to cut off communist China from the gravy train .
Another component of Trump ’ s plan is to stop the trafficking in of counterfeit medicines from communist China .
As we have seen with the Wuhan coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) plandemic , China will capitalize on any opportunity to harm America and American interests , and Trump wants to put an end to the many loopholes – if you can even call them that – that allow the communist nation to take advantage of our country .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China win , your jobs disappear , and your factories close , ” Trump is quoted as saying to his audience at Whirlpool .
Trump is further planning to reign in the supply chains of other sectors , including electronic , machine tools , shipping , aerospace , automobiles , iron , and steel .
Should he win a second term , Trump will have more than enough time to get the job done , and hopefully restore America ’ s long-decimated manufacturing base , which has been incrementally gutted by the globalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More related news stories about what President Trump is doing in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election are available at Trump.news .

by: Ethan Huff
(Natural News) President Donald Trump has signed an executive order (EO) to bring the production of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies back to the United States, and out of communist China.
While speaking at a Whirlpool Corporation manufacturing facility in Clyde, Ohio, Trump spoke about the need to “end reliance on China just like we did with the washers and dryers.”
“As we celebrate Whirlpool’s 109-year legacy of American Manufacturing excellence, today I want to lay out my vision to bring millions more jobs and thousands more factories back to American shores, where they belong,” Trump is quoted as saying.
Back in 2018, Trump imposed tariffs on imported washers and dryers to help domestic companies like Whirlpool, which is based out of Michigan, better compete. Since that time, Whirlpool’s nine factories across the United States have thrived.
“During the course of the next four years, we will bring our pharmaceutical and medical supply chains home,” Trump announced about the next phase of ending America’s reliance on communist China to produce goods.
“We cannot rely on China and other nations across the globe.”
Entitled, “Combating Public Health Emergencies and Strengthening National Security by Ensuring Essential Medicines, Medical Countermeasures, and Critical Inputs are Made in the United States,” Trump’s EO covers a broad swath of products ranging from masks, gloves, and goggles to medical equipment such as ventilators.
One component of the EO includes a “Buy American” provision that applies to government agencies such as the departments of Veterans Affairs, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Defense, requiring them to purchase American-made medical products.
The second component involves making it easier for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to approve the development of advanced manufacturing facilities here in the U.S. as opposed to in China.
According to White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, this new regulatory approach will help to create “a more rational and streamlined regulatory process” to address threats to national security in a timelier manner.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
The final component of the EO aims to keep pharmaceutical drug prices as low as possible in order “to catalyze advanced manufacturing and continuous manufacturing techniques,” according to Navarro.
“The objective is to create economies of scale and scope to help reduce the cost of production in the United States,” writes Emel Akan for The Epoch Times.
Trump: No more counterfeit “medicines” coming in from China
Trump’s overall goal, in keeping with his campaign promises, is to foster more demand for domestic-made products. Trump also wants to create more incentives both to make and buy American, so as to cut off communist China from the gravy train.
Another component of Trump’s plan is to stop the trafficking in of counterfeit medicines from communist China. As we have seen with the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) plandemic, China will capitalize on any opportunity to harm America and American interests, and Trump wants to put an end to the many loopholes – if you can even call them that – that allow the communist nation to take advantage of our country.
“The Obama-Biden administration was perfectly happy to let China win, your jobs disappear, and your factories close,” Trump is quoted as saying to his audience at Whirlpool.
Trump is further planning to reign in the supply chains of other sectors, including electronic, machine tools, shipping, aerospace, automobiles, iron, and steel. Should he win a second term, Trump will have more than enough time to get the job done, and hopefully restore America’s long-decimated manufacturing base, which has been incrementally gutted by the globalists for at least the past half-century.
More related news stories about what President Trump is doing in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election are available at Trump.news.
Sources for this article include:
TheEpochTimes.com
NaturalNews.com


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--Chinese Navy Gets 16,000 Candidates For New Pilots

Sources say about 16,000 people signed up in the annual pilot recruitment drive , and among those who have passed @ @ @ @ @ cadets , nearly half will be trained to fly aircraft in the coming years .
@ @ @ @ @ most Navy Aviation Force pilot cadets were trained to fly ground-based fighter jets and bombers @ @ @ @ @ a Beijing-based naval expert , told the Global Times .
But more pilots are needed @ @ @ @ @ ambitions in aircraft carrier development , as the country could operate three or more aircraft @ @ @ @ @ .
Chu Hanqiang , director of the PLA Navy Pilot Recruitment Office , was quoted @ @ @ @ @ that 49 % of the enrolled candidates will become aircraft carrier-based fighter jet pilot cadets @ @ @ @ @ the development of aircraft carriers .

Sources say about 16,000 people signed up in the annual pilot recruitment drive, and among those who have passed the tests to become pilot cadets, nearly half will be trained to fly aircraft in the coming years.
“In the past, most Navy Aviation Force pilot cadets were trained to fly ground-based fighter jets and bombers,” Li Jie, a Beijing-based naval expert, told the Global Times.
But more pilots are needed to meet China’s ambitions in aircraft carrier development, as the country could operate three or more aircraft carriers in the near future.
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Chu Hanqiang, director of the PLA Navy Pilot Recruitment Office, was quoted as saying in the report that 49% of the enrolled candidates will become aircraft carrier-based fighter jet pilot cadets, and this should satisfy the development of aircraft carriers.
asiatimes.com/2020/08/wanted-chinese-navy-pilots-with-the-right-stuff/
AT


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--We’re only 11 days into August and this already happened, Coincidence? Don’t think So. It’s Gonna be

We ’ re only 11 days into August and this already happened , Coincidence ?

We’re only 11 days into August and this already happened, Coincidence?
Don’t think So.
It’s Gonna be a Hot Summer Que pic.twitter.com/rVmk6aeQdA
— Qtime (@AQtime) August 11, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--Why The Fed Bugs Really, Really Hate Gold

Judy Shelton , a Trump nominee to the Fed Board of Governors , may not have coined the excellent term “ Fed bug , ” but she used it to delicious effect in this 2019 Financial Times interview : Can anyone the New York Times attacks this dishonestly be all bad ?
For our purposes , Fed bugs are people with a faith-based belief in the power of central banks ( and central bankers ) to engineer economic growth using “ monetary policy , ” despite decades of history and current evidence to the contrary .
They believe tinkering with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ somehow makes us richer in terms of productivity , goods , and services .
They believe in financial alchemy , as economist Nomi Prins puts it , rather than precious metals .
They believe paper has value so long as government issues it and legislates its use .
Most of all , they believe in technocratic control over money in the economy .
Central bankers almost by definition are Fed bugs , but so are most monetary economists , financial journalists , and politicians .
And they all hate gold with a passion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but ultimately flow from their fundamental resentment of any money they do not control and can not design .
Central planning requires central money , and gold stands apart by its very decentralized nature .
It is indifferent to human conceptions , and can be discovered and summoned from the earth only with tremendous risk and effort .
It can not easily be manipulated or destroyed , and its value can not be decreed ( though they try mightily ) .
It is unchanging , unyielding , and stubbornly at odds with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so they hate it .
They hate gold because it never goes away and never goes to zero .
It holds monetary value intrinsically , without the imprimatur of a sovereign or government .
Gold does not need the state or its bankers to operate as money , because individuals choose it as money on the market century after century .
Even after more than a century of political efforts to erase gold ’ s status as money , the public still views it as such .
Gold quietly serves as a lingering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project—even as central banks are forced by circumstances to buy and hold it as collateral , as the ultimate hard currency and liquid asset for their balance sheets .
In fact , central banks steadily bought or repatriated huge amounts of physical gold in recent years , despite the supposedly strong world economy prior to the covid crisis .
During the transitional period leading up to the full adoption of the euro across the twelve original eurozone countries , Germans in particular secreted away millions of Deutschmarks in mattresses , closets , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decade after the euro came into widespread use , Germans still held €6.6 billion ( ! )
in unconverted Deutschmark notes and coins according to the Bundesbank .
The reason for this is very simple : those Germans distrusted , and continue to distrust , the stability and purchasing power of the euro .
They fear a crisis , however unlikely , and protect themselves by holding a “ harder ” currency in case the euro depreciates rapidly someday .
In other words , they prefer “ buying ” peace of mind by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and buying goods or services .
In the same way and for the same reasons , more and more Americans prefer exchanging some of their paper US dollars for physical gold .
And yet the media campaign against gold continues .
With Congress ordering magical fiscal bailouts from the Treasury , Trump conjuring up continued $ 600 weekly unemployment payments by executive order , and the Fed adding assets of every dubious stripe to its swollen $ 7 trillion balance sheet , gold prices predictably spiked to over $ 2,000 per ounce last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bug journalists respond with a litany of “ Gold is foolish , don ’ t buy it !
” articles .
In fact they sound like real estate agents in reverse : there is never a good time to buy .
Gold goes up relative to the dollar ; it ’ s overpriced and poised for a big fall .
Gold falls below $ 1,100 , as it did in 2015 ?
See , we told you this worthless shiny metal was headed down !
We rarely see this level of media vitriol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest pump and dump medical device stock duping day traders on Robinhood .
The share price of bankrupt Hertz car rental goes from $ 20 to 80¢ and back up to $ 5 in a matter of a few months with little public ire or fanfare .
And yet gold , the hated and denounced relic of late night Fox News infomercials , outperformed equity markets over the last fifteen years despite its monetary rather than investment status .
Gold is still here .
FDR attempted to ban its private ownership and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nixon eliminated the right of foreign governments to redeem US dollars for gold in 1971 .
Both men acted without Congress ; both knew what their actions meant for savers and inflation .
But gold has not faded away , if anything it grows in importance as fiscal and monetary policy across the West becomes increasingly unmoored .
Here is what Ludwig von Mises had to say about gold as real money one hundred years ago : What a wonderful vision , and not an impossible one .
Uncle Sam and virtually all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of money creation unlike any time in human history .
Where it all leads , and how long it lasts , can not be predicted .
But a global currency crisis , precipitated by a falling US dollar and finally arriving here at home , is hardly unthinkable .
At that point we may see a new supranational currency created , or we may see a flight to known commodity money like gold .
When the day comes you might want some gold coins jangling in your pocket , or at least some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Jeff Deist is president of the Mises Institute .
He previously worked as chief of staff to Congressman Ron Paul , and as an attorney for private equity clients .
Contact : email ; twitter .
Editor ’ s Note : A related Silver Doctors short ( and hopefully comically inspiring ) video about , well , why the Fed hates gold :

by Jeff Deist via Mises
Judy Shelton, a Trump nominee to the Fed Board of Governors, may not have coined the excellent term “Fed bug,” but she used it to delicious effect in this 2019 Financial Times interview:
“People call me a goldbug, and I think, well, what does that make them? A Fed bug,” she says.
Can anyone the New York Times attacks this dishonestly be all bad?
For our purposes, Fed bugs are people with a faith-based belief in the power of central banks (and central bankers) to engineer economic growth using “monetary policy,”despite decades of history and current evidence to the contrary. They believe tinkering with inputs and rates and velocity and flows somehow makes us richer in terms of productivity, goods, and services. They believe in financial alchemy, as economist Nomi Prins puts it, rather than precious metals. They believe paper has value so long as government issues it and legislates its use. Most of all, they believe in technocratic control over money in the economy.
Central bankers almost by definition are Fed bugs, but so are most monetary economists, financial journalists, and politicians. And they all hate gold with a passion. The reasons why are multifarious, but ultimately flow from their fundamental resentment of any money they do not control and cannot design. Central planning requires central money, and gold stands apart by its very decentralized nature. It is indifferent to human conceptions, and can be discovered and summoned from the earth only with tremendous risk and effort. It cannot easily be manipulated or destroyed, and its value cannot be decreed (though they try mightily). It is unchanging, unyielding, and stubbornly at odds with the political visions of Fed bugs.
And so they hate it.
They hate gold because it never goes away and never goes to zero. It holds monetary value intrinsically, without the imprimatur of a sovereign or government. Gold does not need the state or its bankers to operate as money, because individuals choose it as money on the market century after century.
Even after more than a century of political efforts to erase gold’s status as money, the public still views it as such. Gold quietly serves as a lingering rebuke of the entire political fiat money project—even as central banks are forced by circumstances to buy and hold it as collateral, as the ultimate hard currency and liquid asset for their balance sheets. In fact, central banks steadily bought or repatriated huge amounts of physical gold in recent years, despite the supposedly strong world economy prior to the covid crisis.
During the transitional period leading up to the full adoption of the euro across the twelve original eurozone countries, Germans in particular secreted away millions of Deutschmarks in mattresses, closets, and safety deposit boxes. More than a decade after the euro came into widespread use, Germans still held €6.6 billion(!) in unconverted Deutschmark notes and coins according to the Bundesbank. The reason for this is very simple: those Germans distrusted, and continue to distrust, the stability and purchasing power of the euro. They fear a crisis, however unlikely, and protect themselves by holding a “harder” currency in case the euro depreciates rapidly someday.
In other words, they prefer “buying” peace of mind by holding Deutschmarks to converting them to euros and buying goods or services. In the same way and for the same reasons, more and more Americans prefer exchanging some of their paper US dollars for physical gold.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
And yet the media campaign against gold continues. With Congress ordering magical fiscal bailouts from the Treasury, Trump conjuring up continued $600 weekly unemployment payments by executive order, and the Fed adding assets of every dubious stripe to its swollen $7 trillion balance sheet, gold prices predictably spiked to over $2,000 per ounce last week. Right on schedule, Fed bug journalists respond with a litany of “Gold is foolish, don’t buy it!” articles. In fact they sound like real estate agents in reverse: there is never a good time to buy. Gold goes up relative to the dollar; it’s overpriced and poised for a big fall. Gold falls below $1,100, as it did in 2015? See, we told you this worthless shiny metal was headed down!
We rarely see this level of media vitriol and meta-analysis directed toward, say, the latest pump and dump medical device stock duping day traders on Robinhood. The share price of bankrupt Hertz car rental goes from $20 to 80¢ and back up to $5 in a matter of a few months with little public ire or fanfare. And yet gold, the hated and denounced relic of late night Fox News infomercials, outperformed equity markets over the last fifteen years despite its monetary rather than investment status.
Gold is still here. FDR attempted to ban its private ownership and force conversion into dollars in 1933; Nixon eliminated the right of foreign governments to redeem US dollars for gold in 1971. Both men acted without Congress; both knew what their actions meant for savers and inflation. But gold has not faded away, if anything it grows in importance as fiscal and monetary policy across the West becomes increasingly unmoored.
Here is what Ludwig von Mises had to say about gold as real money one hundred years ago:
What the United States needs is not the gold-exchange standard but the Classical gold standard, decried by the inflationists as orthodox. Gold must be in the cash holdings of everybody. Everybody must see gold coins changing hands, must be used to having gold coins in his pockets, to receiving gold coins when he cashes his pay check, and to spending gold coins when he buys in a store.
What a wonderful vision, and not an impossible one. Uncle Sam and virtually all Western nations have embarked on a campaign of money creation unlike any time in human history. Where it all leads, and how long it lasts, cannot be predicted. But a global currency crisis, precipitated by a falling US dollar and finally arriving here at home, is hardly unthinkable. At that point we may see a new supranational currency created, or we may see a flight to known commodity money like gold. When the day comes you might want some gold coins jangling in your pocket, or at least some gold-backed zeros glowing in your digital accounts.
Author:
Contact Jeff Deist
Jeff Deist is president of the Mises Institute. He previously worked as chief of staff to Congressman Ron Paul, and as an attorney for private equity clients. Contact: email; twitter.
*****
Editor’s Note: A related Silver Doctors short (and hopefully comically inspiring) video about, well, why the Fed hates gold:


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--The Truth? Trump Didn’t ‘Cut’ Payroll Taxes, He ‘Deferred’ Them, And You Have To Pay Them Back

People are erroneously stating that Donald Trump ’ s executive order signed over the weekend “ cuts payroll taxes on workers.
” It doesn ’ t .
It defers the taxes , meaning you still have to pay them at a later date .
If we ever expect to have any kind of honest and rational society , we have to start waking up to the truth .
Of course , taxation of labor is , always was , and always will be theft .
But deferment is not “ cutting your theft rate ” either .
It simply means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later date .
It ’ s tough to hear , that Trump did nothing , but sometimes the truth hurts .
At his golf club in Bedminster , N.J. , Trump announced he was postponing payroll taxes through the end of the year , extending the unemployment “ bonus ” at $ 400 a week ( down from $ 600 ) , helping people “ stay in their homes ” and waiving student debt payments through the end of 2020 .
The details , however , are not as generous as he made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Anyone with two brain cells to rub together understands that this is nothing more than the political posturing of a Federal Reserve puppet .
Again , tough to hear , but the truth is treason in the empire of lies .
And , an executive order delaying the taxation is really supposed to be a power reserved to Congress ( they have a monopoly of theft unless you include the police and civil asset forfeiture . )
If you believe in “ law and order ” and the Constitution than Trump overstepped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending are supposed to come from Congress , so it is likely Trump will face a legal challenge over these actions as well .
It ’ ll end up being smoke in mirrors and a designed distraction while the Federal Reserve continues to impoverish the masses , but provide a good show while it ’ s happening to keep the majority asleep and “ rooting for ” one side or the other .
The real problems are those not being reported on or those coming down the pipe if you can read between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war on the people .
It ’ s a battle for our minds and most of us are still losing .
It ’ s past time to take responsibility for our own actions and realize that this system , regardless of the puppets dancing on command , was set up against us .
Trump may be trying to help , and this might be all he can do .
However , if you believe that he is trying to help but limited in what can do , while also believing he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deep state , you ’ re delusional at best and willfully ignorant at worst .
Especially considering he ’ s rolling out the military to help force Americans to take a COVID vaccine .
Wake UP : As Predicted , LOCKDOWNS Are Back In Some States !
Political there is nothing more .
It ’ s all a charade and a facade designed us to keep us distracted from the system set up against us .

by Mac Slavo of SHTFplan
People are erroneously stating that Donald Trump’s executive order signed over the weekend “cuts payroll taxes on workers.” It doesn’t. It defers the taxes, meaning you still have to pay them at a later date.
If we ever expect to have any kind of honest and rational society, we have to start waking up to the truth. Of course, taxation of labor is, always was, and always will be theft. But deferment is not “cutting your theft rate” either. It simply means thugs will attempt the theft at a later date. It’s tough to hear, that Trump did nothing, but sometimes the truth hurts.
At his golf club in Bedminster, N.J., Trump announced he was postponing payroll taxes through the end of the year, extending the unemployment “bonus” at $400 a week (down from $600), helping people “stay in their homes” and waiving student debt payments through the end of 2020. The details, however, are not as generous as he made them sound, writes the Washington Post. Anyone with two brain cells to rub together understands that this is nothing more than the political posturing of a Federal Reserve puppet.
Again, tough to hear, but the truth is treason in the empire of lies. And, an executive order delaying the taxation is really supposed to be a power reserved to Congress (they have a monopoly of theft unless you include the police and civil asset forfeiture.) If you believe in “law and order” and the Constitution than Trump overstepped anyway. Any changes to taxes or spending are supposed to come from Congress, so it is likely Trump will face a legal challenge over these actions as well. It’ll end up being smoke in mirrors and a designed distraction while the Federal Reserve continues to impoverish the masses, but provide a good show while it’s happening to keep the majority asleep and “rooting for” one side or the other.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
The real problems are those not being reported on or those coming down the pipe if you can read between the lines. This is still a war on the people. It’s a battle for our minds and most of us are still losing. It’s past time to take responsibility for our own actions and realize that this system, regardless of the puppets dancing on command, was set up against us.
Trump may be trying to help, and this might be all he can do. However, if you believe that he is trying to help but limited in what can do, while also believing he’s going to be able to take down the deep state, you’re delusional at best and willfully ignorant at worst. Especially considering he’s rolling out the military to help force Americans to take a COVID vaccine.
Wake UP: As Predicted, LOCKDOWNS Are Back In Some States!
Political there is nothing more. It’s all a charade and a facade designed us to keep us distracted from the system set up against us.


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-11--Another Fed chart shouting that DEFLATION is imminent.

fred.stlouisfed.org/series/BPCCRO1Q156NBEA # 0 “ Consensus ” sees above average levels of INFLATION breaking out any month now !
Looks like @ @ @ @ @ a major forecast .

fred.stlouisfed.org/series/BPCCRO1Q156NBEA#0
“Consensus” sees above average levels of INFLATION breaking out any month now! Looks like another Wrong Again call on a major forecast.
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h/t mark000