Americas financial sustainability begins with Made in America

Americas financial sustainability begins with Made in America

Americans must wake up and take action to protect our liberty and way of life.

America must rejuvenate itself and become the huge industrial power it once was.

It starts by re-inventing the wheel and building manufacturing facilities in the United States that employ Americans who produce quality goods at a competitive price with space age technology and modernization.

Organized workforce and benefits has to be revamped to meet today’s economic conditions.

Government and its bureaucracy must be reduced and streamlined. Rules and regulations must be revamped to be conducive to business growth and development.

YJ Draiman

10 Signs The U.S. is Becoming a Third World Country

10 Signs The U.S. is Becoming a Third World Country

The United States by every measure is hanging on by a thread to its First World status.  Saddled by debt, engaged in wars on multiple fronts with a rising police state at home, declining economic productivity, and wild currency fluctuations all threaten America's future.

The general designations of the ranking system for world status date back to the 1950s, and have included countries at various stages of economic development.  Since the Cold War, the definition has come to be synonymous with repressive countries where a wealthy class of ruling elites segment society into the haves and have-nots, many times capitalizing on the conditions that follow an economic crisis or war.

While much of the world is still mired in poverty, the reduced cost of innovative tools such as computing and connectivity ironically puts traditional Third World countries at the forefront of a new lean-and-mean economy that is based on ideas of empowerment for the disenfranchised.   For better or worse, the world is leveling due to Globalism.  However, America and other over-leveraged countries face this re-balancing of the globe at a time when they have dwindling resources. We can speculate about who and what is to blame for America's fantastic fall, but for the purposes of this article we shall focus on the obvious signs that the United States is beginning to resemble a Third World country.

1. Rising unemployment and poverty: Unemployment numbers, food stamps, and home foreclosures continue to reach new record highs.  The ugly reality of those numbers was recently on display when 30,000 people showed up to apply for public housing in East Point, GA for 455 available vouchers.  Fights broke out, people were fainting from the heat while in line, and riot police showed up to handle the angry poor.

2. Economic dependence: The United States finished 2009 with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 85%, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).  The current trend projects the United States to finish 2010 at 94% and 2011 at 98%.  The 90% level has become the IMF's make-or-break point for countries hoping to grow their way out of debt. If the government debt load climbs above 90% of GDP, economic growth slows so much that growth is no longer a viable solution for reducing that debt, and the IMF insists on austerity measures. Surpassing this debt threshold has also caused China's lead credit rating agency to cut America's credit rating.

3. Declining civil rights:  Everyday freedoms are often a casualty of a society in collapse.  As the anger of the populace mounts in response to declining economic conditions and political corruption, the government counters by increasing draconian measures that restrict the political rights and civil liberties of its citizens.

America is becoming a country like China, which has one of the lowest scores according to Freedom House.  In America, private discussions and movements are monitored, free speech is corralled, the freedom to assemble for protest is by government decree, and independent thought that questions the political system is increasingly looked upon with suspicion.  A final indicator is when the government insists upon secrecy for its own actions, while new laws and systems are created to put the individual under nearly constant surveillance.

4. Increasing political corruption: When political corruption becomes the accepted norm, as opposed to the exception, then there's a good bet your country resembles the Third World. Congress and all major institutions face a growing crisis in confidence, where a record-low 11% of the population believe Congress is doing a good job. It now seems obvious to all observers that big corporations directly control the agenda in Washington -- much like typically corrupt Third World countries.

5. Military patrolling the streets: The rise of a militarized police state is a hallmark of most Third World countries, particularly in times of rapid economic collapse.  America's declaration of the War on Terror has created a constant threat to National Security that has allowed for the military to be deployed on American soil.  Building upon the War on Drugs, this has created a fusion between the military and local police, where military-grade weapons and tactics are being used against American citizens in a cascade of violent confrontations over non-violent offenses.  Military checkpoints are moving farther inland, away from meaningful border control functions, and a full-blown military presence in American cities has been planned by the U.S. Army War College.

6. Failing infrastructure:  As 46 of 50 states are on the verge of bankruptcy, cities are going dark, asphalt roads are returning to the stone age, and nationwide budget cuts are leaving students without teachers, supplies, or a full-time education.  These are common features one will see as they travel through the poorest of Third World countries.

7. Disappearing middle class: During the last presidential debate season, they argued that a family income of $250K was solidly middle-class.  Well, Census data shows less than 15% of families make over $100K, and only 1.5% of families make over $250K.  The income gap between the rich and poor has increased at a staggering pace, while many more middle-class folks join the ranks of the poor every day.  Cavernous income gaps may be what Third-World nations are best known for.

8. Devalued currency: The value of the Federal Reserve Note (U.S. dollar) has declined 96% since the inception of the Federal Reserve in 1913.  The value of the dollar is based on its supply in circulation and, to a lesser extent, the demand for those dollars. For the last three years, the monetary base has spiked literally off the charts. It can be argued that the dollar has become America's top export as the world's reserve currency, and if the volatile dollar is scrapped, which the U.N. and IMF now suggest, then demand will plummet, killing the currency.

9. Controlling the media: A government-influenced media that censors information is a key component of Third World countries.  In some countries it is openly owned by the State.  In America, privately-owned major media is not as balanced or as diverse as it seems; the concentration of ownership has led to censorship when national and corporate interests have sometimes overlapped.  The persecution of high-profile investigative journalists such as WikiLeaks is set amid a backdrop of the proposed Internet censorship of bloggers who wish to remain anonymous.  The end of net neutrality creates a pay-to-play system that can lead to further corporate and government control of information and opinion.  Cybersecurity initiatives are the final nail in the coffin, as the entire free flow of information can be vetted in a China-style system of "identity management."  On the street, the police state and media control have converged in the recent rise of arrests for those who videotape the police.  This is a huge blow to First Amendment rights and the role of photojournalists who wish to document public police behavior.

10. Capital Controls: Many nations have enforced capital controls as their economies collapse.   It most recently happened in Argentina and Venezuela as they sought to keep the remaining wealth within their borders. The SEC already has adopted policies to allow money market funds to suspend withdrawals during a financial crisis, while the recent HIRE bill (HR 2487) puts restrictions on Americans moving capital to foreign countries. Some economists suggest that the national debt has gotten so high that the government must now force investment of private capital into U.S. Treasury debt.

Key economic indicators point to a situation potentially worse than the Great Depression. The land of opportunity for so many is devolving into a system of government corruption, corporate looting, and military rule that threatens to sink the American Dream.  The capital flight from America has left a dwindling middle class holding an empty bag.  This style of underinvestment in the foundation of society is similar to what already has led to the exodus from the rural Midwest. Now, there are ominous signs of a silent exodus of young, intelligent professionals seeking opportunities to realize their dreams outside of America; they are becoming known as Generation Xpat.  Lastly, many skilled immigrants have returned to their home countries to seek a better quality of life, which might be the scariest indicator of all.

Comments:

1. As long as banks are privately held, as long as currency is printed, circulated and controlled by private corporations and as long as usury, in any form or amount, remains legal, the transformation of earth into a third world planet will continue apace.
The first thing that must happen is the nationalization of all banks, from the federal reserve down to the smallest local credit union. The printing, circulation and regulation of all currency must be controlled by the people through the office of their government.
Simply put bbgb's. Bringbackgreenbacks. We must use a fiat currency of debt-free government notes backed by nothing more than its designation as legal tender. Money is not a commodity; it is an act of law, not of nature. It has no intrinsic value. Money is not wealth. Resources, and that includes human resources, are wealth and all resources belong to all the people.
All lobbying and all corporate influence must be completely eliminated. All corporations must exist only as nonprofit entities whose function must be proven beneficial to all. Said existence must be allowed only by limited government charter and only for a predetermined time. If, after the stipulated period, a corporation cannot produce indisputable, factual data showing that its operation is contributing to the general welfare, its charter must not be renewed.
The u.s. must withdraw from the international monetary fund, the world bank, and the bank of international settlements until such time as these entities become publicly held rather than private, for-profit, operations. They may continue to exist, not for profit, but in the interest of international commerce in a purely administrative capacity.
Without these fundamental changes to the way in which we perceive money and its purpose, the population of earth will inexorably be transformed into a bilateral caste system of masters and servants.
There will be no improvement but rather a steady decline in the quality of life as long as profit remains the motive for everything. Mammon has become the god of choice in amerika and the kapitalist jihad is spreading the worship of money and power around the world.
The founders of america, some presidents and even politicians have warned of the coming of this day.

“The end of democracy and defeat of the American Revolution will occur when government falls into the hands of the lending institutions and moneyed incorporations.
The Bank of the United States is one of the most deadly hostilities existing against the principles and form of our Constitution. The system of banking is a blot left in all our Constitutions, which if not covered will end in their destruction. I sincerely believe that banking institutions are more dangerous than standing armies; and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity is but swindling futurity. “
Thomas Jefferson

“The Government should create, issue, and circulate all the currency and credits needed to satisfy the spending power of the Government and the buying power of consumers. By the adoption of these principles, the taxpayers will be saved immense sums of interest. Money will cease to be master and become the servant of humanity.”
Abraham Lincoln

"Some people think that the Federal Reserve Banks are United States Government institutions. They are private monopolies which prey upon the people of these United States for the benefit of themselves and their foreign customers; foreign and domestic speculators and swindlers; and rich and predatory money lenders."
The Honorable Louis McFadden, Chairman of the House Banking and Currency Committee in 1933

There is no way to Peace. Peace is the Way.

2. I think it’s a bit alarmist. But the article supports its claim well. I think the country certainly is heading to a crossroads, and may already be standing there now. Question is, how long until someone does something. SOMETHING needs to happen. Either Americans wake up, and become stewards of their own country, or we surrender the remaining rights we have to a totalitarian state. I’m on board with the waking up idea. Americans have largely forgotten what citizenship means. But that won’t happen overnight, or even over the next few years. No one likes the idea of being responsible to America. But each, and every citizen owes the country their active involvement in its caretaking. Today national pride seems to be part of everyone’s life, but it’s always for where their ancestors came from. Not for America. I see so many cars with flags of other countries on them. This doesn’t bother me in practice. We’re fortunate to have such a diverse make up. My opinion is that each American has three duties:

First to America: Actively involve yourself in the government, and maintenance of her ideals, and interests both materiel and in spirit.
Second to fellow citizens: Enforce a sense of community, and fraternity amongst the populace. A sense of purpose.
Third to your representatives in Government: Voice grievances, ideas, and solutions in the manner set forth by the Constitution. They need to know from citizens how, and what, needs attention.

Those ideas aren’t terrifically enforced, or even believed in today. Maybe it’s too much to ask of the average civilian today. To be a citizen.

3. For those who are interested in the truth, as opposed to rhetoric, it is: The US of A is toast until the "rule of law" is restored and, this is contrary to the interests of those who suppress freedom. "From all enemies, foreign and domestic" Hah!

The "rule of law" is a precisely defined law. It is the highest law of mankind, stated below:

“the suppression of forceful and fraudulent methods of goal seeking”

“all are treated equally by the law”. This means ALL, including king and judges

“absolute property rights”

This in turn is based on the fact that human behavior (the topic of law) is about goal seeking. In the seeking of any goal, there are only three possible methods: force, fraud and honest trade. Any transaction that is not an honest, mutually agreed trade will cause a self-defensive response (conflict) from the victim whose survival has been affected.

"The Rule of Law" is the glue that keeps all of mankind acting together in common interest, tied together by mutual dependence of trade, on an evolutionary path to excellence. Force and fraud creates conflict and destroys civilizations. Mankind is now on a devolutionary path to extinction because the co-operation once forced by "the rule of law" has been replaced by legitimizing force and fraud for those who incorrectly believe they wield power.

Rule of Law, Defined: http://www.nazisociopaths.org/modules/article/view.article.php/c1/34

Darwin PROVED: Survival EQUALS ability to adapt to environment EQUALS ability to choose correctly EQUALS freedom: http://www.nazisociopaths.org/modules/article/view.article.php/36

Mathematics of Rule (explains current economic stall):
http://www.nazisociopaths.org/modules/article/view.article.php/c1/32

How to THINK and solve problems:
http://www.nazisociopaths.org/modules/article/view.article.php/c1/33

Social Contract:
http://www.nazisociopaths.org/modules/article/view.article.php/c1/37

Justice Defined: We are all free to profit or suffer and learn (adapt to excellence) by facing the consequences of our OWN choices. Injustice is to be forced to suffer the consequences of choices of unaccountable (irresponsible) others..

"The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern. The law of liberty tends to abolish the reign of race over race, of faith over faith, of class over class." ~ Lord Acton.

4. I find it continually mind blowing that even after reading a thoughtful and well documented article, such as this one, that readers (citizens) still choose division over unity.

I've only ever know the monetary system which I was brought up in, which has many negative side-effects - many mentioned above. I'm not sure of the answer to solve all of these problems, but I know that drawing lines between liberals and conservatives, using Communism as a "Rhetorical hammer" or blaming the poor for this mess are certainly not fruitful avenues to pursue.

I'm of the Xpat generation who left after the 2000 election, and prior to 9/11. I am not a grass is greener kind of person, nor do I believe where I am is better. But what I can say is that since I left in 2000, the changes that have and are taking place in America scare me silly.

Much of what is stated in the above article is clear as day if your critical mind is open. I'm proud to be American, and feel more American overseas than I have ever felt in my life. But years of being outside of the US, keeping a critical eye on the US and the world, it is clear that what was once known as the land of opportunity, is becoming more and more the contrary.

What's my solution - start personal. Make individual changes. Meet others who are different, whether in belief or origin, find the common ground between liberal and conservative and start a dialogue that can help everyone change the lens we view the world through. We as Americans have been fed so much BS over the past ten years, only for the sake of division. Cooperation is way more fun, and certainly effective.

Changing the way we speak about things, changes the way we deal with things. Peace and love are not silly things and making sure everyone has enough to eat is not a lot to ask. Civil rights, freedom of religion and speech, etc – have been gifts to this land for more than 200 years – let’s try to keep it that way

We are allowing U.S. to become just a Third World country

 

 

We are allowing U.S. to become just a Third World country

    I have never been more ashamed of Americans as I am now.

    Innocent young boys sacrificed their lives to keep America free and proud. Today, we are losing our country to people more dangerous than the Japanese and not one American is brave enough to take a stand.

    Forget the politicians. They have always been spineless cowards interested only in themselves. One day, not too far in the future, Americans are going to ask how and when did we lose our once-proud country and then it will dawn on them that they were the cause.

    While worrying only about yourselves, give some thought as to the kind of life you are leaving your children and grandchildren when we become a Third World country under feral rule.