Rebane's Ruminations
April 2014
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George Rebane

I read Peter Schiff's The Real Crash (2013) last year and summarized its main findings found in Chapter 12 of the book.  Since I recently attended a conference where Schiff was the keynote speaker and posted on it – A Libertarian Lovefest … – I thought I'd share this little missal with my readers who may just want to cut to the chase.  Anyway, I ran across the summary while rummaging around in my files, so here it is.

1.    Main thesis – We consume more than we produce.  Therefore foreigners produce more than they consume.  They are the creditors and have pent up demand since they are living below their means.  Such economies will see a surge in demand while ours will languish/shrink.  Invest in companies that will benefit from this shift.  The US economy will crash.
2.    Sectors to invest in
    2.1.    Raw materials – they will drive more cars and buy more washing machines
    2.2.    Agriculture – they will eat more meat and complex foods
    2.3.    Energy
    2.4.    Manufacturing
    2.5.    Chemicals
    2.6.    Infrastructure
    2.7.    Utilities
    2.8.    Technology
3.    Countries to invest in
    3.1.    Australia – energy independent, export to Asia, strong banking system
    3.2.    Singapore – wealthy and high savings, freest economy, large exporter
    3.3.    Hong Kong – low taxes and regs, big China exports, “corporate Mecca”
    3.4.    New Zealand – shift from ag to mfg, big exporter to Australia and China (free trade agreement)
    3.5.    Switzerland – prudent and fiercely independent, home to thriving banks, insurers, pharma, and chemicals, not in Eurozone
    3.6.    Norway – global markets for its oil, fish, forests, and minerals; not in Eurozone, swinging away from a social welfare state
    3.7.    Netherlands – third largest ag exporter, has Europe’s largest natural gas field, good place for “euro exposure”
    3.8.    Canada – growing what the US is shrinking: manufacturing, mining, drilling, extraction, logging.  Poised to shift exports from declining US demand to increasing global demand.
    3.9.    China – “capitalism and democracy are not the same thing”, rocky road ahead but potential for tremendous growth, big US companies moving major operations there.
4.    Investment Strategy (“three legged stool”)
    4.1.    Quality dividend-paying foreign stocks in the right sectors (consider countries, currencies, sectors, individual stocks),  Euro Pacific Capital (brokerage company)
    4.2.    Liquidity and less volatile investments: cash (foreign currencies for liquidity, keep some dollars on hand) and foreign bonds (short maturities, non-dollar denominated, also convertibles), http://www.europacificfunds.com
    4.3.    Gold and gold mining stocks – Perth Mint Certificate Program, Euro Pacific Precious Metals
5.    Global decoupling from US economy is the big fear.  Our economic collapse “has barely begun”.  Before collapse is complete, “US bonds and the dollar will crash.”

Posted in ,

84 responses to “‘The Real Crash’ – Summary Notes”

  1. Michael Anderson Avatar
    Michael Anderson

    Bob, while the majority of the comments on this thread seem to reflect a hearty bias toward either the Cubs or the Giants, I would like to tip my hat at this time to Coco Crisp with his walk-off home run in the bottom of the 12th against the Mariners recently. Suck it, Seattle (insert gratuitous Seahawks-bashing comment here).
    Well done, sir.

    Like

  2. Gregory Avatar

    “Good thing all those [black] men in Washington D.C. have Obamacare now, they will be living long enough to enjoy their Social Security.
    If we supported affirmative action we would not have a deficit of educational subsidies for African Americans either.
    Makes me proud to support both!”
    -Frisch
    Add fanatic gun control support and it’s hard to see why Frisch isn’t a left-liberal, given his support of so many of the left’s hot button issues.
    It takes a special kind of magical thinking to believe extending Medicaid to poor black men will somehow grant them the longevity of Asian women, and discriminating against men and women of Asian descent in U of Cal admissions in order to ensure seats at the UC wasn’t the answer even before race was banned from admissions decisions. In 2012, the average American of Asian descent scored a SAT M+V of 1113 while black American students managed only an 856. Asian kids deserve to dominate admissions into Berkeley because they’ve earned it.
    Racist policies in order to grant special privileges always hurt someone, Steve, whether it’s a misguided paternalist attempt to right a past wrong with a fresh wrong or as a racist entitlement by the ruling castes.

    Like

  3. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Fish, only a year? You need to go back and read the history, it may open your eyes. The savagery, mean spiritedness, and emotional impugning of motives, beliefs, sanity and ethics began long ago. It is what George may call ‘spirited debate’ but many would consider futile self gratifying blood sport.
    Unlike baseball which is a game of honor amongst men that requires just the right blend of skill and strategy 🙂
    I’ll take baseball any day.
    And for Michael: How many Seahawks fans does it take to change a light bulb? A: None they are happy living in the 49ers shadow!

    Like

  4. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Posted by: Gregory | 05 April 2014 at 08:04 AM
    And then there is Gregory, the biggest a**hole of them all, who just cannot get with the redemptive, playful, joking spirit of the thread and must grind his axe to make his woody real. Get a sense of humor sourpuss!

    Like

  5. Gregory Avatar

    Frisch, “The Real Crash” isn’t funny, and neither is your support for racism in college admissions.

    Like

  6. Gregory Avatar

    George, regarding the summary of Schiff’s hot buttons, the phrase ‘even a stopped clock’ comes to mind. I suspect he’s phenomenally wrong on the last item “China – “capitalism and democracy are not the same thing”, rocky road ahead but potential for tremendous growth, big US companies moving major operations there.”
    The China observers that have my attention are expecting a major crash, not a rocky road, and it won’t be pretty as they try to unwind their financial troubles made opaque by systemic accounting gimmicks that would make Enron’s CFO blush and old Arthur Anderson hands green with envy.

    Like

  7. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Ah, I see we are back on track!

    Like

  8. fish Avatar
    fish

    I would like to tip my hat at this time to Coco Crisp with his walk-off home run in the bottom of the 12th against the Mariners recently.
    Indeed! I feel asleep just before he hit it….meh! I thought Crisp was washed up before he signed with the A’s as they seem to be a waypoint into or out of the majors. Shows what I know!
    Fish, only a year?
    For me yes.

    Like

  9. Gregory Avatar

    Sorry you missed being kept on track, Stevie, but I’d been out of town for most of the last week visiting Cambridge, Taxachussetts, and didn’t have time to keep you focused on what you do best, ad hominem attacks against those that you fantasize have woodies for you.

    Like

  10. Joe Koyote Avatar
    Joe Koyote

    For the record, no self-proclaimed anti-conservetarian has ever stepped up in these pages to respond to repeated queries about what specifically makes my beliefs “radical”, “extreme”, or “evil”. —
    Probably because no one wishes to expose themselves to the rash of angst that the peanut gallery would bestow upon them. It just isn’t worth the time or effort to compile such a document only to have the discussion focus upon fantasies about woodies rather than issues and answers. Folks were commenting about the climate change crickets.. I am still wondering about alternatives to SSI.

    Like

  11. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Posted by: Joe Koyote | 05 April 2014 at 09:22 AM
    “Probably because no one wishes to expose themselves to the rash of angst that the peanut gallery would bestow upon them.”
    I just consider the entire site humor Joe. Taking anything said here too seriously would diminish its comic value.

    Like

  12. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    “…trebuchet futures…” I love it!

    Like

  13. Gregory Avatar

    JK, means testing social security payments would be a good start. Frisch seems to think mediscare should be means tested (and so do I), and there is no good reason besides not pissing off old farts and Democrats to not means test SS. It does require admitting you pay you money in and get someone else’s money out in order to make do.
    Following the Chilean example (they actually listened to Uncle Milty Friedman) on social security would be an even better solution.
    http://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/chiles-social-security-lesson-us
    Don’t expect any such change until enough Boomers die off to allow the poor Busters paying the bills to rival their voting power.

    Like

  14. Gregory Avatar

    “I just consider the entire site humor Joe.” -Frisch
    Like Pelline, Frisch chooses ridicule when reasoned argument fails. Alinsky would be proud.
    “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.”-Rules for Radicals #5.

    Like

  15. Todd Juvinall Avatar

    I would suggest that the topics here are actually not understood by theFrisch nor Joe. When ignorance is bliss, they attend. Too funny.
    Actually, they supply the humor for all of us. Hats off to the jesters!

    Like

  16. Walt Avatar

    LOL!! ” Modzilla a private Co.” Since when did that mean anything? So is Hobby Lobby. Yet “their beliefs” are on trial, and may be FORCED to give what they don’t subscribe to.
    But someone gives their own money to a cause THEY believe in, it’s just fine to run them out on a rail.
    More or that ” we demand tolerance” from those that have none. Your batting a thousand there Steve….
    Christians put up a “support our troops” sign. ( Someone bitched),and all Hell breaks loose. Yet rainbow flags are fine and dandy sitting on county road “right of way” all over the place. Or in full view “conveying” a message. ( no permits of course) and those get a pass.
    Let’s hear more from the double standard crew.

    Like

  17. fish Avatar
    fish

    I just consider the entire site humor Joe. Taking anything said here too seriously would diminish its comic value.
    So says the man whistling past the “government will solve everything” graveyard.

    Like

  18. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Posted by: Walt | 05 April 2014 at 10:27 AM
    “A LIB business ( uh,,, nonprofit?)”
    Walt, I was just answering your question….it was you who placed a question mark after the nonprofit status.

    Like

  19. George Rebane Avatar

    JoeK 922am – A sad but no doubt accurate reply Joe. Yes, any posting of one’s credo should anticipate pushback from the ‘other mindeds’. That is one of the prime reasons to so reveal your beliefs, so you can evaluate the critiques and perhaps even learn something from those who sing in a different chorus. However, I feel that the real reason why you and yours don’t want to disclose the tenets of your social and political beliefs is that they would expose what all of you have been denying since the American Socialist Party folded its tent in the late 1940s.
    If you feel that posting your credo on RR would be too painful, why don’t one or more of you pick a more insulated leftwing blog and make it available there? But my long confirmed feeling is that you folks don’t want any accredited (signed with your real name) copies of such a credo posted anywhere. Perhaps I err.

    Like

  20. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    “Well, of course now I am at work trying to save the world, and I don’t have time today to do a line by line comment on the ‘conservatorial credo’. However I do have to say that I totally applaud George for doing a thorough description of his political philosophy. I think all too few of us actually think clearly about what our holistic political philosophy is rather than responding to ‘issues’ on a case by case basis.
    Posted by: stevenfrisch | 04 April 2014 at 10:12 AM
    I am reading through it this weekend, checking some of the sources, and, not surprising to me, have found many areas of ‘agreement’ so far.
    I’m pretty busy this weekend and into the week, but will be hotel room bound, so I plan on both commenting on Mr. Rebane’s credo, and posting my own. I may do it under the ‘Credo’ thread though to keep things clean. I would encourage others to do the same. George, just for you I will highlight the American Socialist Party text in yellow 🙂
    I meant what I said above and reposted here; the effort to think through ones political philosophy is both a useful exercise and a good check against adopting ideas based on convenience.

    Like

  21. fish Avatar
    fish

    From Associate Bobs site this a.m…..the faint sound of whining!
    Hmmm. You could hear a pin drop in the hard-right blogosphere this weekend.
    Hey Jeffy…when you finish eating that baby drop by and chat!
    …..I want my baby back baby back baby back….
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv3I6mz0tBY

    Like

  22. Todd Juvinall Avatar

    fish where did you hear the bigboy say that? Is he lonely?
    TheFrisch must have a multiple personality. A comment above told the world he comes here only for humor and nothing serious yet now he wants us to believe some “hotel room” credo he will honor us with. JoeK, a hony name like Fedor etal, just can’t seem t compete in the real world of debate either.

    Like

  23. Barry Pruett Avatar

    Fish: Unlike Pelline…I have a life! In Vegas being bad. See you guys later. One last GO CUBS!

    Like

  24. fish Avatar
    fish

    fish where did you hear the bigboy say that? Is he lonely?
    At his site! I don’t recall the posting but it was no deeper than two or three down.
    Fish: Unlike Pelline…I have a life! In Vegas being bad. See you guys later. One last GO CUBS!
    Cubs…..you Chicago masochists…don’t know if there is any way to help you work through those “issues”. On a brighter note, it’s only April…the Cubs won’t be mathematically eliminated until late May at the earliest.
    Enjoy the next couple of months.
    VIVA GIGANTES!

    Like

  25. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Posted by: Todd Juvinall | 05 April 2014 at 12:39 PM
    Todd finds his muse….
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt9q-WChfeM

    Like

  26. Barry Pruett Avatar

    Massive amounts of Old Style…it is cheaper than therapy!

    Like

  27. Michael Anderson Avatar
    Michael Anderson

    Barry, what are doing at NAB?

    Like

  28. Barry Pruett Avatar

    John Paul said the same thing to me. What is NAB?

    Like

  29. fish Avatar
    fish

    Massive amounts of Old Style…
    ELITIST SNOB!

    Like

  30. Michael Anderson Avatar
    Michael Anderson

    George, check the spam box.

    Like

  31. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Global decoupling from US economy is the big fear. Our economic collapse “has barely begun”. Before collapse is complete, “US bonds and the dollar will crash.”
    That means I am screwed. Bonds, cash and cash equivalents will crash? I consider cash equivalents stocks cause they are so liquid. Does not help if you make it big in stocks if the real dollar value is pennies on the dollar. What good is collecting rents if cash crashes? And everybody knows gold is for hording and I can’t bear to sell the shinny stuff. Alas, woe is me. At least I can use dollar bills to light my cigars. Always a silver lining.

    Like

  32. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Dr. Rebane, I keep reading your Rebnations above and it is quite unsettling. Reminds me of the book I read once called The Crash of 84. 1984 has come and gone, but the book’s theme has never left my scrambled brain. Here is a dude talking about it, but from a different angle. The crash caused by cyber financial system terrorism attack. I don’t like the term cyber and terrorism combined with financial system in the same sentence. Long clip, may or may not be worth your time:
    http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/3441889201001/the-demise-of-the-dollar/?playlist_id=937116503001#sp=show-clips

    Like

  33. Gregory Avatar

    Back to Frisch’s support for racist college admissions policies (04 April 2014 at 01:59 PM)
    In the news today, Black and Latino Democrats in Sacramento have torpedoed legislation by Asian Democrats in payback for not accepting a deal that could have resulted in Asian kids getting short sheeted by UC admissions once again.
    White, black, latino or asian, if you can’t get into Cal on your own merits, you (and Cal) are better off if you find a spot where you are a better academic fit, and the best way to stop racism in college admissions is to not allow race to be used in college admission decisions.
    Is that so difficult to understand?

    Like

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