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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 โ€“ 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 โ€“ they will drive more cars and buy more washing machines
    2.2.    Agriculture โ€“ 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 โ€“ energy independent, export to Asia, strong banking system
    3.2.    Singapore โ€“ wealthy and high savings, freest economy, large exporter
    3.3.    Hong Kong โ€“ low taxes and regs, big China exports, โ€œcorporate Meccaโ€
    3.4.    New Zealand โ€“ shift from ag to mfg, big exporter to Australia and China (free trade agreement)
    3.5.    Switzerland โ€“ prudent and fiercely independent, home to thriving banks, insurers, pharma, and chemicals, not in Eurozone
    3.6.    Norway โ€“ global markets for its oil, fish, forests, and minerals; not in Eurozone, swinging away from a social welfare state
    3.7.    Netherlands โ€“ third largest ag exporter, has Europeโ€™s largest natural gas field, good place for โ€œeuro exposureโ€
    3.8.    Canada โ€“ 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 โ€“ โ€œcapitalism and democracy are not the same thingโ€, rocky road ahead but potential for tremendous growth, big US companies moving major operations there.
4.    Investment Strategy (โ€œthree legged stoolโ€)
    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 โ€“ Perth Mint Certificate Program, Euro Pacific Precious Metals
5.    Global decoupling from US economy is the big fear.  Our economic collapse โ€œhas barely begunโ€.  Before collapse is complete, โ€œUS bonds and the dollar will crash.โ€

Posted in ,

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

  1. Walt Avatar

    Nice list Doc. I was just reading about other investments. Brass and lead are up 400%
    since the Left went after the 2ND with a vengeance.
    Bullet makers that are publicly traded ( just a handful are) are doing well.
    Ruger has paid good dividends too.
    Expendable items will always be in demand, and the makers stocks should fair well over the long haul.
    Gold? That’s as volatile as gasoline these days, and it’s price isn’t following any “norm”. It’s the roulette table of the market these days.

    Like

  2. Michael Anderson Avatar
    Michael Anderson

    Thanks George. Called my broker tonight and he got me set up in a mutual fund drilled into trebuchet futures.

    Like

  3. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Posted by: Michael Anderson | 04 April 2014 at 02:04 AM
    Michael, you might also want to invest in those companies that do a years worth of food in two 5 galling buckets, plans to make scoping devices from used PVC, home insulin manufacture, and tools to pull the steel sheeting off the surface of Trantor and bend it into simple farm implements.

    Like

  4. Barry Pruett Avatar

    Steve: As our American economy is teetering on imminent collapse due to gross mismanagement of our deficits and debt, you mock. At the same time, you advocating planning ahead and averting our potential extinction in thousands of years based upon inconsistent scientific studies about soemthin we may have no power over (climate). Can you please rectify the inconsistency?

    Like

  5. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Gosh Barry, you must have forgotten that I do not mock our economic and financial condition, I work every single day to try to improve the condition. In many cases adopting ideas that even you would approve. For example, I support raising the retirement age for SS to 70, raising the caps on taxable SS income, and reforming SSDI. I support a gradual adoption of chained CPI. I support a cap indexed to inflation on discretionary federal spending. Of course, I also support a restructuring of the US military to reflect new world conditions, meaning an emphasis on rapid deployment forces and reinvestment in traditional human intelligence assets, so we can cut defense spending by at least 25%. I would like to simplify the tax code to eliminate most deductions and lower taxes (although I am still undecided on whether a flat tax or VAT is the best way to do this). I would means test Medicare. If we did most of these things we could be almost debt free in about 25 years, instead of hovering at about 80% of GDP in debt, which is roughly how long it took us to retire most of our 120% of GDP debt after WWII. I know it is fun to paint everyone who does not agree with the ‘conservatorial credo’ 100% as some sort of collectivist radical. but the reality is I, like the majority of Americans, am much more moderate than you radical deconstructionists are. Hey, that was fun!

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  6. fish Avatar
    fish

    …. but the reality is I, like the majority of Americans, am much more moderate than you radical deconstructionists are. Hey, that was fun!
    If it’s any consolation Steve I’ve always thought of you as mediocre…err…I mean moderate. Yes…..moderate….. that’s the word I’m looking for.

    Like

  7. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Yeah, well your mother wears combat boots Fish.
    I think Michael has exactly the correct mocking tone for the caliber of mind populating this space.

    Like

  8. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Except for George of course, he is just a fu*king evil genius!
    Here, let me re-post this!
    Michael, you might also want to invest in those companies that do a years worth of food in two 5 galling buckets, plans to make scoping devices from used PVC, home insulin manufacture, and tools to pull the steel sheeting off the surface of Trantor and bend it into simple farm implements.

    Like

  9. Barry Pruett Avatar

    I was not looking for an argument…just an answer. Thanks…and as you know already I agree with some of those positions. Have a nice weekend and don’t miss the Cubs home opener today against the Phillies!

    Like

  10. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Go Cubs! No ‘argument’ intended.
    I am not sure though how accusing me of mocking and inconsistency is not looking for an argument while me identifying the ‘conservatorial credo’ as radical deconstructionism is?
    They are roughly equally analogous slights in my mind and simple fairness would dictate that if one is an argument the other is. To not recognize that is the ultimate inconsistency.
    Alas, the Giants are hitting like a contender again and the Cubs are looking like a slightly newer doormat. But hope springs eternal with every green shoot, and I will root for the north siders, until the Giants, my other team, eclipse them mid-season!

    Like

  11. George Rebane Avatar

    stevenfrisch 638am et al – If we may take a short break from mocking and continue in the spirit of “fun”, could you please identify for our readers which tenets of the Conservetarian Credo you consider radical. I also invite other anti-conservetarian readers to offer similar illuminations. Perhaps that would let the conservation take a productive step forward.
    http://rebaneruminations.typepad.com/rebanes_ruminations/2014/03/a-conservetarian-credo.html

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  12. Todd Juvinall Avatar

    I would like to read that too.

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  13. fish Avatar
    fish

    Yeah, well your mother wears combat boots Fish.
    I think Michael has exactly the correct mocking tone for the caliber of mind populating this space.

    Yeah, well your mother wears combat boots Fish.
    While I find you rather ridiculous from a political and societal standpoint I freely acknowledge that you are not a stupid man. Given this I’m sure you can understand how deeply disappointed I am to see you recycling Jeffys lame assed lines. I’ll expect more from you in the future Steve.
    I think Michael has exactly the correct mocking tone for the caliber of mind populating this space.
    Then you’ll want to delete this sentiment quickly and add it to your “Art” project.

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  14. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Posted by: fish | 04 April 2014 at 08:05 AM
    I don’t think Mr. Pelline was the originator of that line. I opted for it rather than posting the following clip from Pee Wee’s Big Adventure:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOGWbzUM-y8

    Like

  15. fish Avatar
    fish

    I don’t think Mr. Pelline was the originator of that line.
    You should have gone with the clip…..
    I’m aware that Jeffy didn’t “invent” it….he did however nearly beat it to death on a thread a few weeks back. I’m going to give him primary custody of that particular bon mot…… it is so played out that I feel it suits him.

    Like

  16. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    Fish, I find it interesting that a self proclaimed “smarter than the average bear” fellow like theFrisch would even comment here. After all, most here are successful people with decent education.(except me of course) He of course is slumming. LOL!

    Like

  17. Walt Avatar

    Go ahead and make fun of “preppers” Steve. BTW.. Have you purchased any of those emergency supplies? Heck… Who any I kidding? It will be easer to have the government
    seize emergency stores from the “hoarders”,( at gun point if necessary) when the “stuff” hits the fan. ( planning ahead is for the other guy, to save MY bacon)
    Take from the “haves” to give to “have nots”.. Right Steve? It’s the LIB way. Why stop at just the working stiff’s bank account?

    Like

  18. fish Avatar
    fish

    Take from the “haves” to give to “have nots”.
    Hellz yeah Walt……it’s a lection season…….

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  19. 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.

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  20. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Shoot Walt I wil just come over to your place with my hoard of collectivist takers.

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  21. Walt Avatar

    ” Shoot” ?? Great choice of words. Have your will made out before making that “attempt”.
    Same goes for the “collectivist takers” that may foolishly follow. Ya’ see, people like me plan for that “event” as well. Think I’m the only one on this dirt road “with a plan”?
    Your not the first to pipe up with ” I’ll just come and take what YOU have”.?
    First,, cowardly LIBS would find someone else to do the dirty work. ( maybe a brain fried tweeker) If not a low life, then a government storm trooper or two is the next tool of choice.
    ” Working to save the world” you say? More like fleece… Time to say it like it is.
    All those grant applications may give you carpal tunnel syndrome. Your “O” caretax cover that?
    I’m pretty sure your not doing taxes this fine April morning.

    Like

  22. fish Avatar
    fish

    Well, of course now I am at work trying to save the world…..
    From your glorified Chamber of Commerce enterprise……..? Let me know how that works out Stevie.

    Like

  23. George Rebane Avatar

    stevenfrisch 1012am – I don’t know what pleasure you take in mixing ‘conservetarian’ (see RR glossary) with ‘conservatorial’ (which has an established and distinct definition). Nevertheless, I look forward to your remarks when your schedule allows.
    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”. Hopefully, you may be the first.

    Like

  24. Todd Juvinall Avatar

    Usually the takers of society like theFrisch dodge our questions George. Ben Emery and his ilk do the same thing all over the blogs as well. In some perverted way it must make them feel empowered. That is why they all go to Burning Man and practice idolatry. LOL!

    Like

  25. Walt Avatar

    Don’t hold your breath there George,, the Midwest will thaw out first. ( just in time for Winter this year.)
    But then again there is responding to your question,, with a question. ( on an entirely diff. subject, like the unsustainability of the new overpass.)

    Like

  26. Walt Avatar

    A LIB business ( uh,,, nonprofit?) Modzilla ( a “demand tolerance*” crew) is finding out how their own intolerance has consequences. ( and justice in the court of pubic opinion has been swift.)
    Their CEO was forced to resign because he dared to make monetary contributions to the “defense of traditional marriage”. ( with his own money)
    Now Modzilla is begging for forgiveness for their intolerance.

    Like

  27. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Posted by: George Rebane | 04 April 2014 at 10:59 AM
    Just a typo George…just a typo.

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  28. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Posted by: Walt | 04 April 2014 at 10:36 AM
    Pretty easy to ‘tweek’ you Walt.

    Like

  29. Gregory Avatar

    With the Social Security retirement age promoted by Frisch, the average black male in Washington DC will have been dead for four years before becoming eligible, keeping the not so subtle racist SS effects intact. Black families also lose in the percentage of college education subsidies that come their way, among other sacred cows of the left.
    George, while I’m Austrian School of Economics at heart, I prefer Austrian School economists who are real economists who aren’t proven best at losing their client’s money. Schiff is a caricature who found a choir to preach to. A BS in Accounting and Finance from Cal isn’t chopped liver but it isn’t economics, and then there’s the possibility of him being an apple that didn’t fall far from a thoroughly rotten tree as dear old Dad is still in prison.
    He falls far short of a von Mises, Hayek or a related Chicago boy like Friedman, and libertarians (not to mention Libertarians) would do well to keep looking for a real economist or two to heed at this time.

    Like

  30. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Posted by: Gregory | 04 April 2014 at 12:56 PM
    Good thing all those back 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!

    Like

  31. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Posted by: Walt | 04 April 2014 at 11:52 AM
    Mozilla Corporation is a private business chartered under the public benefit corporation charter, which means they pay taxes. They are a wholly owned subsidiary of the Mozilla Foundation which is a non profit corporation.

    Like

  32. George Rebane Avatar

    Gregory 1256pm – No intent here to equate Schiff with the Austrian greats. Wasn’t aware that Schiff is known for losing clients’ money, but did want to summarize his advice since I mentioned him in previous posts. Are there any issues you have with what I’ve presented in the above summary of his book?

    Like

  33. fish Avatar
    fish

    Good thing all those back men in Washington D.C. have Obamacare now, they will be living long enough to enjoy their Social Security.
    Yeah, those “back” men have got it great in D.C……they would have been screwed if they had lived in Maryland.
    http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/melanie-hunter/it-s-loss-md-73k-lose-insurance-60k-enroll-exchange

    Like

  34. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Posted by: fish | 04 April 2014 at 03:41 PM
    No need for quotation marks Fish, I was using Greg’s term ๐Ÿ™‚

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  35. Todd Juvinall Avatar

    I have always been fascinated by libs who support abortion at any time. The founder of Planned Parenthood was a eugenics woman if I recall. What was her purpose? Remove all other races from the planet except us white folks. Seems like she was victorious since a bulk of abortions are on black women and when born the rest are incarcerated way above their percentages. Frisch and his liberal pals made it happen. I think they are proud.
    Now, back to the topic. What was it? Yikes!

    Like

  36. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Re; Posted by: Todd Juvinall | 04 April 2014 at 04:19 PM
    “Frisch and his liberal pals made it happen. I think they are proud.”
    Margaret Sanger b. 1879 d. 1966
    Roe v. Wade 1973
    Steve Frisch b. 1959
    I was 6 years old when Margaret Sanger died. I was 14 years old when Roe v. Wade was decided. I didn’t really have any opportunity to help Ms. Sanger ‘make it happen’.
    But Todd you were serendipitously alive when the Gulf of Tonkin incident occurred. I can only surmise that you and your friends made the Gulf of Tonkin incident happen.
    This makes “lacking intelligence and common sense” have new meaning…..

    Like

  37. fish Avatar
    fish

    No need for quotation marks Fish, I was using Greg’s term ๐Ÿ™‚
    Ah…didn’t see it! Did you catch (as in saw…I didn’t think you were down in the squat) the first inning today….love spoiling Dodger opening day!
    I can only surmise that you and your friends made the Gulf of Tonkin incident happen.
    Todd that was you…..?

    Like

  38. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Fish, I did not, but man those Giants are hitting. I followed it on my computer play by play but alas no video. I followed the Cubs too…lost to the Phillies 7-2.

    Like

  39. fish Avatar
    fish

    Worried about Vogelsong and Lincecum….not sure either should be in the rotation!

    Like

  40. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    Yes, I admit it fish, I started the Vietnam War escalation by urging Johnson to make his famous speech. Damn! I was 15! Too smart for my own britches.

    Like

  41. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    I agree Fish, they both look pretty weak and neither had a very good spring. At least Lincecum is striking people out and not walking people. I would trade Sandoval for a starting pitcher. If not he is going to cost them $15 million per year for about 4 years. No way he stays good for 4 more years.

    Like

  42. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Hey George, you should start a baseball thread…you might find something most of us could agree on:)

    Like

  43. Barry Pruett Avatar

    I am in Vegas, and I bet five dollars on the Cubs to win the World Series! A boy can dream. I will share my voluminous proceeds with Frisch!

    Like

  44. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    If the Cubs win the World Series Lisa and I will take you and Kim to dinner at any restaurant of your choice in California or Chicago!

    Like

  45. Michael Anderson Avatar
    Michael Anderson

    Lincecum will be fine. Just listen to Boch, he’s got Timmy’s back.

    Like

  46. George Rebane Avatar

    stevenfrisch 558pm – Baseball, hmmm. Wish I knew more about the teams. Jo Ann and I are baseball fans only during the league championships and the World Series. Maybe you could contribute a knowledgeable byline that would set the stage for all the follow-on agreement ๐Ÿ˜‰
    But then again, the purpose of these pages is a lively debate, but I suppose baseball’s also good for some serious disagreement along perhaps different lines than politics.

    Like

  47. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Well I think we all agree, Damn Yankees!

    Like

  48. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Well, well, well. Looks like baseball is not Bush’s fault after all. Glad to see the group hug going on in the shark tank. Speaking of The Shark Tank, totally off topic of baseball and the impending crash, but I just could not exercise resist:
    http://www.shark-tank.com/2014/04/04/hhs-started-individual-obamacare-applications-prior-to-deadlineobtained-personal-info-from-states/
    Carry on.

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  49. RL Crabb Avatar

    Athletics uber alles, you Philistines.

    Like

  50. fish Avatar
    fish

    Crap RL after a year (for me anyway) of savage postings, mean spirited character assassination, empty appeals to emotion, various protestestations and impugning of other posters motives and sanity I would have thought that a little baseball chat would be a refreshing palate cleanser.

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