03-11-2007, 07:21 PM | #1 (permalink) | |
Fireball
Location: ~
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Main US Threat Not Terrorists, But Fiscal Irresponsibility.
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I just spoke with my finance professor about past results not dictating future returns. He said that businesses can be very volatile, but as a group, they can have a stable trajectory. I didn't bring up government, though my class assumes US treasury bills to be "risk-free." In The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order Sam Huntington predicts the decline of the West and along with it the US. An assumption that the US will always pay its debts could prove costly.
Last edited by Randerolf; 03-18-2007 at 05:07 PM.. |
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03-11-2007, 07:46 PM | #2 (permalink) |
Junkie
Location: Lake Mary, FL
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Well... I'm not really sure what you're asking but here's my $.02 on the subject.
1.) No, current US operations aren't sustainable. Currently, the US has a savings rate of somewhere around -1% and, as a result, relies heavily on overseas investors to finance it's operations. This can only continue for as long as the savings rate in other countries remains high. Of course, trends show that the savings rate in foreign countries are gradually decreasing per year (Especially in Japan, one of the biggest investors into the US), meaning that sooner or later they'll no longer be able to finance the US' operations. If the US is no longer seen as a profitable investment, then other countries will begin to call in their debts and that'll not only screw over the US market, but every country who relies on the dollar to remain strong in comparison to their currency (As an interesting side note, I believe China has about $10 billion worth of US government issued bonds). There's little to nothing the government can do about it (They can do like Australia and force households to save a part of their yearly income, but that's not likely to happen). US consumer savings have to increase for there to be any type of hope for the future. Edit: Also, on the issue of medicare... Just socialize it (Like Canada). The problem is that most big businesses won't like that >_< 2.) Save more and spend less. 3.) I'm not really sure... If I had to guess I'd say that the US would switch from being a major importer to being an exporter specializing in cheap, domestic labor (Something like China currently). Though, that's probably a bit drastic. 4.) No, because the stock market is unpredictable.
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I believe in equality; Everyone is equally inferior to me. Last edited by Infinite_Loser; 03-11-2007 at 07:51 PM.. |
03-11-2007, 09:30 PM | #3 (permalink) | |
Junkie
Location: In the land of ice and snow.
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Quote:
2. Learn tangible survival skills, like how to work on a farm or fix machinery. 3. I live in a city; at the bare minimum i predict increasing crime and decreasing quality of life. At worst, widespread panic, disease and starvation. 4. No, once the price of oil inevitably starts rising the stock market will implode. |
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03-18-2007, 02:04 PM | #4 (permalink) |
still, wondering.
Location: South Minneapolis, somewhere near the gorgeous gorge
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Totally random:
The upcoming U.S. financial trouble seems to base 1-4. 1. Probably not. 2. Buy gold. 3. (Cannibalism and grave-robbing?) 4. heh
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Tags |
fiscal, irresponsibility, main, terrorists, threat |
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