The "Great Collapse" of the USA

[GTaudiophile]

Online, on TV, and in print: we are seeing the warning signs everywhere. From top to bottom, everyone and everything is in debt. Too many "needs" chasing too few dollars. No one is willing to concede. Gridlock abounds. Recent spikes in gas prices are but a hint of the inflation to come. Businesses cannot outsource American jobs fast enough. The US Government is inept, unjust, and ineffective. America is leaderless. The US Dollar is being replaced as the "world's" reserve currency; it is devaluing by the second and taking the value of our assets down with it. Hostility lurks under every surface.

I think if our grandfathers of the Greatest Generation were alive, they would buck up, pull themselves up by the boot straps, and would turn this mess into a "Great Correction" instead of the forthcoming "Great Collapse." They would sacrifice themselves for the long-term longevity of this nation. And they would do it all with civility instead of the unparalleled violence that will soon plague everything from Wall Street to Main Street.

So here we are, the "computer chair" pundits and politicians using Anandtech, Facebook, Twitter, and other toothless means to convince the world we're right and they're wrong. But where does that get us? Will you somehow feel vindicated the day when more than 1 in 2 Americans is destitute, a land of husbands and fathers trying to keep their wives and kids fed and warm while living on the streets in cardboard boxes? Is that the day you'll remember you're posts on Anandtech, smile, and exclaim to the world, "See! I told you so!"

I just sometimes wonder, why in hell are we wasting so much time and energy doing nothing in this forum of ours? What is the use? Why bother? Isn't there more to life than a cheap ego boost, especially when so much is currently at stake?

I guess we can all just move to China, right? Or India? It's not like either country is lacking for population!

/Rant

 

[Brigandier]

The old greats will do their part, and the few youngs will do theirs. America isn't in trouble yet, I've met as many good people as this world needs. What's happening is that the haves and have nots are fighting over what is and are strangling the people that make it happen.The people that make it happen are working as hard as they can, and they can make up for the dead weight. Modern society is a very complicated thing, it cannot be destroyed, it can only be destabilized. The process of society is so distributed amongst the populace that it cannot be destroyed: it can only be "improved".

 

[dmcowen674]

The "Great Collapse" of the USA

Online, on TV, and in print: we are seeing the warning signs everywhere. From top to bottom, everyone and everything is in debt. Too many "needs" chasing too few dollars. No one is willing to concede. Gridlock abounds. Recent spikes in gas prices are but a hint of the inflation to come. Businesses cannot outsource American jobs fast enough. The US Government is inept, unjust, and ineffective. America is leaderless. The US Dollar is being replaced as the "world's" reserve currency; it is devaluing by the second and taking the value of our assets down with it. Hostility lurks under every surface.

I think if our grandfathers of the Greatest Generation were alive, they would buck up, pull themselves up by the boot straps, and would turn this mess into a "Great Correction" instead of the forthcoming "Great Collapse." They would sacrifice themselves for the long-term longevity of this nation. And they would do it all with civility instead of the unparalleled violence that will soon plague everything from Wall Street to Main Street.

So here we are, the "computer chair" pundits and politicians using Anandtech, Facebook, Twitter, and other toothless means to convince the world we're right and they're wrong. But where does that get us? Will you somehow feel vindicated the day when more than 1 in 2 Americans is destitute, a land of husbands and fathers trying to keep their wives and kids fed and warm while living on the streets in cardboard boxes? Is that the day you'll remember you're posts on Anandtech, smile, and exclaim to the world, "See! I told you so!"

I just sometimes wonder, why in hell are we wasting so much time and energy doing nothing in this forum of ours? What is the use? Why bother? Isn't there more to life than a cheap ego boost, especially when so much is currently at stake?

I guess we can all just move to China, right? Or India? It's not like either country is lacking for population!

/Rant

Good post

I know I have done my part in trying to help the U.S. in the area of Technology.

What Companies do with that technology for the greed and power of it is beyond my control but at least I tried.

 

[boomerang]

Save one bullet.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Save one bullet.

That is your solution? Your out? Your last method of control?

 

[JSt0rm]

Wait i thought people have been saving at record rates since this all happened?

Also unemployment is under 9% as reported today.

People need to relax and make your money how you do it.

 

[BoberFett]

Good post

I know I have done my part in trying to help the U.S. in the area of Technology.

What Companies do with that technology for the greed and power of it is beyond my control but at least I tried.

Yes, your use of school computers for a silly cracking contest was truly earth shattering. I'm sure your name will show up in the history books any day now.

 

[MrColin]

Online, on TV, and in print: we are seeing the warning signs everywhere. From top to bottom, everyone and everything is in debt. Too many "needs" chasing too few dollars. No one is willing to concede. Gridlock abounds. Recent spikes in gas prices are but a hint of the inflation to come. Businesses cannot outsource American jobs fast enough. The US Government is inept, unjust, and ineffective. America is leaderless. The US Dollar is being replaced as the "world's" reserve currency; it is devaluing by the second and taking the value of our assets down with it. Hostility lurks under every surface.

I think if our grandfathers of the Greatest Generation were alive, they would buck up, pull themselves up by the boot straps, and would turn this mess into a "Great Correction" instead of the forthcoming "Great Collapse." They would sacrifice themselves for the long-term longevity of this nation. And they would do it all with civility instead of the unparalleled violence that will soon plague everything from Wall Street to Main Street.

So here we are, the "computer chair" pundits and politicians using Anandtech, Facebook, Twitter, and other toothless means to convince the world we're right and they're wrong. But where does that get us? Will you somehow feel vindicated the day when more than 1 in 2 Americans is destitute, a land of husbands and fathers trying to keep their wives and kids fed and warm while living on the streets in cardboard boxes? Is that the day you'll remember you're posts on Anandtech, smile, and exclaim to the world, "See! I told you so!"

I just sometimes wonder, why in hell are we wasting so much time and energy doing nothing in this forum of ours? What is the use? Why bother? Isn't there more to life than a cheap ego boost, especially when so much is currently at stake?

I guess we can all just move to China, right? Or India? It's not like either country is lacking for population!

/Rant

I think maybe you don't realize that inflation is beneficial when you have lots of debt, especially if the inflation rate is higher than the interest rates. China has been resisting our attempts to devalue the dollar because it would make whats left of our manufacturing sector more competitive.

 

[Dissipate]

I just sometimes wonder, why in hell are we wasting so much time and energy doing nothing in this forum of ours? What is the use? Why bother? Isn't there more to life than a cheap ego boost, especially when so much is currently at stake?

/Rant

Because every time I tell people the thugs in power need to be stopped they just say: go vote.

Never mind the fact that the thugs were either voted into office or have been anointed by those voted into office. Democracy is the problem. It is a plague that has made everyone brain dead and helpless, because it is based on the premise that "WE" are the government.

You can be economically devastated and your recourse is blogging, and voting. With non-political criminals you usually have a lot more options. You have to 'play by the rules', they don't. That's the problem.

Anyone who advocates democracy on one hand and then complains people are doing nothing on the other hand is a fool. This is a grossly contradictory position because democracy is founded on the idea that you can only pretty much do nothing in the face of government.

 

[Tom]

Reality is this country is booming. I expect gdp will reach 6% next year.

 

[Zebo]

What of it? This is all by design. You think these politicians are stupid and can't see what you see? They want us to live in a world closer to South America with an elite class and everyone else misery and destitution where they always stay on top and are above the law. All the steps, outsourcing, open borders, reducing income taxes, free trade, massive debt (payable to them) were just incremental boiling us like frogs to creating a dual class system in USA.

Must read book :
The Beijing Consensus: How China's Authoritarian Model Will Dominate the Twenty-First Century

 

[GTaudiophile]

Because every time I tell people the thugs in power need to be stopped they just say: go vote.

Never mind the fact that the thugs were either voted into office or have been anointed by those voted into office. Democracy is the problem. It is a plague that has made everyone brain dead and helpless, because it is based on the premise that "WE" are the government.

You can be economically devastated and your recourse is blogging, and voting. With non-political criminals you usually have a lot more options. You have to 'play by the rules', they don't. That's the problem.

Anyone who advocates democracy on one hand and then complains people are doing nothing on the other hand is a fool. This is a grossly contradictory position because democracy is founded on the idea that you can only pretty much do nothing in the face of government.

So why not just come out and advocate a military coup or other form of violent revolution?

I mean, if Cairo ever happens here, at least the people will bring guns to the party! That's what you want, right?

 

[Zebo]

Reality is this country is booming. I expect gdp will reach 6% next year.

LOL take 1.7 trillion of just Federal deficit away What's that do for your GDP (hint it's negative)

 

[Dissipate]

So why not just come out and advocate a military coup or other form of violent revolution?

I mean, if Cairo ever happens here, at least the people will bring guns to the party! That's what you want, right?

Violent revolution is stupid and can only result in a temporary reduction in state power because the 'opposition' will start to get their meat hooks into the country as soon as they take power. There are hundreds if not thousands of those directly complicit in massive theft in the U.S. who should be in prison, but the best way to stop these people in the long term is to become a porcuipine. And by that I mean start being too expensive to rule. Stop complying with every regulation and every tax. Start hiding assets and start subverting the system.

One great way I have found of doing this is to start putting money into an anonymous encrypted peer 2 peer currency called Bitcoin: http://www.bitcoin.org. As the Bitcoin economy grows, the death & theft (war & banks), economy shrinks. You can save & spend Bitcoin anonymously, and it isn't controlled by any government or central bank. So it truly puts you in control, and it is totally peaceful.

 

[boomerang]

That is your solution? Your out? Your last method of control?

I was being sarcastic...

The system is going to be reset one way or another. We're either going to hunker down and do what needs to be done or we're going to go out in a blaze of glory. Either way will result in big, big changes.

If Wisconsin is any indicator, it's going to be the latter. Too much entitlement for too long. The people have learned they can vote themselves money.

We changed the leadership in the House this past November and despite a lot of rhetoric, they're still not addressing our problems. The spending cuts are minuscule and now they're compromising. It's been pass it along to the next guy for decades and evidently that M.O. is still in place.

It may get really, really ugly but we'll be part of history. It will be interesting to see what faction emerges as the leaders. We may have a repeat of the days of Stalin and Mao. That ought to reduce a lot of the population.

 

[Zebo]

Violent revolution is stupid and can only result in a temporary reduction in state power because the 'opposition' will start to get their meat hooks into the country as soon as they take power. There are hundreds if not thousands of those directly complicit in massive theft in the U.S. who should be in prison, but the best way to stop these people in the long term is to become a porcuipine. And by that I mean start being too expensive to rule. Stop complying with every regulation and every tax. Start hiding assets and start subverting the system.

One great way I have found of doing this is to start putting money into an anonymous encrypted peer 2 peer currency called Bitcoin: http://www.bitcoin.org. As the Bitcoin economy grows, the death & theft (war & banks), economy shrinks. You can save & spend Bitcoin anonymously, and it isn't controlled by any government or central bank. So it truly puts you in control, and it is totally peaceful.

Good way to end up in hand cuffs. On bright side I guess one doesn't have to worry about tough job market though.

 

[JSt0rm]

You guys can sit back on these forums and wonder when the end will happen. I personally am going to make as much money as possible doing what I love to do and not worry about this dumb shit. People have been talking end of days since before the black plague.

 

[boomerang]

Because every time I tell people the thugs in power need to be stopped they just say: go vote.

Never mind the fact that the thugs were either voted into office or have been anointed by those voted into office. Democracy is the problem. It is a plague that has made everyone brain dead and helpless, because it is based on the premise that "WE" are the government.

You can be economically devastated and your recourse is blogging, and voting. With non-political criminals you usually have a lot more options. You have to 'play by the rules', they don't. That's the problem.

Anyone who advocates democracy on one hand and then complains people are doing nothing on the other hand is a fool. This is a grossly contradictory position because democracy is founded on the idea that you can only pretty much do nothing in the face of government.

Ahh, your attitude is more sour than even mine. Ours is a Republic, not a Democracy. The people do still have the power but we're not using it. It's long since past the point of making change at the ballot box.

What has to be done won't. Too much complacency. Some will rise up when the time is right, but the forces countering them will be strong. Our leaders have set themselves up in strongholds. They have nurtured a massive army that are dependent upon them. They are protected mightily and very securely. The way to them will be through their protectors and therein lies the problem.

Yeah, I know, crazy talk. Our system is not going to change from within. Deep down I feel many know this.

 

[boomerang]

You guys can sit back on these forums and wonder when the end will happen. I personally am going to make as much money as possible doing what I love to do and not worry about this dumb shit. People have been talking end of days since before the black plague.

I actually agree with you but it's fun to talk about this stuff. I am a miniscule cog in a big wheel. I can't change anything. I can only go along for the ride.

 

[Zebo]

You guys can sit back on these forums and wonder when the end will happen. I personally am going to make as much money as possible doing what I love to do and not worry about this dumb shit. People have been talking end of days since before the black plague.

No one is talking about end of days, just the end of the world as you know it. Happened plenty of times in Europe after black plague too. I look at Wiemar for example.

Of course hope for the best but prepare for the worst. You don't wanna be caught with your pants down.

Prior proper planning prevents piss poor performance

 

[jonks]

Violent revolution is stupid and can only result in a temporary reduction in state power because the 'opposition' will start to get their meat hooks into the country as soon as they take power.

Take that Washington and Jefferson, ya damn rebels!

 

[GTaudiophile]

No one is talking about end of days, just the end of the world as you know it. Happened plenty of times in Europe after black plague too. I look at Wiemar for example.

Of course hope for the best but prepare for the worst. You don't wanna be caught with your pants down.

Weimar.

Unfortunately, America has never had to experience this.

Germany seems to have bounced back rather nicely.

 

[JSt0rm]

Weimar.

Unfortunately, America has never had to experience this.

Germany seems to have bounced back rather nicely.

Unfortunately? What the fuck is wrong with you? You WANT that shit to happen? hahaha you must have no skin in the game.

 

[sandorski]

Time will fix the Economy, Tax Increases to the Wealthy will keep Deficits down best without hurting the Economy(Spending Cuts are still possible, but limited).

 

[wuliheron]

Personally I'm not interested in proving I'm right and I'm not interested is saving the US economy. You might as well try to stop a speeding freight train with your bare hands for all the good either one will do you. Likewise, the idea that any country can avoid serious economic downturns is laughable.

However, I will say it could be much worse. It's not like the Evil Empire is still staring us down or China is still a closed society. That gives me hope that a democratic system which requires faith in humanity can actually rediscover itself and change for the better. Ironically when times are hard it often brings out the best in people, and when times are easy it can bring out the worst.