Despite a several decade high in the value of the Canadian dollar and declining consumer demand in the United States, the unemployment rate dropped to a 33 year low of 5.8%. It’s probably too early to say Canada has officially de-coupled from the United States, but this evidence can not be ignored.
I watched Mad Money with Jim Cramer yesterday and was shocked to see how bullish he appears to be, all of a sudden. In the morning he released a video online saying the Fed is stupid, behind the curve and should be investigated. He also dropped a bomb on America’s largest bank, saying that if Citigroup had to mark-to-market their entire inventory they would probably declare bankruptcy.
As stock markets around the world descend into oblivion on this joyous holiday, I thought I would take the opportunity to remind everyone that bankers will never let their empires slip away into the abyss.
The fundamental problem with America’s economy is an obsession with wasteful consumption. Until that is resolved, nothing will change in the long run. It has become normal and acceptable for people to exploit easy credit for housing, cars, appliances, electronics, or anything else you can charge to your plastic card.
They recognize that nobody is coming to save them and agree to divide some jobs amongst themselves in preparation for a long exile. One of the Asians does the fishing, another one does the hunting, another gathers the fruits, another gathers building materials for shelter, and so on. The American’s job is to eat.
Let me see if I understand, people are depressed about a coming economic recession so they panic sell everything in exchange for… cash? That may be a natural instinctive response but it makes no sense in an inflationary cycle, especially when a stimulus package is on the way from Congress and the Fed has promised deep rate cuts. Why the hell would you hold US dollars when inflation is higher than it’s been in decades?
I’m getting tired of reading doomsday posts by people who really don’t have a clue. Many corporations, including financial institutions, will find themselves in serious trouble but the entire world will not return to a barter society anytime soon.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, the subject of Rudy’s scorn at last week’s New Hampshire debate, is about to invest billions more in struggling Citigroup, no thanks to Rudy of course. While it’s not a positive sign for America that foreigners are beginning to seize their assets, it does show a commitment by the Saudi Prince to saving America’s largest financial institution. Would you invest billions of dollars in a country you are trying to destroy? I didn’t think so.
