Things are changing, BIG TIME. We may not understand it completely, but we sense it all around us. We know it in our "gut". We are also confronted with it day after day in the evening news and on the front page of our morning newspapers.
And these changes are HUGE!!!! They're inescapable. The only question of real significance is, "WHAT IS CAUSING THIS TIDAL WAVE OF CHANGE AND HOW CAN WE PROTECT OURSELVES AND LOVED ONES THROUGH IT ALL?"
This report will explore the forces at work in today’s challenging economic climate and what we can do as a result. As you will read in the last segment, we believe these factors are in place for at least the next few years. We also believe the “antidote” is "The Right Stuff".
And these changes are HUGE!!!! They're inescapable. The only question of real significance is, "WHAT IS CAUSING THIS TIDAL WAVE OF CHANGE AND HOW CAN WE PROTECT OURSELVES AND LOVED ONES THROUGH IT ALL?"
This report will explore the forces at work in today’s challenging economic climate and what we can do as a result. As you will read in the last segment, we believe these factors are in place for at least the next few years. We also believe the “antidote” is "The Right Stuff".
We do not take a moral position on the ten worldwide Mega Trends underlying the monumental change we find ourselves experiencing. We recognize they are occurring, and offer insight into their identity and profound impact. We will defer to others to debate their "rightness" or "wrongness".
Our position is to share our perspective concerning them and how you and your loved ones can not only be protected, but actually benefit from them as well.
In the meantime, lobby and debate away. BUT, until they are stopped or redirected we intend on helping people understand and "flow" with them rather than "fight" them while suffering adverse economic consequences. So, here they are:
1. Globalization: It IS a small world, after all... This is the number one worldwide Mega Trend we're saddled with, whether we like it or not.
Multi-Nationals are focused overseas not just because of cost savings, but because their marketing departments are often more excited about emerging markets and their potential customer base than the good old U.S. of A.!
Think about it. Asia alone has three BILLION people versus the three hundred MILLION who reside in the U.S. and Canada combined.
Hewlett Packard isn't planning on opening up one thousand retail outlets in America in the next few years, but they sure are in China. This is just one of thousands of examples I could give to show you how the Multi-Nationals' expansion plans are focused more on overseas markets rather than domestically. This leads us to Mega Trend number TWO:
2. Protectionism: Whoever said Free Trade was "free"?
The United States taxpayer alone spends BILLIONS of dollars on farm subsidies to "dump" (according to our trade partners) cheap agricultural products into the world market.
And this is just in ONE SECTOR by ONE COUNTRY!
Let's take a look at Sugar for example. World Sugar is about seven cents a pound while domestic Sugar is over twenty cents a pound. WHY??? Inquiring minds want to know.
The answer is contained in one simple word, POLITICS.
When it comes to the Sugar Lobby the LAST thing they're interested in is Free Trade.
With the growing "undercurrent" of Protectionism in this Country (and around the World), we now find ourselves coming up against a formidable foe. A force that used to give us an "edge".... Mega Trend number THREE is:
3. Capitalism: We won the Cold War and now we're "winning" the economic war as well, SORT of...
We asked for global capitalism and now we've got it. Along with the positive side of Capitalism we have increased competition.
Capitalism has often been referred to as "Creative Destruction". We like it when we're the primary benefactors on the "creative" side, but aren't so thrilled when we are “destruction” recipients.
Who would be??? The primary question now is, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? Will the "cure" be worse than the illness itself?
With increased International Capitalism comes increased income which precipitates Mega Trend number FOUR:
4. Consumerism: The whole globe wants it, and we ALL want it now!
That's right. Not just for us and OUR kids, but the third world has found capitalism and they want it for their kids JUST AS MUCH!!!! And they're growing THREE times as fast as the Industrialized Nations.
Cell phones (in an unsaturated market), television sets (and the electric grid to make watching what’s on them possible), automobiles in Asia, instead of bicycles, are being purchased at three times (or more) the growth rate as here in "River City". (China is now the fourth largest car manufacturer in the world)
Which leads us to Mega Trend number FIVE:
5. Debtism: Almost all the world is "up to it's eyeballs" in debt.
The Lending Tree commercial comes to mind when the guy impresses us with his new country club membership, new car, new house, new sit down lawn mower, new etc., and then confesses he has it all because he's in "hock up to his eyeballs". Very CUTE, but painfully honest for many a family.
This time around it's not just the Federal Government as in the Wiemar Republic, or just the private sector as in America's Great Depression. EVERYONE is implicated to one degree or another.
If the numbers provided by former Secretary of the Treasury Paul O'Neal are correct, today’s newborn American citizen inherits about $180,000 worth of liabilities their first day of life. What a welcoming gift!
Do we "like" this scenario? Not at all. Do we have some ideas on how that newborn can be protected economically? You bet.
Read on after I address Mega Trend number SIX:
6. Generationalism: The Industrialized Nations Geriatric curve, and... the "REST of the story".
Yeah, yeah!!! You've heard it all before. Time marches on and our Social In-Security programs and non-retirement accounts are feeling the effects of aging. We've watched in horror as our 401K's have dwindled down to 101K's in the past few years (to quote an infamous line from my friend Clyde Harrison).
At current growth rates Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid will consume the ENTIRE U.S. budget and MORE in just ten more short years (at 2.4 Trillion)!!!
And keep in mind, our Gross Domestic Product has actually SHRUNK the last three years. NOT a pretty picture.
BUT, the third world doesn't share this exact geriatric challenge with us. In fact, as we've gone from nineteen payees to every S.S. recipient seventy years ago down to under three payees now; the opposite is happening elsewhere. In some counties like Yemen over half the population is under eighteen.
They also have extremely challenging generational dynamics at work; they're just on the opposite end of the age spectrum; we'll show you how you can benefit from all these realities later.
Which leads us onto Mega Trend number SEVEN:
7. Technoism: High Tech/ High Touch (with less of the High Touch with each passing day).
How can one hundred thousand SBC workers go on strike and it not create even a single "glitch" in the entire network???
In a word, AUTOMATION. Now THAT'S NOT what you call job security!!!
"Productivity" has become a double-edged sword where supply chain software is replacing more jobs than low wage earners in China and India combined. When a robot or software disc can replace your job, that's the ultimate career "wake-up call".
We love and embrace the benefits of automation, while at the same time reel from their job eliminating ramifications.
With increased productivity from machines and automation, we are also seeing significant decreases in U.S. incomes and self esteem. "RUDE" has reached new levels as exemplified in Mega Trend number EIGHT:
8. Sensationalism: Image is EVERYTHING (no matter at who's expense).
Ratings in the Media, this morning’s Political poll numbers, winning a sports game becomes the objective at ANY cost. And doing so with flare. If you've "got it", "flaunt it".
If truth and/or other people are the casualties in the process, so be it. Who cares??? Especially if we can get away with it.
This worldview "ratcheted" up a notch is Mega Trend number NINE:
9. Sectarianism: The dehumanization of "those people".
We live in a world where polarization is reaching new heights. The Political "news" shows have turned into shouting matches where no one's listening to one another's ideas with any semblance of acceptance let alone granting the other participants dignity and respect.
Black and white, right and wrong, Republican and Democrat, conservative and liberal...
Media Companies are identified as "Right" and "Left". News "Anchors" are biased commentators attempting to posture themselves as "objective" reporters.
"Those people" encompasses a growing number of people with different views on any major issue. And a growing number of issues are becoming MAJOR.
10. Terrorism: The "ULTIMATE INTOLERANCE"!
Terrorism is "RUDE" transfigured into ANNIHILATION of "those people". And believers in Terrorism are finding new and more devastating ways to get our attention.
For example, what do these three have in common?
A. The World Trade Center
B. Oil wells in Iraq
C. Opium in Afghanistan.
I'm sure you guessed it. They've all been used in the WAR of economic terrorism. Bold, brutal, and malevolently "brilliant". And unfortunately, all too effective.
The Osama Bin Laden's of the world have figured out just how to intertwine terrorism and economics like never before.
This may prove to be the most strategic WMD in the terrorist’s arsenal. And it impacts us all. Whether directly as in the case of the World Trade Tower survivors, or indirectly through increased taxes and the like.
So now that we've covered the “Ten Worldwide Mega Trends”, what do we do about them? Is there a way we can take personal control of our financial Destiny in the midst of these global forces at work?
"The RIGHT STUFF" is the key to our future economic protection and prosperity!!!!!!!
And what exactly is, "The Right Stuff"?
Well, let me explain. It's actually quite simple. And it ties into a Mega Trend all of its own.
From '1966 thru 1982 the stock market went almost nowhere, while "stuff" (commodities like Crude Oil, Gold, Copper, Cotton, etc.), went through the roof. Then from 1982 into 2000 the reverse happened. "Stuff" went nowhere and the Dow for example went from under 1,000 to well over 10,000.
BUT, it's not enough in our opinion just to be in ANY stuff. It's essential to be in "The RIGHT Stuff".
Our position is to share our perspective concerning them and how you and your loved ones can not only be protected, but actually benefit from them as well.
In the meantime, lobby and debate away. BUT, until they are stopped or redirected we intend on helping people understand and "flow" with them rather than "fight" them while suffering adverse economic consequences. So, here they are:
1. Globalization: It IS a small world, after all... This is the number one worldwide Mega Trend we're saddled with, whether we like it or not.
Multi-Nationals are focused overseas not just because of cost savings, but because their marketing departments are often more excited about emerging markets and their potential customer base than the good old U.S. of A.!
Think about it. Asia alone has three BILLION people versus the three hundred MILLION who reside in the U.S. and Canada combined.
Hewlett Packard isn't planning on opening up one thousand retail outlets in America in the next few years, but they sure are in China. This is just one of thousands of examples I could give to show you how the Multi-Nationals' expansion plans are focused more on overseas markets rather than domestically. This leads us to Mega Trend number TWO:
2. Protectionism: Whoever said Free Trade was "free"?
The United States taxpayer alone spends BILLIONS of dollars on farm subsidies to "dump" (according to our trade partners) cheap agricultural products into the world market.
And this is just in ONE SECTOR by ONE COUNTRY!
Let's take a look at Sugar for example. World Sugar is about seven cents a pound while domestic Sugar is over twenty cents a pound. WHY??? Inquiring minds want to know.
The answer is contained in one simple word, POLITICS.
When it comes to the Sugar Lobby the LAST thing they're interested in is Free Trade.
With the growing "undercurrent" of Protectionism in this Country (and around the World), we now find ourselves coming up against a formidable foe. A force that used to give us an "edge".... Mega Trend number THREE is:
3. Capitalism: We won the Cold War and now we're "winning" the economic war as well, SORT of...
We asked for global capitalism and now we've got it. Along with the positive side of Capitalism we have increased competition.
Capitalism has often been referred to as "Creative Destruction". We like it when we're the primary benefactors on the "creative" side, but aren't so thrilled when we are “destruction” recipients.
Who would be??? The primary question now is, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? Will the "cure" be worse than the illness itself?
With increased International Capitalism comes increased income which precipitates Mega Trend number FOUR:
4. Consumerism: The whole globe wants it, and we ALL want it now!
That's right. Not just for us and OUR kids, but the third world has found capitalism and they want it for their kids JUST AS MUCH!!!! And they're growing THREE times as fast as the Industrialized Nations.
Cell phones (in an unsaturated market), television sets (and the electric grid to make watching what’s on them possible), automobiles in Asia, instead of bicycles, are being purchased at three times (or more) the growth rate as here in "River City". (China is now the fourth largest car manufacturer in the world)
Which leads us to Mega Trend number FIVE:
5. Debtism: Almost all the world is "up to it's eyeballs" in debt.
The Lending Tree commercial comes to mind when the guy impresses us with his new country club membership, new car, new house, new sit down lawn mower, new etc., and then confesses he has it all because he's in "hock up to his eyeballs". Very CUTE, but painfully honest for many a family.
This time around it's not just the Federal Government as in the Wiemar Republic, or just the private sector as in America's Great Depression. EVERYONE is implicated to one degree or another.
If the numbers provided by former Secretary of the Treasury Paul O'Neal are correct, today’s newborn American citizen inherits about $180,000 worth of liabilities their first day of life. What a welcoming gift!
Do we "like" this scenario? Not at all. Do we have some ideas on how that newborn can be protected economically? You bet.
Read on after I address Mega Trend number SIX:
6. Generationalism: The Industrialized Nations Geriatric curve, and... the "REST of the story".
Yeah, yeah!!! You've heard it all before. Time marches on and our Social In-Security programs and non-retirement accounts are feeling the effects of aging. We've watched in horror as our 401K's have dwindled down to 101K's in the past few years (to quote an infamous line from my friend Clyde Harrison).
At current growth rates Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid will consume the ENTIRE U.S. budget and MORE in just ten more short years (at 2.4 Trillion)!!!
And keep in mind, our Gross Domestic Product has actually SHRUNK the last three years. NOT a pretty picture.
BUT, the third world doesn't share this exact geriatric challenge with us. In fact, as we've gone from nineteen payees to every S.S. recipient seventy years ago down to under three payees now; the opposite is happening elsewhere. In some counties like Yemen over half the population is under eighteen.
They also have extremely challenging generational dynamics at work; they're just on the opposite end of the age spectrum; we'll show you how you can benefit from all these realities later.
Which leads us onto Mega Trend number SEVEN:
7. Technoism: High Tech/ High Touch (with less of the High Touch with each passing day).
How can one hundred thousand SBC workers go on strike and it not create even a single "glitch" in the entire network???
In a word, AUTOMATION. Now THAT'S NOT what you call job security!!!
"Productivity" has become a double-edged sword where supply chain software is replacing more jobs than low wage earners in China and India combined. When a robot or software disc can replace your job, that's the ultimate career "wake-up call".
We love and embrace the benefits of automation, while at the same time reel from their job eliminating ramifications.
With increased productivity from machines and automation, we are also seeing significant decreases in U.S. incomes and self esteem. "RUDE" has reached new levels as exemplified in Mega Trend number EIGHT:
8. Sensationalism: Image is EVERYTHING (no matter at who's expense).
Ratings in the Media, this morning’s Political poll numbers, winning a sports game becomes the objective at ANY cost. And doing so with flare. If you've "got it", "flaunt it".
If truth and/or other people are the casualties in the process, so be it. Who cares??? Especially if we can get away with it.
This worldview "ratcheted" up a notch is Mega Trend number NINE:
9. Sectarianism: The dehumanization of "those people".
We live in a world where polarization is reaching new heights. The Political "news" shows have turned into shouting matches where no one's listening to one another's ideas with any semblance of acceptance let alone granting the other participants dignity and respect.
Black and white, right and wrong, Republican and Democrat, conservative and liberal...
Media Companies are identified as "Right" and "Left". News "Anchors" are biased commentators attempting to posture themselves as "objective" reporters.
"Those people" encompasses a growing number of people with different views on any major issue. And a growing number of issues are becoming MAJOR.
10. Terrorism: The "ULTIMATE INTOLERANCE"!
Terrorism is "RUDE" transfigured into ANNIHILATION of "those people". And believers in Terrorism are finding new and more devastating ways to get our attention.
For example, what do these three have in common?
A. The World Trade Center
B. Oil wells in Iraq
C. Opium in Afghanistan.
I'm sure you guessed it. They've all been used in the WAR of economic terrorism. Bold, brutal, and malevolently "brilliant". And unfortunately, all too effective.
The Osama Bin Laden's of the world have figured out just how to intertwine terrorism and economics like never before.
This may prove to be the most strategic WMD in the terrorist’s arsenal. And it impacts us all. Whether directly as in the case of the World Trade Tower survivors, or indirectly through increased taxes and the like.
So now that we've covered the “Ten Worldwide Mega Trends”, what do we do about them? Is there a way we can take personal control of our financial Destiny in the midst of these global forces at work?
"The RIGHT STUFF" is the key to our future economic protection and prosperity!!!!!!!
And what exactly is, "The Right Stuff"?
Well, let me explain. It's actually quite simple. And it ties into a Mega Trend all of its own.
From '1966 thru 1982 the stock market went almost nowhere, while "stuff" (commodities like Crude Oil, Gold, Copper, Cotton, etc.), went through the roof. Then from 1982 into 2000 the reverse happened. "Stuff" went nowhere and the Dow for example went from under 1,000 to well over 10,000.
BUT, it's not enough in our opinion just to be in ANY stuff. It's essential to be in "The RIGHT Stuff".
