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WAR, WEALTH & WORRY: WAR: The so-called "War on Terrorism" is really a "war on evil" - and as such cannot be won. Beneath the blather of politicians, as to the so-called reasons - this war is actually a war of "beliefs" - in other words, a religious war. On one side are those who believe in Allah (God) - and that all society's rules should be decided by the will of God (Allah). On the other side are those who believe in Democracy - and that all society's rules should be decided by the will of the majority. Each believes the other is evil. Both are wrong. That being said, you can bet your bottom dollar your friendly government is doing all it can TO win this war - and could reduce you to the level of a common serf in the process. In order to attempt to win a war against evil, it will be necessary for governments everywhere to utterly trash all commitment to individual rights (or what little commitment they may have) - maybe not in words, but certainly by actions. The USA, already headed down the path to fascism, could easily slip into full-blown tyranny - as a result of another major attack - or even economic catastrophe. The vital ingredients are all in place. Recently, we have witnessed how easily it has been to persuade a pliant population to give up valuable freedoms, in exchange for supposed security. Of course, the promise of more security is a lie. Any effective barrier against the state running amok has been removed. The "Fourth Estate" has reneged on its duty to report honestly and impartially on the goings on of government - and instead have climbed into bed with them - to become "embedded". To hold on to your sanity, in such dire times, your first challenge is to start disbelieving most everything government says. This is hard, for sure, as all of us grew up believing government is made up of good guys. Now, we know the Emperor has NO clothes - and no scruples either! You need to remain highly sceptical and make a more rigourous effort to inform yourself as to what is really happening. And informing yourself means turning off your TV news for starters, and spending time on the internet - the only source of truly uncensored information. To avoid becoming a slave - you need to be able to recognise the "slave-masters" - and their strategies. And you won't be able to do that if all you watch and read is the mutterings of their media mouthpieces. Like in Orwell's novel "1984" - war is being used as a means of distraction - and a means of control by fear. War is what states do best. And when your government is at war - you are in danger of becoming one of its first casualties. This war, being unwinnable, is therefore a perpetual war - providing the perfect excuse for the ongoing erosion of individual freedom - all in the name of "peace" of course! Three strategies for avoiding war propaganda and protecting your freedom: 1) Make sure you are fully informed by way of independent news sources - especially the internet. 2) Make it a goal to read at least two or three of the books recommended in the previous issue of our newsletter. 3) Take your privacy (personal and financial) seriously, and make the effort to "privatise" your life. WEALTH: Money is a freedom "tool". To protect your freedom, you also need to protect your money. In times of war, the state becomes a big spender. They need the cash to fund the war. But such money can only come from one of three sources - taxes, borrowing, or printing money (expanding the money supply). And all three methods end up taking money out of your pocket. Raising taxes is not a popular option - especially as taxes are already criminally high. That leaves borrowing and printing. Right now, the USA is on a "printing" binge - pumping up the economy (to forestall a crash), by keeping interest rates artificially low. This is to encourage its citizens to borrow and spend, in order to keep the economy going. Trouble is, this strategy has an ultimate kicker: inflation. Already, the USD has fallen substantially in value (and will continue to do so) - so that if you're in America, or holding USD, your cash cannot buy as much on the global market as previously. Once domestic prices start to rise, then the full effect of this latent inflation will become apparent. This scenario suggests the need to act NOW, in order to protect the value of your assets. Five strategies for protecting your wealth: 1) Maintain the value of your CASH by moving it out of USD to another currency. If you want to see the value of such a strategy - then just look at how the USD has dropped in value over the last 12 months - and calculate what you would have gained if your ready cash had been held in another currency. There is a common consensus amongst various advisors "in the know", that you should put your cash into secure deposits, Bonds or CDs in any of the following currencies: A "Commodity" currency, like the Australian or New Zealand dollar. An historically secure currency like the Swiss Franc. Or a rising/competing currency like the Euro. Not only will you gain on the cross-rates, but very likely earn more interest than if your funds remain in USD. 2) You should seriously consider buying gold - either in physical or paper/receipt form, or gold stocks. There is considerable evidence and opinion in support of an ongoing bull market in gold - and a lot of people expect the precious metal to continue to rise. A $500 per ounce price, some time in 2004, is certainly not overstating the case. Silver and Platinum are obviously other options to consider. 3) When paper currencies are in trouble, you should be investing in various raw materials and commodities. For, it's a truism to say that as paper fiat money drops, tangible goods rise in value. 4) If you want to speculate and play the stock market, then any stocks that will benefit from war will likely be profitable in the long term - for this war will be a long one. 5) If you're in the USA, then owning real estate in another country could be a sensible investment strategy. However, stay away from any sort of "negative gearing" plans, as an inflationary future will also bring higher interest rates. WORRY: "Don't Worry, Be Happy" went the song. Lots of appeal, but no substance! However, there is no doubt we all worry too much. And the way the world is heading - then worry is the order of the day. (And I say "order" in the sense that those in power actually want you to worry.) Consider the following: If you live long enough to die a "natural" death - then you need to be concerned about - global warming; genetically engineered food; new viral diseases; war; more war; drugs; illegal immigration; terrorism; finger printing at US airports; meteor strikes; unemployment; re-election of George Bush; environmental disasters, AIDS, SARS, the tax man, the bank, deteriorating health; muggings; rape; extortion; fraud; kidnapping, car-jackings; murder; road rage; another term of Tony Blair; Ayatollahs; suicide bombers - and I could probably go on and on (but I won't, for fear of terminal depression!). You get the point. In fact, if you watch TV News, then you are fed this "Fear Feast" day in and day out. What your mind focuses on - your emotions respond to. And if fear is your primary emotion - then your freedom is in danger. If you want to reduce the number of things to worry about, essentially all you need to do is stop paying attention to them. Three strategies to reduce worry: 1) Start your day off with this helpful mind exercise, as suggested by Tony Robbins. Ask yourself the following question - and let your mind provide the many answers it will come up with. "What's GOOD about my life right now?" I guarantee that no matter how worried, or depressed you are right now - by simply asking that question, and spending a few minutes reviewing the answers that pop into your head, you will refocus your mind, by pointing your attention to those things which you have control over, and which give you continued reason to get out of bed! 2) Remember that those who "hold the levers of power" are only as powerful as YOU let them be. If everyone refused to be treated like a slave - then slave masters would be out of business in no time. Victimhood is a state of mind. Ayn Rand calls this "the sanction of the victim" - meaning, you can only be a victim by granting permission to those who would rule over you. 3) Learn to laugh at bureaucrats, politicians and any self- styled leaders. Don't give them the satisfaction of thinking they matter one whit to you! Don't be a victim. Don't be hoodwinked into parting with your life or liberty - or wealth! Embrace, Enhance and Enjoy your Freedom! David MacGregor | ||
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