I love this thread, but I must say, there is an undertone to it that amazes me.
Have you been around the world and seen stinking poverty? There is an unhappiness on this thread, a focus on total disaster...what is that based on?
I actually think its based on the ideas in a book called "Freedom and Its Discontents." Things are just too good, basically (and I'm not happy with Bush and of course voted against him...). Life is okay. Except for what we New Yorkers endured in 2001, much of America is doing okay. People on this thread CERTAINLY are in the elite, comfortable and some are wealthy.
I get great ideas on this thread, for where to invest as the $ will probably (tho not for sure--) continue down, and it doesn't hurt to invest a bit in real metals etc.
But, not to be pissy or contrarian, the extremity of the doomsdayers, what is that really about? Are people satisfied with their work, their personal lives, etc? Greg Easterbrook recently wrote a book that pointed out that happiness does not increase with wealth, past basic survival/comfort needs. Even if the worst happened and we turned into Japan or England, would it be soooooo bad?
And our time as a superpower just has to come to an end, we can all see that in 10-20 years, it will be China or Chindia, most likely China.
But anyway, be of good cheer! Come here for good investment ideas, but enjoy a life and country that in spite of its flaws is still pretty darn good
(I'm writing this from Wellesley College where I am on business, its a beautiful day, pretty trees, they're letting me use an Apple computer to check the internet...I'm listening to Frank Sinatra on my Ipod--life is not so bad and this counry has made it through 1929, Reagan's policies etc...it has resilience |
