You are absolutely right. Tariffs, protectionism and isolationism will make for a very bumpy ride indeed.

Look it is easy to play armchair quarterback when it comes to inflation, the fact the cost of things will continue to increase due to many factors not just one thing. Manufacturing not being able to meet with the demand, greed, disease, severe weather, resources, etc.
The only thing a person can do is to financially prepare, because anyone who tells you they know the one thing that is driving this does not know what they are talking about.

Social Security is not an "entitlement" as you say skarra! It's my money paid in to the system for my more than 35 years of work. DO NOT touch my money

Everything is going to be just fine. Gloom and doom was before. It might be bumpy, but it will be a MUCH BETTER outcome! It's interesting how some try to convince others - at our advanced stage in life - they can change others' opinions or convictions. That's just not going to happen. The future is shining so bright, I have to wear shades! Enjoy and embrace greatness!

There are a lot of speed bumps in our communities, just slow down and proceed with caution, everything will work out fine

We have an ugly situation with the financial system collapsing.
A return to a Federal Government in compliance with the Constitution would be part of the solution.
Elimination of the national debt would be the other part of the solution.
Partisan politics is not part of the solution.

Omg…..go back to bed.

Lets really go down the rat hole:
(A rabbit hole is all warm and filled with soft fuzzy fur, with a cute cuddly animal at the bottom. :smiley: a rat hole is smelly, coarse irritating hair, and has a nasty biting creature at the bottom :evil6:)

Buckle up. There’s a massive move happening in the gold market that almost nobody’s talking about. Huge physical deliveries. Shortages in London. Gold flowing into the U.S. at record levels. Someone with deep pockets is scooping up gold—likely the U.S. Treasury or Fed.

Why? The theory: They’re preparing for a full-on gold audit—meaning they’re re-shoring gold they might’ve leased out. Once audited, that gold could form the backbone of a new monetary system. This could signal a seismic shift in the dollar’s status and value.

The endgame: A major devaluation of the U.S. dollar to reset America’s global competitiveness. Think back to 1971 (Nixon shutting the gold window) or 1985 (Plaza Accord). This time, it might be even bigger—some call it the “Mar-a-Lago Accord.”

Tariffs are key. They aren’t just about steel, aluminum, or stopping fentanyl. They’re the cudgel to force other countries to accept a new currency regime. The U.S. wants to drive down the dollar’s value vs. the yuan, euro, yen, etc. to boost exports and domestic industry.

Meanwhile, there is talk of a “Sovereign Wealth Fund.” This means turning America’s natural resources, mineral rights, and strategic assets into equity. Suddenly the U.S. balance sheet doesn’t look so terrible. But watch for inflation—because that’s the plan too.

Inflation crushes current debts (government and private). But it also punishes everyday people with higher prices. The bet is wages will rise too, thanks to new industrial policies—like forcing profits to be reinvested in the U.S. (a nod to China’s model, ironically).

If it goes “right,” we end with a gold-backed or partially gold-backed currency, new capital controls, and a two-tier dollar (domestic vs. international). The Fed could even get scrapped, replaced by something like stablecoin tech, but with gold in the vault. Wild, right?

This is either a brilliant adult solution to an unsustainable debt spiral... or a step toward a heavily managed, non-free-market system. Possibly both. Either way, the message: “Something must change or the whole thing breaks.” So they’re doing it.

If you’re a regular person? Holding physical gold is the hedge against a collapsing dollar. Expect big changes in trade, currency rules, and prices for everything. The move could be fast. The ‘70s had staggering inflation. This time might be more dramatic.

Bottom line: Prepare for a major monetary reset. One that’s orchestrated (they hope) rather than chaotic. These aren’t half-baked theories. You can see it in gold flows, cabinet policy picks, the talk of a Sovereign Wealth Fund, and a looming forced revaluation.

Stay alert. Keep an eye on gold, tariffs, and any rumblings about “auditing” U.S. reserves. Inflation is coming by design. The old system is toast—time for what might be the biggest economic shake-up since 1971. Ignore it at your own risk.

Some sources to help you understand the plan:

A Users Guide to Restructuring the Global Trading System by Stephen Miran: https://hudsonbaycapital.com/documen...ing_System.pdf

October Interview with Howard Lutnick (Commerce Sec. Nominee) Timestamped to his explaining how the Sovereign Wealth Fund will be used: https://youtu.be/4AIgn545PPA


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ms7Uyg4bwaQ

Is that you
 

William Devane, is that really you? :thumbup::thumbup:

Enough cash (not cash equivalent) on hand to pay all bills for 6-12 months is not unreasonable. When the waste hits the proverbial rotating blades, one may not be able to sell (anything) in order to raise cash / buy food, etc. I personally recommend some long-term food storage.

Prices are already up. US consumer inflation increases at fastest pace in nearly 1-1/2 years in January…..
reuters.com

It’s an entitlement because we paid into it and are entitled to get it.

Exactly. The fear mongerers are still trying to create fear.

I think that's why we all feel we're ENTITLED to it. Some feel more entitled than others, especially those that have paid into it for 35 years LOL.

Nothing wrong with feeling entitled to things especially when we pay taxes. I think that's how (social) societies work.