Tag Archives: AfD
Increased Consumer Spending Among Scarcity
Armstrong Economics Blog/Behavioral Economics Re-Posted Dec 2, 2021 by Martin Armstrong
The global supply chain shortage amid rising inflation is abundantly prominent. The supply shortage could actually cause people to spend more despite rising prices. Adobe Analytics is already predicting a 10% increase in US online shopping purchases over the next month, totaling $207 billion. An Indiana Institute study explains “pandemic, panicked overbuying” amid shortages.
We all recall the toilet paper and water shortages at the beginning of the pandemic. Stores simply did not have these items in stock, and when they became available, people purchased more than they could possibly consume. Researchers found that scarcity triggered a desire to compensate for shortages by seeking abundance. The average consumer likely would not purchase $300 worth of toilet paper in one trip to the store, but under the pretense of scarcity, overspending impacts price judgments.
Consumers categorize purchases differently amid shortages as well. Typically, people associate a higher price tag with higher quality. “People who face scarcity are less likely to view less vs. more expensive options as belonging to different categories, and thus are open to differences at either or both ends of the price continuum,” co-author Ashok Lalwani stated.
Researchers at John Molson School of Business found two main methods consumers use to compensate for a lack of abundance: the scarcity-reduction route and the control-restoration route. The scarcity-reduction route will cause people to panic buy more than they need to reduce the prospect of running out. Coincidentally, this exacerbates the problem of shortages as people hoard items and they become unavailable to those who need them. The other method, the control-restoration route, occurs when people fear they cannot eliminate scarcity through efforts or spending (i.e., distractions or avoidance).
However, the typical consumer is compelled toward competitive shopping behavior amid shortages. The researchers at the John Molson School of Business found that seeing images of empty shelves could trigger an increased consumption response. In fact, many are prone to accidental stockpiling where they add a few additional items to their cart that ends up totaling to more money and resources than they need.
Hopefully, we do not see the same level of panic buying that we did during the beginning stages of the pandemic. However, holiday shoppers are quick to snatch up deals and pile up on items in fear that they may not be available tomorrow.
How Hungary is Combating Population Decline
Armstrong Economic Blog/Population Re-Posted Dec 2, 2021 by Martin Armstrong
Birth rates across developed nations are rapidly declining. One country is combating this problem by making it easier for young couples to start families. Since 2010, the Hungarian government has been offering a paid incentive to improve the declining birth rate. Women may receive 10 million forints ($33,000) as a loan upon marriage. Couples are expected to pay off the loan within five years; however, interest on the loan will be suspended if the couple produces a child within the five-year period. If the couple produces three children, the entirety of the debt will be forgiven. Additionally, the Hungarian government announced that women who produce at least four children will no longer need to pay income tax. Couples will also receive up to $40,000 in an interest-free loan to assist in home buying. Childcare services are also offered complimentary.
“To support young adults to be able to have as many children as they wish to have at the moment when they wish to have these children so to give them the real freedom of choice, the opportunity to choose in favor of life as many times as they wish to,” Minister for Families Katalin Novak stated. As a result of these policies, the marriage rate is up 83% and divorce has reached a 60-year low. More couples are having babies, as the financial constraints of raising a new life are supported by the government.
Joe Biden Compares The Shortage of Pet Food, Chemical and Raw Material Commodities to the Scarcity of Cabbage Patch Dolls
Posted originally on the conservative tree house on December 1, 2021 | Sundance | 198 Comments
At some point you have to wonder if the Obama team behind the scenes is intentionally putting words in Biden’s teleprompter because they want him to be mocked in public.
Earlier today Joe Biden compared the shortage of essential products, pet foods, raw materials, petroleum products and chemicals in the U.S. (due to his self-inflicted energy policy) to the shortage of Cabbage Patch dolls in the 1980’s. Seriously, you really cannot make this stuff up. WATCH:
I would hazard a guess the speechwriters debated using Tickle Me Elmo as an example, and then decided it was a just a smidge too far.
Good grief, this is enough to really make you wonder…. How long?
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Is Big Pharma Punishing South Africa?
Armstrong Economics Blog/Africa Re-Posted Dec 1, 2021 by Martin Armstrong
South Africa denied Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson from delivering additional vaccines. A day later, on November 25, the omicron variant was detected in the country. Before the new variant was detected, South Africa claimed it had vaccinated 35% of the population, but their stockpile was building due to vaccine hesitancy. However, the African Union had planned to buy 220 million doses from Johnson & Johnson through Aspen Pharmacare. South Africa had also promised to purchase large quantities from Pfizer. A representative from Pfizer said, “We remain adaptable to individual country’s vaccine requirements whilst continuing to meet our quarterly commitments as per the South Africa supply agreement.”
Travel bans were immediately placed on South Africa and surrounding countries with lower vaccination rates. The variant has since been detected in Belgium, Israel, Germany, Canada, Italy, Hong Kong, and elsewhere. However, none of those nations faced a travel ban. The South African government released a statement saying that they are being “punished”:
“This latest round of travel bans is akin to punishing South Africa for its advanced genomic sequencing and the ability to detect new variants quicker. Excellent science should be applauded and not punished. The global community needs collaboration and partnerships in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Even the World Health Organization has warned world leaders not to impose immediate travel restrictions. The South African government is urging nations to reconsider the travel ban, but the number of nations to implement a ban multiplied after omicron was announced. If the ban were solely due to health concerns, countries would also ban travel from other places where the variant is present. South Africa is potentially being punished for disobeying the larger agenda.
The Lack of Independent Thought
Armstrong Economics Blog/Vaccine Re-Posted Dec 1, 2021 by Martin Armstrong
I find it really disturbing that people you thought were capable of independent thought turn out to be like a drone just maneuvering through life without a clue. Geraldo Rivera actually said: “If I’m in your room with my grandchildren who are not vaccinated because they are too young and you lie about vaccine status, and you sneeze on my grandchildren, that could be a crime. That is absolutely so selfish.”
Perhaps Geraldo has failed to comprehend the news that being vaccinated does not prevent you from getting COVID, nor does it prevent you from spreading COVID. The four people who were diplomats that took Omicron to Hong Kong were vaccinated. Using Geraldo’s logic, if you are vaccinated and give COVID to his grandchildren, that’s OK, but if you are not vaccinated then the same act is criminal? You can see how Hitler was able to get people to hate the Jews.
Let me make this very clear, my family had COVID and the grandchildren, under 10, may have had a runny nose at best when their parents were sick for about 10 days. Then in the other family group, one parent had COVID and was laid up for also about 10 days, while the other didn’t get it in the same house. The same with the children under 10. I too probably had COVID, although I tested negative five times, and two doctors said I mostly had it because the tests are not valid.
I have worked with many governments around the globe for 40 years. Once politics entered COVID, all truth vanished. No government will ever admit this was a mistake. If the vaccines sterilize people or cause heart problems, governments will NEVER admit any side-effect. Even Gates admitted that if they vaccinated the entire world, some 700,000 people would die. That is reality. No matter what the vaccine, there are people whose body rejects it.My neighbors took the vaccine because there was going to be some family party on a cruise ship. He was OK, but his wife, under 30, almost died. She was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. After about a week, she recovered. This is a fact of life. Not everyone is the same, and vaccines should NOT be mandatory as they put some people at risk. It is “selfish” to demand everyone gets vaccinated and put their own lives at risk for you. If you got vaccinated, then claiming the unvaccinated are risking your life means that the vaccines do not work.
So if you think the government really cares, you are a fool. Digital Passports have nothing to do with your health for a disease that has a 99% chance of survival. As has been revealed in Britain, everything about you is on that passport, from education to financial status. The COVID passports are the way to get people 100% on the grid and traceable. Oh, what fools most mortals seem to be. Biden has been forced to postpone the vaccine mandate for federal workers until January 1 because it is immoral to force vaccination for a flu-like disease that has a 99%+ chance of survival.
Moderna Cashes in On Omicron
Armstrong Economics Blog/Vaccine Re-Posted Dec 1, 2021 by Martin Armstrong
Moderna, the company that produced its first vaccination under Operation Warp Speed, said it is close to producing a new vaccine for the omicron variant. The news comes just days after the omicron variant was first reported publicly and before the scientific community had a chance to study the variant that has over 32 strains. As a result, Moderna’s stock jumped 14% earlier in the week and has been one of the top performers on the S&P 500 to date.
No one understands the new variant, but there is allegedly a vaccination in production that could be available by early 2022. This should raise many questions. Analysts claim Moderna has the ability to create new mRNA vaccines to combat mutating variants and can begin clinical trials within 60-90 days. Rest assured, all of the vaccine companies are now seeking to cash in on omicron. If these companies do not understand the variant, how can they develop a safe and effective vaccination?
President Biden even said it would take the White House around two weeks to understand omicron. “If people are vaccinated and wear their mask, there’s no need for lockdown,” Biden warned. Biden is lying. There are proven cases of people contracting COVID and various variants despite being fully vaccinated. The US president will deliver a “detailed strategy outlining how we’re going to fight COVID this winter. Not with shutdowns or lockdowns, but with more widespread vaccinations, boosters, testing, and more.” The word “lockdown” puts the markets in a tailspin, and Biden’s handlers have been careful not to mention this keyword in his speeches. Yet, they have made it clear that taking the vaccination could potentially prevent another lockdown. Between the lines is a subtle threat — comply or face the consequences.
Widespread Manhunt Underway For Three Men, Possibly Aborigines, Who Escaped Australian Involuntary Quarantine Camp – Video
Posted originally on the conservative tree house on November 30, 2021 | Sundance | 201 Comments
The events here are priceless, and weird, and just, well, nuts. Last week people were stunned to discover the Chief Premier of Australia’s Northern Territory, Michael Gunner, had triggered an operation using the military to round up Aboriginal tribes and place them into a COVID quarantine facility called Howard Springs.
Premier Gunner became furious at people who questioned his decision and said the native Australians wanted to be in the camp. {Go Deep} Well, early this morning three men scaled the wall in the Howard Springs quarantine camp and escaped. Police are right now conducting a widespread manhunt for the escapees, all of whom tested negative for the virus.
The Darwin police are using helicopters, roadblocks and are conducting vehicle searches in order to recapture the men who Michael Gunner said “wanted to be in” the detainment and quarantine facility. Something ain’t adding up. WATCH:
With this report in mind, it’s worth re-watching the previous angry outburst from Michael Gunner (below).
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UPDATE: Looks like they caught them
Federal Judge Expands Healthcare Worker Vaccine Mandate Injunction to Apply Nationally
Posted originally on the conservative tree house on November 30, 2021 | Sundance | 136 Comments
Another win against the federal vaccine mandate. The latest injunction against the Biden administration’s healthcare worker vaccine mandate was written by Judge Terry A. Doughty of Louisiana [View Here]. This injunction expands the prior order to cover all healthcare workers nationally.
On Monday a federal court in Missouri delivered an injunction that covered ten states; however, this ruling is written to extend block the CMS healthcare rule on a national basis – against Joe Biden’s decision to require all health workers in hospitals and nursing homes to receive their first shot by Dec. 6 and to be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4. [Ruling Here]
However, with these rulings piling up against the White House; and with more and more Americans ignoring the fear porn being attempted with Omicron; we can expect the executive branch to go even stronger in the direction of more punitive punishment using federal mandates. Watch for it…
(Full pdf)
CNN Suspends Fredo After Revelations of a Media Influence Operation to Assist His Brother’s Zipper Problem
Posted originally on the conservative tree house on November 30, 2021 | Sundance | 67 Comments
CNN has suspended Chris “Fredo” Cuomo after new information surfaced showing his efforts to use his position to influence media coverage of his embattled brother, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who was facing several sexual harassment allegations.
New York – “The move came a day after New York Attorney General Letitia James released a trove of subpoenaed records that include texts showing the “Cuomo Prime Time” host agreed to contact news industry “sources” for advance information on reports regarding his older brother.” (link)
Centinel2012 