Posted originally on Jan 16, 2025 by Martin Armstrong
Governments worldwide are at a loss on how to solve the housing crisis. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain believes placing a 100% tax on properties purchase by non-European Union residents will solve the crisis. He’s wrong.
“The West faces a decisive challenge: To not become a society divided into two classes, the rich landlords and poor tenants,” Sánchez said. An estimated 700,000 properties sold throughout the nation in Spain, the second-highest volume of sold homes in over 15 years. Non-EU residents accounted for a mere 27,000 home purchases. News outlets like BBC are stating that foreigners composed 15% of the Spanish housing market in 2023 but they are also including EU residents who will not be burdened by this tax. The German and French, for example, are large purchasers of properties in Spain.
The government has not said when this will go into effect. What they fail to realize is that the average real estate investor may purchase a handful of properties and rent a few out. They are not buying anywhere near the level of massive funds like BlackRock who have taken over the residential real estate market globally in recent years. The government is not calling out these funds because they partner with them to create new housing, student residences, and co-living options. BlackRock and others can be considered a necessary evil to some extent as there is a severe housing shortage in comparison to demand. However, the president said he wanted to target those looking to profit from real estate but failed to target actual investment funds. The government always targets higher net-worth INDIVIDUALS looking for passive income.
Then at the same time, Spain is eliminating a fast-tracked residency program called the “golden visa.” This program was intended to attract high-net-worth individuals who are able to spend a minimum of €500,000 on housing. These individuals would have paid taxes into the economy and likely intended to live there for a portion of the year, spending more money in Spain.
Let us not count out okupa laws that not only legally permit squatting, but it forbids homeowners from evicting squatters. Over 55,000 complaints regarding illegal occupation have been filed in the last four years. Not only are squatters permitted to stay in unoccupied housing, but the landlord has an obligation to keep the utilities on AND pay for them.
Open borders certainly are not helping, as 63,970 new migrants entered the nation last year, a 12.5% increase from the year prior. The government says they are curbing migration since figures are down from the 2018 high of 64,298, but nations, especially coastal nations, cannot truly calculate everyone who illegally enters.
No one in government will ever question, “Has this been done before? If so, what was the outcome?” Canada attempted to charge an albeit smaller 25% entry tax on real estate for foreign buyers, but good luck finding a home there. I believe these measures are simply smoke and mirrors. The concept appeases the people who are struggling to afford housing and the government can say that they attempted to combat the problem.
Posted originally on Jan 15, 2025 by Martin Armstrong
The two positions in life that require ZERO experience are (1) politician and (2) becoming a parent. We often hear blaming foreign buyers in real estate for the rise in prices. I listened to that in Miami, with all the foreigners buying condos, but I also heard in Florida how all these people from New England were buying up the East Coast, and the MidWesterners were buying the West Coast. In Canada, they blamed the Chinese for pushing up property values in Vancouver. In Singapore, it was turning ugly, with even protests against foreigners.
The world economy expands and flourishes when we all get along. The problem today is that governments have abused their power following Karl Marx and this socialized agenda, believing in fairness and equality that not even God bestowed upon humanity. They follow Marxism blindly no matter how many times it has been proven to fail, for it is anti-religious and anti-humanity. We are equal only in rights – not in passions or talents. Some men find robust women attractive, others thin. Women, the joke is, prefer fixer-uppers compared to men, which is typically a yes or no. We are all simply not the same – sorry! Governments have abused this socialistic power, and capital normally flees.
The latest is the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, announcing 12 reforms amid an ongoing debate over the impact of foreigners on local housing prices. The proposal is to introduce a tax rate for those outside the European Union (EU) who do not currently live in Spain, with a tax rate of up to 100% of the property value. Real estate purchases in Spain are subject to a 10% tax on newly-built homes and 6% on old properties. He is brain-dead. If this policy is imposed, housing prices will decline, which means RECESSION for people spending less when they think their house has declined.
As we move into 2032, more and more people are starting to realize that the problem we all face is government. There is ZERO hope of preventing this crash and burn. Not even Trump will be able to stop this trend largely because the SWAMP surrounds him, and people with self-interests preaching their own agenda have his ear. Capital is moving, and then you have to be mindful that the average person will blame foreigners, which becomes a prevalent response regardless of the culture or century.
In China, there was the Boxer Rebellion, which was an anti-foreign, anti-imperialist, and anti-Christian uprising in North China between 1899 and 1901. During the Hard Times of the 1840s, there were riots and gun battles against the immigrants coming in from Ireland in Philadelphia, taking local jobs and property.
The Romans first invaded Britain in 55 BC under Julius Caesar, but it was not until the reign of Emperor Claudius in 43AD that a full-scale conquest was launched. He even named his son – Britannicus. Over the next few decades, the Romans gradually extended their control over the island, establishing a network of forts, roads, and settlements that would form the backbone of Roman Britain.
In 60-61AD, the Roman province of Britannia was shaken by a massive rebellion led by Queen Boudicca of the Iceni tribe. The Boudiccan Revolt, was an uprising also against foreigners nearly 20 years after Rome Conquered Britain.
This is a tiny list of examples of domestic civil unrest against foreigners. Immigration has often sparked major uprisings and the downfall of empires, nations, and city-states. As I have written before, Emperor Valensallowed the Barbarian tribes to enter the Empire. He even trained them in Roman military tactics, assuming he could boost his army against rising external threats. They came, they saw, they learned, but they did not assimilate. They then conquered and killed Emperor Valens on the battlefield.
Our politicians have made the same mistake, especially in Europe. The previous attempt by the Muslims to conquer Europe was the Siege of Vienna in 1683. It is no exaggeration to describe the Battle of Tours, which took place on October 10, 732, as one of the single most important battles in European history. Charles Martel, the father of Charlemagne, saved Europe from the Muslim invasion. The exact location of the battlefield is unknown, but the fight occurred somewhere between Tours and Poitiers. It was a decisive battle in the Umayyad Caliphate’s invasion of Gaul. They were defeated by a combined Kingdom of the Franks force led by the legendary Charles ‘the Hammer’ Martel. There were two attempts to conquer Europe; this time, many wonder if the politicians made the same mistake as Emperor Valens.
Soros’ Open Society is nothing more than a fantasy. We ALWAYS decline economically when society divides and becomes fragmented. Just look at the Middle East. The people who live in Syria do not see themselves as Syrians first. They see themselves as tribal groups most delineated by religion. Allowing the influx of Muslims into Europe has not merely caused a major culture clash, as those who Valens let in also did not assimilate into Roman Society; this is the same process unfolding in Europe. Muslims who grew up in Europe were predominantly assimilated culturally, even though they retained their religion. This was no different from the Protestant vs Catholic, which at one time was a major confrontation throughout Northern Europe.
The influx of Muslims from the Middle East differs culturally from even Muslims born in Europe. This divides Europe and will contribute to the global decline in GDP, which we see up to 20% going into 2032. As Julius Caesar once said – Divide and Conquer/Rule.
The Schengen Agreement led to the creation of Europe’s borderless Schengen Area. The treaty was signed on June 14, 1985 by five of the ten member states of the European Economic Community near the town of Schengen in Luxembourg, but was not implemented (partially) until 1995. It proposed the gradual abolition of border checks at the signatories’ common borders. Measures proposed included: reduced speed vehicle checks that allowed vehicles to cross borders without stopping, allowed residents in border areas the freedom to cross borders away from fixed checkpoints, and the harmonization of visa policies.
Germany and others are implementing the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) in May. Those wishing to travel to nations with ETIAS requirements must receive electronic pre-approval. Anyone traveling from a visa-free nation will be required to apply. This includes a background check, submitting biometric data, and answering questions in relation to health and criminal history. ETIAS will remain valid for three years or until an individual’s passport expires. It can take up to 96 hours to process according to estimates.
Italy will begin requesting Type D visa holders to undergo fingerprinting at consulates. France, Poland, and Portugal are implementing similar measures. Spain introduced CEHAT (Confederación Española de Hoteles y Alojamientos Turísticos) last month that reshaped the hospitality sector by requiring hotels, campgrounds, resorts, apartments, and short-term rentals to submit extensive traveler info. Travelers must provide a thorough 31-data point survey and hand over their personal information. Additionally, travelers must demonstrate financial independence by proving they have €100 per day of their stay.
One may believe that these restrictions are simply targeted at non-Europeans. However, countless nations have already begun to implement border security and become wary of their neighbor as they do not want their migrants passing through their borders. Brussels remains in a state of denial and tries to force the EU upon everyone while denying any democratic process in order to save the jobs of the Eurocrats. We saw nations like Hungary and Poland fight Brussels on its open border protocols.
Europe has witnessed their population alter entirely in recent years under open border policies that are completely destroying each nation’s traditions and culture, not to mention budgets as there is no way any nation can provide full government assistance to endless newcomers. The Schengen Agreement will fail, for it is an invitation that will bankrupt the governments, for they cannot afford to expand their welfare systems.
Posted originally on Jan 12, 2025 by Martin Armstrong
QUESTION: Why will people not listen to you? You warned that we were turning not to global warming but to cooling and that the reduction of supply of energy would lead to hardship, disease, and war. Here is Britain, the gas company informed us that they are running out of fuel because it has been so cold. You offer historical data to provide the answer. Others provide nothing but wild opinions based on gossip. I am not sure what keeps you going. I supposed if I was ignored, I would say stuff it, you are on your own.
MV
ANSWER: I cannot disagree. It does get frustrating. It reminds me of my favorite cartoon. I moved to Florida (1) with no state income tax and (2) to get closer to real global warming. My father’s law partner had told me to get out of New Jersey and, if I died there, tell my family to drag my body across the river before they told anyone. The politics of Democratic states has destroyed those societies and this will most likely lead to serious civil uprisings, as you will also see in Britain and Europe.
This nonsense of global warming reminds me of Stanley Milgram’s experiments. When he put a a few people on the street and they just stared upward into the sky, a crown would form trying to see what they were looking at. Just one people people would walk by. They were looking for nothing, and that is what has taken place. Gee – it was warmer today than when I was a kid, so we MUST be causing that to happen with fossil fuels. No evidence has EVER been supported. Even Cicero wrote about the pollution in Rome; when you burn wood, you release CO2. The first Clean Water Actwas by Justinian I in Constantinople in 535AD.
It is beyond my power to prevent anything –
I am here hopefully to point the way out of the Crash & Burn
Civilization rises during warm periods and collapses during cold periods. These people are beyond idiots or morons. No word describes their absolute stupidity. My dogs are more intelligent than these people who push this nonsense. We will go through a significant correction in civilization post-2032, like the fall of Rome. These are the assholes that are here to ensure that happens.
Posted originally on Jan 10, 2025 by Martin Armstrong
The next German election will be held on February 23, and ifrecent polls are of any indication, Chancellor Olaf Scholz may be out of work. The Social Democrats (SPD) are part of a global trend of political parties that have pushed their nations so far to the left that the people are voting to the right.
Bild newspaper believed SPD’s favorability declined one point to 15.5% since December. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and sister party the Christian Social Union (CDU) are leading the polls at 31%. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) Party rose in popularity by one percentage point to 21.5%.
The Greens did see a 1.5 percentage point rise but they are only standing at 13.5% favorability, which marks their highest support level since 2023. All other parties are beneath the 5% level as people are completely done with the direction of the left.
Open borders, climate change, the woke agenda, and endless wars have pushed citizens worldwide to a breaking point. Progressive policieshave failed. We saw the celebrated shift in Italy when Giorgia Meloni and the Brothers of Italy Party took office in 2022. Marine Le Pen of France won a majority of seats with the National Rally. The Netherlands saw Geert Wilders’ Party of Freedom win a large portion of seats in the House of Representative. The tide is shifting across Europe.
The German government basically collapsed under Scholz’s watch. He left a massive hole in their budget and sacrificed economic sovereignty for Brussels. The left also lost America’s protection of Germany now that Biden is leaving office. The left is simply losing internationally as the people can no longer tolerate the failing Marxist agenda.
We had a directional change in 2024 and should see a recession sharply into 2026 into 2028. Marxism should end in Europe by 2037 but it will be a long road to get there. In the short term, all incoming governments will be forced to undo the mistakes of prior regimes while accepting that some of the damage cannot be undone.
Posted originally on the CTH onJanuary 6, 2025 | Sundance
It’s not just the United States of America standing up and electing President Donald J. Trump. The nationalist vessels are being identified in many countries right now as each regional nuance and difference is working through a process.
Germany, France, the U.K, Georgia, Romania, El Salvador and Argentina are small examples where the organizing of commonsense people is also navigating through the systems of control. The voices of the people are rising organically.
In Canada one of the modern WEF globalists is now indicating his exit. Justin Trudeau is expected to resign.
NY POST – […] Three sources told the Globe and Mail, a Canadian outlet, on Sunday that Trudeau, 53, could reveal he’s leaving as Liberal Party Leader before a critical national caucus meeting on Wednesday.
It was unclear what day he could announce his resignation, but it reportedly could happen as early as Monday, the sources said.
The bombshell report comes as an embattled Trudeau has faced increasing calls for his resignation as a Donald Trump presidency – and the threat of 25% tariffs on all products north of the border – looms large.
The prime minister was struck with a devastating blow after his then-finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, quit last month over a deepening divide between the two over the future of Canada’s economy. (read more)
Justin from Canada has been an unstable boy-child with a speech impediment and an emotionally unstable disposition for a long time. He personifies the leftist hero for modern feminists.
Posted originally on Jan 3, 2025 by Martin Armstrong
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has nearly accepted that his country will be forced to pay an additional €500 million for energy due to Ukraine’s refusal to renew the Russian gas transit treaty. Zelensky believes Fico is Putin’s puppet, but the man is simply looking for a way to provide his people energy. Tensions are worsening between Zelensky and Fico, and now, Fico is threatening to cut aid to Ukraine.
“On behalf of Smer (the ruling party), I announce that we are ready to negotiate and agree in a coalition to cut off electricity supplies and significantly reduce support for Ukrainian citizens staying in the territory of the Slovak Republic,” Fico noted a day after the existing transit treaty expired.
Leaders from Ukraine, Slovakia, and the unelected leaders of the European Union will meet next week to determine the proper steps which likely means they will find a way to pressure Slovakia to continue aiding Ukraine without compromise.
Fico threatened to cut off energy supplies to Ukraine, but Zelensky basically stated he knew that he would be overpowered by the EU and prevented from doing so. “Any arbitrary decisions in Bratislava or instructions from Moscow to Fico regarding electricity will not lead to a halt in electricity imports to Ukraine,” Zelensky said, adding: “Slovakia is part of the unified European energy market, and Fico must abide by pan-European regulations.” Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry chimed in to say that Slovakia would stand to lose hundreds of millions annually if they stopped selling to Ukraine. “Slovakia’s supply of critical amounts of electricity to Ukraine is not charity: Ukraine pays Slovakia a significant amount for it,” the ministry stated.
Moscow is not strengthened by this gas transit deal and granting transit would show good faith to Slovakia, who has provided Ukraine with millions in assistance since the war began. The underlying issue is that Fico wishes to remain neutral in this war. The European Union wants every member state to fear Russia and prepare for an escalation of warfare. The unelected officials at Brussels consistently undermine their own member states and it is only a matter of time before members wake up and realize that this alliance is working against them.
Posted originally on Dec 30, 2024 by Martin Armstrong
QUESTION: Dear Martin,
Merry Christmas to you, your family, and the Armstrong Economic team. All of you have worked tirelessly to help humanity.
A question about the UK: you have discussed saving the USA and that your proposal would always work in the EU. What about the UK? You say Trump is married to old theories. What about Nigel Farage?
Thank you for everything you do.
Ash
ANSWER: Starmer’s approval rating has crashed. Now, 61% of Britain disapprove of his policies. Even though Labour has an overwhelming majority and can pass anything they want, the reality is that our computer does not show Starmer will survive until the next election in 2029. This is a special report with the proposal to save Britain, and it can be done if Nigel Farage dares to lead the entire world to a new economic freedom. Once one nation rejects the old theories that not even central banks can use anymore, the rest will follow. I would say the two countries that could show the way forward for the future are Britain and Argentina.
I will let everyone know when this report is ready for prime time.
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