Tag Archives: Georgia Guidestones

May 12 2022

Baby Formula Shortage Hits Crisis Levels


Armstrong Economics Blog/North America Re-Posted May 12, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

COMMENT: My sister in Texas begged me to mail her formula for the past two weeks. She has been close to rationing the milk she gives her 4 m.o. son. The shelves are empty and there is no baby formula in sight! There have been news stories but it has not been discussed enough. My sister is scared for her baby and the stores by me are also low on formula. I am limited to what I can purchase in one trip and drive to multiple stores each week. What do we do when the day comes when nothing is available?

-A Concerned Aunt

REPLY: We have entered the baby formula rationing stage of Biden’s presidency. I am glad you were able to find milk for your nephew because shortages have been recorded across the country. Datasembly reported that formula shortages reached 8% during the first half of 2021. From November 2021 to the beginning of April 2022, baby formula shortages reached 31% which was cause for concern to everyone but the FDA and the White House. As April continued, the out-of-stock rate spiked to 40%! During the last week of April, at least seven states reported a 50% or greater shortage in supply.

Target and Costco are rationing online baby formula purchases. CVS and Walgreens announced weeks ago that they would do the same. The FDA recalled three brands of formula in February after finding traces of bacteria, but that is only one factor for the shortages. Formula inventories were already down 17% on an annual basis in January prior to the recall. The ongoing supply chain issue is to blame as products simply cannot be delivered fast enough to meet demand.

The White House downplayed the issue and blamed the shortage on the recalls. “The FDA issued a recall to make sure that they’re meeting their obligation to protect the health of Americans — including babies who, of course, were receiving or taking this formula — and ensure safe products are available. That’s their job,” Psaki said in a lighthearted manner. They will be hard-pressed to fix an issue if they do not understand how it evolved. Despite manufacturers working around the clock, the shortage cannot meet the demand at this time.

I cannot advise on what to do; I can only comment on the reason for the shortage. However, I would encourage mothers to speak with their pediatricians. Watering down formula is extremely dangerous, and not all will respond well to a switch in brands. I could also suggest avoiding hoarding, but we all act in our own self-interest, as Adam Smith said, and I would not blame a desperate mother for taking extreme measures. The Biden Administration should have addressed this issue at the beginning of the year, but per usual, they waited until it became a full-blown crisis.

May 12 2022

Is China Really Still Communist?


Armstrong Economics Blog/Economics Re-Posted May 12, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

QUESTION:  Hello Martin –
In today’s “Spread The Love”, you mention at the end that today, neither Russia or China are communist.
I think the assertion that Russia is not communist is probably believable and something most of us have heard in one form or another since 1989…
But how can you say China is not communist?
If they aren’t, please tell me what they are…Thank you!
MSC

ANSWER: Communist means the government owns everything. There is private ownership and stock markets which do not exist in communism. The government continues to call itself the CCP.
However, in reality, they are no more communist than the United States. There are many rich Chinese buying arts, real estate, and even ancient coins. Communism collapsed in 1989, they just did not want to change the name of the government for that would be admitting Mao’s ideas were wrong.

I went behind the Berlin Wall before it fell. You did not own your home. You were assigned a place to live. You could not move without permission and you were not allowed to get a car without government permission. Communism failed because it was more concerned with “equality” and ignored human nature.

When the United States began, there was the Federalist Party v Thomas Jefferson’s Democratic-Republican Party. The Federalists collapsed and then the Slavery issue split the party of Jefferson into the Democratic (slave party) v Republican. Today, the Democrats do not stand for any democratic process, they are functioning still as a representative party under a Republic. They also never changed their name to reflect the true nature of their party.

May 12 2022

EU Internal Battle = Separatist


Armstrong Economics Blog/European Union Re-Posted May 12, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

The sanction imposed on Russia is an economic version of a nuclear war spearheaded by the United States without any consideration whatsoever. The United States was energy self-sufficient under Trump. Biden has taken every step to end fossil fuels and has had the audacity to turn to OPEC to ask for more supply while he denies American those very jobs. But Europe has no self-sufficient energy. This hair-brain idea that they can punish Russia for invading Ukraine was deliberately created by the West & Zelensky and is now tearing the EU apart.

As always, the West simply thought they needed to conquer Russia and then China to push this Great Reset with the United Nations in charge of the world because no single nation can tackle climate change alone. They never anticipated that shutting down fossil fuels before there was any viable alternative would lead to political chaos. The euro will be in serious trouble post-2024 and may even collapse as a viable reserve currency in the world. The euro was doomed when they refused to consolidate the national debts and become one real government because they simply never trusted each other.

May 11 2022

Airlines Playing Russian Roulette with Passengers’ Lives


Armstrong Economics Blog/Vaccine Re-Posted May 11, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

Airlines are playing Russian roulette with passengers’ lives after numerous pilots experienced heart attacks, which is believed to be a direct result of the vaccine mandate.

American Airlines Captain Robert Snow was flying an Airbus 231 carrying 200 passengers. An otherwise healthy Snow experienced a sudden heart attack six minutes after landing. Snow said he dreamed of teaching his daughter to fly one day but will likely never fly again.

The US Freedom Flyers are a group of volunteers within the transportation sector fighting to end vaccine mandates. They are warning the government that a tragedy could be on the horizon due to the FAA initially mandating vaccines under Biden’s guidance. The group would like all vaccinated pilots to receive medical clearance through EKGs and MRIs to rule out blood clotting issues. Once a pilot loses their FAA medical clearance, their career is over.

United Airlines even issued a “pilot incapacitation” manual and urged pilots and co-pilots to report incidents. As it stands, pilots are not permitted to fly for 48 hours after receiving the vaccine. However, the side effects could occur much later, and no one is seriously investigating why pilots are falling ill. “It’s as simple as standing up and saying NO! When we join together, we are an unstoppable force,” the US Freedom Flyers said.

Dr. Fauci was asked about the issue last October. “ I’m sure there is a very, very, very, very rare exception, but the long-term effects are really essentially nonexistent,” Fauci claimed. “Getting COVID is far, far worse than getting vaccinated for absolutely certain.”

May 11 2022

Nuclear Deterrence


Armstrong Economics Blog/War Re-Posted May 11, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

QUESTION: Hi Martin,

I work on defense issues for my job, but I am no Neocon. Second Strike works just fine too or more likely “Launch Under Attack” (LUA), and even with older weapons. Everybody goes down together and most likely via miscalculation especially given possible Nuclear Winter which given Volcano data actually looks plausible. No prior intention is required to commit National suicide. Read Admiral Richards (STRATCOM) latest Congressional testimony yesterday. A  “Crisis In Nuclear Deterrence” and it could be the Brits who initiate any escalation and not the U.S.by the way. Same Trident-D-5 SLBM’s and Russia could not tell them apart.

There are some Neocons who are aware of your work like Bill Kristol, and others. They will never allow the shift from West to East to occur. I have actually heard some of them say that. It is their hold card. By the way, could you clarify when you believe the full-scale war will break out? You have suggested Q-1 2023, 2024 (especially May 7/8 ECM turn), after 2024, 2027, and 2028. I understand it may escalate in stages, but how long does Socrates believe we have before it goes full scale? My guess is June 2024 as Economic factors are ignored by “The Post Cold Warriors”.

Best,
Ken.

COMMENT: Marty, you are right again. Admiral Richard agreed with you that nuclear arms are no longer a deterrent to war. The Ukraine conflict shows Russia was not afraid of nuclear weapons from NATO or the US. It is all economics.

Thanks for what you do.

KM

ANSWER: I know virtually every intelligence agency looks at Socrates. They all want to know the forecasts of Socrates, for it’s not my personal opinion. All I can hope to do is scream loud enough that perhaps I can reduce the amplitude of events. But Socrates has NEVER been wrong on any geopolitical forecast in my lifetime. Personally, we all have opinions. But that will also change week to week based on events. That’s why personal opinion will not cut it, for this is far more complex than we can even speculate.

I really do not care what the Neocons do. They will never prevent the shift of the economic power from the West to the East. China has surpassed Europe, and it is neck and neck with the USA now. This is a cycle that cannot be defeated. All they are doing is fulfilling the cycle with this nonsense. World peace is created by interdependency, as was the case with the Roman Empire and the Pax Romanum, Roman peace.

I am doing a full report on the question. Tensions are rising post-2020 after they got Biden in office. We will see escalation begin in 2023, but the prospect of a world war is more likely post-2024. I question if Putin will be there during that time more than Biden. Putin will be followed by even hardline advocates, for they are well aware that this Proxy War is really a war between the USA and Russia.

Yes, the head of U.S. Strategic Command Adm. Charles Richard, who does oversee the nuclear arsenal, warned Congress that the USA faces a heightened nuclear deterrence risk when it comes to Russia and China. The cutting of the defense budget and even Biden’s threat to dishonorably discharge any member of the military who was not vaccinated has shown that the US thinks it can control the world with the threat of nuclear weapons while reducing the conventional capability.

Adm. Richard warned: “We are facing a crisis deterrence dynamic right now that we have only seen a few times in our nation’s history.” He continued stating bluntly: “The war in Ukraine and China’s nuclear trajectory — their strategic breakout — demonstrates that we have a deterrence and assurance gap based on the threat of limited nuclear employment.” He further warned that China is “watching the war in Ukraine closely and will likely use nuclear coercion to their advantage in the future. Their intent is to achieve the military capability to reunify Taiwan by 2027 if not sooner.”

Nuclear weapons are no longer a deterrent. They did not stop the US from going into Iraq, the Vietnamese War, or this one in Ukraine. The idea that building nuclear capability will somehow compel world peace is a delusion. This is essentially what Admiral Richard has scolded Congress about. The US conventionally is not a match for Russia and China. North Korea alone has an army of 1.5 million. That is double the size of both sides in Ukraine right now.

May 11 2022

Texas Rep Chip Roy Explodes on Floor After House Democrats Create $40 Billion Ukraine Spending Bill and Demand Immediate Vote


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on May 10, 2022 | sundance

May 11 2022

JoeBamanomics, 77 Percent of Americans Rate Economy as Poor, 23 Percent Say Good, 63% of Americans Buying Fewer Groceries


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on May 4, 2022 | Sundance 

CNN conducted another poll to evaluate voter trends [pdf data here].  The results show a significant drop in American opinion of the economy with 77% rating the current status as “poor,” and 23% saying it’s “good.”  Additionally, 66% of people polled disapprove of the way Biden is handling the economy.

As CNN painfully noted: “Even within the Democratic Party, just 7 in 10 approve of Biden on the economy (71%) and helping the middle class (71%), considerably lower than the 86% of Democrats who approve of his performance overall. Fewer than half of Democrats say Biden has improved the nation’s economic standing (45%), down from 58% in December.” (article link)

In the video discussion, CNN Political Director David Chalian is just gobsmacked, stunned and amazed that 63% of these people are saying they are buying fewer groceries because stuff is just too expensive. WATCH:

.

Whenever voters put democrats in charge of the economy, it just sucks.

{ Full Poll Pdf HERE }

May 11 2022

Senate Leadership Agree, the Most Important Focus for Legislation is Massive Ukraine Spending Package


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on May 10, 2022 | Sundance

The republican senate leadership team held a press conference today announcing their support for the priority agenda of Joe Biden and the White House.

As Leader Mitch McConnell noted at the beginning of his remarks, “we all agree, the most important thing going on in the world right now is the war in Ukraine,” and with that statement McConnell announced he and Joe Biden have agreed to advance a massive package of $40 billion to pay the salaries and retirement benefits of the Ukrainian government.

Comrades, you must put aside any stress about how to afford groceries and still fill your gas tank, there are people in the government of Ukraine who need your tax dollars more.  WATCH (45 seconds):

No gas money, no grocery money, no infant formula, no voting integrity…. Meh, no problem.  We’ve got Ukrainians to support.

DECEPTICONS ♦ Senate Republican Leader: Senator Mitch McConnell♦ Assistant Minority Leader: Senator John Thune♦ Conference Chairman: Senator John Barrasso♦ Senate Republican Conference Vice Chairman: Senator Joni Ernst♦ Senate Republican Policy Committee Chairman Roy Blunt♦ National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Rick Scott♦ Corporate Public Relations Firm, Fox News

May 11 2022

Elon Musk Says He and Jack Dorsey Agree That President Trump Should be Restored on Twitter, FULL VIDEO


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on May 10, 2022 | Sundance 

During a Q&A session at the Financial Times Future of the Car summit, a small-minded man of dubious connection to historical truth decided to make inquiries about Elon Musk’s perspective on Twitter.  Specifically, whether the account of Donald Trump should be restored on the platform.

Elon Musk did not equivocate in advocating for the returned voice of Donald Trump; noting that banning speech from a platform does not mean ending that speech, it only drives that speech into another venue.  The decision to perma-ban Donald Trump from Twitter was “morally wrong and flat out stupid.”  WATCH:

Again, Musk did not equivocate, and that is an important element to consider when we evaluate the direction of his intent.  Musk is aware that his position will draw extreme attacks from the moonbat wing of the political spectrum, yet he stands firm in the face of predictable adversity.  I think we can all respect that, even if we disagree with Musk on nuances of his position toward other matters.

May 11 2022

A Frequent Question About Trump Hires Working Against the America First Agenda


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on May 10, 2022 | Sundance

When Donald Trump won the 2016 election, even before he took office, CTH warned about the permanent bureaucratic class in Washington DC and what it meant for an outside to enter this system.  With a consistent question being raised, it is well worth the reminder – because the answer has nothing to do with Donald Trump.

First the question:

The short answer is, it’s not that complicated. There is one permanent bureaucratic class in/around DC (two wings, same bird). The pool of appointees comes from this UniParty system. Donald Trump as an outsider faced animosity from the system itself. There are no MAGA bureaucrats.

That said, the more fulsome answer is the real issue. Because it doesn’t matter who the ‘outsider’ is, they are going to suffer the same fate until a structural change takes place.

If you take a small potential pool of America-First administrators, and then overlay the DC filtration system in the Senate, ‘advise and consent’, what you realize is that any appointment has to be approved by the same system that is opposed to the agenda the nominee would represent.

In essence, the DC system is designed to protect itself.

It doesn’t matter who the next presidential candidate is. If that President wants to advance a policy agenda in favor of the American people, they will face the same problem.  So let me give one perspective on how to tackle the issue.

To give one example as a baseline, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell did not block President Trump’s ability to have recess appointments because the republican controlled Senate supported Donald Trump.

Senator McConnell blocked President Trump because the DC system was opposed to President Trump.

Machiavelli said, “It must be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to plan, more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to manage than a new system. For the initiator has the enmity of all who would profit by the preservation of the old institution and merely lukewarm defenders in those who gain by the new ones.”  A prescient and oft repeated quote that is pertinent to the situation.

When our founders created the system of government for our constitutional republic, they built in layers of protection from federal control over the lives of people in the states.  Over time those protections have been eroded as the federal bureaucracy has seized power.  One of the biggest changes that led to the creation of the permanent political class was the 17th amendment.

Our founders created a system where Senators were appointed by the state legislatures.  In this original system the senate was bound by obligation to look out for the best interests of their specific states.  Under the ‘advise and consent‘ rules of Senate confirmation for executive branch appointments, the intent was to ensure the presidential appointee -who would now carry out regulatory activity- would not undermine the independent position of the states.

When the 17th amendment (direct voting for Senators) took the place of state appointments, the perspective of ‘advise and consent’ changed.  The senate was now in the position of ensuring the presidential appointee did not undermine the power of the permanent bureaucracy, which is the root of power for the upper-chamber.

Senate committees, Homeland Security, Judiciary, Intelligence, Armed Services, Foreign Relations, etc. now consists of members who carry an imbalanced level of power within government.  The senate now controls who will be in charge of executive branch agencies like the DOJ, DHS, FBI, CIA, ODNI, DoD, State Dept and NSA, from the position of their own power and control in Washington DC.

In essence, the 17th amendment flipped the intent of the constitution from protecting the individual states to protecting the federal government.

Almost every source of federal issue: ex. spending, intervention and foreign assistance, conflict with the states, burdensome regulation, surveillance and spying on American citizens, the two-tiered justice system and the erosion of liberty & individual rights (see COVID examples), can be sourced back to the problem created by the 17th amendment.

As long as the United States senate is more concerned with retaining their own power, no executive branch office holder can break through that system.

In the balance of power dynamic, the Senate has an inordinate amount of unilateral power within the congressional branch.  This power dynamic is a direct outcome of the 17th amendment.  Indeed, many have argued – myself included, that no single modification to the constitution was as structurally damaging to the framework of government, specifically the balance of power within it, as the 17th amendment.

The House of Representatives was created to be the voice of the people, ie, “The Peoples’ House.”  However, the U.S. Senate was structurally created to be the place where state government had representation in the federal government decision-making.  The 17th amendment completely removed state representation, and we have been in an escalating battle over state’s rights ever since.

It doesn’t matter who the President is, they do not choose their cabinet.  Ultimately the senate does.  That’s the core problem.

Overlay that DC structural issue with the fact that almost all of the bureaucracy created by this skewed DC system is now in place to defend itself from any outside effort to change it, and you get this problem that Donald Trump exposed.

Repeal the 17th amendment and you will see the most significant restoration of freedom, liberty and social balance in our lifetime.

Making America Great Again, requires repealing the 17th amendment…..

….. Learn More Here