Bankruptcy on the Rise


Armstrong Economics Blog/USA Current Events Re-Posted Jul 12, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

Chapter 11 bankruptcies in the US rose by 68% during the first six months of 2023, according to Equip Bankruptcy. You may have survived the pandemic, but surviving Bidenomics is proving too much for many businesses. There were 1,766 filings during the first six months of 2022, compared to the 2,973 businesses that went under this year. Chapter 13 personal bankruptcy also rose by 23% during this period.

Around 12,107 commercial filings were recorded during the first half of this year, marking an 18% increase year-on-year. Small businesses experienced a 55% increase in Chapter 11 filings during the same time period. Commercial bankruptcies increased 12% year-on-year in June alone, and small businesses saw a 111% spike. “The growth in filings is reflective of more families and businesses facing surging debt loads due to rising interest rates, inflation, and increased borrowing costs,” said ABI Executive Director Amy Quackenboss.

Everyone is in trouble here. This is becoming a trend as inflation is here to stay. Credit card debt has reached historical highs as people struggle to pay the basics. Businesses were already decimated by COVID policies, and some never regained the momentum. People have lost all confidence in the future and are less likely to spend. Many businesses attempted to recover from lockdowns and the supply chain disaster, but the increased regulations make it difficult for many to profit. It will only become more expensive to borrow money as Powell all but guaranteed additional hikes this year, and now many have no other option than to liquidate it all.

Nigel Farage – War on Cash


Armstrong Economics Blog/Cryptocurrency Re-Posted Jul 11, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

President Trump Denounces Biden Decision to Send Cluster Bomb Munitions to Ukraine


Posted originally on the CTH on July 11, 2023 | Sundance 

President Trump does not mince words when it comes to the senseless bloodshed and chaos in Ukraine.

As Joe Biden meets with NATO members to consider their latest strategies to expand the proxy war in Ukraine, President Trump denounces the decision to provide cluster bombs.

It should be noted, this recent decision by Biden follows an earlier decision by NATO to send depleted uranium munitions into the battlefield.  Ukraine is quickly turning into a toxic killing field as World War Reddit continues.

DONALD J TRUMP – “Joe Biden should not be dragging us further toward World War III by sending cluster munitions to Ukraine—he should be trying to END the war and stop the horrific death and destruction being caused by an incompetent administration. These unexploded cluster munitions will be killing and maiming innocent Ukrainian men, women, and children for decades to come, long after the war—we pray—has ended.

If, as Biden inadvertently admitted, the reason for sending cluster bombs now is that the United States is “running out of ammunition” (a great breach of classified information), that only further emphasizes the urgency of immediately deescalating this bloody, dangerous, and out of control conflict. It certainly means we should not be sending Ukraine our last stockpiles at a time when our own arsenals, according to Crooked Joe Biden, are so perilously diminished.

There could be no more vivid proof that Joe Biden’s policy of endless war in Ukraine has tremendously weakened the United States than the humiliating admission that the USA is now out of ammo, something our enemies are undoubtedly salivating over. This “admitted” weakness is an invitation to enemies all over the world. Joe Biden is needlessly and dangerously leading us into World War III, which would be a nightmare beyond imagination—obliteration!

We must stop this insanity, immediately end the bloodshed in Ukraine, and return to a focus on America’s vital interests. Most importantly, we must completely rebuild our depleted military so it is once again so strong—like it was just 3 years ago when I rebuilt it—that no nation would even think of threatening our people. We must have “PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH” and in a short time, the Presidential election of 2024 will produce that result.” (read more)

[…] NBC News asked most of the 2024 GOP presidential campaigns Monday for comment to gauge where other candidates stand on the munitions issue.

Only former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley responded, she said she supports the decision. (link)

UPDATE: Modelo Tops Bud Light in Latest Sales Report Just Before Key July 4th Holiday – Bud Light Sales Trend -28.5%


Posted originally on the CTH on July 11, 2023 | Sundance 

Anheuser Busch continues to lose market share according to the latest statistics shared by Bump Williams consulting firm. In the key period just before the July 4th holiday, sales of Bud Light dropped another 28.5% compared to the prior year.

The initial sales decline which began in April continues.  The ongoing boycott against Bud Light appears to be holding firm.

CNN – […] For the four weeks ending on July 1, Modelo Especial captured 8.7% of overall beer sales, compared to Bud Light’s 7% share, according to NIQ data given to consulting firm Bump Williams. Dollar sales for the pre-July 4 period continued to be grim for Bud Light, with sales falling 28.5%, while Modelo’s grew 8.5% during the same time period. (more)

Sound of Freedom Blacklisted by Woke Elite


Armstrong Economics Blog/Corruption Re-Posted Jul 11, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

The movie “Sound of Freedom” exposes the darkest corner of our society – child trafficking. The film should not be controversial but the mainstream media and Hollywood blacklisted the film because they are protecting those involved. Simply Google the film and you will see articles from EVERY news outlet condemning the film as a QAnon conspiracy for right-wing extremists.

Jim Caviezel, the director, is a devout Christian which is now a radical ideology in America. You may not believe in God but watching this film will show you that pure evil exists. He has said that streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu would not carry his film, which is precisely what occurred with “The Forecaster.” For you see, there are numerous organizations that would taken down if the truth came out. This is a trade that surpasses most other industries and cannot be calculated. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that child trafficking account for $150 billion in global trade, but the true amount is much higher. Millions of children go missing every single year. It is not isolated to third world countries. What happened to the children who went unaccounted for at our own border?

It is extremely alarming that the powers that be want to silence this film. Epstein island was a conspiracy theory too at one time. The politicians and people of influence who went to his island were never held accountable, but that shows only a tiny fraction of how deep this insanity goes. Governments are involved. The woke elite are dominating all institutions and forcing organizations to abide by their CEI and ESG scores. Kids are being taken away from their parents if they don’t provide “gender affirming care,” which never existed up until a few years ago when the far left lost its collective mind. They are NORMALIZING the sexualization of children even in schools. The Guardian called the film “the QAnon-adjacent thriller seducing America” as did every other major news outlet. I question any journalist who is angered by a film that shines a light on such an important topic. The corruption goes deep, and the elite have an agenda. It is not fear-mongering because, yes they are coming for our children.

Gold Back Currency Reality


Armstrong Economics Blog/Gold Re-Posted Jul 8, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

QUESTION: Do you think the BRICS would create a gold-back currency as proposed by Russia?

SJ

ANSWER: The Neocon has directed the Biden administration to remove Russia from SWIFT. Their single-minded goal is destroying the world economy, but they do not care. They think they will conquer Russia and China and dominate the world so they will worry about the monetary system afterward.

You have to understand that if the BRICS followed that directive and created a single gold-back currency, they would have to end any idea of international trade. This proposal is understandable given the hostility of the United States from the Neocons, who are now in charge. Congress is oblivious to what is happening, and the American public is arguing over Transgender destroying the family unit.

This is not some simple one-dimensional idea that we create a limited-backed currency. That will be DEFLATIONARY and, at the same time, promote civil war in the United States. Politicians cannot run for office, promising endless gifts, forgiving student loans, etc. You cannot have deficits. This would NECESSITATE the end of Marxism once and for all.

This idea of a gold-back currency requires political change on a grand scale.  That is coming. Post-2032 will be a new monetary and political system. Before then, they are pushing CBDC, and they will restrict what you can buy or sell, and this is all to retain power because they KNOW they are losing it. But in the process, they are destroying everything. The people who voted for Biden had no clue that they were voting for a coup and the ultimate destruction of Western civilization as we have known it.

I buy gold, but I also understand the game. I do not want gold-back currency; I prefer gold to remain as a hedge against the government. If they back the currency with gold, this time, they will be knocking down every door to confiscate it all.

These Neocons have already divided the world economy in two. They think they will conquer the world. The enemy is within.

US Sending Most Deadly of All Weapons to Ukraine That Kills More Civilian Than Soldiers


Armstrong Economics Blog/Neocons Re-Posted Jul 10, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

Cluster Bombs kill more civilians than soldiers and are one of the most lethal weapons that destroy any territory. More than 120 countries have signed on to an international treaty banning the weapons, which typically scatter a large number of smaller so-called bomblets over a large area that can kill or maim unwary civilians months or years later. The United States refuses to sign the treaty. Our Neocons block anything to reduce their blood-thirsty hatred of Russians and Chinese. The United States is kept divided, using abortion and LGBTQ and pushing transgender on minor children all to divert our attention from the cold hard reality that the United States has undergone a coup where the Neocons are now in full control of the government and intend to wage world war III. There is no way they will allow Trump to win, nor will they allow RFK Jr. Biden will win and the CIA, etc, will ensure the vote is rigged in 2024. There is no way they will allow anyone to come to Washington to stop this war they have dreamed about their entire lives.

The US has maintained that Cluster Bombs are a war crime in themselves. Yet, the United States intends to now send Cluster Bombs to Ukraine. The Neocons care nothing about international law or even the opinion others have of the United States. The Neocons have pushed torture in Guantanamo Bay and don’t forget about what they did in the Middle East. The Neocons directed the United States Army and the Central Intelligence Agency to commit a series of human rights violations and war crimes against detainees in the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq,

What they did in  Abu Grab was a war crime but nobody in Washington will dare accuse a Neocon. The US pays professionals on how to torture. There would be nobody in Guantanamo Bay prison if they were guilty. They would put them on trial publically and pump up the press and the prosecutors would become famous and then run for political office. Their best case was put on trial and the jury found him innocent of over 200 charges and guilty of only one count of conspiracy.  Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani was the best case they had. Obama reiterated his first campaign promise to close Guantanamo Bay and end torture back in 2008. – it’s still open.

Neocons always do whatever they want. They will NEVER comply with international law and could care nothing about tarnishing the image of Americans worldwide.

Le Pen – What Have You Done to France?


Armstrong Economics Blog/France Re-Posted Jul 9, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

Zelensky Cancels All Elections Becomes Dictator for Life


Armstrong Economics Blog/Ukraine Re-Posted Jul 8, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

QUESTION: Is it true that Zelensky is canceling elections?

HZ

ANSWER: On June 22, 2023, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a dictator installed by the West to create World War III against Russia. Zelensky told the BBC that Ukraine’s scheduled 2023 parliamentary and 2024 presidential elections would occur only if martial law had ended by that time, as reported by the New Voice of Ukraine. Hence, he has a personal reason not to seek any peace whatsoever.

There is NO WAY Zelensky is fighting for democracy – this is all propaganda. He hates Russians and refuses to allow them to separate as per the Mink Agreement and, at the same time, refuses them to vote in any Ukrainian election, no less for their independence. Zelensky is an outright war criminal, and over 8 million Ukrainians have now fled their own country because he refuses to end the war and is destroying his own country all for Blackrock’s investment scheme. His own people would remove him from office, so he cannot allow any election, and there is no way NATO or the USA will allow free elections in Ukraine.

There is no way this war will end without the Donbas’ destruction and Russia’s fall. It is a proxy war that the United States started. CIA chief John Brennan traveled to Kiev in 2014 and instructed them to begin the civil war. Kiev called the Russians of the Donbas “terrorist” because they sought independence from Kiev just as Kiev sought independence from Moscow.

Biden & Harris are clearly a no-brainer for the Neocons. There is way too much at stake. If the Neocons could, they would suspend elections in the USA as well. These people have wanted to destroy Russia for decades. They have waged endless wars, one after the other, and never won a single one. The Taliban are now major arms dealers selling billions of dollars of the weapons we left behind. They intend to escalate Ukraine and need to get the US directly involved because they cling to the idea that no president has ever lost an election during a time of war. They need to escalate this war and soon. The rumor is that Ukraine will detonate a dirty nuclear bomb and blame Russia, and then NATO and the USA invade.