RIP the Private Sector Economy
Economics / Economic Stimulus Nov 04, 2009 - 12:12 PM GMTBy: Graham_Summers
Long-time readers of Gains, Pains, & Capital know that one of our central themes is the REAL issues plaguing the US economy and how the powers that be have completely failed to do anything to remedy them.
For starters, we’ve pointed out that REAL US incomes have declined roughly 40% since their peak in the early ‘70s (which is why it now takes two working parents to make ends meet).
We’ve also detailed how the Federal Reserve used loose money and easy access to credit to “paper over” the massive decline in living standards in the US in the last 20 years: a process which resulted in consumers increasingly resorting to financial speculation first with stocks, then more sophisticated financial instruments (options, futures), and finally houses (the largest asset a consumer ever buys) in their efforts to generate wealth.
The end result of this is that by 2007, the US was literally saturated with debt on its consumer, state, and federal government levels. This Credit Bubble burst forcing systemic deleveraging, a portion of which involved the Financial Crisis of 2008 to the present (it’s nowhere near over).
One of the worst consequences of these trends (lower incomes, lower living standards, increased indebtedness) has been the slow, painful death of the private sector in the US economy. Regardless of whether you’re an individual or a corporation, excessive debt is like an anchor hanging around your neck, forcing you to work harder and harder simply to stay afloat.
The end result is that today, we are literally witnessing the death of the private sector in the US economy. I realize that statement may appear too bold or outlandish, but let us consider the facts:
- There has been NO private sector growth in the US for 10 years
- The US Government currently accounts for 18% of US incomes
- We’ve seen roughly 500,000 folks lose their jobs every week of this year, putting total firings for 2009 around 20 million
These data points lay out in uncertain terms that the US economy is rapidly becoming a public sector economy. However, what I’m about to reveal is the RAEL zinger.
According to research published in the November issue of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 50% of US children will be on food stamps at some point in their lives. Put another way, virtually everyone will know a family that has used food stamps at some point in their lives.
This is BEYOND staggering. The US, once thought the capital of capitalism, is now in a such a state that half of is children will require government aid to get a decent meal.
Nationwide, 36 million Americans are on food stamps. That’s 11% of the population. And it represents an 8 million (28%) increase from last year’s levels.
Hard to see how this translates into an economic recovery, isn’t it?
The reality is that neither the Stimulus nor the bailouts nor any of the Government’s moves have fixed the issues plaguing the US economy. Already in debt to our eyeballs, the powers that be figured issuing more debt was the solution. It’s total madness. And it’s going to end very, VERY badly.
Welcome to the New Normal in the US. An economy in which Uncle Sam is the higher, lender, buyer, and feeder of last resort.
Stocks have completely disconnected from this reality and are pricing GDP growth of 4-5% next year. Put another way, stocks are AT LEAST 20% overvalued and due for a major correction and/ or Crash.
I’m already preparing investors for what’s to come with a FREE Special Report detailing THREE investments that will explode when stocks start finally collapse. While most investors are complacently drifting towards the next Crisis like lambs to the slaughter, my readers are already getting ready with my Financial Crisis “Round Two” Survival Kit.
The investments detailed within this report will not only protect your portfolio from the coming carnage, they’ll also show you enormous profits: they returned 12%, 42%, and 153% last time stocks collapsed.
Swing by www.gainspainscapital.com/roundtwo.html to pick up a FREE copy today!
Good Investing!
Graham Summers
Graham Summers: Graham is Senior Market Strategist at OmniSans Research. He is co-editor of Gain, Pains, and Capital, OmniSans Research’s FREE daily e-letter covering the equity, commodity, currency, and real estate markets.
Graham also writes Private Wealth Advisory, a monthly investment advisory focusing on the most lucrative investment opportunities the financial markets have to offer. Graham understands the big picture from both a macro-economic and capital in/outflow perspective. He translates his understanding into finding trends and undervalued investment opportunities months before the markets catch on: the Private Wealth Advisory portfolio has outperformed the S&P 500 three of the last five years, including a 7% return in 2008 vs. a 37% loss for the S&P 500.
Previously, Graham worked as a Senior Financial Analyst covering global markets for several investment firms in the Mid-Atlantic region. He’s lived and performed research in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the United States.
© 2009 Copyright Graham Summers - All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.
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