Pentagon Missing Trillions: What Happened to the Money?
From $21 Trillion to $94.7 Trillion: The Pentagon's Escalating Financial Discrepancies Back in 2019, we poked fun at the Department of Defense (DOD) for, as we put it, "losing $21…
Financial Downturn 2022: Archegos Capital Management Collapse
As financial markets worldwide teeter on the edge, the stories of individual investors facing monumental losses serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of our economic systems. The financial downturn of 2022, punctuated by the collapse of Archegos Capital Management, is a case study in the vulnerabilities lurking beneath a seemingly stable economy.
PEADs Exposed: Secret Government Plans for Emergencies
In May 2022, we welcomed the news that the Brennan Center for Justice had published a batch of formerly secret government documents dating back to the 1950s. These files relate to Presidential Emergency Action Documents (PEADs)—secret plans drafted to ensure "Continuity of Government" (COG) in the aftermath of a nuclear war and, later, in other emergency conditions.
Inflation 2022: Why It’s Worse Than the 1980s
Earlier in April 2022, the Labor Department announced yet another month of inflation worse than at any time since the 1980s. The March Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed inflation increasing at an annual rate of 8.5%, up from 7.9% in February.
Electronic Surveillance: How to Protect Yourself
Electronic Surveillance and the Loss of Privacy Electronic surveillance has matured to the point where a camera the size of a pinhead and an equally miniaturized microphone can provide both…
The Dark Side of Paid Informant Programs: Earn at a Cost
It’s surprisingly easy to make money by participating in one of the many paid informant programs run by various US government agencies. But before you jump in, it's crucial to understand the…
AI Tax Audit: Protecting Your Privacy from the IRS
The IRS’s Digital Transformation Earlier in 2022, I received an invitation to attend a lecture with the mind-numbing title, "The Transformation of Tax & Customs Law into the Digital World of…
Can Inflation Impact on Society Break Civilization?
In the early 1990s, former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan reportedly said something to the effect that when inflation rises, "you’ll switch to something cheaper—more hamburger will show up in your meals than steak."
Cold War Nuclear Close Calls and Russia’s 2022 Ukraine Invasion
On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin shocked the world by invading Ukraine. While the situation remained fluid at that time, there were critical lessons to be learned from Putin’s actions—lessons that Western politicians and mainstream media may not have shared with you.
A Case of Government Overreach: Canada’s 2022 Crisis
What if the government could freeze your bank account tomorrow, simply because it didn’t agree with your actions? Unfortunately, this is no longer a hypothetical scenario—this is exactly what happened in Canada in 2022. But to understand how we got here, we need to look at the evolution of money.
Gold vs. Bitcoin Comparison: Trends and Insights
15 months ago, pundits were predicting that bitcoin had matured into its own separate asset class from stocks, bonds, and other traditional investments.
The Looming Social Security Crisis and What To Do About It
Facing the Reality: Challenges Ahead for Social Security and Medicare In 2019, only 24% of Americans were confident that Social Security would be able to pay the same benefits in five years…
Puerto Rico’s Tax Benefits for US Citizens
The Unique Tax Status of US Territories One of the American tax system's many oddities is the way the country deals with US territories like Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands,…
Ransomware Protection Strategies: Safeguard Your Data
We first warned readers of the dangers of ransomware in 2007, comparing it to the kidnapping of your data. Today, ransomware isn’t just a tech problem—it’s a direct threat to your financial security and personal privacy. As part of a broader strategy for wealth protection, it’s crucial to understand how ransomware can be used to extort, disrupt, and destroy your most valuable digital assets.
Why Would Dollar Collapse and When? Key Factors Explained
When I first started working with Mark Nestmann in 2013, he handed me a big box and said, "Maybe you can use these…"
Inflation is Transitory, But Are You Ready for It?
In early December 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced that the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) rose 0.8% in November from October. This is an annualized increase of 9.6%. Over the last 12 months, inflation has risen 6.8%—the largest 12-month increase since 1982.
Geofence Warrant: How Your Phone Could Get You Arrested
In today’s digital age, simply going about your daily activities could inadvertently make you a target for government surveillance. This could even lead to legal action. We periodically remind our American readers that by simply going about their daily lives, they are likely committing multiple crimes. As we pointed out last month, for instance, you could be imprisoned for walking your dog on federal property without a leash or with too long a leash. Indeed, as attorney Harvey Silvergate has pointed out, the average American likely commits several felonies each day, often without knowing it.
Navigating the Complexities of US Sanctions
Every year, the US government enforces a vast and complex network of sanctions, aimed at curbing activities that threaten national security, foreign policy, or the economy. These sanctions are designed to target individuals and entities involved in illicit activities.
Surprising Laws: Criminalization of Everyday Activities
We all understand that we could be punished for engaging in inherently wrongful conduct—crimes like murder, robbery, rape, etc. But the law now criminalizes entire categories of activities that you might never dream are illegal.
Pandora Papers: Beyond the Headlines and Hype
In October 2021, another massive data leak emerged, continuing a now-familiar pattern. This led the mainstream media to once again criticize offshore financial centers and the so-called "enablers" that support them.
Offshore Investing Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction
We’ve been in the “offshore" business long enough to have some fairly long memories. Thirty or 40 years ago, it was considered sophisticated to have an offshore bank account. At a cocktail party, someone might casually mention they had assets in Switzerland. To the "in crowd," offshoring yourself was a mark of sophistication.
Dollar Reserve Currency Decline: A Shift in Global Finance
If you’re an American, your life savings probably are overwhelmingly in this asset—the US dollar. Since 1913—not coincidentally, the year the Federal Reserve came into existence—the dollar has lost about 99% of its value relative to gold.
Impact of Automation on Jobs: What You Need to Know
As the US economy slowly reopens, unwinding from the COVID-related lockdowns of 2020 and early 2021, employers are facing an unprecedented shortage of available workers. Many reasons have been cited for the lack of employees, such as low pay and overly generous unemployment benefits. Lingering fears of COVID-19 also play a significant role in keeping workers away.
Vaccine Passports and Your Rights
Our January 2021 article on vaccines and "informed consent" was easily one of the most controversial we have ever published. And just as we predicted, "vaccine passports" (or "immunity passports") showing proof of vaccination for COVID-19 are now being introduced. They are increasingly required for crossing international borders. Domestically, vaccine passports are also gaining traction, though not without considerable political pushback.
Facial Recognition Privacy: How to Protect Your Identity
Imagine walking down the street, minding your own business, only to realize that every step you take is being watched, recorded, and analyzed.
Cryptocurrency Market Volatility 2021: What You Need to Know
Bitcoin, along with other cryptocurrencies, has been on an upward tear since the COVID pandemic began. On January 1, 2020, bitcoin traded at $7,174.74. By April 15, 2021, its price had soared 783% to a (so far) all-time high of $63,346.79. Other leading cryptos such as ether enjoyed similar gains.
NFT Investment: Is This the Next Big Financial Bubble?
Would you pay $69.3 million for this image? A hedge fund financier who goes by the handle “Metakovan" did last month at a Christie’s auction.
Universal Basic Income (UBI): Pros, Cons, and Alternatives
In February 2021, Romney unveiled a proposal he calls the "Family Security Act." The plan seemed shocking at first, especially coming from a solidly GOP senator: a guaranteed monthly cash benefit for families, amounting to $350 per month for each young child and $250 per month for each school-aged child.
Inside the Legal Battles of Larry King and Prince’s Estates
Former legendary talk show host Larry King died last month at 87 years. At first glance, he might not appear to have much in common with pop star Prince, who died in 2016...
Richard Nixon’s Surprising Keynesian Shift and Its Legacy Today
In 1971, President Richard Nixon supposedly told an ABC News reporter that he was "now a Keynesian in economics." This statement was an acknowledgment that he agreed with the ideas put forward by British economist John Maynard Keynes. In his 1936 book The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money, Keynes recommended higher government spending and tax cuts to stimulate demand, aiming to pull the global economy out of the Great Depression.