A fireside chat about COVID-19

[Bill Bonner’s Diary]( A Fireside Chat About COVID-19 By Bill Bonner Monday, August 17, 2020 – Week 23 of the Quarantine [Bill Bonner] SAN MARTIN, ARGENTINA – “Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States of America…” Last week, we decided to give Mr. Trump a hand… writing out a [“fireside chat”]( that explained the nation’s developing economic catastrophe and offered a simple solution: honest money. Not that honest money is the solution to everything. People still go to war… still get sick… and still do stupid things. But fake money and fake interest rates are destroying the economy and the “social contract” that holds the nation together. They are why the rich are so much richer than the poor… why many of our good jobs have been shipped overseas… why GDP growth rates are so slow… and why the feds can get away with such knuckleheaded boondoggles, such as paying people more in unemployment compensation than they earned on the job. Readers complain that we just bitch and moan here at the Diary. But last week, with our “honest money” proposal, we showed the president how to head off a revolution. This week, we cure the COVID-19 crisis. The president is the leader of the nation. It’s time for him to lead us out of the COVID wilderness. And we’ll make it easy for him – no big words or complex ideas. Recommended Link [Teeka’s Next Pick is almost here…]( Crypto-investing expert Teeka Tiwari is about to release his next BIG pick. Which means our security detail is now on full alert. [ad_img]( Our research firm beefs up security once a month to great lengths to keep Teeka’s next pick secret… because Teeka’s past picks have seen massive gains, like: 119%... 121%... 128%... 135%... 146%... 173%... 214%... and even 438%... In Just The First 24 Hours! And the long-term gains have been life changing. Teeka’s top ten picks could have handed you an average 20,950% return. That’s enough to turn a $5,000 stake… into over $1 million for your retirement. [Go here immediately to find out how to get Teeka’s Next Pick the moment it comes out]( - Challenge of a Real Leader In a better world, a president grows into his office. He becomes not just the leader of a party or the champion of “his base,” but a real head of state. He ignores poll results, newspaper editorials, TV talk shows, partisan sniping, Deep State meddling, and campaign contributors. Instead, he asks himself only, “What would be best for the nation?” And then, he explains himself in a fireside chat – speaking like Jefferson or Adams… not like Bush, Biden, or Trump… It takes no brains or courage to tell people what they want to hear… nor does it require any special leadership skills to give the masses the free money they crave. The challenge of a real leader is to tell the hard truth, not dulcet lies, even those that got him elected. And herewith, we give him a text. A Fireside Chat for Trump “My fellow Americans, I speak to you tonight about a grave matter of urgent importance. “Our nation has faced many challenges in the 244 years since the Declaration of Independence. And we’ve made many mistakes. We are only human. And we get carried away from time to time and do stupid things. “We see a problem. Naturally, we want to fix it. Or we see a threat. Naturally, we want to protect ourselves from it. “But not every problem can be fixed by the federal government. Nor can the federal government protect you from every risk. Remember, we only have two kinds of power. We can take your money. Or we can tell you what to do. “Every penny we spend – whether we disguise it in a tax cut or as printing-press money – must come from you. Every law we pass… every rule… every regulation… is an infringement on your freedom. “Sometimes it is necessary. Often it is not. And sometimes, the fix is much worse than the problem. “I will give you one example of what I mean: Prohibition. In 1920, alcohol was seen as such a big threat to the nation… and the benefits of eliminating it were so blindingly obvious… we passed a Constitutional Amendment banning it. “After all, the evidence was abundant and clear. Alcohol led to crime, domestic violence, unemployment, premature death – the list was long; the proof was impeccable. “But while the government could make it illegal, it couldn’t make it unpopular. “Some research shows that alcohol consumption actually went up after it was outlawed. So did the collateral damage – alcohol related deaths, caused by dangerous moonshine and bathtub gin… as well as a move by criminal gangs into the liquor business. “And Prohibition turned us into a nation of law-breakers… and gave the federal government vast new powers to arrest and control the population. “But we learned from this experience. In 1933, prohibition was repealed. And now 100 years after the 18th amendment made Demon Rum illegal, we see that it was much better to treat alcohol as a health issue, not to make war on it. [The FINAL Wave of 5G Millionaires Starts Any Day Now.]( Another Big Mistake “I’m speaking directly to you tonight because I think we are making another mistake – a big one. I’m talking about the ‘war’ we are currently conducting against the COVID-19. It is driven by similar fears and hysteria. “The media is full of lurid stories… hospitals over-run… cases soaring… body counts rising. But those stories could be written about any influenza. “The 1918 ‘Spanish’ flu killed 0.5% of the U.S. population. The 1957 ‘Asian’ flu killed only one-tenth as many – 0.06% of the U.S. The 1968, ‘Hong Kong’ flu killed 0.05% of the U.S. And the 2009, ‘Swine’ flu carried off only 0.004% of the U.S. “As of last week, the COVID death toll stood at 0.05% in the U.S. and will probably end up near 0.1% – or one tenth of one percent of the population. “Of course, we don’t want to lose anyone to the disease. But nor do we want to succumb to a panicky over-reaction. “Mankind has lived with infectious diseases for as long as we’ve existed. So far, at least, we have never fully beaten them. But they don’t beat us, either. They make us sick, but they usually don’t kill us. We are much more useful to viruses alive – coughing, sneezing, and spreading them – than dead. “That is probably why the COVID tends not to kill the people who socialize the most, young people, because they are the best disease spreaders. Let’s look at the numbers. Recommended Link [“NOT TYPICAL”]( [image]( Jeff Brown recently made an investment recommendation that went up so big… and helped his readers make so much money that… One woman, Angela M., wrote in to say “I just made 6 months pay in two months’… “I made over $70,000 in just five weeks,” chimed in Kenneth S. And one retired CPA added that he “banked me a profit of $74,300 before breakfast!” [You have to see this for yourself!]( Now obviously, however, the investment results described in these testimonials are NOT TYPICAL! Investing in securities carries a high degree of risk. And you may lose some or all of your investment. However, based on what Jeff just uncovered, there is very good reason to believe that “lightning will soon strike twice”… [See for yourself]( -- The COVID-19 Numbers “If you are under the age of 24, your chances of dying from the COVID virus are very small – not even statistically significant. You’re much more likely to die in an auto accident. Of course, we could ban automobile travel to protect you, but we don’t think it is worth it. “If you are in the working population – between 25 and 65 – your odds of dying from the virus are higher, but still very much within tolerable limits of everyday life. People who die in this age group are about 30 times more likely to die of something other than the COVID-19 – at least so far. “After 65… the danger rises. Sharply. Especially if you have ‘comorbidities.’ And when you get to be over 85, your chance of dying from the disease is more than 1,000 times greater than it is for a 20-year-old. “But so is your chance of dying from almost any other disease. “Yes, I hate to break it to you… But when you get to be over 85, something is going to kill you – and soon. The COVID is just one of them. Even so, as of last week, it was only responsible for about 10% of the deaths in this age category for this year. “So our best strategy for dealing with the disease is obvious. Those who are most vulnerable should stay away from people who might have the disease… and wait for the viral cycle to pass. “Fortunately, most of the vulnerable are over 65. They don’t have to go out to work… or to socialize. They can fairly easily keep their distance, wear face masks, wash their hands, and so forth. “For the rest, were it not for all the media attention, most people who get it would not even know that they had it. It does not represent an outsized risk. [This Revolutionary Tech IS the #1 Investment of the Century.]( Two Problems With the Lockdown “But why not listen to the doctors and force everyone into a Lockdown and eradicate the disease? “There are two reasons. “First, if we were a small island nation, it might be possible to keep the virus out. In a country as large, diverse, and mobile as the U.S., there is no way. It would be like trying to stamp out drugs or alcohol. “Already, some 20 million Americans have probably been infected. There is no way to get rid of it entirely. “Second, doctors can tell you how to avoid the disease. Vulnerable people should pay attention. But I represent the whole nation… not just those who are afraid of getting the COVID. “Shutting down our economic and social lives may help a few people avoid or delay the disease, but it also prevents people from living fully. “It is by working together that we satisfy our material needs. It is how we earn the things we want and need. And it is by socializing that we satisfy our spiritual, psychological, and communal needs. Cut them off… and we, as a people, are poorer… with less of what we really want in life. “Those who suffer most are young people – those who are building lives, careers, businesses, and families; that is, those who are least vulnerable to the virus. Recommended Link [Judge Pirro vs. Washington elites 🥊]( [image]( Washington politicians and insiders tried to keep this future $22 billion cash cow away from you. But they never imagined the ruthless Fox News host Judge Pirro would catch wind of their scheme. Grab some popcorn, get yourself comfortable, and enjoy this epic takedown… [Go here to watch!]( -- Heart of the Matter “And so now we come to the heart of the matter. Those of us who are over 65 might make it safer for ourselves by forcing everyone else – including school children – to isolate themselves and wear face masks. “But it would stifle and stunt the lives of our own children and grandchildren. What kind of people would we be if we did that? “We will all die, sooner or later. Do we want it chiseled on our tombstones: ‘Here lies a coward who sacrificed his own children to save himself from the COVID-19?’ “Some things are important enough to risk a little danger. In the Blitz of London, for example, German planes dropped bombs on the city for 56 nights in a row. A million houses were damaged or destroyed. Nearly 20,000 people were killed. “Night after night, the people of the city slept on the hard concrete of their subway stations. Then, in the morning, they got up, brushed themselves off, and got back to work. “If all they cared about was their own safety, they might have fled the city or surrendered it. But other things were important, too. Their own dignity and honor, for example… their freedom… and the kind of nation they were leaving their children. We don’t want to leave them a nation of pusillanimous weaklings, snitches and COVID cops. “Today, as much as we want to avoid getting sick, other things matter, too. And we shouldn’t hold 280 million Americans under the age of 65 hostage… just for the convenience of the 50 million over that age. “We are already developing promising new treatments and vaccines. In the meantime, those of us in the vulnerable category know how to protect ourselves. If we are afraid of the disease, we can practice social distancing, wash our hands, and wear face protection. “As for the rest, let’s let them live their lives – working with each other… socializing… worshipping… and smiling at each other, without the government interfering. “Thank you.” Regards, [signature] Bill --------------------------------------------------------------- Like what you’re reading? Send your thoughts to [feedback@rogueeconomics.com](mailto:feedback@rogueeconomics.com?subject=“A Fireside Chat About COVID-19). --------------------------------------------------------------- FEATURED READ [Public Sector Unions Impede Meaningful Change]( have been calling for police and education reform for years. Those calls have come to a head this year, forcing heated debates. The challenge? Public sector unions appear to impede the process of change… MAILBAG Dear readers appreciate “[A Week of Accidents, Breakdowns, and Wildfires]( – Bill’s latest update from the Calchaquí Valley… Fascinating to this lover of Spanish language, culture, and anything south of the border. Your photos remind me of San Benito County, California, where I grew up on a fifth-generation cattle ranch, which we still own. I left it to practice law at a big firm in “the City” (San Francisco) because everything was always going wrong and I like books and music better than fixing things. Now, at age 89, I'm too old to travel so I do it vicariously through your wonderful communications. – Phil H. I absolutely love reading your stories. I have always loved horses. I was 50 years old when I bought my first horse. She about killed me. I now own two geldings and a miniature paint mare. I certainly have my “war” stories. My geldings are Appaloosa and Paso Fino. I rescued the Paso last year. I am 74 now and still trail riding. Riding the Appy while the trainer is working with my Paso. Thanks for sharing your stories. – Charlean H. It reminds me of my childhood. My family would take me and my sister to my uncle’s ranch in the country and we would roam the woods for hours, camp out in a hunting cabin, and in the winter, we would ice skate on the Passaic River. I hope Elizabeth is feeling better and didn’t break more bones. – Jackie D. Meanwhile, another dear reader considers Wednesday’s Diary – “[Get Out Your Forks and Knives!]( – “an insult to the intelligence of working class people”… Bill, maybe you think you’re being witty with your “eat the rich” comments. While you’re down there in Argentina (or wherever you’ve obviously bugged out to), there are real problems, real issues that need the attention of people like you with huge mailing lists. Why not investigate why the government and media is so abjectly opposed to advising people to strengthen their immune systems by taking Vitamins C and D3, and Zinc, and why they’re hysterical over Hydroxychloroquine? How about addressing the obvious fakery of this entire pandemic (mask wearing, social distancing) nonsense? People need hope and actionable information, not snark. I realize that writing about “eating the rich” may ease some of the strain on you for a while – I’m a writer myself. But more is expected from you. – Rick G. And others chime in with their thoughts on last Thursday’s missive, “[Nothing Is Off the Menu]( I’m a regular reader of Bill’s column. I generally agree with almost everything he writes. However, in regards to criticizing Trump, while I understand his criticism, I wish to point out that if Trump implemented austerity, vetoing spending bills, and opposed stimulus, he would most definitely lose the upcoming election. The Democrats would promise free stuff and would win. With that in mind, Trump’s hands are tied. America was bankrupted by the politicians before him. It’s just that he got stuck with the hot potato when the clock ran out. It’s fair to criticize him, but as a Trump supporter, I don’t necessarily disagree with his push for stimulus. Better he win than lose, leaving us at the hands of radical leftists. At least Trump puts the interests of the country first, unlike the Democrats. – Felix M. Enjoy your honest perception and analysis of the political distribution of wealth. Thanks to our liberal colleges, the next generation will find this to be totally a normal construct. Keep reminding us of the underlying economics. Maybe your word will get out and a few of the “woke” will actually wake up to the reality of where the money comes from. – Judy L. Your reactionary Trumper “patriots” should turn off Fox News and take a Civics lesson. The president cannot just ignore the separation of powers in the Constitution – that makes him a dictator! Which is what he wants to be! “Whining?” Were our parents “whining” about Hitler? This guy is deranged and dangerous. Not to mention his continuous lying, his attempts to rig the election, and refusal to leave if he is voted out. Or a lifetime of crooked, immoral, illegal behavior. But that doesn’t concern them. They’re more worried about “them goldurn libruls.” – Michael S. One of your better commentaries. Love the “stoop to the occasion” remark. Of course, the printing will not stop until the empire falls, and only then will the masses finally understand the truth. For those who see what you do, the best bet is to acquire real wealth and keep it to rebuild after the storm. Thanks for sharing your insights and keeping (at least a few of us) entertained and enlightened. – Gary C. Has Bill failed to address the “obvious fakery” of the pandemic, as Rick says? Are liberal colleges encouraging a “new” economic norm, as Judy believes? Write us atfeedback@rogueeconomics.com. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT… [“After 36 years, I’m finally sharing my Gold technique”]( “I don’t consider myself a ‘gold expert.’ And to be honest, I hate publicity… But after 36 years, I’ve decided to step forward on Wednesday, August 26, and reveal how I generated millions and retired at age 42… decades early… By using a simple gold technique I’ve developed – which doesn’t involve buying stocks, bullion, or any conventional investments like ETFs, mutual funds, or bonds. Bear in mind: I’ve been contacted by thousands of people about this secret, along with 12 banks, on and off Wall Street. But for decades, I never told anyone how it works.” – Jeff Clark [Click here to learn more.]( [image]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Get Instant Access Click to read these free reports and automatically sign up for daily research. 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