The Walking Dead: US Government Edition

These people won’t age out - they’re coming out feet first. [The Rude Awakening] July 31, 2023 [WEBSITE]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE]( The Walking Dead: US Government Edition - A bunch of the near-dead run the USG. - Biden, Feinstein, Pelosi, Sanders, and McConnell… - … and they’re not the only ones. [Pentagon City “BOMBSHELL” Just Dropped]( There are two things I believe could change your life in the coming months. - A major financial war could be set to go nuclear just a few weeks from now - A [special strategy]( my team has developed that historically could have allowed investors to take home profits 50-100 higher from these Currency Wars than what most people get trading stocks But with these Currency Wars playing out as we speak, and my live recording set to come down at any moment. You may not have long to prepare. [So click here to see an urgent rebroadcast of my announcement.]( [Click Here To Learn More]( [Sean Ring] SEAN RING Happy Monday from a glorious Piedmont. I’ve never been one to bitch about the old folk. In fact, I think young idiots are far more dangerous than old ones. Though, Joke Biden is doing his best to change my mind. But when I watched the video of Mitch McConnell’s brain freeze, I was reminded of my old Windows PC going blue screen and my IT guy asking me, “Did you log out and log back in yet?” These gerontocrats are the ones spending your money in Ukraine. As the case for more money and military assets gets weaker, their resolve gets stronger… like your 98-year-old Grandpa who insists he can steer a car straight. Let’s have some fun on this fine Monday morning. Positively Soviet A friend - I think the 5 Bullets’ Dave Gonigam - recently asked me, “Do you remember when we used to make fun of the old Soviet Politburo for being so old?” Dave and I are old enough to remember that. But the young voters of today aren’t. And they’ve created an enormous problem with their lack of historical wherewithal about the old fogies they’ve elected. Look at these guys. It’s the 1986 Soviet Politburo. They look positively adolescent compared to the walking cadavers we’ve got in power [SJN] The 1986 Soviet Politburo; Credit: [Der Spiegel]( Hello Granny! When I was living in London, a comedy series called Little Britain was all the rage. I didn’t watch much television back then, but this show was funny as hell. One of their hilarious skits was Jason and Gary. Jason goes to Gary’s house, meets Gary’s grandmother, and immediately falls in love. [SJN] Credit: [Little Britain BBC]( One time, Jason tries to help Grandma around the house. He accidentally grabs her backside and says, “Sorry! I thought that was your elbow…” I nearly fell out of my chair. But that sums up the relationship between Gen Z and Biden. After all, it was they, and not the Boomers, who voted him in: [pub] Credit: BBC Notice the “Age” category. Gen Z went for Biden by 27 points(!); Millennials by 7 points. Even half of Gen X voted poorly. But it’s not just Biden. The senior members of Congress have one foot in the grave and another on a banana peel, yet stubbornly retain their balance. The one good thing that could be said for John McCain is that he had the good sense to exit stage left. [White House insider exposes epic Biden mistake]( [James Altucher]( Thanks to the incompetence of President Joe Biden… [And the HUGE mistake he made on February 24, 2022]( And an unthinkable event has now happened… Bringing in hyperinflation like we’ve never seen… Crushing the value of the money in your savings and retirement accounts… Tanking our economy… And changing our country’s global standing forever. But there’s still time to protect your money. But you can’t wait. [>>See Biden’s terrible mistake here<<]( [Click Here To Learn More]( The Walking Dead: USG Edition [pub] Credit: @unusual_whales Dianne Feinstein, 90, US Senator Dianne Feinstein has been dead for many years now. But no one’s told her yet. It’s like Dickens declaring Marley “dead as a doornail,” but Marley showing up at Scrooge’s after Christmas and saying, “Joke’s on you!” [SJN] Credit: DC Comics DC Comics did a better job of sewing the Joker’s face back on than Feinstein’s doctors did to hers. She recently returned to Congress in a wheelchair, proving Democrats will do absolutely anything to retain power. Joke Biden, 80, POTUS Biden is so prone to gaffes now it’s not even a story anymore. Though Fox News has been de-Tuckered, at least they still put together good gaffe videos: [Click here to learn more]( [Click here to see this mess.]( Biden has been such a disaster this term, Gen Z may come to its senses. After all, most of their debt won’t be paid off, inflation still prohibits them from owning homes, and their wages haven’t caught up in any meaningful way. Let’s see how far the Hunter laptop story goes. Maxine Waters, 84, Congressperson For Maxine Waters, the bad news is that she’s 87. The good news is that her age has finally caught up to her IQ. Here’s a list of Maxine Waters’ accomplishments: - Getting re-elected 16 times from the same Congressional district. Nancy Pelosi, 83, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s dentures aren’t as sticky as her political career. She’s the greatest insider trader of all time. [pub] Credit: [Rose Rambles]( From [Business Insider]( A previous analysis from Insider estimated that the Pelosis are worth at least $46,123,051, making Nancy Pelosi one of the 25 richest members of Congress. The vast majority of the couple's wealth is derived from stocks, options, and investments made by Paul Pelosi. That Paul is one lucky guy. How could he make such good bets without a wife with access to all that information? Well, it beats [getting hammered](. Mitch McConnell, 81, Current Senate Majority Leader I’d have made a gif about McConnell, but thanks to his complete freeze, a regular pic will do. [SJN] Credit: [@WallStreetSilv]( McConnell has fallen three times this year, including one where he broke ribs and suffered a concussion. However, he’s already confirmed that he’ll serve the rest of this Congress through 2024. This proves Republicans will do absolutely anything to retain power. (Hmmm… sounds familiar.) Janet Yellen, 76, The “Magical” US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, mushroom lover, and US Treasury Secretary, forgot that the Chinese do not bow like the Japanese. But apparently, she was so whacked out, she couldn’t tell the difference. [SJN] Credit: [The Times of London]( Also, from [The Times]( (bolds mine): A local food blogger posted on Weibo, the Chinese social media site, that Yellen and her delegation had tucked in to a range of Yunnan dishes including grilled fish and stir-fried greens. Responding to the post, the restaurant confirmed that Yellen had eaten there, and shown particular enthusiasm for the jian shou qing — a wild mushroom from Yunnan. “Yellen was here . . . right after landing in China,” the restaurant said. “Our staff said she loved mushrooms very much. She ordered four portions of jian shou qing. It was an extremely magical day.” Yellen’s meal swiftly trended on Chinese social media, and prompted discussion of the mushroom’s psychedelic properties. Peter Mortimer, a professor at the Kunming Institute of Botany in Yunnan, told CNN that the mushroom was considered poisonous because it could be hallucinogenic. “I have a friend who mistakenly ate them and hallucinated for three days,” he said. “Scientists have not, as of yet, identified the compounds responsible for causing the hallucinations. It remains a bit of a mystery, and most evidence is anecdotal.” I’m starting to wonder whether or not Ms. Yellen didn’t meet our good friend and Harvard-educated geologist Byron King [while they were at Harvard]( in the 70s (wink, wink). Bernie Sanders, 81, Would-Be Democratic Nominee The ultimate sell-out, Bernie should’ve been the Democratic nominee in both 2016 and 2020. But his “loyalty” outweighed his “independence,” and he stepped aside for the Hildebeast and Biden, respectively. [SJN] We’re lucky. He might have pipped Trump at the post, thanks to Gen Z’s penchant for voting for ancient white guys who promise them free stuff. It’s like the entire generation has Daddy Issues. Wrap Up There are Elders, and there are elders. These people are the latter. Unless and until America removes these folks from power, it’ll be more of the same. Tomorrow, I’ll have our monthly asset class report ready for you. Have a great week ahead! All the best, [Sean Ring] Sean Ring Editor, Rude Awakening Twitter: [@seaniechaos]( In Case You Missed It… A Super-Size Friday Mailbag! [Sean Ring] SEAN RING Happy Friday from gorgeous and relatively cool Northern Italy! You’re going to need a double for this super-size Rude. I don’t know what the Klimate Klowns™ are on about, but we spent a perfectly seasonable day driving around the Langhe Valley yesterday. Pam’s parents hadn’t been there yet, so we took them to Barbaresco and La Morra. I forgot to take pictures in Barbaresco, but here are some from La Morra: The view from Belvedere di La Morra; Credit: Sean Ring Torre Campanaria di La Morra; Credit: Sean Ring And my favorite: Credit: Sean Ring The translation: The Marcarini wine shop has the cure! That’s probably better advice than you’d get from most quacks! With that said, let’s get to the mailbag. Ukraine I so agree with you, Sean, regards the call-up of 3,000 Reservists for ESCALATING this Ukraine mess. Also, note the commitment to cluster bombs. I have been on battlefields shortly after they were cluster-bombed. NOT pretty, and this commitment now in UKR definitely is wrong!! Don E. Thanks for writing, Don. I’m with you on the cluster bombs as well—awful things. Don’t you think the bribes would be even bigger if a country wants out of NATO? Ha-ha. Jim T. Ha! Jim, thanks to Viktor Orban and his Hungarians, we may test your theory very soon! Hello Sean, Avid reader, article saver, and first-time communicator. You probably know that the Putin links you have in today's article are not available on YouTube in the United States. Yet another form of sanctions, right? Keep up the fabulous work. Wayne M. Hi Wayne! Thanks for writing in and for the kind words. I didn’t know that at all, but I’m not surprised. They’ll do anything to keep Americans from the truth. Vesper Lind of Casino Royale fame said, “You’re the money.” If you knew what was happening, The Bank of the American Taxpayer would close. Live and Learn Hi Sean, I’ve been reading Rude for over 2 years now. I just want to say thanks for your knowledge and insight on so many things. I sometimes struggle through the technicalities of some of the financials but enjoy it all. Kat S. Hi Kat! Thank you for sticking with me for so long! At the same time, I encourage you to continue. Because one day, those technicalities will become clear. You’ll have mastered something new and have another arrow in your quiver. It’s a pleasure to share the journey with you. Hey Sean, welcome back to NY. I read the Rude on the LIRR every day and really enjoy the insight. Let me know if I can buy you a beer at the Wheeltapper. While you are here in NYC have a look at the commercial real estate situation. I still see half-empty floors that are occupied and lots of unoccupied floors. Even in the high-end Hudson Yards buildings. And yet there is still scaffolding on every street. How long is this sustainable? How long can businesses bide their time before they give up the space? When do loans stop being paid by the property owners? Thanks, Steve G. Steve, I know this will sound like bullshit, but I wanted to catch up for a beer. But after teaching a full day, I need to return to my hotel room to write the Rude. I will bribe Byron and Zach to fill in for me next time! As for commercial real estate, my theory is this: everyone around the table is holding a crappy hand, but no one wants to fold yet. Because once they do, the entire house of cards is coming down. With that said, I’d encourage you to follow our friend Danielle DiMartino Booth on Twitter ([@DiMartinoBooth]( who’s forgotten more about US corporate real estate than I know. Have a look at this, which explains much: Credit: [@DiMartinoBooth]( Hi Sean, I really enjoy your daily newsletter during the week: it is insightful, informative, and educational. My son wants to go to Italy, and because your newsletter expanding my knowledge of your world, we are now planning the trip. Requesting a favor: would you please be so kind as to tell all of your subscribers about your other newsletters that you write and how we can subscribe to it or them? And the other thing, a suggestion is, over time to introduce us to the other newsletter writers that are a part of Paradigm! Thanks, Richard H. Hi Richard! Thanks for the kind words. I’m happy to hear about your Italy trip. Stop in Asti for lunch, at the very least! As for my scribblings, there’s the Rude and the Thursday morning edition of the [Daily Reckoning](. I also appear on Rickards Uncensored once a month to give Jim, Byron, Dan, and Zach a break. As for my fabulous colleagues, Brian Maher’s Daily Reckoning and Dave Gonigam’s 5 Bullets are our free offerings. Jim Rickards, Byron King, and Dan Amoss form the backbone of Strategic Intelligence and other offerings. Jim’s “Banker,” Zach Scheidt, writes the Rich Retirement Letter and the Income Alliance, among others. Alan Knuckman heads up our options at the Profit Wire. Ray Blanco heads up our tech letters, and James Altucher is in charge of crypto. They’re all excellent, and [you can find them all right here](. [Tiny AI Stock Targeted For Buyout Deal?]( [A massive buyout alert has just been issued]( on a tiny AI company that could skyrocket in the coming months, weeks, even days. And according to James Altucher, a man who has made millions of dollars on these kinds of deals… This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity for you to make a fortune. He’s revealing all of the details in the video below (including a leaked memo from Google) [Click here to learn more]( You can watch it by [clicking here](. [Click Here To Learn More]( Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics Today’s report was excellent, thank you for the education. Investopedia states that M3 has largely been abandoned but is reported for historical comparison purposes. Care to comment? James T. Thanks, James! The official reasons for giving up M3 were cost concerns, the limited added value of keeping track of the number, and its lack of role in monetary policy. Of course, I think it’s bullshit, and they didn’t want the world to know how many dollars were out there. In regards to your "Rude Awakening" for 25-July-2023… I think those OECD numbers of labor productivity are suspect, being inflated by intangible nonphysical products in the finance world. The 2 leftmost countries listed, Ireland and Luxembourg, are known as "money-washing havens" for many big corporations, but you already knew that given your background in finance. Is "the art of money washing" actually a productive "national product," measurable by GDP, or just a fancy way of inflating economic numbers by shifting money from 1 pocket to another and then on to another shell corporation? Consider Ireland. I've never been there, but that island nation impresses me as a "mostly agrarian society with little local industry that produces physical product mainly for its domestic market." And then there is Luxembourg, a country so small that it might fit within the State lines of Rhode Island in the USA. And another "mostly agrarian society with little local industry that produces physical product mainly for its domestic market." Yet, both Ireland and Luxembourg are flush with lots of other people's money while it changes hands and pockets and moves along the financial pathways of life. And while we are on the subject, I'd say Monaco is really slacking when it comes to being "small yet flush with other people's cash." :))))) Signed - A loyal reader that likes your "Rude Awakening" column. Jeff R. Thanks for this, Jeff! The productivity stat I used via the OECD is calculated as GDP per hour. So, of course, that puts “Double Dutch Sandwich” Ireland and the Luxembourg Laundromat at the top. It’s incredible to think that Monaco is slacking… because that means the French are hustling! Regarding your rhetorical question of money laundering being productive or not, I’d answer your question with a question. Why does every country in the world want to be a financial center? Alas, crime pays. Italia! Ciaoooo from America Sean, Long time reader and fellow Italian-American from Philly. My family comes from Abruzzo (which you never talk about, by the way)? 🤣 Being from Philly and Italian, we get a little testy about what it means to be of Italian descent. Anyway, we love your work, and as I have been to Italy 7 times (Sicily 2x (Sciacca, Corleone, and Palermo), Taormina/Messina 1x, Rome 3x, Florence/Siena 1x, Naples 1x, Sorrento/Amalfi, Ravenno 1x and Abruzzo 3x where my family still lives in Civitella del Tronto and Alba Adriatica). My wife and I are serious about getting a 2nd passport (and why not Italy, right)? Both of my grandparents (both sides) came here in the early 1900s, and I think they never gave up their Italian citizenship. If this is true, I am told I may be able to use this to move to the front of the line and get an Italian passport. Would appreciate the name of that lawyer to start the process. Thanks for all of your intel on investing while keeping it real and FUN! Life is too short to be nonstop serious. Grazie mille! Mark S. Hey Mark! Thanks for writing and the kind words. My grandfather’s family hails from Campobasso, Molise. At the time, Abruzzo and Molise were one region. They separated in 1970. So my grandfather always told me he was Abruzzese. I don’t talk about Abruzzo because we haven’t been there yet, but I love their wine! I know Philly from my ‘Nova days. Whenever someone asks me, “Pat’s or Gino’s?” I respond the only way one should: “Tony Luke’s!” But I haven’t been to a game there since the Vet was still standing. I met Harry Kalas at a Phillies game with my college roommates. Brilliant. My remarkable lawyers, who I’ve engaged again to help with my house purchase, are here: [(. They won’t take a dime off you until they’re sure you’ll get a passport. Oh, and ask for a 5% discount, which they used to give to Rude readers. Good luck with it! Sean, This is less market and more Italy. From the market aspect, I have you by about 30 years (81 last week), but in one way or another been involved in the Treasury market for almost 50 years. Started as a salesman at Merrill, and ended up as CEO of a firm that played the cash futures markets to the tune of a 1 billion dollar book in the 70s and 80s. Retired to a horse farm, got bored, and started doing structured finance deals which I still do...mainly in the energy market. Have traded long treasuries at 3% and at 15.75%. Still trade the futures market every day. I was a car nut from 15 on...but not SoCal hot rods, always sports cars. Bought the first of 3 Ferraris in 1970 and have owned at one time or another almost everything from Alfa's to Mercedes AMGs. Through that passion and mother luck ended up with a young man named Gilles Villeneuve (a name the Tifosi still revere) as my best friend. I sponsored Gilles in Formula Atlantic and through that became friends with Teddy Mayer of McLaren and a part owner of McLaren. F1 pretty much matches your travels around the world. I have been to just about every venue around the world where we raced. South Africa, South America, Australia, Japan all of Europe, and North America. As I think I said, I feel like the luckiest SOB on the face of the earth. Of all the places, there is nothing like Italy. In Italy, there is nothing like Monza. If you get a chance, go to the Hotel de Ville in Monza with your wife. Nowadays Ferrari takes it over for the Grand Prix, but go there once for dinner, and I think you will love it. Four different summers my wife and I have rented a place on Lake Como for a month or two. This was after staying at Villa d' Este for a week one year. If your son likes motor racing, by all means, take him to the Ferrari Museum in Modena. You can spend most of a day there if you are a racing nut or just like beautiful examples of motor cars. We were blessed with a tour of the Ferrari factory which was mind-blowing, to say the least. When Gilles was killed at Zolder in 82, I was one of three (Jody Scheckter, Gilles’ manager, the other two) who negotiated with Mr. Ferrari on a settlement for his family. Being educated as a lawyer (although I hate them), I was the bad cop, and Jody was the good cop. I envy you your Italian heritage, as I would get an Italian passport in a minute if I could. My wife and I had decided we wanted to retire to Nendaz, Switzerland, but the US government screwed Switzerland up for US citizens, as I am sure you are aware of. Italy was her first choice and my second but circumstances ended up keeping us in the US so we get to watch the country of our birth go into its death spiral. I don't know if you are familiar with Alexis de Tocqueville, but what he predicted about this new experiment called democracy back in 1835 is becoming true. Hopefully, the US citizens will get their heads out of their asses in 2024 and realize it is the last chance to save this thing called democracy. Fortunately, I will probably die before the complete collapse, but you, my friend, have shown your brilliance not just in your market acumen, but in your choice of a place to live. If you ever want to hear about the single best trade that has ever existed in the markets, drop me a line, and I will explain how a small US firm ($10 million in capital) made over $5 million a month for 26 months in the trade. Drop me a note, and I will explain it all. Again, I was one lucky SOB to be in the right place at the right time. I envy you, your living place. Dio vi benedica John L. Amazing. Simply amazing. I love great stories like that. Thank you, John, for sharing. I will certainly take your advice on Monza. I was supposed to go last year, but had to miss it. Micah will be a lifelong fan, I’m sure. He loves Ferraris already! I absolutely want to hear about the best trade ever and will drop you a line. Stay well, and God bless you, John! Wrap Up Thank you to Joe B. for writing in again. It’s a pleasure! That was one long Rude, and I’m grateful to everyone who wrote in. Please keep doing it by writing to feedback@rudeawakening.com. I think I’ve responded to everyone. But if I haven’t, write in again with ALL CAPS. I’ll get the hint… All the best, [Sean Ring] Sean Ring Editor, Rude Awakening Twitter: [@seaniechaos]( [Paradigm]( ☰ ⊗ [ARCHIVE]( [ABOUT]( [Contact Us]( © 2023 Paradigm Press, LLC. 808 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore MD 21202. By submitting your email address, you consent to Paradigm Press, LLC. delivering daily email issues and advertisements. 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