A brief discussion on some of this week’s events as well as some of the news from today. A general discussion of market performance, the first White House press briefing in a year, a follow up to the initial jobless claims figures, and some thoughts on global protests. Enjoy the weekend! Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Economy #Bailouts #Debt #Recession #USA #Oil #Gold #Depression #Protests
It’s one after the other. Valuations, economic fundamentals, pandemic news headlines – all matters not! Global stocks just keep climbing. Why? Because of a coordinated effort by central banks the world over to flush the system with liquidity. Remember, there is no free lunch, and when the day of reckoning comes and it will because it always does – it may put the global economy in a situation that has never been witnessed. We have $1 trillion companies by market cap – this is the size of even some developed economies by GDP. How sustainable do you think this all really is? Instead of allowing for price discovery, which is what markets are supposed to do, which is also fitting with free-market capitalism, central banks and governments are throwing everything and the kitchen sink at these markets to prevent them from collapsing – let alone experience a correction. The amount of damage that is being done to the system on a financial, economic, societal, and political basis will take generations to repair. We’re already seeing the cracks in the system when we witness protests around the world. People are sick and tired of being sick and tired. And they’re fed up with the rampant fraud, abuse, and corruption that permeates throughout the halls of their respective governments. And all we have to say is, it’s about time! Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Economy #EndTheFed #Debt #Deficits #Politics #USA #Truth
So as this audience knows, from time to time I’ll send a letter to my elected officials. Well during the impeachment trial, I sent a letter to one of my Senators, voicing my views and simply asking that the whole truth of the matter be known – which would entail further witness testimony and the release of documents. And let the chips fall where they may. If guilty, then convict and remove. If exculpatory evidence came to light, then acquit. Let the truth be known and may justice be served. I think that was a reasonable request. Well we all know what transpired. Nonetheless, my Senator (his office) did respond to my note and so during this podcast, I read his reply and breakdown his argument(s) and statements. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. @SenToomey #Impeachment #Truth #Justice #Peace #Congress #Republic #Constitution #USA #Economy #Politics
While we were hopeful that the President could rise to the occasion and be contrite and humble following his recent impeachment acquittal, we knew not to hold our breath. And good thing we didn’t. The President basically rambled on for about an hour, praising the spineless Republican weasels who were afraid to hold the President to account, and giving the country his political hit-list. Totally beneath the dignity of the office – but this is all too familiar. The President had the ripe opportunity to attempt to bring the country together following his acquittal, but he didn’t. Instead, it was quintessential Trump – where he attacked, attacked, attacked. There is no middle ground. You are either with Trump 100% or you are the “enemy,” you are the “resistance.” This type of rhetoric is historically extremely dangerous. It is typically reserved to the likes of autocrats, dictators, demagogues, and cult-leaders – not US Presidents. This is dangerous. And combine this with the President feeling entirely exonerated and vindicated, sets the stage for another abuse of power. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Truth #Justice #Peace #Economy #Politics #USA
The President was acquitted today in the US Senate on both Articles of Impeachment. It was almost entirely along party lines, with the exception of Senator Mitt Romney of Utah voting “guilty” on the first charge of an Abuse of Power. Nevertheless the President has been acquitted and will now feel entirely vindicated and emboldened to do as he pleases. After all, he has stated that Article II of the US Constitution gives him the power to do whatever he wants – Article II does NOT grant the President this type of authority. In fact, the Constitution was drafted to protect the people from someone having such powers. So, what next? Time will tell, but we’re about to enter the 2020 Presidential campaign in full-swing. The President is supposed to make a formal statement on his acquittal tomorrow at 12pm EST. We hope it’s a solemn message and one that attempts to unite the country – but we’re not holding our breath. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Impeachment #Truth #Justice #Peace #Economy #Politics #Congress #Constitution #Republic #Recession
The Iowa Caucus for the Democratic candidates, the State of the Union Address by the President, and perhaps a conclusion to the Impeachment trial. This is going to be a busy political week to say the least. On top of it all, we have a continuation of the coronavirus and global markets on edge as to how this will be affecting economic growth. Understand, that global growth has been slowing for some time and will continue to do so – with or without the virus. The coronavirus, while perhaps a serious concern, is simply headline noise at this juncture, which could eventually lead to something more concerning, thus serving as an exacerbating risk. We hope the global health authorities and professionals working on the coronavirus are able to contain it before it turns into a true pandemic. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Impeachment #Truth #Justice #Peace #Cornoavirus #Congress #Republic #Constitution #Economy #Politics #USA #Recession
The World Health Organization (WHO), formally calls the coronavirus a global emergency. Yet also states that it’s ok to travel, trade, and conduct business. Meanwhile, airline after airline is restricting and/or cancelling their flights to and from China. Also, the US State Department has issued a warning to US citizens to not travel to China. So which is it? Is it under control and safe to travel or is it a global emergency? We do not trust the information coming out of China and imagine the numbers are much worse than what has been reported. Truth is always the first casualty.
The Q&A session in the impeachment trial has concluded. Tomorrow the US Senate will likely vote on whether they will call for new witnesses and/or documents. There are a few Republicans in question who may cross party-lines to vote to hear new witnesses. However, it will be a close vote in all likelihood. Even if more witnesses come forward to testify, there would need to be a 2/3 majority vote to convict and remove the President. So, by the numbers, it is highly likely that the President will be acquitted. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Impeachment #Truth #Justice #Republic #Congress #Constitution #USA #Economy #Politics #Recession #Peace
Earthquakes, perhaps marching to another war in the Middle East, a potential pandemic, global political protests, major wildfires, locusts swarming East Africa, and a potential Middle East peace deal – and it’s only January of 2020. Oh, yes, and don’t forget the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. Whose defense by the way, states, that an abuse of power is not an impeachable offense. Are you serious? Then what remedy exists to keep the President in check? Apparently, according to the defense counsel, there are no checks to the President’s powers! Exactly as the President has stated himself on multiple occasions. This simply cannot be. So add to the list not only all of the above “end days” situations, but also the shredding of the US Constitution, which will place unlimited and unchecked powers into the hands of the President of the United States. Jeez oh man – can’t wait to see what February has in store. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Impeachment #Truth #Justice #Congress #Republic #Constitution #Economy #EndTheFed #Recession #Politics #USA
Day III of the impeachment trial of President Trump concluded today with the House Managers concluding their opening arguments. The floor will now be turned over to the Counsel of the President. It is highly likely that their “defense” will be based off of attack, deny, and repeat. There will be little defense if any of the President’s actions themselves. Why? Because there is little to defend if anything and they know it. This is why they are likely to attack and distract. It remains unknown as to how many days and hours they will use, but we do know that the President via twitter claims that arguing on Saturday is bad for TV ratings. Of course, let us not focus on the facts of the case and seek the truth. No, no. Let us simply worry about TV ratings. Should we be surprised?
The House Managers did a thorough job over the last few days making their argument. Given the evidence of the case as of today – the President is guilty as charged on both counts: an abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. However, since so many documents have yet to be released by the Executive Branch, there remains room for questions. However, if this information is not released, then the President is showing his guilt once again on the charge of obstruction of Congress. If acquitted with the facts and evidence we have thus far, a dangerous precedent will have been established. And this President and those to come will be able to go unchecked by Congress. This in itself is a travesty. At the very least, the Senate must vote for further witnesses and documents. The whole truth must be known. Justice deserves it and so do the American people. May the truth be known and justice served. Impeachment is not simply about conviction and removal or acquittal. It’s also about prevention. Will the President engage in this type of action again, is a serious question to ask oneself. We will soon find if the Senate places the truth, justice, their oaths, our country, and our Constitution above party and politics. If they do not, then the Republic and the Senate has failed. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Impeachment #Truth #Justice #Peace #War #Congress #Constitution #USA #Republic #Economy #Politics
The House Managers presented their opening argument today in front of the US Senate. They will have three 8-hours days to present their opening arguments if they so choose to use all of that time. Then following their arguments, the defense counsel for the President will likewise have three 8-hour days to make their arguments. Following this, it is expected that the Senators will have time to ask questions of the managers – not orally, but rather in writing. These questions will go through the Chief Justice, whom is presiding. There still remains several unknowns and the most important perhaps, pertains to the question of witnesses and documents, especially new witnesses and new documents. We would hope that the Senate takes this seriously and allows and demands a fair, open, and transparent trial. This would entail witnesses and documents. For months the Republicans have been arguing about process and how the Democrats have not brought forth “first-hand” fact witnesses. Now in the Senate, with the ability to call and subpoena new first-hand fact witnesses, thus far, they are not doing so. One cannot complain about not having first-hand witnesses and then turnaround and be an advocate for not calling first-hand witnesses to testify when one has the opportunity to do so. If there’s nothing to hide, then release the documents (White House, State, DoD, etc.) and have the first-hand witnesses come forth. If this information further shows the President abused his powers and obstructed Congress, then so be it – remove. And if the information shows that it exonerates the President of wrongdoing, then so be it – acquit. Let the truth be known, and may justice be served. This is all we are after and we are asking for the whole truth.
Another day, another Davos. Today the statement is that the “business-cycle,” is dead. This was made by Bob Prince, Co-CIO of Bridgewater, the world’s largest hedge fund, co-managed by founder, Ray Dalio. Recall, Dalio stated, that “cash is trash.” We do not believe that the business-cycle is dead. It has most definitely been manipulated with massive amounts of fiscal and monetary stimulus. And yet despite all of this stimulus and money-printing, the global economy is barely growing. Hmmmm…can’t imagine why? (Major eye-roll). The business-cycle remains in tact and the “bust” phase of this cycle, not if, but when, it strikes, will likely be global in its reach and be as bad, if not worse than the Great Depression. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Impeachment #Truth #Justice #Recession #Congress #Constitution #Republic #Economy #Politics #BusinessCycle #Debt War #Oil #EndTheFed #USA