This past Wednesday, while the stock market was in turmoil and companies such as Everbridge, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Dynatrace experienced significant declines, something different was taking place. Gold and silver also faced their own setbacks.
However, it wasn’t entirely doom and gloom. First Solar, Rolls-Royce Holdings, and CoreLogic posted impressive gains. Interestingly, the dollar, which is typically reflected in the dollar index, alongside gold and silver, showed an upward trend. But there was another noteworthy development…
Many investors may have overlooked the fact that American firearm manufacturer Sturm, Ruger & Company managed to secure a slight return. After all, a return of 0.43 percent might not seem remarkable.
Yet, we argue that Ruger’s modest gain amidst a widespread selloff deserves the attention of both investors and those outside the market. The demand for firearms and ammunition is surging.
It’s only logical that firearms and ammunition would be in high demand. They serve essential purposes, and at this moment, their utility is particularly pronounced.
Without a doubt, there is an unsettling atmosphere developing. Politicians, scholars, and the media have long been fostering public divides, and now a volatile mix of anger threatens to ignite, especially around election day. People are arming themselves as a precaution, bracing for potential chaos that could arrive on their doorsteps.
So, what does this imply?
“Death to America!”
As the weather cools, the public mood remains heated. Various factions are eager to destroy communal resources, finding ample reasons to unleash their fury.
For instance, following the tragic police shooting of Walter Wallace Jr. in West Philadelphia, chaos ensued. Protesters flooded the streets, igniting dumpsters and looting stores like Walmart.
It’s important to note that the primary motive of these mobs was not to protest Wallace’s shooting, but rather to seize free goods, particularly flat-screen televisions.
At Economic Prism, we denounce theft in all forms—whether through currency debasement, excessive taxes, or mob looting. However, at least the Philadelphia mobs were clear about their intentions: they simply wanted free items. As they saw it, they took what they desired.
In contrast, the mobs in Portland, Seattle, and Kenosha represent a different mindset. The Wall Street Journal provides a keen insight:
“‘Death to America!’ is a common chant among antifa rioters from Portland, Ore., to Kenosha, Wis. Children call for the nation’s ruin while college students vandalize public spaces, recording their antics as if part of an artistic performance.”
“These violent actions epitomize decades of neo-Marxist indoctrination in American educational institutions. The left’s ‘long march’ through these establishments is nearly complete. […] Young Americans, especially those from affluent backgrounds, appear oblivious to the absurdity of calling for the destruction of their own nation, echoing the rhetoric of Iran’s clerics.”
‘Death to America!’ is an empty slogan. What do these misguided individuals believe they are condemning? The American republic has been in decline since at least 1913.
Countdown To Chaos
In that pivotal year, Washington gained a substantial advantage. Honest leaders advocating for limited government and sound financial policies were effectively rendered ineffective. The noble nexus along the Potomac, where politics and finances intertwined, fell into corruption. Democratic mob rule supplanted the principles of a republican government.
In 1913, the ratification of the Sixteenth Amendment allowed Congress to impose income taxes. Additionally, the Seventeenth Amendment was ratified, enabling the direct election of Senators by the populace. By the end of that year, the Federal Reserve Act was enacted, transferring the power to issue currency from Congress to the Federal Reserve.
Post-1913, the essence of the American republic faded. The federal government received sweeping authority to centralize power, granting it the ability to exploit its citizens on an unprecedented scale—gaining near-unlimited power to tax, borrow, spend, and inflate currency.
While we frequently explore the ramifications of the Sixteenth Amendment and the Federal Reserve Act, the consequences of the Seventeenth Amendment are equally severe.
In brief, the Seventeenth Amendment enables Senators to essentially purchase votes from constituents in exchange for federal funding directed to their districts. This mechanism compels the government to cater to collective demands for personal security through public expenditure, ultimately fostering political corruption and graft.
Such truths are seldom highlighted in academic settings. They require self-discovery, independent inquiry, and profound contemplation. Thus, the cries of ‘Death to America!’ from radicalized youth fall short when compared to historical grievances.
In stark contrast, the ‘Bread or Blood’ protests by rioters in East Anglia, Britain, in 1816 clearly articulated their discontent. With rising bread prices exceeding wages, hunger drove them to the streets.
Today’s ‘Death to America!’ protesters lack awareness that the American republic has long ceased to exist. Ironically, they are advocating for the very policies that led us to this troubling juncture. The principles of wealth redistribution and corruption resonate at the core of progressive socialism. Introduce a ‘woke’ focus on race, and progressive socialism can take an even more perilous direction.
Perhaps the upcoming election will pass without incident. Yet, with so many forces at play, that outcome seems unlikely. The countdown to chaos is upon us. Proceed with caution.
Sincerely,
MN Gordon
for Economic Prism
