“I used to be a conspiracy theorist. But then all the conspiracies I followed turned out to be true.”
This thought-provoking statement comes from a recent conversation with a friend, who is also a subscriber to the Wealth Prism Letter. But before delving deeper into these reflections, let’s explore some background on why such comments are being made.
In California, known for its quirky character, the interplay between its citizens and the political climate often yields unpredictable outcomes. The ongoing pandemic has intensified these dynamics, revealing flaws in both society and governance.
The financial impacts of COVID-19, including stimulus checks, generous unemployment benefits, and eviction halts, have created a growing segment of the population more inclined toward idleness than engaging in productive endeavors. With a staggering unemployment rate of 7.5%, California stands tied with Nevada as having the highest rate in the nation, compared to the national average of 4.8% as of September.
Moreover, California’s unemployment claims represent one-third of the total national claims, despite the fact that the state is home to just over 12% of the U.S. population.
At the local level, cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles seem to be in a race to showcase the most ludicrous policies, with Los Angeles recently taking the lead.
In an audacious move reminiscent of historical social experiments, Los Angeles has announced a universal basic income pilot program, dubbed Big:Leap.
This initiative will randomly select approximately 3,200 low-income families to receive $1,000 per month for a year starting in January. Mayor Garcetti describes the program as “an instrument of racial equality.” However, the practicality and effectiveness of this approach remain in question, as the attitude of poverty often transcends mere financial assistance.
With this context, my friend shared his personal take on current events, illustrating a sense of incredulity mixed with reality.
Tin Foil Hats
“As I mentioned, I once considered myself a conspiracy theorist. But lately, all the theories I entertained have proven to be accurate,” he shared.
“For instance, it has become evident that the Wuhan coronavirus originated from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Furthermore, we now understand that the National Institutes of Health funded dangerous gain-of-function experiments at that lab. Fauci has misled the public, again!”
“And don’t forget the case of Seth Rich.”
“What happened to Seth Rich?” I inquired, my curiosity piqued.
“Let’s just say it’s reminiscent of Vince Foster’s circumstances,” he cryptically remarked.
“But one thing puzzles me. Do you think the present supply chain disruptions and the massive traffic jams at ports are intentional?
“Could it be that government officials are purposely attempting to weaken the economy to create a larger class of dependents?”
“The push for widespread vaccinations seems to fit this narrative as well. These ports—LA and Long Beach—have been operational for over a century, surviving wars and economic downturns without issue. Why are we witnessing such a crisis now?”
“If you visit Bluff Park or Signal Hill, the sight of cargo ships stacked up offshore is utterly surreal. If there’s no resolution within the next 30 to 60 days, we’ll be in deep trouble.”
“And that’s precisely where Empty Shelves Joe seems to want us. This feels deliberate to me.”
“I’d put on my old tin foil hat to guard against mind control, but as I mentioned, every conspiracy theory I’ve held has come to fruition. This one appears no different.”
[At this point, I sensed my friend was just getting warmed up, so I settled back, eager to hear more…]
Bidenvilles for Christmas
“I heard you were in Reno last week. You know what they say about Reno? It’s so close to Hell you can see Sparks.
“Speaking of being close to Hell, what is going on with Long Beach?”
“This city has always had a rough edge, a characteristic shared by most port cities.”
“My father graduated from Poly High in the early ‘60s and recalls that what is now the area just east of Ocean Boulevard near the LA River used to be named The Jungle—the city’s notorious oceanfront slum.”
“When the Pike and the Cyclone Racer fell into disrepair during the mid-‘60s, things took a turn for the worse. Tourists vanished, but those who lived on the fringes remained.”
“Back in the day, Long Beach was a Navy town. Occasionally, sailors would find themselves in trouble after a night out, winding up in confrontations along ‘Whore Alley’.”
“But at least those issues were contained. Now it seems The Jungle has spread, infecting the entire city.”
“Take a look at the front of the library on your block. Have you been there at night recently? It’s a full-fledged Bidenville, complete with barrel fires. The vacant Sears lot across the street is similarly affected.”
“Months ago, there was talk about transforming that old Sears building into a homeless shelter, but I’m not sure what ultimately happened.”
“What I do know is that Long Beach officials are trying to outdo Los Angeles and San Francisco in terms of poorly thought-out policies. They are now discussing the prospect of sanctioning homeless encampments.
“Can you believe it? Government-sanctioned Bidenvilles?”
“Perhaps they will deliver them just in time for Christmas. Ho ho ho!”
“In actuality, this trend stems more from Governor Newsom and Mayor Garcia than from Biden himself. But I still refer to them as Bidenvilles. I’ll take any opportunity to criticize this illegitimate president.”
“Let’s go Brandon!”
“You know what that means, right?”
Sincerely,
MN Gordon
for Economic Prism
