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The late George Carlin, the outspoken and controversial comedian and modern day philosopher, said it best:
"The reason they call it the American Dream is because you have to be asleep to believe it."
Well these days that’s certainly true.
America’s forefathers and the first colonists risked everything to escape tyranny in Britain, and they fled to the New World to form ‘a more perfect union.’
So what has happened in the last 235 years that has brought the United States to the sorry condition it’s in today?
New American Nightmare
First, it’s important to define what exactly the “American Dream” is anyway? Many people nowadays may not even know.
In fact, for some struggling Americans today the ‘new American Dream’ could be radically different from what it was in the past. Today it could simply be not being foreclosed on, or a few more weeks of unemployment benefits, or more food stamps. That’s how bad it is.
The definition of the American Dream by writer and historian James Truslow Adams in 1931 stated that "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement." This meant regardless of social class or circumstances of birth.
The idea of the American Dream is the very essence of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, which proclaims: “… that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
This clearly doesn’t mean more food stamps or longer unemployment lines.
The American dream has turned into more of a nightmare for most people.
Exporting the American Dream
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| Source: endoftheamericandream.com |
The lifeblood of America has always been small business and entrepreneurs, as they provide the much-needed jobs and tax revenues that help support the nation and make it prosperous.
They also provide the innovation that has created some of the world’s most important inventions, such as electric light, computers, space travel, medical advances, entertainment, and on and on.
The achievements and the contributions Americans have made over the short existence of the country are simply miraculous. But as they say, “the light that burns twice as bright burns half as long,” and America has burned very brightly.
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| Source: economicnoise.com |
Unfortunately, as time passed the country lost many of its core values. Today, we have numerous barriers to the American Dream and all that’s associated with it.
Homeownership, once the cornerstone of the American Dream, is clearly out of reach for the large majority of would-be homebuyers. Job losses, tight credit, or non-existent credit, have made it next to impossible for potential buyers.
And for those unfortunates who are owners and want to sell, it’s worse.
Homeowners have seen their property values sink, and are often simply throwing the keys in the air and walking away because the properties are so upside down it simply makes no sense to continue to pay for it. Small and medium businesses are impacted too.
The idea of having a vision for a new product or service and developing it and growing it has always made America the land of opportunity. Unfortunately, today there are many major hurdles for anyone seeking to accomplish this goal.
Regulatory agencies, taxes, legal, and credit woes, etc. make the idea of starting and growing a business in the United States a complicated affair.
Many people are opting not to attempt to follow their dream, or, like myself, are picking up and taking their dream elsewhere.
Building Your Own Mayflower
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| Source: moveoneinc.com |
The idea that things may not get better for a long time, or possibly ever, is depressing. After all, most of us have been brought up to believe that if we work hard, save, and contribute to our communities that we too could live the American Dream, it’s simply not the case anymore.
I believe the colonists who first set sail to the New World had the same concerns, and also the same fears about the unknown. Yet they took the risk, boarded boats, and set sail for better or worse.
Today you can too.
Opportunities abound abroad, and as the new global economy grows that will only increase. Asia, Eastern Europe, (where I live), Russia, and elsewhere are all expanding. While every place on earth has challenges, the concept of ‘anything is possible’ is fresh and alive in these places.
But what can investors do if they just can’t take the major step of packing up and shipping out? There are many steps investors can take to protect themselves, but here are four, key action steps everyone can take right now.
Here is my four-point action plan to help you protect yourself and even prosper from the crumbling American Dream:
#1. It’s said a lot, but you must reduce or diversify out of the U.S. dollar as much as possible and into tangible assets. Gold and silver are the most common, but there are many other ways too. The more diverse your holdings, the better.
#2. Pay down your debts as quickly as possible, so your credit cards and other borrowings don’t bury you. Cut the dead weight and turn from a massive consumer to a pragmatic saver and investor.
#3. Become irreplaceable where you work. Take classes outside of work and educate yourself, so you have valuable skills to offer the global marketplace in case you lose your job or want to leave the country. Make your skills portable and desirable. This is key in the new world workplace.
#4. Keep the dream alive, and don’t fill yourself with fear and loathing. Instead, look for what really makes you happy and imagine your glass as half full. You don’t have to bury your head in the sand and ignore reality. Just be sure to see what the reality is and what it’s not.
I love America, and every part of my being wishes and hopes that the dream at home will be resurrected and even improved on. For now, however, I have decided that to protect myself and my family and to give my children a better chance, the opportunities elsewhere are better.
As I said in my first action step, some great ways to take measures to protect and diversify your wealth, are with gold and silver investments.
Using specific gold and silver mining stocks, and ETFs such as GLD and SLV and others. You can also purchase gold bullion coins from reputable dealers such as, American Century, Dillon Gage, FideliTrade, Manfra, Tordella & Brookes, and Rare Coins of New Hampshire.
Remember though, ETF options are what I like best because they offer you leverage on ETFs and you get an added bonus: Limited risk.
They’re the tool I use to help my Master Trader members seek gains in any major asset class in the world — stocks, precious metals, commodities, bonds and even foreign currencies — no matter what event or trend is happening in the world!
To learn more about ETF options and how you can join my service, risk-free, click here.
The bottom line is America is an amazing country that has simply lost its way. Hopefully, the dream can return. But in the meantime, investors have no choice but to take steps to protect themselves and their families, even if that means taking drastic measures.
Yours for resource profits,
Kevin Kerr
Kevin Kerr has successfully traded commodities professionally for the last 22+ years. His unparalleled expertise in commodity and resource futures, options, and equity trading, has made him a regular contributor to news outlets like CNBC, CNN, FOX News, CBS Evening News, Nightly Business Report and many others.
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I’m concerned about the attitude of a lot of Americans I’ve read and spoken to who think that when SHTF all they have to do is skip the country with a bit of PM and they’ll be OK. A few thoughts from Australia, mentioned by some as a potential destination:
1. You may not be welcome. America is seen as the architect of the 1930’s depression and a major player in this next one coming.
2. Your qualifications may not be recognised. When I worked as a surgeon in the US in the 90’s, I had to sit 8 medical examinations despite the fact that I’d practiced as a doctor for over 15 years. I also had to sit an English test despite English being my mother tongue. Your destination country, unless it’s a developing nation, is likely to require the same of you. We have plenty of overseas-qualified engineers who survive only by driving taxi’s.
3. If you leave your emigration to after the SHTF, expect to spend a few years in a refugee detention centre. Most nations have plenty of genuine refugees fleeing real persecution, who are likely, regardless of their skin colour, to get preference over quitters who are fleeing a mess of their own making.
4. The American brand is pretty “on the nose” right now, and most people don’t want to be talked down to – be prepared to bring a good slice of humble pie with you!
The fact that Americans elected a socialist,big govt person,Obama,for President should show you where Americans are at.They worship govt now.Someone who believes in personal responsibility,not stealing from your neighbor,like Ron Paul,gets just a couple % of the vote.That’s where we’re at and why this country is in decline.
Kevin, you wrote a great article. I however am uncomfortable with gold and silver ETFs because if things tank you do not have possession of any assets. Don’t you think it is better to buy real gold and silver? You did mention that as well.
To Kevin’s list of reputable dealers, I recommend Investment Rarities, Inc. of Minneapolis, MN, which has been in business for nearly 40 years and has developed a reputation for honesty and integrity.
Ah, the so-called “American Dream”.
Kevin, you don’t say just what country will be your new “opportunity”-laden home, as you leave the U.S., but I must presume that you are going to invest and open a business in that foreign country. I hope that that country does not permit you to hold a regular job there, to participate in any government retirement or medical plans, until you become a citizen there (AND formally give up your U.S. citizenship) — all of which we should also insure, here.
Good luck to you, because, while yes the American Dream is gone, there are reasons for that which will eventually impact whatever country you are going to. Hope too, that you don’t get caught in any “sudden governmental changes” in the shorter run. Maybe, as a writer and advisor, you hope to hop from country to country with changing conditions, continuing to “sell your wares”.
A lot has changed since the “small business” dreams of 1931 that you cite, in this new world of monolithic multi-national corporations (ask our former, hometown, “small business folks” what happened when WalMart moved in). Very occasionally some partially educated math genius will invent some new computer hardware or software that will make him rich; but guess what, most invention now comes from corporate research and development, with salaried engineering skills — and with artificial intelligence capturing every innovative method itself for the corporate archives, soon making those particular engineers obsolete.
And your suggestions: 1. Yes, “diversification” is always a good idea; we always called it “covering all the bases”, even if in a zero-sum game, it insures only stasis. 2.Getting out of debt — this is a real necessity now, as well as not getting into debt or taking any unnecessary risk, not even having a family (until and unless you FIRST get rich). 3. Becoming irreplaceable? What world do you live in? Of course it is a good idea to learn the corporate “family secrets”, document them, and then quietly let them know that you know. 4. This suggestion is a good one too — it boils down to “be happy” whatever. If you should become a large business owner, this is a good mantra to require of your employees, for daily repetition.
Yeah, the “American Dream” is dead, but everything dies sooner or later. The thing to do now is to “get yours”, and to Hell the everything (and everyone) else.
Unparalleled?? Less sugar coating please!
“His unparalleled expertise in commodity and resource futures, options, and equity trading, has made him a regular contributor to news outlets”
–only because he says what the advertisers like. If he didn’t they wouldn’t have him on, regardless if he believes what he says.
It is totally irresponsible to be guiding people into an asset class such as precious metals at this stage without explaining how to know when to get out before it takes a nasty reveral (who knows how much longer the fear mongering will work to keep prices moving against the fundamentals). Especially when said asset prices have been and still are traveling on media trumped up fear in support of advertisers. When such fear driven price movement flies against measures of inflation. Ref. CRB index and Long Term interest Rates and Employment.
If things are grim and getting worse. And assets prices are falling, like your home for instance. How soon before other asset prices fall to match the economic conditions? Isn’t gold an asset? It would seem just as soon as you stop allowing congress to steal your money to give to the market manipulators like Goldman Sachs, et. al.
One can listen and depend on others who have their own interests at heart or one can look for themselves. If I had mega ounces of gold in my portfolio and I had a newsletter, what would I do?
I would believe that I’ve made the right choice and inform others that they too should continue buying.
Isn’t that the same old buy and hold technique to blame for many a portfolio loss in stocks?
Simon (above) makes a good point. Don’t go where they wouldn’t appreciate you starting a business and employing some of them. It truly is unfortunate that the amerikan media is what america is portrayed as. People were fooled by the media into believing they were informed, by the media, about Obama when the opposite is true. The heart of america has never been in your face or on your nose. It is only the mentally disordered liberals who think they know best how everyone else should live. To inject failed socialism into capitalism then call capitalism a failure. Who can blame the muslims for not wanting amerikan media smut polluting their minds constantly. So folks, we’ve let this happen and more and worse if WE don’t get up and fix it ourselves. If you leave it to your neighbor or political party, it will never happen. At the top the elephants and donkeys are run by the same group.
This is BS!
First we are told to invest offshore to get a better return on investment.
Now we are being to told to leave the US since we have turned it into a banana republic?
I’ve read that more than 50% of Americans receive benefits and pay no Federal tax, or are Government employees.
How will Amerca ever be able to elect a responsible government if more than half the electors are “on the take”?
Fiscal responsibility is the LAST thing they’ll vote for.
@Simon Purser
So what has Australia contributed to the world, besides being good little bitches for your Chinese overlords ?
@Mark W.
Re point 1 – I could go on for pages about Nobel Prizes, fighting other people’s wars, etc., but instead I’ll leave you with one word – Penicillin. Look up Howard Florey in Wikipedia. It’s likely you or someone close to you owes their lives to an Australian.
Re point 2 – Can’t argue with that. But we don’t owe China trillions of dollars. We’ll see who’s really on the leash when THAT debt falls due!
It’s not just that “the light that burns twice as bright burns half as long,†there are reasons for that. We have burned the oil of our lamp. We have squandered the oil and resources of the rest of the world. Is it possible for 5% of the world’s population to use 25% (five times our share) of the world’s resources indefinitely?
It is someone else’s turn to shine. History works that way, one hegemony replacing another. That’s why Kevin is finding opportunity outside the US. Another way history works is one world-system replacing another. Spain, Holland, France, England, the United States of America. Finally, back to China and India with their vast human resources, world leaders as recently as 1850. People count. Numbers count.
Nothing lasts forever, and that includes world-systems like, say, capitalism.