Even if the U.S. economy has hit bottom – a prospect that we view as extremely unlikely -- there is almost no chance the recovery will restore the nation to economic health. No one knows this better than the Baby Boomers, vast numbers of whom have seen their retirement plans go up in smoke because of the wealth-destroying effects of the Great Recession. Tens of millions of Baby Boomers are parents as well, and they are just starting to come to grips with the possibility that their children will experience a declining standard of living in the decades ahead.  As recently as three years ago, before the banking system and housing market collapsed, few would have believed America could fall so far, so fast. Now, with public, corporate and private debt hanging over us that has grown far too large to redeem, only a fool in denial could fail to see the dark shadow that has fallen over the economy.

Even so, the illusion of prosperity seems likely to persist, especially with the stock market’s relentless rally, now entering its 14^th month, to distract and disconnect us from the real economic world.  A comment posted in the Rick’s Picks forum yesterday by “EdwardO” [click here to visit his blog]  trenchantly describes the folly of it all:

“The cognitive dissonance about the land is now both pervasive and immense. The number of unemployed, underemployed, and otherwise financially and economically imperiled has ratcheted up over the last few years, and though the economic deterioration that began in earnest in early 2008 seems to have, at least by some modestly credible measures, abated somewhat in the last few months, the new normal, such as it is, is distinctly less healthy, less favorable to most, than it was.

“And yet, despite the immutable facts of a reduction in the standard of living for so many, we keep hearing talk of recovery -- which is, by definition, absurd, since a recovery assumes the reclamation of a prior state. The only prior state that has been recovered is the one that Wall Street was operating in before the financial world, as we knew it, ended in a thunderous calamity. In fact, even that picture isn’t entirely accurate since Wall Street has now, de facto, if not de jure, captured at least two, if not all three, branches comprising the Federal Government.

‘Nothing Left to Lose…’

“And the Federal Government, whose agenda is unmistakably crafted and shaped by corporations, if we are operating euphemistically, and owned like a mindless piece of chattel (by the remnants of the FIRE economy) if we are not, in concert with the mainstream media, which is also the province, lock, stock, and barrel of ‘bottom line’ concerns, are all in on maintaining -- to the vast majority’s detriment -- the grand, if tenuous, illusion of prosperity. That Matrix will continue to function as is until some critical number of those trapped within it lose even more than they have lost already. At that point, one imagines a genuine move towards revolution and freedom- which, as Kris Kristofferson observed, is “just another word for nothing left to lose” -- will emerge in a such a way as to make the Tea Party movement look like the tepid, co-opted brew it is. Unfortunately, by then, it may well be too late. Vamos a ver  [We shall see…].”

***

Information and commentary contained herein comes from sources believed to be reliable, but this cannot be guaranteed. Past performance should not be construed as an indicator of future results, so let the buyer beware. There is a substantial risk of loss in futures and option trading, and even experts can, and sometimes do, lose their proverbial shirts.  Rick's Picks does not provide investment advice to individuals, nor act as an investment advisor, nor individually advocate the purchase or sale of any security or investment. From time to time, its editor may hold positions in issues referred to in this service, and he may alter or augment them at any time. Investments recommended herein should be made only after consulting with your investment advisor, and only after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company. Rick's Picks reserves the right to use e-mail endorsements and/or profit claims from its subscribers for marketing purposes. All names will be kept anonymous and only subscribers’ initials will be used unless express written permission has been granted to the contrary. All Contents © 2009, Rick Ackerman. All Rights Reserved. www.rickackerman.com 

-- Posted Wednesday, 7 April 2010 | Digg This Article