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America's Financial Apocalypse: How to Profit from the Next Great Depression (Condensed Edition) | 
 enlarge | Author: Stathis
Publisher: AVA Publishing
Category: Book
List Price: $34.95
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Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 17718
Media: Paperback
Pages: 276
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8
ISBN: 0975577670
Dewey Decimal Number: 332
EAN: 9780975577677
ASIN: 0975577670
Publication Date: January 21, 2008
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Product Description
For more than two decades, numerous experts have predicted a major depression in America. Many of these forecasts were written in the early 90s as an aftershock of the 87 Crash. While most ignored these warnings, cautious investors withdrew from the capital markets. But the expected turmoil never appeared, at least not for over a decade. In the mid-90s, the Internet was released. Soon, hundreds of companies sought to harness this new technology. By 1999, the Internet stock bubble had swollen beyond belief, and everyone wanted a piece of the action. And we all remember what happened at the start of the new millennium. While this correction revealed the most recent illusions embedded within the economy, it s only a prelude of what to expect in the coming years. Today, economics control the investment cycle rather than hype generated by Wall Street. Accordingly, Washington can only hide the realities of America s decline for so long before the truth is revealed. Currently, we are in the middle stages of a secular bear market that began in 2001. Upon examination of the Dow Jones Industrial Average since 1900, it s clear that the stock market must correct downward, or else encounter a period of modest returns through 2012. But still, muted gains will only partly compensate for the spectacular appreciation of the 90s; a period fueled by excess consumption. Today we see that competitive forces from abroad are much more influential than in the past. In the mid-1990s, President Clinton signed off on NAFTA and the World Trade Organization, promising free trade would deliver better jobs and higher wages for all. But for the majority of Americans, the opposite has occurred. America entered the free trade paradigm as a losing participant from the start since all other nations place the burden of healthcare and pension costs with the government. While it still remains as the centerpiece for the global economy, America now relies on record debt to maintain its status as the world s strongest consumer marketplace. For over three decades, more money has been leaving America than coming in. As a result, the U.S. is now the world s largest debtor nation. Rather than increases in net wealth, America s growth has been fueled by credit spending. This has created the illusion of impressive productivity, while serving to mask declining living standards for the majority. As corporate America continues to achieve record profitability, these gains have come at the expense of its core citizens; the middle class. As a result of these trends, the United States is now more dependent upon foreign nations than anytime in its history. Declining oil reserves and a foreign-funded credit bubble have positioned its fate in the hands of the world. And its vulnerable role in the New Economy threatens to erode its empire status. Already, the effects of America s decline have registered. Declining competitiveness and reliance on foreign debt can be seen by noting the weakness of the dollar. As foreign nations lose interest in financing Washington s deficits, interest rates will soar. Soon, America will face the economic burden of 76 million aging boomers. Beginning in 2011, expenditures for Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security will start to grow rapidly. During this same period it is likely that peak oil will have been reached; this alone promises to cause worldwide devastation. In summary, I have presented what I feel to be a strong case for America s declining economic position and weakened competitive landscape by addressing the major issues at hand the trade imbalance and federal debt, free trade, healthcare, Social Security, pensions, the real estate bubble, the war in Iraq, tensions in the Middle East, the global oil shortage, and the effect baby boomers will have as they enter what they expect to be their Golden Years.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
 The Best Book Explaining Why This is the Begining of The Big One October 29, 2008
Alan (NY)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is the best book on America's problems hands down. I am puzzled why I never heard of it before since the long edition was released in 2006. Stathis does not stop at his elaborate and very intelligent assessment of America's problems. This feat is alone monumental and has not been tackled by any other authors.
He understands that a depression involves a long period of socioeconomic decay and backs this up with societal, educational and other factors in addition to the pure financial waste and mismanagement that has plagued America for many years.
He makes some very bold predictions, many of which have already surfaced, such as the collapse of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, very high inflation, record prices for oil and gold, problems with the dollar, etc. He also predicts a decline in real estate prices of 30% from the peak (it is already over 23%). He makes too many credible predictions to list here and backs them all up.
His investment guidance is excellent (the previous reviewer obviously did not read the last 2 chapters). He advises to keep cash, buy gold, oil, healthcare and invest in China. The really great thing about this book is that he creates a general investment strategy for different types of investors. And he makes predictions about the stock market which have already come true.
In conclusion, this book is priceless. It will be valuable for a long time since he covers what happens to America after the real estate and banking problem. It is remarkable that the book was first written in 2006. I hope he writes a new one for 2009.
For now, I am reading his updates online. They're the most insightful I have come across. You should check them out
http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/UserInfo-Mike_Stathis.html
 TITLE IS MISNOMER October 29, 2008
H. Cook
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This Book tells you literally nothing of any value on "How to Profit from the Coming Depression". It's a catchy title designed to sell books. The author doesn't deliver on that promise. My advice is to save your money or get it from the library.
Right on the money October 25, 2008
Jacques Coquerel (Lawrenceville, GA USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I've read this book several months ago and forgot about it. With the current crisis I read it for the second time. Mike has properly explained why we found ourselves in this economic debacle. The author is a visionary. Period. A must read.
To Tell The Truth October 1, 2008
superwoman does not exist
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
What's interesting is that this book was first written in 2006. For me it's either more books by this author or grandma's advice. Both will do me much better than what all of these analysts have been saying.
 America's Financial September 8, 2008
Book Guy (Ky)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Read the condensed version. Interesting take on how America has been boxing itself into a decline. Thought provoking on trade organizations, education, economics, etc. A little too heavy on conspiracies being almost everywhere. Yes, corporate America probably exercises considerable influence on our politicians, but I was left feeling the author considered it an "evil" conspiracy. Well, perhaps. It's also possible that the politicians were acting in their own interests, thought it might benefit the populace as well, but were simply not smart enough to understand the longer term implications. Think about some of the people we've put into office. I vote for the "idiots we elect" premise, but I also understand anything is possible when it comes to politics. Clearly, he thinks the BIG one is unavoidabale. How to prepare is treated somewhat generically. Interesting read with some thought provoking areas, but WAY overpriced and too many conspiracies for my tastes. As previous review said, very good look at how oil, gold, etc. tie to economic policies.
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| Worthwhile Reading | Three Tips to Help Planning Retirement
By Brenda Cyr
Thinking about retirement is not usually on the top of our list of things to do. Then suddenly we reach the point in out life when retirement is close to becoming a reality. At that point, you really need help in planning your retirement. Sure, we think about it from time to time, but never take any action on our thoughts. Don't let lack of action destroy your retirement, and leave you working well into your seventies. Use these three tips to help plan your retirement and to get started today.
1. Be Realistic about Retirement. Most people don't take the time to sit down and figure out how much money they will need for their retirement. Here is an easy way to plan what you'll need for retirement. Take the amount of money you are now living on per year, and subtract the amount of money you can save once the kids move out, and you downsize to a smaller home and car. Take that amount and multiply it by how many years you think you will need to live on your savings. The average life expectancy is 80 years.
2. Make a Budget. This will be one of the biggest helpers for planning retirement finances. Take out a sheet of paper and write down all your monthly expenses. Include your utilities, credit cards, groceries, and everything that you spend money on through the month. Make sure that you add a set amount for retirement savings. The next step is to subtract this amount from your take home income. Do you have anything left over? If you do, that is excellent. You can use these savings for a rainy day account.
3. Cut Back on Expenses. You already knew this was coming. You have a budget, and know what you are spending; now it's time to see where you can cut back so you can put more money into your retirement account. You don't have to cut out all the luxuries in your life, but you might find that by renting movies more often, rather than taking the family to the theater will let you enjoy more luxuries when you retire.
These three tips will help you get started saving for your retirement. Of course, there are many resources available to help planning for retirement. There are many aspects of retirement to consider as well- your health, your social life, your leisure activities and hobbies. By following these three tips, you will be taking action to help you plan for the best retirement possible.
Are you really ready to retire? Get our free report- How to Supercharge Your Retirement, and make sure you can enjoy the retirement you deserve. Visit http://www.RetirementPlanningHandbook.com today.
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| | Retirement Facts | The number of active workers participating in an employment-based defined benefit (pension) plan has been steadily decreasing, while the number has been growing in 401(k)-type plans.
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