{"id":25001,"date":"2014-05-10T12:02:34","date_gmt":"2014-05-10T19:02:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lenpenzo.com\/blog\/?p=25001"},"modified":"2023-03-13T11:04:16","modified_gmt":"2023-03-13T18:04:16","slug":"black-coffee-all-the-newspeak-thats-fit-to-print","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lenpenzo.com\/blog\/id25001-black-coffee-all-the-newspeak-thats-fit-to-print.html","title":{"rendered":"Black Coffee: All the Newspeak That’s Fit to Print"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>It’s time to sit back, relax and enjoy a little joe …<\/em><\/p>\n

Welcome to another rousing edition of Black Coffee, your off-beat weekly round-up of what’s been going on in the world of money and personal finance.<\/p>\n

I’m getting some terrific feedback from you all on the new blog theme — and I’m listening. Here’s one example: I was hoping the lack of dates would give the blog a less-dated feel, so I removed them from my articles. However, I immediately received multiple requests to restore the dates — so I put them back.<\/p>\n

I had no idea those dates are important to a lot of you, and I appreciate you taking the time to tell me.<\/p>\n

Anyway … Keep those suggestions, likes, and dislikes coming! I can’t promise I’ll implement all<\/em> of your suggestions, but I promise to seriously consider them.<\/p>\n

Okay, off we go …<\/p>\n

Credits and Debits<\/strong><\/p>\n

Credit:<\/strong><\/span> In March, the Huffington Post hailed a report from government bureaucrats in the Ministry of Truth claiming that the US “recovered”<\/a> from the last recession faster than every country except for Germany. I know. What recovery?<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> Then again, those familiar with George Orwell’s 1984<\/em><\/a> know that the so-called “Newspeak<\/a>” emanating from the Ministry of Truth claims that “war is peace,” “freedom is slavery,” “ignorance is strength,” and “two plus two equals five.”<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> Ask the wonks in America’s Ministry of Truth and they will tell you — without the slightest hint of irony — that we’re in an economic recovery because US businesses are now being destroyed faster<\/a> than they’re being created. Bullish!<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> According to the Ministry of Truth, you can also be sure we’re in a recovery because the labor participation rate for Americans ages 25 to 29 is now at the lowest level<\/a> since the Bureau of Labor Statistics started keeping records in 1982.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> Sadly, there are plenty of folks who will never<\/em> question the Ministry of Truth’s “recovery” Newspeak. So don’t ask them to explain how, during a recovery, the working-age population could increase by 8.1 million Americans since 2007 — and yet the economy has 531,000 fewer jobs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> More Newspeak: The US recovery is so strong that the number of Americans who are taking early 401k withdrawals is now 37% higher<\/a> than in 2003.<\/p>\n

Credit:<\/strong><\/span> Heck, if the economy gets much better, it won’t be long before nobody has any<\/em> cash left in their 401k accounts. Forward!<\/p>\n

Credit:<\/strong><\/span> But seriously, I suspect it won’t be too much longer before we’re reading Newspeak from the Ministry of Truth explaining why saving money is actually bad<\/em> for the economy. Oh wait … they already went there<\/a>. No, really.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> Meanwhile, Fed chair Janet Yellen told Congress last week that US economic data is showing signs of “solid growth<\/a>” — despite the fact that, at 0.1%, US GDP barely showed a pulse last quarter.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> In case you’re wondering, that paltry 0.1% figure was in spite of the new juiced GDP formula<\/a> the Ministry of Truth now uses to mute the negative impacts of recessions and make “recoveries” appear more robust.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> Ms. Yellen said she’s also keeping the printing presses on hyper-drive. After all, the Ph.Ds in the Ministry of Truth say inflation is almost non-existent<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> They’re right, you know. Er, as long as you don’t buy food<\/a>, energy<\/a>, clothing<\/a> or have to pay for rent<\/a>, healthcare<\/a>, or a college<\/a> education.<\/p>\n

Credit:<\/strong><\/span> If only there was a congressman who was willing to ask Ms. Yellen why it’s necessary to continue pumping billions of new dollars into an economy that’s been in a “recovery” since 2009. I guess they didn’t want to be rude — or look like “crackpots<\/a>.”<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> The rest of the world is well-aware that, after printing more than $4 trillion since 2009, the Fed is rapidly debasing dollar-denominated savings. That’s one reason why the BRICS<\/a> are now establishing a competing monetary fund<\/a> — and another sign that the dollar’s days are numbered.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> Remember, when the rest of the world finally ditches the dollar, Americans’ standard of living will be drastically<\/em> reduced. For most people in the US, this is inconceivable. Hey … Only crackpots like me<\/a> question the omniscient Ministry of Truth.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> By the way, Canadians are up in arms after discovering that the bacon industry there reduced package sizes<\/a> by 25% while keeping prices level. You can bet the Canadian Ministry of Truth will use that as “proof” inflation is under control, eh. Hosers.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> 1984<\/em> was Orwell’s vision of a world suffering from not only the twisted reality brought to you by the Ministry of Truth, but also omnipresent government surveillance, and the demonization of self-reliance. Sadly, it appears his vision is finally here in full force — if only a few decades later than he expected.<\/p>\n

By the Numbers<\/strong><\/p>\n

A few facts on George Orwell’s 1984<\/em>:<\/p>\n

1949<\/strong><\/span><\/span> Year Orwell published the novel.<\/p>\n

65<\/strong><\/span><\/span> Languages the book has been printed in.<\/p>\n

4<\/strong><\/span><\/span> In the novel, the number of Ministries that the superstate of Oceania uses to control the population. (Peace, Plenty, Love and Truth.)<\/p>\n

7<\/strong><\/span><\/span> 1984<\/em>‘s sales multiple after the emergence of the NSA spy scandal in 2013.<\/p>\n

6<\/strong><\/span><\/span> 1984<\/em>‘s rank on the Modern Library 100 Best Novels list.<\/p>\n

1980<\/strong><\/span><\/span> The book’s original title. Orwell then changed the title to 1982<\/em>, before finally settling on 1984<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Source: Wikipedia<\/em><\/p>\n

The Question of the Week<\/strong><\/p>\n

[poll id=\"6\"]<\/code><\/p>\n

Last Week’s Poll Result<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you could choose your birthday, which month would it be in?<\/p>\n