{"id":42170,"date":"2017-04-01T05:15:24","date_gmt":"2017-04-01T12:15:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lenpenzo.com\/blog\/?p=42170"},"modified":"2020-04-12T09:15:25","modified_gmt":"2020-04-12T16:15:25","slug":"black-coffee-1-april-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lenpenzo.com\/blog\/id42170-black-coffee-1-april-2017.html","title":{"rendered":"Black Coffee: Pass the Cream and Sugar"},"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

A new month is upon us, so let’s get started …<\/p>\n

To be is to do.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

— Socrates<\/strong><\/p>\n

To do is to be.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

— Jean-Paul Sartre<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do be do be do.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

— Frank Sinatra<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> The Venezuelan economy is now in the terminal stages of a death spiral<\/a>. In fact, societal collapse may<\/em> be just around the corner. But don’t be fooled: It’s pure coincidence that the nation’s descent into the abyss increased as soon as it began doubling down on its draconian efforts to kill capitalism once and for all.<\/p>\n

Credit:<\/strong><\/span> Clearly, socialism isn’t to blame<\/a> for Venezuela’s troubles. No, the real<\/em> problem is that socialism simply isn’t being implemented correctly<\/a> there. Then again, how could it be? After all, President Nicolas Maduro’s true expertise is centered around driving buses — not guiding the people’s revolution. Forward!<\/p>\n

Credit:<\/strong><\/span> Forget fighting for a “living wage<\/a>” — it’s time for a guaranteed minimum income for all — regardless of people’s employment situation. Don’t scoff. Leading economists and respected climate change scientists agree: A guaranteed universal minimum income provides economic security for everyone<\/a>. I just wish somebody would have thought of this 30 years ago.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> If the US became more forward thinking<\/a>, there’s no limit to the number illegal immigrants the economy could absorb. Yes, even as the great majority of their employment opportunities rapidly go the way of the dodo, thanks to advances in technology and automation.<\/p>\n

Credit:<\/strong><\/span> I know what you’re thinking: But, Len, who’s going to pay for all of this?<\/em> It’s a stupid question. Yes, the US is $20 trillion in debt — but that’s only a number. The truth is, the National Debt is irrelevant because, as The Street’s Mike Norman observes, “(The dollar) is nothing more than a tax credit<\/a>.” Well … duh!<\/p>\n

Credit:<\/strong><\/span> Of course, although highly unlikely, there’s always a minuscule chance that Mike Norman could<\/em> be wrong. Fortunately, if we really can<\/em> rack up too much debt, Microsoft founder Bill Gates assures us<\/a> that the robots he’s building to replace the human workforce will pay enough taxes to keep the Utopian dream alive. See? It’s all good, people.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> Frankly, with so many leading economists, forward thinkers, computer geeks, and other smart guys assuring us that Utopia is finally within our grasp, it makes me wonder how there can be so many International Monetary System deniers, annoying gold bugs<\/a>, Chicken Littles, financial idiots, and other flat-earthers still worried about hyperinflation and the demise of the dollar. Losers.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> The truth is, hysterical people who insist on holding gold and silver as wealth insurance<\/a> are wasting their hard-earned money; it’s settled economic science. The Wall Street Journal admitted as much when they called gold nothing more than a pet rock<\/a>. (Psst. There’s a reason why paper beats rock in Rochambeau<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Credit:<\/strong><\/span> Besides, who needs gold — or<\/em> silver — when Farmville Cash is the latest crypto-currency darling<\/a> in town? Uh huh. Suddenly, canceling my Farmville account way back in 2010 doesn’t seem like such a good idea anymore.<\/p>\n

Credit:<\/strong><\/span> Hey … If you’re going to dabble in alternative currencies, maybe it’s time to consider something that’s financially stable, like bitcoin. I know — the folks at Investopedia point out the exact opposite<\/a> … but you don’t believe everything you read on the Internet — or do you?<\/p>\n

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

Have you ever robbed a bank?<\/p>\n