Our small contribution to national harmony

[Bill Bonner’s Diary]( Our Small Contribution to National Harmony By Bill Bonner Friday, May 1, 2020 – Week 7 of the Quarantine [Bill Bonner] CALCHAQUI VALLEY, ARGENTINA – Yesterday, we began replying to readers’ complaints. We’re doing so in a calm, adult manner… our small contribution to civic enlightenment and national harmony. Here’s Charles H. with a common gripe: He’s troubled that we don’t stick around the USA and help fix the problems… Instead of complaining about what’s wrong with Washington and the current administration, why don’t you run for office and make positive changes to make the world a better place? Instead, you’re holed up in your retreat and continuing the bashing of administration policies in America. Gene S. makes a similar point: It’s easy to stand on the sidelines as a critic. What is President Bill Bonner’s FIX for this multi-complex problem that we’re in? We appreciate the confidence Charles shows in our ability to solve problems. But long-term Diary sufferers know it is misplaced… Recommended Link [Imminent FDA Approval Could Send This Tiny Biotech Soaring]( [image]( As the ultimate gatekeeper in the drug approval process, the FDA has the power to drive share prices through the roof. Here are just a few recent examples we’ve identified: - Agios Pharmaceuticals: +740% - MyoKardia: +884% - G1 Therapeutics: +442% - Regenxbio: +894% - Clovis Oncology: +585% - Karuna Therapeutics: +629% - Amarin: +733% - Agile Therapeutics: +1,086% Right now [this tiny biotech stock]( is next in line for FDA approval. The big announcement is due in the third quarter – possibly as soon as July 1st. So there are literally days left to act. [Click here before it’s too late]( -- A Better Place We have enough trouble trying to figure out how to run a cattle ranch… or how to help our children… or even, how to understand Federal Reserve policy in the age of the coronavirus. Isn’t it asking a lot from a free publication – not only to correctly identify national problems… but to solve them, too? Besides, we don’t think it works that way. The world is made a better place simply by each doing our own work as well as possible… providing others with real goods and services, and by looking out for those around us as best we can. As Johann Wolfgang von Goethe put it, “Let everyone sweep in front of his own door, and the whole world will be clean.” We keep busy with our own broom. By contrast, do the office seekers and grandstanders – Donald Trump, Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden et al. – make the world a better place? They create no wealth, so every “benefit” they give to some must come at the expense of others. [In an era of disease, this “new cure” could be one of the most powerful medical technologies of our time.]( As for their insights and analyses, they are far too busy raising campaign funds (from lobbyists and cronies)… and mugging for the cameras… to have any worth repeating. And their policies? People who insist that you follow their ideas are always those whose ideas are idiotic. Typically, they are big… and dumb, appealing to the masses’ desire for glory, larceny, and security. But let’s look at the companion critique, that there is something vaguely unpatriotic, frivolous, or treasonous about living overseas… Recommended Link [Take a good look at this dollar bill…]( [image]( Because this could be the last time you see one… Due to radical changes to our financial system taking root. Top lawmakers just returned from a private meeting on Capitol Hill… And frankly, it’s shocking the mainstream media hasn’t picked up on this yet. But you can get all the details you need to prepare for this massive change – as well as profit from it … [By learning the full story here]( -- Simple Life Richard G. writes: A life of luxury in an elegant hacienda in Argentina is easier than a life in a high rise in Manhattan. That is, until the mestizo banditos come storming the glass castle, at which time the stone-thrower will come running back to seek shelter and aid from the very system that made his glass castle possible. It is easy to be an “armchair general” or a “Monday morning quarterback” while enjoying a life of luxury. None of us should ever forget Theodore Roosevelt’s seminal speech, “The Man in the Arena.” He’s certainly wrong about the luxury point… and the danger. Here, we have no heating, other than fireplaces… nobody delivers food to our door… no Starbucks within a 16-hour drive… no TV… no radio… no AC… no panhandlers… no malls. [Amazing 17-second Video Reveals Key to Tech Fortune…]( Our water comes from a spring. It’s heated by the sun. And, often, we have to walk a mile… and cross a footbridge… to get to the outside world. Is that more luxurious than a Manhattan condo? Our only luxury here is Inez. She comes over every day and helps with the housework. With just the two of us here (your editor and Elizabeth), there’s not really much to do, but it’s nice to have her around. And at today’s statutory rate – 22,000 pesos per month, or about $195 U.S. on the black market – full time household help costs us less than parking in Baltimore. We’re grateful for the help and Inez is happy to have some income. [image]Inez on the right As for the mestizo banditos, we appreciate Richard’s concern for our safety. But we lived most of our lives in the center of Baltimore. However dangerous Richard imagines the local desperadoes… he might want to take a walk around Baltimore for comparison. The Man in the Arena Finally, we picked up Roosevelt’s speech. The essential part we reprint here: It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. Roosevelt is one of the saddest figures in White House history. Born rich, he never had an honest job in his entire life. And he never added a penny to the world’s wealth. In his speech – given at the Sorbonne in Paris – he lauds the risk taker… the doer… the striver… and achiever. Yet his own big achievements were amateurish… lethal… and most came at someone else’s expense. In his hand-tailored uniforms, with his own private army of dreamers, schemers, and vainglorious world improvers, he was the picture of the warmongering martinet. It was he who was largely responsible for getting the U.S. into two completely pointless wars – the Spanish American War and WWI – at a cost of 120,000 dead Americans… and millions of dead Spaniards, Cubans, Filipinos, Germans, and French. Among the victims, as if the gods were teaching him a lesson, was Kermit, his own son. Of course, the old Blunderbuss didn’t like critics. They didn’t just point out his conceit, how “the strong man stumbles,” as he puts it. They told him what a clownish jackass he was. And by the way, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, and Eisenhower all lived overseas; we doubt it harmed them, or the nation. Recommended Link [See What this Millionaire Did on the Streets of Denver]( [image]( Tell-all video reveals shocking details of a major investigation. It will affect over 300 million Americans. [Click here to watch it]( -- Sensible Care Tim B. takes a shot from a different angle. He’s worried about our health: Hope you don’t need a doctor. Oops, did you think about that? Or, maybe you don’t care. Anyway, why are we listening to someone who doesn’t have a good plan for anyone’s future… or even your own? Tim should get out more. There are doctors here, too. Except for those at the very top end, they take the same courses as U.S. sawbones and they have the same tools. They just don’t charge as much. When we thought we were having a heart attack a few years ago, we found their care very sensible. Fearing that the altitude up at the ranch had put a strain on our heart, the local MD gave this advice: “Well, don’t go up there.” Later, we went to Johns Hopkins’ cardiac unit in Baltimore. Their advice was to take beta-blockers and other patent medicines with uncertain upside and a long list of side effects. We decided to go with the Argentine’s advice. That’s why we spend most of our time down in the valley, rather than up at the ranch. We’ll let you know how it works out. But probably the most frequent, and most emphatic, criticism we’ve gotten over the last three years concerns our views on Donald J. Trump. The reality TV star really seems to stir up emotions, pro and con. Some readers are annoyed with us because they think we like him. Others are cheesed off because they think we don’t. Tune in Monday… to find out the real story… Regards, [signature] Bill Like what you’re reading? Send your thoughts to feedback@rogueeconomics.com. FEATURED READS [Airlines Now Require Face Masks on U.S. Flights]( you’re planning to fly in the U.S. anytime soon, you may be required to wear a mask on your flight. More and more, domestic airlines are instituting new protocols that could impact your journey… [Spend Your Coronavirus “Relief Check” on Gold]( you are able to pay all of your bills and your immediate needs are met, you might think about using your stimulus check to buy gold. Bill’s colleague Chris Lowe issued the suggestion last week when the Federal Reserve began mailing checks… MAILBAG Dear Readers share conflicting ideas about the coronavirus… With freedom usually comes responsibilities. And the Constitution’s benefits do not exclude the fat, diabetic, or infirm vulnerable. Responsibilities include not yelling fire in that crowded theatre and not harming some for others’ “convenience.” Although it limits freedom to an extent, with the above in mind, why not insist that everyone just wear face masks when they interact with other people, and “open” up America accordingly? – Len S. The only thing I disagree with is when you state that the most at risk are “a very narrow segment of the population – the old, the fat, the diabetic, and those with heart/lung conditions.” Have you looked at Americans lately? Almost three-quarters of them are “fat” (overweight and obese: 71.6%, obese 39.8%); and many of them are also hypertensive (the most common comorbidity in Americans hospitalized with COVID-19 in 14 states), diabetic, and with coronary heart disease. So basically, Americans’ poor personal health is contributing to the financial poor health of the nation. It’s a sad state of affairs when the non-fat people are actually the “very narrow segment of the population.” – Tracey T. As a retired physician with 31 years of clinical experience, I’d have to say that I am far more concerned about the long-term consequences of power-grabbing by authorities than the short-term problems of an infectious agent. I wrote a somewhat-critical letter to Jeff Brown several weeks ago when he initially used data from Iceland to claim that the virus was much more widespread and less lethal than being reported. I was wrong and he was right. It is a critical factor, which has been ignored by those most knowledgeable of epidemiology. For a virus that is exceptionally contagious, especially because many people who carry it have no symptoms, the need for testing broadly was absolutely necessary. Thus, the key factor in the bumbling response of our governmental agencies is the delay in testing, and the restrictions on allowing the marketplace to “do its thing” in rapidly creating those testing kits. I have isolated myself because of my age, in spite of my relative health and lack of risk factors. But to shut down the entire economy is ridiculous, especially since so many people who have the virus have no illness at all. It is simply another example that the desire for authority by many bureaucrats has outweighed the most basic principles of epidemiology, and the principles of freedom in our society. Thank you for all you do. I appreciate your writings. – Robin D. Meanwhile, other Dear Readers offer praise for Bill’s insights… I thank Bill Bonner for his wit, humor, humility, and erudition. All of the aforesaid and especially the last. How many of his critics simply spout emotional (and thoughtless) statements? In this PC world, I am endlessly grateful to Bill Bonner for his irreverent, humorous, and restrained (this is not a typo) commentary. Bill is one of a kind, sorely needed in today’s world. – Susan H. No more than anyone else; we all have our quirks. I, for one, agree with Bill’s take on our current situation and look forward to reading his articles. Those in charge and those on camera live in a different reality than most of us, and they cannot relate to the situation we are in. In fact, they are horrified by the way we live. They are trying to placate us by offering up a “stimulus” payment and then they debate how long $1200 should last us. They should try it. As a new investor, even I can see how the markets are being manipulated so that they can all cash out before everything crashes down. I hate to admit it, but this time, I am along for the ride. It beats starving. Please keep writing exactly as you do. Remember there is always that one guy/gal trying to crash your party. Pay them no mind. – Lori H. Is testing the key factor in reopening the economy after COVID-19, as Robin states? Are those in charge living a different reality than most other Americans, like Susan says? Write us at feedback@rogueeconomics.com. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT… [Did You Fall for this JUNK?]( What a load of junk! Last year’s “big” IPOs – like Uber, Pinterest, and Lyft – all sank like stones… In fact, Lyft alone is down by almost 75%. Thankfully, America’s most successful angel investor is stepping up to the plate. He’s sharing a secret class of IPOs that are 100 to 300x smaller than overhyped stocks like Uber, Lyft, and Pinterest. [You can see all the details HERE.]( [image]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Get Instant Access Click to read these free reports and automatically sign up for daily research. [image]( [The Ultimate Guide to Taking Back Your Privacy]( [image]( [The Three Best Gold Coin Deals on the Market Today]( [image]( [The Trader’s Guide to Technical Analysis]( [Bonner and Partners]( Rogue Economics 55 NE 5th Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33483 [Share]( [FACEBOOK]( [Tweet]( [TWITTER]( To ensure our emails continue reaching your inbox, please [add our email address]( to your address book. This editorial email containing advertisements was sent to {EMAIL} because you subscribed to this service. To stop receiving these emails, click [here](. Rogue Economics welcomes your feedback and questions. But please note: The law prohibits us from giving personalized advice. To contact Customer Service, call toll free Domestic/International: 1-800-681-1765, Mon–Fri, 9am–7pm ET, or email us [here](mailto:contactus@bonnerandpartners.com). © 2020 Bonner & Partners, LLC. All rights reserved. Any reproduction, copying, or redistribution of our content, in whole or in part, is prohibited without written permission from Bonner & Partners, LLC. [Privacy Policy]( | [Terms of Use](