Global shortages. What should you stock up with?

[Paul A]

@Paulo Mesquita

Is everything back to normal now in Portugal?

[LanghamP]

19 hours ago, Paul A said:

Not sure people from the cities are going to get so desperate that they have to flee cities and try to over run rural towns to survive.

Urban high tech people regularly overrun rural people, as both the historical and the modern record show, and they successfully do so without fail. While the popular view is a bunch of crazed and starving urban zombies try to take over the surrounding countryside, the actual view is rural people are gradually displaced by tax action liens, 2nd mortgage foreclosures, corrupt and forged documentation, and good old fashion ambushes.

For instance, Bill Gates is the largest land owner, by area, in the United States. What is less well known is that almost all his holdings were bought via tax lien auctions and mortgage foreclosures. That's just one example of an agrarian society being taken over. More recent examples would be the utter annihilation of black farmers in the 20th century via provence laws...you had to prove uninterrupted progeny to the original 1865-1880 land owners. Past examples include rural Roman farmers getting into debt because they couldn't compete with slave labor, Jewish people being legislated from owning property, native plains Americans (as rural as could be conceived) having their land taken via treaties and bison destruction, and Rwandians suffering from good old fashion ambushes. I'd also include black and Hispanic neighborhoods being turned out via eminent domain, but those aren't rural.

 

The urban guy who takes your land and turns you out won't even give you the courtesy of showing up at your doorstep; he'll send his henchmen to do his bidding.

In my opinion, while emergency preparation is absolutely necessary, for the long term being educated, being urban, and having a lot of resources and social group of like minded people is far safer than being the wild eyed survivalist with freeze dried food. You'll be legally kicked out long before society collapses. And if you insist on being a survivalist, my opinion is to concentrate almost all your resources to ensuring your home and land is flood and fire resistant. Floods are the number one casualty claim these days.

[Paulo Mesquita]

1 hour ago, Paul A said:

@Paulo Mesquita

Is everything back to normal now in Portugal?

If back to normal means about covid, then yes. 85% of the population is filly vaccinated and the cases are very low. 

If you're! mentioning immigration, we'll in 10 people trying to move to Portugal... 6 or 7 are from the USA 😁😁. 

I'm currently finding golden visa properties for que a few USA clients. 

[Paul A]

Bill Gates is largest owner of private farm land, approximately 269k acres.

There is an estimated 911 million acres of farmland in the USA.

Deseret Ranches is the biggest cattle ranch in America. The farm belongs to The Mormon Church in Florida, covering about 300,000 acres of land, over the Brevard, Orange, and Osceola Counties.

269k acres out of 911 million acres needs to be in context, 0.03%, ie: three hundredths of one percent.

 

Why is Bill Gates buying all the farmland?

Why are you buying so much farmland?” posed by one Reddit user.

Gates indicated that seed science and biofuel development were major drivers of the acquisitions.

“My investment group chose to do this. ... It is unclear how cheap biofuels can be but if they are cheap it can solve the aviation and truck emissions.”

 

Not sure urban high tech people are regularly over running rural people.

There are better investment and higher returns than rural land, no disrespect or offense intended.

[Paul A]

Thanks for the update Paulo.

Saw reports of Portugal covid fatalities.

7 day average of less than eight a day for the last two weeks.

Great result.

Hope this eases peoples' concerns of vaccine efficacy and safety.

Edited October 17, 2021 by Paul A
apostrophe placement

[LanghamP]

2 hours ago, Paul A said:

Not sure urban high tech people are regularly over running rural people.

I was referring to how land wealth is transferred, not to the particulars of the reasons land it transferred.

Rural people have zero success in keeping their land, because laws are made so they lose that land...every single time. Think indigenous people living in Brazil. If you want a more recent example, think of the 1980's farm crash where more than a 1/3 of farms were in serious trouble. 

There seems to be a pattern, dating back thousands of years, by which urban areas are swarmed by displaced farmers. These farms were acquired by rich and powerful families. You could almost replace farms with any business these days, and you'd have the same thing.

[Paul A]

The issue might be better described as inequality of wealth distribution

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealth_inequality_in_the_United_States

Wealth inequality in the United States

Wealth inequality in the United States, also known as the wealth gap,^[2] is the unequal distribution of assets among residents of the United States.

As of Q3 2019, the top 10% of households held 70% of the country's wealth, while the bottom 50% held 2%.^[4]

 

Federal Reserve data indicates that from 1989 to 2019, wealth became increasingly concentrated in the top 1% and top 10% due in large part to corporate stock ownership concentration in those segments of the population; the bottom 50% own little if any corporate stock.^[6] 

 

The gap between the wealth of the top 10% and that of the middle class is over 1,000%; that increases another 1,000% for the top 1%.

 

[UniBlab]

 

[RockyTop]

 I thought litter boxes were for city cats. Our cats have always meowed at the door to go out.  

[RockyTop]

4 hours ago, Paul A said:

As of Q3 2019, the top 10% of households held 70% of the country's wealth, while the bottom 50% held 2%.^[4]

So ….. An ambitious multi millionaire investing millions (everything) into his business while living out of his $10,000 dollar van, owning no other property, working every hour he is awake and employing 50 people, eventually losing everything to new socialist laws lives better than his 6 figure employees that rent everything, vacation monthly and own nothing. 

The numbers can be misleading. 

[UniBlab]

4 hours ago, Paul A said:

As of Q3 2019, the top 10% of households held 70% of the country's wealth, while the bottom 50% held 2%.^[4]

 

Also: Top 10% Paid 71% of Federal Income Taxes, Bottom 50% Paid 2.8% [1]

[Paul A]

The wealth is in owning company stock.

[LanghamP]

13 hours ago, UniBlab said:

Also: Top 10% Paid 71% of Federal Income Taxes, Bottom 50% Paid 2.8% [1]

Most people don't pay any Federal income taxes whatsoever, and a little less than half of people even pay state income taxes. 

Does that mean they don't pay taxes? No. The bottom 50% pays a shockingly high tax rate because they are salaried or they are hourly employees, and so they pay social security and Medicare...which isn't necessarily bad since they should get that money back later in their life...if they survive.

That's not the problem here. The problem isn't the top 10%. It's the top .1%. By taking out loans against their holdings, they pay no taxes whatsoever, and when they die their holdings go to their children without ever paying taxes. This "ladder up" tax loophole, perfectly legal, is the primary method of generational wealth transfer. Most wealth, notwithstanding entrepreneur exceptions, is generational. If you've heard the term "old money" then it's that cultural, social, and financial stability that's generational and very very diverse.

Once you see that the bottom 90% (the poor) earns a fixed amount, and the top 1% earns a percentage return on investment, then the real problem becomes stark; the rich want inflation while the poor do not, because the rich can buy goods and services that the poor can no longer afford.

Societies and economists understand this, and to a certain extent very rich people such as Carnegie and Rockefeller, Soros and maybe even Bill Gates who all tries to close tax loopholes or gave away most of their money to true charities. If you tax the top 1% at below 15%, and the top .1% at zero, then pretty soon you have the situation of the biggest moneymakers paying the least amount of taxes, both absolute and relative.

What happens to a society that becomes bifurcated? Well, it becomes feudal. The US has great big walls with moats around rich neighborhoods, and urban assault vehicles (SUVs) to scare off the poor. The US is unique among first world countries, but not among third world countries, with its obsession with security. Big guns, big cars, and a weird (but enjoyable) obsession with zombies (the top viewing and running TV series is the Walking Dead, now a decade old).

[GothamMike]

I was asking this from an EUC persepctive. Hoard all the TP you need, I don't care. 

We already are seeing a global shortage of batteries, and items made from Petroleum.  

I have several pairs of wrist guards, knee&shin guards, and an extra helmet. I was thinking about selling my KS 18L, But I'm keeping it on standby, just in case.

[Paul A]

Accurate description of legal tax avoidance and inter generational wealth transfer.

Off shore tax havens, banking, holding/shell companies, forever unrealized capital gains.....myriad of options.

Mossack Fonseca, Wickenby, Pandora, etc...maybe not so much...

Edited October 18, 2021 by Paul A
typo

[Planemo]

22 hours ago, Paulo Mesquita said:

I'm currently finding golden visa properties for que a few USA clients. 

Whats 'Golden Visa'? I was having an intereresting chat with a good friend of mine (a UK ex pat living in Cyprus) who told me that recently a considerable sum of Russians were 'given' a Cypriot passport in exchange for a rather nice bag of coinage. The situation came to light and some very prominent government officials were promptly sacked. It turned out to be quite a large corruption scandal.

That said, the Russians were royally pissed off when Cyprus decided (overnight) to steal all funds over 100k euro from any bank account. A lot of Russians lost a lot of money over that. Must of been a brave man who made that decision, a Russian scares the fuck out of me at the best of times.

[Paul A]

Portugal Golden Visa.

Special treatment for foreigners that have a lot of money.

Think most countries have similar schemes to attract foreign investment with incentives.

_______________

 

https://www.portugalproperty.com/buying/golden-visas-portugal/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwtrSLBhCLARIsACh6Rmg8mtdJ8soQczzD6pjs1T2SJVCSt-6kUlmRvmTkPMtpeZMfz7wpW9IaAvGqEALw_wcB

 

Webpage of Berkshire Hathaway gives a good description of Portugal's Golden Visa.

 

Golden Visa Portugal - Golden Residence Permit

Since 9 October 2012, foreign citizens wishing to enter and reside in Portugal have been able to do so under a Golden Visa/Golden Residence Permit rule. It is a fast track for foreign investors from non-EU countries to obtain a fully valid residency permit in Portugal (“Golden Visa”).

Third country citizens attempting residency under the same laws were subject to vague regulations. As of October 2012, the acquisition of an immovable Portugal asset entitles those individuals to a residency title.

Various investment methods and levels of investment will grant legalisation to foreign citizens from origin countries that are not European Union members:

1. Produce an investment operation with an operating period of at least five years and a minimum acquisition amount of € 500,000.
2. Acquisition of property above € 350,000 or properties more than 30 years old or located in areas of urban renovation or regeneration zones.
3. Transfer at least €1 million euro to a Portuguese Bank account.
4. Transfer of Funds above € 350,000 for research activities.
5. Transfer of Funds above € 250,000 for artistic or cultural activities.
6. Transfer of Funds above € 500,000 for capitalization of small and medium size companies.
7. Incorporate or create a company that will generate at least 10 new job positions.

 

 

[Paul A]

USA has a fast tracked pathway for investors to obtain a green card.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/andyjsemotiuk/2021/07/30/seven-ways-to-get-your-green-card-in-the-united-states/?sh=59416472487c

July 30, 2021

EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program

Invest Your Way In

The EB-5 direct investor program currently enables investor immigrants to get green cards by investing as little as $ 500,000 in their businesses, provided they create ten new jobs. This opportunity is temporary and is likely to close by the end of the year with the amount required likely to go up to $ 900,000 as it was before. A regional center variation of this program is currently closed and awaiting reopening by Congress.

[Tawpie]

49 minutes ago, GothamMike said:

I was asking this from an EUC persepctive.

A good stock of patience? I fully expect it'll take longer to get everything wheel related if it's not already sitting on a shelf somewhere, but I don't have a cache of spare parts. With two fully functional wheels and a third on pre-order I hope I'm set to keep myself entertained for a good long while. I have a set of gear for summer and another complete getup for winter so have plenty of "spares" in that category. No tubes or tires though, it might be a good idea to close that gap... at least get spare tubes.

[LanghamP]

4 hours ago, Paul A said:

Accurate description of legal tax avoidance and inter generational wealth transfer.

Off shore tax havens, banking, holding/shell companies, forever unrealized capital gains.....myriad of options.

Mossack Fonseca, Wickenby, Pandora, etc...maybe not so much...

95% of US corporations are pass-through corporations. This allows corporations to avoid paying corporate taxes while paying the much higher rate of individual income taxes. In practice, pass-through corporations pay neither corporate nor individual taxes nor payroll taxes. When we say a millionaire or whatever works hard for his money by making his own business, then in practice we allow him to limit his personal liability while usually being taxed at the lowest rate of all. 

https://www.brookings.edu/research/9-facts-about-pass-through-businesses/

 

[Paul A]

Perhaps pass through to a company incorporated in low or tax free haven.

 

Think Apple makes use of payment for licensing of  intellectual property to funnel funds out of US to tax free havens.  

[GothamMike]

4 hours ago, Planemo said:

Whats 'Golden Visa'? I was having an intereresting chat with a good friend of mine (a UK ex pat living in Cyprus) who told me that recently a considerable sum of Russians were 'given' a Cypriot passport in exchange for a rather nice bag of coinage. The situation came to light and some very prominent government officials were promptly sacked. It turned out to be quite a large corruption scandal.

That said, the Russians were royally pissed off when Cyprus decided (overnight) to steal all funds over 100k euro from any bank account. A lot of Russians lost a lot of money over that. Must of been a brave man who made that decision, a Russian scares the fuck out of me at the best of times.

Greedy Bureaucrats are never scared when it comes to taking your money.

[GothamMike]

22 minutes ago, Paul A said:

Perhaps pass through to a company incorporated in low or tax free haven.

 

Think Apple makes use of payment for licensing of  intellectual property to funnel funds out of US to tax free havens.  

Ireland was forced to raise corporate taxes to 15%. 

[Planemo]

On 10/18/2021 at 4:06 PM, Paul A said:

Portugal Golden Visa.

Special treatment for foreigners that have a lot of money.

Think most countries have similar schemes to attract foreign investment with incentives.

_______________

 

https://www.portugalproperty.com/buying/golden-visas-portugal/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwtrSLBhCLARIsACh6Rmg8mtdJ8soQczzD6pjs1T2SJVCSt-6kUlmRvmTkPMtpeZMfz7wpW9IaAvGqEALw_wcB

 

Webpage of Berkshire Hathaway gives a good description of Portugal's Golden Visa.

 

Golden Visa Portugal - Golden Residence Permit

Since 9 October 2012, foreign citizens wishing to enter and reside in Portugal have been able to do so under a Golden Visa/Golden Residence Permit rule. It is a fast track for foreign investors from non-EU countries to obtain a fully valid residency permit in Portugal (“Golden Visa”).

Third country citizens attempting residency under the same laws were subject to vague regulations. As of October 2012, the acquisition of an immovable Portugal asset entitles those individuals to a residency title.

Various investment methods and levels of investment will grant legalisation to foreign citizens from origin countries that are not European Union members:

1. Produce an investment operation with an operating period of at least five years and a minimum acquisition amount of € 500,000.
2. Acquisition of property above € 350,000 or properties more than 30 years old or located in areas of urban renovation or regeneration zones.
3. Transfer at least €1 million euro to a Portuguese Bank account.
4. Transfer of Funds above € 350,000 for research activities.
5. Transfer of Funds above € 250,000 for artistic or cultural activities.
6. Transfer of Funds above € 500,000 for capitalization of small and medium size companies.
7. Incorporate or create a company that will generate at least 10 new job positions.

 

 

Cheers for that, does sound similar to what happened in Cyprus, although from the conversation I had it seemed there was a lot more skullduggery involved. I suspect that it involved the funds not actually going to the Government coffers, and instead to the 'official' themselves..

I know that several went to jail.

[LanghamP]

I haven't noticed any shortages whatsoever. I have noticed prices have gone up about 5% though.