I would like to give you many more than just one point for this quote.

Jan

What nice visual metaphors!

Jan, small antibiotic

I find the concept of being over the cliff and simply waiting for how long it will take us to get to the bottom a good description of where i think we are.

I have not thought of it like that, but it fits.
Thanks

Best of luck. As others have said it is never an easy decision.

Probably my favorite speech or concept of the entire book.

It covers in explicit simpleness why we are falling apart at the seems. The system breads unprincipled people who change at the drop of a hat if that change will get them something more.

As my sister once said to me "there is no right or wrong, just differences of opinion" when backed into a corner in an argument. So to do people simply stop and have nothing rational to say against the money speech.

It can be applied to so many principles and reveals just how corrupted our society has become.

The government is working toward taking any escape funds we might have. I recently cashed some CDs at Chase, and was forced to put the money in their checking account, not receive a cashier's check. Now, I do not trust Chase, especially since I know the government is monitoring our cash movement, esp. at such large banks. They are even tracking how much saving we have. Now, to get money from your checking account, you have to be very careful, or government agents, as mentioned by Fox's Megan Kelly this week, might burst into your house in the middle of the night and seize your assets, no warrant. Anything over $5,000 goes on a government form, and might bring those agents. There is no quick escape if you intend to have cash, as Big Brother is monitoring us all. They should monitor drug dealers and terrorists so well. 0h, we are the only terrorists Obama recognizes as such.

I immediately understood what AR meant when I first read Frisco's speech as a 20 year old. Later when I re-read AS as a physician, Dr. Hendrick's speech hit home. Now, toward the latter 20% of my career, I see society moving full on into the looter mentality mode, and realize that for me a shrug is not only required, but is also somewhat of a moral obligation. Now, on to making that happen, there's the sticky part. But I've taken the first few steps, and it is getting easier...

I agree, this forum is one of the most promising points out there along with the educational efforts of the Ayn Rand Institute, the Atlas Society and what appears to be a growing number of others. It is absolutely an uphill battle but I don't think it is a question of "can it be won?". I think it has to be won. All the "blame the US" hardcases aside, the U.S. is still the major stabilizing force in the world. Without the US, I don't know if anywhere is safe.

Asking what is the root of money is probably enough to get most people shook up.

Another AS quote that comes to mind is Francisco's words, "So you think that money is the root of all evil? Have you ever asked what is the root of money.......?" He then goes on to explain the concept of value for value, morality, hard work, production, etc. I always use this when I read or hear someone use that expression, "Money is the Root of All Evil." By asking them what is the root of all money, you have ample opportunity to explain the benefits and moral issues that are the basis of capitalism. This usually leaves most folks scratching their heads, as if some enlightenment finally made its way into their brains and is causing a slight itch.

Ayn Rand.

Chilling

Who is the author of that quote?

Precisely why he concludes we should all be strapping on parachutes right now.

Well there is a list of 3 things that will never happen. I think the Fed honestly believes they can "manage" the economy. If the fed was right the economy should be booming right now.

Wish I could say you are wrong but I fear you are spot on.

I am afraid it is too late. That is not to say things will stop tomorrow, but that it is too late to turn things around. There are still top notch people around but there are too few of them and apathy reigns supreme among the multitudes.

Nope. He says we're already off the cliff and that it's only a matter of time until we hit bottom. If you get the special version of his book, it includes an extra chapter about how to prepare for the aftermath, but I haven't been able to read it yet as it's not the published version being offered to the public.

Basically, he said one of the major problems was the Fed (big surprise) because they are insanely leveraged (debt to equity) due to money printing and fiat currency. Another major one is the international pullback on buying US debt and the decreasing importance of the petro-dollar. This severely undermines the value of the dollar on the open market. There's a lot more of course, but I'd suggest the book to anyone who wants to see really how bad things are.

In order to avoid the collapse, it would take the following:
1) the Fed would have to reduce it's debt load (debt-to-equity) ratio. That means pulling all its monetary holdings not in use back out of the money supply. In short, the federal government has to stop spending money and make a sincere and sustained effort to pay down its debt.
2) interest rates have to go up. We have to reward saving.
3) we have to repeal all the job-killing government burdens like Obamacare.

It was the right decision...right.

I watch AS and don't know whether to laugh or cry because it is so prophetic. My Dad, myself and now my son are all AS devotee's. I do know this, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of an needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. It make JG's oath even more endearing. It's so funny to me that people who have not read the book have said it is evil and against the teachings of Christ. I tell them, why don't you shut up and read it. You will find it is exactly in line with his teachings. Our country is Morally and Ethically bankrupt, And the bacterium (the Fed, Banks, CPACs etc.) have been using the nutrients in the Agar (middle class). What goes around will eventually come around. Whether I see it or not I don't know...I myself will do a Wyatt's torch before they find me!

I keep waiting for one of these stand offs to escalate. That could be a turning point.

You brought to mind one of my favorite quotes:
“We can ignore reality, but we cannot ignore the consequences of ignoring reality.”

Hopefully we can wake up enough people to make a difference.

Gamblers also.

I completely understand. We were able to walk away with some of what we built. That made the decision easier. However, it was still difficult. We left family and friends, a larger business, our home. it was not a decision made lightly.