By Timothy D. Naegele[1]
Is a maelstrom headed our way, the likes of which most Americans have never experienced in their lifetimes—or even close to it—unless they are or have been homeless?[2] Are the United States and other countries heading toward far worse than the “Great Recession” of 2007-2009[3], and something approaching the Great Depression of the 1930s, coupled with World War III?[4]
Are these the “gifts” that Joe Biden, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping are bequeathing to the world? Like Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Mao Tse-tung, will this be their legacy[5], especially after China launched the deadly Coronavirus pandemic that has hurt so many, physically, economically and psychologically, and weakened the West? Again, Americans may not have any earthly idea what is heading their way, much less how to cope with it.
The Middle East, much of Africa and other parts of the world have lived with wars, abject poverty and hopelessness far more than most Americans have, even recent immigrants to our great nation. But nothing can prepare anyone for a convergence of the Great Depression II and World War III. It is unfathomable, as it should be. Where is God in the midst of so much suffering and chaos, which is a fair and reasonable question to ask?[6]
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© 2022, Timothy D. Naegele_____
[1] Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the United States Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass). See, e.g., Timothy D. Naegele Resume-21-8-6 and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/accomplishments/ He has an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon, where he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal (see, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commendation_Medal#Joint_Service). Mr. Naegele is an Independent politically; and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. He has written extensively over the years (see, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/articles/ and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/articles/), and studied photography with Ansel Adams. He can be contacted directly at tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com
[2] See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2020/07/09/homelessness-in-america/ (“Homelessness In America”)
[3] See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Recession (“Great Recession”)
[4] See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2022/06/12/world-war-iii/ (“World War III”)
[5] See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/06/the-silent-voices-of-stalin%e2%80%99s-soviet-holocaust-and-mao%e2%80%99s-chinese-holocaust/ (“The Silent Voices Of Stalin’s Soviet Holocaust And Mao’s Chinese Holocaust”)
[6] See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/12/what-and-where-is-god/ (“What And Where Is God?”)
NaegeleBlog 
TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES
“Tragic Consequences” is the title to Lt. Col Oliver North’s new book. As you can see by the cover, our problem is our values and how much we have changed from the old, traditional America. As the quality of our electorate and our leadership seems greatly reduced in recent years, the problems seem to get worse. A litmus issue would be abortion.
Renowned physician, Dr. Carl Menninger (Topeka, Kansas) once asked the provocative question to his patients: “Whatever happened to Sin?”
Beyond the Supreme Court brief leak, we have some large states further incentivizing abortion, such as California, as a matter of public policy. In fact, this coming Nov. California voters will have the opportunity to codify the “right to an abortion” as a constitutional amendment in order to make it permanent.
So, we are experiencing more and more “problems” both internally and externally: War (Ukraine), climate change (long-term droughts), plagues (Coronavirus), anti-fossil fuel policies, food shortages, high inflation, and abundance of money or more exactly, newly-printed money (MMT) . Personally, I think Oliver North is onto something but secularists won’t dare admit it. The old Catholic rhyme may be symbolically applicable: “There is no Hope without the Pope”. ( 20% of all Americans are said to be Catholics, based upon survey data ).
To make a real difference in our nation’s values we first need at least 33% of everybody to be on the same page and have the same traditional values that made our nation great; then get to work on it. (They need not all be Catholics either). We cannot MAGA with only one elected official, even if it’s the President. This did not succeed, as we are now experiencing (the hard way). Everything President Trump did except possibly Tax Reform has been undone by President Joe Biden.
As long as the FED is raising interest rates, only two investment classes are truly secure or relatively “safe”: The U.S. Dollar (Treasuries) and Gold. Everything else, except possibly energy is being repriced down. All household expenses are increasing and (real) wages or income after inflation are declining, as well. At this rate, there may be no middle class left in a couple more years.
However, If the FED reverses policy later this year or next year then financial and real assets including gold may do a moonshot, then collapse later and bring-on a Global Great Depression II. So, our culture is constantly changing and so is our financials. It’s chaos, at least on the surface. So, either we figure out what the “basics” are and get back to them ASAP, or we may become “toast”. ( WWIII). It’s always a collective “choice” and leaving it up to chance is risky business indeed.
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Thank you as always, Craig.
With luck and the Grace of God, November’s elections may be a real comeuppance for the Democrats. And yes, lots of us began as Democrats, but will never vote for one again.
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TIM, Have you heard of the “Optimist Club” ? Lets join together. RCS
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The Great Schultz. Your pearls of wisdom are always appreciated.
Tragically, Joe Biden and his administration have been on the wrong side of almost every issue; and they are desperately seeking to deflect blame before a possible electoral bloodbath in November.
The Fed is “at sea,” having let things get out of control. And both Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping have sensed “blood in the water” since Biden was “elected,” and are moving to exploit the absence of leadership in the United States.
Is this a colossal recipe for disaster, both here at home and globally? Time will tell for certain. But far worse than the “Great Recession” may be coming. And like skilled chess players, Putin and Xi are moving globally.
See, e.g., https://www.zerohedge.com/personal-finance/us-housing-starts-permits-collapse-may (“US Housing Starts, Permits Collapse In May”) and https://www.dickmorris.com/how-to-stop-china-from-attacking-taiwan-lunch-alert/ (“How To Stop China From Attacking Taiwan”) and https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/we-are-teetering-edge-food-shortage-worries-mount-pa-farms-crushed-record-diesel-prices (“”We Are Teetering On The Edge”: Food Shortage Worries Mount As PA Farms “Crushed” By Record Diesel Prices”)
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CAN A REPUBLICAN MAJORITY “RISE TO THE OCCASION” ?
It took a long time (years) for America to arrive at its current position or circumstances. So, it makes (common) sense that we have our “work cut-out for us”, if we start now. Sure, I agree we can hope, but hope alone never fixed anything that was broken. That requires work and time. So, the longer we wait, the worse it gets and the longer it will take ( again, years) for any meaningful restoration to take place.
So, when Republicans win in Nov, they also need to have a “to do list” (a.k.a. Contract ) preformulated to guide their actions. The usual RHINO response can not just be: Tax Cuts. We need to take a harder look at the spending side this time around. Are Republicans really up to doing the unpopular or dishing out “tough love”? I have reasonable doubts they are up to the occasion. If not, we all lose and the trends (national decline) will continue on (Fall of Rome, v 2.0)
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Yes, Craig, as I have said here too many times to count:
See, e.g, https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2019/04/29/the-democrats-are-evil-but-smart-while-the-republicans-are-neanderthals-and-dumb/ (“The Democrats Are Evil But Smart, While The Republicans Are Neanderthals And Dumb”)
If the GOP wins in November, and wins big, will they squander the victory? After all, the Democrats have effectively destroyed what Donald Trump accomplished; and they have done so since January of last year.
And with the totally-bogus and partisan “January 6 Committee,” and their control of the media, they are trying to destroy Trump at every turn. The GOP has despicable RINOs like Mitt Romney and Liz Cheney, who are aiding them and must be jettisoned from the party.
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DO UTAH RESIDENTS LIKE RHINOS ?
Liz Cheney does not enjoy the support of most Wyoming Republican voters and will lose the primary this August, most likely. As for Senator Mitt Romney, Utah will reelect him because, surprisingly, many Blue States like Utah evidently like their RHINOS, as they have quite a few of them in-office, including their Governor.
So, for over 50% of Utah residents, whether you are a Mormon or not is the main issue. Nearly everything else in Utah politics is secondary. They like Mitt enough that no challenger has much of a chance. Utah was not wholly supportive of President Trump in 2016 either.
Will the Republicans hold hearings about the vagaries of the Nov. 2016 election and Hunter Biden scandals, among many possible issues to accentuate? If history is a guide, more likely than not, Yes. Other than Fox News viewers, does anyone care about these partisan political issues, especially in Red States like California? Probably NOT.
Will the Republicans attempt to impeach President Biden next year if they win big, as many anticipate? Maybe, if for no other reason than payback for Speaker Nancy Pelosi doing it to then President Trump. So, the coming Nov. elections really settle nothing much policy wise except to further divide a divided American electorate.
However, a Republican clean-sweep would render President Biden a true “Lame Duck” President for his final two years in office, if he lasts that long and does not resign before 2024. The Democrats want to discharge him at the first opportunity and may not back him for reelection, should he hang-on.
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Thank you, Craig. I agree with much that you have written above.
However, I have a long-time Mormon friend who splits her time between Malibu and the Salt Lake City area of Utah. She is politically-motivated now like I have never seen her before; and she is anti-Mitt.
Next, if the GOP wins in November and does so convincingly, it may be “payback time,” beginning with Joe and Hunter Biden. There should be enough “juice” there to tantalize a global audience.
Lastly, Kamala may get dumped too; and if so, it will be interesting whom the Dems choose as their standard bearer.
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Regarding the question: “Where is God in the midst of so much suffering and chaos, which is a fair and reasonable question to ask?”
Much could be said on this, but I’ll make it brief.
With comparatively few exceptions, we are a nation that has turned its back on God and His Word. As a nation that has been in rebellion against Him for decades, we are now reaping what we have sown. Countless individuals are also paying the penalty for their blasphemy, pride, idolatry, love of money, promiscuity, lies, adultery, drugs, alcohol abuse, etc. Everywhere one looks, human wreckage is prevalent.
For almost 50 years, the State has provided the legal protection for infanticide on a massive scale. 60 million + have been butchered on the altar called ‘choice.’ By the MILLIONS, American women (and men) live by this creed: have irresponsible promiscuous sex, get pregnant, kill the baby, move on to the next relationship. Abortion is the fruit of this anti-God activity and God hates all of it.
June has been designated to be a month in which to ‘celebrate’ a multitude of sinful life-style choices that God has declared, in His Word, to be an “abomination.” It doesn’t stop there; now this ‘rights’ movement is going after children in order to groom them into their perverted life-styles. America’s response? They’re by and large more concerned about how their favorite sports team is doing.
The real question should not be where is God in all of this, but rather, why hasn’t He FULLY dropped His righteous hand of judgment upon us? In my opinion, all of our rebellion against Him is what is bringing our calamities upon us!
History lists numerous societies, that have collapsed in rubble because they ‘sowed what they reaped.’ Our nation will not be an exception.
Much more could be said … I’ll stop here. Several Scriptures to ponder, as they relate to the above:
“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” – Psalm 9:17
“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”
– 14:34
What is true for individuals is also true for nations …
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” – Galatians 6:7
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Thank you as always, Ray, for your comments.
As you may recall, I am “outspoken” on this issue, certainly at times.
See, e.g.,
https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2022/05/08/the-abortion-farce/ (“The Abortion Farce”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2021/12/01/imagine-being-the-greatest-killers-in-history/ (“Imagine Being The Greatest Killers In History”)
I believe in God fervently, but might not do so today if I had not had essentially a “near-death” experience years ago.
See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/12/what-and-where-is-god/ (“What And Where Is God?”)
China’s deadly Coronavirus pandemic lockdowns affected church attendance, physically, but lots of us do not need buildings to pay homage to God.
If there is a convergence of the Great Depression II and World War III, will this cause Americans and others globally to turn away from Godlessness, and seek God again?
Are we entering the “Dark Ages,” or will a loving and omniscient God guide us to a better life ahead, free of the “maladies” that you describe, quite accurately?
Time will tell.
See https://news.gallup.com/poll/393737/belief-god-dips-new-low.aspx (“Gallup: Belief in God in U.S. Dips to 81%, a New Low”)
. . .
Next, I have three degrees; and one is from UCLA, which is located in Los Angeles, a mile or so east of the home in which I grew up.
I just received an email message entitled: “Celebrate Pride Month in UCLA Style!” It referred the reader to items that are on sale at the UCLA students’ store.
See
https://www.uclastore.com/featured-items/Pride-Collection
Some refer to such individuals as “freaks of nature,” and I have done that. In today’s woke world, little kids are being conditioned to accept such individuals as the norm.
Indeed, transgender individuals are being celebrated; “gender fluidity” has become a topic of discussion; and parents are being told that they have no “say” in their kids’ educations.
Are such “freaks of nature” children of a loving God? Yes, I believe so; all of us are. And do they have the right to influence the lives of others (e.g., by entering women’s bathrooms and locker rooms, and by competing against women in their sports)?
I believe there are lines that must not be crossed; and I reject woke politics categorically. Again, time will tell what the final outcomes will be.
Lastly, Biden must be really desperate to be pushing the LGBTQ agenda as much as he is.
See https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/jun/16/republican-ags-urge-biden-scrap-policy-tying-schoo/ (“Biden under pressure to dump policy using school lunch money to push LGBTQ agenda”); see also https://news.yahoo.com/looks-reports-monkeypox-virus-semen-103904564.html (“WHO looks into reports of monkeypox virus in semen”)
And the local PBS station is airing a program multiple times called “LA: A Queer History.” It’s followed by a program called “Queer Silicon Valley.” Anyone surprised?
Whoever thought that anyone would be discussing whether their child was “trans” or “non-binary”?
See, e.g., https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/think-your-child-might-be-trans-or-non-binary/ (“Think your child might be trans or non-binary?”)
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The latest From Our Primary Global Enemy, China
Outrageous threats by the Chinese, who gave us the deadly Coronavirus pandemic:
See https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2022/06/16/china-u-s-could-spark-world-war-diversifying-mineral-supply-chains/
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China’s Military Might Grows
For the longest time, China’s aircraft carriers were limited to the Liaoning, which was not a carrier at all, but a hulk of a ship that had been part of the vanquished Soviet Union’s fleet. It had been abandoned and rusting in a former Soviet shipyard, when the Chinese bought it.
See, e.g., https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_aircraft_carrier_Liaoning (“Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning”)
First, they put a flattop on it, but they were so inept that no planes could land on it.
Since those days that I have written about here, China has come a long way.
See, e.g., https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_aircraft_carrier_programme (“Chinese aircraft carrier programme”)
Today, in anticipation of moving on Taiwan and elsewhere, it has become a formidable threat.
See, e.g., http://a.msn.com/01/en-us/AAYzxJI?ocid=se (“China’s Newest Aircraft Carrier Shows Xi Jinping Catching Up With US”) and https://apnews.com/article/beijing-china-shanghai-government-and-politics-6ce51d1901b3a5658cc9ef7e62b65000 (“China launches high-tech aircraft carrier in naval milestone”)
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The Truth Versus Fiction
Any American who truly cares about the future of our great nation, vis-a-vis those who would seek to destroy it, should watch this short video.
“The Retreat Of The January 6th Committee”
https://shar.es/afb0iY
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Is Biden “Toast” Politically?
Aside from his obvious mental decline, is this why a growing number of Democrats want him to announce that he will not run for reelection?
“Poll: Biden approval hits new low as more Americans say they would vote for Trump”
See https://news.yahoo.com/poll-biden-disapproval-hits-new-high-as-more-americans-say-they-would-vote-for-trump-090021657.html
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Here It Comes. Hold On Tight
The following prognostications may be conservative. Something equaling or surpassing the “Great Recession” of 2007-2009 may be developing.
“Economist warns of ‘inevitable recession’ as consumer spending drops”
See https://mol.im/a/10932905
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Growing Pile of Unfinished Ford Trucks Is Visible From Space Again
See https://www.thedrive.com/news/growing-pile-of-unfinished-ford-trucks-missing-chips-is-visible-from-space-again
Why is this significant for America? Because for more than 40 years, the Ford truck has been the top selling vehicle.
See
https://www.forbes.com/wheels/news/best-selling-cars-suvs-pickups-2021/#:~:text=Ford%20F%2DSeries%2C%20726%2C004%20Sold%2C%20Down%207.8%25&text=The%20Ford%20F%2DSeries%20was,of%20the%20computer%20chip%20shortage.
But today, Ford can’t get enough chips and other parts to finish them. And its dealers can’t sell unfinished vehicles. And the same is true of other manufacturers.
If China moves on Taiwan (or rather when), which is the world’s largest chip maker, it may send the American economy into a tailspin, and begin World War III in earnest. The dominoes will have fallen; and it may be like a hurricane or whirlwind economically.
“As Taiwan outpaces the rest of the world in the manufacturing of cutting-edge computer chips that are now vital to our everyday lives, experts tell IAN BIRRELL war with China would send global shockwaves greater than Covid and could cost trillions”
See https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11152805/Taiwan-war-China-send-global-shockwaves-greater-Covid-cost-trillions.html
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