The world seems to be entering a new period of stagflation similar to the 1970s – high inflation and low GDP growth –  but expect this to be continually denied by mainstream news sources. Words: 633

So says Daryl Montgomery (www.nyinvestingmeetup.blogspot.com)  in edited excerpts from an article* which Lorimer Wilson, editor of www.munKNEE.com (Your Key to Making Money!), has edited ([ ]), abridged (…) and reformatted below for the sake of clarity and brevity to ensure a fast and easy read. The author’s views and conclusions are unaltered and no personal comments have been included to maintain the integrity of the original article. Please note that this paragraph must be included in any article re-posting to avoid copyright infringement.

Montgomery goes on to say, in part:

UK (Britain)

Britain shocked the markets this week when it reported an inflation rate of 5.2% for September. This was up from 4.5% the previous month and well above government projections. The only surprising thing about the UK inflation rate is that the official rate is so low given the amount of money printing done through quantitative easing in 2009 and 2010. Despite the low growth and high inflation that has resulted from it, the Bank of England (BOE) has just started another round of QE. BOE Governor Mervyn King recently stated, “Without monetary stimulus  — low interest rates and large asset purchases — there is a risk that growth will stall and inflation fall below our symmetric 2 percent target.” As of September, the UK inflation rate has been above the bank’s target rate for 22 months in a row…

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Pushing the big problems into the future appears to have been the working strategy for both the Fed and recent Administrations, yet the U.S. dollar and the budget deficit do matter, and the future is at hand. The day of ultimate financial reckoning has arrived, and it is playing out according to John Williams, founder of Shadowstats.com. Words: 1096

So says Marc Slavo (www.shtfplan.com) in edited excerpts from his original article*.

Lorimer Wilson, editor of www.FinancialArticleSummariesToday.com (A site for sore eyes and inquisitive minds) and www.munKNEE.com (Your Key to Making Money!) has edited ([ ]), abridged (…) and reformatted (some sub-titles and bold/italics emphases) the article below for the sake of clarity and brevity to ensure a fast and easy read. The article’s views and conclusions are unaltered and no personal comments have been included to maintain the integrity of the original article. Please note that this paragraph must be included in any article re-posting to avoid copyright infringement.

Slavo goes on to say:

Williams sees** the U.S. economic and systemic solvency crises of the last two years as just precursors to a Great Collapse – a hyperinflationary great depression. [To be specific] he sees:
a) a complete collapse in the purchasing power of the U.S. dollar,
b) a collapse in the normal stream of U.S. commercial and economic activity,
c) a collapse in the U.S. financial system as we know it, and
d) a likely realignment of the U.S. political environment.

Mr. Williams further maintains that the current U.S. financial markets, financial system and economy are highly unstable and vulnerable to unexpected shocks, the Federal Reserve is dedicated to preventing deflation and debasing the U.S. dollar. and that the results of those efforts are being seen in tentative selling pressures against the U.S. currency and in the rallying price of gold.

Looking at each of Mr. William’s points from a worst case scenario perspective, here are some things one can expect:

1. Collapse of Purchasing Power
Imagine stock markets initially rising to new highs. While many in the public will truly believe we are in a new boom time, the reality will be that prices on everyday goods will be increasing at a rapid rate. Hyperinflation will not be recognized right away, but eventually the public will catch on. Howard Katz has written that we can expect price increases of 70% within a year or two. Imagine gas at $7 – $8 a gallon, a can of tuna for $3 and your favorite flavored latte for $10. This will be the opening act and primary indicator that the system is getting to a breaking point.

2. Collapse in U.S. Commercial and Economic Activity
As the purchasing power of the dollar diminishes, foreign creditors and suppliers will become concerned. Even short-term credit extensions for essential goods like food and oil will collapse. When Iceland’s currency collapsed, the government was unable to purvey basic food goods from international sources because their currency was no longer trusted.

Expect to see store inventories slowly (or perhaps quickly) lower, from basic foods to apparel. If the dollar were to go Zimbabwe, then it would be nearly impossible for merchants and suppliers to accurately price goods, leading to daily, perhaps hourly price changes.

The effects of this type of currency collapse will infect every aspect of the economy, leading to mass layoffs and a sudden stop in transportation via trucks, rail and dryships. Trade goods will cease to move across the nation.

3. Collapse in the U.S. Financial System
If you haven’t read James Rawles’ book Patriots, do so. The opening two chapters deal with exactly the scenario forecasted by John Williams. As mentioned, we will see stock prices and stock markets probably go through the roof initially, in nominal dollar terms. Once it is realized that the dollar has been destroyed, along with all US denominated paper assets, we may see a shut-down of US Stock markets. While there may certainly be other signals, a freeze in the trading of stocks as a result of hyperinflationary pressure on the US Dollar should be a warning alarm to all of those with a bug-out location. Complete system collapse will not be far behind- — and we could literally be talking days, not weeks or months.

4. Realignment of the U.S. Political Environment
It may be hard to believe, but it is certainly not outside the realm of possibility. The political system as we know it, like voting for representatives, may deteriorate quickly, meaning that martial law may need to be implemented. Local law enforcement and emergency services will break down, as responders will opt to protect their own families. This will force the hand of the Federal Government, as there will be no police to deal with looting, violent crime, and civil unrest resulting from a collapse in trade and essential supplies.

If Mr. Williams’ forecast plays out as described, then preparation will be a key to survival. As Mr. Williams points out, and many observers feel deep down, the problems that have been pushed into the future have now come home to roost.

Indeed, pushing the big problems into the future appears to have been the working strategy for both the Fed and recent Administrations, yet the U.S. dollar and the budget deficit do matter, and the future is at hand. The day of ultimate financial reckoning has arrived, and it is playing out.

How much time do we have? Mr. Williams, has recently adjusted his timelines based on the data he is interpreting:

“The intensifying economic and solvency crises, and the responses to both by the U.S. government and the Federal Reserve in the last two years, have exacerbated the government’s solvency issues and moved forward my timing estimation for the hyperinflation to the next five years….The U.S. government and Federal Reserve already have committed the system to this course through the easy politics of a bottomless pocketbook, the servicing of big-moneyed special interests, gross mismanagement, and a deliberate and ongoing effort to debase the U.S. currency. Accordingly, risks are particularly high of the hyperinflation crisis breaking within the next year.”

For those who hope for change, we’re sorry to inform you that it isn’t coming, because it is too late: “The U.S. has no way of avoiding a financial Armageddon. Bankrupt sovereign states most commonly use the currency printing press as a solution to not having enough money to cover obligations. The alternative would be for the U.S. to renege on its existing debt and obligations, a solution for modern sovereign states rarely seen outside of governments overthrown in revolution, and a solution with no happier ending than simply printing the needed money. With the creation of massive amounts of new fiat dollars (not backed by gold or silver) will come the eventual destruction of the value of the U.S. dollar and related dollar-denominated paper assets,” says Williams.

Folks, if Mr. Williams and others are right about this, then I am afraid that we are going to experience something in the United States that will be written about for centuries in the history books. What can be done now? The answer is nothing. It is just a matter of time.

*http://www.shtfplan.com/headline-news/hyperinflationary-depression-no-way-of-avoiding-financial-armageddon_12152009
**http://www.shadowstats.com/article/hyperinflation-2010