Yes, Some Republican Senators Really Are Talking Openly About Social Security Cuts

If a Republican-controlled Congress comes for your Social Security benefits in the next few years, don’t say they didn’t warn you.

They did.

Link here.

Survey finds alarming trend toward political violence

The survey questions focused on three areas: beliefs regarding democracy and the potential for violence in the United States, beliefs regarding American society and institutions, and support for and willingness to engage in violence, including political violence. Some key findings from those surveyed:67.2% perceive there is “a serious threat to our democracy.”

• 50.1% agree that “in the next several years, there will be civil war in the United States.”
• 42.4% agreed that “having a strong leader for America is more important than having a democracy.”
• 41.2% agreed that “in America, native-born white people are being replaced by immigrants.”
• 18.7% agreed strongly or very strongly that violence or force is needed to “protect American democracy” when “elected leaders will not.”
• 20.5% think that political violence is at least sometimes justifiable “in general.”

Link here.

Barron's - Retired? Here Are 3 Things You Need to Get Right.

"Jennifer Bellis, private wealth advisor at US Bank Private Wealth Management, is even more conservative. She advocates an equity portion that’s closer to 20% to 30% of the retiree’s portfolio, with an emphasis on dividend-paying stocks. She also puts her clients in real estate investment trusts and preferred stocks because of their income streams."

Link here.

What a Stock Market Bottom Looks Like

"There is just no way to tell when this will happen ahead of time.

This is the joy of investing in risk assets.

Sometimes you simply need to have a little faith and a lot of patience."

Link here.

U.S. Army recommends food stamps for soldiers struggling with inflation

“Based on the Pentagon’s own data, 24% of enlisted personnel are food insecure,” said Mackenzie Eaglen, an analyst at the American Enterprise Institute.

Thank goodness we have unlimited funds to give to Ukraine and shovel to MIC contractors.

Link here.

Caitlin Johnstone: Making Kissinger Look Sane

“Mr. Kissinger sees today’s world as verging on a dangerous disequilibrium. ‘We are at the edge of war with Russia and China on issues which we partly created, without any concept of how this is going to end or what it’s supposed to lead to,’ he says.

That about sums it up.

Link here.

Small cap PEs - August 2022

We'll see . . .