Dear Bell, I've written a few times on a hoped-for breakup of the nation states.
Here is an interesting article laying out reasons for just such a happening.
Click to view link
If you read "The Collapse of Complex Societies" by Tainter, you see that a society increases it's energy needs in a logarithmic manner when it's size increases in a linear manner. This refers to all forms of energy.

While "peak oil" is still quite a ways off, that isn't the only question.
Pento, like many others is predicting a bond market collapse.
Click to view link
Any financial collapse will result in higher energy prices. Even if Western demand falls, the East will make up the difference. High-priced energy will shrink the economy.
Alternative energy is far away from prime time.
Click to view link
ANY energy scheme will cost a lot of money to implement. The banks are broke. The States are broke. The central banks don't have the wealth they claim.
Click to view link

There is going to be a huge energy shortage in the West. We see corporate earnings crashing steeply. They recently discovered that they need solvent consumers. There is also a recent discovery that a lack of consumption in the consumer market is caused by a lack of income. The same will be true for energy. Not because of lack of supplies but, because of a lack purchasing power.

There is an ever-increasing likelihood of a U.S. bond default. Even that won't bring back jobs or discretionary spending. It will certainly trim back the power of GOV.
This happened in Russia after their bond default. They couldn't pay employees.
Hopefully, GOV will shrink like a dieing tumor.

Thank you.

Hi Tony,

Do you know anything about the GOLD?


Just prior to the German invasion of the Netherlands, the National Bank of Belgium transferred part of its gold reserves to the Bank of France in Bordeaux for safe keeping. When France was attacked, Belgium asked the French bank to transfer the gold to London. The gold was transferred, but not to London, instead it was forwarded on to a French bank in Dakar. On October 29, 1940, the French bank promised to return the gold to Belgium but Pierre Laval, Foreign Minister in the Vichy government of Marshal Petain, sent it on to Berlin. There it was melted down, supplied with false seals and documentation and transferred to the National Bank of Switzerland by the Germans.

Switzerland proved much more useful as an independent state than as a German satellite. The Swiss made many useful weapon components (aluminium for the Luftwaffe, spark plugs for jeeps taken from the Russians, timing devices for bombs, among other things), and their factories were not bombed every night. The Swiss National bank bought gold from the Reichsbank, the Reichsbank was given Swiss francs in exchange, and used them to buy cobalt, nickel and tungsten from the other "neutral" countries. The Turks, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish, who were all under heavy pressure from the Allies not to accept direct gold payment from the Reichsbank, then exchanged the Swiss francs for gold. The problem was that the German gold came from the Belgian National bank reserves (not from concentration camps as some sensationalists would have it) and the neutrals knew it.

The value of this gold was 378.6 million Swiss francs. Around 218 million francs worth of this treasure was resold by the Swiss to fund its banking operations. In 1945, France restored the gold that was entrusted to her in 1940 but Switzerland claimed that only 160 million francs worth was held in its banks.

Between August 23 and September 2, 1939, Britain's art treasures and other historical artifacts were removed from the National Gallery and transported to Wales for safe keeping. They were eventually housed, 1,750 feet above sea level, in the tunnels of the slate quarry at Manod, near Ffestiniog in North Wales. Atmosphere was maintained at a steady 65 degrees F. with 40 degrees of humidity. All were returned safely to London in 1945. Contents of the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum were stored in a deep stone quarry at Westwood in Wiltshire. But the best kept secret of all, was the destination of the Crown Jewels. To this day, the hiding place has never been revealed.

In the biggest financial transaction in history, part of Britain's gold reserves, bonds and stock, valued at 7 billion US dollars, were shipped to Canada on the British light cruiser, the 7,500 ton HMS Emerald. Other ships followed with their cargo of 'fish' as it was then called. This consignment of 'fish' was stored in the specially constructed vaults of Montreal's Sun Life of Canada insurance building on what was then Dominion Square. The vaults were guarded for the next five years by Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers. Some sources state that the Crown Jewels were also stored here but this has not been confirmed. S.L.O.Cs strongest vaults were in their building in New York but as the USA was not in the war at this time it was considered politically incorrect to have the gold stored there.

I wish I could expatriate. I envy those with the resources (and family willing) to do so. I really don't believe anyplace is truly safe anymore, beyond the clutches of the psychopath power elites. The smug ignorance of most people in the US is astounding. Sometimes I wonder why some are so awake and others so blind. My experience lately has been that there is less respect toward the state. Not sure if it's just rudeness but when the pledge and national anthem is recited/sung at the local fair, etc. there are quite a few who talk through it, ignore it, use the opportunity to find a restroom, etc. Of course, when they trot out the "heroes" all bets are off.

For what it's worth: I couldn't believe the aggressive welcome at LAX when I travelled to USA in the months after 9/11 (maybe it doesn't help that I'm half Lebanese by blood), but I have to say that the harassment I got at the Canadian border was even worse. This included me bouncing off the border 3 times and having my bags needlessly searched after being told I couldn't come in (I eventually got in at a different checkpoint). All I wanted to do was a little touring and snowboarding then go home!

As for my home country NZ, well, I don't know their level of complicity (maybe I'm just naive), but NZ sends troops to Afghanistan along with the worst of them.

Another emphatic editorial - compliments, Mr. Wile!

Did you ever consider to actually videotape one or another of these vibrant SPEECHES - because that's what they really are, imho - and publish them on YouTube?

Given that you're not exactly unattractive or in lack of charisma either, my guess is that you'd increase attention, audience and impact significantly.

Thanks for painting such a nice picture of my home country-Switzerland. A pleasant distraction from the collective bashing and bullying we have been subject to of late, led by the USA of course. Your description is accurate and clearly a reflection of the fact that Switzerland is the world's only true democracy! Has been so for 700+ years in fact.
Cheers

Anthony -

Well done, even righteous... I see it here in the States and foresaw the potential while considering the move to Canada; I told Gator that, in my opinion, Canada was just America's Whore. For anyone to believe that migrating in that direction would induce any form of relief from the inequities that we are subjected to here was, to me, as inconceivable as the prospect of my vote meaning anything within the faux-democracy.

I do wish I would have made the trek far enough to have met you (I am just across the lake) to share some thoughts and ideas. Your posts have been enlightening, clarifying and influential for me. I will continue to follow your works and wish for peaceful and prosperous sanctuary for you and your 'famiglia' with the Swiss. Had it not been for a blistering economy, ruthless advisors and some poor choices on my own part, I would be in expatriate status today.

Peace -

- Hondo

I suffer through the angst outlined in this article quite regularly. It is difficult for any person who has had the intellectual epiphany at some point in time when the curtain first fell. There is no going back at that point and there will be very many people that you can no longer have discussions with.

The sad part is that there are many good and otherwise intelligent people who can't see through the fog. More accurately they refuse to see through the fog. The only method that has some chance of success in opening some eyes is ribald humour or extreme cynicism which results in a guffaw. I would suppose that that would be using 'their' own methods against 'them' (read TV).

Having said that and using the article's contrast of Canada vs Switzerland, I would broaden the contrast to North America vs Europe. Being well familiar with both I have always found Europeans to much better versed in history, geography and current events than their counterparts across the pond. These are necessary pre-conditions to having the veil drop either on its own or with reasoned help. Having intellectual self-confidence would more easily lead to a discussion and in a reasoned discussion to perhaps considering previously discounted views.

I have close personal friends who know Mr. (Helmet Head) Harper very well. They knew him before he started ascending the slippery manure pile we refer to as our parliamentary system. Would it be wise for me, at a social gathering, to reveal my views about his role in the consolidation of so called Canadian Sovereignty with our belligerent 'friend' to the south? Of course not. I am not a shrinking violet but I do have an idea of proper conduct. I am reduced to making excuses not to attend because politics is often discussed. Self control is not my strong suit especially when beer is served.

I will quote possibly for the third time on this site Thomas Edison's non-scientific statement to make a point:

"Only 5% of people think, 10% think they think and 85% would sooner die than think" .

By this I read that the maximum percentage of people in a given society who could make any kind of reasoned decision is 15%. That is why we have all the propaganda about 'democracy' and 'it is your duty to vote". They obviously depend on that 85% to give them the veneer of legitimacy. Fourth estate sloganeering does the rest (MSM).

Shy of reverting to Plato's Philosopher King I see no solution to honest governance. Education, media distractions (including sports) and general misinformation (news) have captured the 85-95% and any practical solutions are unworkable or made instantly ridiculous with the chime of a Pavlovian bell.

Courage, humour and perseverance are now right up there with water and oxygen as necessary for survival. If it gets any worse, I'll substitute the oxygen for oxcycontin-ha!
Cheers-

you complain about the money elite and then you say you want to move to Switzerland to get away?! Ha! You need a consistant, coherent philosophy.

Reply from The Daily Bell

Do we complain? Or do we analyze and draw conclusions?

Hi Anthony,

This is one of your best articles yet.

I have lived in both the USA and Canada (Edmonton) and you have phrased it exactly right!

Is there any way someone middle class or slightly above could make it to Switzerland?

I heard you need 120k in US dollars to get a residency permit. This we can do. (the 120k)

Any info or advice you can give us would be so appreciated

Mary

Switzerland is a good choice. Perhaps the lack of income disparity and the relevant high standard of living enjoyed by all will put paid to any efforts by socialists to fan class warfare - something that seems to be happening an awful lot throughout the Anglo-American Axis.

Good for you, Mr. Wile (and your family). In all the time I have faithfully read the Daily Bell, I have not heard you sound so disgusted. May you find peace in your corner of the world and a future for your young sons.

At least you can know you have made a difference. I have more respect for you and the others here at the DB than for any others I read, hear or know. I, on the other hand, can not convince one single person that what they "know" is in error. Never have I felt so alone on planet earth.

I find it ironic that the returning military men America worships, for the most part, don't share their feelings. While most of America will stand either for clown A or clown B, the military and DoD seemed to have been the biggest supporters of Ron Paul. But the worshipers will go right on waving their flag and vote for one candidate or the other and never question why these men don't also support him. Or care.

Good luck and God speed.

Please excuse my spelling. "wherever"..who cares and "Galt"..unforgivable :)

In todays technocratic world, Gaults Gulch is right where you stand, or prefer to stand. Live in peace Anthony, whereever that may be.

Ah yes, choices, we all have them. I choose to be surrounded by family, friends, water on all sides, up on the largest mountian/volcano on the planet. I choose the company of Pele.
Take Care,

Switzerland was one of the first if not the first country to question and ban the use of glysophates (Round-Up). That's the kind of country everybody should live in.
Thanks for this account. I also find the flag waving to puke on and wish I were living someplace, anyplace, else, when national anthems are sounded.

You have written often of one world government. Is it your opinion that Switzerland will be exempt from that?

Reply from The Daily Bell

We subscribe to Harry Browne's idea of "Living Free in an Unfree World."

Mr. Wiles, Your stand does bother me. Back in 1974 during a company Christmas party, my boss gave a speech about his strong feeling for America and that he was sure that "we will recover from this recession" (1974) . He ended with singing "God bless America". Everyone rose from sitting on the floor, stood, and joined him in singing; I was the only one who refused to stand. Being the only Caucasian present among Japanese and mixed Pacific peoples, I was the only one with disdain for the American government. These people with whom I worked were so much more "American" than I was and they were very patriotic.
Today I see that our enemy does not come from overseas. Our very profound threat comes from congress, the administration, the courts, the central bank, and the shadow government whose strings are pulled by the moneyed power elite.
Our military personnel have to be awakening to the truth and doing whatever is in their power to stop what they are doing and to come home.
While I will not give one whit of respect to the government, I will stand for our returning military, for our flag, and our anthem.
God bless America!

What used to be the truth, long ago, that America did support the Liberty that most people wanted, is now usurped by the central banking cartel and it cabal masters. It is sad. The thing that is more difficult is that those who would fight, and do fight, do so because of the honor of what their hearts aspire to.

When will the Swiss bring me the heads of the banksters? My guess is it will be a long wait.

I hope readers here will take the time to read the below article.

Escaping America | Why those who can are leaving, fast!
Who is the dangerous thing, Bush 43 or Obama ... or anyone in government?

"The Ascendence of Sociopaths in US Governance" ~ Casey Research ~
Click to view link