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'The question is not if, but when this financial system is going to fail'

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helderheid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 09:34 AM
Original message
'The question is not if, but when this financial system is going to fail'
Edited on Thu Mar-09-06 09:36 AM by helderheid

DaanSpeak interviews RTL Z
economics reporter
Willem Middelkoop
'The question is not if, but when this financial system is going to fail'




The Dutch in the original article has been translated into English by Ben Kearney.
Willem Middelkoop is an investor and freelance economics reporter for the Dutch financial report RTL Z. Based on his expertise and his sources - newsletters from insiders and conversations with bankers and financial analysts - Middelkoop believes that the question is not if the current financial system is going to fail, but when. What might then ensue, and how one can prepare for it, will be addressed in future conversations. The following interview lays the groundwork for this.

DaanSpeak: Willem, are you familiar with DaanSpeak.com?
Willem Middelkoop: 'I've been reading it for a while. At first I didn't get it - I thought: "Who is behind this?" But I've been reading your articles for almost a year now.'

DaanSpeak: You have a newsletter. .
Willem Middelkoop: 'Yes, I've been a freelancer since 1984. Two days out of the week I work for RTL Z, and then I write a newsletter containing the two most important articles that I come across in the course of that week. For a couple of years now I've been in search of the truth regarding this financial system. How the financial system is set up, how the world works with the money, how the power is divided up. I've discovered that you aren't going to read this in the newspaper, that you're not going to read it in magazines, that you're not going to read it in specialized books, but that you're going to find it primarily in highly specialized websites and newsletters. There has arisen almost a sort of underground culture of people in search of this kind of information, who meet each other on the internet, and you have to know exactly what places to go to get the good information. I've been trying to find the good people and the good places over the course of several years, and now that has worked out nicely.'

In part eight of the DaanSpeak series on the coming war against Iran, entitled Protection of dollar economy as a motive for war with Iran, email correspondence between DaanSpeak and financial analyst Rob Kirby, (here a link to the homepage of his website) was quoted extensively. In the emails Kirby talks about the pending collapse of the dollar. Middelkoop appears to have also had contact with Kirby.

Willem Middelkoop: 'Rob Kirby researched the current standing of other countries in dollars. That is, how many dollars does Japan own, how many dollars does China own? America publishes the data once a month and he actually found out that China and Japan are buying less dollars than they did in years past and that this role has been largely assumed by, as the Federal Reserve refers to them, Caribbean Banking Centers. And so financial parties in the Caribbean are actually financing the American deficit. And those have become just as big as China and Japan and we already know that China and Japan are very big and important financers of America, but also that there are financial concerns in the Caribbean that are now doing that as well…This is of course quite strange, because who are these factions and what interest do they have in purchasing dollars? Now if you give this some thought and then inquire some further, you actually get an official explanation that these are hedge funds; hedge funds are speculative investment funds that actually seek a very high yield. Well you don't make a thing on American Treasury bonds and that is the yield, because there is only 4 percent yield, only 4 percent interest is paid on that. So the suspicion is now that America is financing itself by making a U-turn, via the back door. Hedge funds are unregulated, under no circumstances are they regulated. Hedge funds can come and go as they please. The Federal Reserve can in theory set up their own hedge funds, which reside in the Cayman Islands or the Antilles, and the Federal Reserve can actually mandate that those hedge funds purchase American Treasury bonds…, as if they are foreign investors that are doing that. But in the meantime this is all about money that is printed in America and is used to purchase American Treasury bonds. In this way America is actually financing itself - they are pretending that foreigners are still actually doing the financing. This is Rob Kirby's theory, and I strongly agree with it, for there is really no other logical explanation for it. And we are also seeing that the gap that is being created by China and Japan loaning less to America is being filled by these Caribbean Banking Centers. In the last few years they have become quite active.

More >>


http://www.daanspeak.com/InterviewMiddelkoop01Eng.html
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HereSince1628 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 09:39 AM
Response to Original message
1. Interesting.
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converted_democrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 09:43 AM
Response to Original message
2. I'm truly beginning to believe there is going to be a collapse, and I'm
planning for it accordingly.. That's about all one can do..
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papau Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 10:02 AM
Response to Reply #2
4. What is the plan?
thanks for any info :-)
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converted_democrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 10:21 AM
Response to Reply #4
9. Well..
Edited on Thu Mar-09-06 10:28 AM by converted_democrat
I set up huge gardening space, and I bought damn close to a years worth of canned and dried food. I bought everyone in my family extra clothes and shoes that aren't to be used unless they are actually needed. I bought several large containers of bleach, peroxide, and rubbing alcohol.. I bought quantities of drinking alcohol, candies, and chocolates, and off brand cigs for bartering.. I can can and dry the food that comes from my garden.. We live in an area that will support veggie growth 75% of the year.. I bought a generator.. Bought extra shampoo, soaps, and feminine products. I have back up antibiotics, Tylenol, aspirin, and a couple first aid kits.. I have taught myself to sew, and can and dry foods.. I grew up on the farm so I can slaughter an animal if I had to.. We've bought extra tools, and I've been saving the scrap metal from our business.

We currently have our house and our business up for sale, in hopes of selling it and buying a larger plot of land with more acreage. If we can get that bought before the collapse we will be set.. I'd like to have extra space to support some animals, and enough room to make my own pond that can be stocked with fish..

I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things, but that's off the top of my head..

on edit- I know I may never need any of these things, but my biggest fear is watching my family starve in front of my own eyes.. I'd rather be safe than sorry, and I don't trust any of the "cheery numbers" that are coming out of Washington.. If and when the collapse comes they'll stand back and say that they never saw it coming just like every other disaster that's happened on their watch..
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HamdenRice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 10:28 AM
Response to Reply #9
11. One Hugh problem with your plan! Serously! The Road Warriors!
Edited on Thu Mar-09-06 10:28 AM by HamdenRice
After the collapse, and you are ensconced in your self-sufficient farm, what will you do when the starving, marauding road warriors come to steal your chickens and vegetables, and the are no police because the government is bankrupt?

No, but seriously, I applaud what you are doing, but there will be no individual solutions to the problem if this is what is going to happen.
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converted_democrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 10:29 AM
Response to Reply #11
12. I've got that covered too.. Trust me.. n/t
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spinbaby Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 03:10 PM
Response to Reply #9
21. That's the thing about this administration
We have such an urge to hoard food and buy guns. Never had that impulse before the Bush years.
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helderheid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 10:07 AM
Response to Reply #2
5. I would love to know what you're planning.
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converted_democrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 10:25 AM
Response to Reply #5
10. See post 9....n/t
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stepnw1f Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 09:48 AM
Response to Original message
3. Oh .My .God
We need to start some kind of coalition here on DU. I can't make it alone. I wouldn't know what to do if there was a collapse.
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mdmc Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 10:09 AM
Response to Reply #3
6. first - buy gold ,second
amendment rights! <-support them!
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stepnw1f Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 11:32 AM
Response to Reply #6
13. I'm Already Broke
I live one pay check at a time, and just all of it goes to paying off my college loans. Great economy I placed myself into debt for... no jobs too. I fucking hate the GOP.
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helderheid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 10:13 AM
Response to Original message
7. VIDEO
http://www.vpro.nl/programma/tegenlicht/afleveringen/24877874/

Right hand side, 2nd link under video - "smallband" means dialup and "breedband" means broadband. I haven't seen this but I think it's mostly in English - the title translates to "The day that the dollar falls"
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helderheid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 12:03 PM
Response to Reply #7
14. Direct link to video
Edited on Thu Mar-09-06 12:04 PM by helderheid
http://www.vpro.nl/MediaController?media=24974875

The Dutch intro basically says that we are living way above our means and that it's not a matter of if, but when we will have a repeat of the great depression.

Edited to add - this is the same program that brought you that very in depth reportage about the Carlyle Group. This is about 50 minutes long.
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Toots Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 10:13 AM
Response to Original message
8. Our money making machines must be working overtime as our debt is
rising at over a Hundred thousand dollars a second. That means we must print a thousand hundred dollar bills a second just to stay even and that figure is rising quickly. Then on top of that we must pay out out interest at a half million dollars a minute. These Republicans sure are good with spending...
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NYC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 12:49 PM
Response to Reply #8
15. M3 = money supply. No more reporting.
...On March 23, 2006, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System will cease publication of the M3 monetary aggregate. The Board will also cease publishing the following components: large-denomination time deposits, repurchase agreements (RPs), and Eurodollars...
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/11/11/16272/574


Bernanke's answer: My understanding is that the Federal Reserve decided to discontinue publication of the monetary aggregate M3 because the costs of collecting and processing the underlying data were judged to exceed the benefits. The Federal Reserve will not withhold the M3 data from the public; rather, it will no longer collect and assemble that information. The Federal Reserve will continue to collect data for and publish the monetary aggregates M1 and M2 and their components.
http://prudentinvestor.blogspot.com/2005/12/m3-this-is-what-bernanke-and-others.html

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helderheid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 01:57 PM
Response to Reply #15
16. HOLY SHIT. Well that's it. I wonder how much time we have.
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NYC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 02:34 PM
Response to Reply #16
17. I have no idea how much time we have.
Honestly, I can't figure out anything. Sometimes, I am amazed that we are still functioning. Other times, I think the feathers will never hit the fan because there will always be something to hold it off, at least for a while.

I can't watch that video because I am on dial up. Even if I could, would I be able to figure out what's going on? Probably not.

Interesting timing of the M3 reporting disappearing. And to make sure no one can demand that the figure be revealed, the figure will not be calculated.

Money supply, running the currency printing press, makes a hell of a difference.
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helderheid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 02:43 PM
Response to Reply #17
18. I watched some of it - it turns out to be mostly in Dutch (which I
understand but most of DU won't).

I too am amazed that we're still functioning. I can't remember who said Iraq was less about oil and more about the fact that Saddam wanted to start dealing with Euros and no longer dollars but it makes more and more sense.
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NYC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 02:57 PM
Response to Reply #18
19. Was the euro thing discussed in the video?
Problem with Iraq & the euro is that we now face Iran & the euro. Doesn't bode well. (I have a vague memory of North Korea and euros, but I would have to look that up, if I can find it. That would complete the axis of evil.)

What did you learn from the part of the video you watched?
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NYC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-09-06 03:10 PM
Response to Reply #18
20. North Korea to ban U.S. dollars. 11/23/2002.
Edited on Thu Mar-09-06 03:12 PM by NYC
Originally, this was a Newsday article, and the link is now dead. Here's what I have:

By Associated Press

November 23, 2002, 9:03 PM EST


BEIJING -- North Korea plans to ban the use of U.S. dollars inside its country starting next month, China's official Xinhua News Agency reported.

American dollars will not be accepted in foreign exchange shops and foreign residents must convert the U.S. currency in their bank accounts to euros or other currencies, Xinhua said in a dispatch from Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea.

The announcement came amid growing tension over North Korea's atomic weapons program...

-------


Here is a small reference to the use of euros having a negative effect on the value of the dollar:

On the financial front the Saudi's have threatened to sell their US securities and withdraw their funds and convert to Euros (and some say gold) if war broke out. The Muslim countries are also getting closer to the creation of a Gold Dinar www.bankindex.com (now a dead link) Gold Dinar: An Economic and Strategic Response to Chaos by Michael Billington from the November 15, 2002 Executive Intelligence Review), which would be intended for use as currency amongst Islamic countries. Even one of these acts would be extremely negative for the US Dollar (and by extension be very positive for gold). Both together could cause a collapse in the world's reserve currency and begin to bankrupt the US.

http://www.gold-eagle.com/editorials_02/chapmand111902.html


---
This link is still good:

North Korea Embraces the Euro. BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2531833.stm

Communist North Korea has said it will stop using American dollars from Sunday and start using euros instead...

No official reason was given for the move but many analysts believe the dollar ban is a direct political response to Washington's decision last month to halt fuel aid to the North because of its nuclear programme.

Others believe the move could also be an attempt by the regime to exercise state control over money held by private individuals.

-----
Here's a Monbiot link, but you'll have to hunt around because the Guardian article is old.

The Bottom Dollar

The way to check American power is to support the euro
By George Monbiot. Published in the Guardian 22nd April 2003

...Only one means of containing the US remains. It is deadly and, if correctly deployed, insuperable. It rests within the hands of the people of the United Kingdom.

Were it not for a monumental economic distortion, the US economy would, by now, have all but collapsed. It is not quite a West African basket case, but the size of the deficits and debts incurred by its profligacy would, by any conventional measure, suggest that it was in serious trouble. It survives only because conventional measures do not apply: the rest of the world has granted it an unnatural lease of life.

Almost 70% of the world's currency reserves - the money which nations use to finance international trade and protect themselves against financial speculators - takes the form of US dollars. The dollar is used for this purpose because it is relatively stable, it is produced by a nation with a major share of world trade, and certain commodities, in particular oil, are denominated in it, which means that dollars are required to buy them.

The United States does very well from this arrangement. In order to earn dollars, other nations must provide goods and services to the US. When commodities are valued in dollars, the US needs do no more than print pieces of green paper to obtain them: it acquires them, in effect, for free. Once earned, other nations' dollar reserves must be invested back into the American economy. This inflow of money helps the US to finance its massive deficit...
I have a lot more of the Monbiot article if you want it.

So, yes, all three members of the axis of evil all threatened euro usage.
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