Greg's Note: For over a century, people from all over the world have seen the United States as a bastion of hope and freedom like no other place in the world. Millions have immigrated to America, bringing with them a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities that have lasted for generations. The problem is, can we still afford to take in the huddled masses yearning to breath free while sustaining ourselves as well? Kevin Kerr shares the story of his own family's trip to the U.S. while examining the resource problems we currently face. What do you think? Can we sustain an ever-rising U.S. population indefinitely? Let us know here: greg@whiskeyandgunpowder.com Whiskey & Gunpowder
My grandmother, Oget Palm, was just a little girl when my family was scheduled to sail from Europe to New York in 1912. Her parents (my great-grandparents) and her siblings were prepared to make the trip from Gothenburg, Sweden, where they lived. They were scheduled to be in the steerage compartment — as all immigrants were — aboard the newest and "safest" ship on the sea, the RMS Titanic. It's funny how fate can change so many lives. Just before the trip from Sweden, my great-grandmother contracted rheumatic fever, or what they used to call consumption. Nobody is really sure why. She was only 33. Sad to say, she died. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Special~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Behind-the-Scenes "Guest Pass" to Profit in the World's Most Secretive "Millionaire's Market" Once you are inside the financial community's best-kept secret, you'll begin to legally "withdraw" $810 or more per week — and you'll be able to deposit the money directly into your retirement account! Click here for more… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ But there is another side to the story. The family was delayed from sailing to America as they mourned their loss. Thus, they missed sailing on the Titanic. And everyone knows what happened to the Titanic. Later on, my grandmother and her family sailed into New York Harbor on a different ship. She remembered gazing at the Statue of Liberty. I returned with her in 1997, and we walked through Ellis Island together. We even found her name in the book they used to categorize everyone who came through, an experience that is truly chilling. Back then, everyone was processed at Ellis Island and made their way to the places where they had relatives. Typically, the Swedes and Norwegians went to Minnesota, and that's how yours truly ended up being born there. Fast-Forward: Doing More With Less The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long. And America has burned very brightly for a long time. As the resource battles begin to heat up, we are already seeing where some of the major battle lines will be drawn, and it's not a pretty picture. The simple fact of the matter is the world's resources — not just oil — are dwindling faster than Britney Spears' career. While shortages of key industrial and energy commodities are frightening, no other sector will threaten global stability more than agriculture. Food Fight It seems ironic that as global population is reaching an all-time high, we are turning at least half of our crops into ethanol or biofuel. This is a questionable, if not idiotic, alternative that clearly does as much damage as good. While the short-term impact is obvious, the longer-term ramifications for agriculture on a global scale could be devastating. In 2007, we saw stark glimpses of just how bad this situation will get. The "Tortilla Crisis" in Mexico, the "Pasta Protest" in Milan (I happened to be there for that one), the riots and crushing of one supermarket shopper in China over cooking oil…we have seen dairy, meat and bread prices skyrocket. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Special~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Can You Afford $6 Gas? I know that many Americans are beginning to worry about the price of gasoline as the summer driving season approaches. And they should be worried. Things have gotten out of control. Where will it end? Gas could be as much as $4.50 by the end of the summer, and $6 by the end of the year. What are you going to do? Click here for some much needed answers… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The idea of food inflation is new to many Americans, who are used to prices for food being only about 13-16% of income. Back when my grandmother got off the boat in 1912, they were more like 45%. Bad Choices Beget Bad Choices In recent years in the U.S., the number of immigrants has swollen. The porous borders continue to attract newcomers as if it were still 1912. Here in the U.S., a lot of people think that America can still absorb a massive influx of immigrants from all over the planet who are poor, tired and hungry. And while that is nice, romantic thinking, the fact of the matter is we cannot. Now, I would hate for us to change the plaque on Lady Liberty to "Bring us your well-fed and rested, employable and intelligent," but the truth is maybe we have to. Get Smart or Get Gone As investors, we must look at this situation as an opportunity for our portfolio. First of all, I suggest if you have some extra land (condo developers and house flippers, listen closely), grow a vegetable garden, and if you are ambitious, raise some sheep and cows, because they will come in handy. A little more practical and with less bunker mentality is to add stocks of some of the key agricultural companies that help support the industry, like those dealing with equipment making, fertilizer, irrigation and transport. My grandmother may have missed the Titanic, and figuratively, I hope we all do too. But keep in mind that our ship (the USS America ) is sailing in uncharted waters and we had all better get smart fast. Really, the food supply is stretched and getting stretched thinner and thinner. There are only so many lifeboats, and unfortunately, that's the new reality. Increasing population and rising demand for scarce resources mean that there is a big iceberg ahead. So man your stations. Yours for resource profits, P.S.: In my resource service, Resource Trader Alert, I'm always on the lookout for plays you can make in the resource industries. Problems with food shortages and over population are becoming more and more serious with each passing year. The time is right to strike now and boost your portfolio with these specific plays. My readers have already seen returns of 107%, 195%, and 214% from these plays. Click here to see what they're buying… |
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