It's time for those 2009 Trend predictions... Share your Secrets...

[GordonJ]

OK, how far off was I back in Dec. 08?

I forecast DIRE. It wasn't as bad as I THOUGHT, so that is a good thing.

The recession did continue and is still far from over with, and I'm thinking today, we're still not at the bottom.

Riots in the streets? Only on the border towns and mostly because one drug lord couldn't take out the other one.

As long as we keep the supply of drugs flowing to the inner cities and suburbs of America, we may stave off the rioting for awhile longer. It has always been part of the plan. There has NEVER been a "War on Drugs". We couldn't afford to have the supply cut off.

Shortages haven't yet hit, but the train hasn't stopped either. A long train takes many miles to slow down and stop. However, the rich are getting what they believe is a hedge against the coming INFLATION by buying up gold and silver, to all time price highs. Meanwhile, the beans and rice and toilet paper are slowly creeping up, almost undetected.

Unemployment in double digits? In many areas. Or close to it.

The inflation has been postponed by the bailouts and printing of money. Still on my radar.

Housing? You tell me how your area is doing? And along with that, how about the number of vacancies in older "shopping" areas? How ya all doing with that?

We do have record number of Gov't workers, a trend which will continue, at the expense of us all.

Russia? The bear may not have come fully awake, but we've heard more about her recently than in the last several years. DON'T forget about Russia.

The sky did NOT fall, however, it may have come down a few feet.

Man made disasters due to "infrastructure" failing? One might argue the oil wells have infrastructure which apparently were in need of some attention. Actually, I'm amazed we didn't see more of these stories, especially in the electric grid, water supply.

Natural disasters? An easy thing to predict? We'll have another one, and then another. And then another.

Worldwide meltdown? Seriously Gordon?

Hey, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, etc. are all OK now, right? And China is smokin and growing. And North Korea... what's there to say about it. The "meltdown" may be a slower burning pot of stew than I thought.

Those of you that thought in late 08 the recession was NOT a big deal, please come back and make your case that is wasn't/isn't.

Although most of YOU did OK, or as good as always, there were a few people who did indeed have a dire and dark 09.

Now, midway through 2010, I see nothing but good times, world peace and brotherhood and unprecedented consumerism...and enough Entertainment to soothe our souls no matter how bad the pessimists see things.

Originally Posted by GordonJ

Phil,

You know me well.

A dark and dire forecast for 2009.

Well, the one trend that will continue is the Recession/Depression. And for Michael Ross, NO, I haven’t been reading my Kurt Saxon, but it might be a good time for all of us to start.

I see Martial Law in the streets of America with armed thugs and riots the likes we haven’t seen since the 60’s. I see shortages. In fact, when the rich guys start hoarding the gold and diamonds, the rest of us should stockpile toilet paper and rice.

There will NOT be any segment of the American and world economy that isn’t going to be greatly impacted in the next 6 months. You will see unemployment in double digits. Inflation/Deflation (a made up word for OOOPS Sorry about that) at record highs.

The housing market has NOT even bottomed out yet.

In 2009, more people than at any time in history will be personally effected by a natural disaster including wild fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, twisters and more by man created ones including infrastructure failure.

The numbers of Gov’t employees will increase substantially in the first 6 months while the debt reaches heretofore never reached heights. There is a not so quiet layer of chaos that is circulating around the globe and you will see the sleeping bear of Russia come out of it’s deep sleep with all teeth glaring.

There have always been Chicken Littles over the years from Howard Ruff in the 70’s to today, and the sky has never fallen, yet.

It is about to.

I’m convinced the people walking around the malls and Wal-Mart and TARGET are totally oblivious to the seriousness of the coming worldwide meltdown. There are those on this board who have written their opinions about the recession and how false it is. Please come back this time next year and we’ll compare notes, OK?

There is a recession, there was and is OUTSOURCING that has had a major impact on the American economy whether you "believe" that there is no such thing or not.

I see very dark and dire times in 2009 for most of YOU and the world.
But then, I got vision and the rest of the world wears bifocals. (Thanks Butch Cassidy).

Gordon Jay Alexander