Vanity: Investment ideas in a Socialist country (USA)

3-23-10 | vanity

[CharlotteVRWC]

I am at a loss... are there ways to 'come out ahead financially' in a Socialist country?

[MSF BU]

If you’re truly interested I’d invest the time to drive around Aroostook County specifically, and Maine in general. I took a look at retiring there but the tax rates are too high. Another place to look (and I’m sure there are plenty in the US) is in the Connecticut River Valley along the NH/VT border. Like most other things, it is a personal choice. For me, I have too many irons in the fire to justify moving. If I was more liquid, I’d consider the properties on that web site. Sometimes I peruse it just to get a kick out of the prices. Tt is a world away from Boston’s South Shore.

[OldSmaj]

...are there ways to 'come out ahead financially' in a Socialist country?

But of course!

Just be first in line at the Social Security office, first in line at the food stamp office, move into subsidy housing, buy as much as possible on a credit card, default on it (thereby allowing the government to pay it for you) and sell the items you do not need.

You may also trade the food stamps for items that you could not otherwise get, such as: your monthly stash of weed, your weeks worth of crack, or a few days supply of ecstasy.

You may also consider having more children (the father is unimportant) as each additional child will garner even more food stamps, SS bennies or SSI allowances.

You may also be able to get gas vouchers for your vehicle, if you are able to convince the local employment office that you are actively seeking work.

You don't really have to work, just convince them you are seeking it.

As for medical care, until the wondrous socialistic Obamacare comes into full fruition, you may present yourself at any Emergency Room for your colds, upset stomach, headache, etc, and you will be treated for free, and, don't forget to get your free OTC meds from them...and maybe, if the doc is a little frustrated and has liberal tendencies, you might just score a little boost for your hydrocodone/oxycontin supply.(p>(But hurry, after Obamacare kicks in fully, you'll play hell finding a doc with liberal tendencies. But it probably won't matter as much then, anyway.)

Now, having saved so much scratch, one ponders the use of it?

I suggest a new Buick grille.

No, no, not for your car, silly, for your mouth!

Just look at the number of persons it would positively affect...the dentist...the hygienist at the dentist...the jeweler..., why the list is endless, and knowing such, should make you proud of the fact that you have singlehandedly contributed to the continuation of the American way of life.

Everybody...be happy!

[Celerity]

A lot of people found the same respect in the Tamil Tigers after the Sumatra quake.

The Tamils were in areas that the government simply forsaked - for one reason or another.

[Truth29]

Build your assets outside the US and out of the reach of the US government. Sooner or later, the Marxists will come for your wealth. The same thing is going to happen to retirement plan balances like those in 401k accounts. (Unless, of course, you become part of the ruling elite or the inner party)

[MsLady]

Buy gold and silver coins.

[Pollster1]

I’m not looking at coming out ahead; I’m withdrawing from the grid. My assets are disappearing from any records where the socialists could easily find them and take them, and I’m looking to preserve capital in the face of the biggest financial threat we’ll ever face (redistribution), not to make money by playing the socialist game better than socialists. At least for now, pharmacy, medical, and insurance stocks look good, but even if I believed that would last I wouldn’t accept profits from customers who were forced to deal with me against my will. I don’t have the stomach to “make” money the socialist way.

[JimRed]

...the taxes are just too much to hold on to Gr.Gr.Grandfather’s farm for sentimental reasons.

Can you get a farmer to lease it from you for planting or grazing? Then you can deduct the taxes as a business expense.

(disclaimer: I am not an accountant or other tax expert. Check with yours first)

[TexasRepublic]

Communists will ultimately take everything you’ve got. There is no way to hunker down - you either have to overthrow them or get out.

[CharlotteVRWC]

thanks for lots of responses -I am just feeling down today.
I don’t know if I should contribute any (meager savings) to mutual funds for retirement any further....

[Truth29]

Check out www.everbank.com for a selection of foreign currency denominated investment vehicles including IRAs. However, I am not sure if this would offer any protection from any US nationalization of IRA balances.