“Nationalism in Europe is on the rise.”
It sounds like a headline from the 1930s, and it was.
After the First World War (1914-1918), Germany felt the oppressive boot on the back of its neck.
War reparations were instituted by the winners against the losers.
This meant that in addition to rebuilding a country, it was also necessary to pay off the war debt.
One of these tasks alone was difficult enough but the combination of both made it nearly impossible.
In an attempt to dig out of the debt hole in the 1920s and 1930s, Germany started cranking up the money printing machines.
It meant even higher prices, rising unemployment, and a future that was very bleak to say the least.
Even though Germany’s money printing strategy and subsequent rise of nationalism was more than 80 years ago, the ultimate outcome taught each and every one of us vital lessons that ring loud and clear even to this very day.
Hitler was not brought to power by industrialist and the military in the 1930s to takeover the world.
Initially, he sought to put people back to work, feed families, stabilize German currency, and make the trains run on time.
As he accomplished these goals, it was a simple leap to the next phase of his own agenda and the growth of fascism.
German citizens were hungry for stability, well being, and a sense of self-worth. Unfortunately, the run-of-the-mill politicians/leaders could not deliver.
The same could be said for Europe today.
As we see youth unemployment reaching astronomical levels it can only be imagined what the ultimate outcome will be.
The current politicians of the world continue to exercise the same old message in order to preserve a system that is doomed to fail. A shrinking working base means that tax revenues will continue to decline.
Outside tax agents looking for increased revenues can’t deny the simple mathematical fact that increased tax rates coupled with ever-growing unemployment will not solve the problem.
Neither will reducing government employees nor cutting back on pension distributions. All of these so-called solutions, and many more, have been discussed ad nauseam. Yet, they continue to be implemented and they continue to fail.
Like a good gardener in need of well prepared soil to produce an excellent crop, so to does turmoil, unrest, and even anarchy need a seed bed in which to germinate.
Existing leaders will be turned down again and again until the real demands of the people are heard and acted upon.
The ground is now being cultivated. Whatever grows and is ultimately harvested could surprise and shock all of us.
Along with his 40-years of dedication in the financial services industry, Bill is the President and CEO of GPSforLife, has recently authored a highly successful book entitled 44th: A Presidential Conspiracy, publishes his dynamic monthly financial newsletter MacroProfit, and faithfully continues his third decade on the radio with It’s All About Money, which can be heard weekdays on Money Radio in Phoenix and in podcast form on his website (and on smartphone apps) published at billtatro.com weekdays at 5pm Eastern. Bill can be reached via email at firstname.lastname@example.org and on Twitter @tatroshow.