We begin where we left off last week - housing/shelter. I use the two descriptions because many of the world refugee's or displaced people live in tents. We will have a dual problem in the US. We now have a serious civil problem in America concerning shelter. People are working; however, their wages cannot cover rent. There are visual protests and disturbing street scenes of people sleeping on cardboard or living in tents. City and state governments will soon be cracking down to remove them. Question? Where will they go?
We have a suggestion. Maybe the federal government could pass a stimulus with the protection clause that the money should be used by the receiving state to build affordable housing? Tent cities will only become poverty zones and an easy target for crime and illegal drugs.
Ukraine
The war in that nation of 44 million is seeing a mass migration. It is estimated that one-fourth or 10 million people are being displaced. We have another suggestion. The EU should put aside billions to build "Migration Cities" to house these people. Even after, (hopefully) the conflict passes, these structures should be maintained because the world is way too close to nuclear conflict and or, possible famine. These migration cities could then be used to shelter displaced people in Europe - Heaven forbid this happens. Sadly, there are too many idiots in the world. By the way, China built a "Ghost City" of tall, empty skyscrapers. Again, sadly this points to the thinking of a human tragedy.
Silent Spring...
was a great work about the killing aspects of pesticides back in 1962. Sadly, we are still slow to change. With that said, we have another fear this spring. In 2022, the news is so scary for humanity and our climate. The ego in Russia is overlooking the dangers. If things go wrong and WWIII dawns, you will have an empire of ashes? Ponder that, you idiot!
Even if things settle down, there is another crisis on our doorstep. Before the first cornerstone is laid for affordable housing, we all have to eat. It is no new news that food costs are rising. However, did you know that Ukraine provides 26% of Europe's food supply in wheat, corn and other staples? They also export to the global community. The war will kill this supply. Prices are going to rise. Already there have been announcements by the largest companies in the US that food prices will rise this spring. Sadly, these food costs will stop the good nature of fellow Americans to continue to contribute to food banks as they will feel the pain of inflation. Indeed, this appears to be a silent spring.
Another Outside Aspect
The House is set to vote on the legalization of pot this week. This is definitely food related. The effects of THC on your body is hunger. The "munchies" are a real side effect.
Behind the Scenes
President Biden made another mistake with our economy. He ended the steel tariffs with Japan, and he followed up by ending them with England. We have the need, but our manufacturing sector has been decimated by outsourcing. He has not allowed what is left the time to expand to cover the demand. On the plus side, he signed an agreement with the EU to deliver more LGN gas. This is where our energy sector should be putting money to work.
One Positive Note
There is an agricultural fund, DBA. It is run by Invesco DB Agriculture Fund. It is a nice way to protect your money with rising food prices. There are two gaps. The lowest is $21. The other is around $21.60. We still believe the market has another pullback. It probably will test the last high before declining. That would be a good time to enter. Maybe the crooks at the Federal Reserve do not count food in their phony matrix for inflation, but you and I know better. We need to eat every day. Peace.
