Product Description

For more than two decades, numerous experts have predicted a major depression in America. Many of these forecasts were written in the early 90s as an aftershock of the 87 Crash. While most ignored these warnings, cautious investors withdrew from the capital markets. But the expected turmoil never appeared, at least not for over a decade. In the mid-90s, the Internet was released. Soon, hundreds of companies sought to harness this new technology. By 1999, the Internet stock bubble had swollen beyond belief, and everyone wanted a piece of the action. And we all remember what happened at the start of the new millennium. While this correction revealed the most recent illusions embedded within the economy, it s only a prelude of what to expect in the coming years. Today, economics control the investment cycle rather than hype generated by Wall Street. Accordingly, Washington can only hide the realities of America s decline for so long before the truth is revealed. Currently, we are in the middle stages of a secular bear market that began in 2001. Upon examination of the Dow Jones Industrial Average since 1900, it s clear that the stock market must correct downward, or else encounter a period of modest returns through 2012. But still, muted gains will only partly compensate for the spectacular appreciation of the 90s; a period fueled by excess consumption. Today we see that competitive forces from abroad are much more influential than in the past. In the mid-1990s, President Clinton signed off on NAFTA and the World Trade Organization, promising free trade would deliver better jobs and higher wages for all. But for the majority of Americans, the opposite has occurred. America entered the free trade paradigm as a losing participant from the start since all other nations place the burden of healthcare and pension costs with the government. While it still remains as the centerpiece for the global economy, America now relies on record debt to maintain its status as the world s strongest consumer marketplace. For over three decades, more money has been leaving America than coming in. As a result, the U.S. is now the world s largest debtor nation. Rather than increases in net wealth, America s growth has been fueled by credit spending. This has created the illusion of impressive productivity, while serving to mask declining living standards for the majority. As corporate America continues to achieve record profitability, these gains have come at the expense of its core citizens; the middle class. As a result of these trends, the United States is now more dependent upon foreign nations than anytime in its history. Declining oil reserves and a foreign-funded credit bubble have positioned its fate in the hands of the world. And its vulnerable role in the New Economy threatens to erode its empire status. Already, the effects of America s decline have registered. Declining competitiveness and reliance on foreign debt can be seen by noting the weakness of the dollar. As foreign nations lose interest in financing Washington s deficits, interest rates will soar. Soon, America will face the economic burden of 76 million aging boomers. Beginning in 2011, expenditures for Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security will start to grow rapidly. During this same period it is likely that peak oil will have been reached; this alone promises to cause worldwide devastation. In summary, I have presented what I feel to be a strong case for America s declining economic position and weakened competitive landscape by addressing the major issues at hand the trade imbalance and federal debt, free trade, healthcare, Social Security, pensions, the real estate bubble, the war in Iraq, tensions in the Middle East, the global oil shortage, and the effect baby boomers will have as they enter what they expect to be their Golden Years.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #51319 in Books
• Published on: 2008-01-21
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 276 pages

About the Author
Mr. Stathis applies his expertise in finance and high-tech as a consultant to early-stage companies, venture capital and private equity firms. He also provides public market consultation to hedge funds needing assistance with valuation, risk management and market timing. Mr. Stathis previously worked at two of Wall Street s largest firms, focusing on asset management and merchant banking. Prior to his career in finance, he was involved in several research projects in energy and the life sciences. Today, he is rapidly becoming recognized as one of America's leading investment authorities.

Customer Reviews

America's Financial Apocalypse, Stathis
I read Mr. Stathis very, very smart book twice. It's a great source of information for me. I was very impressed with the quality of his research and I checked out all of the references in the back of the book. Impressive! I don't think the point of the book is gloom & doom, it's just informing people of some major concerns and how things are and what might be the outcome. I remember reading once a long time ago in a different book about why the life boats of the Titanic left half full. Many people who were told to get in the life boats didn't because they didn't think the ship was sinking. Read Mr. Stathis's book, Best Regards, Keith Renick

Very Insightful, Very Comprehensive. The Best I've Read.
Not only does the author explain with superb detail why America has been in decline for more than 20 years and why the decline will continue, he also provides excellent investment guidance in the final 2 chapters.

The original, more lengthy version of this book was released in 2006, when everyone thought the economy was strong. But the author picks apart why the economy was weak and he proceeded to predict the collapse of real estate, the banks, and the economy. He has been right on spot.

I also found it very interesting how he predicted the stock market would return 1-3% annually (on average) from the beginning of the bear market correction period (2001) until at least 2012. Once again, he is right on spot!

The reality is that a book like this won't be well-received by many because they are either so blinded by their devotion to the republcan party or else they work in an industry that has created the problems for America (healthcare, oil, finance). But the facts speak for themselves, as do the author's brilliant predictions, many of which have already come true.

The author is obviously one of the sharpest investment minds in America. I'll be looking for his next book while I continue to make money in the market, following his advice for oil, gold, healthcare and other investments.

More Harrowing Than Reading Chomsky........
This book really exposes the dark side of American government and corporate craftiness. This is the stuff they don't want the masses to know, so don't expect it to be high on anybody's best seller list. The standard corporate media outlets will suppress this book to death, probably by just ignoring it. By reading AFA, one will obtain a clearer picture how the rich get richer at the expense of the sheep.The tone is serious, clear, to the point and makes one reconsider if America is really the greatest country on earth. Post-read, it makes one feel like moving to Canada or Singapore.

I found AFA to be a better read than Crashproof, though both are required reading. My main complaint with AFA is it did not offer more specific investment advice for regular-Joe investors. I look forward to updated editions addressing this.