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Get the full story here. | | | "A virtuous and industrious people may be cheaply governed… The system of America is commerce with all and war with none." -- Benjamin Franklin
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving today. We have many things to be grateful for this year.
Donald Trump is one of them, having survived three assassination attempts and achieving a mandate on Nov. 5. His enemies know that a whole new paradigm shift is at stake: The return of laissez-faire government, as expressed by Benjamin Franklin, the grandfather of our country. (See quotes above.)
Earlier in the 20th century, the Presbyterian minister Norman Thomas was a perennial candidate for president on the Socialist Party ticket. Then, after his sixth failed attempt at the White House, he announced that he would no longer run for president. He famously said, "I no longer need to run as a presidential candidate for the Socialist Party. The Democrat Party has adopted our platform."
Indeed, the Democratic Party has radicalized its agenda: out-of-control big government, free college education and socialized medicine, weaponized state powers and institutionalized woke culture.
Have Libertarians Taken Over the Republican Party?
Fortunately, the Republican Party has moved in the opposite direction. It has been captured by the libertarians! Not surprisingly, three major figures in the Republican Party -- Donald Trump, Vivek Ramaswamy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. -- have addressed the Libertarian Party and my own FreedomFest conference, "the greatest libertarian show on earth."
As National Review's columnist John Fund has said, "FreedomFest doesn't just ride the wave, it invents it."
Over the years, the libertarians have made inroads in the Republican Party, making the case for another round of Reaganomics:
- Cut taxes.
- Reduce the size of government.
- Adopt sound money.
- Deregulate the economy.
The cover of Reason magazine reflects the radical nature of the libertarian movement:
In this issue, Reason demands abolishing the IRS, FDA, Social Security and the Federal Reserve.
None of this radical surgery will happen, of course, but Donald Trump does have a second chance to make a real paradigm shift in the United States and around the world and create a minimal state.
Following in the Footsteps of Milei's Argentina
Trump is taking a page out of Javier Milei's radical surgery in Argentina. Milei was elected a year ago. Argentinians were fed up with the malaise. Big government there was a mess with excessive regulation, taxation, inflation and corruption.
Happily, Milei is making progress in bringing down inflation (now at 29% a year) and cutting out wasteful government spending and political corruption.
Investors are betting that Milei's austerity crusade will pay further dividends. The stock market there is up 80% since his election.
Milei was the first foreign president to visit President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. They have similar mandates to reshape their economies and take a chainsaw to wasteful government spending and runaway inflation.
Milei remains popular, even though South America's second-largest economy is still in recession and not out of the woods yet.
Trump Appoints Some Real Change-Makers
In most cases, Trump has chosen some real experts to run the government.
Wall Street has risen 7% in the past month and likes his choice for Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent. Bessent is the CEO of Key Square Capital Management and was once trained by Jim Rogers at Soros Fund Management. He is considered well qualified and a calming influence on Wall Street.
I see a return to a common-sense approach to the environment and climate change. Rejecting the radical agenda of the global-warming alarmists, Trump has appointed leaders from the private sector to "drill, baby, drill" and dramatically expand the development of nuclear energy.
The choice of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Stanford Professor Jay Bhattacharya as director of the National Institute of Health suggests Trump means business. Both are controversial choices, but if confirmed by the Senate, will improve the health of millions of Americans.
Can the Department of Education Be Abolished?
The Department of Education will be a real litmus test. Starting with Ronald Reagan, Republican leaders have campaigned on abolishing this useless agency. After spending billions on administering and promoting its "no child left behind" agenda, the Department of Education has nothing to show for it. SAT scores have actually declined since its inception in 1979.
Trump promises to eliminate the department and turn over education to local and state governments, where it belongs.
Reforming Social Security and Medicare
The welfare state needs radical surgery. For starters, why not reinstate the Welfare Reform Act of 1996 that was passed by a bipartisan Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton. It required able-bodied people to find a job after five years on welfare. President Barack Obama gutted that provision after the financial crisis of 2008-09. It's time to bring it back.
To avoid the unfunded liability crisis headed our way, we also need to privatize part or all of Social Security, as Sweden, England, Chile and other countries have done.
As for our Medicare program, we could learn a lot from Singapore's universal Medisave program that includes competitive health savings accounts while offering protection against catastrophic illnesses. It is considered the most efficient medical insurance program in the world, and Singapore spends only 5% of GDP on healthcare compared to 18% in the United States. Life expectancy is the highest in the world.
In his book, Professor Sean Flynn calls Singapore's health care system "The Cure that Works: How to Have the World's Best Healthcare -- at a Quarter of the Price." We should try it.
Foreign Policy Under Trump
Last, but not least, Trump has promised to return to his first term of world peace. He hopes to negotiate an end to the Ukraine-Russia war and the conflicts in the Middle East, as well as reduce the bellicose agenda of the communist Chinese. It's a tall order.
It's also possible that Trump's protectionist policies will backfire. He plans to escalate higher tariffs as a negotiation tool to force concessions with China, Canada, Mexico and other countries. Hopefully, the result will be lower barriers across the border and more globalization. Stay tuned. | | Top 20 Living Economist Shares the Largest Position in His Personal IRA Investing legend Dr. Mark Skousen recently gave a talk to a small group in the heart of Washington, D.C. In it, he revealed the cornerstone of his retirement plan -- and the one investment that helped make him a millionaire. Click here to watch Dr. Skousen's presentation -- and learn about "the best way to become a millionaire in America." | | | If My Uncle Cleon Were Alive Today…
If my uncle Cleon Skousen were alive today, he would be thrilled with the turn of events. He was a leader in the Republican Party in the 20th century, a former FBI agent who was a special assistant to J. Edgar Hoover and the author of "The Naked Communist," "The Five Thousand Year Leap" and the Thousand Year books on the Bible.
The New York Times labeled him "the Constitutional Father" of the conservative movement.
Now, after three years of hard work by my wife Jo Ann and me, his personal story can be told for the first time, in his own words, revealing never-before-published details about his personal and family life, his six careers and his influence with top government and religious leaders. The book includes over 190 rare photographs and newspaper clippings.
Recently, I sent a copy to Michael Medved, the radio talk show host and author. He wrote me back last week: "It was great seeing you at the COSM Conference a few weeks ago, and I wanted you to know how much I appreciated your book 'There Were Giants in the Land.' You and your wife did a marvelous job putting together the episodes from your beloved uncle's amazing life. I knew his name, of course, from his famous books, but you bring to life the man behind the movement. It comes across that your project was an act of love -- even reverence. Bravo!"
He added, "We do miss figures of stature like your uncle. Even amidst the celebrations of recent Republican successes, it's still important to keep alive that traditional idea that character counts -- obviously, a value behind Cleon Skousen's remarkable career and family life."
Our book has been endorsed by former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Senator Mike Lee, Heritage Foundation's founder Ed Feulner, radio host Glenn Beck, conservative marketing genius Richard Viguerie, former congressman Bob McEwen, Leadership Institute founder Morton Blackwell and many others. He was long-time friends with former congressman Ron Paul.
Senator Mike Lee wrote, "Cleon Skousen was truly a giant. I encourage everyone to read the story of this great man, which will inspire you to join the cause of liberty."
Cleon Skousen was a master storyteller and spell-binding speaker, whether he spoke about the history of communism, the Bible, the Constitution or the greatness of America. He was a family man who, with his wife Jewel, raised five boys and three girls.
Revealing Memoir Based on His Private Diaries
Over his 70-year career as an FBI agent, chief of police in Salt Lake City, BYU professor, author of many books, leader in the anti-communist movement and defender of the Constitution, Dr. Cleon Skousen gave over 10,000 speeches and wrote several bestselling books that have sold millions: "The Naked Communist"… "The Naked Capitalist"… "The Five Thousand Year Leap"… "The Making of America"… and the "Thousand Year" books about the Bible (which still sell today because they bring the Bible to life like no other book).
I asked radio/TV personality Glenn Beck to write a blurb for the book. He wrote: "When I die, there are two people I want to meet, and one of them is Cleon Skousen. Have you ever read a book that literally changed your life? 'The Five Thousand Year Leap' would solve every problem we have in America." | | Don't get left behind I just read a wild article about nuclear power and artificial intelligence.
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If you're not leveraging A.I. to forecast the markets, you risk being left behind in this fast-moving world.
Join me LIVE to get started. | | | 'Giants' Is Banned in China!
His anti-communist crusade got him into trouble, even after his death. When our publisher tried to print a low-cost edition of the book in China, the Chinese government intervened and prohibited his book from being published there.
The printer wrote us, "I was informed that China won't allow it to be printed in any mainland printer due to its contents, what they referred to as 'sensitive material.'"
I guess they took offense to such as statements as "no patriotic American can be either a communist or a supporter of communism" (p. 155) and "Mao's 'butcher' was believed to have supervised the slaughter of some thirty-five million Chinese" (p. 320).
Our publisher chose to print it in "free" South Korea at a slightly higher cost.
Highlights:
--Why 1913, the year of his birth, became a special year in Cleon's drive to achieve political success. "God gave me a mission in life to fight the three political mistakes of 1913!" (See p. 308-309)
--Working with the "ruthless" J. Edgar Hoover during his 16 years with the FBI, plus Skousen's encounters with gangsters Mickey Cohen, Bugsy Siegel and "Machine Gun" Kelly. (p. 49-51, 80-84, 88-90, 270-271)
--A Church leader predicts in the summer of 1939, "There will be war!" which leads to Cleon's first book, "Prophecy and Modern Times." (p. 59-60)
--Behind the scenes at the FBI headquarters on the Day of Infamy, December 7, 1941, when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. (p. 73-74)
--Cleon's scariest assignment: Planting a telephone bug in gangster Mickey Cohen's house in LA. Suddenly, someone yelled, "Shhhh! The FBI!" (p. 81-82)
--Meeting famed "Gone with the Wind" actress Olivia de Havilland and how he used a secret tape to show that she was being duped by a communist front organization: Her surprising reaction. (p. 85-87) This story is worth the price of the book!
--His confrontation with an atheist professor and later a debate with the son of notorious atheist Madalyn O'Hair. (p. 38-42, 383-385)
--His courtship of his high-school sweetheart Jewel Pitcher, and the secret to their marriage that lasted 74 years. (p. 43-44, 166, 479-480)
--What it was like raising five boys and three girls, and why his faithful wife Jewel should be the co-author of Cleon's book, "So You Want to Raise a Boy." (p. 206-209)
--The real reason Skousen was fired as chief of police of Salt Lake City in 1960. (p. 168-169)
--How a church leader's public endorsement made "The Naked Communist" an overnight bestseller, selling over two million copies. (p. 153-154, 160-161)
--Cleon's appearance on nationwide TV at the Hollywood Bowl on October 16, 1961, with John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Senator George Murphy and Ronald Reagan in "Hollywood's Answer to Communism." (p.193-198)
--Cleon's friendship with Hollywood producer Cecil B. DeMille and his role in the filming of "The Ten Commandments." (p.136-140)
--Friendships with the Osmonds (p. 373-375, 385), Roy Rogers and Dale Evans (p. 166, 195), Art Linkletter (p. 300-302), Eagle Forum founder Phyllis Schlafly (p. 442-443) and economist Milton Friedman. (p. 299-300)
--Did Elvis Presley read Cleon's "First 2,000 Years?!" (p. 351-352)
--His special relationship with Ronald Reagan, and the behind-the-scenes reason why Reagan was forced to add George W. Bush Sr. to the presidential ticket in 1980. (p. 243-244, 331-332, 380-381, 387)
--How his Freemen Institute helped elect Utah Senator Orrin Hatch; their close friendship. (p. 290-292, 308-309, 322-324, 365-367)
--Cleon's 70-year close relationship with Ezra Taft Benson as Secretary of Agriculture under Eisenhower and later as president of the LDS Church.
--Confessing a weakness for defending controversial figures like Senator Joseph McCarthy (p. 296-297), the John Birch Society (p. 299), Black Panther member Eldridge Cleaver (p. 345-351) and Reverend Moon (p. 343-344), and how they all eventually disappointed him.
How to Order the First Edition
The hardback and Audible editions are available on Amazon: There Were Giants In The Land - Episodes in the Life of W. Cleon Skousen: W. Cleon Skousen: 9780910558327: Amazon.com: Books
We offer the best deal. Buy it at a discount at www.skousenbooks.com. It's priced at only $29.95 postpaid. We pay shipping anywhere in all 50 states. Order your copy today. They also make a great holiday or birthday gift.
Make It a Family Vacation: New Speakers at FreedomFest 2025
FreedomFest, June 11-14, 2025, Palm Springs Convention Center, California: When you celebrate Thanksgiving, why not take advantage of the holidays and make your plans to come to the greatest libertarian show on earth!
Many attendees are planning to make a family vacation to attend FreedomFest and visit the Golden State.
Good news! In addition to legendary financial guru Jim Rogers, I have just confirmed Larry Sanger, the co-founder of Wikipedia (he came up with the name) who will speak on "The Threat of Centralized Control of Social Media and What Can Be Done About It"…
I will also be debating John Tamny, publisher and editor of RealClearMarkets, on his dangerous new book "The Deficit Delusion."
Plus, bestselling author Eric Weiner will be joining me on stage to talk about "The Greatest American: The World's Most Versatile Genius" as identified by famous documentarian Ken Burns. Hint: Weiner's book is called "Ben and Me."
We are also happy to welcome back Marc Eliot, Hollywood's biographer, who will talk about Hollywood's love affair with Palm Springs and will be leading a tour of secluded homes of Frank Sinatra and other celebrities.
See you in Palm Springs in June!
Take advantage of our "early bird" discount, only $397 per person, by going to www.freedomfest.com, or call Hayley at 1-855-850-3733, ext. 201. The discount ends Jan. 1!
Good Investing, AEIOU,
Mark Skousen
Doti-Spogli Endowed Chair of Free Enterprise, Chapman University
Wikipedia
Newsletter and trading services
Personal website
FreedomFest | | Trump's Tariffs Won't End the Fentanyl Drug Crisis By Mark Skousen
Editor, Forecasts & Strategies
President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose 30-50% import duties on Mexico and Canada to force these border partners to clamp down on the fentanyl drug crisis.
But such measures have usually backfired when they focus on the symptoms (the supply chain) and not the root cause (demand by drug users).
Simon Lee, the freedom fighter and expat from Hong Kong who now lives in Canada, recently wrote on the subject:
"The frustration among voters in both the United States and Canada is understandable. Issues like inner-city crime, substance abuse and the troubling state of mental health are very real concerns. But when it comes to drug use, the solution isn't as simple as targeting supply. Substance abuse also has a demand side.
"Why are so many people -- especially young people -- turning to drugs in the first place? Why is despair so pervasive in societies like ours, where opportunities and resources should abound? Sociological research identifies family dysfunction, peer pressure and academic stress as primary drivers of drug use. Psychological studies show that a belief in a positive future can deter substance abuse, while hopelessness often pushes people toward drugs as a coping mechanism. Stress and despair are potent triggers, and they're far more widespread than we might want to admit.
"Tariffs on Canadian exports won't fix the fentanyl crisis any more than waving a wand will solve all our social ills. Instead of looking for shortcuts, we need to ask deeper questions: What kind of society are we building? How can we offer young people a sense of purpose and hope? Governments cannot solve the root causes of drug use -- despair, stress and alienation -- by focusing solely on supply-side measures.
"I empathize with those who feel strongly about combating drug use -- it's a destructive force. But who's to blame for the underlying problems? Progressives blame conservatives, conservatives blame progressives, and the cycle continues.
"Ultimately, individuals make their own choices, and those choices have consequences. While I support harm reduction and legalization as pragmatic approaches, I recognize that no government policy can stop someone determined to engage in self-destructive behavior.
"In fact, enforcement policies that focus exclusively on supply often backfire. By ignoring demand, they inadvertently hand criminal cartels a lucrative monopoly.
"The demand side of the problem is harder to address, and that's precisely why many politicians avoid it. Voters often prefer quick fixes, and tariffs might seem like one. But simple answers rarely solve complex problems. There is no magic wand for societal issues -- not for substance abuse, not for despair and certainly not for the broader challenges we face." | | | About Mark Skousen, Ph.D.:
 Mark Skousen is an investment advisor, professional economist, university professor, author of more than 20 books, and founder of the annual FreedomFest conference. For the past 40+ years, Dr. Skousen has been investment director of the award-winning newsletter, Forecasts & Strategies. He also serves as investment director of four trading services: TNT Trader, Five Star Trader, Low Priced-Stock Trader, and Fast Money Alert. | | | | | |
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