Should the US default?

[FarmerD]

John T Reed always has some fascinating reads on his website and are great fodder for forum discussions.  I foud his website a couple years ago and did buy his book Hyperinflation and Depression.


For those unfamiliar with Mr Reed, he is a West point Graduate, Vietnam vet, and real estate author.  I'd probably consider him a quasi libertarian. 

http://www.johntreed.com/default.html

Curious what others here think.

[Indices]

I've read several of his books. He's hilarious, but I disagree with virtually all of his politics. Smart guy though. His books on real estate investment are amazing. I've also read his book "Succeeding".

What did you think of his book on hyperinflation? I've read he doesn't like gold and thinks people should invest in Forever Stamps.

[moda0306]

I tend to think huge deficits and monetization as is needed to keep rates down would accomplish much of what default would in terms of releiving the "real load" on our backs, with fewer of the crazy consequences on upsetting stability in world markets.

[Lone Wolf]

What did you think of his book on hyperinflation? I've read he doesn't like gold and thinks people should invest in Forever Stamps.

LOL.  That's hilarious.  It seems like a great way to get all the problems of TIPS with the addition of the investment being "guaranteed" by a dysfunctional entity that can't print money and is constantly flirting with bankruptcy.

[craigr]

I read part of his book on doomsday investing and had to simply stop halfway through.

[FarmerD]

I've read several of his books. He's hilarious, but I disagree with virtually all of his politics. Smart guy though. His books on real estate investment are amazing. I've also read his book "Succeeding".

What did you think of his book on hyperinflation? I've read he doesn't like gold and thinks people should invest in Forever Stamps.

I thought his Hyperinflation and Depression book was very interesting until he got to the part about gold.  I also didn't like his overall investment advice at all (yes strangely,he does mention Forever Stamps).  To me, it's completely impractical and wrongheaded.  That said, his controversial take on military issues (I'm a retired USAF officer) is absolutely 100% true.  His take on current events and the debt crisis is spot on correct also in my opinion.  

[FarmerD]

I read part of his book on doomsday investing and had to simply stop halfway through.

The investing part of his book was poor.  On the other hand, his chapter on Government and Institutional reaction to economic crisis was excellent.  It contained a lot of information I had never seen before. 

[Indices]

I think I might buy the book just for the hell of it. His books on real estate investment are arguably the best on the subject and his books on coaching sports are used by NFL coaches. But you can only be an expert on so many things and trying to be a master of economics as well is probably too much for any one individual.

I also read his book on Self Publishing and that helped me with my small self publishing business. I even write like he does to some extent (but on completely different topics).

[FarmerD]

The investing part of his book was poor.  On the other hand, his chapter on Government and Institutional reaction to economic crisis was excellent.  It contained a lot of information I had never seen before.  

Interestingly, it sounds like he's reconsidered his interest in gold.  Recent articles indicate gold is the best choice for hyperinflation.   protection.  Overall, a fascinating guy sure to provoke reaction one way or the other.  

[Lone Wolf]

Sounds like a really interesting fellow.  I'm always impressed when people can write proficiently on a number of diverse subjects like that.

Personally, I'm in the "honor the debt but greatly shrink government so that we can get our spending under control" camp.

Anyhow, he and the MMTer's should have a cage match on the question of default vs. printing.  A book of "First Class Forever" stamps goes to the winner.