CONSUMER SLAVES

[KaiserVadin]

I hate gateway, i will stick with dell and sorry for getting off topic ...

[folly4444]

U said exactly what i've been think'g!

way to go catch'g their lies !

[trje246]

Well, with the survey that i started, the polls tally up and concluded that 78.516% of ALL statistics are made up on the spot.

[H0VEN]

Charlie, 10.2% isn't correct either. Because the figure doesn't figure in self employed business owners like myself that are working but not turning a profit. Also, being self employed I cant collect unemployment even if I wanted to. So in my opinion the 10.2 is skewed to make it look much better than it actually is. Construction in my state of RI is all but dead and the State is facing a 1/2 billion dollar deficit next year. Even if the country rebounds 100% we will still lag far behind...

[whiskerchild]

You know, decades ago here in S. Calif. Black Friday wasn't such a big deal. I went shopping sometimes on these days, but haven't for years. I think now the public sees it as a football game- they see the shoving on TV, and they want to participate in the hullabaloo.

[VincentVonGoat]

nah charlie you got it all wrong... the execs at Goldman Sachs got their bonuses & single handedly saved black Friday by a mass shopping spree! LOL j/k

[desire4liberation]

thanks 4thevid:)

[bcbackrider]

Maybe camping out at Walmart IS the family get together for the entire year. It's the one event every member of the family will show up for. Sad, but true.

[phantomcharger]

The stores were only at about half capacity in my town, theyre full of shit.

[GuildF40]

GREAT VID

5✬✬✬✬✬

There is a man called KEITH and all the stores in the USA have to report sales to him by 09.00 surely you know this.lol

[PressForFreedom]

Thanks for your clarity and passion.

[Fockersnextdoor]

It seems now that the White House party crashers was just a publicity stunt to help NBC make money on a new reality show. Where do the lie's stop?

[drutter]

They claim consumer spending is up half a percent. Some say they're lying, some say they're exaggerating, some say it doesn't matter. But how about this? WHO CARES if consumer spending is up? In fact, consumer spending IS THE PROBLEM!!!!! If we weren't all busy buying $14 memory sticks and $299 flatscreens and $5 sweaters made in China, maybe we wouldn't be so FUCKED!

Who cares if consumer spending is up!?! Great, people put more on their credit cards to buy shit from overseas, woooohooooo!!!!

[crabbydogtrix]

agreed-let it come to an end. My point was the media is reporting this "increase" to spur on the herd mentality. So I guess I care when I see these reports that are pure propaganda.

[drutter]

Yeah, sorry Charlie, I wasn't ranting at you, just in general. I wrote my comment before finishing watching the video because the first part got me so riled up. We're in complete agreement.

[plumflowerblossom]

I have a friend who works at Target and she thinks there were less shoppers this year then last yr.

[KP23anda]

It's just logical to think that those that lost their jobs or got their hours cut are not out shopping as much as before. However, those that "survived" and still have a job with the same income as say 2 yrs. ago, those are STILL out shopping because they believe the recovery is going great, and the best days are ahead.

[pinkfloydmoon]

Thanks Charlie

[ChrmdLabradorite]

The 2% that hold all the wealth are still shopping...

[skeil909]

Friends who went shopping at the outlet stores down in Cabazon, CA said they were absolutely FLOODED with foreigners, mostly Japanese. It looked like downtown Tokyo at rush hour they said. I was on vacation up near San Luis Obispo, CA and it was busy, but nowhere near as busy as last year. You don't see the cart loads of merchandise going through the checkout as you saw in the past. People are out, but they're not buying nearly as much as in the past.

[cammoguy]

Technically, it should be possible to keep track of sales in real-time by tapping into the store's point of sale systems.

On a personal note, I seem to have convinced my sister and bro-in-law to start prepping!

Food, ammo, silver and survival gear are presents among the family this year.

[jknacasual]

It was not a "Black Friday", no matter how anyone in the media tries to spin it. I foresee some large retailer failures coming after the holidays. Strap in folks, this is going to be a bumpy ride at best.

[pentel1911]

thank god bens looking out for us.

[MengersDisciple]

Here ya go...on Bloomberg today:

"Holiday Sales to Drop as Forecasters See Discipline (Update1)

tinyurl (DOT) com / holidaysales2009

[cv1122]

good for you for unplugging for a bit. sometimes you just gotta do it.

my sister-in-law phoned me @ 6:30 am Fri morning from her shopping trip @ Kohl's asking me what size my kid is wearing now....though I didnt verbalize it, inside my mind was utter disappointment. people just won't GET IT until it smacks them in the face. they are oblivious to what's going on around them.

[TheCassandraReview]

I actually went shopping on black friday...I went and got more silver ;-)

This week will be interesting for the markets, as well as gold and silver. Did you read bob chapman's latest? Scary stuff.

[sgtrcc]

Smart lady, keep up the good work. Love your vids and the insight they bring.

[sdndeath]

Good Video... The End of USA is near.

[TracyM1974]

When people are strategically defaulting on their mortgages there is money to continue to be consumer slaves.

[robert4you]

Thanks for a great video!

[captcaveman4201]

let me ask you all a serious question about the employment numbers... Lets take it to the extreme shall we.. what do you think is a better number to have? 0% unemployment. or 100% unemployment ? one of those numbers is freedom..the other is slavery. are you smart enough to be able to tell the difference? the main stream media has brain washed people into thinkin a certain way..

[haserterr]

I also heard that report . Did not really understand how sales could be up due to all the hardships about.

I figured I would just wait a week for them to adjust there figures to the down side.

[rbito65]

GREAT COMMENTS , THANKS

[Michigansnowpony]

Wait 'til they are camping out to buy food . . .

[oldmrelics]

michigansnowpony - my thoughts exactly! At least they'll have practice waiting in the future government food lines. As I stock food, ammo, and silver, I wonder how many people will be lining up at my house for a handout? Maybe that's the time I could get the real deals on a 60" plasma tv, a new truck, sacks of gold, vacation homes in the mountains, hmmm maybe another trip to SAM's is in order...

[Atoyota]

on consumers... reports are they (consumers) came for specific items with lists in hand and were not intending to deviate.

That the trick of baiting consumers with cut prices basically backfired, because the consumer (generally) just took the deals and left the profit items on the shelf.

So retailers had decent sales but made no money because the consumer did not buy the profit items as much as they did the non profit or profit loss items.

snap crackle pop

[Danster82]

I dont think we should just look for evidence to support our economic outlook, because as for here in England London people are still shopping like crazy, nothing really has changed, therefore they cannot be being squeezed as tight as we might imagine,

People are still financially sound it would seem, and from my own perspective nothing has changed, credit crisis 1.0 had zero effect on me.

It is only until it effects the currency in a drastic way that it will effect the average folk.

[Michigansnowpony]

My niece and nephew-in-law make $300,000+ a year. She's a pharmacist and he's a medical engineer (designs pacemakers). They are only peripherally aware of this economy. It has not affected their lives or income at all and in fact, allowed them to get quite a deal on their first house (they are both in their late 20's). But they are not typical. So, while some professions are definitely weathering the storm, that isn't to say MOST are. That's simply fact. At least in the U.S.

[mrh6976]

I live near York folk here are still spending money but most on credit cards because like you said nothing has changed still trying to keep up with the friends

I had a frank talk with mates at work and they have all said that this xmas is the last blow out before they cut the cards 2 of them are going to run there cards up to the max and the go bankrupt because they are now on the edge with money

The truth is most people dont want to appear to be in trouble so they just keep spending

[Bernd1964]

Consumerism is a mental addiction that undermines all values of a sound society. It is linked to hyper-individualism and greed. Social competences wane in a society that regards pocession and consumption as the most important achievements in life. To live without candy, TV and electronic gadgets has become very difficult for many people nowadays because they were unconsciously manipulated to believe that this is the best way to live. All the corp. media is in full service to maintain this trance

[mcgrawtim123]

"floatin' large on a big fat sea of cash." LOL!!!

thanks, mc.

[iloveterriers]

I read just now that Black Friday was dismal -- no big shopping frenzy.

[dreadz808]

Charlie I suggest they got the climate change scientist to get the numbers for the black friday sales, Well they are in the business of falsifying figures. Glad to see you back

[Michigansnowpony]

Bahahahahaha! Excellent comment! I think you are right.

[vivaloriflamme]

I passed a few malls in the morning on the way to the ranch--- parking lots were full.

I gave my business to the small family-run lumber store out in the sticks--- got a nice batch of fence posts. Paid cash.

[pwbpeter]

If the dollar is going downhill, does it not make sense to get a good deal on stuff you need?

[justjacqueline2004]

Bernanke's article is cronyism writ large-those non -inner ringers are out in the cold,that's you and me!We will be shouldering yet larger bail outs and higher inflation in things we need.Deflation may be our wish but inflation is the establishments  actuality.

Whilst coming to work this morning,areas of Chelsea in London,which are normally quiet,were awash in limos and panic stricken "billionaires".What's going on,a lot were Israelis?

[TheCassandraReview]

The dubai situation, a lot of the eurozone where investing in Dubai world and there are fears of defaulting. Dubai requested a 6 month halt on it's debt payment. A lot of bankers here in the US worked on friday just to figure out thier exprouse.

[35slave]

shut up charlie . just shut up . msnbc, cnn,

fox etc dont lie. you are making to much sense.

[AfterTheFox75]

Glad to see you back Charlie. :) Happy to hear you had a great Thanksgiving!

Yup, sick and sad that camping out to buy more worthless crap has become a kind of norm behavior in this country. I have never, in my entire life, gone shopping on Black Friday nor the rest of Thanksgiving weekend. -Nor have I ever camped out to buy anything period. How can anyone not see that as demeaning?!

[Michigansnowpony]

What bothers me about this rabid shopping mentality is: Look how people act when it comes to getting the latest electronic gadget.  What will they be like if the "deal of the day" or the "limited quantities" are things they actually NEED? Yikes.

[AfterTheFox75]

The sad thing is that I think I can already picture it. It'll be a very angry and violent scene. Think War of the Worlds (Spielberg version) -when they are all in line to get on the ferry or the scene when they are ambushed for the van. Animals in cages...and they will turn on one another, one by one.

[cowboycarl04]

numbers came out.... 195 million US shoppers spent an AVERAGE of $343 per person, which is $30 less than last year.

That's around $67 billion spent in 3 days, and not counting the estimated 94 million that will spend on "cyber monday" which has been shown all over the news in the Dallas area.

I'm proud that I was apparently the 34% of the population THAT DID NOT BUY needless items for the ultimate shopping holiday.

[Mr1openmind]

That's real Will Power. Need to follow with a few days away from the computer too.

[Piscivorus]

People feel poor because they are poor. We're taxed six ways to Sunday and prices are so bad we can't afford much beyond basics. But that's not an excuse to use credit. Credit is advertised as if it makes everything more affordable but, it really makes everything more expensive. It artificially increasing sales, drives up prices, and keeps us all in the poor house. If you want to see prices come down, if you want to see the value of your money go up, stop falling for the lie of credit.

[Fockersnextdoor]

I think it's called "bandwagon" advertising and we should expect 20% of the population with weak minds to fall for it or not know the facts.Some of them still put "made in china" toys in the hands of thier 2 year olds.

[haserterr]

I had to purchase a mail box this week due to vandalism. The outside of the box said made in USA. When I opened it up the box the posts were in said MADE IN CHINA!

[phnixlady]

We have to money to consumerizz.

[bluecat1122]

Thanks for the video

[snslion]

well stated.

[dwfierce]

What about Dubai tanking this week?

From what I'm hearing from other sources the Dubai thing is going to be huge.

You brought up some very valid points about statistics for Black Friday... I've spent 20 years in retail and crap like the "average ticket" sale is exactly how the lie about the truth. Good job Charlie and see if you can find anything about Dubai brother. tnx mon!

[1mealperday]

check max keiser or zerohedge re dubai

zero hedge has 7 articles and excellent responses re dubai and consequences.

[dwfierce]

Thanx brother, I love Max Keiser!

[homeandstable]

I have noticed that the variety of items in stores are decreasing, and they are repeating one product on the shelves 3 or 4 rows across and maybe just 3 items deep in each row. I also went to our super walmart on friday around 1:30pm and it didn't seem  busy. I didn't even have to wait in line to make my purchase. I spoke with a friend whose daughter stayed up all night waiting outside Best Buy only to come home with nothing. I am sure she was not alone.

[phnixlady]

amen

[debtruth1]

you're exactly right..... i saw a news clip a week or so ago that discussed how retail stores were adjusting their business models in light of the economy and have reduced their inventories.... could it be that they calculate sales to how much inventory is moved? also, it would be interesting to dig up retail employment numbers...... and compare the sales/inventory/retail labor numbers from last year to this year. there is much more to the equation..... glad you're home safely!

[powermousey]

a lot of people don't know or are duped and do not not realize that this system was set up and guided by the elite. And that its debt driven ridden. They are taught, encouraged and conditioned to be consumerist and citizen slaves. Some people think that I'm odd for not following the system or a lot of it. And even from unraveling from the various conditionings and teachings. watch?v=1Hb0iFH0AHk

But, you have to be like Schrodingers' cat. ;) watch?v=7SjFJImg2Z8

[SchiffnShive]

Hit the nail on the head. I even heard Sportscenter anchors telling folks "Go out and shop bc it keeps us employed."

[centervilletn]

ive been in the stores in the last week or so and what i see is stores that have changed out tall shelving for short shelving..widened isles have decreased the varieties of things they carry....and there is NO way they can see an net increase sales..its an impossibility...

[stellaconcepts]

dont forget - those figures are nominal values.

so the nominal value may have increased, but that same amount of money could have got you a lot more last year.

[crabbydogtrix]

great point, im also finding repoting that per invoice amount is up and then they are reporting that as a increase in sales over last year. Again that could just be an indicator of inflation. Thanks John

[centervilletn]

givem hell Charlie!...reagan was right...there are lies, damn lies and Statistics!

[matahaari]

Thanks for the link to the "mighty ones" article, haha. He might be a student of the Great Depression, but has Bernanke ever read the warnings the Founders left us about allowing bankers to run our economy? Is it coincidence that the Depression occurred on the Feds watch? Failure is an option.

[ceverha]

@matahaari the end is coming now.the end is coming in 2010 an there is no way to stop it

[Maynardsat]

Just out of curiosity, which mall did you go to in Denver? I am from there so I have seen all of them at xmas time in the past and they were nuts. Jam-packed parking lots and the whole nine yards.

[crabbydogtrix]

its on bowles in Littleton but i cant think of the name. It was not very busy at all. I went about 2pm.

[Maynardsat]

That's Southwest Plaza. That is one of the two major malls on the South end of Denver. I used to live about ten minutes from there and did most of my mall shopping there. In the past, they had to have the police direct traffic into that mall on black Firdays and parking would have taken at least 20 minutes to find a spot. Thanks for the update.

[crabbydogtrix]

At 2 i had no problem getting in or out and lots of parking.

[kenandjasha]

I like Bernanke's closing line in the article:

"Now more than ever, America needs a strong, nonpolitical and independent central bank with the tools to promote financial stability and to help steer our economy to recovery without inflation."

And he does it by turning on the printing press all day and all night...way to fight inflation Ben lol

[crabbydogtrix]

SICK RIGHT?

[AndyMH182]

No kidding. It's impossible to juggle and accomplish everything we need to fix the economy. If he wants to save the banks, then we're going to have to devalue the dollar. If we want a vibrant economy, we have to let the banks and thousands of business go under.

No way around it, and Helicopter Ben won't stop devaluing the dollar to fight deflation.

[Repomex01]

credit cards are shot, done, caput!!!

[centervilletn]

i wish i had credit cards...id be having one last harah on chase!

[phnixlady]

bin ther dun that. got 100 buks left. lol, blood outa turnip.

[centervilletn]

congrats...this is the only time in over a decade that i wish i had credit cards because id be buying silver and guns and telling the bastards to pound sand

[shawnaspen25]

Camping out at Walmart, two words -Darwin's Theory!!

[crabbydogtrix]

so true

[kenandjasha]

thats why they are called consumer slaves Charlie... sad but true.

[NOweWONT]

don't you just wanna kill all those guys who always write "first" ?

[Repomex01]

not really

[vivaloriflamme]

@Nowe

That's why they call the behavior "stupid firsties"...........