The financial House of Cards is combusting: Tax havens controlling more U.S. debt than state actors.

echoes Severus' "military monarchy" in the year 211

Op-Ed by Jon Forrest Little

This previous post had an error caught by a reader paying attention , and the corrected version now lives in section right under this sentence.

When Septimius Severus lay on his deathbed in 211 CE, he famously foolishly advised his sons milites locupletate, ceteros omnes contemnite.

milites locupletate, ceteros omnes contemnite.

• "milites locupletate" means "enrich the soldiers"

• "ceteros omnes contemnite" means "scorn all others"
  
  

This statement reflected his prioritization of military power and foreshadowed the instability that would follow in the Roman Empire.

At the time of Severus' death, Rome was beginning its inglorious state of decline. His policies had begun to set the stage for future challenges. His reign was marked by military expansion, during which he significantly enlarged the army and raised soldiers' pay. This increase placed a considerable strain on the empire's finances.

To fund these military expenses, Severus resorted to debasing the currency.

The silver content of the Roman denarius was reduced from approximately 78.5% to 54% during his rule, a process that unfolded gradually rather than occurring in a single year. This debasement contributed to economic instability and inflation in the years that followed.

Additionally, Severus marginalized the Senate, dismantling the traditional power-sharing system between the emperor and this governing body. His establishment of a "military monarchy" emphasized the role of the army in governance, which would have lasting repercussions for Roman political structures.

Rome was beginning its pathetic decline at the time of Severus' death, his actions and final words laid the groundwork for significant overwhelming challenges ahead.

The focus on military might and the sidelining of traditional institutions contributed to political instability and set the stage for a series of succession crises and civil wars. Ultimately, these factors would play a crucial role in the emergence of the Third Century Crisis, a period marked by severe difficulties for the Roman Empire in subsequent decades.

The United States is experiencing a modern parallel to ancient Rome's economic and political decline. The Federal Reserve's extensive money printing mirrors the debasement of the Roman denarius, leading to inflation and economic instability. - Jon Forrest Little

Simultaneously, the growing influence of corporate interests in government, particularly in the pharmaceutical, defense, technology and banking sectors, echoes Severus' "military monarchy."

This revolving door between industry and government has created a system where corporate priorities often overshadow public interests.

The result is a concentration of power in the hands of a few, much like Severus' marginalization of the Senate, potentially undermining democratic institutions and economic stability

US Dollar: Unbacked & Vulnerable

The global financial landscape is teetering on the brink of a seismic shift, with central banks worldwide turning their backs on the once-mighty U.S. dollar. This exodus from the greenback's toxic orbit is not just alarming—it's a clear indictment of America's fiscal irresponsibility and waning global influence.

As the petrodollar system crumbles with Saudi Arabia cozying up to BRICS, the emperor stands naked—the U.S. dollar, unbacked and vulnerable.

Central banks aren't just diversifying; they're fleeing to the safety of gold, amassing a staggering 1,136 tonnes in 2022 alone, then breaking those records and the accumulation has revved into overdrive.

This isn't mere prudence; it's a damning vote of no confidence in the U.S. financial system.

Meanwhile, the U.S. fiscal situation is a ticking time bomb. With the national debt skyrocketing past $36 trillion and daily interest payments ballooning to $3 billion, we're witnessing a slow-motion train wreck

The farcical debt ceiling debates—occurring with alarming frequency—are a testament to our political dysfunction.

Over the past decade, the U.S. has faced numerous debt ceiling debates, often leading to threats of government shutdowns. Despite this brinkmanship, the outcome remains consistent: both Democrats and Republicans ultimately vote to raise the debt ceiling. This pattern reflects the reality of a debt-based economic model rather than a constrained balanced budget system, necessitating bipartisan cooperation both DEM and GOP offenders lacking basic math understanding.

The Fed's options are dwindling. Inflating away the debt would be catastrophic, potentially triggering hyperinflation and economic collapse. Default, on the other hand, would shatter global confidence in U.S. financial instruments, possibly ending the dollar's reserve currency status overnight.

Adding to this financial house of cards is the bizarre behavior of Cayman Islands' Treasury purchases, hinting at potential offshore manipulation or hidden financial maneuvers that could further destabilize markets.

The financial world teeters on the brink of absurdity stupidity. Imbeciles are in charge.

How does itsy bitsy teenie weenie Cayman Islands hold $2.7 Trillion (more than Switzerland, Netherlands, France, Ireland and Japan COMBINED?)

China is listed on this US Treasury website as holding 217 Billion. So Cayman Islands at 10 Times Greater than China. WTF?
source: https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2706

I really wish I could make up stories this frightening because I’d be the next Stephen King … look it up on your own

With capital flight from resource-rich nations like Angola reaching astronomical levels, and pump-and-dump schemes bilking investors out of millions. It's clear that our global financial system is a rigged game. The house of cards grows taller, but for how long before it all comes crashing down?

This precarious situation isn't just an economic issue—it's a national security threat. As the world loses faith in the dollar, America's global influence wanes. The BRICS nations are already crafting alternatives, threatening to relegate the U.S. to the sidelines of global finance.

The writing is on the wall: unless drastic measures are taken to restore fiscal sanity and rebuild global trust, we may be witnessing the twilight of American financial hegemony. The clock is ticking, and the world is watching.

Our opinions are not our sponsors opinions.

The views expressed at thesilverindustry.substack.com are not necessarily the views of The Silver Academy, Pickaxe, SilverWars.org

Not Financial Advice

Avoid driving heavy machinery while reading