{"id":37035,"date":"2013-03-25T07:48:16","date_gmt":"2013-03-25T11:48:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/countingpips.com\/forex-news\/?p=37035"},"modified":"2013-03-25T07:48:16","modified_gmt":"2013-03-25T11:48:16","slug":"why-you-should-get-ready-for-capital-controls-in-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.investmacro.com\/forex-news\/2013\/03\/25\/why-you-should-get-ready-for-capital-controls-in-america\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Should Get Ready for Capital Controls in America"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Bill Bonner, billbonnersdiary.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

“Can you by legislation add one farthing to the wealth of the
\ncountry?” The great classical-liberal thinker Richard Cobden asked the
\nHouse of Commons on Feb. 27, 1846.<\/p>\n

The Argentines think so. So do the Europeans. And of course, the Americans.<\/p>\n

But first let us continue with Cobden’s remarks:<\/p>\n

“You may, by legislation, in one evening, destroy the fruits and
\naccumulations of a century of labour; but I defy you to show me how,
\nby the legislation of this House, you can add one farthing to the wealth
\nof the country.”<\/p>\n

Two news items yesterday reminded us how vain and treacherous the politicians can be.<\/p>\n

Uh Oh!<\/h3>\n

First, from the Argentine press came a story with the following headline: “Kirchner Government to Tighten Capital Controls.”<\/p>\n

Uh oh! It’s already a pain in the neck to try to keep the lights on
\nsouth of the Rio de la Plata. If you move money into the country
\nofficially, you will take about a beating. Officially, the exchange rate
\nis under six pesos to the dollar. But guys will come up to you on the
\nstreet and offer you eight pesos to the dollar \u2013 and more.<\/p>\n

In Salta, for example, you pull up in front of a bank at the corner
\nof the central square. You beckon to one of the many money changers
\nstanding on the sidewalk. You don’t get out of your car.<\/p>\n

“How much do you want,” he asks.<\/p>\n

“I want to change $1,000,” you reply.<\/p>\n

“Then, I’ll give you eight.”<\/p>\n

“No thanks,” you say… shooing him away.<\/p>\n

“Alright, 8.1.”<\/p>\n

“OK… we have a deal.”<\/p>\n

You count out your money and go on your way. No standing in line. No
\nneed for photo IDs. Cash and carry. Remarkably efficient. As long as you
\nstay in the black market. You can spend your money, no problem.<\/p>\n

But try to do business in an aboveboard way and you will quickly be
\ncaught in a trap. The government is running out of dollars. It tries to
\nforce you to give up dollars at less than the market rate.<\/p>\n

Already, these controls have driven many imported products off the
\nmarket completely. And now, with even stricter controls coming, it’s
\ngoing to get even tougher.<\/p>\n

But what would you expect from Argentina? Is there any foot in the Argentina banking system<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

that isn’t missing at least a couple of toes? Give them a super-stupid policy “gun,” and they will aim for their feet.<\/p>\n

The Turning of the Screw<\/h3>\n

Europe is a different matter. Or so we thought. More sophisticated.
\nMore subtle. More careful. Run by German bankers with memories that
\nstretch all the way back to the Weimar debacle of the 1920s.<\/p>\n

But here’s another story from yesterday’s news. You’ll see that Europe is thinking of imposing the same capital control<\/strong><\/a> policies that are hobbling the Argentine economy. From Reuters:<\/p>\n

Eurozone finance officials acknowledged
\nbeing “in a mess” over Cyprus during a conference call on Wednesday and
\ndiscussed imposing capital controls to insulate the region from a
\npossible collapse of the Cypriot economy<\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

“In detailed notes of the call seen by
\nReuters, one official described emotions as running “very high,” making
\nit difficult to come up with rational solutions, and referred to “open
\ntalk in regards of (Cyprus) leaving the eurozone.”<\/em><\/p>\n

“Some additional laws need to be
\npassed. Overall we are in a very difficult situation,” the official
\nsaid, according to the notes. “(We’re) trying to do everything within
\nthe powers to limit any unauthorised outflows.”<\/em><\/p>\n

We hope you are paying attention, dear reader. The euro feds are
\ntalking about passing laws to stop “unauthorized” outflows. In other
\nwords, they will make it illegal for you to put your money where you
\nwant. You will need their permission to move it. They want it right
\nwhere they can get it… if they need it.<\/p>\n

They think they can pass laws and add to the wealth of the nation \u2013
\nor at least parts of it. And it won’t be too long before Americans join
\nin. They’re already robbing savers with ultra-low interest rates. And
\nthe U.S. has already passed laws to make it difficult to keep funds in
\nforeign bank accounts.<\/p>\n

As their financial problems mount, the feds will turn the screws harder \u2013 just like the Europeans and the Argentines.<\/p>\n

Regards,<\/p>\n

\"Bill<\/p>\n

Bill<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Bill Bonner, billbonnersdiary.com “Can you by legislation add one farthing to the wealth of the country?” The great classical-liberal thinker Richard Cobden asked the House of Commons on Feb. 27, 1846. The Argentines think so. So do the Europeans. And of course, the Americans. But first let us continue with Cobden’s remarks: “You may, … <\/p>\n

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