Editor’s Commentary: There is a needed shift occurring in the way companies, even some of the most “woke,” are treating “Environment, Social, and Governance” policies, also known as ESG. They are realizing three things. The first is obvious. When you put emphasis on woke principles that less than half of the nation cares about, you alienate those who don’t care about them at all. Second, it’s not as profitable to focus on being “responsible” to the worries of radical leftists than to focus on doing business well.
The third takeaway, which is the one that seems to be breaking the camels’ backs, is that engaging in the ESG agenda offers zero social benefits against cancel culture. Companies that wear the ESG Badge are not seeing any protections from environmental groups, social justice warriors, or leftist politicians. Being woke doesn’t pay, but it also doesn’t guard against retribution from ESG disciples. In short, what’s the point?
While this is a wonderful development as it pertains to the businesses that are waking up to realities, it bodes ill for the economic war that has been brewing for a while. Globalist companies like BlackRock and organizations like the World Economic Forum are not just going to give up on their dreams of The Great Reset simply because their agenda is proving to be broken. They’re going to double-down on their pressure campaigns, which means companies and their investors are going to be attacked on multiple fronts. Those who continue to embrace ESG are going to suffer from the business-damaging principles. Those who pull away from ESG will be made to suffer by the globalist elite cabal for their insolence.
The article below by Bob Unruh from WND breaks down the reports that are showing ESG’s fading influence. As you read it, keep in mind the ill-effects this is going to have on the markets for the foreseeable future. I’ve been bullish about precious metals to protect wealth and retirement for over a year and this development reaffirms my convictions. Market turbulence isn’t going to subside in the short- or long-term due to Tuesday’s red wave, as Morgan Stanley analysts noted earlier today. The economic war that’s coming means Americans with investments need to act sooner rather than later. Procrastination will wipe some people out financially. Here’s Bob’s article…
For several years already, “woke” corporations have emphasized their “ESG” agendas.
That would stand for “environmental, social and governance” and it involves skewing their business decisions to, instead of producing the best product at the best price for consumers and shareholders alike, adjust for those environmental worries.
Or the social agenda that prevails. Or the mandate for minorities in management. But a report from the Washington Stand now explains CEOs are planning to “move away” from the agenda. And in Oklahoma, a law is taking effect that requires the state to stop doing business with financial companies that use ESG strategies.
Most of those specifically snub oil and gas companies, because of the climate change agenda that warns about its environmental impacts.
“In recent years, ESG investing has become the preferred investment strategy for almost every major company in America, as left-wing special interest groups have mounted increasing pressure on corporate America to divest from fossil fuels out of purported concerns about climate change. However, studies show that even if the U.S. cut 100% of CO2 emissions, it would make the world only 0.137 degrees Celsius cooler by 2100,” the report noted.
It was Oklahoma Gov Kevin Stitt who discussed the issue with “Washington Watch,” like the Stand another division of the Family Research Council in Washington.
His state now has the Energy Discrimination Elimination Act, the report said. He explained his job is to protect his state and its assets.
“We’re not going to invest in companies [whose] goal is not to earn a return, but more just to kind of check some box. We think that’s ridiculous. [We] also just [want] to protect our way of life and our oil and gas industry,” he explained.
Continuing, he noted, “We’re using our tax dollars in our pension funds that we’re setting aside for the benefit and the retirement of our state employees and our police and our fire. And then we’re turning around and investing in companies that then turn around and attack our state. So it’s just kind of a circular deal that’s not good for the state of Oklahoma. So as governor and as a businessman, we’re going to put a stop to this.”
His state is joining a list of others, including Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and West Virginia, that already have begun divesting from firms that openly promote ESG ideologies, the report said.
Stitt warned, too, about what Joe Biden is doing, by complaining that oil companies are “war profiteering.”
“That sounds a lot like socialism to me,” Stitt charged. “…You’ve got to remember, there’s millions of shareholders, millions of pension funds involved in investing billions of dollars in capital in our energy space. And for the president of the United States to say we’re going to have a windfall tax on that, what’s the next step — for them to take over private industries? This is a slippery slope. It’s an attack today on this industry. Tomorrow it could be on a different industry. And that’s nonsense.”
He warned there always are consequences to socialist ideals.
“When the government tries to fix one thing, they break 25 other things. You let the free market work, you deregulate, and that actually helps the middle class, that helps competition, that drives down prices. We know that from a business perspective. And so that’s why we’re unashamed of talking about some of the smaller government, less regulation that we need in Oklahoma and also, frankly, in the United States.”
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Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
Precious metals have been falling for a long time. This article is propaganda and facts on the ground do not support its premise
He provides no evidence to support his conclusion and it’s not happening. If they are moving away from it then they are moving towards something likely much worse. Sorry but this is another false flag to give conservative false hope that things may turn around in this country. Another cog in the propaganda wheel. It goes on in both parties. This may be a temporary shift but the trend isn’t changing.
As long as the government school system keeps producing new socialists for the upcoming generation, the turn back towards an Orwellian system like ESG can always come back. Though it didn’t stop socialism from taking root in the UK, I still think Churchill was correct when he said in 1948, “Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.” The US doesn’t need ESG to prosper, it needs entrepreneurs, innovators, risk takers, visionaries, a much smaller government, and a commitment to Biblical ethics.
These folks are all liars… Now that they are on the run, press forward, boycott and avoid doing business with them until the entire management structure changes.
First, May I say that it’s a pleasure to not have to login to some cryptocensor like disgust, Twitter, fb, or some other communist platform before actually weighing in on an article. Other than some random sites, I simply refuse to comment if that is one of the requirements. Thank you for opening this up.
As per E.S.G. and other Masonic monster machinations, they simply will not stop until we stop them. I am uncertain how that might look but the vice will keep tightening and tightening until the WEF and The other henchman of the apocalypse are forced to relent. Like this take the form of decapitation? Gee, I sure hope so.