When the Checks Stop Coming

[tpreitzel]

This thread is about a shutdown of the federal government and the ramifications thereof .... Since this thread isn't solely about money, I decided to place it in General Politics.

Personally, I can almost taste an impending shutdown of the federal government. Retirees without any savings will either suddenly swarm into the streets or into the unemployment lines seeking work. Do you have at least one month's budget for rent and food stashed away? Self defense measures also seem appropriate here given recent signs of chaos elsewhere.

[tangent4ronpaul]

Even if they shut down everything else, I think they would still print money and checks. Otherwise, retirees, the unemployed, those on welfare and students dependent on financial aid would riot.

You should have a lot more than a months worth of savings, maybe 6 at a min. also, a years worth of stored food is pretty basic.

[tpreitzel]

While I agree that a lot more than one month's reserve is really necessary to battle the predetermined solution, the chaos will likely unfold so fast that the predetermined solution will be offered within a month's time.

[specsaregood]

Isn't that how you stop riots?

[Stary Hickory]

I live practically in Washington DC. When the checks stop coming this city is going to go to hell fast. I am going to have freaking semiautomatic rifle. It will be like Zombie Land here, so many people who live here are basically just uselss dependents onthe government, they don't know how to feed or clothe themselves.

Reality will be hard to swallow here, I imagine all big cities which of been accustomed to living off other people will be bad to live in. It's coming the government has gotten too large and it was based on the illusion that the FEDs printing presses was pushing.

[doodle]

In the spirit of promoting out of box thinking, does anyone know total worth of all our awsome weapon systems and how much money can US raise by selling all the current stored weapons in open market?

Would that money be enough to put a major dent into to the debt box and avoid such a federal shutdown as is being discussed here?

[Stary Hickory]

In the spirit of promoting out of box thinking, does anyone know total worth of all our awsome weapon systems and how much money can US raise by selling all the current stored weapons in open market?

Would that money be enough to put a major dent into to the debt box and avoid such a federal shutdown as is being discussed here?

I don't know I doubt it, thing is if we go into a default situation we will needs those guns.....going to piss off China quite a bit.

[tpreitzel]

Over the past year or so, I've been listening to some forecasts based on predictive robots scouring the internet for information. Sure, the process is flawed as is the human interpretation of the information. Recently, it's becoming increasingly clear that this major event will be closely associated with shutdowns of governmental operations which directly and adversely impact the ability of people to survive. In the long run, shutdowns of government operations are a good thing. We needed a shutdown of the federal government at least 30 years ago until the Federal Reserve was axed...and replaced by nothing.

[Kylie]

Yeah, but you'd better be out by then.

Waaaay out. And pretty much self-sufficient.

I'm not there, so don't be starting any shutdowns just yet. Educate people of what can happen, and at least give them a chance to prepare.

I think that's what we've been trying to do here. There are alot of very knowledgeable people on this board, and I, for one, am grateful for the education.

[tpreitzel]

Here's the deal. Our government's debt now exceeds the annual GNP (IIRC), Our government has just wasted $250 MILLION dollars just on cruise missiles alone in an unprovoked and unconstitutional attack on a sovereign nation at the request of the UN. Is America's budget to the UN going to be slashed to accommodate the money now flowing from the American taxpayers for the UN's adventurism in Libya? Why stir up trouble abroad through foreign aid and useless wars when the American government is insolvent? Does someone want the price of gasoline at $5 or more per gallon? What will happen later this summer if the government shuts down over an impasse in the budget and gasoline is more than $5 per gallon? We have a government that's intentionally spreading gasoline all over this country with a match in hand.

[sevin]

While I agree that a lot more than one month's reserve is really necessary to battle the predetermined solution, the chaos will likely unfold so fast that the predetermined solution will be offered within a month's time.

Probably true.

A year's supply of food is too expensive and intimidating for most people. But almost anyone who is motivated, budgets their money and sells things they don't need can store up a months worth of food, water and supplies (including some home security and self defense) before it's too late.

I know the predetermined solution (IMF, the beginning of a new boom-bust cycle, etc.) is bad, but at least a month's worth of stuff might get you through the hell of the transition. Please prepare yourselves.

[Kludge]

1) Move out of the city.
a) Seriously.
2) A fed. gov't shutdown where there is no admission of absolute insolvency is not the end. As is done with states, employees will likely be paid once the amended budget is passed at a later time. Without a collapse, there will not be the dramatic reform necessary (and frankly, it would be wildly unfair to expect young people to pay off these debts while benefiting from none of the "common good" programs previously in place), and until there is, irresponsible, immoral, and unsustainable expenditures will remain in place.
3) Move out of the city.

Rural people are most able to handle an economic collapse of the USG. They are often skilled at subsistence (and commercial, obviously) farming and have other necessary skills to be self-sufficient. Suburbs would also be preferable (though still likely significantly more dangerous than rural areas) to urban areas since suburban people are often well-off and have enough stockpiled wealth (even if just a house w/o a mortgage) to maintain through the crisis without feeling destitute and hopeless to the extent where they'd riot.

Urban people are most likely to be specialized in something which is worthless when there is no orderly corporate system in place. When commerce is shut down from rioters, their lack of land, skills, and stockpiled wealth will be a significant safety and economic risk to you and your family. The service sector will be the hardest hit.

Worth noting state governments would also either collapse (if controlled by uncompromising statists as most are) or need to undergo dramatic reform due to how much federal money is given to states for various programs. The removal of fed. gov't jobs would be a shock to the system short-term. Nobody will have the money to purchase the goods which would cause demand for new labor nor would companies want to expose themselves to the risk of expansion while there is so much uncertainty. It will be a slow adjustment and until the adjustment is made, GDP & taxes will spiral downward.

Of course, while the USG is already insolvent, it's worth considering no collapse will happen in our lifetime. It may drag if conservatives/libertarians fight it and foreign nations believe the USG is powerful enough to do them damage if they dump our debt or otherwise undermine the US economy. Americans really don't care about politics. They may have emotional responses to the news for the sake of conversation, but there's no deep understanding or ideological discussions happening at many Americans' dining room table (for the few who even eat together anymore). It's very likely statists can extend the life of this government a great many years -- it is a nation of sheep looking to be led, even if being led to the edge of an unjust cliff. Anyway, the USG is well beyond that point of no return, I believe. The seeds of its destruction have already been sewn, watered and fertilized.

Some figures from a blog post I made in defense of the above (http://www.ronpaulforums.com/entry.php?86-In-Defense-of-quot-Sheep-quot-and-Big-Government-Anarcho-Fascism-Introduction): The US national debt has exceeded $13.75 trillion, with an annual deficit of over $1.33 trillion. That makes the total debt/GDP nearly 95% (over 10% annually). At peak of crisis, Greece had an annual debt/GDP of ~15%, total @ ~125%. Including unfunded social welfare obligations, the US debt is near $50 trillion.

/doomsday kluge

[low preference guy]

..

[steph3n]

Some people lub their gubbumint.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12864353

[TheNcredibleEgg]

There is virtually zero chance whatsoever that the "checks will stop coming."

The checks will never stop. That's the problem - because their buying power will diminish slightly with each new check.

But I have no doubts - the checks WILL keep coming.

[Pauls' Revere]

Over the past year or so, I've been listening to some forecasts based on predictive robots scouring the internet for information. Sure, the process is flawed as is the human interpretation of the information. Recently, it's becoming increasingly clear that this major event will be closely associated with shutdowns of governmental operations which directly and adversely impact the ability of people to survive. In the long run, shutdowns of government operations are a good thing. We needed a shutdown of the federal government at least 30 years ago until the Federal Reserve was axed...and replaced by nothing.

What event?? associated with shutdowns? besides a budget impasse.

[pcosmar]

I will be very glad when the checks stop going to the ATF, TSA, FBI, CIA, FDA, DEA, DHS, FEMA, EPA, SPLC, ect.
And every Podunk SWAT team in existence.

But that ain't gonna happen. Not any time soon.

[LibertyRevolution]

I was worried about very thing about 2 weeks ago, so I called and asked my social worker...
I was told that a federal government shutdown would not effect my EUC08 payments, that they still cut unemployment checks.
"These funds were already approved and allocated in the previous budget"

I would imagine same would apply for SS, medicaid, medicare, welfare, type things...

The free money and healthcare will just keep coming :)

My understanding is the only thing that shuts down during government shutdown are non-necessity items such as parks..

I just had a thought.
Wouldn't it be only fair if when the government shutdown, that we would all be exempt from any tax from said non functioning government?

[tpreitzel]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SPENDING_SHOWDOWN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-03-28-09-39-33

Haha ... $60B is too much to cut? LOL! Let's start talking in terms of TRILLIONS to cut, not billions of dollars ...

Now, the reader can see why the morass of fiscal chaos either leads to the continued reduction in the value of the dollar or a shutdown of federal operations. Both options will be painful. Get ready!

What's the current budget for the upcoming fiscal year, $1.1T? If so, can the federal government live on $100B for the whole year? ;) The remaining $1T needs to be allocated as a down payment on the national debt.

[PaleoForPaul]

The checks won't stop in the event of a shutdown.

[tangent4ronpaul]

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds, but wholesale thermonuclear war, meteor strikes, tsunamis, major earthquakes and all out civil war stops us in our tracks!

[tpreitzel]

The checks won't stop in the event of a shutdown.

Time will tell. Regardless of past funding promises, the situation with the budget is so critical that nearly anything can happen. The checks won't necessarily stop immediately as a result of this particular shutdown of federal operations. We've had shutdowns previously, but we're at a crossroads politically and economically. We're broke just like the South Koreans were and increasingly unwilling to compromise. The economic situation has become so dire that our very survival as a sovereign nation depends upon NOT compromising. Our very unwillingness to compromise might very likely be the catalyst for an economic explosion, but the economic situation can longer be ignored as it could in the past. This situation will likely explode, not slinker away in the dark.

[AuH20]

The checks will eventually transform into nothing more than placebos. Eventually, these checks will be able to purchase next to nothing. It's going to be a long drawn out process.

[tpreitzel]

The checks will eventually transform into nothing more than placebos. Eventually, these checks will be able to purchase next to nothing. It's going to be a long drawn out process.

I don't think so .... I'd truly love to see this scenario run the whole length of the field as it's the least painful option, but it's not likely to happen. Your scenario gives people time to prepare.

[LibertyRevolution]

They will just keep printing money. When the checks don't pay the bills, they will just increase the amount of the checks..
If they don't, the poor will riot in the cities, and the cities would be set ablaze..

They will stab you for $5 in drugs, what you think they do when they got no food?

[heavenlyboy34]

Even if they shut down everything else, I think they would still print money and checks. Otherwise, retirees, the unemployed, those on welfare and students dependent on financial aid would riot.

You should have a lot more than a months worth of savings, maybe 6 at a min. also, a years worth of stored food is pretty basic.

What kind of food can be stored for a year? Even canned stuff goes bad eventually. Plus, in a SHTF scenario, you may not have the means to cook frozen/prepacked stuff. I don't know that I'd want to live on food that lasts for that long-it likely either tastes likes shit or is loaded with preservatives. (I keep a food stash, but I only buy things that I enjoy, and eat from it to keep it rotated and fresh) /curious

[enoch150]

If the SS checks stop coming the US will enter the Dictatorship of the Octogenarian.


http://southparkstudios-intl.mtvnimages.com/shared/sps/images/shows/southpark/vertical_video/import/season_07/sp_0710_09_v6.jpg?width=480

[Sola_Fide]

The checks won't stop coming! They just won't be able to buy anything!

[Slutter McGee]

While I understand and in someways support the sentiment of this thread, I wont be surprised to see this thing play out in decades rather than a few weeks. A slow decline of our purchasing power.

Sincerely,

Slutter McGee

[ctiger2]

Checks will never stop coming. They just won't buy anything.

[tangent4ronpaul]

What kind of food can be stored for a year? Even canned stuff goes bad eventually. Plus, in a SHTF scenario, you may not have the means to cook frozen/prepacked stuff. I don't know that I'd want to live on food that lasts for that long-it likely either tastes likes shit or is loaded with preservatives. (I keep a food stash, but I only buy things that I enjoy, and eat from it to keep it rotated and fresh) /curious

http://www.internet-grocer.net/
http://waltonfeed.com/
http://beprepared.com/
http://www.coopdirectory.org/

Start with my tutorial:
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?190555-For-those-getting-started-in-food-preps...

I would update my advice to buying from a food coop and processing yourself for bulk grains / wheat as shiping will double the price if you can't pick it up locally.

Then see these threads:
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?144831-Preparing-for-the-PAW-%28Post-Apocalyptic-World%29-ModNote-COPY-of-original

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?234541-How-are-YOU-preparing-for-socio-economic-collapse

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?189254-what-canned-food-is-best-nutrition-wise-and-also-shelf-life..

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?171273-For-those-looking-for-a-food-supply

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?161800-Where-to-get-freeze-dried-food

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?101155-Question-What-food-to-stockpile-and-how

That should keep you busy for a while :D

-t

[tpreitzel]

The checks won't stop coming! They just won't be able to buy anything!


Checks will never stop coming. They just won't buy anything. Time will tell. Given consistent assumptions based on historical political events leading to our current economic condition, possibly... let's hope so. Personally, I'd like to see a slow implosion rather than an explosion, but ... ;)

[tpreitzel]

What event?? associated with shutdowns? besides a budget impasse.

Oops, I overlooked this comment. No, the software has to be interpreted by humans so it's not a precise process. If no one else beats me to it, I'll have to search the InterNet for the process involved. Basically, the software looks for trends in online communications which then have to be interpreted by humans. Regardless, the checks will very likely stop coming in one form or another, i.e. through devaluation to worthless or by simply stopping distribution before the checks become worthless. The end result is similar. Naturally, the title of this thread, "When the Checks Stop Coming", implies the retention of value. The basic question is: Will this process continue to occur at a manageable pace or end explosively. I vote for the latter. The leak of deficit spending is increasing which will likely explode at some point. The explosion can be sudden hyperinflation or sudden termination of deficit spending....

[heavenlyboy34]

http://www.internet-grocer.net/
http://waltonfeed.com/
http://beprepared.com/
http://www.coopdirectory.org/

Start with my tutorial:
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?190555-For-those-getting-started-in-food-preps...

I would update my advice to buying from a food coop and processing yourself for bulk grains / wheat as shiping will double the price if you can't pick it up locally.

Then see these threads:
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?144831-Preparing-for-the-PAW-%28Post-Apocalyptic-World%29-ModNote-COPY-of-original

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?234541-How-are-YOU-preparing-for-socio-economic-collapse

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?189254-what-canned-food-is-best-nutrition-wise-and-also-shelf-life..

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?171273-For-those-looking-for-a-food-supply

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?161800-Where-to-get-freeze-dried-food

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?101155-Question-What-food-to-stockpile-and-how

That should keep you busy for a while :D

-t
Epic, thanks. :) Some of that I knew, plenty of new stuff as well. :D

[tangent4ronpaul]

Epic, thanks. :) Some of that I knew, plenty of new stuff as well. :D

yw!

-t

[MelissaWV]

Assuming a SHTF scenario (though I'll have to reread this someday to figure out how checks not showing up lead to having to fend for yourself, grow your own food, etc.), it's important to remember something:

Stored food still has a shelf life, ammo is limited, luxury comfort items are heavy... but skills weigh nothing and cannot be taken from you.

[easycougar]

If the SHTF, is life even worth living at that point? It will be prolonged scenario of hell on earth. Wouldn't it be easier to give yourself a bullet to the head?

[tangent4ronpaul]

If the SHTF, is life even worth living at that point? It will be prolonged scenario of hell on earth. Wouldn't it be easier to give yourself a bullet to the head?

^^^city dweller....

[tpreitzel]

If the SHTF, is life even worth living at that point? It will be prolonged scenario of hell on earth. Wouldn't it be easier to give yourself a bullet to the head?

Some will likely take this route. I will NOT sit in judgment of those folks who do. We're facing a tragedy of epic proportions, and I'll continue to work to prevent this sort of decision from being made.

[pcosmar]

If the SHTF, is life even worth living at that point? It will be prolonged scenario of hell on earth. Wouldn't it be easier to give yourself a bullet to the head?
That would depend on what one believes makes life worth living.

Is it the "stuff" or is it something more?

I plan to continue even if I am living in the woods and digging cattail tubers for food.

[PaleoForPaul]

If the SHTF, is life even worth living at that point? It will be prolonged scenario of hell on earth. Wouldn't it be easier to give yourself a bullet to the head?

No way, aren't you down for some bevis and butthead style anarchy?

[PaleoForPaul]

Time will tell. Regardless of past funding promises, the situation with the budget is so critical that nearly anything can happen. The checks won't necessarily stop immediately as a result of this particular shutdown of federal operations. We've had shutdowns previously, but we're at a crossroads politically and economically. We're broke just like the South Koreans were and increasingly unwilling to compromise. The economic situation has become so dire that our very survival as a sovereign nation depends upon NOT compromising. Our very unwillingness to compromise might very likely be the catalyst for an economic explosion, but the economic situation can longer be ignored as it could in the past. This situation will likely explode, not slinker away in the dark.

The United States is not broke. That is a nice talking point, but there is still plenty of private wealth that can be confiscated to send out the checks. Start with everyone's 401Ks. The checks won't stop. The government might cut benefits at the margins, or for certain groups to play "us vs them" but everything won't stop unless there is a cataclysm. Those checks are a big part of what keeps the Democrats and Republicans in power.

While the financial situation is bad, I think people overlook just how long things can drag on for and just how many schemes the politicians can create to keep things going.

The only thing that will stop the government cheese checks is a shift in political thought by a majority of the population.

[MelissaWV]

That would depend on what one believes makes life worth living.

Is it the "stuff" or is it something more?

I plan to continue even if I am living in the woods and digging cattail tubers for food.

Rabbit, squirrel, and porcupine... delicious.

Of course, if you have no idea how to fend for yourself, the bullet to the head is probably better than trying to learn on the fly while constantly living in paranoia and fear :(

[QueenB4Liberty]

The United States is not broke. That is a nice talking point, but there is still plenty of private wealth that can be confiscated to send out the checks. Start with everyone's 401Ks. The checks won't stop. The government might cut benefits at the margins, or for certain groups to play "us vs them" but everything won't stop unless there is a cataclysm. Those checks are a big part of what keeps the Democrats and Republicans in power.

While the financial situation is bad, I think people overlook just how long things can drag on for and just how many schemes the politicians can create to keep things going.

The only thing that will stop the government cheese checks is a shift in political thought by a majority of the population.

Things would get bad very quickly if they took people's 401ks, at least I would hope so. I know we're a pretty pathetic nation of sheep, but at least openly confiscating your life savings should push people over the edge. But yeah, then what if it isn't out in the open so people will notice. :( I'm not sure what will happen. I'm worried, but I don't let that drive me in life.

[tpreitzel]

The United States is not broke. That is a nice talking point, but there is still plenty of private wealth that can be confiscated to send out the checks. Start with everyone's 401Ks. The checks won't stop. The government might cut benefits at the margins, or for certain groups to play "us vs them" but everything won't stop unless there is a cataclysm. Those checks are a big part of what keeps the Democrats and Republicans in power.

While the financial situation is bad, I think people overlook just how long things can drag on for and just how many schemes the politicians can create to keep things going.

The only thing that will stop the government cheese checks is a shift in political thought by a majority of the population.

1. The US is insolvent regardless of your assertion otherwise. Laughably, you mean the dozens of TRILLIONS of dollars in governmental, corporate, and personal DEBT equates to wealth .... ;)
2. The checks WILL stop coming... not even debatable. The only debatable point is the catalyst that finally lights the explosive end.
3. As I indicated in previous posts, there IS a major ideological rift forming politically in the US Congress and will continue to widen in 2012. This rift is separated by ideological differences that will NOT compromise further. The time for compromise has passed us by several decades. The country is insolvent and the US dollar rapidly becoming worthless and most importantly, more and more politically aware Americans know it. This rift will widen in 2012.

[PaleoForPaul]

Things would get bad very quickly if they took people's 401ks, at least I would hope so. I know we're a pretty pathetic nation of sheep, but at least openly confiscating your life savings should push people over the edge. But yeah, then what if it isn't out in the open so people will notice. :( I'm not sure what will happen. I'm worried, but I don't let that drive me in life.

Of course, they won't take them out in the open. They'll wait for a stock market dip, then nationalize them in the name of "stabilizing the retirement plans of Americans so they're not subjected to the 'whims' of the stock market". They'll put them in US Treasuries or some other nonsense and say "We owe the money to ourselves!".

[PaleoForPaul]

1. The US is insolvent regardless of your assertion otherwise. Laughably, you mean the dozens of TRILLIONS of dollars in governmental, corporate, and personal DEBT equates to wealth .... ;)

401K's can be counted as wealth, because no matter how much you dislike the dollar it has value as long as other people will accept it. Furthermore there is plenty of privately held land and property that can be confiscated, and it has been legislated that the government has the right to do so. In fact, rather than focusing on yelling about America's debts (which everyone knows by now) it would probably be more constructive to focus on the fact that some other socialist scheme will be created to attempt to retire some of that debt. Remember how they confiscated gold during the depression? There is nothing that won't be done to perpetuate the system.


2. The checks WILL stop coming... not even debatable. The only debatable point is the catalyst that finally lights the explosive end.

Oh, eventually I'm sure. But don't underestimate the power politicians have to get people to accept legalized looting. This could easily carry on for a long time. The situation can stay irrational longer than our lifetimes.


3. As I indicated in previous posts, there IS a major ideological rift forming politically in the US Congress and will continue to widen in 2012. This rift is separated by ideological differences that will NOT compromise further. The time for compromise has passed us by several decades. The country is insolvent and the US dollar rapidly becoming worthless and most importantly, more and more politically aware Americans know it. This rift will widen in 2012.

I'd love to believe this is true, but if I had to bet, I'd put my money on welfare and social security checks still going out in 2014 and the federal government still running deficits.

[Fredom101]

There is virtually zero chance whatsoever that the "checks will stop coming."

The checks will never stop. That's the problem - because their buying power will diminish slightly with each new check.

But I have no doubts - the checks WILL keep coming.

I was wondering about this. There's a whole lotta people out there that are on section 8 housing, getting their rent paid for by the government. Once you qualify for section 8, it's easy to stay on it indefinitely. I imagine they will still get their checks in the event of a government collapse, but, these checks won't likely cover their rent anymore, right? I'm having a hard time envisioning this scenario.

[AuH20]

Politicians, bureaucrats, and central planners main goal is to run out the clock, so they're not sitting in the kill chair when the ground opens up. That's basically the state of our political affairs. Avoid responsibility at all costs, conflate and confuse the origin of these troubles & provide more state-approved opium for the masses so they don't catch on quickly enough. I've outlined their method.

[Krugerrand]

Things would get bad very quickly if they took people's 401ks, at least I would hope so. I know we're a pretty pathetic nation of sheep, but at least openly confiscating your life savings should push people over the edge. But yeah, then what if it isn't out in the open so people will notice. :( I'm not sure what will happen. I'm worried, but I don't let that drive me in life.

As Paleo pointed out above ... remember what happened w/ gold. They didn't just take the gold ... they simply switched out pieces of paper that said they were good in exchange for gold for pieces of paper that made no such claim, but otherwise looked the same. What happened to people that owned stock in Chrysler or GM? They got zilch. I owned stock in US Airways when it went under. Somehow, our beloved government declared that stock owned by the pilots would still be worth something an other people's stock was worth nothing.

Don't expect a direct confiscation. But, don't be surprised by a substitution of something of lesser value for something of greater value.

[Pericles]

As Paleo pointed out above ... remember what happened w/ gold. They didn't just take the gold ... they simply switched out pieces of paper that said they were good in exchange for gold for pieces of paper that made no such claim, but otherwise looked the same. What happened to people that owned stock in Chrysler or GM? They got zilch. I owned stock in US Airways when it went under. Somehow, our beloved government declared that stock owned by the pilots would still be worth something an other people's stock was worth nothing.

Don't expect a direct confiscation. But, don't be surprised by a substitution of something of lesser value for something of greater value.

This is what will happen - the hope being that not enough people will be on to the scam until their wealth has been confiscated.