“For decades health spending has grown faster than the economy as a whole. But the growth in America’s health-care spending is slowing.” — The Economist (March 7, 2015)
The Economist recently suggested that America’s out-of-control spending on healthcare — 17% of gross domestic product (GDP), higher than any other nation — is about to slow down.
But that prediction doesn’t mean healthcare investing will slow down. Why? Because of several reasons:
- Under ObamaCare, more Americans are getting insurance. Today, only 12% are uninsured, a historic low.
- Medicaid and other healthcare benefits for the poor are expanding rapidly. Medicaid spending grew 20% in 2014 and is expected to increase 30% in 2015.
- Americans are getting older. The aging of America is a fact of life.
As the following graph shows, the aging of America means a substantial increase in health costs.
Expect more money to be spent to pay for senior citizens’ medical expenses, nursing homes, etc.
Currently, the largest position in the Forecasts & Strategies investment portfolio — a full 30%, or five out of 16 recommendations — is in the healthcare sector! And all of our healthcare positions are profitable and increasing in share price almost every trading day. For details, go to www.MarkSkousen.com and subscribe today.
We are also going to have a major discussion and debates on healthy living at this year’s FreedomFest, with John Mackey, co-CEO of Whole Foods Market, talking to us about the “Whole Foods Diet: How to Live to be 100 without Getting Diabetes, Heart Disease, Cancer or Stroke.” His talks are always standing-room only. Another speaker is Colin Campbell from Cornell University and author of “The China Study.” He is considered the nation’s foremost nutritional expert. Another speaker is Wayne Gorsek, CEO and founder of DrVita, provider of vitamins and supplements. FreedomFest is not be to be missed. To see the list of speakers, panels and debates, go to http://freedomfest.com/blog/2015/03/09/everything-about-freedomfest-2015/. See you there!
You Blew It! Force People to Vote?
“Other countries have mandatory voting. Why not us?” — President Barack Obama
On Wednesday, March 18, Barack Obama was speaking at a town-hall event in Cleveland, Ohio, when he openly endorsed mandatory voting laws.
“It would be transformative if everybody voted,” President Obama said. “That would counteract [campaign] money more than anything. If everybody voted, then it would completely change the political map in this country.”
President Obama continued, “Other countries have mandatory voting,” referencing nations such as Australia, which passed compulsory voting laws in 1924. Down Under, citizens will be fined and can even be jailed in certain situations if they do not cast ballots.
While Mr. Obama refrained from committing to pursuing legislation regarding the topic on a federal level, he did say that he believed “that [mandatory voting laws] may end up being a better strategy in the short term” to curb the massive impact money has on the election process.
My view? Sadly, more and more everything is either prohibited or mandated in this country.
To force people to vote goes directly against America’s founding principle of freedom. Our American Way is to “persuade” people, not coerce them, into doing the “right” thing. Read my pamphlet, “Persuasion vs. Force.”
Frankly, I think this is Obama’s and the Democrats’ way of getting more votes, since Democrats tend to vote less.
Most importantly, the level of voting in this country is a good indicator of the seriousness of our problems. A low turnout is a sign that things are going well. A high turnout suggests that our country, state or county/city is facing a serious crisis.
The fact that less than 65% of the registered voters vote is a good sign that things are going well in this country.
In case you missed it, I encourage you to read my e-letter column from last week on Eagle Daily Investor about the millionaire next door. I also invite you to comment in the space provided below my Eagle Daily Investor commentary.
Upcoming Appearances
Las Vegas Money Show, May 12-14, Caesars Palace: I will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Vegas Money Show! I will be addressing the question, “Is the Golden Age of Investing Over? Not for this Market-Beating Strategy!” Others speakers include Andy Busch, Marilyn Cohen, Roger Conrad, Bob Carlson, David T. Phillips, Jeff Hirsch, Mark Hulbert, Louis Navellier, Jim Stack and Wayne Allyn Root, as well as my Eagle Financial Publications colleagues Doug Fabian, Chris Versace and Bryan Perry. To register for a complimentary ticket, use priority code 038654 and call 800-970-4355 (toll free in the United States and Canada) or sign up at http://www.Skousen.LasVegasMoneyShow.com.
I want to invite you on a cruise, Sept. 13-20, with Newt Gingrich, Chris Versace and me, among others. Come spend seven fabulous days aboard the six-star luxury liner, the Crystal Symphony. We will travel from New York to Montreal with a roster of noted historical scholars, political pundits and renowned market experts who will share their insights and perspectives on the current environment in Washington and Wall Street. For further information, including how to sign up, call 800-435-4534 or visit www.PoliticsAndYourPortfolio.com.
