• Home
  • About Mark Skousen
    • Catalog
    • Mark Skousen Biography
    • Commonly Asked Questions
    • Jo Ann Skousen Biography
    • Mark Skousen’s Family and Famous Relatives
    • Books Recommended by Mark Skousen
    • Personal and Miscellaneous
  • Books
    • Economics Books
      • Economic Logic
      • EconoPower: How a New Generation of Economists Is Transforming the World
      • The Big Three in Economics: Adam Smith, Karl Marx and John Maynard Keynes
      • The Making of Modern Economics
      • The Structure of Production
      • Vienna & Chicago, Friends or Foes?
    • Finance and Investing Books
      • Maxims of Wall Street
      • A Viennese Waltz Down Wall Street: Austrian Economics for Investors
      • Investing In One Lesson
      • High Finance on a Low Budget
      • The New Scrooge Investing
  • Interviews
  • Appearances
  • Online Press Kit
    • Contact Information
    • Biographical Information
    • Headshots
    • List of Current Books
    • Forecasts & Strategies, Trading Services and Weekly Blog
  • FreedomFest
  • Persuasion vs. Force

MSKOUSEN.COM

Mark Skousen's Personal Website for the Best of Money & Economics

  • News
  • Economics
  • Personal Finance
  • Investing & Markets
  • Forecasts & Strategies
  • Politics & Liberty

10 LESSONS FOR 10-10-2020

October 10, 2020 By Mark Skousen 1 Comment

This article was originally published on the FreedomFest Forum on October 10, 2020.

lessons

The year 2020 has been anything but a year of seeing clearly. It has been characterized by uncertainty, divisiveness, and conflicting views. In the January prediction issue of my newsletter, “Forecasts & Strategies,” I stated, “The outlook for stocks, gold and the dollar is positive as we enter 2020, but beware of a ‘black swan’ event that could derail the longest running bull market in history.” Indeed, the coronavirus not only derailed the bull market, but the entire economy and our society. Today, on 10-10 2020, I thought it would be appropriate to publish my top ten lessons learned from 2020.

  1. “Trust the science but not the scientists.” We quickly learned that medical experts are subject to biases and weaknesses just like the rest of us. As Steve Forbes says, “You can’t always trust the experts.” In early 2020, prominent epidemiologists in the UK and the US published convincing articles predicting that the new virus would kill “millions.” Indeed, people began dying at alarming rates. Other medical experts dissented from the alarmists, saying that the coronavirus was far less lethal than previous influenzas such as the Hong Kong flu of 1969. As doctors have learned more about the virus, treatments have improved and death rates have dropped. But the panic continues.
  1. “The cure turned out far worse than the disease.” Sir Harry Schultz has said, “Never underestimate the size of a panic or the power of a politician.” Government leaders overreacted to the virus scare by shutting down schools, sports, theaters, tourism, travel, churches, and business.   To use a metaphor from John Maynard Keynes, “We used a sledge hammer to crack a nut.” Only now are we finding out the devastating unintended consequences –bankruptcies and job losses, depression and suicides, domestic abuse and alcoholism, and permanent changes in our lifestyle and culture. Some studies suggest that more people are dying from the shutdown than from the disease itself. As I’ve traveled across the country over the past several weeks I’ve seen business after business closed down— whole areas of towns shuttered— no public bathrooms or places to eat— and I am appalled by what has happened to our country. What a tragedy! Sadly, none of the governors or mayors who imposed these draconian restrictions have apologized or taken responsibility for their blunders. Meanwhile, Sweden was one of the few countries that did not succumb to the scaremongering, and the virus is virtually finished there. It is becoming more and more apparent that locking down was the worst choice.
  1. “Technology made the lockdown easier to impose.” How it was possible for the government to shut down the economy and society so quickly? Why were Americans so compliant? Fear about the unknown properties of the virus were the initial reason, of course. But the months long shutdown was made more palatable because e-commerce and online technology made it easier for many to transition to working from home. College and university officials could shut down schools because it’s now possible to teach online and for students to be educated and entertained at home. White-collar workers could do their jobs online. Most products, even food and drink, could be delivered to people sequestering at home, largely because blue-collar jobs (manufacturing, retail and delivery) were deemed “essential” and the risk of the disease was deemed warranted.
  1. “How quickly we lost our liberties.” Milton Friedman said, “Freedom is a rare and delicate flower.” Despite the safeguards guaranteed in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, within days of the lockdown, we saw our First Amendment rights abridged, including the freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, worship, travel, and commerce. Education went online and borders were closed. In the past, quarantines were imposed on those who were actually sick and thus posed a threat, but now everyone was restricted by the fear that anyone could be a carrier, even without symptoms. Government officials in other countries imposed even more severe limitations on their citizens’ freedoms of movement and behavior. At the same time, certain groups were allowed to engage in mass protests without any limitation. But those who protested the lockdowns were cited, fined, and surveilled. Most law-abiding citizens were reluctant to defy the State and engage in civil disobedience, even when their new rules defy common sense.
  1. “The Rise of Irrational Behavior.” I am amazed how willingly citizens conform to State mandates and prohibitions, giving up their liberties so quickly in order to be safe. Masks and physical distancing are the most obvious examples. I can understand why many people wish to protect themselves; let them make their own decisions about safety and risk. But the government and the media have been so effective in scaring people that we see people wearing masks inside their cars when they are driving, walking alone on the streets, and exercising in the gym (which is downright unhealthy). Jokes have been made about how intelligent the virus is, avoiding people while they’re sitting in a restaurant but attacking when they’re standing. The governor of California seriously suggested that people put on their face coverings in between bites when eating at a restaurant. The chief medical officer in Canada said with a straight face that partners should wear masks during sex, or try positions where they aren’t facing each other. Meanwhile, most Swedes have adopted sensible distancing protocols, but they don’t wear face coverings everywhere they go, and their businesses have remained open.
  1. “Government at the federal and state level is out of control.” As a result of its own hysteria in shutting down the economy, governments at all levels face the worst financial crisis Americans have experienced in peacetime. States have used up their “rainy day” funds and many face bankruptcy if Washington does not bail them out. Of course, many municipalities were facing insolvency before the pandemic, but the shutdown has sped up and intensified the crisis as tax revenues lessen and demands for welfare and unemployment benefits increase. Major corporations and small businesses face the same dilemma. Lost revenues and increased spending have resulted in alarmingly high deficits. Central banks like the Federal Reserve are engaged in virtually unlimited buying of Treasury securities and other assets, generating fears of higher taxation and inflation in the future. In sum, Washington is like Humpty Dumpty – the egg has cracked, and it can’t be put back together again. As a result, socialism is on the march.
  1. “Government executives have been given way too much emergency power.” George Washington is alleged to have said, “Government is like fire, a dangerous servant and a fearful master.” Over the years, the president, governors and mayors have been granted almost unlimited power to use “executive orders,” powers intended to be used sparingly, only in times of war or natural disasters. In 2020, they began using executive order to impose virtually any prohibition or mandate they wish. As Jorge “Tuto” Quirado, the former president of Bolivia, once said, “Now more and more everything is either prohibited or mandated.” In 2020, we see that representative democracy has been replaced by dictatorship. A few states limit these emergency orders to 30 or 60 days, during which time the governor must consult with the legislature to get their approval before continuing their mandates, but many have simply issued new orders after the expiration date. The courts have started to rule against these overreaching mandates, notably in Michigan and Pennsylvania, but the damage has been done.
  1. “We need to encourage healthy living.” It seems the entire focus by medical and government authorities is to deal with the symptoms of the disease — to develop a vaccine to prevent the virus or medicines and treatments to make you better if you contract it. But the evidence is overwhelming that healthy and young people are not likely to get the virus. The most vulnerable victims are the elderly who suffer from obesity, diabetes, heart disease, or other diseases. Adding insult to injury (or hypocrisy to mandates), much of the rise in these conditions is a result of misguided and misleading federal nutrition guidelines since the 1980s, when fats were demonized and sugars were quietly substituted to create texture and flavor. The increase in sugar and processed carbs has weakened immune systems. It’s time for teachers and other leaders to encourage healthy living at all ages through proper diets, exercise, and a positive mental attitude. During the lockdown people have done more walking and biking, but the stay-at-home orders, coupled with the closing of gyms, parks, beaches and sporting events have led to a more sedentary and less healthy population. If herd immunity is the goal, having a healthy society is the best road to surviving this crisis.
  1. “We have begun to live in fear, not faith.” In today’s Brave New World, masks have become a religious talisman, imbued with magical powers to ward off evil viruses even when they are often dirty and ill-fitting. Meanwhile, religious men and women who go to church are required to wear masks and not socialize—just hurry in and hurry out. Their pastors seem to have more faith in science and government leaders than they do in God. It saddens me when I see children recoil in fear as they pass strangers on the streets or in a store. What kind of message are we sending to our future generations when children are told that anyone could be a carrier—anyone could potentially kill them? Moreover, physical distancing requirements are repressing children’s ability to develop social skills and exercise their natural tendency toward play. Oh, ye of little faith!
  1. “Know the signs of the times.” Bertrand de Jouvenel wisely said, “A forecast is never so useful as when it warns of a crisis.” The pandemic scare offers an important lesson in how we conduct our lives, our friendships, our businesses and our investment portfolios. We need to be alert and prepared for the unexpected. The coronavirus not only derailed the bull market, but the entire economy, politics, and our society. However, forecasting is a difficult business. It’s easier to prepare than to predict. I urge all to save regularly, avoid unnecessary expenses, build a strong cash position in their portfolio and retain earnings and reserves in their business.

Admittedly, many people have learned different lessons during this pandemic—they’ve resolved to spend more time with family and less time away from home, even after the pandemic ends. They’ve reconsidered career choices and school options and reevaluated how they spend money. I applaud those who have chosen to use this time productively. But for many hundreds of thousands of people, the loss of freedom and livelihood has been devastating. Both sets of lessons must be learned so that we don’t permanently lose our freedom to choose our paths.

Filed Under: Articles, Featured Post, Main

About Mark Skousen

Mark Skousen is a professional economist, university professor, best-selling author, editor of the award-winning Forecasts & Strategies financial newsletter, and producer of FreedomFest, the largest annual gathering of free minds about liberty and freedom in the world. Skousen has been married to wife Jo Ann for 42 years, and has five children and five grandchildren.

Comments

  1. Valerie says

    October 9, 2022 at 6:43 pm

    Thank you Mark, I agree. I taught HS history as my first career. I am living in fear, of where the current government is leading the masses. Not sure how new representation will shift it. I can only hope.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Connect with Mark Skousen

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Mark Skousen’s Top Ten

Top Ten

Recent Posts

Gross Output

Supply Chain Business Still Growing: Recession Fears May Not Pass GO

Washington, DC (Thursday, September 29, 2022): Today, the federal government … [Read More...]

Are economists the slowest learners?

Dear friends of freedom, Peter Drucker once said, "Economists are the slowest … [Read More...]

FreedomFest Agenda – Here’s a preview:

Dear friends of FreedomFest, The excitement is building for our July 13-16 … [Read More...]

Making of Modern Economics

Richard Rahn Reviews “The Making of Modern Economics” by Mark Skousen

Richard W. Rahn — economist, syndicated columnist and entrepreneur — reviewed … [Read More...]

Making of Modern Economics

“The Making of Modern Economics” – The book the New Socialists fear the most

Good news! The brand-new fourth edition of “The Making of Modern Economics” has … [Read More...]

Franklin

Why Ben Franklin Matters

Today is the 316th anniversary of the birth of founding father extraordinaire … [Read More...]

Economy

Economy Slows, But the Outlook is Still Positive

Washington, DC (Wednesday, December 22, 2021): Today, the federal government … [Read More...]

Samuelson vs Friedman, Match of the Century

By: Mark Skousen First published in the March 1999 issue of Liberty … [Read More...]

Gross Output

Despite Higher Inflation, the U.S. Economy Continues to Boom: Gross Output (GO) Hits $50 Trillion!

Washington, DC (Thursday, September 30, 2021): For the first time in history, … [Read More...]

Are we Rome?

Are We Rome?

By Mark Skousen Talk delivered on Saturday, September 11, 2021, Kimber … [Read More...]

Economy

While Inflation Threatens, the U.S. Economy is Firing on All Cylinders

  Washington, DC (Thursday, June 24, 2021): On June 24, 2021, the federal Bureau … [Read More...]

FreedomFest

Fun Things to Do at FreedomFest This July

We already have more than 2,000 registered attendees for FreedomFest next month. … [Read More...]

Walter Lippmann

Where’s Walter Lippmann when we need him?

Columnist and author Walter Lippmann (1889-1974) was considered the most … [Read More...]

Gross Output

Gross Output (GO) Growth Outpaces GDP Again to Suggest Robust Recovery

Washington, DC (Thursday, March 25, 2021): On March 25, 2021, the federal Bureau … [Read More...]

Gross Output

Business-to-Business (B2B) Spending Grows Faster Than GDP!

Washington, DC (Tuesday, December 22, 2020): On December 22, 2020, the federal … [Read More...]

Maxims

Ideal Holiday Gift! New 10th Anniversary Release of “The Maxims of Wall Street”

Dear friends, A hundred years ago, in 1920, the great author and poet Rudyard … [Read More...]

Ezra Taft Benson

Ezra Taft Benson’s Remarks at FEE Headquarters in New York, May 1977

In 2001-02, I served as president of the Foundation for Economic Education … [Read More...]

Ezra Taft Benson in Russia

Elder Ezra Taft Benson Speaks in Communist Russia

    “It was the most heart-rending and most inspiring scene … [Read More...]

lessons

10 LESSONS FOR 10-10-2020

This article was originally published on the FreedomFest Forum on October 10, … [Read More...]

GO-Day Celebration

Dear friends, Good news!  For the first time, the federal government (BEA) … [Read More...]

Gross Output

Macroeconomics on the GO: How Wall Street Economic Analysts Use Gross Output (GO)

Here are two examples of how private economic research firms are using gross … [Read More...]

Gross Output

Despite First Decline in More Than a Decade for Q1, Gross Output (GO) Might Still Offer Hope for a Robust Recovery in Late 2020

Washington, DC (Tuesday, July 7, 2020):  On July 6, 2020, the federal Bureau of … [Read More...]

FreedomFest

My Schedule at FreedomFest 2020

by Mark Skousen Editor, Forecasts & Strategies   Dear … [Read More...]

Forecasts & Strategies

40 Year of Forecasts & Strategies

Dear friends, My publisher, Salem Eagle, has just posted my special 40th … [Read More...]

GO

U.S. Economy on the GO: Total Spending Accelerates

Washington, DC (Thursday, January 9, 2020):  On January 9, 2020, the Bureau of … [Read More...]

MODERN MONETARY THEORY

THERE’S MUCH RUIN IN A NATION: MODERN MONETARY THEORY

By Mark Skousen Chapman University [email protected] “Today, as in the … [Read More...]

Forbes

Steve Forbes on the GO: I Make the Forbes 400 Richest Issue!

I’m mentioned on page 22 for my gross output (GO) model. (Sorry, I may be worth … [Read More...]

MY INTELLECTUAL ANCESTORS

BY MARK SKOUSEN Presidential Fellow, Chapman University "If I have seen a … [Read More...]

Trade

Trade War Threatens Recession

Washington, DC (Monday, July 29, 2019): On July 19, 2019, the federal … [Read More...]

FreedomFest

MY SCHEDULE AT FREEDOMFEST 2019

by Mark Skousen Editor, Forecasts & Strategies   Dear FreedomFest … [Read More...]

Austrian

AUSTRIAN VS. CHICAGO ECONOMISTS: RESPONSE TO THE 2008 FINANCIAL CRISIS

By Mark Skousen Updated in 2019  “Blessed paper credit! Last and best … [Read More...]

Gross Output

GO Confirms a Slow-Growth Economy as We Enter 2019

Washington, DC (Friday, April 19, 2019): Today the federal government released … [Read More...]

Gross Output

The US Economy is NOT Slowing Down. Business Spending Soars!

By Mark Skousen Editor, Forecasts & Strategies Washington, DC (Thursday, … [Read More...]

Making of Modern Economics

The Economist Publishes New Ad for “Making of Modern Economics”

The November 24th issue of The Economist, page 73, is running a new full-page … [Read More...]

Gross Output

Gross Output Indicates Continued Boom in the U.S. Economy as Business Spending Expands Rapidly in Q2

Washington, DC (Thursday, November 1, 2018):  Gross output (GO), the top line of … [Read More...]

Adam Smith

ADAM SMITH AND THE MAKING OF MODERN ECONOMICS

By Mark Skousen Presidential Fellow, Chapman … [Read More...]

Gross output

US Economy Continues to Expand, but Business Spending Slows Temporarily

Washington, DC (Friday, July 20, 2018):  Gross output (GO), the top line of … [Read More...]

Steve Forbes

Full Remarks by Steve Forbes On the Presentation of a Triple Crown in Economics to Mark Skousen

The following are Mr. Forbes remarks following Skousen’s session on “Adam Smith, … [Read More...]

Steve Forbes

STEVE FORBES AWARDS MARK SKOUSEN A TRIPLE CROWN IN ECONOMICS

For Immediate Release July 18, 2018 Washington, DC:  Steve Forbes, chairman … [Read More...]

Mark Skousen’s article on Revista Procesos de Mercado (Review of Market Processes)

Revista Procesos de Mercado (Review of Market Processes) has just published Mark … [Read More...]

If GDP Lags, Watch the Economy GO

‘Gross output’ reflects the full value of the supply chain, and it portends much … [Read More...]

Away We GO: Business Spending Accelerates in 4th quarter 2017

Washington, DC (Thursday, April 19, 2018) Gross output (GO), the top line of … [Read More...]

GO

GO Slow: New Leading Indicator Predicted Slowdown in GDP

by Mark Skousen Presidential Fellow, Chapman University Editor, Forecasts … [Read More...]

gross output

THIRD QUARTER GROSS OUTPUT AND B2B SPENDING GAIN MOMENTUM

Washington, DC (Friday, January 19, 2018): Gross output (GO), the top line of … [Read More...]

2ND QUARTER GROSS OUTPUT SHOWS SURPRISE SLOWDOWN IN ECONOMY

Washington, DC (Thursday, November 2, 2017): Gross output (GO), the top line of … [Read More...]

Economic Logic

ANNOUNCING A NEW EDITION BREAKTHROUGH COURSE IN FREE-MARKET CAPITALISM

“Mark Skousen is America’s leading economic author because he roots his luminous … [Read More...]

Gross Output

RAPID GROWTH IN 1ST QUARTER GO: ECONOMY IS NOT SLOWING DOWN

By: MARK SKOUSEN Washington, DC (Wednesday, July 26, 2017): Gross output … [Read More...]

GROSS OUTPUT AND B2B INDEX ADVANCE SHARPLY AFTER ELECTION

Washington, DC (Friday, April 21, 2017): Gross output (GO), the top line of … [Read More...]

SECOND QUARTER GROSS OUTPUT AND B2B INDEX INCREASE, STILL NO SIGNIFICANT GROWTH OF THE U.S. ECONOMY.

By Mark Skousen Washington, DC (Thursday, November 3, 2016):  Gross output, … [Read More...]

FIRST QUARTER GROSS OUTPUT AND B2B INDEX POINT TO NEGLIGIBLE GROWTH OF THE U.S. ECONOMY

Washington, DC (Thursday, July 21, 2016):  U. S. economic activity is still … [Read More...]

HOW BEN FRANKLIN SAVED THE POST OFFICE AND HELPED UNIFY AMERICA

By Mark Skousen Special to the Franklin Prosperity Report July 4, … [Read More...]

FreedomFest Fun Activities

In addition to all the great debates, presentation and hundreds of vendors in … [Read More...]

Big news: the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) has changed its definition of GDP that starts with Gross Output.

This is a significant breakthrough, which I have encouraged them to do for some … [Read More...]

FOURTH QUARTER GROSS OUTPUT AND B2B INDEX POINT TO BUSINESS RECESSION

By Mark Skousen April 21, 2016 Washington, DC (Thursday, April 21, 2016):  … [Read More...]

CATO INSTITUTE POLICY FORUM: “GO Beyond GDP: What Really Drives the Economy?”

We hear constantly that consumer spending is 70% of GDP and that consumer … [Read More...]

ANNOUNCING THE NEW THIRD EDITION OF “THE MAKING OF MODERN ECONOMICS” BY MARK SKOUSEN

March 9, 2016: Today marks the 240th anniversary of the publication of “The … [Read More...]

Announcing the New Third Edition of “The Structure of Production”

Federal Government Introduces a New Macro Statistic: A Triumph in Supply-side … [Read More...]

My Friendly Fights with Dr. Friedman

The Rational, The Relentless - Liberty Magazine - September 2007 by Mark … [Read More...]

The Making of Modern Economics

Recent Comments

  • Missy on Gary North, R. I. P.
  • Valerie on 10 LESSONS FOR 10-10-2020
  • Arch G. Woodside on The Other Austrian
  • Troy Lynch on Gary North, R. I. P.
  • Wayne Flanagan on Ideal Holiday Gift! New 10th Anniversary Release of “The Maxims of Wall Street”

Contact Mark Skousen

Personal Email

Forecasts & Strategies Email

FreedomFest Email

Social Media:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter

Websites:
mskousen.com
markskousen.com
freedomfest.com

Mark Skousen Newsletters

 Mark Skousen Investment Newsletters

Since 1980, Skousen has been editor in chief of Forecasts & Strategies, a popular award-winning investment newsletter. He also is editor of three trading services, Skousen Private Equity Trader; Skousen High-Income Alert and Fast Money Alert.

Jo Ann Skousen’s Odds & Trends

Jo Ann Skousen

Movie reviews, theater reviews, and commentaries by Jo Ann Skousen, author, editor, professor and Mark's wife of 41 years. She is the Festival Director for the Anthem Libertarian Film Festival and the entertainment editor for Liberty Magazine.

Mark Skousen’s Investor’s CAFE

Mark Skousen Investors CAFE

Skousen Investor CAFÉ is a weekly electronic newsletter written by Dr. Mark Skousen. Mark offers commentary on the markets, the economy, politics and other topics of interest and what they mean to individual investors. Sign up for FREE here.

FreedomFest Conference


FreedomFest is an annual festival in Las Vegas where free minds meet to celebrate “great books, great ideas, and great thinkers” in an open-minded society. It is independent, non-partisan, and not affiliated with any organization or think tank.

Anthem Film Festival

Anthem Libertarian Film Festival

Anthem is the only film festival in the country devoted to promoting libertarian ideals. Anthem shows films and documentaries that celebrate self-reliance, innovation, commerce, individual rights, and the power of persuasion over force. We are looking for the year's best films about personal and civil liberty.

Copyright © 2023 · Mark Skousen · Log in

✖
  • Valerie

    Thank you Mark, I agree. I taught HS history as my first career. I am living in fear, of where the current government is leading the masses. Not sure how new representation will shift it. I can only hope.

  • Cancel reply

    Cancel