Rearden, If you choose that route, which I don't believe you will have to as in the case of V for Vandetta, someone while rise to the challange.... I have plenty of contacts world wide. I have plenty of clients and friends in great parts of the world that said, if and when...I can start over with their help, in their country. But, as I said.....I don't think this country will fall, I think parts of it will be the Liberal, socialist states and then the Free States. The Fed Gov is loosing power with the people, they are only gaining power over the "Sheeople".
I have to admit, I"m puzzled why you would live in the People's Republic of Illinois. In fact, I'm surprised why so many traders live in Chicago and NYC, in two of the most left-wing states in the country. Outside the US, traders tend to congregate in the more capitalist regional areas e.g. Switzerland and UK in Europe; Hong Kong and Singapore in Asia, and so on. Is there a reason why American traders seem to gravitate to big government states, with high taxes, restrictions on personal liberties, and so on? In the rest of the world, people have the excuse of language, border controls etc, which inhibit free movement. In the US you can relocate with no restriction, and speak English everywhere. Why the 'stickiness' of the socialist cities, for supposedly capitalist traders?
Well...IMO it is short-termism and economic ignorance. Take someone on welfare, or in the public sector - do you really think they are going to look out 10 years, and see that higher taxes and regulation is going to reduce economic growth, and overall make society worse off? Or are they going to look forward 6-12 months, and think that their welfare payments or gold-plated pensions stay intact (for the moment) if they vote for their traditional party? They are just voting selfishly in their short-term interest. They don't care if other people suffer for their benefit, and they lack the foresight and understanding to see that all will suffer as a result of pursuing short-termism and vote-buying, or take a Krugman-esque position and don't think small government capitalism works. As for choice of parties - yes, it's the lesser of two evils. Democracy usually throws up a choice of one poor candidate, and one that is even worse. You hardly ever get one that is actually really good. But if I have a choice between a kick in the shin and a kick in the balls, I'll choose the kick in the shin.
Well....when you're born and raised in a state such as Illinois and all of your ties are with that state it ain't so easy to just get up and move. Job, family, friends, etc.
One possibility. Where would a failed capitalist live? If you tried and failed and needed a handout, or tried and failed and were looking for a second chance at money.
Not everyone gets a second chance at money... which is why it's important for traders to not blow out their account. Nobody "deserves" more money just because he's willing to keep trying. There should be no such thing as a bailout... FOR ANYBODY!
Chicago is still the trading capital of the world. It's where the most prop firms are, it's where the exchanges are, it's where the CTA's mostly are and where the capital is. Sure you can leave that, but it comes at a cost. I know a lot of traders who have left Chicago to strike it out on their own and deeply regretted the decision.
Just for the record, I am happy to report that I actually spoke to a nice person in New York yesterday. Okay, carry on...
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Illinois-legislature-OKs-cnnm-3044097958.html These F*ckers passed the bill! I cannot f*cking believe they just pulled this shit. Illinois legislature OK's massive tax hike to cut budget gap. Just passed both houses this morning guys.
Whatsa matter? Seems some of you still can't accept the "slave/master" relationship our good governments keep in place. Yet, there is an answer. And here's the package: 1. Term limits (at all levels of government). 2. Balanced budget amendments (at all levels of government). 3. Tax reform (at all levels of government).