Why does the world view of those you trust to advise you matter? If you have an advisor, do you know generally what his/her views are? Have they explained why you are in certain investments and does that view/investment risk square up with where you are, what you think, how much risk you can stand?
Our economic lives are obviously influenced by politics and foreign events. Domestic politics have the biggest influence. International events in non-threatening times (when was that?) still impact us. In our current situation both are making investment behavior outcomes much harder to predict.
Without getting into why and what to do about it, domestically we are in a monstrous mess generating great uncertainty. Turmoil can be okay if you have a long investment window, are secure in your job, want to work for at least a decade or are independently wealthy.
Are you in those boats? No? Then you need certainty of investment outcome. You can have it! Easily and safely.
Again, without assigning blame, America is in a severe mess internationally. The wars have little to do with it as the real problem is even larger. Many don't grasp it yet. We are in just the beginning stages of a protracted conflict with militant Islam and all it's variations. The cost will be high and the various upheavals will rock the investment boat. Also, the ascendancy of increasingly militant China looms and will have unknown long term impact. Unpredictable outcomes, great variance and high risk are not for those even thinking about retirement. The advisor/broker bromide of diversification is so much BS. The "dislocations" that are already in motion will hurt the unprepared. A falling tide puts even the biggest ships on the bottom. It doesn't have to be that way. You can make your retirement predictable and secure. There is hope and I think we might even live to see it.
Of course I could be wrong about this. Domestic tranquility could ensue. Congress could get out of the way, cut taxes and jump start the economy. Radical Islam could decide we're good enough to live. Peace could break out. Maybe... I am not willing to bet my security on it. Are you?
