Where were you on 9/11?
"Where were you when world stopped turning... that September day?" - Alan Jackson
My objective in writing The Swiss Preserve Solution is to look at the 21st century world we live in through eyes, hearts, and vision of our Founding Fathers, who gave so much in struggle for independence of United States. What was their legacy to us, in terms of liberty, government structure, citizen participation, politicians and electoral process? If they were here today, would they be proud of way we apply the freedoms they provided, or would they be repulsed at degradation of their dreams for this nation? Ultimately, have we and previous generations failed in our sacred duty to honor and defend the American legacy?
I believe it's time to restore legacy of liberty, self-reliance, and total resistance to uncontrolled government that motivated these patriots almost three hundred years ago to do the impossible. Our Founding Fathers stood up against most powerful empire the world had known since the Roman Empire, and with courage as their shields and ideals as their weapons, they united in a battle for independence - and they won. It's time to review our history to see what has happened since our birth as a nation, from what began as a country with a decentralized, limited government, to political mess that we've today.
Every American will always remember where they were on clear fall morning of September 11, 2001. It was day the world as we knew it suddenly collapsed and we wondered if life would ever be the same again. Since then, we've found that answer to our question is no. Currently, U. . troops are fighting difficult guerilla wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and much of support that flooded into United States after 9/11 has now turned into distrust throughout Europe and Asia, and pure outrage throughout Middle East.
It is safe to say that as our foreign policy dissipated into shambles in years following September 11th, world was indeed turned upside down in other ways as well; life is certainly not the same for world of wealth preservation, global investing or personal and financial privacy. Following September terrorist attacks, resulting "War on Terror" has raged around world with threats at home and abroad to privacy, confidentiality, and asset protection jurisdictions. In other words, the War on Terror has generated a cold disregard for personal freedoms and civil liberties here in the U. . without protecting us from those who hate and want to destroy us abroad.
However, it's important to realize that while Patriot Act and continued terrorist threats have led to the capitulation of many offshore guarantees of financial confidentiality, all isn't lost. Investors can still achieve a high level of privacy and asset protection with offshore investing within legal frameworks that are both safe and convenient. This is possible through utilizing best advisors and consultants and by taking advantage of unique opportunities that exist in Switzerland, Austria and other reputable jurisdictions.
Over last three hundred years, the American legal system has been transformed from one that rightfully defended and protected property rights and personal wealth, into a giant wealth transfer scheme that functions for financial benefit of legal profession and avaricious politicians. With the outrageous damages and penalties in court cases today, and often with multiple defendants, it doesn't seem to matter if we are guilty or innocent. Instead, today guilt or innocence is more often decided based on who can afford to pay, rather than on the facts of the case. This is a frightening time to be a successful individual in America, and as a result, many concerned citizens are taking action to remove as much of their accumulated wealth as possible from risk of the U. . legal system.
Moreover, our government, which was originally established to protect and defend us, has been degraded into one of the greatest threats to our property. Between "war on drugs", the "war on tax havens" and now War on Terror, almost every activity in United States could potentially infringe on one of thousands of laws that no one truly understands but that nonetheless allow any government entity or law enforcement agency right to make an accusation and confiscate our assets. It's then up to we -- and ultimately how much more money you're willing to spend -- to prove your innocence. Sadly, with regard to your property and wealth, long-standing American legal tradition of "innocent until proven guilty" has been twisted into "guilty and we hold your property and money until we can prove your innocence."
I understand that writing The Swiss Preserve Solution is not exactly the best way to make friends with the U. . financial establishment, American legal profession, and some questionable third-world offshore jurisdictions. I am also sure I won't win any popularity contests with those selling expensive, "old style" asset protection structures, nor with scam artists inhabiting some of less regulated offshore havens. Likewise, I imagine those financial "experts" on the fringe of legitimacy in the U. ., who are selling questionable structures as mistaken solution for Americans wishing to protect their wealth, probably will not be calling me for drinks. Nevertheless, as I have said before, I feel an obligation to help fellow investors make right decisions now that'll lead to the best possible financial future.
Finally, I want to directly warn those of you who have previously indulged in suspicious offshore activities that may now be illegal, to avoid certain taxation issues or reporting requirements. This won't be a caveat we will want to hear, but it is one that we should listen to now and take necessary action. Secret accounts and tax evasion have no place in 21st century. Like it or not, the blatant disregard for taxes or reporting rules actually places we and your wealth in far greater danger of confiscation, fines, and ultimately high losses than had we done nothing in first place.
Still, after all is said and done, Uncle Sam and his revenue agencies are actually minor players in field of wealth confiscation. Believe it or not, highest threats are your spouse, business partners, closest friends and confidants. They're people who know your secrets and your business and are most likely to sue you. Moreover, your assets are sometimes more jeopardized from risky investments pushed by greedy investment firms and high commissioned salesmen, than even your worst litigants or scandalous lawsuits. Often most dangerous group to offshore investors and participants in asset protection schemes are actual promoters who have squandered or stolen funds. In addition, if we have already followed poor advice in past by attempting to protect assets through questionable tactics, you can expect eventual disclosure and harsh government penalties, including total confiscation and perhaps even jail time.
Another risk to your wealth that'll be discussed later in greater detail is risk of future exchange controls during a financial crisis, like another terrorist attack. It's important to have your global diversification and wealth planning completed before such a crisis, because it may either then be too late to invest at reasonable prices, or completely prohibited when we need to invest offshore. In upcoming chapters I will outline the importance of establishing a solid, long-term structure that doesn't require you to adjust your wealth plan for every change in law, policy, or market trends. After all, a proper wealth planning structure is flexible and allows for rapid changes in both allocation and approach -- without the delays and restrictions that many unprepared Americans may face due to U. . regulations.
My point is that major threats to your wealth in this century aren't always rooted in government and lawsuits, but instead can stem from other individuals and concerns that you'd be wise to prepare for. A timely example is growing threat to U. . based investment portfolios from future terrorist attacks that target our investment markets and financial infrastructure. I will discuss this risk, as well as long-term risk of America's gradual transition from a constitutional republic to a world empire, in chapters that follow, focusing on ways to protect your wealth as the dollar falls under increasing scrutiny over next few years.
The information presented in The Swiss Preserve Solution is the key to legally safeguarding your private wealth for your family and for future generations. However, it is important to remember that successfully protecting this wealth is more than just a legal battle- it is also an intellectual and philosophical struggle, and ultimately a political war between those who value personal property and those who are out to steal it. Remember, no man is an island in this century's fight for defense of liberty, property, and financial autonomy.
Ludwig von Mises, founder of Austrian School of Economics, appropriately summarized our world situation many years ago when he said:
"Society lives and acts only as individuals; it is nothing more than a certain attitude on their part. Everyone carries a part of society on his shoulders; no one is relieved of his share of responsibility by others. And no one can find a safe way out for himself if society is sweeping towards destruction. Therefore everyone, in his own interests, must thrust himself vigorously into intellectual battle. None can stand aside with unconcern; interests of everyone hang on the result. Whether he chooses or not, every man is drawn into great historical struggle, the decisive battle into which our epoch has plunged."
In order to help achieve final victory in this historic struggle, and in philosophical agreement with Ludwig von Mises, I have made arrangements to contribute 5% of profit of each print book sold to selected 501(c)3 organizations for promotion and defense of liberty and limited government. It's my wish and prayer that new information and strategies presented in The Swiss Preserve Solution will help we defend your wealth and liberties in our new 21st Century world.
I have done my best to present threats to your liberty and wealth and to introduce new wealth planning features and solutions to counter each threat. Do I have all answers to financial needs and concerns of high net worth investors? Of course not. However, what I do have are insightful remedies to the dilemmas we face in post-9/11 world as we try to protect our assets proficiently and legally. If we want to preserve your wealth and liberties, then take a look at what I have to say. The rest is up to you.
