This is a version of the rant I did yesterday (Thursday in the 11am hour).  We’ve had a lot of requests to post it, so here it goes …

Mitt Romney was defeated on Tuesday.  So was Capitalism.  You may not realize this, but capitalism – economic liberty and free enterprise – was every bit as much on trial as was Romney, and capitalism lost.  We have just reelected a president who despises free enterprise and who once referred to the free market as “the enemy.”  Like it or not, capitalism is on the decline in America.  The idea that someone who is willing to work longer, harder and smarter should be allowed to become wealthy through those efforts is increasingly unpopular.  People who invest their money in business ventures and become wealthy as a result are seen as predatory.  People who have been content to work their eight-hour days, who never go the extra mile, who don’t seek to improve their work skills .. these people are seen as victims of the rich.  The poor oppressed middle class. 

This is our future – and it’s our future for quite a few years to come, perhaps for a generation or more.  Economic liberty is on the decline in America.  At this point we’re not even in the top ten.  Most Americans, I suspect, will be perfectly willing to stay put and go with the flow.  That was pretty much shown in this week’s election results.  Others will want to stretch themselves to the limits.  Some … most, really … will chose to do that here in their home country.  Others will look for greener economic pastures; and trust me, there are some. 

I’m talking with some friends – experts in various fields – about the idea of writing a book explaining to productive and aspirational Americans how they might escape the anti-capitalist wave sweeping this country.  Escape it while remaining here, if they can, or by looking for those greener pastures.  I’ll bring you up to speed on our plans later, but for now let’s touch on some ideas. 

Neal’s escape plan – For freedom-loving Americans in their 60s

For people in their 60s (retirement years), I hate to tell you but your escape planning should have begun long ago.  But for those of you who were holding on to hope that somehow we’d be able to turn the tide in this country toward freedom, liberty and prosperity, here are some common-sense suggestions.

The first thing that you must do is get out of debt.  Easier said than done, but being debt free will allow you the freedom to move quickly – in a financial as well as geographical sense – and to do what you need to in order to protect what you have for your retirement and for your grandchildren’s future.

Do your research, talk to your friends and find the best financial planner you can afford.  I have mine, and we’re meeting next week.  You may be past your income-producing years, but that doesn’t mean you have escaped the tax fervor in Washington.  The Democrats have toyed with the eye of a wealth tax before, and my guess is that they will do it again; probably sooner rather than later.  There are legal ways for you to hold on to your wealth and ensure that as much wealth as possible will be left to your grandchildren.  I can’t give you that advice here … but you need to find someone who can.  Failure to move on this front can cost you and your heirs dearly in the future.

Do your part in educating your fellow seniors about the legacy they are leaving for their grandchildren by voting for Democrats, simply out of fear of losing their government checks.  Simply put: If you’ve paid into the system and collect Social Security and Medicare, those programs aren’t going anywhere and they weren’t going to go anywhere for you under a Romney-Ryan presidency.  Your children have been paying into the system and they will likely NOT be collecting those checks in the future, because reforms HAVE to be made in order to see the system survive.  By voting for Democrats, you have robbed future generations of their ability to reform the system in a way that will ensure that they can retire with dignity as well. Means testing is on the way.  Economic survival here means you cannot depend or rely on those Social Security payments.  They are not guaranteed by law, and can disappear on a political whim.

Luckily for us, we will be able to outlive this if we play our cards right.  The same can’t be said for future generations – for our children and for our grandchildren.

Belinda’s escape plan – For freedom-loving Americans in their 40s

Chances are that most of you listening to the show or reading Nealz Nuze fall into this category.  If you are in or around your 40s -- you have children .. a family .. a career .. a business -- retirement isn’t exactly in the cards for you yet.  You will still be forced to earn a living under the tax-happy SCOAMF, paying more taxes into the system to be subsequently redistributed to the growing numbers of moochers who, of course, become loyal and dependable Democrat voters.  I can understand how frustrating this must be. 

Here’s the good news: You still have control over YOUR life and YOUR family.  Barack Obama and the Democrats have not taken away your ability to make the choices necessary to live a happy, healthy and successful life.  The power is in your hands.  Now, they’ve made it difficult, but not impossible to thrive.  Here are a few suggestions. 

First things first and – again – you need to get out of debt.  Again, I understand this is easier said than done but it will allow you the freedom to escape these SOBs if necessary.

You are never too young for a financial plan.  Your bank has a financial planner that can help you with the basics.  Meet with that person to make sure that you are saving as much as you possible to prepare for your retirement.  Plan on Social Security NOT being there.   In 20+ years when you go to collect Social Security and Medicare, who knows what kind of shape they will be in or if they will be there at all.  That’s a sad and frustrating fact, considering that you’ve paid into the system for so long.  But you need to be smart, prepare for the worst and hope for the best.  Don’t assume it will be there.

I’m not telling you to pick up and move to Honduras (more on that in a minute), but if you are at all mobile it would be a very good idea for you to start looking around for the closest state without a state income tax.  Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Wyoming ... these are among the handful of states that allow you to earn a living without handing over a portion of it to the state.  There is something to be said for the job growth in states like Texas and Florida.  People WANT to live in a place where they can keep much of the wealth they earn.  Like-minded people will flock to these states, and you will be all the better to surround yourself by these types of folks.

But there’s more.  In addition to seeking out states without an income tax, look for Right-to-Work states, states where you cannot be forced to join a union in order to have a job.  The two states without a state income taxes but where you can be forced to join a union to work are Washington and Alaska.  Right-to-work states generally perform better economically than states with forced unionization.  Starting and maintaining any business in a state with forced unionization is pointless.  Unions are poison to a business enterprise.  Why would you put yourself through such misery if you don’t have to?

If you are a business owner, you can immediately do two things: First, move immediately to get the number of full-time employees in your business under 50.  It may be necessary to use a good temporary staffing agency to fill out your workforce.  They will become more relevant than ever as business owners such as you try to cope with the looming ObamaCare regulations.  If you have over 50 employees, fire some (preferably the ones who you suspect supported Barack Obama) or keep your business from growing to the point where you pass the 50 employee threshold. Remember, the Obama labor department has determined that anyone who works 30 hours a week or more is a full-time employee, regardless of what you call them.  Part-time workers must be kept to under 30 hours a week.

Stay involved in your local government.  The communities you live in or you choose to move to could be filled with like-minded Patriots if you create magnets of opportunity: Competitive schools, low taxes, limited government.  So much of focus has been on the federal level, but arguably your local government can have a greater impact on your immediate lives.

Cristina’s escape plan – For freedom-living Americans in their 20s

I fear that freedom-loving Americans in this category may be few and far between, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve a bright future as well.  I’m just not sure that future will be in the United States.

For Americans in their 20s, getting out of debt will be a lot more difficult, since this is the generation which has now seen student loan debt exceed $1 trillion.  If you are young and you have the option of receiving a decent education without racking up the bills, consider this option seriously.  Community colleges are certainly a good option.  Studies have shown that graduates of two-year community colleges will have an easier time finding a when they’re through, and they’ll be making almost as much as the four-year graduates with the heavy debt.  For those of you who are already stuck with the bill, even though you may be early in your careers (if they’ve even started at all) it may be worth while to sit down with a financial planner and see what you can do to pay it down.

With that being said, being so young, you’ve yet to establish any real roots in the United States.  It saddens me to say this – but there may be better opportunities for you overseas.  Other countries may be a truly viable option for you.  As economic freedom fades in the United States, it is rising elsewhere.  Just what loyalty do you really owe to a country that is enslaving you for political benefit?  Have you heard what is happening in Honduras?  An American company, with the blessings of the Honduran government, is trying to create towns that will have minimal government and free-market capitalism.  The law in these communities will be based on the laws of the State of Texas, meaning minimal regulations.  The Honduran legislature will need a three-fourths vote to interfere with the operation of the city.  The Honduran Supreme Court is trying to muddy the waters here .. but if this fails in Honduras it will pop up and survive somewhere else. Keep your eyes open.  Do your homework.  There will be many attempts to create Libertarian mini-states or islands around the world.  But if the social experiment thing makes you a little nervous, established nations like New Zealand and Costa Rica remain relatively hands off and will allow you to enjoy the freedoms you seek without an obtrusive federal government.  Start doing the research and finding which places around the world uphold the following two principles: Property rights and the rule of law.  Buy some luggage and go.

In fact, we’ve come up with a handy guide to get you started!  Here’s a cheat sheet on what it would take to move to Costa Rica.

However, if you choose to remain in the United States, and you plan to be a productive American seeking freedom, read the section above for the escape plan for people in their 40s … you, too, will benefit from seeking out the last bastions of relatively free states in which to earn and living and raise a family.

But finally, you young conservative Americans are the only ones who can truly hold the Republicans feet to the fire and turn it into a party that could be viable once again on the national level.  I would venture to guess that most of you are socially liberal yet fiscally conservative, am I right?  If you want any chance of playing within the current two-party system in the United States, you must be the ones to transform the Republican Party into one that adopts your Libertarian-leaning ideology and stays away from the social suicide.  If the GOP can’t be reformed, then maybe it will be your generation that starts a viable third party.   If you choose to stay and fight … that is your task.  Good luck, and save your own damn money for retirement because Social Security and Medicare will absolutely not be there for you to collect in 40+ years.