Pulp Friction

Buried in the middle of his 2020 letter to shareholders, the intransigent Berkshire-Hathaway CEO, Warren Buffett, summarized his defiant optimism in 4 succinct words: “Never bet against America.” Those words certainly resonated with this then-20-year-old finance major reading along in my Arkansas apartment. Buffett continued, asserting that “In its brief 232 years of existence… there has been no incubator for unleashing human potential like America.” Buffett’s optimism, amidst a flurry of skepticism and naysayers, came as a refreshing burst of inspiration to a young man like myself.

Drained and dejected by the constant drumbeat of the 24-hour news cycle, I found myself uplifted by the Oracle’s steadfast belief in the country that had once made him the wealthiest man alive. I glanced back at the American flag hanging on the back wall of my bedroom and began shadow boxing. Had I a more aggressive temperament, I’d have enlisted with the Marines right then and there.

For what feels like most of my admittedly short time here, most of the news about my country and her future have been overwhelmingly negative. Everything is all doom and gloom now. Seems like every other hour there’s a fresh apocalyptic headline. If I hear another cable news pundit claim that we’ve “never been more divided,” I will rip my nappy hair out. You know we fought a civil war, once, right?

I keep hearing about how China is going to overtake us on the world stage any day now. I keep hearing that the American economy and the almighty Dollar are going to fall any day now. I keep hearing that the American dream is going to die any day now, and I refuse to hear anybody out.

Sure, we have problems, and there are reasons for concern. When haven’t there been? Still, I choose to believe that America could be on the precipice of a much-needed renaissance. I’ve witnessed, firsthand, a rabid entrepreneurial spirit among many of my young peers. America’s enemies find themselves floundering amid economic strife in China and a Russian quagmire in Europe. All the while, American manufacturing and business are reemerging in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic stronger than before.

Meanwhile, the economic outlook of America’s professionals has made a drastic U-turn, with the percentage of professionals surveyed expecting a recession in the next twelve months falling from 33% in January to just 10% in April. With bi-partisan support of legislation like the CHIPS Act, Americans have begun to invest heavily in ourselves again, shoring up our dependence on other nations.

As we move away from the turbulent early years of the decade, with rate cuts just over the horizon, America and her economy are well positioned to reassert their position as the preeminent power on the world stage. With America’s resurgence, opportunities for the growth and success of you and your business should be plentiful.

Now is the time. As we’ve done time and time again, America will continue to rise up.

Rise with your country. Rise with the Tydal Wave.

We relish in the opportunity to rise up with you!