Politics: Bet Against America

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Politics Bet Against America Peter Schiff predicted the 2008 collapse. He says it was just the beginning. By David Weigel Posted Monday, Aug 06, 2012, at 11:29 PM ET "Fortunately," says Peter Schiff, "I think we're going to be presented with a real economic crisis." The fretful Tea Party activists sitting in front of me grimace, then nod. A couple of them even tweet. It's Saturday morning at Americans for Prosperity's annual, D.C.-based Defending the American Dream Summit, the largest and most open event that David Koch's political organization holds. The overall frenzy is tamped down from the commotion at the 2011 event. That year's conference was set upon by Occupy protesters, who blocked doors and choked traffic and (accidentally, probably) sent a grandmother hurtling down a small flight of stairs. The Occupiers have packed up the tents. This year's panic will be provided by investment broker, radio host, author, and former U.S. Senate candidate Peter Schiff. He appears on two panels—one ostensibly about regulation, one about health care—and in his calm, measured tone, he pivots both subjects back to the coming economic crash. "Two-thousand and eight was just an overture," he tells the crowd. "The opera is coming. The real financial crisis is coming in 2013, 2014. And so, we'll get a real choice, a fork in the road. One way is going to lead toward complete authoritarianism, complete totalitarian government, and the other way is going to lead back to freedom." This crowd takes Schiff seriously, for good reason. In February 2007, when unemployment was low and there was very little financial eschatology in the ... To continue reading, click here. Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum What did you think of this article? POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES Also In Slate Pray for the Sikh It's the Wheel Thing Four Myths About Single Mothers	Advertisement
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