Forecasting the megatrends.

Yogi Berra supposedly said that "predicting is hard, especially the future." Those who attempt to predict the future face a great deal of uncertainty, because while some megatrends are like avalanches (once they get going they do not stop until run out of momentum), there are megatrends in the waiting. Megatrends are sometimes contradictory, so the "WHEN?" and "HOW?" of the start of the megatrends is important.

Some megatrends are interactive, such as inflation, taxation and growth. so, let's look at what the trends look like for the year 2018.

1. Politics.

a) the Conservative advantage in dismantling the Regulatory State. This advantage is not uniform. It depends on which crippling regulation is hard-wired by law and which can be removed by executive action or rewriting the rules.

b) a partially hostile judiciary. Some judges are appointed by Obama.

c) a hostile Media. This will continue. Their broadcasting license should be challenged because of fake news.

d) The coup d'état by Comey and ilk. This should recede.

e) 2018 elections. Much depends on this. Jockeying has already begun. Reps will hold both Houses.

2. Economy.

The lowered taxes will stimulate the economy. Inflation, higher gold will reappear.
Economic growth will exceed 4%.