37 T he tensions between the corporate media and the incoming administration were a distraction from the real developments underway during the 1st Quarter of 2017. The implications of the financial coup d’etat for retirees are more apparent, as are the impacts on employment and household finances of the shift from Global 2.0 to Global 3.0.. The message of 2016 was loud and clear: The party’s over, get ready to rock and roll! THE ECONOMY AND FINANCIAL MARKETS I. Global 2.0: From Slow Burn to Pressure Cooker A. Controlled Demolitions Accelerate Pension Funds: • Another Ruling Says Pension Set at Hire Can Be Cut • Christie’s last N.J. Budget Will Include Full Scheduled Pension Payment • Pew Trust: WV ‘Tremendous Turnaround Story’ for Pensions • Divestment Report: Climate Politics Hurts Pension Fund Returns • UK Corporate Pensions Headache Could Worsen in 2017 Insurance Companies: • Here’s What You Need To Know About Trump’s Obamacare Move Bankruptcies and Failures: • Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to Close after 146 Years • Sears, Macy’s Threaten Mall-Backed CMBS Loans • Several Retail Chains on Verge of Bankruptcy After Poor Holiday Sales • Demise Of The American Farmer Reflects The Demise Of The Middle Class • Is Retail CRE The Next Financial Implosion? With Charles Hugh Smith • These Haunting Photos of the Retail Apoca- lypse Reveal a New Normal in America B. The Debt Growth Model is Dying • Americans have $12.58 Trillion of Debt – Here’s What It Looks Like • US Credit Card Debt Sees Biggest Drop In Over Four Years • In 24 States, 50% or More of Babies Born on Medicaid; New Mexico Leads Nation With 72% The War on Cash: DAVOS: • More Davos Elites Suggest Banning Cash EUROPE: • Greece Unleashes ‘Soft’ Cash Ban • Europe Proposes “Restrictions On Payments In Cash” UNITED STATES: • The US Should Get Rid of Cash and Move to a Digital Currency, Says this Nobel Laureate Economist • Will Donald Trump Reverse The War On Cash? • “Bill Gates & George Soros Are Promoting The Cashless Society Agenda Everywhere.” • Arizona and Utah Legislating for Specie (Le- gal Tender) • Arizona Bill to Support Sound Money Passes Second Committee, 8-0 • Utah Bill Would Set Stage For State Gold and Silver Depository, Further Encourage Use of Metals as Money • Well-kept Open Secret: Washington is Be- hind India’s Brutal Experiment of Abolishing most Cash PLEASE NOTE: All the news articles listed in this section can be accessed by going to the online version of this Wrap Up at: www.Solari.com then use the search func- tion to locate the items. “Cover what matters in people’s lives and provide them the facts they need to make better decisions” – Reuters Editor-in-Chief Steve Adler on covering President Trump the Reuters way