Why We Want You To Be Rich. Robert T. Kiyosaki

China was admitted into the World Trade Organization (WTO). Today, America and many Western nations such as the G-8 nations have become consumers rather than producers. This sets up a huge balance-of-trade problem and also takes away our factories.

       Many small businesses are not able to compete with companies like Wal-Mart, who has direct lines to China’s factories.

       Today in America and other Western nations, our middle class is shrinking as the middle class in China and India is growing.

       Do you consume products manufactured overseas?

      2004: During the Kerry-Bush debates, there was talk about the outsourcing of American jobs. But there is a bigger problem both parties avoided. There was little said about the outsourcing of American debt into the hands of foreigners.

       While there is much discussion about illegal immigrants in our work force, there is a more serious immigration problem not being discussed: the amount of foreign capital that keeps the United States afloat. In 2004, 44 percent of our Treasury debt was owned by foreigners. No leading country in history has ever incurred this level of foreign debt. As a nation we cannot afford the payments to service this debt, and there is a limit to the amount of our debt the world will tolerate.

       Are you able to service your own personal debt?

      This book is not a political book. It will not blame Republicans or Democrats, Liberals or Conservatives. This book is about money, financial education, and the effects of a lack of financial education and money management. It is about protecting yourself from national money mismanagement. Today’s problems are bigger than our government can handle. That may be why our politicians avoid discussing the real problems.

       The United States has the highest standard of living in the world. We have attained that high standard of living by becoming the greatest debtor nation in the world. The U.S. dollar is also the world’s reserve currency and so far, the world has allowed us to print as many dollars as we want. Is this a fairy tale scenario or a nightmare? Donald and Robert do not think this fantasy can last much longer. They expect a global correction on a massive scale. Unfortunately, the poor and middle class will be hurt the most. And this is why they want you to be rich.

      This Book Is Not About Changing the World

      This book is not about changing the world. This book is about changing you so that you do not become a victim of a changing world. The world is changing rapidly. Politicians and government bureaucracy cannot change fast enough or protect everyone from these shifts.

      Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have joined forces to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems. This is commendable as money does have the power to solve many of our world problems, such as hunger, affordable housing, and hopefully many diseases (such as cancer and AIDS).

      Money Cannot Solve Poverty

      The one problem money cannot solve is poverty. While there are many underlying causes of poverty, one of the causes is a lack of financial education. The problem with throwing money at the issue of poverty is that money only creates more poor people and keeps people poorer longer. This is why Donald and Robert are teachers. They know that the one true solution to worldwide poverty is financial education, not money. If money alone could solve poverty, they would donate their money. But since money cannot solve poverty, they donate their time.

      As your financial education increases, you will start to recognize financial opportunities everywhere. Once you become rich, you may choose to help change the world as well. This is what Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki have done. This is why they have joined forces as teachers.

      As you read this book you will see the voices of two men, from two different backgrounds, with two different perspectives, and two different voices. Robert is a story-teller and uses dialogue often in his writing. Donald is direct and to–the–point, using as few words as possible. We have used two different typefaces to emphasize their two voices (Adobe Garamond is used for Robert and Trebuchet is used for Donald).

      Can you read this book with an open mind? If so, you will see the world through the eyes of these two successful men and you may expand your own mind-set about money and what is possible for your financial future.

      “Yes, we did produce a near perfect Republic. But will they keep it?

      Or will they in their enjoyment of plenty, lose the memory of freedom?

      Material abundance without character is the surest way to destruction.

      Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.”

       – Thomas Jefferson

       PART ONE

       WHY DONALD TRUMP AND ROBERT KIYOSAKI WROTE THIS BOOK

      For many reasons, Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki never should have met, much less written a book together. Donald Trump is from New York (the financial capital of the world), is from a wealthy family and is a billionaire who started making his money at a young age. Robert Kiyosaki grew up in Hawaii (the vacation capital of the world), is from a middle-class family and became a millionaire later in his life.

      While both men are financially free and do not have to work anymore, they choose to continue to work harder than ever. While they do not run in the same circles, something brought them together: they share the same concerns.

      Both Donald and Robert are internationally best-selling authors, and each could write another bestseller on his own.

      Why would they choose to write a book together? You may have seen their books many times at the bookstore. Maybe you bought them, and maybe you didn’t. But isn’t it intriguing that these two superstars would join together to write one book? Maybe they are doing it to get your attention! It’s that important.

      Part One of this book contains Donald’s and Robert’s personal accounts of how they met and why they decided to write this book.

       CHAPTER ONE

       MILLIONAIRE MEETS BILLIONAIRE

       Robert’s View

       Chicago: November 6, 2005

      It is early Sunday afternoon. Tens of thousands of people are attending a large real estate expo in Chicago. The convention hall is filled with exhibits and displays of wealth-building investments and opportunities. In smaller classrooms, instructors are sharing their knowledge about how the attendees can build their own personal fortunes. The cavernous hall is filled with a buzz that is contagious. People are excited about what they are learning and how it can alter their financial destinies.

      Backstage, in the large room where the production crews are working, there is a different excitement. It is a quiet, electric excitement. A long, black limousine has pulled up and people have begun to whisper, “He’s here! Donald Trump has arrived.”

      I am standing in the green room, a private lounge where the main speakers wait before going onstage, so I do not see the limo arrive. But when I see two police officers go past the door of the green room, I know Donald Trump is about to enter.

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