(Mises)—Many historians labeled the twentieth century as the American century, with many metrics used. The end of the Cold War in 1989 and the fall of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in December 1991 changed world affairs: several new countries formed, the Warsaw Pact dissolved, the economy of China rose, and many US military bases shut down. The twentieth century wound down with the US as the world superpower, and yet the vision of the 1990s was not clear for our political and military leaders going into the twenty-first century.
One definition of bankruptcy is “utter ruin, failure, depletion, or the like.” Entering the third decade of the twenty-first century with the perspective to see what has occurred since 2000 reveals this century is becoming the American bankruptcy. One US view of bankruptcy is when a private business, person, bank, government, or other nonprofit entity is financially unsound. Institutions, ethics, government, spirituality, education, etc. can also be bankrupt. Part of a prior Mises Wire article addressed two counties, one major metropolitan city and one territory, that went through and emerged from federal bankruptcy.
Many individuals, leaders in areas of public life, and foreign nations look to America for clarity and influence on culture, ethics, finance, governing, and public policy. The examples of ethical, financial, and governing bankruptcy show America is a shining example of utter failure.
Some of the largest bankruptcies of private businesses in federal courts since 2000 started with Pacific Gas and Electric in April 2001, $36 billion; Enron in December 2001, $65 billion; WorldCom in July 2002, $102 billion; Lehman Brothers in September 2008, $691 billion; General Motors in June 2009 (largest ever US automaker bankruptcy), $82 billion; and Lyondell Chemical in June 2009 (largest US petrochemical producer bankruptcy), $27 billion.
Four banks have filed for receivership by US bank regulators: Washington Mutual in September 2008, $327 billion; First Republic Bank in May 2023, $229 billion; Silicon Valley Bank in March 2023, $209 billion; and Signature Bank in March 2023, $110 billion. Of the 566 bank failures since the year 2000, Signature Bank is the only one to fail on a Sunday. Over 95 percent of bank failures occurred on Fridays.
Some famous US retailers have filed for bankruptcy since 2000 with some going out of business, like A&P supermarkets, Bed Bath & Beyond, Blockbuster, Borders, Compaq, Dressbarn, Family Christian Stores, Kmart, Lord and Taylor, Luby’s (Texas cafeteria chain), Modell’s Sporting Goods, Montgomery Ward, Payless ShoeSource, Pier 1 Imports, Radio Shack, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Sears, Solyndra (solar panels), Sports Authority, Stein Mart, Theranos, Toys “R” Us, Tuesday Morning, and the Weinstein Company.
The coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent lockdowns brought about educational, financial, governing, medical, and policy bankruptcies at the local, state, and federal levels on a public scale not seen in many years. The results in each area will be felt for many years in children, education, families, finance, business, government, etc. with incredible unintended results too numerous to mention.
Fiat as a noun is defined by dictionary.com as “an authoritative decree, sanction, or order.” This word describes the currency issued by many central banks today. Fiat currency was issued to fund the federal government–authorized coronavirus financial relief programs on a breathtaking scale, showing the economic and governing bankruptcy on clear display. Two books written by Peter Schweizer, titled Clinton Cash and Secret Empires, detail the business, ethical, financial, and governing bankruptcy at the federal level on a scale where one should have trouble sleeping at night.
Boy Scouts of America filed for federal Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2020, amid the ongoing payouts of claims to victims tied to many years of child sexual abuse allegations, legal battles with insurance companies, and declining membership. They emerged from federal bankruptcy in March 2023, a greatly reduced organization with substantive reforms in place.
Many US Roman Catholic dioceses filed and emerged from federal Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to overwhelming monetary compensation paid to many victims of priest sexual abuse claims and diocesan cover ups. An Illinois Law Review paper published in 2013 reviewed Roman Catholic and Protestant churches that filed for federal Chapter 11 bankruptcy between 2006 and 2013.
Chapter 11 bankruptcy described in the Illinois Law Review shows it has the potential to offer religious organizations an avenue to rehabilitate their operations following economic downturns, failures and transitions in leadership, and standstills in negotiating with creditors.
Some common themes among these bankruptcies include poor leadership disconnected from their customers, followers, and members; leaders letting the power of their position go to their heads; using the group’s treasury as an unending source of money to fulfill their selfish desires; boards of directors, staff, and leaders who lacked courage to say the truth to their group’s leaders about what ailed their group; and lack of applying sound principles of budgeting.
Some outcomes from these federal Chapter 11 bankruptcies led to debt holders losing value, debt repayments being renegotiated with each lender, new renegotiated loans with a repayment plan being issued, some property liquidations occurring, etc. We must not forget the scale and depth of bankruptcy in its many forms which greatly infects the people and workings of the federal government and public policy in Washington, DC.
Many people in the US have come or are coming to the reality that many businesses, educational, government, nonprofit, and spiritual entities are bankrupt to their very core, financially and spiritually. The length, depth, and width of the twenty-first century American bankruptcy pierces deeply into most private and public institutions we see.
The sooner this bankruptcy reality is accepted, assessed, and addressed is where real healing and progress can begin, with some entities being retired and new ones formed to benefit the people they serve. Hopefully for some of these entities, this new post-bankruptcy reality will result in a newly created board of directors and staff who are more focused on those they serve. Some solutions will be initiated at the local level where situational understanding is best. The direction of each entity when it emerges from federal bankruptcy is hopefully humility, which hammers home the perspective that mistakes are made and can be learned from, moving forward with a focus to benefit families and communities.
About the Author
Stephen is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin and lives in Texas.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
