Economics and Investing:

B.B. sent this: Dark Ages for a modern Middle Class – Modern day debt serfdom and rising prices not seen through the consumer price index. Coffee up 50 percent for the year.

What Will Cause the Next Crisis?

Jonathan C. sent: California: The Lindsay Lohan of States

The Wall Street Journal reports: Ireland’s Fate Tied to Doomed Banks

Steve K. sent a link to a very scary mortgage fraud deposition.

Super-sized pensions, and a doomsday scenario. (Thanks to Ben G. for the link.)

More FDIC Friday Follies: Three bank closures in Arizona and Georgia.

Items from The Economatrix:

Hiring Remains Slow Even As Economy Picks Up  

Will You Be Able To Heat Your Home This Winter?  Millions Of American Families Will Not  

Jekyll Island: Quantitative Easing 2 has a long history of backroom deals… 

Stocks Sink As Cisco’s Outlook Disappoints  

Specter Of Trade War Looms As G-20 Nations Gather