Economics and Investing:

The truth behind the “budget slashing” rhetoric: Debt Jumped $54.1 Billion in 8 Days Preceding Obama-Boehner Deal to Cut $38.5 Billion for Rest of Year

If you thought that the systematic looting of the Social Security trust fund was bad, then read this sad portent of future thievery: Treasury may borrow federal retirement funds in debt emergency. (“No cause for alarm. Nothing to see here, move along…”)

Over at The Daily Bell: The Story of Entitlement Addiction

Items from The Economatrix:

Shopper Spending Surprisingly Strong in March (Monetization as stimulus?)

Ron Paul:  Gold, Commodity Prices “Big Event” Signaling Economic Collapse

Who Would Sell Gold or Silver Now?

Banks in Illinois, Nevada Fail; Makes 28 Closed in 2011