Category: Economics & Investing

James, The more I learn about cryptocurrency, the more it reveals itself as a Godsend that could save us all from the tyranny of a central bank manipulated currency. I see this now as a revolution in civilization itself, nothing short of what penicillin or the internet has meant to us. It is new and undiscovered, just as America was in its beginnings, it is an unfolding wonderment. When Bitcoin was starting up a few years ago, I fooled around with it on my computer trying to mine some coins, but it became apparent that I needed a lot more …

G.G. flagged this: Labor-Force Participation Rate Continues to Sink Push of a Button: This Is How Fast They Can Lock Down the Entire Banking System Bank Of America’s Derivatives Death Rattle Bob in Virginia suggested: Hayek on Morality

SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson forwarded a link to a FAS and government report on rare earths. Reader Jerry E. recommended a captivating article in The Guardian: Former BP geologist: peak oil is here and it will ‘break economies’ N.S. suggested this video:Economic Problems and the Rise of Dictators — Mike Maloney & James Turk J.B.G. sent: Shoppers Stock Up On Rifles, Shotguns Before Long Gun Registry Begins Moguls Rent South Dakota Addresses to Dodge Taxes Forever. (Thanks to H.L. for the link.) Silver To Hit New Highs As The Quality Of Analysis Sinks To New Lows

Several readers suggested this article: Be prepared: Wall Street advisor recommends guns, ammo for protection in collapse National Debt Clock Passes $150,000 Per Taxpayer Comparing the inflated cost of living today from 1938 to 2013: How the US Dollar has lost incredible purchasing power since 1938. Items from The Economatrix: Faber, Rogers, Dent, Maloney, & Stockman – What Do They Say Is Coming In 2014? U.S. Dollar And Treasury Bonds Are Dead-Dr. Jim Willie Recession In 2014: “The Government Will Not Be Able To Save The Economy” 2014 Going To Be Better For Silver & Gold-David Morgan

Doug Eberhardt’s precious metals market predictions for 2014 John Mauldin’s most recent newsletter, under the title What Has QE Brought? is well worth reading. (For many years, I’ve recommended subscribing to his free e-newsletter.) Diana recommended this news piece: The Big Squeeze – mystery hand scoops up copper   Items from The Economatrix: Camden, New Jersey: One Of Hundreds Of U.S. Cities That Are Turning Into Rotting, Decaying Hellholes Many American-Made Companies Are Now Under Foreign Control! The Perfect Storm Is Coming For Gold: “Economics Will Crush The Very People Who Are Behind The Devastation”

The Hidden Motives Behind The Federal Reserve Taper. [JWR’s Comment: The renewed talk of the Fed tapering from the current $85 billion per month of Quantitative Easing (QE) money creation is balderdash. Presently, I can see only two possible solutions for the Fed’s quandary: 1.) They find another excuse not to taper Fed purchase of MBS derivatives and other securities. or 2.) They do taper the current QE program, but meanwhile surreptitiously create another form of monetization that is just a big, or even bigger. (This might involve foreign central banks, in a mutual back-scratching arrangement, whereby we’ll buy their …

What Does the Price of Gold Do In Deflation? (Thanks to Pierre M. for the link.) B.B. sent: The Federal Reserve Is Leveraged Roughly 70 Times Italy’s president fears violent insurrection in 2014 Andre D. sent a link to an opinion piece by Gordon Brown: Stumbling Toward the Next Crash. (Brown is a Labour Party member of the British Parliament a former Chancellor of the Exchequer and former Prime Minister.)

D.L.T. sent us this: The modern economy depends on dozens of obscure metals. What happens if we run out? Over at Sipsey Street Irregulars, some more evidence that ammunition was and still is a wise investment: Logistics: CMP advisory on .22 Long Rifle My old friend Conor recommended a BBC news segment about the little-publicized EB-5 Green Card program: Chinese investors ‘buying’ US green cards for $1Million. (Warning to dial-up users: The included video is launched automatically.) Of course the reverse side of that coin is found in countries like Panama, where American retirees are effectively buying residency for as …

J.W. suggested this piece by Jeff Thomas, over at Doug Casey’s International Man site: It’s Not “If;” It’s “When” G.G. suggested this news item: Sterling to go plastic, Bank of England decides Also from G.G.: Price of Ground Beef Hits All-Time High

Reader Andre D. sent: Feeding the Bubble: Is the Next Crash Brewing? Charles Hugh-Smith: A Quick Guide to What’s Fake: Everything That’s Officially Sanctioned. [JWR’s Comment: While I disagree with his viewpoint on government intervention in the marketplace and on taxation (I’m a laissez faire minimalist-government libertarian), I almost always enjoy reading Charles Hugh-Smith’s piercing observations.] Over at The Daily Bell: Forced Savings Bait and Switch Items from The Economatrix: U.S. October Business Inventories Up 0.7% Why The Budget Deal Is Bad News For Gold: Pro Is Your Job About To Be Outsourced By A Computer (The Probability Is 47%) …

Readers Mark A. and John in Colorado both mentioned: Taper or no taper, the Fed will never end QE: Marc Faber Camden, New Jersey: One Of Hundreds Of U.S. Cities That Are Turning Into Rotting, Decaying Hellholes Record U.S. Gold Bullion Exports Head to Hong Kong & Switzerland Items from The Economatrix: Retail Sales Rise, Signaling Stronger Economy Jobless Claims Highest In Two Months Why I Won’t Be Surprised if the Global Economy Caves

K.A.F. sent a link to some fascinating maps: America’s Wealth Is Staggeringly Concentrated in the Northeast Corridor. (But take a look at the Bakken region of eastern North Dakota.) Reader Tim R. suggested this article: Gun Stocks Soar, Gun Control ‘Dead as an Issue’ Pierre M. sent: North America to Drown in Oil as Mexico Ends Monopoly Items from The Economatrix: Proposal On Capitol Hill Would Nearly Double Federal Gas Tax The Economy: What’s Ahead In 2014 Improving Economy: Is It For Real?

Andre D. forwarded this Reuters article link: Insight: Europe faces moment of truth on banks, with flawed defenses Mike Rowe on the Hidden Cost of Compliance (A hat tip to H.L. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: IT’S A SCANDAL: New Budget Agreement Doesn’t Contain Extended Benefits For The Unemployed New Wave Of US Mortgage Troubles Threaten Europe Repeating Japan’s Errors As Deflation Draws Closer

Reader Tom H. sent: Price of silver could double because of Apple Washington & Wall-Street: The Death of Money. (Thanks to both Gregg P. and to Jeff in Texas for the link.) C.D.V. sent this: Yet Another Massive Nail In The Dollar’s Coffin Items from The Economatrix: Richard Russell – US May Destroy The World Monetary System The One Topic No One Is Discussing Congressional Odd Couple Finally Strikes a Budget Deal 

This year saw a battle for the direction of precious metals waged between speculators and short-term “paper gold” traders in the West, against record-breaking physical demand in the East. That physical demand from Asia reached new highs in 2013, underpinning a market that saw the outflows from precious metals ETFs eagerly snapped up by the Chinese and Indians. Gold and silver ended the year about where they ended 2010, while platinum was down only slightly from 2012. Palladium was the big performer, doing even better in 2013 than last year, but not as well as the all-time high reached in …