Category: Economics & Investing

This article in Barron’s hardly comes as a news flash to SurvivalBlog readers: Barron’s: US Will See Run on Treasurys, Hyperinflation John R. suggested these two related articles: Pressure builds on Spain’s banks; Are credit markets predicting a bank run in Spain?, and 2011: Year of the bank run? R.D.F. sent this news of Nonsensical Nanny State Nosiness from California: Police issue warning about buying and selling gold. They must be referring to some local anti-fenced goods law. R.D.F.’s comment: “This is the latest example of Big Brother trying to outlaw and control those who refute paper money and worthless coin currency.” …

This could happen in America, too!: European nations begin seizing private pensions. Mark my words. I predict that the politicians and policy wonks will say: “Nationalizing the IRAs and 401(k)s is the only thing that will save Social Security.” Oh, but they’ll probably call he whole socialist scheme “privatizing”, to sugar coat it. I noticed that silver took a dip on Tuesday morning. In a long term bull market, you should watch the tickers closely and buy on the dip days! George Soros: The United States Must Stop Resisting The Orderly Decline Of The Dollar, The Coming Global Currency And …

For the Horrible Irony Department: White House Warns Failure to Raise Debt Ceiling Would Mean Economic ‘Crisis’. (Thanks to Chad S. for the link.) John R. sent us this: Never Forget the Fed Caused the Economic Downturn      Also from John: Bernanke Only Adds Fuel to the Fire with Quantitative Easing   Albert Edwards: China is a “Freak Economy” and it Will Crash, and Take Down the Rest of the World. (Our thanks to Siggy for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Commodities Beat Financials Making Silver Top Pick   Credit Card Withdrawal-Banks Pull Plug on Consumer Revolving Debt …

Greg C. sent this: Coins vs. Bags: Comparing Two Options in Physical Silver. Pre-1965 90% silver coins are not only a better buy, but they’ll have wider acceptance for barter in the U.S.. SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson sent an indicator of incipient higher fuel prices: Crude Oil Inventory Watch: U.S. Inventories Plunge as Demand Soars Siggy mentioned this over at the Calculated Risk blog: Unofficial Problem Bank List Dec 31, 2010 Items from The Economatrix: Treasury Prices Rebound After $29 Billion Bond Auction   Metals Gain As Investors Seek Protection 2011:  Baby Boomers Come Of Age:  16 …

All Evidence Points To A Dramatic Increase In Food Prices Worldwide, Possible Shortages Reader Tom C. wrote to mention: “I just bought some K-1 kerosene. It was priced at $3.49 gallon, up form $3.09 only six weeks ago.” “Hyperinflation Will Drive Gold To Unthinkable Heights” Oil’s Surge In 2010 Paves Way for $4 Gasoline   News from India: Soaring metal prices ring death knell for 25p coins. Does this sound familiar?

Sir: I feel that any article that brings attention to the need for communications in the future is a very good article! However, Carl really needs to upgrade to a General or higher class license and experience just what some of the HF bands can do for him. How well something like 75 meter phone can cover a very wide area that will put his favored two meters to shame, no matter how “big” the two meter station is. Not to mention really long distance communications with no infrastructure whatsoever on whatever ham band happens to be working at the …

John R. recommended a piece by Jim Willie: Ultimate Cost of 0% Money Also from John R.: U.S. foreclosures jumped in the third quarter; Newly initiated foreclosures up more than 30 percent Venezuela Devaluing Currency to Revive Economy/ (Thanks to Dan L. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Dude, Where’s My Job?   Gold Hits Three-Week High On Weak Dollar   Energy Stocks Rally to Fresh Two-Year Highs US Dollar Seen Rising in 2011 After Rough 2010   (JWR is dubious…) 10% Brits Will Be Jobless in 2011 

Regarding the recent link to The Daily Bell‘s discussion of state-owned banks (Brownian Schism–Ellen Brown Restoring Credit with a Publicly-owned Bank: The Model of the Bank of North Dakota), economist Dr. Gary North has shredded and exposed Ellen Brown as a statist. The siren song of Greenbackism is entrancing Congressmen like Dennis Kucinich and even normally reliable commentators like Karl Denninger. Fiat credit, either through Greenbackism or state-owned bank, leads only to misery, not prosperity. Godspeed to you and yours. – B.G. in Wisconsin. JWR Replies: SurvivalBlog readers may also be interested in this recent piece by Dr. North: How …

Lee H. sent this: China cutting rare earth exports to the world by 10+%. China provides 97% of rare earths to the world. Peter Schiff: Home Prices Are Still Too High. (Thanks to G.G. for the link.) Steve C. sent a link to an article quoting Marc Faber: Long-Term US Treasurys Are ‘Suicidal Investment’ Items from The Economatrix: Fewer Join Unemployment Rolls; Good Sign for 2011   Stocks Down Slightly As Investors Lock In 2010   Oil Settles Below $90 On Government Supply Report   

C.T.L. sent this: Bailed-Out Banks Slip Toward Failure. From The Daily Bell: Brownian Schism–Ellen Brown Restoring Credit with a Publicly-owned Bank: The Model of the Bank of North Dakota. The article begins: “Neither states in the U.S. nor those in the eurozone can print their own money, but they can own banks, which can create bank credit on their books just as all banks do.” El Jefe Jeff E. suggested this Wall Street Journal report: The Price of Silver is Soaring. Items from The Economatrix: Silver Will Be Worth More Than Gold   If You Haven’t Bought Silver Yet, Read …

The UK inflation genie is out of the bottle Grain Prices Heading Higher In 2011 On Tight Supplies, Rabobank Says More from our friends in Appenzell, at The Daily Bell: Inflation Heard Round the World Ex Shell president sees $5 gas in 2012 Gulf CEO: Oil May Near $150 a Barrel by Summer

Life imitates art, right down to the terminology: ‘Doubling Up’ in Recession-Strained Quarters. (Thanks to Shawn M. for the link.) Bailed Out Banks on Brink of Bankruptcy — Again John R. sent these two items by Dave Cohen: Borrow Like There’s No Tomorrow  and The Debt Countdown Begins     Rosenberg: Housing Double-Dip Straight Ahead Items from The Economatrix: After Holiday Spree, Doubts About Economy Linger   Two Charts Which Tell The Whole Story   Open Interest In Silver Continues To Rise / Troubles In Major US Cities   Silver Is The Biggest Sleeper Of All   $500 Silver And …