Economics and Investing:

R.C. sent this troubling bit of news: America Again Drops in Global Ranking of Economic Freedom

Here is an article penned by Pat Buchanan: “Last May, Ron Paul filed his financial disclosure form, and The Wall Street Journal enlisted financial analyst William Bernstein to scrutinize his investments. The article includes this:

“Paul’s portfolio isn’t merely different,” said an astonished Journal, “it’s shockingly different.”

Twenty-one percent of his $2.4 to $5.5 million was in real estate, 14 percent in cash. He owns no bonds. Only 0.1 percent is invested in stocks, and Paul bought these “short,” betting the price will plunge. Every other nickel is sunk into gold and silver mining companies.

Bernstein “had never seen such an extreme bet on economic catastrophe,” said the Journal.

“This portfolio,” said Bernstein, “is a half step away from a cellar-full of canned goods and 9-millimeter rounds.”

[JWR’s Comments: Hooray for Ron Paul! The interesting thing is that Mr. Bernstein didn’t mention atually seeing Congeressman Paul’s basement. It probably is full of canned goods and ammo. Though I doubt that Ron Paul is a 9 milly kinda guy. He’s strikes me as more of a red, white and blue .45 ACP shooter.]

Items from The Economatrix:

German Exports Fall / Rumors of French Downgrade / Huge Gold Imports Into China / ECB Deposits Of Euros At Record Levels Again

Gold Hits 1-Month High, Breaks Ranks With Euro

Retail Sales Weak, Jobless Claims Up

Oil Prices Rise on Nigeria Supply Concern