Economics and Investing:

The Daily Bell ran this interview: Richard Maybury on the Collapse of the Anglo-American Empire and What It Means for You

Eric K. sent this: China Raises Rates to Counter Accelerating Inflation. Eric’s comments: “Three things of note in the article: 1.) They mention a report due next week that will show a 5.3% increase in January for consumer prices. 2.) They are starting a campaign to crackdown on speculation and hoarding. 3.) The Chinese inflation is largely driven by rising food costs. Their formula for calculating their inflation is different to the one used to calculate ours. For one, our CPI numbers does not include the increase in food prices. The Chinese are raising interest rates to curb their inflation and our government is printing more money to curb our so-called deflation.

The latest from Dr. Housing Bubble: Foreclosing on the red carpet – Hollywood home goes from $1 million to $377,000. With the termite infestation and he graffiti, is it really worth $377,000?

Items from The Economatrix:

More Confident Consumers Break Out Credit Cards  

Dow Closes Higher For 7th Straight Day

Layoffs Become Rarer Even With Unemployment High  

Longest Dow Win Streak in Three Months  

Jobless Rate Among Veterans Highest In Five Years