"Complicit" is a rousing, fun look back at the credit crisis filtered through the mind of someone who labored in the center of it. Ending the story much the same way the boom ended for so many a greedy, blinkered little pig — by giving you the middle finger abruptly and without a hint of premonition — only highlights the talent that makes "Complicit" such an enjoyable read. It is a tour of almost-impossible-to-believe tales of greed, stupidity, and woe across eleven short, engaging chapters. Words: 1446

There is a definite connection between fiat currencies and trade deficits. Critics of the Federal Reserve are right to blame it for distorting trade flows and setting the U.S. economy up for an inflationary crash. However, a trade deficit per se is not a sign of a bad economy. Indeed the trade deficit might blossom if the U.S. ever returned to the gold standard, though it would be due to a productive net inflow of producer goods. Words: 1667

Robert Precther recently published a list of market myths for his subscribers which I'm sure he won't mind if I review the lessons he voices in his article with you, borrowing from his excellent research to help make the arguments. Recognizing these market myths are critical to your success as an investor. Words: 1266

The United States should consider raising taxes to help bring deficits under control and may need to consider a European-style value-added tax and a carbon or other energy-related tax may become necessary says White House adviser Paul Volcker. Words: 758

Oh the shame of being a baby boomer. What a bunch of shysters we seem to be. We are the most selfish, greedy, job- hogging, pension-grabbing bunch of egomaniacs history has ever seen. Here we are, cackling to ourselves in our overpriced homes and exploiting our political power to shaft the younger generation. We use our demographic throw-weight to skew the welfare system in our favour and above all we are squandering the natural resources of the planet. You know that Goya picture of the giant eating a naked human being? That's us, all right – Saturn devouring his children. Or at least, that is the portrait presented by David Willetts in his new book, "The Pinch-How Baby-Boomers Took Their Children's Future and Why They Should Give it Back". Words: 759

There are very compelling arguments for both inflation and deflation. The answer will eventually depend on decisions made in Washington and how people react to those decisions. For now, let’s stop fooling ourselves and admit that we don’t know. It is a problem that has to be dealt with and there is no easy medicine. Either path will be painful, but that’s what we get for our two and a half decade debt binge. Words: 1142

I like to hold stocks with different yield/dividend growth characteristics where yields are somewhere between 3% and 5% and dividend growth is in the upper single digits or in the double digits. Words: 671

If you believe further political disruptions around the world will likely occur in 2010 and/or 2011 and that we will also likely see inflation begin to rise within the next 12 months then we should see higher gold prices. Furthermore, if the economy falters once again, many investors will sell their common stocks and put their money in gold pushing the price up even further. Words: 779

If the past 30 years are any indication, gold does not constitute an attractive investment over the long term. Moreover, in times of economic recovery, the return on gold falls well short of the return on the stock market. Read More »

With the immediacy of today’s NASDAQ close and the timeless power of a Greek tragedy, The Quants is at once a masterpiece of explanatory journalism, a gripping tale of ambition and hubris…and an ominous warning about Wall Street’s future. Words: 624