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Like health, freedom erodes gradually over time... then all at once. We lose a freedom here, there, through a slow, measured deterioration of civil and economic liberty: body scanners at the airport; declarations of foreign accounts; mandatory health insurance and then, suddenly, there's a bifurcation point when the deterioration goes nonlinear. It's like the old saying about going broke-- it happens gradually, then all at once. We lose our freedoms in the same way. [That is already happening in Argentina where the government is] screwing everyone, big time: banks, businesses, workers, retirees, professionals, entrepreneurs, even government employees and the U.S. is starting to go down this road as well. [Let me explain.] Words: 625

VC Market Intelligence is a new monthly infographic from Visual Capitalist that summarizes changes in economic indicators, relevant news stories, commodity and financial trends, and provides technical analysis. The goal is to make this information intuitive and visual to the average commodity investor.

For the 28th year running I have given my views on a number of economic, financial market and political surprises for the coming year....defined as events which the average investor would only assign a 30% chance of taking place but which I believe are “probable”, having a better than 50% likelihood of happening. [Below is my list of 10 surprises for 2013, complete with my rationale for each.] Words: 1037

I implore you to pass around this letter to your friends. Talk about it among you. Post it up on Facebook, Twitter and elsewhere. Discuss the fact that our government and your parents think you are going to pay over $180,000, and rising rapidly, so that us older folks can have our cake and eat it too...and then force you, the children of this nation, to cover our selfishness and outrageous conduct. I say to you in this open letter that it is your right to stand as American citizens, irrespective of your age who have not yet consented, and say in a loud, clear, singular voice: "I WILL NOT PAY!" Words: 2112

Say "goodbye" to long-winded commentary. Instead, say "hello" to easy-to-understand graphics to put important economic and investing news into perspective for you and some quick-hit observations on non-stop government spending, the importance of emerging markets and the next sovereign debt crisis. Words: 340; Charts: 4

Like Warren Buffett I don't believe that investors should diversify very much. As long as I feel comfortable with a sector or a particular stock, I don't have a problem with over-exposing myself to it. My style...[may be] more aggressive than most...[but,] as far as I'm concerned, there is no such thing as speculation, just risk reward calculations. The only question is how much risk you want to undertake to earn the yield or appreciation you are hoping for so, [and to that end, each of my top 6 picks for 2013 - according to me myself and I - include] a scale of 1 to 10 for the risks associated with each and a second number for the possible appreciation the stock could yield during the year. Here are my top picks for 2013. Words: 1180

With the meida channels flooded with commentary over the resolution of the fiscal cliff - I thought just a few simple charts [6] could make things just a bit easier to understand.

At the 13th hour, the House passed the compromise bill that appears to have helped the U.S. avoid imminent economic disaster - from their own inability to reach a compromise before the January 1st deadline. For now, the markets appear to be cheering the reduction of some uncertainty but it's not the all-inclusive deal that many had hoped for. Below are some of the apparent winners and losers included in the deal. Words: 765

The situation in the gold market today is different than the one in 1980 in a few important areas. Even if past patterns don't give you any certainty, though, sometimes they can limit the uncertainty. Let us analyze that in more detail. Words: 1260; Charts: 2

Dr. Marc Faber, the author and publisher of the "Gloom Boom And Doom" report is one of the most well-read economists out there. I am of the opinion that his suggestions and investment advice are more realistic than any other economist or analyst we hear and read regularly. The summary of Dr. Faber's latest monthly report suggests that he views 2013 as a year of capital preservation. In other words, Dr. Faber is not very bullish on risky asset classes for 2013. This article discusses Dr. Faber's views and the reasons to remain cautious in 2013. Words: 1494; Charts: 3; Tables: 1