This summer will confirm that the US Federal Reserve has lost its bet: the U.S. economy has, in fact, never left the "Very Great Depression" which it entered in 2008 despite the trillions of dollars injected... Unable to launch a QE3, the Fed will helplessly watch interest rates rise, US government deficit costs explode, the world dive into an intensified economic recession, stock exchanges collapse and the U.S. dollar show erratic behavior before suddenly losing 30% of its value. Words: 1157

Inflation is the big ‘sword of Damocles´ hanging over our heads and the higher interest rates that may arrive with it over time. We believe that one of three scenarios is probable in the months and years ahead and in this article we provide a summary of these scenarios and give a brief glimpse into the respective investments/asset classes that we consider most suitable in each scenario. Words: 1331

2012 is shaping up to be the blockbuster main event of the ongoing financial crisis. Massive amounts of new debt, vast quantities of additional digital dollars and the spark of higher interest rates will set off version 2.0 of the credit-driven financial implosion. Let me explain. Words: 1954

The rioting and looting currently taking place in Egypt is primarily a result of massive food inflation and shows what all major cities in the U. S. will likely look like come year 2015 due to the Federal Reserve's zero percent interest rates and quantitative easing to infinity... Words: 1891

We are an environment in which a U.S. dollar (USD) collapse has fueled inflation trade mania. By launching additional quantitative easing (QE) measures at a time other central banks (e.g. the ECB and the Bank of England, among others) have renounced additional easing measures or are actively raising interest rates (e.g. China and Australia), Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has made it clear he is willing to trash the USD. Words: 797

Let's get real. The U.S. is bankrupt. Neither spending more nor taxing less will help the country pay its bills. What it can and must do is radically simplify its tax, health-care, retirement, and financial systems, each of which is a complete mess... otherwise we are going to see dramatic increases in taxes, interest rates and consumer prices [with a resultant major decrease in our standard of living] and a dramatic increase in [the number of Americans living in abject] poverty. Words: 835

The market is currently slightly over-valued now which is reasonable since stocks offer a much more attractive return than bonds due to low interest rates. Eventually, however, interest rates will get to levels of at least 4% (which is the minimum normal rate on interest rates) and that would justify a P/E closer to 15. I am no prophet but if I had to guess, I would think future returns will be somewhere between Bogle's and Shiller’s estimates, i.e. between 8% and 10%.

This article relates to a recent dinner I had with an European Central Bank [ECB] "executive" during which it was expressed/revealed (some might say, confirmed) that there is an on-going global conspiracy by Central Bankers to overthrow democracy and take over the world so to speak in what many refer to as a New World Order (NWO). My first reaction was that what he had to say was outlandish but, upon reflection, I think, in spite of the humorous circumstances surrounding the meeting, what he had to say was of considerable merit. Read on and express your own views in the Comment Section at the end of the article.

...An offer of employment from the European Central Bank has inspired me to put down the bottle, battle the delirium tremens (DTs), and put pen to paper, (or, I guess, finger to keyboard) to expose a shocking and effective coup d’état that is overwhelming our global governments, our global economy and our way of life. Please consider my commentary extremely confidential and don't share it with anyone, particularly with anyone under 30. Read on. You'll understand why.

The general consensus is that precious metals will continue to thrive over a longer horizon. Here's why.