For the first time in U.S. history, the national debt has risen past $17 trillion. That number is a bit hard to comprehend and means little to Americans when not applied to their everyday lives. So just how does the national debt affect consumers, and why should the average American care about how much this country owes? Here's why and how.

Bitcoin’s days are numbered - literally. Ex-Federal Reserve Bank examiner, Mark T.Williams even goes so far as to predict that Bitcoin will trade for under $10 by June 30, 2014. That's a bold prediction, no doubt, but the point is clear – Bitcoin doesn’t stand a chance at ever gaining widespread adoption.

People are focusing on the price of PMs, treating gold and silver as vehicles for increasing in price relative to their cost of purchase and not on the reality of what the artificially suppressed market is showing. It is the reason for buying and holding gold and silver that matters. Know this: It does not matter what you pay/paid for owning physical gold and silver. Price is temporary; physical is permanent. That being said, however, a red flag is in currently in effect regarding gold & silver. Below I explain why.

Do you think the USD is still on top? What makes a currency strong isn’t necessarily what makes it popular or valuable, as you’re about to read.

Before you read the following excerpt from the notional ‘conclusions’ of the 2014 WEF – the supposedly profound and brilliant summary of the thoughts of these greatest minds - I suggest you: 1.drink several espressos to help keep you awake as you read and 2.have some of your favorite remedy for an upset stomach to calm your queasy innards after you finish reading the excerpt as its leaders, in fact, have not a clue as to how to guide us through the morass that is the global economy will leave you quite dizzy.

Last fall, we said the rally in PMs would take longer than most expected. Expectations were unmet in 2013, and it is possible that 2014 may be no different... gold gives no indication of beginning a strong rally that will change the trend, any time soon and, while the next sustained bull market may well favor silver outperforming gold, silver may have to go lower before it can go higher. Let me explain why this is the case.

No matter what you hear or read about gold and the prospects for substantially higher price levels, the trend is down, exactly opposite of what you know. When you compare what you know, an opinion, with what the market is telling you, the market is a more accurate measure, however counter-intuitive it may be to your opinion, [and THIS is what the markets are saying].

We are starting to see some subtle changes in market behavior but the trend currently remains down for both gold and silver. For those who want to grow their capital, the best time to make a market commitment is with the trend and given how no one knows how the market will correct, it is best to wait and see first what the market reveals. Below are some daily and weekly charts on gold & silver charts to show you how things are developing.

All the hype surrounding Bitcoin is a dead giveaway that you should be suspicious. Forget all the economic arguments against the currency, though. The biggest risk is a technological one. Add in the neck-snapping volatility, and you’re telling me this is the future of money? Keep dreaming! It’s little more than a wild speculation. One with a fatal flaw, at that, so please, whatever you do, refrain from converting your life savings – or any meaningful amount of money – into Bitcoins. At least until you read this article.

Do not mess with Mother Nature! The natural law of supply and demand will always rise up from under the distorted efforts to contain it. The good news is that each passing week brings silver closer to its inevitable resolve: a powerful rally that will surpass all others.