Hot headlines about the Dow “storming back soon,” soaring to the “Next Stop, Dow 20,000” is nothing more than a new cycle of irrational exuberance. After losing an inflation-adjusted 20% the last decade, a prediction that the Dow will roar back 80% anytime soon is misleading, pure speculative hype. Reminds me of book titles like “Dow 36,000” and “Dow 100,000” back in 1999 - and memories of those mutual funds selling with absurd multiples over 40, with annual returns in excess of 100%. Worse than the tulip-bulb mania of the 1590s. What’s really roaring back is hype, happy talk and irrational exuberance. Words: 531

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

The economy can't be fixed...the old regime of general economic stability and rising standards of living fueled by excessive credit are a thing of the past... The sooner we can accept that idea and make other plans the better... [Let me explain.] Words: 1898

Until people understand the reality of this supposed financial recovery and realize that unless major changes are made the deck chairs on the Titanic will just keep being rearranged resulting in the wealthy being even wealthier by 2020 and the middle class being a shell of what it once was in the United States. [Let me explain more fully.] Words: 1260

“Gold bugs” routinely solicit my prediction regarding the future gold price, assuming I must be an “educated” gold bug since my hedge fund happens to maintain large gold exposure... [but such an answer] depends on variables [such as] what time period? Next week? Month? Year? Ten years? [and] compared to what? U.S. dollars? Euros? Real estate? Gummi bears! [Let me explain.] Words: 955

Many lessons can be gleaned from history and, while no two periods are identically alike, there are often many similarities to learn from. The current period, for example, is often compared to the Great Depression in regards to unprecedented government action as well as with the 1970s in regards to trends in commodities and inflation. [Let's take a closer look.] Words: 1165

The National Inflation Association (NIA) has just posted an article* which makes a number of interesting arguments for the advent of hyperinflation and, while I agree with the conclusion that we could potentially face such an event, I see it as just one of a few possible outcomes. Let me comment on the specific points in the NIA article. Words: 1666

We Americans have enjoyed an incredibly wonderful standard of living over the past three decades with most of us believing that it was because we are the world's wealthiest, most prosperous nation with economic and financial systems that are second to none - but that is not even close to accurate. [The truth of the matter is that] we are [actually] in the biggest debt bubble the world has ever seen! It has been the greatest party in the history of the world, but it is time to turn out the lights because the party is over. [Let me explain.] Words: 1518

Most lawmakers at the federal, state, and local levels do not understand the absolute severity of the crisis - that the sheer magnitude of our debt makes the United States extremely vulnerable to an economic attack. We are not too big to fail!...The failure to understand our vulnerabilities with our debt and the strategic bind we have put ourselves in will lead to tragic consequences...The spiraling deficits, unfunded pension liabilities, and the retirement of baby boomers means that the perfect storm is headed our way. Words: 717

Official figures released recently by the World Gold Council have confirmed that the annual demand for gold in 2010 rose by 9%, a ten year high, suggesting that the current price is not only sustainable but likely to increase further. Indeed, if you want to protect what you have and want to be sure that you are left with something for your future survival then get into gold now. It is the inflation proof investment that is like fire insurance for your personal wealth. Exactly like fire insurance, do you think you should buy it before or after the event? Words: 702