2.29.12 -- Fedspeak boosts market volatility -- Listen
Gold prices fell over 5% Wednesday on short-term speculative profit taking following mixed-signal Fedspeak. Gold closed the month at $1,695 an ounce, down 2.5% but remains up 8% ytd. Silver closed at $34.70 an ounce, gaining 4.5% in February and up 20% ytd.
BERNANKE'S MIXED-SIGNAL ECONOMY - MarketWatch
"Fed officials have forecast growth in a range of a 2.25% - 2.7% rate for 2012. With this moderate growth, the Fed does not anticipate further 'substantial declines' in the jobless rate, he said. The Fed also expects inflation to run in a range of 1.4-1.8% this year, below the Fed’s goal of 2%. This subdued inflation rate should persist 'beyond this year,' Bernanke said.
MarketWatch adds, "Comments from Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke fueled strength in the dollar, and as upbeat U.S. economic data dulled safe-haven demand for the metal. "Gold was also hit by a large sell order on Comex, said to have been 1 million ounces (or 31 tons) prompted by the Bernanke testimony,” said Ross Norman, chief executive officer at London-based bullion broker Sharps Pixley.
Watch Ron Paul confront Ben Bernanke on dollar decline, 9% true inflation rate
THE FED GOES 0 FOR 4 - GoldStandardNow.org
"What if the Federal Reserve consistently gets it wrong? Consistent wrongness is the verdict on the Fed recently confessed by the Federal Reserve itself.
As Dr. Benn Steil, director of international economics at the Council on Foreign Relations recently wrote, "Why We Can't Believe the Fed," in the Wall Street Journal: "If the Fed has a good handle on where the economy is heading over the next several years, then its pledges of extended low rates and a 2% inflation target imply little risk of its needing to change course and jar the markets. But how good is the Fed's actual track record on predicting the economy?"
"The Fed forecasters told us that unemployment in 2010 would be in a range between 4.6% and 5%. In fact, it averaged about twice that, or 9.6%. The forecasters further predicted that both Personal Consumption Expenditures inflation (PCE, similar to CPI) and core PCE inflation would be in a range from 1.5% and 2%. The former came in at 1.3% and the latter at 1%, again outside the Fed's range. The Fed's scorecard on its 2007 three-year forecasts: 0 for 4. In short, the Fed's premise that it can speak with authority about the future is flawed.
THE FINANCIAL CRISIS AS HYPERINFLATION - CNBC
In order to understand how the American economy works, one must broaden the definition of money to include treasuries, commercial paper, repos and mortgage-backed securities. During the financial crisis, mortgage-backed securities were used to collateralize every kind of transaction and eventually, individuals lost faith in them.
WELLS FARGO, GOLDMAN MAY FACE CHARGES OVER MORTGAGE BONDS Reuters
According to this news report, Wells Fargo and Goldman Sachs may have to face federal charges related to mortgage-backed securities deals leading to the financial crisis. This shows that the government is stepping up action against the banks that packed home loans into bonds during the housing boom.
More: Swiss America Gold Market News
2.28.12 -- METALS SHINE BRIGHT, STOCKS DULL - Listen
Gold prices jumped toward $1,800/oz. Tuesday on safe haven buying and a weaker dollar, stocks get confidence perk. Gold last traded at $1,783 an ounce, silver last traded at $36.93 an ounce.
"An expected injection of cheap money from the European Central Bank boosted gold, while silver rallied 4 percent after it breached key technical resistance at $35.70," reports Reuters.
NOW IS THE TIME TO GO ALL-IN WITH YOUR GOLD AND SILVER INVESTMENTS - Kitco
"The gold & silver price action for the first two months of 2012 tells me that this year is going to be a record setting year, and that a substantial rally is coming very soon. So, make your purchases now, not when gold and silver make new all-time highs," writes Barry Stuppler at Kitco.
3 DOOMSAYING EXPERTS FORESEE ECONOMIC DEVASTATION AHEAD - USAToday
"Behind the mainstream Wall Street happy talk about more stable financial markets and an improving economy are grim warnings of tough times ahead from a small cadre of doomsayers who warn that the worst of the financial crisis is still to come. Harry Dent, author of the new book The Great Crash Ahead, says another stock market crash is coming due to a bad ending to the global debt bubble.
"Gerald Celente, a trend forecaster at the Trends Research Institute, says Americans should brace themselves for an "economic 9/11" due to policymakers' inability to solve the world's economic woes. Robert Prechter, author of Conquer the Crash, first published in 2002 and updated in 2009, is still bearish. He says today's economy has similarities to the Great Depression and warns that 1930s-style deflation is still poised to cause financial havoc.
FBI ON "PERILS OF SECURITIES FRAUD" -MICHAEL DOUGLAS, NYDailyNews.com
"Greed is good on the big screen, but not in real life. That is the message delivered by Michael Douglas, who made that line famous in the 1987 film “Wall Street,” in a new public service announcement he filmed for the FBI asking the public to help provide tips on securities fraud.
More consumer protection links at swissamerica.com/investmentfraud
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE RISES TO ONE-YEAR HIGH IN FEBRUARY - CNBC
"U.S. consumer confidence scaled a one-year high in February, as optimism about the labor market offset concerns over rising gas prices, an independent survey showed on Tuesday.
U.S. HOME PRICES AT POST-CRISIS LOWS - MW
"U.S. home prices in December fell to their lowest level since the housing crisis, as an uptick in activity isn’t yet being matched by rising values, according to an index released Tuesday.
More: Swiss America Gold Market News
2.27.12 -- Economic Super-Cycle: Pain Before Gain -- Listen
Gold prices dipped below $1,775/oz. Monday on profit taking and a firmer dollar, stocks flat. Gold last traded at $1,768 an ounce, silver last traded at $35.47 an ounce.
BUFFETT'S BERKSHIRE BUYS PRECIOUS METALS UNIT - MW
"Cookson Group PLC , a materials science company, said last week it has entered into an agreement to sell its U.S. Precious Metals business to Richline Group Inc., a unit of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
'Watch what billionaires do, not just what they say' appears to ring true regarding Buffett's recent negative gold article in Fortune magazine. Today on CNBC Buffett touted residential real estate as a great investment right now. True or false? [Read GOLD HAS HUMBLED SMART MEN BEFORE - WSJ]
ABANDON ALL HOPE... How to Engender the Return of a Bull Market DailyReckoning
"We reckon that investors are in ‘hope mode.’ How else to explain the recent bullishness? Albert Edwards elaborates:
'The market is once again in a hope phase — hoping that the US is now in a self-sustaining recovery; hoping that China might be soft- landing; hoping that the Greece bailout and the ECB liquidity polices have settled things down in the eurozone. These bursts of hope are essential in long bear markets. Essential in the sense that hope must be crushed. It will be crushed. Hope still beats in the breasts of equity investors. The market will rip out that hope and consume it in front of investors’ eyes. Only then can the bull market begin.' ...we can’t reach the bottom of this cycle unless and until investors give up hope. As long as they have hope they will buy the dips, hoping to catch the next up-move.
ECONOMIC/SPIRITUAL CYCLES: This chart shows corresponding spiritual, emotional, social and economic cycles, sometimes referred to as the 'human action super-cycle'. Can you discern where Americans are in this super-cycle today? As you can see, to get to hope in this grand cycle we must first hit bottom with panic and capitulation. Exhibit A: Greek Debt Crisis
FRAUD ALLEGATIONS, DELISTINGS COULD COST AMERICAN INVESTORS DEARLY - Tribune
"A Tribune-Review investigation found that legal issues involving half of the Chinese companies trading on American stock exchanges could leave investors holding securities paper worth almost nothing. Others investors may not be much better off after a year of allegations that many of the securities are rife with fraud, abuse and fictional transactions.
GEITHNER: WEALTHY SHOULD PAY MORE FOR “THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING AN AMERICAN” - AmericanVision
"Obama’s treasury secretary Timothy Geithner reiterated the administration’s overall philosophy in an interview with CNBC last Friday: essentially that philosophy is “Spend more, tax more.” In the process, Geithner sermonized: wealthier Americans should pay a “larger burden” for “the privilege of being an American.”
More: Swiss America Gold Market News
2.27.12 -- Economic Super-Cycle: Pain Before Gain
Gold prices dipped below $1,775/oz. Monday on profit taking and a firmer dollar, stocks flat. Gold last traded at $1,768 an ounce, silver last traded at $35.47 an ounce.
BUFFETT'S BERKSHIRE BUYS PRECIOUS METALS UNIT - MW
"Cookson Group PLC , a materials science company, said last week it has entered into an agreement to sell its U.S. Precious Metals business to Richline Group Inc., a unit of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
'Watch what billionaires do, not just what they say' appears to ring true regarding Buffett's recent negative gold article in Fortune magazine. Today on CNBC Buffett touted residential real estate as a great investment right now. True or false? [Read GOLD HAS HUMBLED SMART MEN BEFORE - WSJ]
ABANDON ALL HOPE... How to Engender the Return of a Bull Market DailyReckoning
"We reckon that investors are in ‘hope mode.’ How else to explain the recent bullishness? Albert Edwards elaborates:
'The market is once again in a hope phase — hoping that the US is now in a self-sustaining recovery; hoping that China might be soft- landing; hoping that the Greece bailout and the ECB liquidity polices have settled things down in the eurozone. These bursts of hope are essential in long bear markets. Essential in the sense that hope must be crushed. It will be crushed. Hope still beats in the breasts of equity investors. The market will rip out that hope and consume it in front of investors’ eyes. Only then can the bull market begin.' ...we can’t reach the bottom of this cycle unless and until investors give up hope. As long as they have hope they will buy the dips, hoping to catch the next up-move.
ECONOMIC/SPIRITUAL CYCLES: This chart shows corresponding spiritual, emotional, social and economic cycles, sometimes referred to as the 'human action super-cycle'. Can you discern where Americans are in this super-cycle today? As you can see, to get to hope in this grand cycle we must first hit bottom with panic and capitulation. Exhibit A: Greek Debt Crisis
FRAUD ALLEGATIONS, DELISTINGS COULD COST AMERICAN INVESTORS DEARLY - Tribune
"A Tribune-Review investigation found that legal issues involving half of the Chinese companies trading on American stock exchanges could leave investors holding securities paper worth almost nothing. Others investors may not be much better off after a year of allegations that many of the securities are rife with fraud, abuse and fictional transactions.
GEITHNER: WEALTHY SHOULD PAY MORE FOR “THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING AN AMERICAN” - AmericanVision
"Obama’s treasury secretary Timothy Geithner reiterated the administration’s overall philosophy in an interview with CNBC last Friday: essentially that philosophy is “Spend more, tax more.” In the process, Geithner sermonized: wealthier Americans should pay a “larger burden” for “the privilege of being an American.”
More: Swiss America Gold Market News
2.24.12 -- What's Gold Saying Today? -- Listen
Gold prices consolidated recent gains near $1,775/oz. Friday amid safe haven buying and short-term profit taking, stocks test new highs. Gold last traded at $1,773 an ounce, up 2.7% for the week and nearly 15% since Dec. 29th. Silver last traded at $35.40 an ounce, up 6.3% for the week and 28% since 12.29.11.
IF GOLD COULD TALK - DailyReckoning
"Given the state of your monetary system, you should accumulate me (and silver) on a regular basis. Just buy some every month and put it in a safe place. After what I’ve witnessed throughout history, and based on the current path your government leaders insist on pursuing, I suggest using me as your savings vehicle instead of putting dollars in a bank. If you don’t own enough of me when these fiscal troubles really accelerate, I fear you will regret it. Gold speaks further...
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR RETIREMENT INVESTMENTS FROM SCAMS - U.S. News & World Report
"According to Katherine Hutt, director of communications at the Council of Better Business Bureaus, these are just a sampling of the scams aimed at seniors. "During retirement specifically, there are so many different scams that targets seniors," she says. "There are a lot of scam artists that fly under the radar." Fraud warning signs. Gerri Walsh, vice president of investor education at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), says a scammer's primary way of targeting a victim is through persuasion. To gain trust through persuasion, he or she uses five primary methods: 1) Promises of phantom riches, 2) Source credibility, 3) Social consensus, 4) Reciprocity and 5) Scarcity.
ONLY ONE GOP CANDIDATE WOULD REDUCE DEBT, REPORT SHOWS - AmericanVisionNews
"According to a study released by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget—a bi-partisan organization “committed to educating the public about issues that have significant fiscal policy impact”—America has only one presidential option if it truly wants to lower its national debt. Only Texas Rep. Ron Paul has offered detailed plans that might trim the government’s burgeoning debt, according to an analysis released Thursday by the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
CNN reports, "Newt Gingrich’s economic plan would do a lot of things. But reducing the debt and balancing the federal budget aren’t among them. Same goes for Rick Santorum’s and Mitt Romney’s economic plans. Indeed, a preliminary analysis by the independent Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget released Thursday estimates that the three candidates’ plans could add between $250 billion and $7 trillion of debt over the next nine years. By contrast, the proposals of Ron Paul could reduce the debt by $2.2 trillion, the group estimated."
More: Swiss America Gold Market News
2.23.12 -- GOLD RUSH, OIL GUSH, FRAUD ALERT! -- Listen
Gold prices headed toward $1,800/oz. Thursday on safe haven buying and a weaker dollar, stocks test new highs. Gold last traded at $1,780 an ounce. Silver last traded at $35.35 an ounce.
$2,000 GOLD BY APRIL AMID DEMAND GROWTH - GoldAlert
"According Huntington Asset Advisor Peter Sorrentino, gold is likely to reach an all-time high of $2,000/oz by April. Sorrentino is a senior fund manager at Huntington and says that there is a continual growing demand for the precious metal all over the world. Read 2012 Gold Breakout!
IDENTITY FRAUD, INVESTMENT SCAMS ON THE RISE - SATC Research
Investors face an extremely dangerous economic environment in 2012 - ranging from the growing risk of identity theft to a wide range of investment scams - all propelled faster by our new mobile and internet technologies. Is greed now rising faster than fear?
Although the U.S. stock market has been on an uptrend in 2012, but many investors are still trying to make up for a dismal, no growth decade and seek a fast track to rebuild their portfolios. The problem is that many high-return investment opportunities also attract more scams, frauds and hucksters. FULL STORY
SIX VITAL STEPS TO AVOID GOLD COIN FRAUD, SCAMS AND HUSTLERS WHEN BUYING OR SELLING
$108 OIL PRICE SPARKS INFLATION FEARS - FT.com
"Oil prices have soared to a record high in sterling terms and are approaching euro highs, raising fears that European countries struggling with heavy debts will face further barriers to economic recovery. 'This is a regional oil shock' ... Economists said the rise in oil prices would eat into corporate profitability as well as the ability of consumers to spend. It would also put upward pressure on inflation, and limit the scope for further monetary easing.
More: Swiss America Gold Market News
2.22.12 -- Washington's Day Reflections -- Listen
Gold prices rose above $1,775/oz. Wednesday on safe haven buying despite a firmer dollar, stocks struggle despite housing uptick. Gold last traded at $1,776 an ounce. Silver last traded at $34.29 an ounce.
GREEK CRISIS RAISES NEW FEARS OVER CREDIT-DEFAULT SWAPS - CNBC
Greece's debt restructuring is dragging credit-default swaps back into the spotlight. The last time this financial instrument was on the global stage was in 2008, when the AIG's credit-default swaps brought the insurer, as well as the wider financial system, to the brink of collapse.
WE NEED A GEORGE WASHINGTON - CommonSenseCoalitiontalkRadio.com
Lowell Ponte, co-author of "The Inflation Deception" appeared on Common Sense Coalition Radio Show today posing the question, "Where are the statesmen to compare with George Washington today, our only U.S. president elected unanimously in history?"
Lowell attributes Washington's unique place in history in part due to his deep Christian convictions, requiring chaplains in the military and forbidding profanities from soldiers. He bought unity with diversity, ignoring various denominational divisions.
Ponte contrasted the Washingtonian era with the modern era, an era of Clintonian pagan chaplains... and Obama claiming to be among the four top presidents in history, but not including Washington or Jefferson in his top four...thus proclaiming his own greatness exceeds our founding president. Washington would be sad to see what has happened to our nation's political system and to the U.S. dollar over the last 236 years, which carry his image and name embossed upon each and every ONE. Great radio! Listen for yourself at www.commonsensecoalitiontalkradio.com/podcast
MY LAST 'FIFTY-SOMETHING' BIRTHDAY - Editor
Many thanks to all family and friends for warm birthday wishes today. I remember when Washington's Day was still a national holiday, growing up I always had my birthday off from school to celebrate or just goof off. No more. A half century later I am still working on my birthday! But when you love what you do, work can also be fun, I think.
SIX STEPS TO AVOID GOLD COIN FRAUD, SCAMS AND HUSTLERS - News Alert
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2.21.12 -- SMART MONEY VOTES GOLD IN 2012 -- Listen
Gold prices rocketed to $1,760/oz. Monday on safe haven buying despite a firmer dollar, stocks struggle to reach new highs. Gold last traded at $1,760 an ounce. Silver at $34.33 an ounce. Metals also got a boost from China's decision to lower its reserve requirements for banks.
A VOTE, BUT HARDLY A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE - FoxBiz
"Greece's second bailout program could easily go off the rails and send the nation's debt rocketing back to today's unmanageable levels, a confidential study by its international lenders shows.
"The 9-page debt sustainability analysis, on which euro zone finance ministers based their decision on Tuesday to approve a 130-billion-euro rescue program, is anything but a vote of confidence in Athens' ability to put its public finances back on a sound footing.
"Much of the report focused on ways to find a few billion euros in further debt reductions to get the headline number down to 120 percent of GDP - the level set by European leaders last October and regarded by the IMF as sustainable. [Greek Crisis Offers Valuable Lesson]
SIX STEPS TO AVOID GOLD COIN FRAUD, SCAMS AND HUSTLERS - News Release
"After thirty years of faithfully serving the public as a buyer and seller of precious metals, Swiss America is very concerned by the influx of gold dealers making false claims, deceptive promises and non-deliveries of goods to customers.
"When it comes to buying or selling precious metals, 'caveat emptor' (let the buyer beware) is the best rule of thumb in today's marketplace fraught with fraud, scams and hustlers," says Swiss America Chairman Craig R. Smith, who has been an active coin trader for nearly half a century.
"Mr. Smith is a pioneer in providing customer transparency, full disclosure and a buy-back policy since founding Swiss America in 1982 from his Phoenix, Arizona home. Since then, as the public has slowly rediscovered the wisdom of asset diversification; the firm has grown a hundredfold, built a corporate headquarters, operated debt-free and maintained a stellar industry reputation nationally. more...
FOX DROPS JUDGE NAPOLITANO SHOW - WND
"Judge Andrew Napolitano’s “Freedom Watch” on Fox Business Channel, arguably the most hard-hitting conservative show on TV, is being dropped by the network later this month in a major shakeup of the lineup.
“We look forward to Judge Napolitano...continuing to make significant contributions to both FOX Business and FOX News,” said FBN Executive Vice President Kevin Magee.
"In response, WND Editor Joseph Farah, who appeared on Napolitano’s show earlier this week, said: “Say goodbye to the most uncompromisingly conservative program on TV. It may have been the only show on TV that measured politics and economics through the lens of the U.S. Constitution.” [Free "Vote Gold" educational resources
More: Swiss America Gold Market News
2.20.12 -- President's Day: Washington's Legacy -- Listen
Swiss America and the financial markets are closed today in observance of President's Day. Here is except from a relevant story by Craig R. Smith from 2001.
WASHINGTON'S LEGACY - Craig R. Smith
On this President's Day holiday may we all stop for a few moments to reflect on the rich American heritage that we all enjoy - regardless of our political or religious convictions.
The United States Capitol has a private chapel for congressmen, one feature of which is a stained-glass window depicting George Washington kneeling at Valley Forge, praying to God for his soldiers and country. This image is referred to as "Washington's Gethsemane."
As an Army General and President, Washington refused to take sides in religious disputes and believed that the United States government should not favor any particular religious body. He did however believe that religion was an essential pillar of society in general, though not limited to any particular denomination.
As General of the Army, Washington worked to provide chaplains of various denominations for the Army and required troops to attend chapel services. He deplored and prohibited gambling, drunkenness and blasphemy. The first order he issued after he took command, on July 4, 1775, read:
"The General most earnestly requires and expects a due observance of those articles of war established for the government of the army which forbid profane cursing, swearing, and drunkenness. And in like manner he requires and expects of all officers and soldiers, not engaged in actual duty, a punctual attendance on Divine services, to implore the blessing of Heaven upon the means used for our safety and defense."
May God grant us a president in 2012 with the wisdom to lead our nation and who can, like Washington, can "implore the blessing of heaven".
More: Swiss America Gold Market News
2.17.12 -- Gold vs. Political Promises -- Listen
Gold prices held near $1,725/oz. Friday on "mild" CPI data and a weaker dollar, stocks struggle to reach new highs. Gold last traded at $1,723 an ounce. Silver at $33.28 an ounce.
Rising Fuel Prices Push CPI to 4-Month High -CNBC
"U.S. consumer prices rose .2% in January, the most in four months as the price of gasoline jumped .9%, highlighting a growing concern that higher energy costs could slow the economic recovery.
WH website still touting pledge to halve deficit - Wash Examiner
When President Obama unveiled his budget on Monday, it became clear that he would break his pledge to cut the deficit in half in his first term in office. But the White House website is still prominently touting the promise.
When visitors to the White House website click on "Fiscal Responsibility" under the "Issues" section, they are directed to a page that includes the following:
"Cut the deficit in half by the end of the President’s first term. On January 20, 2009, the President inherited a $1.3 trillion budget deficit. The President has put forth a budget that will halve this deficit by the end of his first term, bring non-defense discretionary spending to its lowest level as a share of GDP since 1962.
"Looks like the White House website could use some updating."
More: Swiss America Gold Market News
2.16.12 -- Greek Crisis Offers Valuable Lesson -- Listen
Gold prices steadied above $1,725/oz. Thursday on bargain hunting and a weaker dollar, stocks rally on upbeat jobless claims. Gold last traded at $1,729 an ounce. Silver at $33.52 an ounce.
GREEK CRISIS ILLUSTRATES VALUE OF A PERSONAL GOLD STANDARD - By Craig R. Smith
We are often asked this question: "What good will gold do in a meltdown of the system or a failure of our currency?" One only need look across the Atlantic for the answer.
Today Greece is in major trouble with riots are breaking out in Athens and business disruptions are rampant. To establish value on the street for everyday transactions (such as food and gas), Greek citizens are using gold, U.S. dollars and, when they can be found, Euros. Fine art and collectibles are even being used as tender in private transactions for everything from automobiles to plastic surgery.
Gold coins are more readily accepted than regional currencies or the Euro at the moment. Holders of gold are discovering their buying power has actually strengthened in a crisis. Gold owners are actually able to buy more goods and services with their ounce of gold than they could buy just six months ago - even if the price of gold was unchanged! Full Story
More: Swiss America Gold Market News
2.15.12 -- Money's a Drug – Government's a Pusher -- Listen
Gold prices rose above $1,725/oz. Wednesday on bargain hunting despite a firmer dollar, stocks slipped on economic data, ongoing EU worries. Gold last traded at $1,728 an ounce. Silver at $33.50 an ounce.
MONEY’S A DRUG – GOVERNMENT’S A PUSHER - The Inflation Deception
The late Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman compared the effects of inflation to alcoholism, taking a nation from intoxication to illness to hangover to addiction.
And just like an alcoholic becomes dependent on booze, the economy becomes dependent on government for increased doses of cash.
The intoxicating effect of money is not a metaphor, write former think tank futurist Lowell Ponte and co-author Craig R. Smith in their 2011 book, “The Inflation Deception” In a study at Harvard Medical School, brain scans of people stimulated by money were identical to those of cocaine addicts.
“Governments now use the hypnotic, hallucinatory effects of fiat money to manipulate masses of people, as is being done in the United States in these months before the presidential election,” says Ponte. “They’re creating the illusion of economic improvement by manufacturing more and more stimulus money. They're using artificial money to control people.”
Even the business news service Bloomberg noted it, quoting a trader on Feb. 7 as saying, “Investors are numb and sedated.”
That drug-like effect, Bloomberg reported, is because “investors are taking their cue from policy makers from Washington to Frankfurt to Beijing who are driving down interest rates and flooding the world with cash to prop up their economies.”
We’re a nation – and world – cranked up on stimulants, Ponte says.
“If our spendaholic politicians keep passing out this drug after the November elections, there's going to be a crash of the dollar, an awakening to our bankrupt reality, withdrawal symptoms, and a global hangover and depression before we regain money sanity.”
More: Swiss America Gold Market News
2.14.12 -- TRUTH STANDS THE TEST OF TIME - Listen
Gold prices hovered near $1,725/oz. Tuesday despite a firmer dollar, stocks worry over Jan. retail sales, EU credit downgrades. Gold last traded at $1,721 an ounce. Silver at $33.58 an ounce.
FEDERAL RESERVE’S EXPLICIT GOAL: DEVALUE THE DOLLAR 33% - Charles Kadlec, Daily Reckoning
"The best the Fed can do — an average debauch in the dollar’s value of 2% a year while producing recurring financial crises and a more cyclical economy — is demonstrably inferior to the results produced by the classical gold standard.
Here’s just one example. The largest gold discovery of modern times set off the 1849 California gold rush and increased the supply of gold in the world faster than the increase in the output of goods and services. The price level in the US did increase by 12.4 percent over the next 8 years. That translates into an average of just 1.5% a year. The gold standard at its worst was better than the best the Fed now promises to do with the paper dollar. The Fed’s best is hardly good enough. The time has arrived for the American people to demand something far better — a dollar as good as gold.
THE TEST OF TIME - Bill Bonner, Daily Reckoning
"Gold is only useful at protecting purchasing power when the monetary system is in danger. At almost all other times, you’re better off with stocks...businesses...farmland or another productive asset. That’s why Warren Buffet now prefers stocks. And it is why we now prefer gold. "Buffet willingly gives up the protection of gold in order to the get the upside from stocks. We willingly give up the upside from stocks in order to get the protection from gold. Who’s right? Only time will tell.
OBAMA CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES 'TRUTH TEAMS'- ABC News
"The Obama campaign is today beginning a new effort to enlist and educate at least 2 million supporters for a "grassroots communications team" they're calling the Truth Team. The teams will be first launched in 13 "swing states," including Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio and Virginia.
"Obama already has a 'Truth Team', it is called MSNBC. Sounds like the “Ministry of Truth” – which was in charge of propagating lies in George Orwell's 1984," reports The Advocate.
THE COST OF OBAMA - WeeklyStandard
Deficit spending during Obama’s four years in the White House (based on his own figures) will be an estimated $5.170 trillion, that works out to just over $17,000 per person — or about $70,000 for a family of four.
More: Swiss America Gold Market News
2.13.12 -- WISER MEN STILL SEEK GOLD -- Listen
Gold prices steadied near $1,725/oz. Monday on a flat dollar, stocks rise on Greek relief despite lacking confidence. Gold last traded at $1,722 an ounce. Silver at $33.71 an ounce.
GOLD HAS HUMBLED SMART MEN BEFORE - WSJ
"As Mr. Warren Buffett rails against gold in an article for Fortune magazine, it’s tempting to think that he just might have it wrong when it comes to the oldest haven of all. In its enduring relationship with mankind, the yellow metal has a history of humbling very smart people.
GOLD SEE-SAWS BETWEEN US ECONOMIC DATA AND GREECE - Sharpspixley
"The approval of austerity measures on Sunday by the Greek government has prompted a modest bout of Euro strength, the corollary to which has been modestly firmer gold prices. As WC Varones says in his article "In trashing gold, Warren Buffett makes the case for gold" when comparing gold with stocks:
- Gold doesn't commit accounting fraud
- Gold doesn't overpay its CEOs with your money
- Gold doesn't dilute itself by issuing stock options to executives
- Gold doesn't have to negotiate with labor unions
INDIA'S LOVE AFFAIR WITH GOLD - CBSNews
"India's love for gold is almost a religion. Beyond being a symbol of wealth and status, gold is part of worship and culture - a tradition that goes back thousands of years.
"With India a rising economic powerhouse, the number of rich and middle class families now outnumber the poor. Indian households save an estimated 30 percent of their income, compared to about five percent for American households. The combination of rising incomes and savings prowess will enable Indians to buy more gold.
More: Swiss America Gold Market News
2.10.12 -- Politics aside, Wealth is at risk! - Listen
Gold prices dipped below $1,725/oz. Friday on profit taking and a firmer dollar. Stocks worst day in 2012, confidence slides, EU fears. Gold last traded at $1,721 an ounce. Silver at $33.58 an ounce.
CPAC EVENT ADDRESSES GOLD STANDARD IDEAS - Chronicle
One of the first panels at CPAC, of the largest gathering of conservative activists, was likely inspired by Ron Paul entitled: “The Need for a Twenty-first Century Gold Standard.”
"The panel’s moderator, Jeffrey Bell, policy director of the American Principles Project, invoked Paul when he introduced Jim Grant, the editor of Grant’s Interest Rate Observer. “We should embrace once more the ideas of the founders, that we should not forget Alexander Hamilton, that we ought to obey the precepts of sound money and common sense, alike and restore something like predictability and objectivity in our monetary fantasy,” said Grant.
VOTEGOLD2012.COM - Swiss America's 30th Anniversary Gift
Politics aside, Wealth is at risk! Americans are awakening to a stark reality in this election year: our social and economic problems have grown so large they cannot be solved by changing one group of today's politicians for another.
Truth be told, the spending proposals of both congressional leading Republicans and Democrats will balloon our indebtedness far beyond $20 Trillion before the year 2020.
Gold prices are the only accurate barometer of unsustainable spending and the debt now undermining the U.S. Dollar as the world's reserve currency and as a reliable store of value. more...
HOMELAND SECURITY IS MONITORING THE WEB - Inflowars
Guidelines from DHS instructing outside contractors to monitor the web for media reports and comments that “reflect adversely” on the agency or the federal government. EPIC director Ginger McCall notes that monitoring what people are saying about government policies goes too far and has a chilling effect on free speech. “The Department of Homeland Security’s monitoring of political dissent has no legal basis and is contrary to core First Amendment principles,” she said.
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2.9.12 -- Gold is "Investment Theft Protection" -- Listen
Gold prices steadied above $1,725/oz. Thursday on bargain hunting and profit taking, Wall St. cheers latest Greek debt plan. Gold last traded at $1,730 an ounce. Silver at $33.90 an ounce.
Gold Price "Will Easily Hit $2000" on Central-Bank Liquidity - Bullionvault
"European Central Bank kept its key lending rate on hold and the Bank of England extended it purchases of UK bonds. Experts believe that if officials continue with this trend gold will easily rise to $2,000/ounce.
Investment Theft Protection -VoteGold2012.com
Imagine waking up tomorrow to discover your life savings: Gone! Bank Account: Empty!
Identity Thieves? NO! Your Federal Government, as they devalue your dollars to ZERO! With the press of a button creating another trillion dollars from thin air.
Say it CAN'T happen? Ask a Southerner after the Civil War, or a citizen of the Wiemar Republic?
Yes, your money IS at risk from your OWN government. Alan Greenspan admits it, warning: "Gold is ONLY way to maintain economic freedom".
Americans are quickly losing faith in the money itself - turning to gold, as they watch energy and food prices explode. Gold offers "Investment Theft Protection".
That's why we are urging Americans to VOTE GOLD in 2012! Call Swiss America now at 800-289-2646 for a FREE "VOTEGOLD2012.COM" kit. You can VOTE GOLD in your IRA too!
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2.8.12 -- Gold Bullfighters Beware -- Listen
Gold prices dipped below $1,750/oz. Wednesday on profit taking and a firmer dollar, Wall St. flat on potential Greek default threat. Gold last traded at $1,732 an ounce. Silver at $33.94 an ounce.
IN THE BULLRING WITH GOLD - Frank Holmes, USFunds
"After prices fell 10 percent in December, many investors wondered if the bull market in gold was running out of steam. That was before Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke swooped in with a “red cape” and fired the bulls back up.
"We anticipated that China's Year of the Dragon would spur an increase in the buying of traditional gifts of gold dragon pendants and coins. Gold buying did hit new records, with sales of precious metals jumping nearly 50 percent from the same time last year, according to the Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce.
"This should serve as a warning to all of gold’s naysayers. Gold bullfighters beware - you now have to fight the gold bull while fending off a golden Chinese dragon.
BUYING GOLD IN UNCERTAIN TIMES - Bill Bonner, Daily Reckoning
"Investors are buying gold because they see the economy getting worse, not better...because gold is money — the best money. The only money that has stood the test of time. As uncertainty rises; so does the price of gold.
"Gold protects against failing counterparties; it has none. In a deleveraging phase, many things that were once assets are no longer assets. The best protection against that is gold.
"Gold produces no yield; pays no dividends; makes no profits. But when the return on Treasury debt is negative, the only thing you give up by owning gold is a loss. When inflation kicks in, as it will if the Fed persists with low interest rates and QE policies, gold protects investors from a much bigger loss.
"Normally, raising rates and tightening banking credit rules can control inflation. Hyperinflation is a different story, however; it occurs when the banking system breaks down. In Argentina’s hyperinflation of 1988, a $2.00 gallon of milk spiked to $775 within a year. In that type of scenario, citizens are hunting around in drawers, mattresses and bank accounts, looking for dollars so they can get rid of them. In that type of scenario, gold shines.
WELCOME TO TALK RADIO NETWORK LISTENERS - Editor
"Gold Standard News Daily" Swiss America's daily podcast will resume airing nationally twice daily on Talk Radio Network (TRN), home of The Savage Nation starting today. Proof you can't keep a good metal (or message) down.
AN HOUR OF COMMON SENSE WITH JIM CARRILLO LISTEN/DOWNLOAD
Listen to podcast featuring the economic wit and wisdom of Swiss America Sr. Broker James Carrillo live on "Common Sense Coalition" today.
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2.7.12 -- GOP warming up to a Gold Standard? -- Listen
Gold prices shot up near $1,750/oz. Tuesday on bargain hunting and a weaker dollar amid progress on the Greek debt crisis. Gold last traded at $1,745 an ounce. Silver at $34.16 an ounce
JIM GRANT AND GOP JOIN FORCES TO BRING BACK THE GOLD STANDARD - MoneyMorning
"With two GOP presidential candidates saying they'd add legendary Wall Street pundit Jim Grant to their administrations, bringing back the gold standard clearly has moved up on the Republican agenda.
"Ron Paul has said he would name Grant chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve. In his case, that would be a compromise - Paul has often called for the Fed to be abolished altogether.
"Meanwhile, Newt Gingrich has promised to appoint Jim Grant to head a commission to study the possibility of going back to the gold standard.
"Grant, who publishes Grant's Interest Rate Observer, is a well-known gold bug and critic of the Fed. Grant said he believes a dollar should be fixed "like a foot, or a pound."
ECONOMIC STABILITY CHOICE - QUOTE OF THE YEAR
"You have a choice between the natural stability of gold and the honesty and intelligence of the members of government...I advise you, as long as the
capitalist system lasts, vote for gold." -George Bernard Shaw, playwright, economist
"COMMON SENSE COALITION" RADIO FEATURES JIM CARRILLO - Editor
Tune into Common Sense Coalition ( www.csctalkradio.com ) on Wed. Feb. 8th, 10-11am CT for a full hour of economic wisdom with Jim Carrillo, Sr. Broker at Swiss America as he discusses the latest financial and precious metal news with host Beth Schoeneberg.
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2.6.12 -- WHY VOTE GOLD IN 2012? - Listen
Gold prices dipped below $1,725/oz. Monday on profit taking and a firmer dollar amid fresh Greek debt worries. Gold last traded at $1,719 an ounce. Silver at $33.67 an ounce.
GREECE TAKES STEP CLOSER TO DEFAULT - FT
"Lucas Papademos, the Greek premier, failed to make party leaders accept harsh terms in return for a second €130bn bail-out, pushing Athens closer to a disorderly default as early as next month. Eurozone finance ministers bluntly told Athens to deliver on its promises and agree to reforms or face default next month.
WHY VOTE GOLD IN 2012? - Special Offer
"Politics aside, Wealth is at risk! Americans are awakening to a stark reality in this election year: our social and economic problems have grown so large they cannot be solved by changing one group of today's politicians for another. The spending proposals of both Republicans and Democrats will balloon our indebtedness far beyond $20 Trillion before the year 2020." Read the full story in Swiss America's 30th Anniversary "Real Money Perspectives" entitled Vote Gold 2012.
CENTRAL BANK DEMAND DRIVING GOLD HIGHER - CNBC
"Many central banks from emerging nations are looking at gold as a safe haven against the volatility of the global economy. Banks are also using gold as a way to balance foreign exchange risk and a way to shore up their risk strategy.
STATES SEEK CURRENCIES MADE OF SILVER AND GOLD - CNN
"A growing number of states are seeking shiny new currencies made of silver and gold. Worried that the Federal Reserve and the U.S. dollar are on the brink of collapse, lawmakers from 13 states, including Minnesota, Tennessee, Iowa, South Carolina and Georgia, are seeking approval from their state governments to either issue their own alternative currency or explore it as an option. Just three years ago, only three states had similar proposals in place.
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2.3.12 -- Markets jump on jobs disinformation -- Listen
Gold prices slipped to $1,725/oz. Friday on a firmer dollar following January jobs and unemployment data. Gold last traded at $1,725 an ounce. Silver at $33.67 an ounce.
HEADLINE VS. REAL UNEMPLOYMENT - CNBC
"The US economy generating 243,000 new jobs while the unemployment rate dropped to 8.3 percent, according to government data released Friday. The real unemployment rate, which measures discouraged workers as well nudged lower to 15.1 percent.
LABOR FORCE TUMBLES TO FRESH 30-YEAR LOW - ZeroHedge
"1.2 million people dropped out of the labor force in one month! So as the labor force increased from 153.9 million to 154.4 million, meaning, those not in the labor force surged from 86.7 million to 87.9 million. Which means that the civilian labor force tumbled to a fresh 30-year low of 63.7% as the BLS is seriously planning on eliminating nearly half of the available labor pool from the unemployment calculation.
IN A FOCUS ON GOLD, HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF - NYTimes
The author of this article compares 1980 to present day comparing both the political situations and gold's behavior. In 1980 gold had risen to new highs as the election approached as a nominee hinted at returning to a gold standard. Will history repeat itself and will we see gold reach new highs once again?
BERNANKE LIGHTS THE FUSE ON GOLD AND SILVER - CommOnline
"The reaction of Gold and silver to Bernanke's statement was electric: he'd barely had time to finish speaking before gold was up 3.85% and silver by 4.3%. Both metals have now clearly broken out of their recent downtrends and look ready for a significant run-up in price over the next few months.
OBAMA'S CALCULATED DECEPTION - AmSpectator
"Calculated deception as a central public manipulation strategy practiced by President Obama involves the President taking advantage of what he thinks the average person doesn't know and won't be told by a compliant media. Such calculated deception was central to last week's State of the Union Address.
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2.2.12 -- Bernanke sees no inflation shadow...yet! -- Listen
Gold prices rose above $1,750/oz. Thursday reaching fresh 8-week highs after rising 11% in January. Gold last traded at $1,759 an ounce. Silver prices traded at $34.33 an ounce, gaining over 20% ytd.
THE FED'S FOOLISH FANTASY OF 2% INFLATION -Craig R. Smith
"The message from Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's congressional testimony today is clear: The Fed is preparing to push their foot down on the throttle full bore to inflate this economy back to health and save the world, the dollar be damned."
"Congressman Paul Ryan's questions and comments were brilliant. He pointed out the massive expansion of the monetary base (coupled with velocity) will be devastating to the economy. The cost of living will explode and the Fed's 2% inflation target will be exposed as foolish fantasy. Gold is the only protection against the largest asset theft in world history. Ben Bernanke will make Bernie Maddoff look like a saint. And he is doing it all legally. Disgusting!
THE BERNANKE EFFECT - Bullionbullscanada.com
"The U.S.'s 0% interest rates are the economic equivalent of hooking someone up to a defibrillator. Shock someone continuously with a defibrillator for 3+ years, and it is safe to say that we will not end up with a 'patient in recovery' - but merely with a badly-charred corpse.
"Thus it is with the U.S. economy. Three-plus years of continuous, maximum stimulus has produced nothing except a steady stream of ever more absurd statistical lies, attempting to delude the sheep into believing this badly-charred corpse is 'recovering'.
OBAMA'S ECONOMIC APPROVAL JUST 36 PERCENT - WashExaminer
"In a national survey of 1,000 likely voters January 31-February 1 a whopping 62 percent of likely voters grade President Obama's handling of the economy at fair to poor. Still, Democratic officials say that they see a positive trend..."We just need six more months," said a top Democratic official.
PRESIDENT IMPLIES GOD IS PRO HIGHER TAXES, BIGGER GOV - Editor
"President Barack Obama has been taking lumps from Republicans for years over his support for Wall Street and health care reform, but today at the National Prayer Breakfast he claimed support from on high... Obama maintained that his call for the wealthiest to give up their tax breaks is in line with biblical teachings," reports Buzzfeed.com.
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2.1.12 -- Stop walking up the Down escalator! -- Listen
Gold prices rose near $1,750/oz. Wednesday reaching fresh 8-week highs after rising 11% in January. Gold last traded at $1,743 an ounce. Silver prices traded at $33.67 an ounce, gaining 20% ytd.
PAYCHECKS, PERCEPTION, PROPAGANDA & POWER - Theburningplatform.com
"The average American worker has not had any real income gains in at least four decades. The insidious nature of Federal Reserve created inflation (up 600% since 1970) is incomprehensible to a public that finds math boring and not essential in their lives," writes Jim Quinn of theburningplatform.com.
2012 IS THE YEAR FOR A GOLD PLANK IN GOP PLATFORM - NYSun.com
"Recent polling suggests that the American people sense the need for a dollar as good as gold. Now the Republican candidates have the opportunity to fulfill that need, win the presidential election, and restore sound money and economic growth, writes Lewis E. Lehrman of thegoldstandardnow.com.
"Over the long run, all working people want the purchasing power of their savings to remain stable in order to educate their children, to retire in modest comfort, to pass on a modest legacy of stable value. But during the past 40 years of the Fed-managed paper dollar standard, the purchasing power of the dollar adjusted by the CPI has declined a shocking 85%.
