The Unseen Costs of War on Iran

While events in the unprovoked Israeli-U.S. aggression against Iran remain in flux due mostly to the quixotic, contradictory and downright duplicitous policies and actions of a seemingly mentally unstable American president, it is quite difficult to assess the effects of the war on U.S. and world energy markets and thus their overall economies. What is … Continue reading The Unseen Costs of War on Iran

Dick Cheney and the American System of War

Former Vice President Richard “Dick” Cheney died on November 3, 2025 at the age of 84.  As secretary of Defense under President George H.W. Bush, Cheney was the architect of the 1991 Persian Gulf War and later, as vice president under George W. Bush, he was instrumental in the invasion and eventual conquest of Iraq. … Continue reading Dick Cheney and the American System of War

Central Banks Hoard Gold, Shed U.S. Treasuries

A lot has been made by gold-money bugs about the roles that central banks have played in the run-up in the gold price that accounts for a 38% increase in the yellow metal’s price this year alone.  Some of these analysts attribute the shedding of central bank holdings of U.S. treasuries and other agencies’ bonds … Continue reading Central Banks Hoard Gold, Shed U.S. Treasuries

Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” and the Ultimate Demise of the Dollar

Despite considerable arm-twisting, President Donald Trump’s laughably misnamed “Big Beautiful Bill” (actually a Big Ugly Atrocity) barely passed both houses of Congress.  Such a monstrosity, which has been conservatively estimated to add $5 trillion to the national debt including interest over the next decade, is a slap in the face to those souls who believed … Continue reading Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” and the Ultimate Demise of the Dollar

The Trump – Powell Spat: A Distraction from the Debt Crisis

Since his return to office in January, President Donald Trump has called on Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell to cut interest rates which Powell and the Fed’s Board of Governors have refused to do.  In typical child-like behavior when he doesn’t get his way, Trump has hurled insults at Powell calling him a “stupid person,” … Continue reading The Trump – Powell Spat: A Distraction from the Debt Crisis

Big Spending Continues Under Trump

While DOGE (the Department of Government Efficiency) has made almost daily headlines pointing out fraud and waste in government, the real battle over federal spending is beginning to take place.  From what has been proposed, it looks like it will be business as usual in Washington. Last week, the full House of Representatives passed the … Continue reading Big Spending Continues Under Trump

Taxes vs. Tariffs: Which is Fairer?

In the final days of his presidential run, Donald Trump floated the idea of eliminating the income tax and replacing it with tariffs as the means to fund federal spending.  He cited the era of U.S. history when the country had no income tax: When we were a smart country, in the 1890s . . … Continue reading Taxes vs. Tariffs: Which is Fairer?

Economic Collapse May Be the Only Way to Prevent World War III

The tensions between the West and Russia over the Ukraine have escalated over the past few months with an almost daily occurrence of provocations and belligerent talk mostly from members of NATO.  In response, Russia sent a naval contingent to the Caribbean in a show of force.  Some of the Western provocations include: Polish President … Continue reading Economic Collapse May Be the Only Way to Prevent World War III

Many Americans Say They Will Never Retire

A recent AARP poll provides further evidence of the deterioration of American living standards, especially for those approaching retirement age.  The study contradicts what most policy makers have believed to be a “soft landing” for the economy after two years of rampant inflation. “More than one quarter of U.S. adults over the age of 59,” … Continue reading Many Americans Say They Will Never Retire

What the Rising Gold Price Signals

The recent run-up in the gold price has not garnered the attention among the mainstream financial media outlets as it should.  Gold has, in part, been overshadowed by the rise in the price of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.  Naturally, the financial press, which is really an arm of the government and its central bank, wants … Continue reading What the Rising Gold Price Signals