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"The prescription for 1930s' type debt deflation has been proposed by, among others, Bernanke and Gertler (1990). The financial accelerator problem may be dealt with by transferring income to debtors with promising projects, at least to the extent that such projects and borrowers are identifiable. The same thing may be said about banks. Macroeconomic policy can take care of general price deflation."

"The case of Japan since the 1990s is more complicated. As I have hopefully made clear, the deflation of general prices has not been the major problem. Instead, asset price deflation and its interaction with the financial system and the economy have been at the core of the problem. There are two views on the asset price deflation of the period. One view holds that the bubble of the late 1980s had to burst. The other recognizes a secular decline in the return on capital starting sometime in the late 1980s and associated declines in asset prices and investment. The two are not inconsistent with each other, but mutually reinforcing. The second view seems to need the first to explain the temporary rise in asset prices. The two differ in their estimates of where prices will end up, but are in accordance in claiming that adjustments in asset prices and investment were inevitable. To be sure, the negative accelerator story suggests that the economy and asset prices may fall further than is necessary. Hence, beyond a certain point, policies to support asset prices may be justifiable. It would, however, be difficult to determine whether the economy had reached such a stage. Also, a more fundamental policy response would be to address the problems of the financial system and other inefficiencies in the economy."

A review of "Debt & Delusion"

An excellent article by Robert Blumen

Perceptions of Corruption in Asia

The "Corruption Perception Index" lists 133 nations regarding public sector corruption...

Ten fundamental principles of net energy

Good article

The American form of government

Good 10.5 minute video covering the basics of government

Very broad coverage on many topics

Grandfather Economics Report

Economic issues facing today's generation compared to prior periods

US Debt Summary

Major long term factors

Aging Demographics - The Other Super Secular Trend

World Population Aging: 1950-2050

Debt & Delusion

Third world myths

Debunking third-world myths with the best stats you've ever seen

Who owns the Fed?

A well footnoted article

Corruptions Perceptions Index

World perceptions - which countries are the most corrupt

Silver FAQ

Lots of good data

The Bottom Line

A Debt Summary

Monetary Episodes from History, partially a story of gold & silver

Monetary History from Ancient Times to the Present Day, another story of gold & silver

The Middle Class on the Precipice

Harvard Magazine - Rising financial risks for American families

Goldman Sachs 666

goldmansachs666 blog

22 Reasons Why Hedge Funds Stink For the Average Investor

Article from The Hedge Fund Reader

What sort of despotism democratic nations have to fear

Democracy in America, Ch. 6, Alexis de Tocqueville

Guru grades

How 30+ advisors performed on public U.S. stock market predictions

Diamonds

Pricing, comparisons, education and more information

The Fate of Paper Money

History of all Paper Money

Gold as an investment (Wikipedia)

Historical and more current data Some basics on investing in junior mining stocks

Great article on employment stats

Reconciling the BED, CES, and birth/death employment data

"Strategic Siege" in the Great Game

An article

Coin Collecting

Professional Coin Grading Service
Tulving - a coin source we like (large minimum purchase)
California Numismatic Investments
Find a coin dealer in your area (caveat emptor)

Some gold & silver purchasing sources

Local coin stores
Tulving (large minimum purchase)
GATA's recommended sources
The Money Changer
Northwest Territorial Mint
Kitco
Apmex
American Gold Exchange
Gold Mutual Fund comparisons & lists
(Do your own due diligence before purchasing!)