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If you don't have a magical crystal ball to see the future, then a good history book will do the job. Understanding the past offers a full color panorama to the dangers and opportunities facing you in 2016.

Unpayable debt is becoming the Big Story of the 21st Century across the globe. Life-altering disruptions willbe the norm, with little that mankind has not seen before.

In early November, Congress recklessly increased American spending and debt by another $1.14 trillion. Lawmakers long ago erased all limits to printing money and creating debt backed by nothing. The total world debt is unknown and uncountable. Pick any figure in the hundreds of trillions and you'll be close.

Governments intend for you to pay those debts. To ensure you don't argue, they must increase control.

Inthe historic cradle of democracy, Greek citizens woke on New Year's Day staring at a 56-page “assets declaration” form, a record forthe tax man of everything owned above a certain value.

After a roller coaster 2015 of violent demonstrations, Greeks voted a landslide mandate to stiff their European debtors in favor of starting over and going it alone.

In a treacherous betrayal, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras caved to European bankers, ignored election results and put his people on a well-oiled slippery slope of perpetual indebtedness.

“Assets declaration” is not a new idea, as anyone facing bankruptcy would know. Everything from real estate, cash and jewelry, down to the kitchen cups and saucers, must be listed for the courts to divvyup.

But this isn't a case of personal bankruptcy. The Greek government, mired in debt for the next hundred years, has transferred its own bankruptcy reporting obligations to its citizens, amounting to legal repudiation of private ownership and private wealth.

Private wealth is a cornerstone of personal liberty. As explained in Money and Wealth in the New Millennium, the two go hand in hand, even as government continues to redefine debt as wealth.

Gold is the money of kings, silver the money of gentlemen, barter the money of peasants, but debt is the money of slaves
– NormFranz

Yes, Greeks have an international reputation for tax avoidance. But targeting all private property goes far beyond “paying a fair share.” It's a clear sign of modern times that bankrupt governments will stop at nothing to protect themselves at the expense of their people.

China has found social media snooping fits perfectly inside the long accepted template of debt and credit reporting – and helpful in identifying political undesirables.

sesame creditscore

China has smartly turned conformity into a smiley face with a number value. But China is just playing catch up to other old ideas.

Americans already value their individual FICO and credit agency ratings. National advertising campaigns, paid by the financial industry, praise indebtedness by glorifying credit scores.

The less debt you assume, the lower your score. Cancel a credit card, and your score will drop. It's preferred instead you dive right in, so you won't mind at all your government is also in debt!

The strategy goes beyond selling you junk you don't need. The intention is to create pride in indebtedness – to further confuse debt with wealth. Along the way, it makes the financial habits of consumers and voters transparent to government snoopers.

Americans (and others) have already done the bulk of government's work with self-inflicted online postings, using Facebook and other social media to forever publicly record what used to be valued private opinions and beliefs.

History has taught many lessons about bankrupt governments. As they fear losing control, they tighten the reins on citizen liberties.Standards once meant to keep civilized order are now exploited to instill tranquil compliance.

Just as bankrupt governments treacherously turn on their people,they will also turn on each other. Some recent examples:

  • American allies are fleeing the U.S. petro-dollar's pipeline in favor of China's (and Russia's) growing economic influence.
  • Governments are furiously printing money as the only way to finance unpayable debt.
  • Those same governments are conducting a war on cash, designed to herd all financial accounts into one big digital corral for easy harvest.
  • Washington,after promising to stop tapping foreign leaders' phones, has been caught still eavesdropping on Israeli leaders, and listening in on congressmen.
  • Most telling, American allies are demanding the return of their gold kept in the U.S. for safekeeping.
  • Governments keep their gold dealings secret, because, as none other than former chief money printer Alan Greenspan admitted, gold is the most important currency of all.
Financial and intellectual deception sweeping the globe defines the last dying gasps of corrupt and bankrupt governments.

Our crystal ball of history shows as governments lose control, fearful citizens will first resist, then rebel.

To defend ourselves, we strengthen our families and local communities,vote in coming elections, and fight for basic human freedoms of speech, religion and the right to defend ourselves. And, like Norm Franz and others, we can reject the notion that debt is wealth… or that debt buys freedom.

Gold and silver have stood for centuries, untouched, unmatched, as the best stores of private wealth, a cornerstone of freedom. You can take history's word for that. Or Alan Greenspan's.

Centuries of faith in gold and silver isn't a new idea at all.

Money Metals Exchange and its staff do not act as personal investment advisors for any specific individual. Nor do we advocate the purchase or sale of any regulated security listed on any exchange for any specific individual. Readers and customers should be aware that, although our track record is excellent, investment markets have inherent risks and there can be no guarantee of future profits. Likewise, our past performance does not assure the same future. You are responsible for your investment decisions, and they should be made in consultation with your own advisors. By purchasing through Money Metals, you understand our company not responsible for any losses caused by your investment decisions, nor do we have any claim to any market gains you may enjoy. This Website is provided “as is,” and Money Metals disclaims all warranties (express or implied) and any and all responsibility or liability for the accuracy, legality, reliability, or availability of any content on the Website.

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EUR/USD stays below 1.0800 after upbeat US data

EUR/USD stays below 1.0800 after upbeat US data

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GBP/USD stays in daily range above 1.2600

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GBP/USD fluctuates in a narrow channel above 1.2600 on Thursday. The better-than-expected Initial Jobless Claims data from the US and the upward revision to the Q4 GDP growth helps the USD stay resilient against its rivals and limits the pair's upside.

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USD/JPY consolidates above 151.00 ahead of US core PCE Inflation for fresh cues

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Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD stays below 1.0800 after upbeat US data

EUR/USD stays below 1.0800 after upbeat US data

EUR/USD stays under bearish pressure and trades slightly below 1.0800 in the American session on Thursday. The data from the US showed that the real GDP growth for the fourth quarter got revised higher to 3.4% from 3.2%, supporting the USD and weighing on the pair.

EUR/USD News

GBP/USD stays in daily range above 1.2600

GBP/USD stays in daily range above 1.2600

GBP/USD fluctuates in a narrow channel above 1.2600 on Thursday. The better-than-expected Initial Jobless Claims data from the US and the upward revision to the Q4 GDP growth helps the USD stay resilient against its rivals and limits the pair's upside.

GBP/USD News

Gold clings to strong daily gains above $2,200

Gold clings to strong daily gains above $2,200

Gold retreats from daily highs but holds comfortably above $2,200 in the American session on Friday. The benchmark 10-year US Treasury bond yield stays above 4.2% after upbeat US data and makes it difficult for XAU/USD to preserve its bullish momentum.

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XRP price falls to $0.60 support as Ripple ruling doesn’t help Coinbase lawsuit against SEC

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