A poll taken by YouGov asked people about their feelings and plans for this past New Year's Eve. The results were interesting. In many ways, they were reflective of society in general as we begin 2015. More younger and older adults planned to stay up past midnight, and fewer Americans (driven overwhelmingly by those under the age of 30) planned to attend a party or other celebration.
This is the theme for the year; people are paying attention and fewer are entering the New Year in a partying mood. The term crossroads is overused, but it is appropriate for a nation that seems to be falling apart at the seams. However, recent improvements in the economy do not go nearly far enough to dissuade most, as it is just another flash in the pan. Washington is readying for war, although politicians on both sides of the aisle said the message from the mid-term elections was “To play nice and get back to the basics of being great.”
In my mind, being great means each person pulling themselves up by their own bootstraps; being incentivized to excel rather than being punished; and being told the sky is the limit and not being ashamed for trying to touch it. There is a ton of skepticism in the air and many think rooting for America is the same as rooting for a socialistic president. For me, however, it is all about being the best I can be in any system, and I prefer that system to be free markets, law and order, and the protection of the Constitution.
It's time to come out of the bunkers, even if you're not ready to celebrate- come out and see despite the war on success, religion, and other foundations of America; we're holding and we can hold on long enough to reverse the tide.
There’s Gold In Them Hills...Does Anyone Care?
What was intriguing was the action in gold, which has quietly been coming on in part to comments from the CEO of Gold Crop saying, we’ve reached “peak gold.” In other words, all the easy stuff has been mined and its gets harder from here.
Note: last year, miners pulled 2,270 metric tons out of mines versus 386 tons in 1900. I think gold is oversold and gold coin commercials and dealers should focus on basis supply and demand.
This does not mean a gold rush, but if you have ridden this far, I would be reluctant to sell now.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member