May 2012, Week 3 Edition

The Gold Standard Worked Far Better Than the Current "Fiat Money" Era

Nearly all academic economists today say that the gold standard "didn't work," that it put nations in a "strait jacket" and led to greater and deeper depressions. But a December 2011 report by the Bank of England showed that the world grew much faster under the Bretton Woods (gold exchange) standard, in force from 1945 to 1972, than it did in the 40 years since then. From 1945 to 1972, nations grew the fastest of any period in the past 150 years. Inflation was far lower from 1948 to 1972 than it has been in the last 40 years. For instance, gold was worth a stable $35 from 1934 to 1971, but since Nixon closed the gold window in 1971, gold is up 45-fold. That means the dollar is down 97.8% since 1971.

The gold standard may return. The over-spending of governments virtually guarantees the return of gold. If that happened, the price of gold would most likely rise to $8,000 or more, but a pure gold standard is probably too radical for politicians to accept. If the public demands honest money in the future, politicians may be forced to use a "basket" of commodities, with gold and silver playing the primary role. In that case, you could expect at least a doubling, to $3500 or more, just to back up the currency in circulation.

Is Buffett Anti-Gold? That Depends on Which Buffett You Ask

The financial news channels were abuzz last week about the disparaging comments Warren Buffett made about gold. Buffett said gold has limited industrial demand and "will remain lifeless forever."

Perhaps Buffett is tired of people pointing to the superior performance of gold and silver over his stock, Berkshire Hathaway. Starting in January 1, 2000, Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway stock has more than doubled, rising 120%, but gold is up 446% and silver is up 435% in the same time span.

Buffett's parents were more respectful toward gold. Buffett's father, Congressman Howard Buffett, was the Ron Paul of his day. He wrote an essay in support of a gold standard, called "Human Freedom Rests on Gold Redeemable Money."

Michael Fuljenz Interviewed by FOX Business Network
Honored at World's Fair of Money