This is yet another potential danger to the financial and social health of America—and one which the precious metals markets appear to be taking under consideration.

…2017 was just the first year with a small increase after a huge drop off in exploration activity. It may take many years of future increases to get back to where the activity was in 2012, as projected increases in exploration spending are seen to be slow and steady.

The combination of these two concerns—the drift toward socialism and the willingness to violate law—appear to me to be capable of raising the level of civil disorder to a point where such disorders could be positive influences on the price of gold and silver.