Some financial commentators have speculated that bitcoin and other virtual currencies have captured a portion of funds that would have been invested in gold. I find it a bit ironic that people who invest in precious metals would even consider another fiat currency.

Anyone seeking evidence that the standard leftist/socialist dogma may not work well need look no further than two western hemisphere governments, Venezuela and Puerto Rico, as both are now being wracked by financial and social upheavals.

It appears that market softness due to a slowing Chinese economy may already have affected precious and base metals quotes.

Other economic commentators have joined in regarding the sounding of alarms. Retired Republican Congressman and presidential candidate Ron Paul feels financial markets could drop a stunning 50%...