Jeff Fisher
LewRockwell.com
August 13, 2010
The US credit system is in the midst of its third credit crisis since the advent of the Federal Reserve.
The first credit crisis was a deflation that morphed into the Great Depression. (See Rothbard’s: America’s Great Depression.)
The second credit crisis manifested itself in the stagflation of the 1970s. (See Rothbard’s: For a New Liberty Chapter 9.)
This credit crisis began in 2000 and was greatly exacerbated by the housing bubble of 2001 to 2007.
- A d v e r t i s e m e n t
- {openx:49}
A good discussion is Peter Schiff’s: Crash Proof and Crash Proof 2.0.
All three episodes were the inevitable result of the prior credit inflation orchestrated by the Federal Reserve System.
The seeds of the Great Depression were planted during WWI and the 1920s.
The 1970s stagflation followed the credit boom of the 1950s and 1960s that were fueled by Johnson’s Wars and Welfare State and the Federal Reserve’s policy of not letting the money supply contract in the 1970s.
The Credit boom of the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s is haunting the markets today.
The Dollar survived the first two credit deflations.
This writer believes that this credit crisis will be the Dollar’s third and final act.
The best-case scenario, in which the financial system and Dollar survive, is very unlikely but it would be very painful for most investors.
Best Case Scenario for US Markets:
Dow/Gold ratio will trade 1.0, possible gold target of $10,000/oz.
Dow/Silver ratio will trade 40.0, possible silver target $250/oz.
Severe credit market conditions with interest rates over 10%.
Some companies will survive, many banks and credit dependent businesses would fail.
The DJIA could trade in a range of 5,000 to 10,000.
Having A Supply Of Healthy Foods That Last Just Makes Sense
Likely Scenario for US Markets:
The most likely scenario is an inflationary Great Depression, in this writer’s opinion.
John William’s outlines his expectations and I believe they are worth reading: www.shadowstats.com
Peter Schiff discusses this possibility in Crash Proof 2.0.
The US has never experienced a credit bust that has followed this path.
Dow/Gold ratio well below 1.0: gold target well above $10,000/oz.
Dow/Silver ratio well below 20: silver target well above $600/oz.
Collapse of the credit market. Interest rates only capped by fiat.
Collapse of the US treasury market.
Most companies fail.
Only the best businesses with no need for credit survive.
Examples: CL, XOM, KO, PEP, PG
Banking system shut to depositors.
Nationalization of many businesses and all pension assets.
Very unstable political situation, collapse of US empire along the lines of the USSR.
The Emergency Election Sale is now live! Get 30% to 60% off our most popular products today!