Kerry Lutz's--Financial Survival Network

Why did Dorothy follow the yellow brick road? Film maker Joel Gilbert journeys across America to find out what's at the end of the Progressive rainbow - Utopia or something far worse? From the ruins of Detroit to the slums of Chicago's South Side, and from Denver's illegal immigration invasion to Newark's urban removal project, Gilbert pulls back the curtain. He confronts Progressives on his quest, and takes us deep into their political fantasy of paradise on earth. There's No Place Like Utopia is a humorous and horrifying exploration of Progressivism, amnesty for illegals, race relations, Islam in America, political correctness, and Barack Obama himself, who promises to "remake the world as it should be." But is Utopia a real destination for America? Or, does the true path to happiness still remain faith, family, and hard work - back home in Kansas?

Hard to believe but Marijuana legalization actually is starting to cut into cartel profits. Marijuana cultivation is way down in Mexico's gold triangle all because of liberalization of pot laws in the US. Is that a good thing? Depends upon whom you talk to.

While on the subject of Mexico, they're starting their own border patrol. Seems that using the army to stop illegals coming from all over Central and South America just isn't working out so well. They're even planning to patrol the northern border with the US. Is that a sign that Americans will soon be fleeing to points south? 

Maryland is cracking down on online higher education companies. They're trying to accredit and license companies outside the state who teach Marylanders. Guess they never heard of the Interstate Commerce Clause, or else they don't really care anyway. 

Finally, Detroit is attempting to emerge from Bankruptcy protection. A creditor vote will soon be taken and deals have been cut with various unions. Unfortunately, a golden opportunity has been missed and the odds are stacked against a full recovery. 

Frank Pringle has come up with a new innovative security device to help homeowners, businessmen and farmers secure their properties. Using solar and wind power along with efficient led lighting, the device can sustain itself indefinitely. It's really worth taking a look at. 

No one likes to go out on limb for making a specific prediction and Bill Holter and I are no exception. But May 20th of this year is shaping up to be a very interesting date. That's when we might find out about the huge energy deal that China and Russia have been cooking up, which could accelerate the end of the petro-dollar. It could also usher in the acceptance of many other currencies to be used in payment of petroleum purchases. None of this bodes well for the dollar. Gold and silver are the antidotes for this potential disaster. 

Peter Schiff was on for an update on the self-immolation of the US Dollar and the economy. Janet Yellen is learning the art of the happy talk and the media hasn't missed a beat. Everyone is very hopeful, upbeat and optimistic, but that's not going to change the ultimate outcome and the economic collapse that's heading our way. The NASDAQ is making a huge head and shoulders formation and the dollar is hitting new lows. Not the signs of a healthy economy. Peter tells us all about what's next. 

As Tom Payne says, "I've out-interviewed more qualified competitors and so have my clients, and it was done ethically, telling nothing but the truth." He's done it himself and trained others by effective storytelling. It's a great skill to have and it can enhance your life in so many ways. Have you ever listened to someone tell a story and wish that you could do it as well. Tom gives you an effective method for doing that will filter into all aspects of your life, whether it's looking for a job, helping to raise your kids or relating better in a social setting. 

We caught up with Rick Ackerman today. His reprint of a New Jersey teacher's lament about overly generous public pensions was quite instructive. It reinforces why the long term trends for precious metals are so appealing. In the short term, Rick still thinks June Gold has appeal. Silver appears to be stuck in the mud until it breaks out and starts showing signs of strength. Stocks anyone? 

The Ayn Rand Institute's Rituparna Basu writes, "A major reason why doctors are ignored is that doctors themselves are hesitant to assert their right to practice medicine as they see fit. Dr. Craviotto doesn’t put his opposition to government control of his profession in those terms, but that’s the logical foundation of his position: doctors have the right to practice medicine as they choose, and everyone else has the right to accept their services or not." We talk about this issue and more on the with her and what we can look forward to in the age of Obamacare. 

John Rubino says that no US GDP report is complete without an explanation from the Consumer Metrics Institute of how Washington is fooling us. The latest one is even scarier than usual:

There are a number of disturbing items in this report:

– Even at first glance this is not a good report. Although the headline number itself says “stagnation,” in the context of earlier reports it shows an economy in dynamic transition from lackluster growth towards outright contraction. The overall headline number is down 2.5% from the prior quarter and down 4% from the next earlier quarter. These are significant changes, with the prior quarter’s trend extended and the downward slope intensifying.

– Private commercial investment dropped substantially, led by reduced outlays for residential construction, transportation equipment and IT infrastructure.

– The year-long 2013 cycle of inventory building has come to an end. Over an extended time period inventories are mostly a cyclical zero-sum game, with excessive growth or contraction over any period being corrected (i.e., reversed) during a subsequent period. Moving forward we should expect that inventories will continue their cyclical contraction, with negative consequences to the headline number.

 

Mondays with Andrew Hoffman:

• NFP Report-3 numbers that count;
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  GDP fiction report;
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  Japan keeps dropping-largest ever drop in pmi;
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  China 47% yoy drop in home sales;
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  Ukraine keeps inching closer to war;
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  Interest rate are dropping like a stone everywhere;
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  Gold spikes;
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  Silver to gold ratio nears 67.

Noted Columnist and Author James Hirsen was on the show talking about the future of mandatory microchipping. While there are people now voluntarily having chips injected into their bodies in an effort to control all sorts of devices, James sees an alarming trend ahead. How long before the people who brought you massive NSA data collection decide that it's in everyone's interest to be chipped and make it mandatory? It's just another case of the technology advancing way ahead of morality. Will Americans finally say enough? 

After 50 years Toyota Motor Company is leaving the high tax state of California for the low tax state of Texas. Politicians in high tax states can't believe such things happen, but in the real world this is exactly what happens. Next, the truth is out about the phony Obamacare numbers. Want the the real number, just deduct 1/3 or divide by two. Finally, Detroit's post-bankruptcy plan is coming into focus. Is it a matter of too little too late? 

According to Tom Bowden, yet again, some of America’s most admired and innovative companies — in this case Apple, Google, Intel, Adobe, Intuit, Pixar, and LucasFilm — have fallen victim to an antitrust shakedown. Rather than face a jury at the risk of $9 billion in penalties, the defendants reportedly offered a total of $344 million in settlement. This is par for the course when it comes to government enforced notions of fairness. It never stops, whether it's Microsoft a decade ago, or Apple today. 

April is over and that means it's time for the monthly major market review with Mickey Fulp. Well the stock markets continue to break new ground, at least the Dow and S&P 500. 

• Gold and Silver down;
• Platinum and Palladium up;
• Copper stabilizes;
• WTI down, Brent Stable, Henry Hub up 10 percent;
• Dollar down, Europ up, 10 yr up;
• Bitcoin depends upon the day. 

We spoke with Seth Peretzman who's associated with our Sponsor Borderless Holdings (formerly known as Owings Metals) has a number of interesting products entering the market.  Chief among them is their wearable wealth line. These are 24 karat gold bracelets, from 1 ounce to 15, made up of beads held together with sterling silver wire. They can be easily seperated and sold off by the piece if and when necessary. They are durable and insurable and easily transportable over borders. 

Law Professor John Quigley's experience with The Ukraine and The Crimea goes back many years. He understands the region quite well. He's a bit confused about why it's become such a flashpoint. After all, the United States really has no vital interests there. Russia on the hand, sees the warm water ports as crucial to its national interests. Where it winds up now is anyone's guess. 

We talked with TheRealSide's Joe Messina about the corrupt-a-thon taking place at the rebuilding of the World Trade Center. When completed, 1 World Trade Center will be the most expensive office building in the world. Cost overruns and waste have become the purpose of this project. A worthy museum dedicated to the memories of those who perished on 9-11 wound up costing $700 million and will cost the US Park Service $60 per year to operate. No wonder the country is going down the tubes.

We also talked about the first three party marriage, which happens to be all female. Sounds great until you think about how difficult it is to make a two party marriage work. Add 50 percent more people and 10 times more problems.  

TheStreet.com's Joe Deaux joined us to discuss the latest employment situation. It appears that employment is gradually improving and the low GDP number just reported this week was due largely to the horrific winter weather. If second quarter GDP improves and tapering has no effect than perhaps this recovery will be for real, but right now it's too early to tell.