"People are not truly free when they can’t afford to go to the doctor when they are sick. They are not truly free when they cannot afford to buy the prescription drugs they so desperately need. People are not truly free when they are exhausted because they are working longer and longer hours for lower wages. People are not truly free when they cannot afford a decent place in which to live. People certainly are not free when they cannot afford to feed their families.
The reason that Congress isn’t doing what the overwhelming majority of Americans wants has everything to do with the power of the monied interests. Let us bring our people together to take on and defeat a ruling class whose greed is destroying our nation. Our government belongs to each and every one of us, not just the few.”
Bernie Sanders, Response to the SOTU
"Gentleness is everywhere in daily life, a sign that faith rules through ordinary things... Even in a time of elephantine vanity and greed, one never has to look far to see the campfires of gentle people. Lacking any other purpose in life, it would be good enough to live for their sake."
Garrison Keillor
Not for any profit, or admiration, or even gratitude which is often enough lacking in this fallen world, but because it is His will, and we are His— in repentance, forgiveness, and thankfulness.
The Dollar strengthened today and so gold and silver were off a bit.
Stocks were wobbly and finished slightly lower. We shall have to keep a watchful eye on them, as they are pausing at a key technical resistance level that may mark the extent of the recovery rally after the debacle in December.
The gold analyst Koos Jansen is apparently still too ill to be able to write. His analysis is missed. He has provided some of the best knowledge about the Asian gold market. Please remember him in your prayers. Those of us who seek to find a refuge from modern monetary madness in precious metals do not need to allow ourselves to become heartless and uncaring, without feeling or fellowship with others.
I was able to accomplish quite a bit of work around the house today. A life of work and prayer is a worthy way to live, in peace with yourself and your friends and family.
It is better than to be among the materially fortunate, with closed minds and hardened hearts, seeing only themselves and their restless dissatisfaction. Even when surrounded they are alone, because they see others as only pale shadows and reflections of their appetites. They think that they are alive, and that this is just the way that they are— they do not know that they are already dead.
The Banks must be restrained, and balance restored to the economy, before there can be any sustainable recovery.
Have a pleasant evening.
