By Greg Hunter’s USAWatchdog.com

The Federal Reserve has been a clandestine organization since its inception.  It is not really part of the federal government; it is merely a subcontractor for monetary policy.  The Fed is basically a cartel of both U.S. and European banks.   It has pulled the levers in the economy from behind a curtain of secrecy since 1913 and has always enjoyed a certain degree of respect and admiration.  (more…)

By Greg Hunter’s USAWatchdog.com

From Greek debt to U.S. debt the world is struggling to pay it’s bills.  In Greece it is really a battle between bankers who made reckless loans and people to become debt slaves to pay them back.  In America the debt battle continues with the latest talks breaking down over taxes.  You just cannot forget the Middle East and Northern Africa.  (more…)

By Greg Hunter’s USAWatchdog.com

The situation in Greece is bleak.   Sure, the Prime Minister, George Papandreou survived a confidence vote yesterday, but he is a long way from solving the debt crisis in his tiny country.  The public debt totals $500 billion.  The plan is to add another $150 billion or so in debt.  It will be a second bailout package to keep the country afloat. (more…)

I have consistently said since this site went on line that the only thing you can count on when it comes to the economy is inflation.  Economist John Williams of Shadowstats.com says inflation is now running at 11.2%.  To get that number, Williams computes the data the way Bureau of Labor Statistics did it in 1980 (or earlier.)  No accounting gimmicks–just a true measurement of the cost of living, not the cost of existence.  (more…)

By Greg Hunter’s USAWatchdog.com

There is a lot to cover in the Weekly Real News Wrap-up this week.  First off, Greek debt problems look like they are going to get ugly, and this could spell problems for Europe and the world.  Looks like Greece will default, we just don’t know how bad it will be.  Bill Gross says the U.S. is in worse shape!  There is a showdown between Congress and the White House over Libya.  Congress wants oversight and the President says it is not necessary.  There was a big defeat for the bankers in the foreclosure world.  It also looks like the mainstream media is finally catching on that the economy is really bad.  The cover of Time Magazine is the latest of the MSM to finally tell you there is NO RECOVERY.  (more…)

By Greg Hunter’s USAWatchdog.com

The second round of quantitative easing (QE2) is scheduled to end June 30, and already there are calls for more financial stimulus to keep the economy from falling off a cliff.  The latest call came from Larry Summers, former head of the Obama Administration’s financial team.  In an Op-Ed piece that ran on Reuters last Sunday, Summers pitched the idea of a $200 billion cut in the payroll tax. (more…)

By Greg Hunter’s USAWatchdog.com

It seems the mainstream media (MSM) is waking up from its long sleep.  The dream world of “green shoots” and “recovery” is fading into staggering unemployment and plunging home prices.  Most of us in the real word have known for some time that there is no recovery.  People are not optimistic no matter how many times they are told things are getting better, and a recent poll by the Daily Beast and Newsweek proves it.  (more…)

By Greg Hunter’s USAWatchdog.com

I am going to be putting a new segment on the site called  the Weekly News Wrap-up.  I will  be highlighting the important news you need to be watching.  I will not be covering things such as Anthony Weiner and his lewd twitter pics.  I frankly do not care about crap like that and you shouldn’t either. (more…)

By Greg Hunter’s USAWatchdog.com

I have been saying repeatedly that the one thing you can count on is inflation.  If you take housing out of the picture, that is exactly what we have been getting.  The Fed wants inflation and loathes deflation.  Ben Bernanke and other Fed officials have consistently said they want to support “asset prices.” (more…)

By Greg Hunter’s USAWatchdog.com

There are plenty of folks flocking to the internet these days to tell the world why gold and, particularly, silver are finished as an investment and wealth protection opportunity.  Some are even screaming to sell now before gold and silver prices tank.  To give you an example of what I am talking about, I want to share a comment with you from a reader named Michael.  (more…)