***Muaythai's Miners***

[Stinky_pinky]

I guess I'm not an "end of the world" kind of guy...just an end of the world as we know it kind. I think that the federal government will eventually devalue the dollar similar to the Mexican peso in the 1990s. ie. start printing new (possibly PM backed) dollars that are worth 100 old dollars. When we go through a period of economic turmoil, those people that have "enabled" a flow of real goods will come out on top. Conversion to PM is just a means of preserving my wealth. Things I would be doing now include: Buying a fish camp on a secluded part of the coast to harvest fish, shrimp, oysters, etc., plant a grove of fruit/nut trees, grape vines, etc. so that an a couple of years they will be in production, purchase a couple of acres of some of the best farm land to be had, with access to water, owned free and clear. Stuff like that. I don't really go for the survivalist mentally of hoarding food, ammo, medicine, etc. though like most I know of those that do... and those that don't. The latter could really care less about anything or anyone and won't until the bar lights come on...if you catch my drift. (Hence the musical chairs analogy video from Brother John).

You picked up on my concerns about my small CA pension. Formula used to calculate said pension is a certain percentage based on when you begin drawing your pension (2% at 55 rising up to 3% at 65) times number of years service times the highest base salary earned while employed. It has been a long battle to keep pension funds out of the hands of politicians and state general fund, because, if they can, if money is there politicians will spend it, draw on it, encumber it in some fashion. Federal social security is a good example. I do not expect there will be any money let over in the SS fund left when I get ready to retire. I find some satisfaction that the judge allowed the city of Stockton to proceed with bankruptcy over objections of municipal bond holding creditors who wish to spread the haircut to be taken to as many as possible:
http://news.yahoo.com/stockton-bankruptcy-decision-only-beginning-080500245--finance.html
I purposely chose to work in the public sector rather than working as an engineer in the oil business like my dad, because I saw how the private sector gave him the shaft upon retirement. I would much, much, much rather return to work under a CalPers covered public sector job, than to chase the big bucks in the petro-chemical industry down here in the Houston area (like everyone else seems to be doing lately). I worked in the private sector for a couple of years down here...making that six figure salary...and tell you what, others can have it! I'd much rather go where I'm happiest, appreciated, secure, and healthy. Death of my older brother (Muaythai) in 2010 has shown me that life is short...best to plan for the future, but live for the present. Hope I'm not rambling on to much...But I wanted you to know how I felt about PM...They aren't nothing more than a plan for the future. I wish I had started stacking a little earlier (like when I was employed, and silver was dirt cheap! (smile) Be well, S~P