seems to be your problem and it's no crazier than your previous statement: "You do know by betting on gold, you are betting against the US economy, don't you?"...
As a US citizen, you labor under the impression that everything revolves around the United States of Mid-North America: well, it doesn't and its influence as a major player is slowly but surely diminishing...
One of the root cause: too much consumption (glutonery, you might call it) and not enough propension to save, all of which help drive the Current Account Deficit (Trades + Invisibles) further into the red... The trend is unsustainable and Foreign Dollar Investments are leaving in drove for greener pastures, driving the stock Market further down...
If you think I am pessimistic, then read this for comfort...
Market Data 
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