There is a tidal wave of economic bad news breaking all over around the world, stock markets are reeling, and people are beginning to lose their jobs in big bunches, like back in '82 or '90. They pulled out graphs showing how money invested in the stock market had grown over 30 years. A year ago the experts talked about the endless boom. Well-paid economists predicted nothing but blue skies for decades to come. You don't hear much of that talk these days.
Consumers awash in debt.
The return of market speculation based on margin buying. Undeniable signs of global warming. Human and animal epidemics infecting whole continents. Farmers who can't afford to farm. Straight Goods thinks this is a really good time to invest in things that are useful and solid.