If the shit comes to head as so many "Sheepole" are predicting, then GOLD is worthless.
You want healthy Land, Weapons, and a source of Water. Metals will do nothing for you as "animals" will bea "Means" of exchange than gold.
So most of you are fubared.
The reality is that 50% of the Finacial Work Force will be unemployed by summer 09. Unemployment will jump as high as 10% if not 13%.
Consumers will no longer spend, credit will no longer be a easy way out, the world of pretending you BLING BLING is over.
But, if your in an industry that survives, you will be fine.
Energy, Health Care, Manufactures of 'Key Items", etc, will be ok.
Those who have built their wealth on "hard assets" , private business owners with high net worth, etc. will all be fine.
Plenty of people survived the First Depression and plenty of people made money during the First Depression. It will be no diffrent this time around.
Those of you, and you know who you are, will fail and fall because of your "habits" in leverage for "THINGS".
Cash, is king right now, but soon Chicken's, cows, corn, may take the Kings Court over. IMHO, it will not happen, but you never know.