Quote from countryBoy:
Actually, I'm in the inflation camp also.
Many economists talk of the fork in the road where the U.S. does not any long drive the world economy. Some other, e.g. China, will pick it up.
My guess is that we're at the fork in the road. Despite the fact that average U.S. household doesn't have the buying power to consume, the Chinese do (what is that - like 1 billion people eager to work 80 hours/week). If they want to buy copper, the price will go up.
The other side of the equation is the debt service on U.S. Treasuries. Hey, if you can't pay it in today's dollars, make the dollar worth less. So we will have a prolonged bear market in U.S. dollar. (It's not like this is a novel suggestion).
I remember reading a book by Jane Jacobs (recently passed) titled "Cities and Weath of Nations" published 1985. She had a section about monetizing national debt. Although the inflation of the '70s was quickly subsiding, she was forecasting more dollar inflation. I can't remember the wording. But to paraphrase "Once you get the toothpaste out of the tube, it's impossible to put it back. Nations that inflate, continue to inflate."
My $.02
The only reason China has a economy is because of all the trinkets they sell to America. If America stops buying China will be decimated. Like stomping on a ant hill.
John