The Canadian oil sands are the world’s single largest petroleum resource at 1.7 trillion barrels. With conventional oil supply decreasing, heavy oil projects such as the oil sands become more attractive economically to meet the needs of growing demand. While environmental concerns about the oil sands remain, the options for plentiful, cost efficient, and clean oil sources are limited.

When looking to invest in gold, you can invest in physical gold, or you can invest in gold mining companies that are producers....Gold mining companies have underperformed the price of gold for the last year so are they a better buy now than physical gold? [In this article I weigh the pros and cons for each as I see them and explain how I came to my decision.] Words: 770

This infographic looks at the primary uses for vanadium, its supply and demand, and future applications that could potentially affect the metal’s demand.

There is a lot of debate these days about the extent at which the "rich" among us should be taxed. That is an argument that no one is going to win but the findings of a study comparing the tax rates of such individuals on a comparative basis by country is most enlightening. Take a look to see how your country's tax rates on the "rich" compare with other countries. Some of you will read this article and be quite displeased while the majority of you should realize that you have nothing to complain about (relatively speaking, that is). Words: 455

The notion of government raiding personal retirement accounts for funds may seem extreme...but other governments have done it. Argentina did in 2008, Ireland has indicated it might [and the U.S. might well do so as it's] financial crisis worsens. This article puts forth reasons why it is possible they would undertake such a grab or 'confiscation' of your retirement accounts and how they likely would go about implementing such an event. Words: 700

Youth unemployment is a very large and looming societal and economic problem in developed countries. The seriousness of this issue cannot be overstated. [Let me expand on the current employment situation in many of the developed countries of the world, what the remedies might be and what the ramifications likely will be if remedial action is not taken - and soon.] Words: 1092

If investors step back and look at this from a longer-term perspective, they will realize that politicians feel the only way out of this mess is to print more money. After the money printing will come the inflation. It will be higher inflation than anything we’ve seen in the post-World War II period and it will send gold, silver and all commodities skyrocketing.

We are in for another bummer of a summer, with the Dow tumbling over the next several months to the 12,000-12,200 range.... [Let me explain why and how best to protect your portfolio and profit from what is unfolding.] Words: 580

If you own, or are contemplating owning...gold, you should read this article, and think carefully about the content of the 58 slides included with it - a presentation on the history of physical gold, its price drivers, what selected individuals think about it going forward, and what U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke thinks of it.

For the past four years I have been covering the progression of the global economic crisis with an emphasis on the debilitating effects it has had on the American financial system. Only once before have I ever issued an economic alert, and this was at the onset of the very first credit downgrade in U.S. history by S&P. I do not take the word “alert” lightly. [Read on to to understand why I have issued an economic alert once again.] Words: 1904