Found this quick comparison on the current economy/debt/gold and the great depression. i don't think this is the only factor to consider... watch for interest rates to rise and or the farm bubble to pop....2012 late is my guess

Gold Rallies and Debt

Since 1900, we have had three major rallies in the gold price. The first started during the Great Depression, the second since about 1968, and the current since about 2001. Note, the gold price went up during the Great Depression, since most things as measured in currency (gold) depreciated. Further to that, in 1933, due to increased demand, the gold price was increased from $20.67 to $35. During the first two rallies, there were major economic declines. The economic decline during the Great Depression was much worse than that of the 70s. This is mostly due to the difference in debt levels during the two periods. The debt level during the great depression was far greater than that of the 70s. The greater number of defaults, due to the bigger debt, took a bigger chunk of value out of the economy.

The current gold rally is still in progress. Debt levels now are greater than during both the previous major gold rallies. It is believed that in 2008, total debt as a percentage of GDP in the US stood at more than 340% compared to 265% during the great depression. At some point during the great depression, debt levels collapsed, causing a major economic decline. The rally in gold is a way reflection of how debt levels collapse. The current major rally in gold is thus telling me that we are likely to have an economic decline far greater than that of the Great Depression, in the US and most parts of the world. This economic decline has already started, and is about to intensify.

Categories: Dave's Rants
Tags: economics