It is all about Austerity

Keep in mind that austerity is the operative word for 2012.  It is the direction that Europe and the Republicans are pushing the world.  In a way it will be good in the long run.  All the excesses will be wrung out.  The problem is that it will be very painful to asset holders of any kind whether it be holders of  gold, commodities, stocks, farmland, you name it.  Ironically, the balance between the rich and poor will narrow dramatically as the poor have little to lose.