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The PIGS in Europe (Portugal, Italy, Greece, Spain) are countries that have gone broke via loss of production, growth in government and out of control entitlement–pensions, pay, welfare, health care. The countries over on the continent are to the European Union what the states are to America. Unfortunately the parallels–all frightening–don’t end there. What many don’t know is that the first cracks in the armor of stability, government service, and fiscal responsibility–or lack thereof–don’t manifest themselves at the state or country level–they rear their ugly heads at the county, city, and town. Think your local government is solvent? Think the cops will be there when you call? The garbage will be picked up? The library will be open? Better do some homework in the city hall near you and see just how big a problem your community has. Hopefully, it will not be quite as far gone as Harrisburg, Pa., Vallejo, Ca, or San Jose, Ca.

Credit markets back in the minestrone! How to protect yourself and profit!

by Mike Larson | Friday, March 1, 2013 at 7:30 am

Here we are again: Back in the soup! Or in this case, the minestrone! I say that because just when the markets appeared on track to keep heading higher, Italian voters threw everyone for a loop.

Specifically, they gave a chunk of their votes to former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, a chunk of votes to an Italian comedian named Beppe Grillo, and a chunk of votes to the center-left leader Luigi Bersani. (Read More)