Since the creation of the Federal Reserve, the value of the US dollar has steadily fallen. Now it is a tiny fraction of what it was in the days of our great-grandparents. Americans for the past century have been subject to a boom-bust cycle fueled by monetary inflation. This has enriched the government and its friends while impoverishing the productive classes.
This was all made possible by turning the dollar—once a sound money backed by gold and silver—into fiat currency that the regime can inflate at will. The cutting of the dollar’s ties to gold and silver has been at the center of the government’s destruction of so many of our freedoms.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
In August, Mises Institute speakers and staff returned to Albuquerque to explore how gold and silver can help us reclaim our freedom and limit the power of the state. The event was made possible by a generous gift from Albuquerque residents George and Sally Gundrey, who hosted the event at their wonderful New Mexican restaurant, Tomasita’s. All attendees were treated to delicious authentic New Mexican cuisine for lunch.
At the Saturday event, Senior Fellow Mark Thornton spoke on the connection between gold and money, while Editor in Chief Ryan McMaken looked at the process by which the government took control of money. Finally, Jp Cortez, executive director of the Sound Money Defense League, explored how legislative changes at the state level can help restore sound money, and investor Kevin Duffy explained the importance of gold for investors.
After the talks, attendees had the opportunity to meet the speakers and to connect with each other, expanding the network of freedom advocates throughout the region.
You can listen to these talks at mises.org/nm26.
