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"But without a doubt, society is starting to come apart at the seams and I do expect rioting and major civil unrest in our major cities at some point in the future."

I'm trying to imagine formerly federally funded local government employees and pensioners rioting after a bond collapse and repudiation of debt (bond and income "haircuts," whatever). More of them than usual have already begun committing mob style crimes within the system. Maybe after an economic bust, they'll resort to more direct and traditional criminal activities.

As for the more impoverished rabble, though, many of them have been poor for a long time and are learning more about getting by. Maybe some of those in heavily populated urban areas will riot sporadically.

I doubt that all of the cities, including suburbs, would light up at once, although history shows that riots happen. Most Americans wouldn't have any direct experience with it, IMO, but would be watching news about it on television. Granted, some of our friends here live very near urban areas with high crime rates and see the matter more personally.

My prediction is that many of us will simply get much more poor and learn a lot about frugality and work. And fuel prices will continue high (so not much roving activity by large, pillaging gangs as predicted by some).

We'll see.

I doubt that all of the cities, including suburbs, would light up at once, although history shows that riots happen.

Yes, they do. Yes, they have. And yes, they will.

I have been writing AAR's about this very subject. The cities lighting up all at once has happened before: 1968, after the MLK assassination; 1992, the Rodney King riots spread to numerous cities; and 2011, the London riots burned nationwide, especially fueled by text messaging and flash-mobs.

Imagine the effect of the EBT cards stopping; the welfare and unemployment checks don't hit the banks; and what happens when the paychecks stop for the first responders and the LEO's. I've talked to several at the local level, and I already know what will happen: they will abandon their posts and head for the house to protect their own. And that will open the gates for the barbarians to enter.

As far as precious metals are concerned: gold and silver don't taste very good, and they make lousy soup stock. The only metals you should invest in are lead, copper, and brass - and you NEVER BARTER THEM.