Colorado State Senators will consider a bill that would allow people to use gold and silver as currency. A similar measure is already in place in Utah and is being considered in 12 other states, reports CBS Station KCNC.

All over the world the central banks are printing money like it just came into fashion. The printing is disguised. China raises its reserve requirements for banks. The Bank of England does another $80 billion in QE. Euro leaders meet to discuss a $170 billion second Greek bailout.

(Updated 18 Feb 2012) Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam just announced on his Singapore Budget 2012 speech that investment–grade gold and other precious metals will be exempted from GST. Mr Shanmugaratnam also mentioned that these precious metals 'are essentially financial assets that are actively traded and are just like other financial instruments'.

Platinum group metals’ investment potential may exceed gold’s and could be underestimated by investors, said OAO GMK Norilsk Nickel, the world’s biggest palladium producer.

In a recent Fortune article, Warren Buffett provided a glimpse into his upcoming annual shareholder letter. Buffett used this opportunity to once again remind everyone how much he dislikes gold. He cites gold’s limited industrial demand and places the precious metal in a category of assets that “will remain lifeless forever.” However, there are two precious metals that are considered to be monetary safe-havens. Sometimes referred to as gold’s little brother, silver has also acted as a hedge against uncertainty and fiat currencies. Furthermore, its industrial use is far from being lifeless.

S&P just downgraded 34 of the 37 Italian banks it covers. Below is the full statement. And so get get one second closer to midnight for Europe's AIG equivalent: A&G. As for S&P, this is the funniest bit: "We classify the Italian government as "supportive" toward its banking sector. We recognize the government's record of providing support to the banking system in times of stress."

A visual representation of the major economies' debt, as depicted in USD 100 dollar bills.

The following commentary comes from an independent investor or market observer as part of TheStreet's guest contributor program, which is separate from the company's news coverage.

Just as many individuals and institutions prefer to own silver instead of cash, some silver miners are choosing to hold onto their silver. A few successful mid-tier silver miners, such as Endeavour Silver, have recently been hoarding silver because they believe the price is too deflated. Even before yesterday's statement from the Fed to keep interest rates low through 2014, the discounted price of silver was fairly evident.

A higher percentage of the American population is receiving government benefits than ever before. Yes, there have always been poor people that have needed our assistance, but what does it say about our economy that the number of Americans dependent on the government is at an all-time high?