Not all news from the gold and monetary fronts is bad. In fact, gold made a number of advancements in seven states, including exemptions from taxes and attempts by states to restrict Federal Reserve behavior. Gold is alive and well.
We're often told that submission to government edicts is "voluntary" because we have "representative" government. The evidence suggests, however, that politicians don't represent their constituents. Nor could they, even if they wanted to.
The 2024 election will provide few solutions to the underlying pressures eroding American political norms. Regardless of the outcome, half the country will feel like they live under an occupational government.