"With all due respect, EZ, throughout history, the US has shown itself to be the most resilient of nations."

Fenalet, that statement might be true in recent history, although I suspect a case could be made for greater resiliency in any number of other countries. No matter - past performance is no guarantee for the future, which we cannot see with any clarity.

I believe most financial advisors today would recommend holding gold as a hedge. How much to hold is debatable. I currently hold about 1/3 of my investments in physical gold, and I am comfortable with that right now.

Property is another asset class worth holding. You need to live somewhere, and if the economy collapses, at least you still have a place to live. I know a number of people in my city who still hold property in Europe. They are not wealthy, but they did live through WWII and it taught them that NO country is immune from disaster under the right circumstances. So, they hedge ... a home in Canada and a home in Europe. Doesn't make a lot of financial sense to me (they don't rent out their European home), but they have emotional experiences that I have not had and it gives them a sense of peace.

Ultimately, it's that sense of peace that is most important. Can I sleep at night?