Micklin, my take (FWIW) is as follows: 1. The Fed is guaranteed...

Micklin, my take (FWIW) is as follows:

1. The Fed is guaranteed to increase rates by a quarter percent on March 15, just to get up Trump's nose. I say this because:

(a) the Fed has traditionally backstopped the Obama Presidency;
(b) the Fed is an integral part of the so-called "Deep State";
(c) any increase is going to be recessionary in effects over a 6 month period;
(d) Stupidly, Trump has now twice lauded the record DOW since his election, and for better or worse he now OWNS the DOW as a measurement of his success or otherwise;
(e) a rate increase is going to roil the DOW index;
(f) the timing of the increase coincides with the legislated $20T mandatory debt ceiling;
(g) although the Repubs have control of both Houses, there are enough RINOs who hate Trump with a passion, and will posture and preen to their public (as will the Democrats) calling for no increase to the debt ceiling, or a balanced budget, or some other impossible dream;
(h) the arguments over the debt ceiling can potentially go on for months (it will be 2015 on steroids);
(i) the uncertainty of this (coupled with the interest rate hike) will trash the DOW, the housing casino, and any number of bubbles that desperately need refinancing (share buy-back schemes, student loans, auto loans, bankrupt union pension funds and municipal bonds);
(j) The Fed's jawboning has been far too precise and overwhelming, leaving them no option;
(k) Trump will OWN the complete debacle to occur by the end of the year; and
(l) On the European front, Geert Wilders is a good chance to gain a majority vote in the Netherlands, but may not be able to form any workable coalition, also on March 15.

2. IMO, Gold (and particularly the miners) are going to go gangbusters in 2 weeks' time.