"Debt is the Achilles' heel of the American economy," said Don McAlvany, the guest on Tuesday night. As the editor of the McAlvany Intelligence Advisor, he analyzes financial developments and their effect on personal finances.

"We are headed for a great world depression," worse than the one of the 1930's, "as the debt pyramid is now unraveling," McAlvany said. He believes we are at the beginning of a long-term drop in the standard of American living, and that China and Asia will be the dominant economic force of the 21st century. Pointing a finger at the Federal Reserve, he said that artificial stimulations of the economy to try to keep the prosperity of the 90's going, were akin to the needs of a drug addict.

"There are ways to protect ourselves," the first being to get out of debt, he said. McAlvany also advised getting out of the stock market entirely, and investing in gold and gold stocks, as well as starting a home business as a sideline. The currently strong real estate market however, is very vulnerable. There's a "giant ice pick" ready to burst that bubble, he warned.