What a time to be part of such a popular, well-regarded newsletter. From what I’ve heard and read, Notes subscribers are some of the most-informed, thought-provoking readers anywhere. I sincerely look forward to opening a dialogue with all of you.

As you know, there has never been a more pivotal time in this country’s financial future than right now.

The dollar is weak.

The word “jobs” has become an atrocious four-letter symbol for economic despair.

The government owns Detroit, Wall Street and is desperately trying to get its hands on healthcare.

And, worst of all, China could eat our economy for breakfast.

Indeed, there will be no shortage of topics to discuss over the next few months.

But first, you are owed a proper introduction. I am hoping to get to know many of you through commentary and feedback, but before you can drop me a line, you have to know who you are writing to.

First and foremost, if you are looking for Wall Street flash, I’m not your guy. Far from it.

I’m not a Mercedes and gold watch kind of investor. In fact, I drive a pickup truck to the office and wear a digital watch that I bought on Amazon for $14 a few years ago.

When they were handing out made-for-TV personalities, well, I must have been out fishing that day.

That’s fine with me.

Too many folks talk too much and think too little. After all, what is talking? In most cases, it’s nothing but a bunch of hot air, especially in this game.

Like that bunch on CNBC. Don’t get me started. How a few headline reading clowns became the face of finance is beyond me. For most of them, it’s dissecting Wall Street in the morning and hocking OxyClean in the evening.

These guys won’t ever let facts get in the way of their opinion.

If you want facts, I will give you facts.

How about a market that is still 30% below its highs?

Or $80 oil in an economy that is screaming, “No mas!”

Or an American dollar that is weaker than Obama’s economic acumen?

Or a Fed Reserve with more power than any unelected board in global history?

I could go on and on about the subjects that keep today’s investors up at night, but what would we discuss in the coming days?

Like I said, there has never been a more pivotal time in the nation’s economic outlook. Even better, there has never been a time to be at the helm of a popular contrarian newsletter.

You are my kind of people. The thinkers. The realists. You don’t talk just to make noise. You think, then discuss. I am excited to see what we get into.

*** Now that you know a bit about me and the way I think, let me share some of my recent work with you.

As you know, the commodities market has been off the charts over the last eight months or so. Just about everything that can be pulled from the ground has soared in value as investors from across the globe have flocked to anything with a tangible value.

With a weakening dollar, the appreciation is understandable. With everything but natural gas, that is.

Natural gas is America’s fuel. The vast majority of what we produce is used within our borders, with very little demand contained in the export or import business.

Even though a nasty recession has significantly reduced natural gas orders, production is on the rise and prices have more than doubled in recent months. With natural gas reserves nearly full and the winter’s increased demand yet to show up, the markets are about to realize they made a horrific mistake.

Natural gas is unlike any other commodity. It has nothing to do with currency or global economic health, yet speculators treated it just like oil or even gold.

Bad move.

Traders are now paying for their mistakes.

Besides writing articles and commentary for TodaysFinancialNews.com, I am also tasked with running an options trading service called TFN Strategic Trader. It is a fast-moving easy-to-use options service that loves to take advantage of short-term market mistakes.

Less than two weeks ago, I lifted the curtain on my latest special report, an in-depth look at the nation’s natural gas industry. At the bottom of page 5, I listed three trades that offered triple-digit gain potential.

I admit, I made a mistake.

I said the gains would come by January 15. I was too conservative!

Already, two of the plays are up by 140% and 170%, with the third up by just 13%. Those two big gainers and one soon-to-be big gainer alone could easily make up for two years worth of market losses for investors still suffering.

But we are not cashing in yet. The best is yet to come. You can read the full report here.

*** The next few weeks and months are going to be quite interesting. I am not one to scream and shout, but let’s face it. Our nation and economy ain’t what she used to be.

Instead of protesting with a teabag or pleading with your congressman, I’d rather you protect your wealth, make you some more money and ensure that no matter what happens, the life you know is not going anywhere.

We’ll fight back, but not in any way they are used to seeing.