So that's it for the election.

[Orruar]

Gold doesn't derive most of its value from its industrial uses. Platinum and silver do. Gold is valued and used as money for thousands of years because:

A) It is rare, which means you don't need 4 tons of it to buy a car (like if you were using iron as money)
B) It is difficult to counterfeit
C) It is easily divisible (which is why we don't use Rembrandt paintings as money)
D) It is durable
E) The total supply does not fluctuate wildly (increases about 1% per year)

Paper money fails 4 of these tests, which is why it only really works when backed by a commodity such as gold.