Are we headed for a depression in 2012 or earlier?

Gerald Celente said 2012 or earlier would start a depression based on huge Gov spending, no jobs, hyper inflation, and other things. Others are saying the same. What is your opinions on this? I believe we are going to another depression. We have had recession after recession, but the last depression was in 1929 and World War 2 got us out of that. The US Gov might try to start another war to get us out of this one but who wants to fight for nothing. Are the elites real like the Rocket Fellas, Queen of Europe, BP, etc have control of the economy and trying to take control? What do you believe? Is it smart to buy Gold and Silver? Food and Water is more valuable than Gold and Silver because our bodies need it to survive.