A position in TIPS ( TIP ) also makes sense along with precious metals and senior loans ( BKLN ) to protect against the threat of inflation and rising interest rates. Disclosure: I am long [[GTU]], [[PSLV]], [[BAB]], [[HYG]], [[BKLN]], [[AGG]], [[TIP]]. Fiscal Policy Paralysis - A fact that is repeatedly reinforced by the Federal government in Washington is that absolutely nothing of substance is going to be accomplished in addressing the critical issues facing the U.S. economy until politicians are up to their knees in the fire of the problem.