Seriously. Are the people in the financial markets so blind as to not see what is going on? Are they all trying to make the last few dollars before the whole system crashes and burns? Are they all so greedy as to drag us into a sick game of chicken where everyone is trying to fuck the other guy over while ignoring the results of 20+ years of this pattern of behavior?
It will end, and I am certain it will end soon. Soon could be anywhere from tomorrow to three years in my estimation. I am not 100% sure of what the economic collapse would do – no one knows. As a Prepper, I’m doing my best to prepare for the worst, which is a complete collapse of our government, for a while. That while may be a few years, but I have enough faith in the American people that eventually we would get our country back up and running again.
I wonder if our government would actually collapse, as we have spent how many billions of dollars on Continuity of Government (CoG) planning and preparation? I suspect our armed forces would do just fine, as they have years worth of food stockpiled on the bases. Congress, the Senate, etc would all be there, too.
I guess it really depends if the collapse is like Argentina, or not. Argentina had the luxury of being able to use other currencies, i.e. the US dollar, while their economy got itself back together. The same was done with Zimbabwe, although their problems are still occurring. We do not have any for of “fallback currency” because every other currency (except possibly the Yuan) is tied to our economy in some way. So if we go, you can bet the Euro, Yen, etc. are on the same meteoric fall.
The question is if the dollar does collapse, and there are no social security benefits, food stamps or welfare checks I wonder what happens to those that were dependent on them. There will be pockets of unrest and violence as those who feel they are entitled to others property loot, pillage and rape. I wouldn’t want to be in Compton, Detroit, the Bronx or LA when the check didn’t come in the mail and law enforcement was figuring out if they were going to show up for work that day. Likewise, I can guarantee there will be large areas where the rule of law remains. Places in the boonies, away from cities and urban sprawl. Places like Idaho, Maine, the swamps of Florida, and the Texas panhandle. Just because there are no welfare checks doesn’t mean you go kill your neighbor.
It’s going to be a wild ride. Those with the foresight to stockpile food will eventually become a target in a urban environment. No matter how careful you are, when you don’t lose weight as fast as everyone else there will be questions. Isolation avoids some of that, but even if your neighbor is a quarter-mile away, eventually they’ll notice your hale and hearty without waiting and fighting over MRE’s at a food drop by FEMA.
This is why we need firearms to protect our lives and property. Food is more important, but we still need to defend ourselves. Obfuscation, or OPSEC for the military-types, is one layer in our defense of life and property. Build your defenses in layers, and collapse them as needed. Perhaps you go and fight over MRE’s like everyone else, but donate them to families with children so they have extra rations. You make sure no wrappers or piles of #10 cans are visible for nosy people to see. And you don’t grill that deer you poached over your BBQ grill where everyone for 10 miles can smell it.
The one thing a collapse would teach us all is how to think. How to assess our environment by a whole new series of questions. Is it a threat or not? Did I give away my position? Will the neighbors hear me if I shoot the deer with a gun, or should I use a bow? Is the poo from a bear, a dog, or a human?
I’m noticing as the DOW drops, the amount of doom and gloom articles in the main stream media increases significantly. More and more of us are aware of how bad the economy really is, and soon we will hit a tipping point where no amount of bullshit from the Fed can turn the enlightened away from the truth of the situation. When that happens the collapse will be unable to be diverted and the keystone will be kicked out, allowing the whole structure to collapse like a house of cards.
Tags: economy
I don’t know how it’s lasted this long. However, it has, we are on a dead end road where they kept “kicking the can”. China doesn’t seem to happy with us, things are going down hill fast.
I have noticed msm and even Keynsian economists saying things like “get cash!” or “invest in barbed wire and bullets”….when the liberals are saying this, it’s time to start packing to head for the hills.
I hope and pray that our society does not disappear! I believe in hoping for the best and preparing for the worst! I have been steadily increasing the food storage. I am good to go on he ammo and weapons front. Having some upgrades done on the house to protect from hurricanes and other things! I have some like minded individuals who may (have not worked everything out) come to the house and add to food and security. I could use more spare parts for the weapons but have stuck with common calibers and redundancy on the weapons. Hang tough and be safe!
Brad in South FL
“We do not have any for of “fallback currency” because every other currency (except possibly the Yuan) is tied to our economy in some way”
The day that Americans stop buying cargo ships full of cheap junk from China – because the dollar is worthless – is the day that tens of millions of Chinese begin slow starvation. Or at least massive, massive deprivation as the bogus US dollar cash flow that has sustained them falls apart.
I think you are correct that our economy will collapse. We will see an economic collapse the only question is when. The federal government is not trying to “fix” the problem they are trying to put off the inevitable so it doesn’t happen on their watch. But it will happen and when it does it will be far worse simply because we will have used our resources and time putting it off instead of fixing it. However!! Our “government” will not collapse. It may/will change and it may be less effective, more expensive, corrupt, socialist, whatever. It will not collapse it will morph. Some communites will fail and perhaps even some states. Many communities will continue to provide water, sewer, electricity, police and fire protection. Probably not as competently as in the past and some things may be working one day and down the next. In many small communities it will probably be just as safe after the collapse as it was before the collapse. What will be different for everyone will be the economy, what food and products are available, income/jobs, the future. It is possible that we could elect a president who was both competent and committed to fixing the problem AND elect a congress with similar qualities. If we do then the depression could be short, i.e. 4-6 years. If not it could go on for a decade or two. Our government will survive but what kind of government we have will determine if we all will survive. We made a big mistake in Nov 2008. We better fix it and soon.
I am with you. The economic down turn has really made me step back and look at my current situation. I have slowly been liquidating what I feel to be unnecessary items and picking up holes in my preps that I figured I would eventually get around to filling. My main hope is that the inner city handout folks turn on each other first to thin the herd a bit before they start looking elsewhere. The wife and I have talked about the Bug Out plan and alternate routes and what to bring, and how much to pre-place. Unfortunately my BO location like yours is in upper snow belt (rural northern WI for me) and that has it’s own challenges. A lot to think about while trying to live day to day with a family and not make yourself crazy.
Hey guy! Some fo the best reading I have seen for a while. I have been skipping you because you were not writing much so there was a lot of catching up on to do. But it was worth the wait. Don’t think for one minute that the market is not going to crash. Up 125 one day and down 125 the next is no sign of stability. The crash is coming and the big boys know it. Even the liberals are starting to catch on as you mentioned. We are gardening and doing what we can to make it. No money and three older people. Not the best of circumstances but sure as hell not the worst. We have some willing hearts, even if one haas a defibrillator hooked up to it. Ain’t giving up for no damn banker business. Again, I was very pleased to read your thoughts this morning. Well done!
Michael