Posted on 07/21/2009 1:37:40 PM PDT by iThinkBig
was curious what a 'collapse' would look like for a superpower and the most recent reference point is the former Soviet Union 1991-1998 meaning these events reach a tipping point rather then instantaneous collapse. The Russians experienced both a deflationary environment on non-essential goods and hyperinflationary on essential goods such as energy and food. If you lived in the colder portions of Russia you could expect enough diesel or electricity for two to three hours a day which kept a few people together under one roof from freezing. Food rations such as wheat were provided so starvation was rare but hunger prevalant.
In Russia this event created two seperate economies. one was the cash economy called the cash loop and the second is the barter economy, the barter loop. The general population would look for work but jobs did not pay enough for roof, energy or food. Needless to say, crime was rampant. Some entrepenuars became in effect brokers of debt trading for necessary commodities. Luxuries were black market only. So in a sense this scenerio would be an extreme life changer for the general population but not to the extent of those whom envision outright armageddon when collpase is discussed.
(Excerpt) Read more at ragingdebate.com ...
I always felt it wise to have 90 days food, water and medicine as well as home defense.
Just make sure you Google “economic depression” so that Larry Summers gets the message...
hh
prepare
Yeah, I am sure he’ll get that memo :) He will be drinking a scotch in manchuria as TSHTF talking about the oddities of violent human behavior to hunger, cold and loss of freedoms. But those around the world whom would host such people will just as easily confiscate the wealth and keep traitors far from there own economic systems.
That reminds me of something ... a few years ago, as I recall, someone in the Bush administration asked the Googlons what people were searching for in some area, probably either pedophilia or terrorism ... didn’t ask “Who was searching ...?”, just “What was being searched?”.
The Googlons then got all high-and-mighty about “We won’t tell you that - that would violate our user’s privacy”.
Somehow, though, they don’t have any problem telling Larry Summers what people are searching for.
He forgets, AT EVERY JUNCTURE, to mention the Radioactive Robot Cowboy Zombies With Jetpacks That Emit A Solid Stream Of Running Chainsaws From Their Mouths, That When The Chainsaws Hit, Spray Killer Bees Everywhere.
Its good to know what it looked like in other countries but ours will be a bit different. Probably worse.
A friend attended an economic forum at Harvard earlier this year where all sorts of “smart guys” were presenters. They picture they painted was that the Porkulus was pushed so hard to avoid this type of economic collapse. Still, even the wizards of smart gave it about 50/50 odds of working then, and my buddy thinks that’s slipped to 40/60 by now.
for later
If anyone has done research...they would know the U.S. used to keep days worth of food stored for every citizen. That is now down to less than a days worth! Should a national event happen or an attack...what will you do? Because the government won’t be there to help.
That is the reason I felt it was important to clarify the effects. Not that it’s a good temporary outcome but that it is not armageddon either. The biggest challenge will be to restore freedom because if and when this event occurs we will be looking a lot like the Soviet Union. Is Obama another Stalin? God, we had better hope not.
Oh they survey fueling stations for average amount of fuel on hand, and have lots of maps and such, but mostly they worry about physical facilities for out of town experts.
Who will then “wing it”.
Fixed that for ya, buddy.
Now it's perfect.
You sir are an extremely cunning linguist.
A nation spending it’s way out of debt by issuing debt is possible in the modern age IF:
1) The nation is the reserve currency. We’ll probaly lose that to competition within a decade.
2) The stimulus is utilized for innovation that acclerates jobs and sustainable wages. Health care cost cutting is not innovation (although necessary but not in it’s present form being suggested either)
3) Government starts by ‘Research’ in the R&D equation and enlists the public. I see no research and stimilus being handed out to the politically favored.
So, to the extent of Marc Faber’s prediction he will be right if we do not change this course and rather immediately. The 2012 elections and actions thereafter even if decent government is elected is a choice of debt default creating geopolitical consequences or servicing the debt, a decade + of extreme austerity. I say 2012 because according to my charts, voter revolution occurs 4 years after the start of depressions (Q4 2008 was start of deflationary numbers).
Or perhaps a master-de-bator. - Austin Powers
Amazing how the journalist cut off Faber just when he was getting good. That was really dropping the ball.
CNBC is famous for that. Any person on that has a bearish view is often cut off.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.