Posted on 05/20/2012 7:41:45 AM PDT by Kartographer
Systemic risk. I guarantee that most ordinary folks have no idea that if trucks stopped rolling all across America, within a short period of time nearly all Americans would all be in a life-threatening situation from major delivery shortages. 70% of all freight that is moved in the U.S. is done so by truck. You (we) depend on that ‘stuff’ for our survival. A major disruption in truck travel would immediately impact seven major industries, and would bring America to its knees within days due in part to “just in time manufacturing”, zero-inventory, and the fact that our modern way of life is entirely dependent upon unimpeded distribution chains.
(Excerpt) Read more at daily-survival.blogspot.com ...
Up until about 30 or 40 years ago what the local stores didn't stock was in your grandparents pantry, root cellar or in their garden. How many people have the same today?
Preppers’ PING!
Having been a commercial driver, I know exactly what you’re saying.
It would be so easy to bring this nation to its knees, by shutting down the distribution network. Problem is, the trucking unions will continue to do their “Socialist Duty For The Nation” and keep driving.
Put me on your preppers list.
/johnny
Pardon me for seeming dense, but why would the trucks just stop rolling? I can think of two reasons: EMP and nuclear war. Of course, there’s also plague and a zombie apocalypse, but you get my drift. Basically, the trucks are just a symptom of a larger catastrophe. I don’t think an economic recession or even a severe depression would bring American commerce to a standstill.
why would the trucks just stop rolling? I can think of two reasons: EMP and nuclear war.
How about widespread murder and looting? Why drive a truck if you think there’s a pretty good chance you’ll get shot?
When the trucks stop it will take a mere 3 days on average for most store shelves to go empty and then no more than 30 days for all warehouses to be empty, and most likely no more than 7 days. During those 3 to 30 days most items will go out of stock too quickly to count on getting any. During that time unrest will happen. Panic will set in. No amount of face time on TV by government officials can possibly quell the unrest. Why the trucks stopped will determine what happens next. If there is a financial collapse then all Hell breaks loose.
That’s why we need to get back to rail. It’s exponentially cheaper.
I hope my Mother in law tastes like chicken
she’s looking at you and getting out her cookbook, How to Serve Man, like in the Twilight Zone
With as little as commercial truck drivers are paid, it is amazing the trucks don’t stop anyhow, forget any other reason that might bring the nation’s supply chain to a hault.
If ever a group of people should be paid more, it is truck drivers.
> The Food Industry
I’m working on the food thing. I have my own well.
> Healthcare
We rarely use medical services and I have what I need.
> Transportation
I can work from home.
> Waste Removal
I have my own septic and I can burn my trash.
> Banking and Finance
This is my only exposure.
Also exponentially less flexible.
Define: “cheaper”. What is cheaper to build; a concrete drive or a rail line to every grocery store in America?
It’s all pretty scary. The ripple effects would be severe, the specifics of which are far too many to list here. You may be of the opinion that something like this could or would never happen. You would be wrong to think so.
So a spur going to every gas station and costco yeah that will happen
What trucking unions? The long haul drivers have rejected efforts to organize them. The Teamsters gave up trying. This is a group of people that are as American as apple pie, conservative and working hard.
There are certainly union drivers out there, but a vast majority of those driving long haul (independent and company drivers) from distribution point to distribution point are non union. Some are lucky to be pulling in $350 a week, and that is a work week that has them away from home for weeks.
Probably more like stringy cat...so use lots of salt.
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