Posted on 01/01/2011 6:41:26 PM PST by TheConservativeCitizen
Prepper (noun): An individual or group that prepares or makes preparations in advance of, or prior to, any change in normal circumstances or lifestyle without significant reliance on other persons (i.e., being self-reliant), or without substantial assistance from outside resources (govt., etc.) in order to minimize the effects of that change on their current lifestyle.
Over the last few years millions of Americans have lost their jobs, millions more have lost or face losing their home. There is a palpable feeling that politics, culture, and the basic fabric of society is continuing to unravel and with that comes increasing fear and uncertainty. The middle class continues to be hopelessly squeezed as the rich get richer and the poor get poorer while viewing the alliance between big government and big business as an increasing danger to themselves and the American way of life.
The Right increasingly sees the Left as a true and actual danger to personal freedom and constitutional guarantees. Obama’s election caused more money to be spent on firearms and ammunition in a year than any other event in US history. An unsustainable level of governmental spending has many now speculating about an inevitable depression, economic collapse, or a least a serious drop in the average person’s earning power and standard of living.
And our nation remains at war with a ruthless enemy that continues to attempt to harm us in the homeland. Even though somewhat remote, the chance of a major biological, nuclear, or chemical terrorist attack upon a major city still exists. War, insurrection, riots, civil unrest, and serious natural disasters (like Hurricane Katrina) are not unknown upon the continent and will undoubtedly take place again in the future.
(Excerpt) Read more at constitutionclub.org ...
How do we prepare for gas going up to 4 and 5 dollars a gallon. Pray that God punishes the greedy SOBs who are in cahoots to cause it.
I recently built a house well out of town (20 miles from downtown Charlotte), and though I'm not a full-fledged "survivalist," safety against the unexpected, whether civil insurrection or natural disaster, was in the back of my mind.
Water/sewer is most critical, and it feels good to have my own well and septic system. Of course, the well pump won't work without power, so I have a built-in emergency generator which runs the pump as well as the a/c compressor, lighting, and major appliances. The generator is propane-fired, as is my main heating system, so I don't have to depend on gas mains. If things get so bad the propane truck can't get to me to refill my tank, we're all screwed anyway.
So, in theory, I can survive a loss of water/sewer utilities, a break in natural gas lines, an electrical power outage and even a cable outage (sat dish is powered by the generator). I never made it past Cub Scouts, but I remember the motto "Be Prepared." I'm almost there, but this article reminds me I need to build up my non-perishable food stocks. And an extra can-opener, just in case. And, of particular importance, a back-up corkscrew.
My prediction is $5.50 per gallon in CA by midsummer, with diesel even higher. It will effectively shut down the food distribution network. Whole transportation companies will vaporize. Loads will be dropped where they are, beside the road, because owner-operators cannot afford to pay for the diesel to deliver the load because the load no longer pays for the diesel to deliver it. We almost made it to collapse at $4.00 a gallon. $5.50 will destroy the economy.
Gas at one station here today was $3.28
Everybody can cut back, learn to do on your own; heck we plant 400 lb seed tatoes every spring; ain't all that hard. It's not what you make, it's what you spend that counts.
Not having a costco within 600 miles makes one get real about possibilities we may see someday. I could do the same thing anywhere in America just the same; but sure would be hard to break the weekly Wally world. fast food, ect trips.
We only got on the grid 20 years back, so everybody has generators and the ability to survive around here.
I think the biggest challenge we face will be financial. If inflation goes nuts, the dollar is only worth 10 cents, then by cutting costs one will be well served to some extent.
When I talk to friends who live in Anchorage & Fairbanks, I'm amazed at how much they spend on just everyday costs of living; but then they also have 3 vehicle payments to get all the family members here and there. I only put maybe 5000 miles a year on my 1990 ford trk, under 100K on her too.
You all probably think I'm nuts off the deep end, but no joke; life is good, we are quite content, and they'll never starve me out; if ever come what may.
Good synopsis of the (probably) coming problem. Most people, when warned of $5.50 gas, will think in terms of paying $80, rather than $40, for a fill-up at the gas station. But that, of course, isn't the problem. An $80 fill-up is a mere annoyance. A dysfunctional distribution system (food, and much more) is serious stuff.
I live in a rural part of Joisey. The thing that gives me the most comfort is a wood burning stove. It can provide warmth, boil water, and cook food. Highly recommend it if you don’t have one.
Gold, in the form of physical gold, or safer and more liquid, shares of gold mining stocks or ETFs, is a good hedge against inflation.
And inflation is upon us; falling real estate values are offsetting skyrocketing fuel and food costs, so "official" government stats show no inflation. But in the real world of necessities, inflation has arrived, and will ramp up in coming months.
“At what point will the people break? “
Look at Europe if they try to implement austerity here I think the same thing will happen. Another trigger could be when main street figures out that the Fed printing is to pump up the stock market while no real recovery is seen in jobs they are creating conditions ripe for civil unrest since the Feds printing is also causing inflation on items people need like food, gas.
Add to that many people are stressed having lost money on their pension funds/401k’s and millions have lost their jobs and homes. I think the attitude of the people will quickly worsen as food and gas, etc. rise.
Stocks up 17% since Bernanke Fed QE2 published disarmed critics
“What the Fed is trying to do is reflate the economy,” said Ward McCarthy, chief financial economist at Jefferies & Co. in New York. “To the extent it has prevented expectations of outright deflation and encouraged an increase in the stock market, then it’s been a success.”
The Roman people used to say, "Goats are the best money, at least you could eat it".
Related thread:
What Good Can a Handgun Do Against An Army?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-backroom/2312894/posts
We've had a 3 year supply of food for years and grow alot; kinda our reality when shipping costs are over a dollar/pound. I had my boy bring in 120 tasters choice when he flew home at xmas. Sugar & Chocolate nx spring, and lots of it when we make our first supply run once road opens.
Everybody should can meat too, luv that pressure cooked meat. In lower 48 people can buy milk cows cheap off local farmers.
Including lots of military field manuals available for downloading, first aid and field surgery manuals, finding drinking water, helpful hints and tips. And all of it available for free. Just create a free account and find all of the information under resources.
America! It's about
On many levels, this has been one of the most rewarding and enjoyable things I've done in my own lifetime. If anyone is interested in starting a preparedness group in your own area than drop me a private message and I'll be happy to help you get started.
Back when my wife and I were still dating I invited her over for supper one evening. Right in the middle of cooking the power went out. It was wintertime and my wood stove was rippin'. Without missing a beat I quickly transferred our meal from the stove top to the wood stove to finish. She, being a city girl, was in awe. For me, it was just another day on the mountain....
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