As the U.S. Economy Grinds To Halt....

WASHINGTON—The U.S. economy ceased to function this week after unexpected existential remarks by Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke shocked Americans into realizing that money is, in fact, just a meaningless and intangible social construct.

What began as a routine report before the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday ended with Bernanke passionately disavowing the entire concept of currency, and negating in an instant the very foundation of the world’s largest economy.

“Though raising interest rates is unlikely at the moment, the Fed will of course act appropriately if we…if we…” said Bernanke, who then paused for a moment, looked down at his prepared statement, and shook his head in utter disbelief. “You know what? It doesn’t matter. None of this—this so-called ‘money’—really matters at all.”

“It’s just an illusion,” a wide-eyed Bernanke added as he removed bills from his wallet and slowly spread them out before him. “Just look at it: Meaningless pieces of paper with numbers printed on them. Worthless.”

According to witnesses, Finance Committee members sat in thunderstruck silence for several moments until Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) finally shouted out, "Oh my God, he's right. It's all a mirage. All of it—the money, our whole economy—it's all a lie!"

Screams then filled the Senate Chamber as lawmakers and members of the press ran for the exits, leaving in their wake aisles littered with the remains of torn currency.

U.S. markets closed as traders left their jobs and resolved for once to do or make something, anything of real value.

As news of the nation's collectively held delusion spread, the economy ground to a halt, with dumbfounded citizens everywhere walking out on their jobs as they contemplated the little green drawings of buildings and dead white men they once used to measure their adequacy and importance as human beings.

At the New York Stock Exchange, Wednesday morning's opening bell echoed across a silent floor as the few traders who arrived for work out of habit looked up blankly at the meaningless scrolling numbers on the flashing screens above.

"I've spent 25 years in this room yelling 'Buy, buy! Sell, sell!' and for what?" longtime trader Michael Palermo said. "All I've done is move arbitrary designations of wealth from one column to another, wasting my life chasing this unattainable hallucination of wealth."

"What a cruel cosmic joke," he added. "I'm going home to hug my daughter."

Sources at the White House said President Obama was "still trying to get his head around all this" and was in seclusion with his coin collection, muttering "it's just metal, it's just metal" over and over again.

"The president will be making a statement very soon," press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters. "At the moment, though, his mind is just too blown to comment."

A few U.S. banks have remained open, though most teller windows are unmanned due to a lack of interest in transactions involving mere scraps of paper or, worse, decimal points and computer data signifying mere scraps of paper. At a Bank of America branch in Spokane, WA, curious former customers wandered aimlessly through a large empty vault, while several would-be robbers of a Chase bank in Columbus, OH reportedly put their guns down and exited the building hand in hand with security guards, laughing over the inherent absurdity of the idea of $100 bills.

Likewise, the real estate industry has all but vanished, with mortgage lenders seeing no reason to stop people from reclaiming their foreclosed-upon homes.

"I don't even know what we were thinking in the first place," said former banker Nathan Collins of Brandon, MS, as he jimmyed open a door to allow a single mother and her five children to move back into their house. "A bunch of people sign a bunch of papers, and now this family has no place to live? That's just plain ludicrous."

The realization that money is nothing more than an elaborate head game seems to have penetrated the entire country: In Wilmington, DE, for instance, a collection agent reportedly broke down in joyful sobs when he informed a woman on the other end of the phone that he had absolutely no reason to harass her anymore, as her Discover Card debt was no longer comprehensible.

For some Americans, the fog of disbelief surrounding the nation's epiphany has begun to lift, with many building new lives free from the illusion of money.

"It's back to basics for me," Bernard Polk of Waverly, OH said. "I'm going to till the soil for my own sustenance and get anything else I need by bartering. If I want milk, I'll pay for it in tomatoes. If need a new hoe, I'll pay for it in lettuce."

When asked, hypothetically, how he would pay for complicated life-saving surgery for a loved one, Polk seemed uncertain.

"That's a lot of vegetables, isn't it?" he said.

(Part 2: Half of US citizens riot, randsack & plunder. Other Half becomes the New Pioneer Patriot.)

Storm is Brewing...Indicators

Citing what he believes are clear signs the economy is bouncing back from recession,Vice-President Joe Biden yesterday touted Barack Obama's 'stimulus package' and bailout of Wall Street.

The Obama administration's economic stimulus program has allocated $620 billion so far and created or saved at least 2.3 million jobs, Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday. "The Recovery Act is working," Biden said. "It's going to continue to work. It's not over."

Time for yet another fact-check on the pathological liars of the Obama Administration.

Banks are failing at double the rate of last year. During 2009, which the government claims was the peak of the recession, the total number of bank failures at this point in the year was 40. It is already 83 for this year. As losses have mounted on loans made for commercial property and development, the growing bank failures have sapped billions of dollars out of the deposit insurance fund. It fell into the red last year, and its deficit stood at $20.7 billion as of March 31. Yet the FDIC is running ads on radio stations across the country attempting to scare people away from keeping their savings at home and making the wildly erroneous and reckless assertion that as long as the FDIC insures bank accounts they can never fail, no matter what. That statement is a bare-faced lie.

The FDIC depends on bank fees and taxpayers to insure deposits in banks. So, what if banks continue to fail? Where will the money come from to 'cover' bank accounts? A taxpayers bailout? Such a notion is also ludicrous when the U.S. is in debt by over 13 TRILLION dollars, and when one adds in unfunded liabilities, that debt is actually 109 trillion. usdebtclock

If the U.S. were to sell every single asset we have--land, homes, businesses, everything, the total value would be roughly 50 trillion. Thus, we are in debt at the rate of DOUBLE the amount of our entire value.

In addition, the number of jobs the Obama Administration claims it has 'saved or created' includes multiple thousands of temporary jobs, such as census workers, who will be out of work very shortly. The private sector is clearly NOT rebounding when it comes to job creation.

One more dire indicator of continued economic distress is the rate of home loan defaults and foreclosures. The number of homes repossessed during April is at an all-time high of 92,432. That is a 45% increase over April 2009. If repossessions continue at this pace, more than 1.1 million homes will be lost in 2010. About one in four U.S. homeowners is underwater and 5 million of those borrowers owe mortgage debt that exceeds their property values by 25% or more. The total of negative equity in these deeply underwater borrowers is a whopping $655 billion.

These various factors add up to one simple, sobering truth--the economy is not on the rebound, and the Obama Administration and the Democrat-controlled Congress (which has been in Democrat hands since 2006) can take little comfort in what that means for the upcoming midterm elections in November....but alot can happen between now and then...are you prepared?

What happens when you TAX the masses.....

.....they get creative.
Politicians make the mistake of not hearing the people, they spend the peoples money, and then they increase taxes.

For those who have or think they have alot of money, adjusting will be a slow, slow painful process.
The so-called middle class have been adjusting for quite some time.
The Prepared have a much different approach and that is to Unplug from the system.

No matter, sooner or later, Vat or Flat, high taxes will change the profile and proclivities of the American people.

Americans by nature are pretty savvy, creative and inventive people. We could all just not pay taxes period and teach them a big lesson, because afterall, they can't put us ALL in jail, right? Nah... but there are options that hit politicians and municipalities in the pocket book and it's also completely legal and ethical.

* They say you can't squeeze blood from a turnip, so if you are living a lifestyle that allows you to work for minimum wage, then do it. Remember it's something like 40% of Americans who actually pay taxes in this country...Become one of the 60% who don't, and increase those numbers to 80% or more. If you are financially stable then work less whenever you possibly can and stay home.

* Drive as little as possible so you don't pay as much in fuel taxes.(Store some fuel,if you can,before the price goes up). If you can ride a bike, do it...not to go green, but to hit them in the pocket book. Walk more.

* Do you need that new TV, that new video, or that new whatever toy? Don't buy it. Avoid the sales tax every way that you can. Remember after 9/11 Bush told us to go out and spend our money for the economy? What good did that do for us? Hit them in the pocket book and refuse to contribute to anything that generates sales tax revenue. Shop at garage sales whenever possible..that's how you can help your local economy and keep money flowing to your friends and neighbors who need it most. Buy from them, not the big chain stores, tax free.

* Food. Many states impose sales tax on food...don't contribute. Grow your own, Can your own, Store your own. Keep the money at home. Start a garden or go to farmers markets. Barter with neighbors.
Shop LOCAL and support local. At least the taxes that do get paid stay local. Then there's classifieds, craigslist, internet sites, ebay and other taxfree outlets.

* Don't die. If you don't want your family to share your assets with the Gov's death tax, distribute or enjoy it now.

* Family - Staycations or local weekend outings...spend time with your family. Family fun comes cheap with local parades & backyard BBQ's, Arts in the Park and festivals, camping or day hikes. Become a tourist in your own state, just do it in ways that don't contribute to the tax base.

* Quit drinking if you can...or make your own. As far as I know you can legally make wine or brew your own beer most places in this country. Remember, don't let them get the tax revenue.
Quit smoking if you possibly can. (there's a reason they don't want to outright ban tobacco...it makes them too much tax money)

* If you can, live small, rent or think RV lifestyle. Don't pay the outrageous property taxes. If you feel the need to own a home, then own as cheap and small of a home as possible...they assess taxes based on property value. If you do intend to keep your home and plan to never sell, then do whatever you legally and ethically can to drive your property value down. Do you really need that addition or even fresh coat of paint? The inside can be as luxurious as possible but the exterior should be modest and plain....sound counter productive? I think not, not if it saves you money. Housing has gone down in value from 5 years ago, so have your property assessment readjusted at courthouse.

* Do you have extra vehicles that don't get used much? Boats, atv's, snowmobiles,etc. If you can sell them, then do, or at least park them and let the tags expire. Vehicle registrations are a big tax hole. Drive older cars especially if you live in a state that bases registration costs on the value of the car.

* Credit cards. Cut them up. Pay cash. Don't let the credit card companies profiteer off you. Get your finances off the grid so Federal Government can't get MORE income taxes.

* Utilities? Your call, since you will be spending more time at home, so enjoy. Phone and cable? Just look at that statement and see all the taxes added to the bottom line. Maybe you can do away with the landline and just use your cell phone.

When you start to pay attention to ALL the taxes, you will see that you have a bigger stake in the decision of VAT vs. Flat tax.
Unplug yourself from the system, at least as much as you possibly can, because you and everyone else will be doing it SOON anyway. Don't feed their system...starve it. It will suffer and they'll be forced to make real change.

Pay Attention to Agriculture!

The AG community is becoming more and more alarmed at the potential impact of Cap and Trade on not only the COST of food, but also its AVAILABILITY!

Food prices jumped by 2.4 percent in March, the most since January 1984. Vegetable prices soared by more than 49 percent, the most in 15 years. Gasoline prices rose 2.1 percent, the department said, the fifth rise in six months.
In the past year, wholesale prices are up 6 percent, with much of that increase driven by higher oil prices.

NO ONE in the news media, Fox News included, is talking about this!

The "Indirect Land Use" provision of the house-passed Cap and Trade bill will, by itself, transform up to 59 million acres of cropland back into forest. This is about 14.5% of US cropland, according to the USDA. This will reduce crop acreage and increase food prices. And that's just a small part of the bill!

As progressives intentionally increase the cost of oil-based fuel, it will have potentially devastating impacts on food prices and food production. One of the leading agriculture analysts in the country said that the US will be "transformed" from the world's largest exporter of ag products into a net food IMPORTER! That's amazing, because for generations, America has been the breadbasket to the world.

The average American farm is about 10 times more productive than the farms throughout the rest of the world. The main reason for this is cheap, abundant availability of crude oil. Farm machinery runs mostly on diesel fuel. If that fuel is too costly -- or UNAVAILABLE -- then food production would plummet and we could see shortages, rationing, or worse! Imagine the civil unrest if that were to occur!

Nearly 90% of American farms are still owned by families. If they couldn't get -- or couldn't afford -- to buy fuel for farm tractors and combines, food production would be devastated in a single season. Farm machinery tills the soil, plants the seeds, fertilizes the plants, and harvests the product. Machinery produces hay and feeds livestock. As the prices of these commodities rise, or their availability is curtailed, the price of food is directly affected. It's possible that we could see for even the 'availability' of food to be affected.

It seems unimaginable that we could ever see a famine in North America. But people need to know that the potential is there if energy costs skyrocket or there are shortages. Americans have no idea how dependent they are on cheap food prices and the cheap, abundant energy that makes that food supply available!

4/26 In the NEWS Today:
Some of the startling food price increases on a year-over-year basis include, fresh and dry vegetables up 56.1%, fresh fruits and melons up 28.8%, eggs for fresh use up 33.6%, pork up 19.1%, beef and veal up 10.7% and dairy products up 9.7%. On October 30th, 2009, NIA predicted that inflation would appear next in food and agriculture, but we never anticipated that it would spiral so far out of control this quickly...
http://libertypulse.com/article/5383/

Better Get Prepared!

You hear that comment more and more these days. When you watch the different guest speakers and even the show hosts themselves tell of different events in the news and actions of the progressives in Washington, they all say, "You need to get prepared, people."

Many might think this means to 'get your Head wrapped around the concept' that things are going to get bad before they get better....
I think that means alot more and they just don't want to say 'get ready for the worst!' When the worst happens, nobody is going to come to your rescue.


We are at peak crisis in America. They say we can go one way or another, back to the Founders or toward Socialism and where the progressives want us to go. Either way, it can't happen fast enough. Before either happens, America as we know it, will be CHANGED. There's just not enough time. If Conservatives were in full control right now, there's still not enough time to make the changes necessary to ward off the damages made to the economy, the weakness in world image, the US Debt. The BIG moves that would need to be made TODAY, not even good conservatives are going to be in any big hurry to do. It will take fortitude and fierce drive to abandon past ways and formulate the shift in downsizing our government. And WE people need to be of the disposition and charactor, that no matter how HARD, we can adjust to the transposition that needs to occur.

We need a big Do-Over. We need a collapse of our own controlled recipe and not the 'other kind'. All government strangleholds need to be lifted. All government programs need to cease. Government payroll needs to be shut off. State governments collect set % taxes and the IRS collects only 10% flat federal tax...period. Military is their only priority. No Social Security, no Welfare, no Medicade/care, no subsidy to any entity, no Unions, no EPA,USDA,FDIC,HHS,etc. All political candidates get equal time and funds, No campaign contributions or pensions...candidates run on their word and actions, and they run for office out of duty and principals, not for the pension or to make a career of it. When they make
huge revisions, they will need to be strong enough to shed the ridicule and whining, because there is sure to be some. We will need to do many HARD things, make the sacrifices needed, and adapt. We are a resilient strong people and as true American patriots, we can make it.

Why should you care if you prepare and what to do first?

When you are properly prepared, you will not be a victim of any Future Event, but easily adjust & survive it. Get Proactive in your own immediate world. When I am asked what to do first to get prepared, I say food and water is priority #1. Sounds simple right? Well, it is right now. Grocery stores still have stocked shelves and the dollar is still stong. Without food and water you die and it won't matter that you still have unpaid bills. Being debt-free is a good goal, but not at the expense of begging your neighbors to feed your children. When you stock up before an event, it is not hoarding, it is just smart. Doing it later will be dangerous. No one will be coming to help you, not fema nor red-cross, not nobody. Invest in food, the best insurance that you could ever need. People send thousands off in an envelopes every month to protect against an event that might never happen, so why not invest in a policy you can bring home and keep in the basement should you need it now or later? Insurance; car/life/health/home, will not be any good and will not matter much if you are dead from starvation.



Scary times are here, so when you hear the media say 'get prepared people', this is what they are really talking about. Do NOT wait. When you are properly prepared, you will not fear, it’s as simple as that!

Definition of a Prepper:
Prepper (noun): An individual that prepares in advance of or prior to any change in normal circumstances, to be without reliance on other persons or outside resources (govt.), in order to minimize the effects of change on their current lifestyle.

What's NOT in the News?..until now?

There's alot in the news to decipher these days, don't you agree?
Mainstreet Media is busy with hollywood news, crime reports and junk.
MSM never gets to the political point unless it is pointing blame.
Fox is fair and balanced willing to tell the truth on issues omitted by the others, but I think they are tiring of being the bearer of bad news all the time.

Glenn Beck is the guy out there on the edge willing to show the boring numbers and put them in to perspective and to give the history lessons that go with them. He's like the favorite history teacher who keeps the class learning with humor, remember those teachers?

What's NOT in the News?
2 days last week Beck had shows that finally 'someone' in media is brave enough to do and that is to address meltdown or collapse of the dollar and what people need to be doing to just get their head wrapped around it.

These are on Youtube and the shows are on 4to5 segments w/no commercials, so just click down through them.

Show 02-10-10
http://glennbeckclips.com/02-10-10.htm

Glenn Beck Show 02-11-10
http://glennbeckclips.com/02-11-10.htm

Prepare for the worst and hope for the Best!!

Time to Take Care of Your OWN Money!

A bill to move New Mexico's money out of big national banks


and into local banks and credit unions has some serious legs in the state's legislature. The bill passed the New Mexico House of Representatives unanimously on Monday, and it already is scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday in the Senate.

The idea is that more liquidity in local banks translates into more loans to local businesses and a stronger local economy.
They got the idea for the legislation directly from the Move Your Money campaign, which encourages individuals to withdraw their deposits from "Too Big To Fail" banks in favor of local banks.

Imagine that!

I think the bigger message here is that if people at the State level are doing it...why wouldn't YOU???



Now here's a thought....why wouldn't you want to move 95% of your cash to your pocket, then home to a very safe place???
Think for a minute. Cash sitting in the bank drawing zippo for interest, then suddenly there's a run on the bank. Are you going to get there before the doors are closed? Are you going to be able to cash out, so to speak. With cash on hand, you will be able to get to the grocery and load up before the shelves are bare or before the looting and riots begin. Do you see where I am taking this conversation?

This is my warning to you 80% of the people who are not Preppers. Prepare now. The best investment you can make with that money is in food. If you listen to the news and sifer though the bs, do 3rd grade math, you can only come to one conclusion. Things are not going to get easier in life no matter how much you work or how secure you think your job is. Collapse of the Economy, Meltdown, Death of the Dollar, these are just names given of what will happen in society and is out of your control. But your 'family' is your world. Wouldn't the best investment for the future be to make sure you did everything you could to get ready for it?

http://moveyourmoney.info/

Depression or Collapse...Angry America

We are rapidly moving toward a dangerous time in our history. Society as we know it is vulnerable to political and social unrest.

The dollar, mismanaged by the Fed, has not been a benefit to the savers who sought to responsibly take care of themselves. They’ve been cheated by a rotten system and are just beginning to understand exactly how the Federal Reserve has been responsible for the swindle.
It’s impossible to predict the time when confidence will be lost, but it can come quickly. Resorting to buying other paper currencies will not be of much help. When the dollar crashes, most likely the purchasing power of all currencies – since all countries hold dollars as a reserve – will go down as well.

This means that dollars and other currencies will go into buying consumer items, precious metals and other physical properties. Consumer prices will soar, as well as interest rates. The central bank will lose control; and the more they inflate, the worse the confidence becomes. The interest rates will respond to these efforts by rising sharply.

If the Fed tries to reverse the run on the dollar, interest rates will also soar, and the pain on the American citizens will be of such proportion that political chaos will result. Either scenario leads to political and social chaos – the third event, and the most dangerous.

With no ability of the federal government to fund its commitments, international or domestic, major changes will occur in our system. The social unrest will elicit cries for government to exert unusual force to head off a complete breakdown of law and order. The ultimate trap will be set for a system of government claiming to protect a free society.

If more power and police authority are not given to the federal government, it will be argued that only anarchy will result. If more government policing power is given, it will mean a lethal threat to civil liberties. Already we have permitted the notion that a single person, the Attorney General or the President, can decide who is an “enemy combatant”, thus denying that individual the right to habeas corpus, permitting indefinite detentions without charges made. This attitude toward civil liberties has changed significantly since the fear built around 9/11.

Yes, I know, declaring one an “enemy combatant” is reserved only for the radical Muslims engaged in terrorism against the United States. To be reassured by this reasoning is quite dangerous and naïve. Logic should not lead us to equate suspects with terrorists, and include American citizens, and yet this has already been set by precedent. Under difficult circumstances, our political leaders will not be hesitant to use these powers to maintain order. Tragically, the people may even demand it.

We are rapidly moving toward a dangerous time in our history. Society as we know it is vulnerable to political and social unrest.

This impending crisis comes as a consequence of our flawed foreign and domestic economic policies, a silly notion about money, ignorance about Central Banking, and ignoring the onerous power and mischief of out-of-control intelligence agencies, our unsustainable welfare state, and a willingness to sacrifice privacy and civil liberties in an attempt to achieve safety and security from an inept government. Dangerous times indeed!

What can be done about it? Must we wait for the inevitable and expect to restore our liberties in a street fight against the overwhelming power of the state? Not a good option!

The only way that we can prevent blood from running in the streets is to offer a better idea of the proper role of government in a society that desires first and foremost liberty.

And that is impossible without a firm commitment by our thought leaders to the ideas of freedom, the source of all creative energy and prosperity. An all-powerful state is the threat to that ideal.

The prevailing attitude of the people, as it once was in early America, must be that of liberty and self reliance, rather than the nanny state and dependency, relying on government force to mold all private choices.

If this is understood, a smooth, although not painless, transition to a free society is achievable. Ignoring this option will be very destructive to everything that is dear to the hearts of most Americans.

What is it that we must do? We must immediately embark on:

*Balance the budget by reducing spending
*Change our foreign policy to that of non-intervention
*A full audit and more supervision of the Federal Reserve leading to abolishing
the Federal Reserve
*Legalize competition to the Federal Reserve with competing currencies
*Regain respect for civil liberties and privacy while reigning in the CIA
*Wean ourselves off the dependence of wealth transfers by government
*Abolish crony capitalism: no subsidies, no bailouts, no regulatory or tax
privileges to protect the powerful elite, especially the military-industrial complex
*Eliminate the income tax, inheritance tax and taxes on savings and dividends.

None of this can happen without the restoration of Congress to its dominant position of the three branches of government as was originally intended by the Constitution. The Executive and Judicial must be reined in, and Congress must assert its prerogatives over all legislation curtailing all unconstitutional agendae through budgetary controls.

Signs abound that angry Americans are now more ready than ever before for a change in direction that is indeed real. If this program were improvised, even suddenly and dramatically, the adjustment, though significant and to a degree somewhat painful, would be much shorter and of minor consequence compared to the chaos and poverty that will result if we refuse to change our gluttonous appetite for a free lunch.

Particial excerpt from Ron Pauls article

A scary scenario: The One-Hour Meltdown

Every once in a while I read something that stops me in my tracks and slaps me up the side of my head, as my dad would say. Earlier this year it was the book Patriots by James Wesley, Rawles. The picture he paints of a possible TEOTWAWKI* scenario was just ghastly.

Ever ask yourself what would 'really' happen if banks shut down or the power went out? There's always the possibility of nature or nuclear....so what would it be like?

Now I’ve found another plausible future scenario that is just as appalling, and yet it doesn’t seem impossible. The warning signs are all there, and when one begins connecting the dots and thinking about chain reactions, all of a sudden it doesn’t seem so crazy after all to begin prepping. You can read “The One-Hour Meltdown” here. It will give you a lot to think about. Maybe knowing how to make a solar still and having all the equipment stored in the trunk of my Tahoe is a good idea after all!

* TEOTWAWKI – “The End Of The World As We Know It”, a term coined by Mike Medintz,

"CLICK HERE TO READ"

Economic crisis spurs spike in 'Suburban Survivalists'

Jim Wiseman has taken to survivalism quickly, storing grain and other foods in his garage in La Jolla, Calif.
LINK
"We have no real causal understanding of the way our world works at all," said Markman, a professor at the University of Texas. "When times are good, you trust that things are working, but when times are bad, you realize you don't have a clue what you would do if the supermarket didn't have goods on the shelves and that if the banks disappear, you have no idea where your money is."

Ten Scenarios for Which YOU Should be Prepared

Preparedness. There is perhaps no other word that conveys so much, yet so little. What does it mean? To what areas of life does it apply (or not apply)? Being adequately and generally prepared of a necessity requires that we ask ourselves all sorts of questions, plan for various scenarios, and abstract our preparations enough such that they can apply to various circumstances, if possible.

For example, having a lot of food stored will help you if there’s an earthquake, fire, flood, unemployment, famine, etc. So, this preparedness item is quite versatile in its applicability and usefulness.

Preparedness in this context means acquiring the knowledge, skills, and physical possessions that would enable you to comfortably survive whatever may come our way. In most cases, external circumstances outside of your control dictate what you must go through, and thus you cannot reliably foresee what will happen. So, preparing for the unknown can be daunting, but it is by no means impossible.

The following list of ten items illustrate various scenarios and circumstances for which we should all be prepared. As you read this list, do not become alarmed, frustrated, or fearful. The information shared below is not intended to elicit any of these emotions. Rather, you should explore the various scenarios with an open mind willing to make whatever changes necessary to become prepared for that potential event. Take them one at a time, consider what you need to do in your own life to be better prepared in that area, and make an action plan. Do not let this list, or your own preparedness plan, overwhelm you to the point of inaction!

I fear that too many people would rather die before “anything really bad happens”. While I understand why some people might feel this way, I strongly disagree. Crises provide opportunities for service, leadership, inspiration, and love. You may never be more needed in your life than at a time when others around you look to you for assistance. In such experiences, you can fill a critical need and be a great help to those who need you. I fully intend to survive whatever the future holds, and so should you.

With that, I present the following list of possible scenarios for which we should all be prepared. They are listed in no specific order, and are by no means comprehensive.

1. Pandemic. The question you need to ask is this: if a pandemic broke out in America today (H1N1 is just one), am I prepared to self-quarantine in my home for the next three months? Do I have three months’ worth of food, water, waste disposal, medicine, supplies, savings to pay the bills, etc.? Can I home school the kids and keep the family sane and safe?

2. Economic Collapse. The headlines are scary to ponder these days, and our situation is in many ways grim. Much is being promoted by the various governments of the world to stave off depression, but the truth is that our economic house of cards is built on a sandy foundation. Whether it’s next week or in five years, there will be severe economic problems felt by every individual in the world. People have already lost their life savings, banks are closing their doors weekly, the value of the dollar is eroding, and the market is fearful of what the government is trying to do. The questions you need to ask are: how much savings can I build up? In my situation would it be wise to pre-pay certain bills? Should I diversify out of the dollar into gold or silver? How would I meet my basic needs and those of my family if an economic collapse occurs? Will barter be the new economy? Maybe food will be the only thing of value.

3. Martial Law. This sounds like something out of the movies or dystopian fiction, but it’s a very real possibility. As the economy worsens, there will be increasing civil unrest. Recently released documents from George Bush’s administration show that it had arrogantly (and un-Constitutionally) granted itself power to use the military inside the country’s borders to subdue and detain American citizens, free from any Constitutional checks or Posse Comitatus’ restraint. The groundwork for martial law has been in the process for some time, and its likelihood in the event of an “emergency” (whether real or contrived) is quite high. Even without using the military, our cities’ police departments have become highly militarized themselves. The question you need to ask is: do I have a personal plan tailored to my unique situation and location for surviving and escaping the heavy hand of martial law? Am I aware of my Constitutional rights, and taking steps to cement and preserve them now?

4. War, Terrorism, and Chaos—Inside Our Borders. Scared of Iraq? According to a military affairs website, Mexico poses a greater threat to our national security than do terrorist factions on the other side of the world. With stories like these, that’s not a surprising statement. And as the chaos creeps closer to our borders; as it festers from within as a result of a tanking economy; as unemployment and entitlement claims rise; as state budgets suffer, hand out IOUs to citizens, and cut spending in sensitive social programs; and in numerous other circumstances that might incite protest and rebellion, the violent actions summarized on nightly news broadcasts may soon become overwhelmingly repetitive. You need to ask yourself: do I have the ability to protect my family from gangs or those who are desperate and violent? Do I have a community of friends and family to survive with (strength in numbers)? What supplies should I acquire and what measures should I take now to create an environment of stability and safety later?

5. Earthquake, Tsunami, Volcano. We live on the Earth at its mercy. At any time, she can erupt, shake, and cause us to feel her presence to our physical detriment. This especially hits close to home for those of us (in Utah and California especially) who live on a prominent earthquake fault, or who live near the ocean, close to a volcano, or in an environment known for other severe natural disasters (hurricanes, fires, floods, etc.). Ask yourself: Do I have an emergency route and an emergency vehicle? Have I established a place of refuge to which I can flee, should it become necessary? Do I have basic survival skills and supplies necessary to survive on foot as I travel away from disaster? Do I have a communications and evacuation plan to reunite with my family in the event of a disaster, should we be apart at the time?

6. Nuclear. At the switch of a button, entire cities can vanish in a nuclear assault. The nations of the world have plenty of these weapons stockpiled, and frayed diplomatic relations and aggressive posturing may one day lead to a nuclear assault of varying proportions. You must ask yourself: do I live in a major city? If a nuclear event occurred within 300 miles of my home, do I have sufficient Potassium Iodide for all those I want to help? Do I have a safe shelter to avoid radiation? Do I know how to shield myself from fallout and how long I need to shelter in place? Have I acquired the knowledge necessary to survive a nuclear blast?

7. Food and Water Shortage. Nations throughout the world are already suffering from severe famine and a decrease in food production. As the economy is factored in and its effects are felt, the number of people suffering for want of food and clean water will increase. You should be asking: do I have at least one year of food and water stored, especially basic staples that can be stored in bulk for a long time? If my current water supply was cut off or contaminated, how would I get water? What items can I store that would be used in a barter situation, or which I could freely give to others that might be in need, yet still be able to provide for my family’s needs?

8. Communication Termination or Power Outage. Our communication network is vast, and yet very fragile. An EMP attack, strategic missile attack, or other similar assault could easily take down parts or our entire communication infrastructure in this country. You should ask yourself: do I have an emergency plan for my family that will allow us to communicate between ourselves and others as necessary? Do I own and know how to use a HAM radio, GMRS walkie talkies, and other communication devices that may allow me to access news, pass along important information, and otherwise be of assistance in the event we are unable to do so through conventional means? As far as power, just flip the main switch in your home and go without for 3 or 4 days. You will soon get a good idea of what all you need to stock up on to get by.

9. Discord and Division. As world events escalate, people will look for someone to save them from their problems. Some look to government, others to God, others to themselves, and others to the tempting stash of goodies in their neighbors’ basement. Perhaps a civil war or revolt in which you have to pick sides, for or against? At what point does the choice to be passive no longer exist...it might be picking political sides or protecting the haves against the havenots, maybe even the healthy against the infected.

10. Tent City and Places of Refuge. As a result of foreclosure and economic trouble, tent cities have been popping up in various cities for some time now. Authorities in Sacramento, CA, now estimate that 1,200 people are living in a tent city there, trying to cope with the hand that they’ve been dealt, and get back on their feet. Tent City with thousands or State Park on our own?? I prefer the latter, an extended camping trip out of necessity or invitation, you should ask: do I have the resources necessary in order to do so? If, for whatever reason, I had to leave the comfort of my home, head to a retreat in the boonies or live in the outdoors for an extended period of time, what would I bring? How would I stay warm? What would I use for shelter? Another option is to look to family or friends that might welcome your arrival if you come prepared and won't be a burden, safety in numbers. Plan ahead.

Now take a deep breath. I, as much as anybody, hope that none of these things ever happen. But looking over history and closely following current events, the sad reality is that the potential for each is surprisingly high.

We must be prepared, and ready to help ourselves, our family, and those around us. Doing so requires a plan...and mapping out our current plan’s weak points, assessing in what ways our supply of items is deficient, and making an actionable to-do list of things we will work on both in the short and long term.

It’s a lot of work, yes. But as conditions worsen around us, those who have prepared will be ready for the future and able to continue moving ahead in their life. My firm determination is to survive whatever may come our way, and (hopefully) comfortably! I hope you’ll work towards the same goal.

Visit Survive the Worst blogfor more great info.
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$1 will save you $9 If You Prepare Now

The former Army General that helped restore order in New Orleans after the chaotic days following Hurricane Katrina recently spoke at a Baton Rouge luncheon on hurricane preparedness issues and he challenged the attendees to, "start right away getting ready for the next potential disaster."

In his speech he warned the people that the cost of waiting to prepare was extremely high and he stated that, "Every one dollar you spend on prevention saves you nine dollars later."

He explained how people should not expect the Federal Government to come to their rescue and how it is every individuals responsibility to ensure their own safety. "Honoré at times expressed impatience at what he saw as the failure of too many to have common sense in regard to coping with natural disasters. For instance, why, he wondered, don’t gas stations and drug stores all have generators so they can continue to operate and supply critical fuel and prescription drugs during emergencies?" Seems logical to me.
http://survivetheworst.blogspot.com/


Last wednesday our local evening news announced that every citizen or head of family should make sure they have 2 weeks worth of food in their homes. Shocked me at first! It's the first time I heard it officially announced. It wasn't in reference to a H1N1 outbreak and the need to stay at home with sick kids. It was in reference to a widespread power outage....and that's exactly what has happened today. It didn't reach into our area, but close enough!


OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A large power outage has left thousands of people in western Nebraska and S. Dakota without power.

Nebraska Public Power District spokesman Mark Becker says a problem with a Western Area Power Administration transmission line that runs out of South Dakota into western Nebraska has affected all utilities in that region.

He says at least 14,500 customers NPPD customers from S Dak and 12,000 Nebraska are without power. The outage began about 11 a.m. Saturday. Becker says NPPD is slowly restoring power to its customers. Calls to Western Area Power were not answered. A recorded message stated the utility was closed for the weekend. Western Area Power provides power to 15 central and western states.
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Update:
POWER OUTAGE - Power restored to western Nebraska and South Dakota. Problems with a transmission line switch that feeds power affected all utilities in that region.

Comparing the news today and the announcement on the news last week, this power outage could have been alot worse...the transmission line switch could have not went so well and power could have been off for up to 2 weeks with grocery stores and restaurants shut down for the duration. Just another reason to be prepared for all scenarios. Sometimes an emergency doesn’t need to be brought on by Mother Nature, terrorism or a major financial collapse. Get Prepared!