All the Ruling Class bickering over TAX HIKES (which in their Orwellian language are called tax "cuts"), should tell you all you need to know about where the economy is heading. Down the frickin' drain.
“Every single empire, in its official discourse, has said that it is not like all the others, that its circumstances are special, that it has a mission to enlighten, civilize, bring order and democracy, and that it uses force only as a last resort.” – Edward Said
The increasingly fragile American Empire has been built on a foundation of lies. Lies we tell ourselves and Big lies spread by our government. The shit is so deep you can stir it with a stick. As we enter another holiday season the mainstream corporate mass media will relegate you to the status of consumer. This is a disgusting term that dehumanizes all Americans. You are nothing but a blot to corporations and advertisers selling you electronic doohickeys that they convince you that you must have. Propaganda about consumer spending being essential to an economic recovery is spewed from 52 inch HDTVs across the land, 24 hours per day, by CNBC, Fox, CBS and the other corporate owned media that generate billions in profits from selling advertising to corporations schilling material goods to thoughtless American consumers.
Politicians and bureaucrats, both Democratic and Republican alike, actually believe it's all about them. They believe the world revolves around Washington DC. They believe your hard-earned income is theirs for the taking. They think laws are written to curry favor with their biggest donors. That money is to be counterfeited at their whim. The internet is theirs to control. Bombs are dropped for their technocratic Utopian dreams. You get the point.
Bottom-line: They hate us! Passionately.
Hang your hopes on politics and politicians at your own peril. The smart people are getting prepared.
A Real Emergency Fund
Here is a breakdown guide for a Real Emergency Fund:
Let’s say you were going to set aside $5000 worth of currency for a disaster. This is how I would break it down, you might do things different. Come up with a plan that works for you.
$1000 – Gold Bullion Coins – 1/10 oz. size (20% of your EF)
$1500 – US Dollars – by $20 and $10 bills (30% of your EF)
$1500 – Silver Bullion Coins – All sizes (30% of your EF)
$1000 – Barter items (see list below) (20% of your EF)Remember – come up with your "Real Emergency Fund" after you have completed your water, food, weapon/ammo, shelter, transportation and Bug Out Bag plans.
Here is a short list of ideas for Emergency Barter Items:
Tobacco: If packed in an airtight containers can keep for a very long time.
Canned Meat: Spam, don't laugh it stays good for a long time and it is great source of protein and fat.
Batteries: Alkaline and Lithium's batteries will be hard to get items.
Synthetic Oil: Full synthetic oils have long shelf lives and numerous uses. Also If filtered they can be re-used many times.
Antibiotics: Another great barter item worth huge exchange when your sick you'll "make-a-deal".
Multi Vitamins: Often overlooked but in a survival situation this will be essential to maintaining good health from poor nutrition.
Seeds: Another great barter item especially if you live in a good growing climate.
Ammo: Shotgun (12 gauge & 20 gauge), 22LR, 9mm, .45 ACP, 5.56mm/.223, .270, .308 (Note: Even if you don't own a .22, stocking 22LR ammo is a wise choice for barter because it is cheap and a lot of people own .22 Rifles)
Shampoo: A good barter luxury hygiene item that can double as soap.
Disposable Razors: People will like to be clean shaven.
Soap & Laundry Detergent: Good hygiene is important
Allergy medicine: You might not have them but a lot of people do.
Hard alcohol: It will keep for a long time and it also has a medicinal value as well. Wines will also last a long time. Beer, sorry not a good choice.
Aloe Vera: Good medical uses
Animal traps: An easy way to hunt without leaving your house.
Antacids – Heart burn may follow a bad diet
Antibiotics – Good medical uses
Anti-histamines – Good medical uses
Antiseptic – Good medical uses
Apple cider vinegar – Many uses
Aspirin – Good medical uses
Baby formula – Might be worth a lot to the right person
Can openers – Nothing worse than wasting half of the can of food trying to get it open
Candles – Beats sitting in the dark
Canned food – Easy to trade and always in demand
Coffee – Good coffee might be worth a lot to the right person
Cooking oil – Many uses
Fishing gear – Low stress way to gather food
Flashlights – As long as they come with batteries
Flour – Many cooking uses
Sea salt: See The Survival Mom's article on this, good read.
Tea – Medical uses and worth a lot to tea drinkers
Toilet paper – like gold
Tools – if you have extras and can trade they will be valuable
See Also:
