Duncan:
Heading to a third world economy, is not the end of the world. Yeah, it is rough, but other countries have survived it, and USA can survive it, too.

Some persons paint the picture, like some scene taken from Mad Max. It is not quite that dramatic.

Getting ready for tough times is always wise. Good idea to have simplify expenses and to find ways to provide our needs.

But, as important as the material preparations, is the ATTITUDE. That's what worries me, even more than the economy, about the american society.

A society that is not mentally prepared for a depression (of any kind) and has guns, is a very, very, dangerous society. Panic and the shock to live without the comfort that they were used to, may create much more problems, than the depression itself.

I would recommend everybody, to mentally prepare for this very possible tough times. It is not just about stocking piles of food in your pantry and piles of guns in your bunkers. It is also abou stocking tons of common sense and flexibility in your mind and tons of tolerance in your heart.

USA has an individualistic society. That is going to make it hard to adapt to possible adjustments like:

1. Parents living with their sons/daughters in a limited space and with a limited budget. Third world countries, tend to be "family oriented", not just because of social/moral reasons. The economical issue plays an important part and it takes a lot of tolerance, patience, consideration, respect, etc., to make it work. Everybody needs to learn to be considerate and supportive. The word "mine" is not as used as the word "our".

2. Community and unity is a "must" in a third world economy, exactly for what you said: Money is restricted. To be ready to trade services (example: One week the neighbor takes the kids to school, one neighbor fixes your roof, you fix his car, etc).

In order to be able to work as a community, all that bullshit of suing for stupidities or calling the cops because you can't tell your neighbor to turn his music down, has to stop. Communication and negotiation without 'daddy authority" needs to be learnt by americans again.

Kids need to learn to respect and obey their parents again, and for that, parents need to spend more time teaching them discipline and manners. Stop treating your kids like mini gods, and then complaining when they reach adolescence and they really believe they are gods and deserve everything without giving anything in return.

I keep reading threads here about "running to the hills" and "surviving" with this individualist mentality. That won't work. That separation will only get people isolated, irritable and frustrated...and armed. Not a good combination.

In a third world economy, the individualistic mentality is out of context. You need to learn to create at least mentally, a social/family/group mentality to make it work or all those 'survivors' in their bunkers, will end up killing each other, for fear of being "invaded" or "robbed".

Good luck to all of you.


Best post of the day.

I SECOND THAT

I guess iam one of the few staying put -in a city
never mind you ... at least I am prepared spiritually
emotionally, mentally and well still missing the physically part.