Economic recession/depression
Mark Anderson
November 06, 2008
Rather than throwing more fiat money into the economy, which is the exact problem with the economy, politicians should be talking about things I discuss in this piece.
In my previous commentaries, I have written about our impending economic problems. Unfortunately, these problems are only going to be made worse through more government intervention. Thus it is imperative that we come up with real solutions to become self-sufficient in case of a crisis.
I have recommended stocking up on non-perishable food. That is a very good idea. But think of other essential items that may be needed in situations where there is no electricity due to rolling blackouts, or gasoline shortages, and no way to heat your home through dependence upon the grid. Also, think of ways to replenish food.
We all hope that we never have a complete disintegration of the economy. However, given the present bipartisan consensus, preparation is paramount. The key to survival is going to be able to function independently from the grid, if necessary.
Certainly, you will want to take measures to protect yourself in case of rioting or looting, such as stocking up on ammunition. However, don't look for confrontations. Avoid confrontations. Stay away from crowds. And remember the example of Jesus Christ. Using deadly force to curtail property crimes does more to diminish one's own moral standing than it does to benefit humanity by cleansing the planet of a few rogue individuals.
As the economy slides into depression, it is imperative that moral and Christian people use this as an opportunity to assist and help the needy, lest we be damned for self-centeredness. In other words: don't just think about things that you can do for yourself, but think about things that you can do to prepare to help others. Throughout all of the strife that our nation is going to face, the biggest satisfaction that you will get will come from showing love towards others.
My regret is that, as a disabled veteran, I am not wealthy enough and positioned to help others in ways I would like to. One thing I have done in a way that has helped others is I have refused Social Security disability, despite having a dozen screws in my shoulder. On a peripheral note: this is libertarianism in action, which dispels the notion that it is based upon nihilism, greed and predatory action. If we forego committing crimes against people with legal sanction (i.e., using government agents to steal on our behalf), then why would we wish to commit crimes against people without legal sanction?
Network with your neighbors and your local community, so that you can all help eachother. Talk to them about the possibility of economic collapse, and things they can do to prepare.
Think about ways to become self-sufficient. Get yourself one of those small outdoor fire pits that sell for around $50 - this could work for both a source of heat and cooking. If you don't already have one, get a wood-burning fireplace installed. This would work for heating and cooking. Get yourself a charcoal grill or two. Even those mini ones would work. I just picked one up for $5 at Wal-Mart. Look into solar systems for alternative sources to grid-based energy.
Think about the possibility of needing to find alternative sources of water, rather than through your local utility company. Get a good water filter with plenty of extra filters. Get water purification tablets. Stock up on bottled water.
2)Never point your weapon at anything unless you intend to shoot it
3)Keep your finger off the trigger until you intend to fire
4)Keep your weapon on safe until you are ready to fire
Think about other essentials, such as toothpaste, soaps, and other toiletries. Supplements that are known to have bactericidal properties. First-aid kits. Rubbing alcohol, peroxide. Batteries and flashlights. Non-electronic can-openers. And there are some other alternative treatments which I know for a fact based upon my own personal experience and firsthand knowledge of others' experience - and, no, I do not sell them - that can treat certain types of cancer. I will not get into any particulars right here, other than just to mention the word bloodroot.
Bottom line: if the economy gets extremely bad, it will come down to being as self-sufficient as possible, and as independent from the grid as possible. Networking with others whom you can trade and work with will be essential. Everybody has a skill, an expertise. Even if things don't ever get that bad for you, there is no harm in preparation.
Most importantly, look for ways to help others. America will be judged even more harshly if we do nothing to help those in need.
In terms of where you should position yourself financially. You should obviously want to be solvent, so that you do not have to fear an eviction. Self-sustenance becomes difficult without owning land. The people who will get hardest hit are those who have large amounts of debt, do not own their homes, or are renters.
What to do with your money: keep enough in your bank account for necessary transactions (e.g., bill payments and so forth), have some cash outside of the bank in a very secure location (e.g., where it wouldn't burn up in a house fire) on your own property in case of bank failure, but don't be over-exposed to dollars. Get yourself some precious metals. I always advocate going for quantity, i.e., bullion, not the numismatic stuff. The idea is to have real money that can maintain its purchasing power as the dollar's purchasing power is eroded, and which may come into use as money again if there is a collapse of the dollar.
The recommendations I make when suggesting what kinds of metals to get and from where, I say go to a reputable metals trading company, such as Blanchard, or Northwest Territorial Mint. I say get the one ounce Krugerrand coins from Blanchard, which is the closest price you will get to spot from any other trader that I know of. Northwest Territorial Mint offers the best rates on silver bullion (particularily their own NWT minted coins).
That said, I am not the metals fanatic that I was back when gold was dirt cheap at $275 an ounce. But stay away from U.S. equities. The reason I am not a gold fanatic at this point, is because I recommend making the essential preparations for self-sufficiency that I describe in the first part of this commentary. If we have food shortages - and I pray we don't - food will replace gold as the most valuable commodity. In short: food will become the currency in a complete collapse.
So, have some precious metals on your portfolio, but don't be over-exposed to metals, either. Have some cash on hand, but not so much of it that if the dollar got wiped out through hyperinflation that you would be left broke. Have real things needed to survive stockpiled. Of course, cut back on needless expenditures, such as television sets and the latest technological fads. That is my recommendation for a diversified portfolio in times of economic crisis.
While I have studied economics and have made accurate predictions in the past, I, too, am human. I, like everybody else, cannot see into the future. Thus what I write is intended as advice only, but know that if you follow it, you are doing so at your own risk. This was a commentary written by me, and I do not sell anything, nor am I associated with any of the mentioned metals traders.
In my previous commentaries, I have written about our impending economic problems. Unfortunately, these problems are only going to be made worse through more government intervention. Thus it is imperative that we come up with real solutions to become self-sufficient in case of a crisis.
I have recommended stocking up on non-perishable food. That is a very good idea. But think of other essential items that may be needed in situations where there is no electricity due to rolling blackouts, or gasoline shortages, and no way to heat your home through dependence upon the grid. Also, think of ways to replenish food.
We all hope that we never have a complete disintegration of the economy. However, given the present bipartisan consensus, preparation is paramount. The key to survival is going to be able to function independently from the grid, if necessary.
Certainly, you will want to take measures to protect yourself in case of rioting or looting, such as stocking up on ammunition. However, don't look for confrontations. Avoid confrontations. Stay away from crowds. And remember the example of Jesus Christ. Using deadly force to curtail property crimes does more to diminish one's own moral standing than it does to benefit humanity by cleansing the planet of a few rogue individuals.
As the economy slides into depression, it is imperative that moral and Christian people use this as an opportunity to assist and help the needy, lest we be damned for self-centeredness. In other words: don't just think about things that you can do for yourself, but think about things that you can do to prepare to help others. Throughout all of the strife that our nation is going to face, the biggest satisfaction that you will get will come from showing love towards others.
My regret is that, as a disabled veteran, I am not wealthy enough and positioned to help others in ways I would like to. One thing I have done in a way that has helped others is I have refused Social Security disability, despite having a dozen screws in my shoulder. On a peripheral note: this is libertarianism in action, which dispels the notion that it is based upon nihilism, greed and predatory action. If we forego committing crimes against people with legal sanction (i.e., using government agents to steal on our behalf), then why would we wish to commit crimes against people without legal sanction?
Network with your neighbors and your local community, so that you can all help eachother. Talk to them about the possibility of economic collapse, and things they can do to prepare.
Think about ways to become self-sufficient. Get yourself one of those small outdoor fire pits that sell for around $50 - this could work for both a source of heat and cooking. If you don't already have one, get a wood-burning fireplace installed. This would work for heating and cooking. Get yourself a charcoal grill or two. Even those mini ones would work. I just picked one up for $5 at Wal-Mart. Look into solar systems for alternative sources to grid-based energy.
Think about the possibility of needing to find alternative sources of water, rather than through your local utility company. Get a good water filter with plenty of extra filters. Get water purification tablets. Stock up on bottled water.
Know where lakes are, and - if you haven't already - take up fishing, so that you are practiced up in case you need to fish for food for yourself and others. Grow a garden. Grow apple trees and so forth. Get yourself a good hunting rifle, in case you need to hunt for food for yourself and others. Of course, learn firearms safety rules BEFORE handling weapons.
1)Treat EVERY weapon as if it were loaded
2)Never point your weapon at anything unless you intend to shoot it
3)Keep your finger off the trigger until you intend to fire
4)Keep your weapon on safe until you are ready to fire
Think about other essentials, such as toothpaste, soaps, and other toiletries. Supplements that are known to have bactericidal properties. First-aid kits. Rubbing alcohol, peroxide. Batteries and flashlights. Non-electronic can-openers. And there are some other alternative treatments which I know for a fact based upon my own personal experience and firsthand knowledge of others' experience - and, no, I do not sell them - that can treat certain types of cancer. I will not get into any particulars right here, other than just to mention the word bloodroot.
Bottom line: if the economy gets extremely bad, it will come down to being as self-sufficient as possible, and as independent from the grid as possible. Networking with others whom you can trade and work with will be essential. Everybody has a skill, an expertise. Even if things don't ever get that bad for you, there is no harm in preparation.
Most importantly, look for ways to help others. America will be judged even more harshly if we do nothing to help those in need.
In terms of where you should position yourself financially. You should obviously want to be solvent, so that you do not have to fear an eviction. Self-sustenance becomes difficult without owning land. The people who will get hardest hit are those who have large amounts of debt, do not own their homes, or are renters.
What to do with your money: keep enough in your bank account for necessary transactions (e.g., bill payments and so forth), have some cash outside of the bank in a very secure location (e.g., where it wouldn't burn up in a house fire) on your own property in case of bank failure, but don't be over-exposed to dollars. Get yourself some precious metals. I always advocate going for quantity, i.e., bullion, not the numismatic stuff. The idea is to have real money that can maintain its purchasing power as the dollar's purchasing power is eroded, and which may come into use as money again if there is a collapse of the dollar.
The recommendations I make when suggesting what kinds of metals to get and from where, I say go to a reputable metals trading company, such as Blanchard, or Northwest Territorial Mint. I say get the one ounce Krugerrand coins from Blanchard, which is the closest price you will get to spot from any other trader that I know of. Northwest Territorial Mint offers the best rates on silver bullion (particularily their own NWT minted coins).
That said, I am not the metals fanatic that I was back when gold was dirt cheap at $275 an ounce. But stay away from U.S. equities. The reason I am not a gold fanatic at this point, is because I recommend making the essential preparations for self-sufficiency that I describe in the first part of this commentary. If we have food shortages - and I pray we don't - food will replace gold as the most valuable commodity. In short: food will become the currency in a complete collapse.
So, have some precious metals on your portfolio, but don't be over-exposed to metals, either. Have some cash on hand, but not so much of it that if the dollar got wiped out through hyperinflation that you would be left broke. Have real things needed to survive stockpiled. Of course, cut back on needless expenditures, such as television sets and the latest technological fads. That is my recommendation for a diversified portfolio in times of economic crisis.
While I have studied economics and have made accurate predictions in the past, I, too, am human. I, like everybody else, cannot see into the future. Thus what I write is intended as advice only, but know that if you follow it, you are doing so at your own risk. This was a commentary written by me, and I do not sell anything, nor am I associated with any of the mentioned metals traders.
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