tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185219031783989911.post1276718224852276985..comments2023-12-23T02:16:43.463-08:00Comments on "Rational Preparedness" : The Blog: What if There Is No Economic Recovery ?JaneofVirginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320442534060401465noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185219031783989911.post-48097392405956498632013-08-03T17:36:32.764-07:002013-08-03T17:36:32.764-07:00And of course, I see the Constitution as more impo...And of course, I see the Constitution as more important than all of that. If they had allowed capitalism to work, and for bad banks to fail, then by now, the people who were employed by Bank of America would have started their own smaller banks, and I would have a decent bank. If the failures had occurred in 2008, then we would be on our way to recovery now, rather than on the verge of a nationalized health program which will kill some by virtue of conscious decision for some, incompetence by others, and bankruptcy for the nation. Obamunists are an abomination.JaneofVirginiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15320442534060401465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185219031783989911.post-39761537496942291762013-08-03T16:34:41.771-07:002013-08-03T16:34:41.771-07:00It could be that an economic disaster will require...It could be that an economic disaster will require drastic measures like suspending the constitution to save the country from the evils of capitalism. We already have a state run press, banking system, schools, farmers, energy, etc. What isn't the federal government in control of? Only conservatives view this as a problem, it is seen as an opportunity for others. Sunnybrook Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18135224259672444423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185219031783989911.post-43353216393989089832013-08-03T14:05:08.963-07:002013-08-03T14:05:08.963-07:00Our mortgage is also paid, but taxes and insurance...Our mortgage is also paid, but taxes and insurance are substantial, and there are fewer people paying to keep the county and the schools afloat.<br /> For years we have played a game in terms of being prepared and doing things as inexpensively as possible. This has allowed us money for other things, and for preps. However, it was much more fun as an intellectual exercise. Now, it's actually necessary. I worry about the people who don't know how to live frugally. I worry about their children, and I worry about our nation being ripe for communist takeover. Nowhere is far enough out not.<br /> Thanks for all your comments. I'm sorry rural Oregon is not faring better than we are.JaneofVirginiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15320442534060401465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185219031783989911.post-3081850222395857022013-08-03T14:01:06.934-07:002013-08-03T14:01:06.934-07:00Yes, of course. In addition our nation is almost ...Yes, of course. In addition our nation is almost 17 trillion in debt now. This is something we might never be able to pay as a nation.<br /><br />We are prepared and our children know how to live sustainably. I just just hoped for better for them.<br /><br />Part of me is happy that my parents aren't here to see this. Thanks for your comments.JaneofVirginiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15320442534060401465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185219031783989911.post-77288690088268487112013-08-03T13:58:19.047-07:002013-08-03T13:58:19.047-07:00This also makes me very sad. In addition to having...This also makes me very sad. In addition to having many friends in Canada, we have a home in Nova Scotia we bought in 2008. Our retirement account was falling in value so quickly, we wanted to stabilize it and diversify, and so we bought a house we thought could do that. The house there has held its value and gradually increased despite the costs of caretakers, maintenance, taxes, and travel there. However, Nova Scotians are worried. Even those who sent their children away to college can't find work when they're finished. Their children are leaving for Western Canada dividing families from adult children who would rather stay in closer proximity, especially in tough times. I pray for a recovery there also. In Canada we noticed that items are more expensive than in the US, however labor is cheaper, and this was helpful to us in maintaining the house, especially when there is episodic salt sea damage.<br /> Of course retiring there will never be possible. Canada fiercely defends its health care and jobs for its citizens. I wish the United States did.<br /> Thanks for your post, Ian.JaneofVirginiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15320442534060401465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185219031783989911.post-67385080006556110742013-08-03T13:30:13.619-07:002013-08-03T13:30:13.619-07:00Your description of what is happening in the rural...Your description of what is happening in the rural community sounded exactly like what is happening here. And....for a few sentences I actually thought you lived nearby. You are in Virginia...I am in Oregon. Same stuff going on everywhere. We are one again doing without, making do and buying and selling on Craigslist. Even though our place is paid for...We are old and eventually mortgages do get paid after 30 years...the taxes keep going up. So, how long can we keep that up? Ask Mr. Obama. Being on a fixed income and disabled is not easy. We will go down fighting. Tewshoozhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02564577459982968771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185219031783989911.post-2126850580127193222013-08-03T12:05:03.546-07:002013-08-03T12:05:03.546-07:00There is no recovery. Period. End of story. There ...There is no recovery. Period. End of story. There are really only two trustful indicators you can follow these days. Ok Three.<br /><br />1. Petroleum use overall. They cannot really fudge that number and all economic activity requires it's use. We have been averaging an 8 to 11% decrease per year since 2009. We are now below 1999 levels.<br /><br />2. Labor participation rate. They have not found a way to fudge this one yet. This number includes everyone who is currently employed by percentage of the population. It is now below 62% I believe and shrinking. It doesn't differentiate between full and part time so the number is actually worse than it appears. We are below 1950's levels.<br /><br />3. Another good indicator that the US government cannot fudge is Baltic Dry index or world shipping. It is also below 1989's levels and falling fast. Ships are being scrapped left and right that have years of service left.<br /><br />Things are not good at all. If we were in a recovery we would not be having so many bankrupt cities and states and so many municipal deficits. <br /><br />Get prepared NOW. This charade is almost over. Do not worry about your children finding jobs get them home and get them learning to live sustainably.<br /><br />It's going to be a long slow collapse and those of us closer tot he bottom are going to feel it a while before the top notices. We are going to have to persevere for a while before things get better.<br /> PioneerPreppyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09269878017447335944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185219031783989911.post-63384863794586848632013-08-03T10:57:26.935-07:002013-08-03T10:57:26.935-07:00Jane, I know that in Canada, once people stop look...Jane, I know that in Canada, once people stop looking for jobs, or run out of welfare, the government stops counting them. In the last recession, the unemployment rate officially was about 10%, but the actual rate was more like 17.<br /><br />I would add psychology to the list of non sciences. For every theory, there appears to be 2 or 3 that prove the opposite.<br /><br />By the way, it is significantly cheaper to live in the US regarding fuel, clothing and food compared to Canada.<br /><br />Canada Post is hinting that all local services will be transferred off shore in the near future. I consider them to be a dinosaur. They are so far in debt, they can't pay it off, yet they keep increasing the postal rate driving more and more people to the internet via email and financial means. I actually mailed a letter last year, the first one in many.<br /><br />I agree that our countries are in bad shape. Both are still trying to spend their way to a solution. Look at Detroit! how long will it take before a government itself goes bankrupt.<br /><br />It would be better for all counties to just say "We're broke, all debts are cancelled and start over with tighter safeguards and controls"IanHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15874490886311041312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185219031783989911.post-80203899571833006602013-08-03T09:46:50.263-07:002013-08-03T09:46:50.263-07:00Yes, I too worry a lot for my kids, and under thes...Yes, I too worry a lot for my kids, and under these circumstances, they are not planning to have children.JaneofVirginiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15320442534060401465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185219031783989911.post-49353100970985376912013-08-03T09:37:52.786-07:002013-08-03T09:37:52.786-07:00It can all make me angry or sad, depending my mood...It can all make me angry or sad, depending my mood at the moment. At the moment, it mostly makes me glad I have a heavenly home to go to and that I'm getting closer to it. That won't help my granddaughters any, though.Gorges Smythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08777621500611603786noreply@blogger.com