Yes it will be nice to have nearly unlimited candles during a two or three day power outage. But when I really boil it down in my own head what I’m really getting ready for is the big one. What form that will take is not entirely unanswerable. Given the geographical size of America it is hard to believe that the “Big One” will come in the form of some natural disaster. The country is simply to large for a single hurricane to wipe out the nation. Like the hurricane in New Orleans a natural disaster leaves a country badly bruised. But it is an event from which a nation, at least this nation can recover.

That leaves us with several “potentials” that could lead us in the direction of really needing to survive on your own or with your family for an extended period of time.

Throughout history societies and cultures are always in the state of becoming. We as individuals share this experience too, as we are in a constant state of “becoming”. You are not the same person you were twenty years ago, nor am I. Your ideas, values, and perhaps even your definition of right and wrong may have changed as you have matured. (hopefully for the better)

Generally speaking when any given government over steps their historical and/or statutory boundaries no matter if they are financial in nature,  policy driven, taking rights from the people or through taxation a revolt is not to far off. At some point you reach a tipping point and that is when the people have had and seen enough and they are literally willing to die rather than subject themselves or future generations to the lies and deceit that is being driven into their very souls.

Most recently we have seen this type of revolt in Iran after what appeared to be a very rigged election. In this particular situation at least for now the government will in all likelihood win the day.

We saw it in Tienanmen Square in 1989 when unpredictably the students and young people revolted against the government. At the time the protests were sparked by the death of Hu Yaobang, who was an advocate for democracy. Again, in this case the government was ultimately able to get control of their “subjects”.  As a side note on China I do expect that huge changes particularly in the politically arena in the next several decades. It is difficult to show people even a crack of freedom without them insisting on more…but I digress.

In Holland the Dutch Labor leaders are calling to keep Geert Wilders out of any new government after a “technical” default in their political structure. Wilders, billed as a conservative has and is advocating what is basically a cease and desist order on all immigration, specifically against Muslims. His position, supported by many, is tearing the country apart. His stance being that mass immigration is radically changing the culture of Holland and that a generation down the road the country will be unrecognizable.

French riots in July 2009 torn what is normally seen as a peaceful country apart night after night for nearly a week. In this case due to what was seen as an unjustified killing by the police. They are went from peaceful to a powder keg within a matter of hours.

Today here at home there is a undeniable proliferation of different groups taking sides on a variety of issue. There is a resurgence of Black groups, White groups and an immigration explosion of Latinos. Add to that, recent polls show a very high distrust for our government  Our culture is being separated. The common goal of the country lacks direction. And that is a sign of trouble.

Is the country on solid footing when it came to our financial matters. I don’t know. But we are not according to some of the professionals. Both Ben Bernanke and Tim Geithner have now acknowledged that we were no more than a few hours away from a complete financial meltdown 18 months ago.

Today the government borrows forty two cents of every dollar it spends. Unemployment and I mean the real unemployment rate in the country is running between 17% and 18%. Don’t believe me go look at the governments own figures.

So with all of that observed and noted what have we seen in the very recent past that is one of those big “signs”.

The Tea Party. No, I’m not a tea party guy. But think about it. What does it take to get middle aged to granny aged people up off the butt to come out to rallies. What is going on then literally hundreds of thousands of people show up in Washington to protest. In my mind, it takes a lot. It tells me that something in their gut tells them that something is not right. And that my friend, is a sign along the way that should not be ignored.

Cheers, prepare hard! Paul Karcher

If I knew a hurricane was going to be here one week from this Wednesday that would be a pretty  easy list to put together. But I don’t know when or what I will face, when it will start, or how long I will need to be self sufficient.

Thus, we are faced with what many of us see as the scramble  of a life time. Why, because what ever “it is” …it could happen tomorrow.

In some ways you can drive yourself crazy (and I have to some degree) trying to out guess myself regarding our overall supplies.

Should I buy a first aid kit first or should I buy another case of baked beans. Should I spring for a generator or should I go buy that used .40 Glock I saw the other day. It will drive you a bit nuts if you let it.

In the beginning (LOVE THOSE WORDS BY THE WAY) I would agree and suggest that you secure a few of the basics. Food, water and a decent first aid kit come to mind. Much of which you all ready have around the house. Don’t forget that much of preparation is organization. If you have it and need it but can’t find it you might as well not have it at all.

My son and I do most of the prepping around here and we are trying to keep things simple but focused at this point.

I don’t know about your house but at my house money is an issue. I can’t go out and spend twenty thousand dollars in one shot to get ready for an event they may not happen for five years.

Here then lies the solution, at least ours. Once you get a few of the obvious items that would be needed in nearly any emergency, start setting small goals.

For example my son and I just went out and bought five—five gallon gas cans. Total cost by the way about 60 bucks. In two weeks we’re going to go fill all of them up and store them in a safe place. Total cost, about 68 dollars.We would love to be able to go out and buy 100 gallons of gas and be able to fill twenty gas cans. For us right now that not practical.

We are now in the habit of spending about 120 dollars per month to prepare. Next month we will pick another area we think we need to fill in a bit more and we’ll drop another 120.

Now ever family budget is different but take the time to sit down either with yourself or with your spouse and talk about what that “number” is that you can comfortably set aside for that rainy, perhaps very stormy day. Cheers, Paul Karcher