All That Is Necessary

At What Point Is The "Social Contract" Null & Void?

The headlines at this point in time are centered on the government takeover of the health-care system.  However, in the shadows government also continues to press hard for Cap & Trade, Amnesty for illegals, and other power grabs.  This is a massive transformation of our nation into a socialist state.  That is not hyperbole!  It IS happening and has been happening since the early 1900's.  Little by little over the past 100 years the collectivists have been chipping away at our Constitution and our freedom.  Today we are just seeing the culmination of the dreams of the collectivists.

I would venture a guess this is not the desire of most Americans.  Since the founding of the USA there has been a sort of "social contract".  We, the people, give up some of our freedom as individuals so the government can provide a basic, minimal framework for defense, commerce between states and a court system.  Some citizens do not abide by the contract, but most still do.

At what point has the government breached this contract?

Remember these words?

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new guards for their future security"

As it says in the Declaration Of Independence, "governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes", and that people will put up with a lot rather than abolish the things to which they are accustomed. 

BUT, at some point the contract has been so destroyed by one party that it cannot be held to exist any longer.

I would say we have passed the point where this government has the consent of the governed.  They have become destructive towards our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (property).

We have a chance in November 2010 to attempt to institute a new government.  This may be our last chance to do so.  Make sure you a part of the fight.  Fight for constitutionalists in the primaries, then vote for them in November. 

We can restore our social contract as it was meant to be if we want to, but only if we really desire it.

Debt - It Is OK If You Are The Government Run By Liberals

You probably have seen this headline:

CBO: National Deficit to Hit Nearly $10 Trillion Over Upcoming Decade

"The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office predicts that Obama's budget plans would generate deficits over the upcoming decade that would total $9.8 trillion. That's $1.2 trillion more than predicted by the administration."

Hey, what's to worry about?!?!

I keep having this word in my brain.  That word is "unsustainable", as in not being able to be sustained, as in our goose is cooked if we don't stop spending and start paying down debt.

We all know the "stop spending" part will never happen while the liberals are in charge.  So, pray for a massive upheaval this coming November, or stock up on gold/silver/food/ammo.  (Yes, I am one of those "preppers".)

I Predict ALL Attacks On Government Institutions, Or Anywhere Else While We're At It, Will Be By Right Wing Tea Party Extremists

This will save everyone any sort of real thought or investigation on anyone who flies a plane into an IRS building or shoots up the Pentagon, does something evil, etc.  Any person doing so will be a part of the Tea Party Movement and will obviously be a right wing extremist.  Also, probably a crazy gun nut.

Hey, don't blame me.  That is what our always accurate, always deep-investigating mainstream media reports.  And you know they are always right.  Never mind that the Pentagon shooter was a registered democrat, hated George Bush and thought the government blew up the World Trade Center.

I'm not kidding.  You could have a turban-clad suicide bomber in mid-town Manhattan screaming "Allah Akbar" before he blew himself up and the press would tell you he was a distraught member of the Tea Party movement, a right wing extremist, and a gun nut.

So just prepare yourself.  Today's mainstream media is worthless.  But you already know that.

How Much Time Is Left?

Does anyone else have that nagging feeling that things are going to be coming to a head soon? 

It seems everything (recession/depression/job losses/deficits/runaway spending/increased government controls/islamic fanaticism) is coming together in a perfect storm.

I'm sure this will make some groups very happy (e.g. the Cloward-Piven crowd - you know, the ones who want to destroy capitalism and the USA by overloading the system and replacing it with their socialist utopia.) 

They may get their wish, but it won't be any "utopia".

We All Need To Learn To "Fish"

We probably all know the quote:

"Give a man a fish and he eats for a day.  Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime."

Simple, and so true.  It also highlights the stark difference between today's liberals and those of us who love freedom.  The entire liberal handbook is about giving the masses their daily quota of fish.  This keeps the population dependent on the rulers for their existence.  The people know as long as the liberals are kept in power, they will get their fish. 

For a lot of people in the U.S. today, there is no longer the belief that they can learn to fend for themselves.  This is where our educational system has failed miserably since the 1960's.  Liberals took over the schools and indoctrinated generations of kids with the poison of liberalism.  They were taught to look to government to solve their problems. 

My belief is that everyone needs to be taught to fish.  When people learn they can succeed on their own whole new worlds are open to them.  They are no longer dependent on the liberal government.  They work hard, they succeed, they help others to succeed.  It is a virtuous cycle. 

What we need to do is get the schools back from the liberals and start to teach these kids how to fish.  I don't care what color you are or what belief system you have; every child out there has unlimited potential.  We should be teaching them that they are capable of ANYTHING!  And most important of all, we need to teach them the history of this country, warts and all.  And show them that, for all our faults, there have never been a more fantastic place to live and raise a family.  They need to have teachers that show pride in the USA.  Show them what our ancestors have accomplished in 200 short years!  And teach them the responsibility to keep themselves, and their children free.

It will be a long process.  The liberals will not give up, ever.  The schools are pretty thoroughly tainted.  But you can start at home.  Pay attention to what your kids are taught.  When you hear about some liberal garbage, teach your kids to find the truth.  The Internet is a wonderful tool.

Itching To Get The Garden Started

My garden last year was my first attempt at a vegetable garden that would actually put food on the table for my family.  The result?  We would have starved to death.  (As a result I added even more canned goods to the pantry!)

I learned a lot last year.  The main thing is that sunlight is important!  I have moved the garden to a new location after taking down about 40 trees.  I am also expanding the number of 4-foot square plots.  I am determined to learn how to grow food!   Even my meager supply of home grown tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers showed how far superior they were to any store bought stuff!

Anyway, I still have a few weeks before I can start even the seeds indoors.  I may put some pictures up in the next few weeks.  We'll see.

In the meantime, maybe you should start thinking about a garden of your own.  Even if it is a container garden on your balcony.  (We did grow a LOT of herbs in containers on our deck, so I know you can do that much.)

If only half the bad stuff coming down the road hits us, you may need that garden in a bad way.

Why Do Guns Play Such A Big Role For Survivalists?

It doesn't take too long surfing through survivalist sites to get the impression that firearms play a pretty big role in this lifestyle.  Along with all the shelter, food, supplies, tools, etc., you will see discussions about the best type of firearm for a wide range of situations.

Why?  The primary answer is really simple.  To protect your life, the lives of your family, and your property.  If you are not capable of defending what you need to survive, then you are not prepared to survive.  It does not have to be an end of the world event.  It can be as "normal" as the aftermath of a hurricane, or Korean shopkeepers in Los Angeles protecting their stores with shotguns during the Rodney King riots. 

For me, owning a gun, and knowing how to use it, is in keeping with some words of George Washington:

"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."

(And for any who think that preppers are gun nuts just waiting to go all "wolverine", I think I am safe in saying that 99.9999999% of preppers hope to God they NEVER have to use their weapons on another human being.)

On a related note, a country full of gun owners helps keep us ALL safe.  The mere knowledge that the U.S. population is heavily armed on an individual basis has saved us from invasion at least once:

"You cannot invade mainland United States.  There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass."  Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto

I think it is also on the minds of our own government at times.  The collectivists in our government hate gun ownership by the people.  The freedom/liberty crowd loves gun ownership by individuals.  Not hard to figure out why.  Since I am going quote-crazy here, I will leave you with one more:

"Americans need never fear their government because of the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation."  Gouverneur Morris

In a reality-based world, you cannot have true freedom without the means to defend yourself, from all enemies, foreign and domestic.

(OK, OK...I would be remiss if I did not mention one other reason.  Testing your skill at the pistol range, rifle range, skeet or trap range is just pure, flat-out fun!)

Peak Oil?

A lot of survival blogs keep preaching something called Peak Oil Theory.  They think we have maxed out production of oil, or soon will, and that economies will crash around the world as oil runs out.

I have to say I am not sold on this idea at this time.  Will we eventually run out of oil?  Sure!  Will it be anytime soon.  I don't think so, but, of course, I could be wrong.

The major reason I do not buy into the Peak Oil Theory is that we have not even drilled in areas we know contain billions of barrels of oil and trillions of cubic feet of natural gas!!!!!!  How can we say we are running out when we haven't even gone after what we know is there?

When we have found all the oil and gas that is on this planet, then I will pay attention.  Right now, the major reason for the high price of oil is political, not supply and demand. 

Yes, again, at some point supply WILL run out.  But I think there are enough other great reasons to get prepared for "not good times" than worry about Peak Oil.

Disclaimer: I have absolutely no technical qualifications to preach about Peak Oil.  I just have 40+ years of reading and watching various doom and gloom preachers concerning oil.

Why Preppers MUST Pay Attention To The News

As irritating and depressing as it may be to see the incredible lunacy coming out of the collectivists in D.C. and State Capitols it is imperative that anyone who is trying to prepare his or her family for whatever comes down the road to stay up-to-date on what these "leaders" are trying to do to the USA.

You cannot properly prepare unless you have the most current information.  For instance, California recently instituted rules that caused the Big Berkey Water Filter people to stop selling in that state.  If you were paying attention you had several months to get one before the shipments stopped.  

New tax on ammo somewhere?  Stock up.  Sugar shortage, seed shortage, etc.  Same deal, stock up.  If you are aware of these things you can PREPARE. 

Also, from the news it appears the collectivists might be in for a rough ride this November.  Be involved with that effort and keep informed.  If more free market types are elected it may want to change your mix of supplies.

Even if you are completely off the grid on your 100 acres of forest, streams and ponds you need to pay attention to the rest of the world.  Because if you don't you can be sure down the road the world will be paying attention to you and your 100 acres.

Revolver vs. Semi-auto

I have a lot of fun reading the arguments on other sites about whether your handgun should be a revolver or a semi-automatic.  Just thought I would throw my two cents in, even though I am a definite beginner in this field.  (I am much more familiar with rifles and shotguns.)

After taking the Basic Pistol and Concealed Carry courses from the NRA I got my Concealed Carry Permit.  Then I had to decide which handgun to buy for the home.  (This would not be my "carry" gun.  I still have to save up a while for that one.)  We used revolvers in the courses, so I naturally leaned toward a revolver.  Semi-autos seemed too complicated.  Then I did a bunch of research on both types of guns.  Pretty good arguments for and against on both sides.

Finally I made a couple of trips to the gun shop where they allowed me to handle any handgun I wanted to.  And I tried a lot!  My "newbie" decision came down to one thing.  How the gun felt in my hand.  Simple as that.  Some just felt too big, or too small, too wide, too thin.  Some were top-heavy, unbalanced, some were just "uncomfortable".  This narrowed the choices down considerably.

The result:  I bought a Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm Semi-Auto.  It fit my hand like a glove.  It is also a best seller, meaning parts should be easier to get and the 9mm is a popular round.

I took it to the range and put a bunch of rounds through it.  Felt wonderful.  Very little recoil and easy to shoot from either hand.  When I stripped it down to clean, it was not nearly as complicated as I thought it would be.

My wife is in the process of getting her Permit.  But she handled my gun and did not like it.  It did not feel comfortable in her hand.

So, with all the research you do as far as stopping power. style, type, don't forget maybe the most important thing.  How does it feel in your hand?

Happy shooting!