Why TEOTWAWKI won't come

[bulrush]

Ok. I'm not here to burst your bubble or call you ignorant or anything like that. But I have been reading about TEOTWAWKI for 20+ years and have given this a lot of thought. This is why I don't think a TOTAL and SUDDEN collapse of the US or world will happen. A partial collapse, yes that is likely, or a slow decline, also likely.

The answer: greed.

Too many people rely on the general population to work (which means "generate taxes") and buy things so they can earn millions of dollars each day. Even in the financial (like stock) market, people depend on others to buy and sell stock so they can profit from that transaction.

You can't support greed (of CEOs and politicians) without commerce, and you can't have commerce (people buying things) without jobs.

Now it's certainly likely that the US economy will continue to contract in the next 30 years. Even though the baby boomers are retiring, we still have more people than jobs, even in Michigan, the worst state in the US if you look at many factors (job growth, unemployment, general economy, number on welfare, etc.)

However, prudent people will, of course, prepare for hard times, which I do believe are ahead. I'm not quite middle-aged, so I have plenty of time to experience hard times.

And there it is.

[Beo]

I disagree,
The economy in the U.S. at the present time is going down the toilet. IMHO, people have the "Me First" attitude and that hurts the general growth of the country. Oil prices are ever increasing, inflation is ever increasing, and jobs are not all over the place that people want and no one wants to pay anyone a decent wage, hell I work as a Deputy in Cincinnati and the County had to layoff 39 of us because their budget was smaller this year than last year. An economic collapse is possible in the U.S. as the U.S. dollar does not hold the value around the world as it once did. We dump milions and billions into other countries to help fix things and take care of their government, we need to dump those millions and billions into this country and let the world take care of its self for a few years so we can take care of us. We spend millions to make a movie, pay pro athlete's millions to play a game (a frig'n kids game), and we have as you said cities with disgusting amounts of unemployment and its growing, homelessness is ever growing and we're worried about the dude smoking a cigerette in bar. We spend a couple million holding retarded review boards and hearings in congress because some jackazz baseball player was using steriods 10 frig'n years ago and your telling me the congress has nothing better to do Who gives a crap in the first place? Please, we're sinking our own boat we just don't see it.
Beo,

[Sourdough]

I am all so not quite middle-aged, I am 61, and planning for 65 years of Social Security.

[RobertRogers]

You forget one thing. FOOD

If for some reason the seasons wheat and corn harvest does not come in....then its the end of the world as we know it. Let the games begin.

[Rick]

Bulrush - There is a lot of truth in what you've stated. People discount or choose not to see the financial collapse of mega corporations like Enron or WorldCom. Those were major financial issues yet were little more than a blimp on the radar screen against the economy. Thirty years ago either failure could have triggered a recession (Remember the Chrysler bail out?).

The latest outlook from both Bernanke and Paulson admit to a slowing economy but still predict a 1.8% growth rate. This should be a great lesson for people that didn't exhibit proper fiscal restraint in their personal finances.

Now, about that meteor.....

[wareagle69]

well what do you expect from a wolverine. I hope in does not happen(most of the time ) could use a good culling in the world(course that is why god made the sniper)but i always prepare anyways. ya carry house insurance covering fire don't ya when was the last time your house burned down?

ok kids all at the same time. what does ol wareagle always say

ALWAYS BE PREPARED

[Rick]

Hang on WE the smoke alarm is going off. Be right back......

[trax]

Hang on WE the smoke alarm is going off. Be right back......

see? It's that whole Twinkienator thing..drunk with power I'm telling you. My thinking is, it happens or...it doesn't happen. Either way, I'm surviving unless it's something that takes out the whole planet or our entire species..

[Sourdough]

Who cares, If you are one of the people living day after day in the wilderness, drinking fresh untreated water direct from the creek, who cares if TSHTF or not every day in paradise is a great day. Did I say no traffic lights.......

[trax]

Who cares, If you are one of the people living day after day in the wilderness, drinking fresh untreated water direct from the creek, who cares if TSHTF or not every day in paradise is a great day. Did I say no traffic lights.......

No traffic lights? Oh my God, I can see where this does not bode well at all, a tragic moment just waiting to happen as soon as someone else comes along on an ATV, why both drivers would have to...gasp..think for themselves! I don't see this working out well at all, oh no, oh no...

Hopeak, you're livin' the life bro, give 'em h###

[Assassin Pilot]

*stays out of political topic*

[crashdive123]

The potential collapse of world wide economic markets isn't political. It's about - ummmm - errrr - economics. (oh, and good idea to stay away from politics.)

[Ole WV Coot]

Watched it snow, split a little wood, went down to my usual loafing place and helped solved the problems of the world. I prepare for what I can and don't worry about anything I can't control. I mostly do what I want, when I want to do it. This economy isn't making me rich but it gives what I need and my income is strictly investments in our economy. This is the best I have had it but I do know the old story that it's a recession if your neighbor doesn't have a job, and a depression if you lose yours. I have been blessed in this great country and I don't see it going to Hell in a handbag. I sure ain't got a guarantee on the next hour so I enjoy the minute. It must be terrible to see nothing but gloom & doom.

[Rick]

It's must be in the dial tone, Coot. Good post!

[Canadian-guerilla]

Ok. I'm not here to burst your bubble or call you ignorant or anything like that. But I have been reading about TEOTWAWKI for 20+ years and have given this a lot of thought. This is why I don't think a TOTAL and SUDDEN collapse of the US or world will happen. A partial collapse, yes that is likely, or a slow decline, also likely.

perhaps for those who are prepared
it may not be that bad
but what about the youngsters 5 -15 yrs

it may definitely be TEOTW, as they know it

[Tony uk]

*Old man voice* "Still waiting on my birth certificit"

I agree with you, I dought it will get very bad very fast but more slowly, However in the end it happens and thats what we prepare for

[crashdive123]

perhaps for those who are prepared
it may not be that bad
but what about the youngsters 5 -15 yrs

it may definitely be TEOTW, as they know it

I imagine it's all a matter of perspective. Maybe getting turned down at the local dance is TEOTW as They Know It.

[NY MtnMan72]

No more car payment? no more mortgage? no traffic lights? a culling of a large percentage of earth's inhabitants? hmmm doesnt sound all that bad- but then again i guess it kind of matters A) if you make it through the initial catastrophic event, B) your not in some metropolitan area where you'll get bottlenecked with a bunch of panic filled people with 0% survival skills, and C) you were "prepared" by having a plan, and certain important items stowed away for such an event.....

I think its important to go about enjoying each "normal" day- but to watch the news carefully, to be able to see the "signs" and obviously be prepared to deal with the situation the best you can.

I give us Humans alot of credit- but i also realize how precarious our situation is. You look at all the chaos and looting and death from Katrina in the gulf coast area- and it makes you realize it wouldnt take much more of a disastor or terrorist attack- to see a societal breakdown/colllapse on a national or even world level.

[Sam]

well what do you expect from a wolverine. I hope in does not happen(most of the time ) could use a good culling in the world(course that is why god made the sniper)but i always prepare anyways. ya carry house insurance covering fire don't ya when was the last time your house burned down?

ok kids all at the same time. what does ol wareagle always say

ALWAYS BE PREPARED

I thought you always said, wheres my cookies.

[Sam]

There are a lot of days when I see just how far we as people have stepped from the caves. I estimate 2-3 steps at most. I remember Beiruit and the people at both the highest
step up help each other. And the me first animals that preyed on each other. I used to look at the other country I was in at the time and think, man I'm glad I'll never see this kind of thing back in the States. But Katrina, and the LA riots slapped me in the face. I am a lot more wary of my fellow monkeys back home now. I am getting a nose bleed from being on the soap box. Sorry for the rant.