VOR, I'm quoting your note in split parts. Glad you initiated this thread. It needs to be addressed and discussed. If every voter would take the time to analyze the current economic situation, I would feel better about the future of this country. Sadly too few do any thinking at all. Listening to smooth political rhetoric is about as much "study" they feel is necessary.
"Do you think that our society is headed for chaos where our traditional systems of finance and infrastructure are disrupted?"
Yes. Why do I feel we are on an economic death spiral .... falling value of US dollar .... rapidly shrinking gross domestic product .... record personal loan failures .... unemployment at levels highest in over 40 years .... high rate of small business closures .... property taxes being raised to pay for burgeoning municipal retirement benefits .... US debt highest in history .... rapidly shrinking average household income ... smothering federal regulations on basic resource production .... largest number of bureaucrats in history .... weakest leadership in history .... largest number of terminally lazy entitlement recipients in history .... trade deficit (we buy more than we sell) .... imported energy when it is here but by regulation we can't exploit it .... constant erosion of personal freedoms ....
"If so, do you have contingency plans in place as well as supplies to last you for an extended period of time and a way to protect your family?"
Yes. Food, water, ammo for protection as well as barter material, precious metals for barter, RV fueled and ready to "go someplace safe".
"I happen to collect guns and silver/gold coins for enjoyment but don't think that there is any possibility of that happening in our lifetime."
You are in a better position than most. Good to have "personal protection" and some non-paper barter. I hope you are correct that we won't have an economic failure.
"I don't think that the "powers that be" would allow it to happen as they would have more to loose than most."
With this I disagree. The "powers" at some point will be without any means to stop a collapse. They might try to print more fiat money, lay on more regulations like food and fuel rationing, confiscate personal wealth, but it can't possibly CURE anything. We are very close to being broke, and can't support our non-productive society.
What will trigger a collapse? Any number of things, but the most serious is China. They could without as much as a hint, call for payment of our debt in real assets like gold, not fiat dollars. They have a lot to lose by playing hardball, but does their government worry about adversity?
"When most of your wealth is just digital numbers or words on paper you have to ensure the status quo."
Does anybody recall the crash and great depression? Banks folded, personal (paper) wealth evaporated overnight. Did the government find a way then to restore that money to the smitten? Sure, later on there were "government insured banks" established in the following years. How much good will that be if the government has nothing but a pile of paper, green ink and printing presses to back the banks?
M
