How I'm Preparing For America's Eventual Collapse.

 If you think Trump's current tariff policies are inventive and new, think again. The exact same tariff wars came to an eventual American decline back in 1930, just as The Great Depression was underway.  

One of America’s most infamous tariffs: the Smoot-Hawley Tariff, or Tariff Act of 1930, despite being widely opposed by 1,028 prominent economists, some business executives, and much of the public, was signed into law by President Herbert Hoover. Historians generally believe the tariff was responsible for a two-thirds decline in international trade and for transforming a bad recession into a global depression. For much of America’s history, tariffs were the key public policy issue; one particular Tariff of 1828 was nicknamed the “Tariff of Abominations.” Protective tariffs gave way to free trade after World War II, although sadly, protectionism and tax favoritism in trade policy seem increasingly bipartisan today. Click here for more info.

What's the definition of stupidity? It's doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result. Adding or raising up tariffs on American trade partners is not new. It has been done before with disastrous results. Read all about The Tariff of 1930 by clicking here. How then can the current admin, knowing American history, expect a different, more positive result? They can't. And unfortunately, ladies and gentlemen, America is in for an eventual collapse and another Great Depression Part Deux. 

Are you prepared? Most people are not. Do you realize that China makes almost EVERYTHING that Americans need and use? Appliances, tools, drugs, clothing, shoes, cookware, necessities.....the list can go on and on and on. Do you think it's a smart move to fight with a supplier, even if corrupt, for your everyday needs, without having a back up plan? That's what we are involved in now. The current admin thinks that they are Gengus The Powerful (I made up this name but you get the idea) and all will bow to the mighty ring. Ain't gonna happen. The 104% China tariff will stay in place, y'all will be paying higher prices for just about everything, provided the supplier (China) even agrees to keep supplying. It's common sense. Think about it.  

We wouldn't find ourselves in this position if the Democratic Party had even one lamebrain to run the country. They didn't. They still don't. So, my premise is this: if the current admin fails, which there is a good chance they will, what's next? Or better yet, who's next? Who else can step up to the plate and offer and perform salvation? The horrific answer is no one. That's called a 'collapse' and that is what we all are facing, in my honest opinion. I could be wrong but unfortunately I don't think so. It's all common sense. Look at the facts. Trust your own eyes and ears. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, guess what? It's the collapse of everything we ever knew. 

My husband thinks I'm exaggerating or panicking. I'm not. I'm the one who has been paying the bills here for the last 44 years. I'm the one who makes the investments, makes the buying decisions, moves us forward or backward. If you ask my husband what our electricity bills are he wouldn't know. He just knows that I'm constantly screaming to turn off the lights or shut something down. I've currently gone through all our bills and when you are a couple who just lives within their needs and only subscribe to what is essential, there basically is nothing for us to cut. It is what it is. We were carrying two zero interest loans (new front door and one year's worth of propane) but I paid their balances off today ($410 and $245). Hubby also bought new tires for his car today (it was a planned-for purchase) and rather than zero finance it, I paid the $851 in full). This is no time to be carrying any sort of debt, zero interest or not.

Over the past week hubby and I stocked up on some long term foods (rice, canned fruits, vegetables and chicken) as well as some long needed supplies (hydrogen peroxide, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes etc) We're going back tomorrow to buy next winter's pellet needs as well as some dog food and yard care supplies. We're still scheduled to put in another year of our veggie & fruit garden (we'll need fertilizer and another large bag of organic dirt). I've already stocked up on seeds, perennials and pollinators. Last year I bought all new appliances (washer, dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher and stove) because I knew their prices were going up, would be difficult to purchase or buy replacement parts (our original appliances were over 10-15 years old. I donated all of them to our local church). Better to have brand new and hunker down for the count. Ditto for our yard equipment. We bought a new tractor last year. I cringe to even think what one of those would cost today. Thankfully, hubby and our neighbors share many of the yard and farm equipment. We live amongst a strong community!

My biggest concern is our health. I'm on monthly cancer-preventative medication and so far it only cost me $5 a month (I have to be on it for 5 to 10 years). My doctor wanted to put me on something stronger but that would have cost me $100 a month! Can't do it. My husband started his own heart health journey and his monthly meds come to $542. Granted Medicare Part D will kick in and pick up the tab AFTER we spend $2,000. When my husband complained about the expense to his doctor, he prescribed a substitute medication at $101 a month but it's probably not as effective as the original. Thankfully, he only has to be on these meds for 4 months. In the middle of which he is having surgery done next month. Since his operation will keep him in the hospital over night, we will have to pay around a $1600 deductible. In other words, hubby and I have some huge medical expenses coming up and we need to prepare. We just got hit with a $225 invoice for some genetic testing he needed. Our health insurance doesn't cover it.

Lastly, it will be no surprise that hubs and I, as retirees, are dependent on Social Security, Medicare and the FDIC. These are all American government programs that despite the positive rhetoric (Oh! We're not touching Social Security, Medicare or the FDIC) I don't believe a word anyone spews out of their mouths. We have savings but if everything fails, we could last on our own for around 5 to 6 years. Then we'd be forced to sell our home, for whatever it would possibly sell for, and then live on those proceeds till death do us part. We could move in with my daughter or my sister but that would be a last resort. I don't think it's funny to even think of these things. I feel we all need to ask ourselves the 'what if' questions and prepare for them accordingly. What are we going to do if all else fails? It doesn't seem so ridiculous (to me) anymore.

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