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Friends of freedom generally agree about four points:
(1) Protections for expansive individual liberty and respect for limited government are essential for the promotion of human rights, self-determination, and prosperity.
(2) Over the course of American history, the U.S. government has strayed far beyond the original limitations of its enumerated powers as set forth in the Constitution.
(3) Globalism, international government, plutocracy, rule by “elite” experts, unchecked bureaucracy, and the steady erosion of inalienable rights all work to maximize the power of centralized authority while minimizing the power of individual citizens.
(4) The most important conflict raging today is between individual liberty and coercive State control.
Where defenders of liberty disagree is in their assessment of the future. Some believe that so much ground has now been lost in humanity’s centuries-long struggle for freedom that centralized government control over each individual is all but certain. Technology’s rapid intrusion into the private sphere, the exponential expansion of the national security surveillance State, the rise of government-directed mass censorship, the successful efforts of multinational corporations and banks to influence national government directives, and the Intelligence Community’s vast programs for manipulating public opinion on a global scale all lend support to this admittedly pessimistic point of view.
On the other hand, there are those who see the ebb and flow of human liberty as a natural occurrence, technology as a set of instruments that can just as ably expand freedom as curtail it (conquerors and liberators use the same weapons, after all), and encroaching totalitarianism as a necessary precursor for sparking popular revolt. From this vantage point, the darker things get, the more likely real change is afoot. I fall into this latter camp, and I will repeat a couple truths I hold dear: (1) before any system can be overhauled, there must first be a revolutionary shift in social consciousness, and (2) transformational change often occurs when people least expect it.
This age in which we live — although remade again and again over the last century through the introduction and rapid dissemination of once unimaginable technologies — would still be strikingly familiar to all the liberty-seeking generations that came long before us. Our struggle, like theirs, is one between a great majority being ruled against its will and a small minority insisting on ruling. Monarchs, emperors, international governments, and World Economic Forum–type clubs are all the same. And if you think today’s technocracy is more immune to being overthrown than in the days when dissenters were summarily burned, hanged, impaled, or beheaded, then you are giving too much credit to today’s tyrants and too little credit to the great freedom fighters of the past.
For great change to commence, all you need is one domino that strikes another and another until all the marble prisons built to constrain human freedom come crashing down. You’ll notice two things about that analogy: first, it implies that most of totalitarianism’s structure is built before people think to tear it down, and second, once the cascading demolition begins, totalitarianism’s once-impressive column of dominoes falls fast. As the old proverb goes, it really is darkest just before the dawn.
As an important example of how quickly social revolutions can upend entire systems, I encourage you to take a look at a recent article on The Conservative Treehouse in which intrepid intellectual warrior Sundance has asked his readers a simple question: if you did not take the COVID-19 shots, why not? The impetus for his inquiry comes from an informal poll he had conducted showing that 85% of CTH’s Twitter followers remained un-jabbed. Even though his readers have always had a healthy skepticism of government, Sundance was surprised that such a high percentage would have withstood the years-long pressure campaign for universal “vaccination” from the combined efforts of government, news media, medical authorities, and corporate proselytizers. What he got in response to his question is nothing less than stunning.
Thousands of commenters took the time to answer, and their words alone could serve as ample testament to how confusing, oppressive, heart-wrenching, and ultimately revelatory these last three years of life with COVID have been. It is entirely clear that enduring the government’s reaction to the virus has been much more difficult and exhausting than surviving the virus itself. Again, if only as a form of mental camaraderie and emotional catharsis from our shared struggle, I encourage you to spend some time reading through the myriad comments. It is obvious that people everywhere have been desperate to express themselves free from the bounds of government-controlled censorship.
There are stories of loss from illness but also stories of lost loved ones separated from their families for no rational reason. There are stories of Americans who at first trusted the government’s COVID warnings only to become vehement critics of authorities’ mountain of lies. There are those who once thought highly of the CDC and America’s medical professions who now see both the bureaucrats and “scientists” as mere political pawns. There are those who did not believe that totalitarianism was overtaking America until they witnessed firsthand the government-directed censorship of their health-related Tweets and Facebook posts. There are those who did not believe that freedom was under serious attack until they experienced lockdowns, arbitrary rule-making, and the imposition of a police State under the banner of a medical tyranny established for the “greater good.” In short, there are a lot of people who are now wide awake about just how rotten and corrupt the American government has become.
Whether expressing sorrow, frustration, or rage, the commenters’ explanations for ultimately refusing the various jabs reflect the triumph of common sense over deferential respect for authority — or what Sundance lauds as “intellectual discernment.” In the end, even though everyone in any position of power demanded the public submit to forced experimental injections, the government’s constantly changing narratives, nonsensical directives, flagrant backtracking, unscientific reasoning, and authoritarian insistence just didn’t pass the smell test for a stubborn few. From my point of view, I think the thousands of responses reflect a deep-seated American instinct to scream, “Don’t tread on me!”
Now, whether you got the shot is not the point. There may have been good reasons for you or a loved one to be treated, despite the government’s and pharmaceutical industry’s intimidation strategies, fear campaigns, and outright lies. This was always a personal medical decision that should have been made voluntarily with informed consent and free from all forms of coercion. To force such medical treatments on people, without a reasonable understanding of the long-term effects, however, is not only patently unethical, but also a crime against humanity (as all forced medical experimentation has been recognized as such for over a century). And for those crimes, I do hope the perpetrators are made to answer.
What Sundance revealed with his question to readers is that an energetic movement of Americans is rising. In watching how the American Deep State (Uniparty politicians, social media censors, Department of [in]Justice, and Intelligence Community) had worked to take down President Trump, many Americans were well aware of the government’s capacity for treachery. Still, in enduring that treachery up close and personal under the fear-inducing tyranny of COVID-1984 — in which their lives and livelihoods, as well as those of their children and grandchildren, have all been affected in painfully intimate ways — Americans have gained a rebellious self-awareness forged in the fires of experience.
The government’s determination to censor Americans’ COVID experiences has only strengthened their resolve. As Sundance concludes, the “issue is percolating in the background right now — like a powder keg in search of a spark.” Or like a wobbly domino, one little flick away from crashing everything down.
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
