Be Prepared

Yesterday, I began to discuss topics that everyone can implement in preparing for the current economic challenges. The principle discussed was that you are always able to help others in need, and that the more friends you have, they will also help you when you need help. This is based on the golden rule - "Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6:31 (NIV)

Today, we will explore other situations that can help you prepare. One person came to me with the questions, "What can I do? I don't have money saved, I can't buy gold or silver, I can't travel to other countries to explore options elsewhere. So, if there is a dire financial crisis on the horizon, what are my options?"

My answer kind of surprised her. I first began explaining that we have to adapt the situation to fit her situation and express it in terms she could understand. I used an analogy. Imagine your house is on fire. You only have a minute or two to get safely out of the house. What would you take with you? What is most important to you?

This will begin to set the foundation on how to handle your financial affairs when there is a collapse. If you are not able to buy gas, or groceries, or go to work, what will you do to survive? I hope that things will not deteriorate to these levels, but what if they did? They certainly did during the Great Depression in the 1930s.

A Hooverville was the popular name for a shanty town, examples of which were found in many United States communities during the Great Depression. The word "Hooverville" derives from the name of the President (Herbert Hoover, 1929-1933) of the United States at the time. These settlements were often formed in unpleasant neighborhoods or desolate areas and consisted of dozens or hundreds of shacks and tents that were temporary residences of those left unemployed and homeless by the Depression. People slept in anything from open piano crates to the ground. Authorities did not officially recognize these Hoovervilles and occasionally removed the occupants for technically trespassing on private lands, but they were frequently tolerated out of necessity. Some of the men who were made to live in these conditions possessed building skills and were able to build their houses out of stone. Most people, however, resorted to building their residences out of box wood, cardboard, and any scraps of metal they could find. Some individuals even lived in water mains.

Today, the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has numerous detainment camps throughout the United States. Some camps have been recently constructed and / or renovated and are fully staffed. The existence of the camps coupled with Presidential Executive Orders giving the President and Department of Homeland Security (of which FEMA is now part) control over ‘national essential functions’ in the event of ‘catastrophic emergency’ have resulted in concerns that the camps will be used to forcefully detain American citizens for unconstitutional purposes.

Citizens who are concerned about the purpose and potential use of the detainment camps have documented and, when possible, filmed the detainment facilities. A current estimate of the number of detainment camps is over 800 located in all regions of the United States with varying maximum capacities.

On May 9, 2007 President George Bush reasserted the role of the Federal government during a declared emergency by issuing Executive Order NSPD 51/ HSPD-20. The Order states that in the event of a ‘catastrophic emergency’ all ‘national essential functions’ may be taken over by the Executive branch of government and the Department of Homeland Security (including FEMA).

Now, suppose you begin to take the advice given yesterday. If you establish cooperation with others that live around you, will you be better off if the worse does happen? Is there a challenge with buying a case or two of bottled water and storing it? How about a couple of gas containers with a few extra gallons of gas? How about a storing some canned foods? Maybe if the opportunity is available, how about having a small generator on hand to provide electricity during a prolonged electrical outage? Do these precautions seem outlandish? What would happen to you if you lost your home? Thousands are going through this today having their mortgages foreclosed because of the sub-prime mortgage crisis from last August. Being prepared for bad times is not a crazy notion, especially with the facts that stare us in the face everyday.

Preparing for drastic situations like this may seem unthinkable considering that we live in the lone global superpower. However, there will be drastic situations ahead that many will be very unprepared for. Taking a few precautions may help you and your family to survive. After all, what is most important to you?

When dire situations happen, you have to simplify things and identify what is most important. Everything else is secondary. Again, this is something everyone can begin to implement today to protect themselves.

As always, the choice is yours.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:14-16 (NIV)

If you have comments or questions, please feel free to contact me at the address below.
Email: DeltaInspire@panama-vo.com