What will you do when the riots begin in America over "Austerity measures"?

Assumptions abound in America these days, based upon what we all see happening in America and the world.  There seems always to be an argument about what logical steps should be taken in economic terms.

While Obama recently declared a zealous desire for the "appreciation of the Chinese Yuan" one has to wonder how exactly that will help Americans...you and I.

A friend recently wrote to me about this issue

"Yes - this "medicine" hurts for some products, especially commodities that are priced in dollars and sold all over the world to the highest bidder (petroleum being a prime example). But you have to question what is more important - having close to full employment and expensive gas, or having cheap gas but droves of people on the dole. I think the answer is pretty evident."

In some respect I think my friend is correct.  The commodities that we have seen for decades priced in U.S. dollars, if they cease to be traded for with exclusively U.S. dollars, will necessarily see a dramatic increase in price to the American consumer.

I think commodity prices on things like gasoline must rise if the global market is to equalize and the USA playing an equal economic role in the global economic community.   The real bitter part about this adjustment is that Americans will stop being spoiled by the advantage of their dollar being the World Reserve Currency.

It's been great to live in America for the last four decades as this advantage has given us a lifestyle without equal compared to the rest of the world.  It was noted in some article I read...that gasoline prices in other countries like Great Britain who do not hold World Reserve Currency status are already five dollars a gallon or more.

This will be a necessary step to global economic equalization.  The fact that is hurts my pocket book is inconsequential in the big picture of things.  However...as it pertains to the austerity measures it becomes quite personal to every American.

Every American must now consider with frugality how much they spend on frivolous items like massive plasma screen televisions on which to watch their favorite programs.  In fact many like myself have already shut off the cable or satellite television opting rather to put food on the table or in storage for the difficult times they see coming.

But I have gone as far as now considering how much natural gas I use to heat the house...including what temperature that translates to and how much wood I burn in the fireplace to keep that stupid thermostat from kicking on.  I loathe the idea of any more natural gas bills that exceed what seems rational or reasonable cost.  (We all want to be warm)

It does not help that I like many others am "under-employed" or "self-employed", barely making ends meet.  You are not the only one who is debating on where to spend your money or not.

You are not the only one who has decided I will find a way to carpool my kids to the adjacent town so they can participate in some social activity.

You are not the only one who wishes desperately that some business venture might work out in the near future so you can stop scraping by even with the bare essentials.

You are not the only one who sees your dollar stretching less and less at the grocery store.

You are not the only one who has recently gone back or for the first time acquired Food Stamps to help you get through the worst financial times you have ever seen.

You are not the only one who can no longer afford to make your credit card payments.

This is a time to stand up, take the second job, buckle down the budget and stop making frivolous purchases.

You are beginning to see what I call "personal austerity" due to inflation.

The bad news is we have not yet seen the actual cutting of government budgets that will affect the myriad of programs paid for by the government such as Food Stamps, State Health Insurance, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid.

This will be "enforced austerity" and guess who will be responsible for bringing this to pass?  Conservatives.

Conservative Republicans, Democrats, and Independents from all sides.  In short, conservatives will be the ones to force feed the American people "austerity measures" which deeply affect the ability for millions of Americans to get food and medicine which they are used to having.

Additionally if you have hyper-inflation thrown into the mix, these programs that provide state benefits for food and medical care will end up becoming near worthless even if the checks keep coming.

When food becomes so expensive that your allotted amount of food stamps hardly buys enough for a week, and you only get food stamps every month...this will be problematic on a massive scale.

So what should you be doing aside from implementing your own austerity measures to prepare for devastating economic times?  Well if you can find an old person who has lived through the Great Depression I am sure they will give you some ideas, like:

1.  Learn how to garden. Spend your money on things that will provide you the capability to be self sufficient.

2.  Learn the process of canning food, so you can store your summer crops for consumption through the rest of the year.

3.  Learn how to dehydrate meats, fruits and vegetables.  Get a dehydrator...or build one for the natural process.

4.  Consider how you will live without natural gas, electricity, and abundant water supplies.

5.  Stock up on wood as a natural resource for heat and for cooking.  Where will you get the wood?  Can you buy it?  Do you need a permit to cut it?  What happens when you run out?  Will you need to identify a future source for firewood?

6.  Install or convert and learn how to use a hearth for the basic purposes of cooking, while heating your home.

7. Learn how to hunt with guns, bows, and trapping.

8.  Stock up on food now while the cost is still affordable.  Buy extra canned goods and dry goods every time you go to the store.

Think ahead now, be a wise ant.  Not a foolish grasshopper.

You are responsible for a being a good steward with what God has given you.

Don't expect the neighbors or the government to take care of you.

These ideas and suggestions are for the time when economic disaster hits.  If you are prepared to make it through physically, your next step is to consider what is really happening in the world spiritually.

Your soul is of much greater value than your physical life.  Ask Jesus to be your personal Lord and savior.  He will guide you through the Holy Spirit to have understanding in all things.

The time is coming when you will need spiritual strength even more than physical supplies.

The Strong Watchman