Most realistic SHTF scenario for our current times...

[bft131]

With the continued downward spiral of the stock market, our Presidents continued assault on our economy and it recovery.

What do you feel is a "realistic" SHTF scenario for our current times?

Mine,
I feel that its only a matter of time that the domino's start to fall. Eastern Europe collapses, which brings down the global economy and the spiral starts from there. Prices keep going higher, unemployeement jumps into the double digits nationwide, runs on banks then total economic collapse.

God, I sure hope that doesnt happen but I feel that is our biggest threat.

 

[smokingman]

Realistic. There are many that I would consider. The most likely in the next few years to me is super inflation.This of course will cause very high unemployment,and high comodity prices.If the US can not sell our debt on the open marke(China being the most likely buyer),then the whole system comes down with the fall of the dollar.People will be unemployed and basics like food will be out of reach for many people,and those that still have jobs will be spending an ever higher percentage on food. You will get a warning.I see food riots happening in places like Detroit,as they will be amoung the very hardest hit.If you wait to stockpile food I am sure it will not be there(or the government in its wisdom will make buying more than you need for say a week illegal).So people starving enmass I see as a good posibillity in the next few years.
That said if China keeps buying our debt and the dollar manages to stay higher because the rest of the world is in just as bad a shape as we are,then the above probably would not happen.But honestly I can not see the dollar maintaining value very much longer.

 

[Richard]

An economic collapse is looking real possible right now, if that happens then so is the Balkanization (break up) of the U.S.

Of course Brown & Obama striking a "Global New Deal" is only going to increase the possibility of that economic collapse, because the U.S. cannot recover if we keep printing mountains of our dollars to pass out to every nation on the planet.

In fact that's the quickest way I can think of to bring the U.S. to it's knees.

 

[Sailor]

New Madrid Fault
Avian Flu

 

[Joe Williams]

Balkanization of the US. I think we are less than 5 years away, and do not know if it can, or should be stopped.

Doesn't HAVE to be a violent, shtf, event, though I cannot imagine the tyrants in the Northeast and on the West coast will let their serfs go easily.

 

[CarmelHP]

Try this: Operation Starfish

 

[techres]

Try this: Operation Starfish

My dad wrapped all our radiation detectors growing up in aluminum foil in order to harden it from EMP.

I also knew the guys who thought that you HAD TO HAVE a pre-1979/1980 car that had no serious electronics in order to have a EMP ready vehicle.

But, yeah, an EMP burst would be a bummer. On the other hand, it would be a proof of concept for the trunk gun/BOB for the walk home through chaos.

 

[WinChoke]

New Madrid Fault
Avian Flu

I agree that a virulent new strain of human-to-human transmissible influenza may create a pandemic. Estimates show that 1/3 of the population may be infected with the virus. That's 1/3 of workers in the energy sector, food industry, medical field, transportation industry, law enforcement, etc. Two of my grandfather's younger brothers died in the 1918 pandemic.

As for natural disaster, one word...Yellowstone.

 

[Tandem160]

I'm fearful of either an asteriod or economic disaster.

 

[tyler34]

I would say economic but more gradual then others think. they always let us down gradually.

 

[indyac]

...The most likely in the next few years to me is super inflation...

I agree with smokingman that super inflation and food shortages are not that far off. With the amount of money the US is printing and with every major economy faltering it sure seems destined to be.

If inflation doesn't get our money, taxes for the spendulus plan will.

 

[rambone]

Economic collapse via Obama. The economy is up sh*t-creek with a turd for a paddle.

If you don't pay attention to politics, you should. A bill just passed thanks to Obama for one bajillion dollars to be pissed away on the most crazy things the democrats could ever think of. Tattoo removal for gangbangers, a mouse saving program, a $200,000,000 lawn. There are 9,000 such programs spelled out in his 1,000 page spending spree. Obama's bill isn't going to stimulate the economy AT ALL. And any jobs that are created aren't jobs that produce anything, they are just jobs to run all the democrats pet-programs. He strategically planned that a good part of the money not be spent until he is campaigning for his reelection, so he can in a sense buy more loyal votes in 2012. He is the number one threat to America.

Everytime Obama speaks the stock market dives, like clockwork. He bases his speeches on scaring Americans into backing his socialist ideas instead of staying true to free-market, captialist ideals that America is built on. In one sentence, Obama thinks that the Government can spend your money better than you can. He's raising your taxes, taking money out of your pocket, because he thinks that rather than let you spend that extra money on what you need, he can better stimulate the economy by wasting it on all these ridiculous liberal projects.

Our stock market is way below what it was after 9/11/01. And its falling. People's retirements are shrivelling up to nothing. Inflation will drive the cost of goods through the roof. Riots will spring up. Picture New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, on a national scale. Complete and utter chaos. And the government will try and disarm you to top it off.

Obama IS the face of the demise of America. He will be remembered as such.

 

[Jack Ryan]

I agree with smokingman that super inflation and food shortages are not that far off. With the amount of money the US is printing and with every major economy faltering it sure seems destined to be.

If inflation doesn't get our money, taxes for the spendulus plan will.

These are starting already.

Check the quality of the food in your supermarket and tell me it's the same as it was 2 years ago.

The cost can't even be argued.

 

[LINEOFDEFENSE]

Economy for sure. Who would of ever thought that multiple banks (and now auto makers) would go bankrupt within a two year period. Scary, when you consider why a bank would close or file bankruptcy. I think the fear of ordinary citizens will be our downfall, as it doesnt seem that many have faith in something beyond the hear and now. Another downward spiraling economic picture will put enough fright into citizens that they begin to pull their money out of banks, 401k's, stocks, etc. Then can you say second stock crash? More financial fears, more lack of faith in economy and our leader's, and increasing bad decisions by consumers (directed by fear)....

Resulting in massive inflation, famine, crime, and all along providing a tremendous tactical opportunity for Jihadist warfare. Can come in many forms, dirty bomb, bacterial weapons, economic warfare such as devalueing the dollar on world market (similar to nazis failure in ww2)...

Wow, thinking like this makes me thankful that life is only a moment of eternity...And that God put his hand on our nation once, and with grace wont turn his back on us. Hopefully when times get hard, we dont turn our backs on each other. That is what worries me most of all, if our human nature can be kept in check scary times. The survival of the fittest mentality is scary when you think about the helpless, and the unprepared.

On Sept. 11th, I connected with a random stranger at a gas station. She was so scared, and felt very alone. We just stood there talking trying to hold share our sadness for the victims, anger over lack of control,and newfound covenant to change. After that day, the churches were packed, strangers were now fellow citizens, and I honestly thought that life would never be the same. That we were now "living" as a nation...

I just pray that it doesnt take another tragedy to alter our view towards each other....Because our nation needs it before the disaster happens...(not after for only a few days. ). Thats a realistic SHTF scenario, regardless of the cause..

 

[Jack Ryan]

I agree with smokingman that super inflation and food shortages are not that far off. With the amount of money the US is printing and with every major economy faltering it sure seems destined to be.

If inflation doesn't get our money, taxes for the spendulus plan will.

Look at the real unemployment levels just by referencing "Do you have a job" threads. They are on forums all over, not just this one and they sure as heck don't indicate any thing close to the aprox 10% levels the government says. Half the people who are working work 2 jobs to even come close to equaling the ONE JOB they worked even 10 years ago. The next generation is so far from having a decent job they don't remember what a good job is because they've never had one.

If you ever had a good job and saved your money you've been robbed. Even if you put every penny in mason jars and still have them under the house you've been robbed with out them ever stepping in to the house.

Hard times are coming and it will get a lot worse quickly now. We are at the balance or may be slightly past the tipping point where it's a toss up if it's even worth going to a job where the multiple levels of government dipps thier hands and pockets full before tossing the crumbs left over to the dog team pulling the sled.

 

[tom1025]

Economic collapse via Obama. The economy is up sh*t-creek with a turd for a paddle.

If you don't pay attention to politics, you should. A bill just passed thanks to Obama for one bajillion dollars to be pissed away on the most crazy things the democrats could ever think of. Tattoo removal for gangbangers, a mouse saving program, a $200,000,000 lawn. There are 9,000 such programs spelled out in his 1,000 page spending spree. Obama's bill isn't going to stimulate the economy AT ALL. And any jobs that are created aren't jobs that produce anything, they are just jobs to run all the democrats pet-programs. He strategically planned that a good part of the money not be spent until he is campaigning for his reelection, so he can in a sense buy more loyal votes in 2012. He is the number one threat to America.

Everytime Obama speaks the stock market dives, like clockwork. He bases his speeches on scaring Americans into backing his socialist ideas instead of staying true to free-market, captialist ideals that America is built on. In one sentence, Obama thinks that the Government can spend your money better than you can. He's raising your taxes, taking money out of your pocket, because he thinks that rather than let you spend that extra money on what you need, he can better stimulate the economy by wasting it on all these ridiculous liberal projects.

Our stock market is way below what it was after 9/11/01. And its falling. People's retirements are shrivelling up to nothing. Inflation will drive the cost of goods through the roof. Riots will spring up. Picture New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, on a national scale. Complete and utter chaos. And the government will try and disarm you to top it off.

Obama IS the face of the demise of America. He will be remembered as such.

 

[longbow]

sad but true

a regional race war started by the stupid choice of words by the POTUS

 

[fg12351]

Agreed. I'm going to start one with the next person I see that's not my color for the simple fact that I want to brag to people that I drank a beer at the white house!

sad but true

a regional race war started by the stupid choice of words by the POTUS

 

[Steve]

Gotta go with bad economy. Throw in a major natural disaster (Yellowstone) for good measure and it's off we go. That's all it would take to topple this house of cards we currently live in.

If certain politicians would get their heads out of their a@@es, we might stand a chance of fixing things. Make them live on $35,000 - $50,000 a year and see how fast things would change. Make them pay for their own health care, pay their own taxes ( with no loopholes), buy their own gasoline, drive their own cars, choose between eating and heating this winter, 6-8 years in politics then out with no retirement (term limits),....well you get the picture.

There's nothing wrong with America that we can't fix. The problem is the people we've elected. They have turned their collective backs on us and have offered us kool-aid instead of hope.

 

[ocsdor]

Whatever the crisis, you can bet the next shortage will be food supply. It'll dry up just like ammo has now. That's when the real 'Change' will take place; millions in the country will die; billions will die around the world.