[SamAdams76]

I'm something like 50 years old and I've been hearing these proclamations of impending doom and gloom ever since I was old enough to walk. Always with the drama, the "end is near" mantra and the constant refrain of "we are about to get our comeuppance."

Yet the end never seemed to happen. I still had to do my homework. These days, my mortgage still comes due each month and I have to pay it.

Instead, life just kept getting better. Food became cheaper and more plentiful. Whilst I only had a few entertainment options as a child, they abound today, to the point where there is not enough hours in the day to do all that I wish to do.

Now I'm not oblivious to the fact that we might see a setback at some point in time. I do keep a few extra batteries on hand. A fairly decent collection of canned good and a liquor cabinet to last me a month or two. A generator and fair supply of firewood.

So if a hurricane, earthquake or some other catastrophe was to hit, I'd be able to batten down those hatches and lie low for a spell.

But as for permanent hard times? Not going to happen. This economy continues to explode and our standard of living continues to increase year after year.

And guess what? Whoever happens to be "president" has nothing to do with it. We could put a mental derelict in the White House (in fact, we have!) and yet we continue to progress. Smartphones get smarter. Drilling for oil gets easier. Computers get faster. Food continues to get more plentiful - to the point where our major societal issue is...obesity.

So while I think it's a great idea to do a little "prepping" here and there (I now have three propane tanks filled), the notion that we are going to suddenly descend into a long term situation of hard times is unwarranted. If anything, we are on the cusp of a long boom that will make the current times seem like hard times.

[yarddog]

I understand what you are saying and it is a good point. I remember a book titled “The Crash of 1980” or some similar year. We did go through some fairly tough economic times but never a real crash.

On the other hand my parents who are both deceased, lived through a real depression so they can happen. I am nearly 70 years old and have seen things in the last few years that I would have never believed. I am mostly talking about morality but it does have some relation to a country’s health.

I really do think there is a catastrophic period coming at some time in this country and probably the entire world.

[Kartographer]

Glad things are well for you, but it’s not so for many. Oil, yes flowing in many places flowing almost as fast as gasoline prices are rising. Jobs new jobs are running about 2 or 3 part time to every full time and the wags for both aren’t even keeping up with inflation. Food? I guess you haven’t check the prices of pork or beef lately. We are presently being invaded by third world countries bring not only adding more takers to the rolls, but bringing their third world problems with them. How many more are we to carry before we reach a tipping point.

I suggest you read the article on normalcy bias you might find it enlightening.

[SumProVita]

In the story about the Boy Who Cried Wolf.....the wolf finally arrived.

He who has ears...let him hear.

[SVTCobra03]

This economy continues to explode and our standard of living continues to increase year after year.

You must be living in an alternate universe.

[luvbach1]

If anything, we are on the cusp of a long boom that will make the current times seem like hard times.

And who will, or should be, leading us into this boom?