You wrote:
“Potentially decent Americans include those I have gone shooting with, those I know well and trust, and similar categories.”
I’m wondering what your ‘similar categories’ are.
There are lots of “decent Americans” who may not be able to prep. I always consider, in my prepping, taking care of others who may not be as fortunate as I am - and yes, that includes a lot of the ‘stupid’ ones, too.
I have relatives and friends who seem to think that the grocery stores and fast-food places will always be open. I regret their lack of thought; but I wouldn’t let them starve, if it was within my capacity to avoid.
-T
Similar categories includes many people who cannot prep. My nearest neighbor farmer is a friend and a good man - one who despises both Obama and welfare. He's also not the temperament to prep and doesn't have enough food to make it through the winter, probably not enough to make it to Thanksgiving without getting hungry. I would certainly give him ammo (he has weapons but keeps less than one box of ammo in his home), and I would trade food for the winter in return for a promise of more food at harvest.
It comes down to who I want in my community five years later, and it is certainly my place to decide that. Anyone who would assume the problem was not enough socialism won't get anything from me voluntarily. Anyone with conservative values is worth having around, if I can help make that happen. There is strength in numbers.