Designed to make the right look like redneck idiots.
Allows you to be painted with the same brush, if you’ve got guns and some extra groceries.
My impression too. NatGeo has a political bent, indeed.
NatGeo has a lovey-dovey relationship with enviro-wackos, but you will never hear what some of those environuts believe.
IIRC, none of the "reasons" for their motivations for being a prepper are about oppressive government-government out of control.
The underlying reason that the Libs are trying to ridicule preppers, IMO, is one word or phrase, independence or rugged indiviualism. This has got to drive the Libs crazy. To think that individuals and groups do not need government to survive is so, well, American. This cannot be allowed by Libs and must be ridiculed.