“With zero held by government - isn’t this low ‘private stocks’ number a recipe for panic?”
Indeed it is. Although I belioeve in self reliance, it’s noteworthy to mention that (as far as I know, I no longer remember the source, however) once upon a time the U.S. government had a emergency supply of food for several years for the populace, it was whittled down to a year, then 6 months, then weeks, then it ceased being a time frame and started to be measured in quantity. It’s been reduced and reduced over time, until it’s literally peanuts. I think 25lbs or so, and a sack of flour, or something to that effect, IIRC.
We’re lead by short sighted people. If everything goes well no one will notice. If things start to go bad, it’ll be a horror. I don’t get it either.