I’ve already come to the realization that if this were come into being, I would most likely not survive. At the very least, I’d lose all of my possessions and financial well-being.
But I’ve had a good life, and I recall our founders were in even greater peril, yet stood for their convictions. I’ve been preparing for this day since the second plane hit the towers. Why? In that moment, I flashed forward 10 years, and knew this country might disintegrate. Besides, what better place would there be to go too??
I’m staying, and if necessary, fighting. And my extended family feels the same way.
If SHTF you will lose all of your financial well-being simply because the almighty USD will not be very valuable when items being traded are essential for survival. Most of country's money is recorded (not even stored!) in banks, and with collapse of communications you can't get to your money even if you wanted to. Where would banks get the cash for you?
Some of your property will also lose value. Widescreen TVs aren't very useful if the TV stations are offline. Sports cars aren't practical if you can't get high octane fuel for them, or if roads are flooded, damaged or blocked. A multi-million dollar mansion is not much better than a hut when you are all alone against an armed gang.
Your survival, of course, depends on the severity - and proximity - of the event. No need to bury yourself yet. And in the end none of us will survive anyway.
With regard to bugout, for most people the only viable bugout plan is the vehicle on the road toward the nearest border. I personally would go to Canada if I'm forced to leave. But even Mexico might be a reasonable choice if the alternative is worse.
The article is somewhat correct saying that bugging out won't work for most people. Indeed, even most [fair weather] hunters will not survive winter in most of the US territory. A hoplophobic lawyer or an accountant has no chance (wolves were released there for a reason, I guess.) Skills that are necessary to build a cabin, prepare basic food (not just meat) and indefinitely survive in wilderness are largely lost. A single individual may be unable to even cut enough trees - assuming that he has the tools. Trees are heavy.
However as other posters pointed out, there may be reasons to leave that do not depend on your choice. Fire, flood, disease, nuclear contamination - you only can stay and die. Other group of bugout cases involves indefensible positions - which most city houses are. Cardboard walls, glass doors, no basement, no fence, no water, no power - you can't defend such a home, especially if it is too close to the "inner city." Perhaps defense of the entire block can be organized, but that depends on who your neighbors are. I know that all my neighbors are armed, but I don't live in the city. Most city dwellers are not armed; so even if you want to set up some defense you have no tools to do it with. An occasional 9mm H&K is not sufficient. If that's the case then your best option is to move elsewhere. This will buy you time right away - and perhaps a few weeks will be sufficient for the riots to die down, along with many rioters. If the troubles persist you will still have one big advantage over many of those who stayed - you will be alive.
My plan is to get to know my neighbors and organize.
Depending on the scale of the crisis I would organize my nearest neighbors, then the block, then the surrounding 100 or so blocks, and so on. I would call community meetings to elect emergency reps/leaders, organize security, provide food for the hungry, send trucks out to trade for food in the country if needed, etc. Business owners would rapidly organize to protect their property. I’m sure employees of those businesses have a stake in their futures as well.
We are Americans! We will not hide in our homes as one neighbor after another is attacked by mobs. Law and order would be restored pretty quickly (well, maybe not in NOLA).
OMG, I am turning into a Community Organizer.