Posted on 02/04/2013 6:26:56 AM PST by Kaslin
A reader from New York has a follow-up question for me.
Referencing a Question of the Week from last month, in which I expressed guarded optimism that America could be saved, she wants to know what I would do if things go the wrong way.
In other words, what if things go really wrong and America suffers a Greek-style fiscal collapse? And imagine how bad that might be since there wouldnt be an IMF or European Central Bank capable of providing bailouts to the United States.
Perhaps because of an irrational form of patriotism, Im fairly certain that I will always live in the United States and I will be fighting to preserve (or restore) liberty until my last breath.
But I probably would want my children someplace safe and stable, so Ill answer the question from that perspective.
The obvious first choice is a zero-income tax jurisdiction like the Cayman Islands that is prosperous and reasonably well governed.
But Im not sure about the long-run outlook for the Cayman Islands, in part because the politicians there have flirted with an income tax and in part because the jurisdiction inevitably would suffer if the United States was falling apart.
So whats a place that is stable and not overly tied to the American economy.
Then the obvious choice is Switzerland. That nations long-run fiscal outlook is relatively favorable because of modest-sized government and a very good spending control mechanism.
But while Switzerland is not dependent on the U.S. economy, it is surrounded by European welfare states. And Im fairly certain that nations such as France, Italy, and (perhaps) Germany will collapse before America.
And even though most Swiss households have machine guns and the nation presumably can defend itself from barbarian hordes in search of a new welfare check, Switzerlands probably not the ideal location.
Estonia is one of my favorite countries, and theyve implemented some good reforms such as the flat tax. But I worry about demographic decline. Plus, Im a weather wimp and its too chilly most of the year.
Another option is a stable nation in Latin America, perhaps Chile, Panama, or Costa Rica. I havent been to Chile, but Im very impressed by the nations incredible progress in recent decades. I have been to Panama many times and it is one of my favorite nations. Ive only been to Costa Rica two times, but it also seems like a nice country.
The bad news is that I dont speak Spanish (and my kids dont speak the language, either). The good news is that Hispanics appear to be the worlds happiest people, so that should count for something.
This brings me to Australia, the country that probably would be at the top of my list. The burden of government spending in Australia is less than it is in the United States.
But the gap isnt that large. The reason I like Australia is that the nation has a privatized Social Security system (called Superannuation) and the long-run fiscal outlook is much, much better than the United States.
Plus the Aussies are genuinely friendly and they speak an entertaining form of English.
So if America goes under, I recommend going Down Under.
Unlike the Mexicans that leave their country like cowards, we will stay here and fight!
If I can’t take my Guns with me, it’s nowhere that I would want to be.
Born here, die here, it’s just a matter of when and how.
It would be more akin to Jews leaving Germany before it shut down....leaving would entail being smart enough to see the writing on the wall.
They will stay in the urban areas and kill each other wholesale....like they do now. By the time the food runs out, the gas will be gone.
The gang thugs will be the most dangerous until Obama gets the military in place, but their ammo won’t last long and smarter gangs will form to deal with their “wilding” strategy. They will be telling one sided victim stories galore in the aftermath.
They will stay in the urban areas and kill each other wholesale....like they do now. By the time the food runs out, the gas will be gone.
The gang thugs will be the most dangerous until Obama gets the military in place, but their ammo won’t last long and smarter gangs will form to deal with their “wilding” strategy. They will be telling one sided victim stories galore in the aftermath.
>>>But I do not know if we can ever truly survive...the vast majority of us have never had to live stripped of our culture and conveniences. If we get knocked back 150 yrs, I dont remotely have the skills to survive. Wife and i dont have a mule, dont have access to a mule and wouldnt know how to plow, straight or otherwise.
Lots of folks in the same boat, I suspect.<<<
I’ve actually lived under those circumstances. I won’t bore you with details, except to say that it was extremely easy for me to imagine why the life expectancy was 45 years old in the early 19th century. And that’s with a supermarket available for things like salt and butter. I would imagine many people would die horrible deaths... which is why they would beg for a dictator.
God help us.
Really nice...looks peaceful and private...
We have three acres in a ruralish county in VA to the west of Norfolk...we love it and we too keep it private...this after 26 years of life in the Navy...
Nice to get to know a fellow FReeper! Cheers...
Hey, I volunteer to walk the Wall with my .20 gauge...
It’d be like keeping out “walkers” from the compound!
Congratulations on your escape from America.
I have not been to Leyte, but Ormoc should be a nice city.
All of Visays is nice, and much better then Luzon or Mindanao.
Cebu is rated as the third best island in Asia by Travel and Leisure Magazine.
My cottage is about 150 feet from the sea.
Yes, a couple can have a nice life here on $1000 per month.
I pay only $100 for rent...one BR with A/C, TV, Fridge, and
microwave included.
I have added G-Sat TV. Do not get Dream Sat. unless you hate FOX and love CNN, haha.
Ormoc should have cable TV which may well have up to 100 ch.
Cable is working its way south down Cebu from Cebu city.
DSL internet is common in most places, with up to 2 Mb speed.
As for storms, you will see far fewer then expected.
I have seen only one typhoon in four years that came close to Cebu.
Even the rain has been far less then I expected.
It does, however, get hot...into the 90s.
Inside, I live under ceiling fans, one over the bed, and one over my computer chair.
They are amazingly cheap, like four bucks.
We use the A/C only when going to bed, and it is on a timer to cut off after a few hours. The fan is more then enough, and sometimes I need a light cover.
Another great thing about life in the Philippines is that one does not need a car, unless living in some very remote mountain area, even then, most use a motorbike.
There is plenty of transportation of all types.
Highway buses are available every ten min. or so.
You can flag them down from anywhere on the highway.
They are aircon, some with on-board movies and now even many with WIFI.
Local transport is by “C-Cad”. That is like a pedicab for two or three.
In larger towns they use motorcycle powered cabs, holding as many as six.
Only big cities have taxis.
Still, one needs the right attitude for third world living.
It is not for everyone.
One word: Amish
HYBRID seeds?
You won't be able to buy or sell without the number.
Find a place that BARTERS...
If America collapses, other countries will have problems of their own and won’t allow millions of new refugees. So, I’ll just try to find somewhere really remote... perhaps Alaska or someplace.
In November 1991, the Ormoc region was inundated by Tropical Storm Uring. Flash floods and landslides killed more than 6,000 people, mostly within the city proper itself.
In November 1991, the Ormoc region was inundated by Tropical Storm Uring. Flash floods and landslides killed more than 6,000 people, mostly within the city proper itself.
I have a few individuals I’d like to thank. It’s only fair to return the favor.
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