Hard Times

2007-08-08T04:15:00.000-07:00

Introduction Statement
We have a definition of hard times because both of us have lived them. In our sixty years of married togetherness, plus the time of our youth before we were married, there are plenty of instances for just about any topic you can name. We have survived and you can benefit from our experience.
Yes there are other ways to survive, but we know these ways work. We are the proof.
First person tense is generally unacceptable, but we are writing an autobiographical piece and first person is totally acceptable for that kind of writing.
Hard times are -
When you lose your job, the unemployment pay runs out, and the only job openings are way below your required income to meet current expenses.
Or
When the cost and availability of fossil fuel puts it out of your reach and you must radically change your life style.
Or
When the Nation’s economy can no longer survive under the crushing debt..This can happen when the people and banks overseas who buy US bonds realize that the bonds have no tangible backing and they rush to sell them off.
Or
When the people in this country lose faith in the money system and inflation goes into orbit. Under these conditions, no one will take a dollar in payment for tangible goods or services and the economy grinds to a halt. No work for no pay.
Or
When the government revalues the dollar and your pile of wealth is reduced by the fraction used in the revaluing. Say, ten to one- maybe greater.
Or
When people panic and the Stock Market crashes. Notice I said "when" because the market is based upon very little tangible value along with the doctored statistics that various government agencies publish as truth.
Or
When the price of oil skyrockets because countries with hard money can outbid countries with soft money for the oil supply. Never mind the increasing demand for a decreasing supply of oil.
All of this is not secret or even obvious in the news. Politicians won’t mention them, "Bad news brings on a panic and we can’t do that." Big business pays heavily to keep bad news out of the press and contributes massive amounts to Congress for favorable legislation. This time, they all but own Congress and the present administration. Most government agencies must echo the policies of the current administration.
That’s enough for scenarios- any single one of which could create the granddaddy of hard times for us. The truth is, we are in a precarious situation and it is time to think about an emergency pack for hard times survival. Here are some preliminary goals for this kind of survival.
When can they happen? Overnight or in a single day. We have been building a debt in this Republican Administration under Bush that is greater then ever seen before. We are ripe for a crash.
We are concerned and we write to help those who want to help themselves. The Series begins with Transportation