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It's too soon, and it's too late.

Wed, 10/15/2008 - 06:17 — Jimmy Montague

In "A Bill That Can Never Be Paid," WP asks how come the American people don't rise up in anger. It's because they can't imagine what's coming down on them. They think this isn't going to be any worse than, say, the S&L screwing they took during the '80s.

Then there's the fact that the Reagan Revolution is now thirty years old. Those of us over 30 years of age are living with an entire generation that, collectively, have no memory of the world that was before Reagan. So far as they're concerned, we haven't lost a thing and they don't yet understand what we older folks are all upset about.

Reaganism, so far as I can tell, has succeeded beyond even Rappin' Ron's wildest hopes. Between GOP liars, talk-radio hate merchants, and free-market mythology, the political landscape is changed so that electing liberals is impossible. Democrats have been forced so far to the Right that the two parties are now effectively one and that one is Reaganite conservative. Politicians no longer squabble over ideology. They squabble over loot.

Beyond the fact that the population now has less money and less leisure than they formerly had, changes to date have had little to no impact on the overwhelming majority. They are hunkered down around their television sets, hoping things are already as bad as things can get and waiting for the "all clear" to sound. Having never heard of noblesse-oblige, having no memory of the Great Depression, having no recollection of responsible, accountable leadership or of constitutional government, and having had no PERSONAL experience of third-world poverty and police-state brutality, they lack any frame of reference.

Many older Americans know what is coming and fear it. They are preparing for it now. The rest of the country, totally unprepared, will be aroused when it finally gets here (in a few more weeks or months).

Younger Americans will be told by their masters that it's all the fault of the aged, the sick, the disabled. It is the aged and the sick and the disabled, after all, who draw the bulk of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps, and other so-called entitlements. We will be the Jews of the New Reich that is howling down upon us. Our personal destruction, the theft of our property, the consumption of our goods will consume the energy of the mob for several years. By that time, the government will have work for them in the armed forces.

Those with eyes to see now know where this is going. Those who don't see are those who will help do the killing. I've said enough.

J.M.

Comments

Wed, 10/15/2008 - 08:18 — Winter

fantastic piece, Jimmy

Thanks very much.

Wed, 10/15/2008 - 10:58 — Ruth (not verified)

"Many older Americans know

"Many older Americans know what is coming and fear it. They are preparing for it now."

Please tell me what they are doing to prepare for it. Literally and seriously. I'm trying to figure it out myself.

Thu, 10/16/2008 - 03:48 — Jimmy Montague

Use your head, Ruth

If you knew today that you won't be able to buy groceries in six months' time, what would you do to prepare for the fact? If you're on a fixed income and you knew that within six months time inflation will be so bad that your income won't buy anything, what would you do to prepare for it?

What do you think it means that the U.S. Government has printed up and will soon put two or three trillion dollars into circulation (on top of what's already in circulation). What do you suppose that will do to the purchasing power of the dollars YOU now hold?

Use your head.

Jimmy

"It may be thought that I am prejudiced. Perhaps I am. I would be ashamed of myself if I were not." Mark Twain

Thu, 10/16/2008 - 10:29 — james

Hi Ruth

That is a very pertinent question of your's and Jimmy makes some good points though perhaps his frustration at the whole American scene is colouring his expression.
I would seriously consider emmigration if this is at all feasible. Failing that-
Jiimmy's point about massive inflation is central to understanding what will probably unfold. When the amount of money in circulation is massively increased then prices will massively increase along with it. This is because the ammount of goods that can be purchased do not increase and in time the amount of goods (and services) will increase in price to equal the amount of money available to buy them.
Added to this, when the dollar depreciates (which it will do soon) against foreign currencies from countries that supply basic commodities, then this will also cause prices to rise.
So, yeah, stock up on non perishable food. Six months of rice, for instance, doesn't cost a lot (now) and doesn't take up a lot of space. Reduce your need for money if at all possible, in other words.

After food comes shelter and safety. Inner cities are not going to be pleasant places to live, most likely. The police are going to be as much of a problem as thieves. Maybe you have friends or family living in rural areas. Friends (real ones!) are going to be your biggest asset. When the shit hits the fan, that's all that's of real value.

If you aren't going to move and have the space, plant a vegie garden. Network with some friends with this i.e. grow different things. There are seed co-ops to get non patented seeds from. Make a little greenhouse using some clear plastic. Buy the tools you will need now. Think about what skills you have that would be useful to you and your friends and buy whatever equipment you might need.

The other thing you could do is familiarize yourself with what happened in Argentina a few years ago and perhaps to Germany between the World Wars. What's happening is being deliberately orchestrated by the bankers and they tend to repeat what has worked for them before.

Bon chance.

Thu, 10/16/2008 - 11:26 — james

Two good articles

from Alternet. Make that "two excellent articles"-

www.alternet.org/audits/102992/5_pieces_of_advice_for_the_new_paupers/?p...
and
www.alternet.org/workplace/102672/financial_meltdown_101/?page=entire

Thu, 10/16/2008 - 13:00 — Anonymous (not verified)

Jimmy Montague writes so

Jimmy Montague writes so damned well when the mood strikes him. Some people like Joe Bageant for a similar sort of perspective, but I'll take Jimmy's writing over Bageant's. Bageant's too resigned to things, while Jimmy still has passion.

Thanks, Jimmy. Thanks for the very wise historical snapshot, and thanks for reminding us that at bottom, this is a matter of character, and it's showing us all how spineless and spoiled is the American character, as a society.

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