15% Permanent Unemployment for the USA?

The economists interviewed said that with the major companies realizing that cost cutting and cutting back on staff, which they have done in this recent recession, as a long term solution to their bottom line problems there will NOT be a return to the previous situation. In another words, these employers will NOT re-employ their former employees or hire any new ones!

So as a consultant in both emergency preparedness and survival I see numerous scenarios developing from this new situation.

First, expect more crime especially in urban areas. With no jobs in the foreseeable future you are going to see a LARGE increase in home invasions, random street assaults and convenience store robberies. I have talked to numerous law enforcement officers especially SWAT personnel who see urban crime increasing to the point that there could be anarchy. They have informed me that they have NO plans to stay through this chaos! In another words you are going to be on your OWN with this scenario. Same for fire personnel. Are you prepared to take care of your family?

Second, you will see a HUGE increase in people turning to food banks and soup kitchens. A recent article in the New York Times stated that already this year – 2009 – has had more people using food banks than since the Great Depression. They also reported that there was hardly enough food to take care of the current situation. So what will happen in 2010 when we add thousands of more people to the unemployment roll where the numbers will exceed 10%?

Sure there are food stamps but they can't last forever. If the unemployment stays at 15% over as many as the next 10 YEARS as some economists are saying, then where is the food coming from to feed these people? Food costs money and we can't afford to feed this 15% over 10 years unless we do another stimulus program and put this country further into debt!

I am telling my clients to learn to garden! There has been a 23% increase in people putting in vegetable garens in 2009. Even President Obama is encouraging the return to the Victory Gardens concept. If every one would get with their neighbors and set up a community garden, then this can be a solution for the food costs and possible shortage.

Also remember your grand parents CANNING? Well you need to learn how to do that too! I offer a FREE ebook on canning to my clients and subscribers. It has all the information you will need to can meats, vegetables and fruits. If you can grow a garden and can your food then at least you will not starve!

Third, people are going to have to cut back and simplify their lives. For instance, there are going to be thousands of more foreclosures in 2010. So where do these people live? Many will be able to rent homes for much less than what they were paying for the mortgage. I recommend to all my clients to RENT some of these foreclosures. If you can't afford to rent then you may want to look into joining with friends and creating a COOP living experience. It worked during the Hippie Era and can work again. We are working with clients to develop coop living ideas.

Many people are going to have to bite the bullet and move in with parents and other relatives. This happened in the Great Depression and it is already happening now.

I forsee that some people are going to have to consider "roughing it" and move on to some land and set up a large tent for their new home. Some people may think this is an extreme but I have already heard of "tent cities" going up right in the nicest areas of Atlanta! This has been confirmed for me by a friend that lives in the area. These people are using "squatters rights" on a piece of property that is owned by someone out of state.

I certainly do not condone camping out on property belonging to others. I do see that a group of people can get together and lease a piece of suitable land that preferably has a nice clean running stream, good soil and most importantly is MILES away from large urban areas. They can use mobile homes if the owner allows it, tents or our portable geodesic domes that we manufacture. We also manufacture a permanent dome home that could work nicely if you own the land.

You need to be prepared for the worst case scenario! This is NOT a time to put your head in the sand and hope the government will help you.