Elections and the aftermath-how to posture

swonut

swonut

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Jan 1, 2007
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So here it goes:
I'm a little concerned about how the election in November is going to turn out. So, I buy car insurance, house insurance, life insurance and so forth. So, if I were to spend say a few hundred bucks to "hedge" the possibility of a few weeks of uncertainty, what would you suggest?

I've got the small arms covered. I'm urban so so guns are mostly out. My wife says stock the freezer with meat, but I say stock the pantry with carbs to feed the two kids. In the end, I think this is overkill and and a waste of time and energy, but I almost creamed a small car this morning in traffic when he came out of "nowhere," so it's more insurance than assurance. Where would you spend a few hundred bucks to hedge your position?

Come February, when all is well and you guys are laughing at my loss, I'd like to be able to recover about 75% of my expenditure through consumption or resale.


Thanks!
 
Keeping a small stockpile (larder) of food, more than you are likely to consume, is never a bad idea. Even if there is no earthshaking social upheaval. Just keep it rotated. Canned goods and other pantry goods will keep if the power goes out from a winter storm. If you and your wife lose your jobs or are injured and unable to work, at least a supply of food is assured and one less thing to worry about. Stocking up can be as simple as buying an extra $25 a week in the store when you do your normal shopping. With food, if you rotate it, you will always recover 100% of your investment whether times are good or bad. Considering the declining value of currency and rising costs of groceries, you can even "profit" from buying more than you need when you can afford it. I also suggest a small gas camp stove or BBQ grille and maybe a charcoal grill with a supply of charcoal. It doesn't hurt to have a supply of water stored, or even just large, clean containers in which to store water when an interruption in service seems immenent. Think of it as being prepared to "camp in".
 
I'm curious as to what you think is going to happen? Obama's going to win and ship everyone off to interment camps?

Chad
 
Don't forget to stock up for the Mayan doomsday, in December, while you're at it.
 
I'd be more concerned about natural disasters.
 
Last edited:
Codger_64 said:
12/12/12 comes before that. It is an ominous number.
Click to expand...

is that East cost time or Pacific time that the world is going to end? Hmmm....I guess it will start ending in australia a full day before it hits the west. ;)
 
What to Always Keep in Your Pantry
These items have lengthy expiration dates, so you can stash them away for long periods of time. Make a list of everything in your stockpile and check expiration dates every 6 to 12 months to keep things fresh. And don't forget to have a can opener on hand at all times--all that food won't be of any use if you can't open it. DOn't forget to make a list of what you have in the freezer or fridge when a crisis or emergency arises. If the power goes out, you'll want to know what you have inside so you don't unnecessarily open the fridgte/freezer to look inside.

• Peanut butter A great source of energy, peanut butter is chock-full of healthful fats and protein. Unless the jar indicates otherwise, you don't have to refrigerate after opening.


• Whole-wheat crackers Crackers are a good replacement for bread and make a fine substitute in sandwiches. Due to their higher fat content, whole-wheat or whole-grain crackers have a shorter shelf life than their plain counterparts (check the box for expiration dates), but the extra fiber pays off when you're particularly hungry. Consider vacuum-packing your crackers to prolong their freshness.
• Nuts and trail mixes Stock up on these high-energy foods-they're convenient for snacking and healthful. Look for vacuum-packed containers, which prevent the nuts from oxidizing and losing their freshness.

• Cereal Choose multigrain cereals that are individually packaged so they don't become stale after opening.

• Granola bars and power bars Healthy and filling, these portable snacks usually stay fresh for at least six months. Plus, they're an excellent source of carbohydrates. "You can get more energy from carbohydrates without [eating] tons of food," Andress says.
Related: The Best Breakfast Cereals
• Dried fruits, such as apricots and raisins In the absence of fresh fruit, these healthy snacks offer potassium and dietary fiber. "Dried fruits provide you with a significant amount of nutrients and calories," Swanson says.

• Canned tuna, salmon, chicken, or turkey Generally lasting at least two years in the pantry, canned meats provide essential protein. Vacuum-packed pouches have a shorter shelf life but will last at least six months, says Diane Van, manager of the USDA meat and poultry hotline.

• Canned vegetables, such as green beans, carrots, and peas When the real deal isn't an option, canned varieties can provide you with essential nutrients.
• Canned soups and chili Soups and chili can be eaten straight out of the can and provide a variety of nutrients. Look for low-sodium options.

• Bottled water Try to stock at least a three-day supply--you need at least one gallon per person per day. "A normally active person should drink at least a half gallon of water each day," Andress says. "The other half gallon is for adding to food and washing."
• Sports drinks, such as Gatorade or Powerade The electrolytes and carbohydrates in these drinks will help you rehydrate and replenish fluid when water is scarce.

• Powdered milk Almost all dairy products require refrigeration, so stock this substitute for an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D when fresh milk isn't an option.
Related: 9 Fast, Healthy Breakfast Ideas
• Sugar, salt, and pepper If you have access to a propane or charcoal stove, you may be doing some cooking. A basic supply of seasonings and sweeteners will improve the flavor of your food, both fresh and packaged.

• Multivitamins Supplements will help replace the nutrients you would have consumed on a normal diet.
 
stockpile some good books. regardless of the election outcome, you'll feel better if you don't watch tv. aside from that, don't worry about it. there are enough dangers in this life without generating your own.
 
Start stocking up on containers that can store drinking water.
Keep a month's supply of canned food and any other food that you really want to have on hand. Inventory it periodically which I didn't and have tossed out of a lot of canned food.
Medicines that you routinely take. Is there any that you can't live without? Think about what you need not for this month as is normal, but the next month.
Extra pair of perscription glasses if you wear them.
Something that would allow you to better defend yourself if you had to.
I try to keep about a month's supply of most everything I feel is important that is not perishable. But there are times when supplies run low.
Generator (big enough to run your frig or freezer and a few lights) and at least a few empty fuel cans for when you need them. They wil be gone very quickly in an emergency. Fill them up if you are worried. But be careful about storing fuel, but at least it is something most of us use all the time.
Battery powered radio
Batteries
Cash

Take your pick. But the election is not going to cause the problem. That comes later.
 
Elections are such emotional events and the media and marketing experts play off that. Regardless of who wins, there is the potential for either small riots of "disenfranchised" voters or drunken stoops celebrating. It's always prudent insurance to have your larder stocked so you can avoid the more realistic hazards of nasty weather, power outages, and of course, stupid people.

With that in mind, always plan for no electricity as that's the worst case. Have plenty of bottled water if you don't have a reliable water source. Stick with dry and canned foods. Meat in the freezer is only good until the electricity goes out...then it's BBQ for breakfast, lunch and dinner for a couple of days. I wouldn't worry much, but it's a good opportunity to stock the larder.

ROCK6
 
Thanks guys for some good insight. It just seems like over the last year we've seen quite a few examples of temporary rips in the social fabric. Order seems to return, but it takes a while and opens up the door to some who seem to want to act like a hooligan. Given that one way or the other, a large part of the population is going to be on the losing side, I figured it was at least prudent to fill the fridge with beer and stock up on snacks. I'll also grab some charcoal and add it to the mix. The answers reminded me of once post hurricane, when the power went out for about six days, there is this point at about 48 hours when you realize that it's time to cook everything in the freezer. The smell of everyone grilling outside at the same time in the neighborhood was amazing.
 
People in the US are too apathetic for any serious rioting.

The only exceptions are people who are very poor and have nothing to lose, ala the Rodney King rioting, or if they think something endangers their lives (ie getting drafted to go to Vietnam)

I would worry more about drug addicts and weather problems. But that's just me.
 
As far as water goes I have a large 25 gallon tank I keep full but also have many natural water sources nearby. I do a lot of "ultralight" backpacking so every year I buy about a months worth of freedryed meals and I eventually use them on my trips and try my best to keep it replenished. I figure if something does happen I'd be ok for a while with this and it's enough for me. Personally I refuse to live in fear and worry because if I go down that road I could endlessly spin my wheels about any number of scenarios. Some people have adopted "prepping" as a hobby and I think that's great if it works for them.

All fear is in the future and if my head is constantly stuck there then I'm not enjoying the present and that is all we really have anyways. The past already happened and the future isn't here yet...why not enjoy the present, crack an ice cold beer and watch the new season of the walking dead....;)
 
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