Liberal preppers. Believe it or not, they’re out there.
Especially since the most recent presidential election, liberals have had the tables turned on them. Many of them fear Trump as much as many conservative preppers feared Hillary. This has led to a unique movement which has created some new preppers…
Liberal preppers.
The question is, do you think they have the adequate skills, supplies, and attitude to survive in a SHTF environment?
My “knee-jerk” reaction speaking from my own general experiences with liberals that I have known over the years, the answer is, “not so much”.
I am not saying that there are not liberals or liberal preppers who do not or could not have adequate skills and preparedness supplies to survive.
I am saying that liberal preppers may have problems in the right attitude department when it comes to SHTF survival. More on that later…
While most people are not preppers (~ 3%?), there are certainly far fewer liberal preppers than otherwise.
Can A Liberal Be A Prepper?
Note: This is not meant to be a slam on those who may be liberal preppers. It is a legitimate question that I’m posing to the reading audience for discussion. There has been an apparent uptick in “liberals” who are prepping since the last election and a valid topic to consider. I’m sure a lively discussion will ensue.
The words “liberal prepper” implies that there is a liberal who is indeed a prepper, which then gets into one’s definition of a prepper.
If someone is a prepper, does it matter if they’re liberal or otherwise? Yes, I believe that it does, to an extent.
Painting with a very broad brush, I would say that the typical “liberal” doesn’t stand much of a chance during a long-term SHTF collapse. Remember, I said “typical” (liberal).
That said, there are LOTS of conservatives who also would not stand much of a chance because they’re not adequately prepared themselves with certain skills and supplies – although their attitude (outlook) might be better suited for SHTF than that of the liberal.
Most ‘preppers’ (I don’t like that word too much since it has been stigmatized) are generally conservative or libertarian minded people.
I do question if it is possible to be a prepper who could survive SHTF-collapse while yet being liberal. Again, a broad brush statement / question.
I can certainly understand that there are many people (if not the majority) who are actually better described as mongrels. A mixture of various ideals. I know many people who I would mostly classify as conservative or right-wing although having some liberal tendencies in one area or another. Just the way it is.
Who Are These Liberals?
Just what is a liberal anyway? I believe that the definition (or the reality) has changed over the years. The liberals of decades ago seem to be nothing like today’s liberals. JFK was a liberal, however he had qualities about him that today’s liberal would scoff at or call right-wing.
My instinctive broad definition is that liberals (these days) are closer to socialists than the liberal of yesteryear. They are generally for big government, taxation for more social handouts, and fewer individual rights and freedoms at the expense of increased regulation of business and the populace.
Merriam Webster says the liberal is “marked by generosity, and given or provided in a generous and openhanded way.”
Handouts anyone?
Merriam Webster also says that the liberal is “favoring, or based upon the principles of liberalism.”
They define liberalism as “a movement in modern Protestantism emphasizing intellectual liberty and the spiritual and ethical content of Christianity.” What? That doesn’t line up with most liberals I know… who are anything but Christians…
They also say liberalism is “a theory in economics emphasizing individual freedom from restraint and usually based on free competition, the self-regulating market, and the gold standard.” What?! Does that line up with what you think today’s liberal is all about? Free markets and competition? Really? What liberal politician do you know that favors less regulation or free markets?
Lastly, Merriam Webster describes liberalism as “a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties; specifically : such a philosophy that considers government as a crucial instrument for amelioration of social inequities (such as those involving race, gender, or class).”
This last definition is a bit closer to it. Who doesn’t believe in progress though? It also seems to me that the protection of civil liberties by today’s liberal is just for their own and not for those who they don’t necessarily agree with. Hypocritical.
I digress. However to consider the article’s question one must have a perceptive definition of what a liberal is, and therefore what is a liberal prepper?
What Is A Prepper?
A prepper is one who prepares. Prepper’s prepare for a variety of things ranging from ordinary bumps in the road to all out collapse conditions. They go about it in a multitude of different ways though many of the ways share common roads.
The prepper builds up supplies for a rainy day (or series of many days!). Think of the story about the ant and the grasshopper.
Are You An Ant Or A Grasshopper?
Most liberals by my own perceived definition will instinctively depend upon handouts from other “good people” or .gov if they are ever to be in a time of need.
The prepper is individualistic with a desire towards self-reliance and self-sufficiency to an extent.
This doesn’t match up with seemingly most liberal’s today, many of whom are more aligned with socialsim rather than individualism.
There are characteristics though which may be shared and are not hinged to their political ideals. Things like adaptability, intuition, resolve, the will to survive, and the basic or advanced skills to be a survivalist or prepper.
So, Can Liberal Preppers Survive SHTF?
That said, Do Liberal Preppers Have Skills, Supplies, Attitude To Survive SHTF?
Assuming that they are preppers,
Skills: Yes it is possible.
Supplies: Yes it is possible.
Attitude to survive: Yes and No, with caveats…
Skills and Supplies are independent of political or core beliefs.
Attitude can get into one’s core values, beliefs, and ideals. This is where the liberal will have difficulty in my opinion. To survive true SHTF, the liberal mindset is not going to cut it when the going gets tough.
Very tough decisions will have to be made during SHTF. Many difficult actions will be required to protect one’s-self, family, or group. Not sure if the liberal can stomach that. Too many will have the attitude that somehow, some way, someone else will be kind enough to help them or give them what they need. During SHTF, this may be unlikely.
It will require an attidude that is more aligned with the rugged individual. And most rugged individuals are not liberals.
What do you think?
Top Pics:
Liberal Preppers DO exist, but they should be prepared to learn some of their past positions will change as they assimilate.
As in ‘ALL FIREARMS ARE BAD’ – umm – nope. Bad People making Bad Choices with Firearms are bad. Good Guys with Firearms aren’t nearly as harmful, (except to those who threaten them).
A liberal prepper will “expect” certain things to happen. A conservative Prepper expects the unexpected and will adapt and overcome.
A liberal prepper will use their moral superiority to get what they want. Standing on your doorstep they will say, “We all have to share. It is the moral thing to do.” The conservative prepper will reply, “what is moral about standing on my doorstep and saying, “I want what you have, what you worked for, gave up your time and energy for and paid for yourself.” This will occur as the liberal prepper organizes the “community response plan” or when they run out of supplies.
Emotional response for the liberal prepper will be extreme when the situation becomes tough. They will either curl up and die or become violent to survive. The conservative prepper will be analyzing, communicating, heightening their OPSEC, and continuing to prepare for this emotional response.
Stay frosty.
do tell
A good example of what Liberals might do is illustrated in the fictional book #2 of the “Walking Home” series. Liberal Preppers will at the correct time in urban areas organize neighbors and neighborhoods to take food and supplies from conservative preppers under the guise of law and order. Saying they have the law and public sentiment behind them. As in the walking Home series conservative preppers will have to quickly band together to counter act the threat.
Leftists will not change at all. They will feel entitled to somebody else’s cash/supplies, by any means necessary. They would feel completely justified killing you for your supplies, because they consider themselves a “better person” who is “better for the world”, and you were “being selfish”.
They would distribute your supplies “fairly”, after they take what they want, of course.
Leftists all have the “share THE wealth” mentality. Note that what’s yours is THE wealth, and what’s theirs is theirs alone. Anything belonging to someone they dislike is THE wealth, and is to be shared “equally”, with the leftist being the arbiter of equality.
Let’s hear it for trap doors outside the front door. Lol
A flamethrower would be more effective and more personally satisfying, as well as taking care of eliminating the body(ies).
An excellent example of the “emotional swing” occurred after a soldier was shot in Ottawa, Canada. This person was against guns, hated them. They believed in multiculturalism and all the other “ism’s”. When the killing occurred her first response was, “they should be shot!” A while later they went back to hating guns.
My favorite was a friend of mine, another author, who wrote a piece on gun control. Taking into account that he’s owned a gun store, been in the military and taught CC classes for years, you can image which direction the post went.
He started getting death threats from “liberals” who hated guns (and by extension him) so much that they were going to come to his home and kill his family. With guns, of course.
LOL. It’s all going by the book.
One more thing, maybe. I will be thinking about this topic all day so there may be more to come.
Good friends, a couple, come to your house when life becomes tough. One is conservative and has great skills. The other is a liberal. What do you do? Would you risk having a time bomb in your midst in order to have the skilled person?
Pieface, opinions are one thing, actions are another. The couple has made their relationship work, probably because there are lines that they don’t cross with each other. If the rules of acceptable behavior are agreed to, the consequences for violating that behavior understood, then acquiring someone with skills might be worth listening to someone with a different point of view.
@skibum
Thanks. You have made me realize the importance of rules and that they be established and agreed upon. Feel much better now, although now I have to start figuring out the rules.
I haven’t even begun on what the rules might be. I should probably bring the subject up with my husband. That might make for another great article, Ken. “What would your rules be, and how would they differ in short-term and long-term scenarios?”
Such hypotheticals may well be interesting to debate, but it would be foolish to act upon any such offering. It would inevitably cause your demise. When the going gets tough, tigers don’t change their stripes, and the “acceptable” part of the couple would surely side with their mate.
#1 There are no liberal preppers.
#2 If there were, they would give all their preps away to the first beggar.
#3 liberals have no guns, so it would be easy to take their stash.
#4 At the first sign of SHTF, liberals would be running to the local government office for help.
#5 Again , there are no liberal preppers.
Right! Sure! (Sarcasm). If you give supplies to a liberal, ask if they are going to share it? (In response to number two)
#2 Liberals are no more open minded and open handed than any other group. They expect THE .GOV to give to everyone, not them. “I pay taxes therefore I don’t have to give” seems to be the over-riding attitude among the liberals I personally know. Many of them give a great deal, but when the chips are down they expect that the government will take care of the problem.
#3 (and #4) I know many liberals who own guns. That’s an overgeneralization that could get you in serious trouble. Many started buying guns after Trump was elected. Others already had their guns and (ironically) started burying them because Trump was going to take them away.
#3 (and#4) Yep, many liberals own guns. They call themselves “antifa” and they’ve demonstrated they are willing to use violence to further their political goals. Thankfully, so far they have have mostly refrained from using their guns except for the one who shot up the Republican baseball practice earlier this month.
#2 If there were, they would give all their preps away to the first beggar.
And that was my first thought!!! You nailed it.
Well that article should get some folks juices flowing. I don’t underestimate any liberals possible behavior when pressed or pushed into a corner, the usual response is to verbally attack. Now we observe physical attacks, next logic step is weapons which is starting to happen. I don’t think survival is the motivation, my way or the highway is the prime driver. You must live your life as I tell you it should be, it and has to be like me. So, when the SHTF, they will be coming at you to conform to the group, you will stick out if you don’t, then the attack progression begins. So, minimal liberal preppers (truly prepared individuals), but the majority will be reactive and a dangerous bunch.
thats what firearms are for
Probably the worst article you have ever written, ridiculous. It suggests politics plays a role in survival, it does not. It suggests, based on your bias, that liberals generally think the same way with the same mindset, not remotely. It suggests conservatives have all the qualities to survive, even more ridiculous. The vast majority of our conservative brethren are so blinded by conspiracy junkie addiction, beyond out of physical shape, have unrealistic views of their own abilities and show off their little world to friends family and YouTube. I won’t say I am shocked you wrote this, moreover it proves my point; complete lack of being in touch with reality and over inflated sense of importance. You’re a true follower.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Oh, my!
Try reading “Who Really Cares?”. Much to the liberal author’s study it is people who identify as conservatives who are more charitable in both time and money and to groups outside their realm.
@Dave, I’m bleeding 😉
This will surely make for some lively conversation though…
I do believe that the way one thinks, their ideals, their views, their ideologies, are reflected to an extent in their political leanings. Their attitude to an extent. This is where the conversation may prove interesting.
I’ve never done an article like this while discussing left vs. right as it directly relates to preparendess capabilities to survive SHTF. Should be interesting discussion.
I would not exactly agree that he is saying that politics plays a role in survival. He is saying that people with certain political views have certain ideologies and that said ideologies govern the way a person acts.
He never suggested that conservatives have all the qualities to survive, he said that they were capable of them whereas a liberal’s ideology may compromise some of the attributes they may need.
Not only is the rest of your post filled with ad hominem, but it makes many damning generalizations about many different people. While Ken may make generalizations about liberals as a whole, he gives plenty of evidence, drawing from their ideology.
I do not believe that Ken is wrong in this article. Think of “far, radical left groups” and how they would fair in a SHTF scenario (considering that they would most likely be the people buying guns in response to a Trump presidency–that or their fear-mongering is working on more naive people).
They would most likely handle it similarly to how they handle anything else. They favor socialism, conformity, are against free speech (that isn’t their own), wish for greater government control, and most importantly they want to force others to share these views.
Please tell me how anyone of those people would be good at making alliances with one another and working together willingly instead of forcing everyone to follow them and do what they say.
Leftists want more government control ONLY if they control the levers of power.
This is a VERY useful article. Too many people sell the lefties short. When their worldview is questioned, they feel perfectly justified in using violence.
Extrapolate that attitude to a real crisis.
Dave, oh really,
this is off track but it’s the TRUTH from the year 1900 to the year 1999 170 MILLION people where all murdered by their own governments.
All made much more simple to kill because those SAME governments had DISARMED CERTAIN SEGMENTS OF THEIR POPULATION
AND 98 % OF THOSE GOVERNMENTS WERE ALL COMMUNIST OR LEFT WING NOW EITHER PROVE HISTORICAL FACTS WRONG OR SHUT UP!
Lefties are freaking out because they have always been able to disarm the
“beneficiaries” of leftist rule. They have never been able (and never tried )to impose hard-left rule on an armed populace.
The blacks, spics, and sexual deviant freaks are losing it because they know that even if they got rid of Trump & co tomorrow, the days of the “in your face’ freak are winding down, and there’s no going back to their heyday.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t hate any of these groups. I’m just tired of being told I have to kiss their asses.
I hope you know you are replying to a paid troll (either a person or a bot) if it’s a bot it is programmed only to give certain algorithmic responses and then they can use that to gauge and profile you to see what side you stand on if we do go to martial law.
Ya-all do know this was a fly-by statement and yelling back at a bunch of text on the screen will do ya no good besides getting yar blood pressure up, right?
My thoughts exactly
Then move along boner
I have only one problem with the concept of “liberal prepper”. That is even with my variable power(3-9 power) scope set to the 9 power position I can not visually discern a liberal prepper from just a liberal at 100 yards. Could someone here tell me what the identifying differences are?
Texas Boy
That’s easy, the “Liberal Prepper” will not be approaching your house in the first place, for they are already prepared and won’t be in need, correct? Any different that a Rep. that does not prepare?
Part of the problem, as you indicated in your article, is definitions. The phrase “prepper” has been stigmatized and many liberals are steeped in the idea of squashing badthink in their own minds. That doesn’t make them less preppers if they prepare–it just means they don’t identify as such and so are less likely to be included in the definition.
Likewise, many people identify themselves as “liberal” who don’t fit the modern definition. The word “progressive” has also been purloined, primarily so that Democrats could legally go to the voting areas to campaign, which the constitution says is illegal (look it up). I divide the political “Democrat” from “liberal” as a general course, just like I divide “Republican” from “conservative.” They’re not the same thing.
Both liberals and conservatives are human, and while fewer liberals might be prepared (after all, the .gov is going to Care For Me) I think many will be able to adapt quite well to the new reality. They will survive because they can adapt, and not because of any political leanings.
Conservatives won’t adapt to the new reality any more easily. I currently see the liberals quickly catching up in matters of preparedness, and even surpassing the conservatives in some ways. I can only hope the disasters will hold off until as many people (regardless of political leanings) as possible are ready.
oh really then WHY HAVE I run into MANY left wing anti gun nuts that are are OPENLY STATING that ARE READY AND WILLING TO GO TAKE OTHERS SUPPLIES THESE SLIME ARE OPENLY STATING THEY WANT WAR
I can only go by the “liberals” that I know. I’m sure you know a different set.
Resorting to click bait I see.
@Jimbo, No, sorry to dissapoint you on that one. This was actually inspired during an email correspondence that I was having with someone. Given today’s extreme political differences (exhibited during the last election and fallout thereof), I felt that it would make for a lively discussion. During the months following the election there have been a surprising number of reports how liberals are now “prepping”, and it is a valid topic for discussion.
No problem. You can be the guy that accentuates the differences between people rather than the similarities. I’m sure you’ll take care of your neighbors, regardless of affiliation, when the time comes. How’s sales?
And you are free to change the channel anytime you wish…
The lefties KNOW that unlike the evil, insane, “Alt-right” preppers, the lefties are perfectly justified in being concerned about an uncertain future.
Michael Moore is now screaming that he cannot live in a country where Trump is president.
I was under the impression that Moore could afford a private flight to the socialist utopia of his choice. Venezuela is nice this time of year, and Moore doesn’t have to worry about food for a long time. He carries his backup supply wherever he goes.
If this was clickbait, I am disappointed.
Everybody knows hott young chicks make the best clickbait.
Amazing how abrasive and snarky the language can become when disagreeing with Ken.
@Pieface, Well, some topics do tend to polarize – which tends to bring out emotional responses, some of which might be ‘over the top’. I’ve got some pretty thick skin and am wearing a vest since I expect to be shot at once in awhile.
Ken J
“I’ve got some pretty thick skin and am wearing a vest since I expect to be shot at once in awhile.”
Yeah, but dude, that’s one of those Orange Safety Vets that road workers wear… HAHAHA
The article make perfect scence to me. Nice job Ken
I don’t understand all the fools getting their panties in a wad. This article touches upon something that must be considered. These “snowflakes” run home to mommy because they know mommy is waiting for them. Just watch TV or the internet to get a taste of how quickly they can become violent. These “snowflakes” are, by and large, unfamiliar with firearms. That’s why they’ll immediately employ ambush tactics.
Sure, most of them will probably get taken down quickly. Let down your guard and you could easily be a victim of one of their first encounters.
Remember, the most violent parts of USA are teeming with lefties.
I believe the question and answer rests almost completely on the definition of who’s liberal and who’s conservative.
I live in a region where the average resident is better prepared for long term survival because of their self sufficient (I’ll flesh this term out in a moment) lifestyle, than 90% of the population. These folks, for the most part, are poor. From childhood, they have depended on hunting, fishing, foraging, and raising fruits and vegetables to feed their families. They can their produce, smoke and cure their own meat, repair their own equipment, well, you get the picture. They love their guns, hate abortion, are against gay rights, I could go on and on. Hard core conservatives, right?
BUT….., they have not seen a government handout they don’t like. They “game the system” for medicaid, workman’s comp, food stamps, social security disability, well again, you get the picture. How would you describe them, conservative or liberal?
My closest neighbor, a mile distant, is 75 years old, has been on disability for over 20 years. She has home canned meats, fruits, veggies numbering in the thousands of quarts. Last year, after her husband died, we went through her inventory and gave away over 500 quarts of her canned goods, leaving her with around 1500 jars. This is not counting four large deep freezers filled to the brim. All this accumulated from her own gardens and fruit trees, and deer that she killed herself. Yet, she continues to vote democrat because “them republicans will take my check away from me.”
You would think she would be a “conservative”, but is she?
Dennis
“BUT….., they have not seen a government handout they don’t like. They “game the system” for medicaid, workman’s comp, food stamps, social security disability, well again, you get the picture. How would you describe them, conservative or liberal?”
Kinda makes ya wonder if the Self-sufficient are the stupid ones huh?
But if you get hooked on that dependency free stuff, at some point TPTB can and will slowly tighten that noose around your neck. I prefer freedom and not always being on bended knee.
Excellent comments. If a label was needed in this case, I would have to call this a “liberal hoarder”. But most of us will take the free s**t if it is offered. Bread and circus has always worked to subdue the masses.
Lots of people who consider themselves “liberals” don’t know what a liberal is. Recently a famous singer said, “I hate big government; that is why I am a liberal.”
Generally, conservatives are self-reliant, while liberals want the government to take care of them.
Some liberals suddenly decided to become Preppers when Trump was elected. Most of them are in the beginning stages of learning to be self-sufficient — about where some of us were in 2009 when One Second After was published. We have an 8 year head start on them.
I mostly agree but I don’t think that liberals perceive prepping as a personal responsibility but rather government responsibility. Their concern is that the since the Trump government won’t be there for them they will have to do it for themselves? Of course they don’t! They want to overthrow Trump to assure government style preparedness. This is not all bad, there is some good in local fire department, first responder, police support. Nonetheless, these are dangerous people, communists.
This nation was founded by true liberals. The people who claim to be liberal today are nothing of the sort. They are tolerant only of people who agree with them
Liberals are like cockroaches (AKA international bankers and their political minions and sheeple followers.) They will survive SHTF, just like cockroaches have for eons because they have the tenacity, the audacity and the human arrogance to keep coming after our stuff, even when the world is crumbling around them and even after many of them have been eliminated while attempting to steal from us. They just skitter away (like cockroaches) and keep coming back again and again until they steal, ruin or destroy everything. They truly believe that everything belongs to them to use as they see fit. What’s theirs is theirs and what’s ours is also theirs and woe be unto anyone who believes otherwise. Preppers will turn over their preps to the liberals, either by consent or by conquest. Liberals will be skittering around long after the last prepper has perished.
A true prepper should be prepared to do more than just provide a roof over their head and food in their pantry otherwise the liberals will steal it all.
then a lot had better be ready to die
It’s types of comments like this that get me sometimes. Guess what other group was called cockroaches? The Tutsis. Do you understand why? It’s because dehumanization of a person gives you the ability to justify killing them. It is this rhetoric being thrown around in the world that I dislike the most. I disagree with liberals in many more ways than one, but regardless, they are human–that is their downfall as it is my own. It is not liberals that are are worst enemy, it is our very nature as humans. We are flawed. Whenever any calamity strikes I can assure you, it doesn’t matter who survives or not, beacuse history will repeat itself, not because of who survived but because of the fact that SOMEONE survived.
@ Youngster
You are right… my bad. I should not have dehumanized the liberals by calling them cockroaches as that most certainly would hurt their feelings (both the liberals and the cockroaches.) I have seen the error of my rhetoric which was disrespectful to the noble cockroach who somehow has managed to survive here for over 300 million years. We all should start acting like cockroaches instead of humans, then maybe our survivability would go up.
CrabbeNebulae
I have to admit your on a roll today… HAHAHA
Can ya just imagine 300 million years, and Humans have been here what? a couple of dozen millennium? Geeze, wonder what this “Third Rock form the Sun” will be in a few million years with The Human Animal around?
Ain’t going to happen, we WILL toast ourselves for a grain of rice.
@ NRP
HAHAHA!! I was being modest and just warming up
What can I say nice about a group of humans who are, collectively, responsible for stealing nearly $800,000.00 from me over the last 50+ years and untold trillions from the rest of you altogether with their egregious and nefarious social schemes? As far as I’m concerned, they can all burn in hell… now or after SHTF, it doesn’t matter to me and I’ll make no apologies to anyone for my comments about their behavior. Just saying.
If they are preppers now or after SHTF, that’s ok. If they are not preppers, that’s even better. HAHAHA
NRP
Your $800.000 was used for the snow plowing of your road and CO2 monitoring proximal to your place.
CrabbeNabulae
Your hypothesis is right on.
I step on a few of those cockroaches, they were armadillo plated. lol (in phoenix az)
I dont think preparedness follows political lines, However,
The people i know who are somewhat prepared and liberal tend to have a much rosier vision of what it could be like after some sort of event, they tend to think more of a collective. Some are with it and have skills, supplies and know its going to be difficult, others have supplies but feel we will have to pool what we have to keep everybody going. Thats where we diverge.
I havent struggled to get what i have only to spread it around after everything comes unglued, selfish? Damn right when it comes to food and supplies in a state that has to import everything. I dont really want to help everybody make it through because theres lots of people out there who need to learn the hard way.
So sure, liberal preppers could be fine, but they may be running the biggest social experiment of all time testing just how stong humanity really is and just how fine a line there is between civility and chaos.
Sometimes a persons politics is better left out of the conversation, if everything goes to hell that will definitely be the time to forget politics because that will be counter productive. Free rides will be a thing of the past, EVERYBODY will have to pull together to work, the people who are pulling their weight will be fine, those who dont will be doomed regardless especially if they think they will get handouts every time their belly feels empty.
Harsh? Yes, but talk to me about that after the boats stop coming and the shelves are empty cause right now none of it matters.
I have a close friend in Colorado that sums it up perfectly. We hunted together for many years and he was a outstanding shot on the range. But he could never make meat in the field for one basic reason. He does not have the (Eye of the Tiger). This can be called blood lust or mean streak but it’s not. It’s a cold calmness with resolve to kill or be killed in a tenth of a second with no regret. I have come up against some hard people in my life, most when they see that look in your eye back off. A snowflake would not ever understand a full combat mind set as it is not P.C. Green Hell changed me, the Golan defined me.
“Merriam Webster says the liberal is ‘marked by generosity, and given or provided in a generous and openhanded way.’”
Generous in giving OTHER peoples money and property away, not their own. Studies have shown that conservatives are far more generous with their own money and belongings.
Good article Old Man.
If allowed I would like to make a couple of observations.
First of all, it’s estimated that somewhere between 3 and 5% (if that high) of the people in the US are prepared for a single month of “Lights Out” or TSHTF if you prefer. That’s not a lot of Conservatives AND/OR Liberals combined. It is also a fact that the .gov cannot and/or will-not provide if a major SHTF happens; look again at Katrina, what an embarrassment to the .gov.
Second, it’s obvious after the past election whom the violent people are when they lose, if anyone wants to discuss that just look a little at history. Liberals have shown their true core, and WILL become even more/extremely violent if TSHTF, period. As will ALL people when they have nothing and their families/wife/children are starving.
Next, Liberals are currently buying more firearms/ammunition/supplies than all of the rest of the population combined. Simple fact, they (Liberals) are arming up and building up supplies at an alarming rate; about time.
Forth, the Human Animal is 100% violent/ruthless when it comes to survival, Liberals are no different. I agree that the mindset of Liberals or Socialist is one of “give me give me” but when there is nobody handing them, OR Republicans, what is needed to survive, there IS going to be a serious problem.
I believe that if someone, even a Liberal, develops the mindset of preparing, it changes their thinking. Realizing that if one need’s to have a month’s of supplies and maybe a few “different” skills than normal, they become a little less of a Wacko Liberal OR Republican, and start to realize that the Country and World is not all Unicorns and Roses. When someone opens their eyes and finally sees what ‘could’ happen, it makes a difference to how they see the world.
Ken asked in the title to the Article “Do Liberal Preppers Have Skills, Supplies, Attitude To Survive SHTF?” I believe if you think they don’t; then you need to get your head out of the sand and start realizing more about Human Nature and drop the politics when it comes to “Lights Out” and the need to prepare.
Just because Liberals have different ideas/attitude on things does NOT mean they are stupid when it comes to surviving. Everyone seems to think that it will only be “Those Liberals” that will be busting your door down for your supplies; ya had better think about that other 95-97% that DON’T PREPARE at all, including the righteous Republicans.
Finally, I don’t think it’s wise to label someone as a “Liberal Prepper”, a “Republican Prepper” or a “Buddhist Prepper” it defeats the fact that someone/anyone is preparing. Personally I’m ecstatic that ‘they/whoever’ are preparing and I would do anything I could to help supply, train, teach, assist as I could (as long as not some wacko radical nut-job of course), period.
Just my 3¢
Have you seen the youtube of the gun training day the libtards had a few months ago? No range master or training staff just people in front of the firing line and behind it all shooting every which way. They were not even close to hitting the target and the targets were all over. I see it as a great battle field resupply opportunity. As for my red neck neighbors they are a concern but a lot will not last a week without the drugs they use.
Southernman
Yes I saw it, all awhile laughing and hoping like hell it was a Spoof…. HAHAHA
I kept waiting for someone to get shot. Lol
The lefties are like management where I work. They think a “training class” can take care of anything. What constitutes “training” (in their mind) is laughable.
Katrina was NOT an embarrassment to .gov. It just vividly illustrated that .gov doesn’t give a shit about ANY of us. After the decades of “affirmative action” blacks, spics, and white trash welfare leeches will shit themselves when NO help comes arunnin’.
During and after Katrina, .gov learned a lot about protecting and providing for themselves.
NRP, I so appreciate your logical comments. I’m not a liberal, but I’m not a hardcore conservative. Not because I’m a fence sitter, but because I have pretty strong opinions about a lot of things, and it doesn’t all handily fit into the creed of one party or the other. I was more liberal until I lived in California, where everything is so regulated and taxed that a simple trip to the DMV made me practically suicidal. Now I live in Utah, which is a blessed relief comparatively. But I don’t want to get into that – what I do want to say that I agree with what you have to say about survival, and the personal sense of responsibility for one’s own and one’s family’s well being. There are shades within politics, so I feel that the answer to Ken’s question is, yes. IF they’re aware and paying attention. Which is the exact same answer I would give if the question was about conservatives. Any person who has a sense of the fragility of our world should be actively getting ready, no matter what it says on their voter registration card. North Korean missiles aren’t going to stop and ask what your political affiliation is or if you think welfare is working out. And likewise, aligning yourself to one party or another doesn’t automatically equip you with a bug out bag if you ticked republican, or food stamps if you ticked democrat. It’s entirely about educating yourself and paying attention. Phew, I feel like I’ve written a lot for a first time commenter (although I’m a long time reader!). Anyway, I live in a small town that is 95 percent Mormon, which is probably a better indicator of how prepared the people are than political party. LOL. Food storage for the win! 🙂
Thanks for commenting. I had to laugh at your California DMV comment – remembering my own initial horrific experience there! (now a distant memory).
“I have pretty strong opinions about a lot of things, and it doesn’t all handily fit into the creed of one party or the other.”
-They love to put us all in a box. Your statement is likely true for many or most of us.
“North Korean missiles aren’t going to stop and ask what your political affiliation is”
-Exactly!
Yes, I agree. All this labeling of fellow humans and citizens makes prepping sound a like a private club with restrictions to join. Just be happy more people are prepping. And I agree that the 97% who don’t prep will be a problem, regardless of political affiliation.
A “liberal prepper” seems to be a contradiction. Therefore, we must reevaluate our premises. Thanks to everyone who has been questioning what “liberal” means.
For quite a while, I have been questioning my political identity, not because my beliefs have changed, but because the labels don’t seem to fit. Many of my conservative friends have said that my beliefs align with theirs. My liberal friends describe me as being “a full step to the Left of Bernie.” Is this a contradiction?
I am currently thinking that “liberal” and “conservative” are more about attitude than policy. And Left/Right/Center are more about policy than attitude. Up here in the mountains, I know many “rugged individualists” who supported Bernie (not me, he is too much of a globalist).
Most of my friends who consider themselves “Left’ and love their guns are really quiet about it for fear of ostracization.
I really believe that we need to get past these labels that are used to divide us if we are ever going to solve the problems that we all are faced with. In the meantime, I will celebrate diversity, fight for equal rights, advocate for personal responsibility, smaller decentralized government, environmental and economic justice (not mercy), and above all prep as insurance against the inevitable and horrific results of Deep State policy.
The problem we run into is that the media (primarily self-defined “liberal”) is doing all the labeling. They determine what the words are and what they mean, they discipline those who don’t fall in line with their thinking. As long as people trust the media (in either direction) these labels will persist.
It has been intriguing to me to watch the media spin over the last few years. Words and meanings have been changed, actions defined, with both varieties of media falling right in line–almost as if they’re all reading from the same script. Quite often I have to ask the same question: Who stands to gain if we’re divided and weak? Who is masterminding this? The answer I usually get when I ask this question is a shrug or something about conspiracy. But last year both varieties of media were using the same script, even the same words, and when two opposing teams are using the same playbook somebody wrote it.
Until we can define the enemy, we will continue to be pitted against each other by the man behind the curtain.
Quote, “Until we can define the enemy, we will continue to be pitted against each other by the man behind the curtain.”
You are so exactly correct.
Yes, exactly. They keep pitting us against each other to keep us from uniting against them.
But the monopoly of the drive-by medias has been broken.
That’s why they hate Trump’s tweeting.
Just like Reagan, he’s going around them.
For reasons that will self-manifest, as soon as food supplies begin dwindling, in any given area, you’ll be able to easily discern who is a “liberal prepper”.
The only arbiter of who is right will be “history”. We only have to watch other countries on the downhill slide to see what is coming if we do not change our path; Venezuela, Greece, etc.
Most people will sacrifice freedom for security (that cradle to grave mentality) so I see only a small percentage that will really stand on their own two feet and resist socialism (liberalism). Perhaps the 3% are all that are true conservatives.
I think of it like this…
We’re all on a ship, call it the Titanic…
You’ve heard some people say the ship is badly damaged-
Do you listen or just party on
To the one who listens, another person says
Hey, let me show you the bowels of the ship
Do you go or do you say someone else will take care of it
even though you believe there is likely serious damage, what could I do anyways
Say your the one who goes with the person to see the bowels of the ship
and you see it with your own eyes, this ship is seriously damaged
water is gushing in- situation critical
Do you freeze or panic? Or even though it might take ever ounce of courage and your knees might be shaking, take a deep breath and think/say
What is my plan to survive and get through this?
And then do it.
Whatever one’s political leaning or not, each person has a choice to make.
May each one hear have wisdom to choose wisely.
Peace out~
I think there was a saying “non are so blind as the ones that will not see” or something like that. Many in society, and mostly liberals, refuse to see.
A lot more people would’ve survived the sinking of Titanic if the “eneducated idiots” in third class had been told of the severity of the situation early on. They would’ve known to take off wooden doors, furniture, and everything else that would float, and toss it overboard to use as floats as the ship went down.
The fault is in ourselves as Pogo said. In human nature. Take words.
Words can hurt and words can dehumanize. Look at any list of acronyms and
count what percentage constitutes name calling and you will see human
nature not at its best.
Once you are a prepper you join the community that aims to become pre-
pared. Presumably you will help other preppers no matter their political
belief. All other discussion is wasted time. IMHO
It’s sad what this great nation has become, a polarized, paranoid country run by sociopathic politicians and owned by the super wealthy. No one is looking to the future problems that grow ever closer.. Whether civilization will end from war, disease, climate change, economic collapse, resource depletion, or ??? I don’t know. I do know it can’t continue much longer like this.
I’ve identified myself as a John Stuart Mill liberal my entire adult life. Live and let live. I’ve been living off-grid for over 5 years. I grow fruit and vegetables that are locally adapted and will gladly share my seeds and plants with my neighbors should TEOTWAWKI occur in my lifetime. So
Go ahead and hate your neighbor,
Go ahead and cheat a friend.
Do it in the name of heaven,
You can justify it in the end.
There won’t be any trumpets blowing,
Come the judgment day,
On the bloody morning after
One tin soldier rides away.
So you agree with his statement that “Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.” You were talking about divisive namecalling? Of course, that assumes that his definition of “conservative” is the same as ours, which is doubtful considering the 2 century gap.
So we’re back to definitions. He also came up with such gems as “To tax the larger incomes at a higher percentage than the smaller, is to lay a tax on industry and economy; to impose a penalty on people for having worked harder and saved more than their neighbors” and “The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant.” These are decidedly ANTI liberal, as the term is used today.
I believe A. American had a liberal prepper in his second book. Pat was basically a liberal, as best I can tell. Prepped for herself and her family, but “Let’s throw everything into one pot and everybody share equally,” for everybody else. Too bad, she didn’t make it to the halfway point in the book.
– Papa S.
Slackers always want to pool resources, then get an “equal” share.
Socialism appeals to two major groups:
A) Slackers who think they’re going to get something for nothing
B) Psychopaths who think they’ll be running the show
My first thought when I saw “Liberal Preppers” was “just look at a map of the popular vote in the Presidential election”. If, like me you assume (never a good thing but works for a generalization ) that all liberals voted for Clinton, you see all the “Liberals”, for the most part, on the East and West Coast and Chicago. Not a good survival situation, even IF they have bug out locations, getting out is going to be an issue, unless there is Adequate warning.
In as much as I live on the East Coast, within 100 miles of DC, my second thought is “GOOD FOR THEM!” At least those that DO get out will not be arriving 100% dependent on the surrounding communities. But, I have a feeling that those who do get out will not be those who have started prepping but rather those who are ruthless enough to take from anyone they can. That will be ugly and what we in the outlying rural communities need to be prepared for.
And if we substitute “Liberal” for “Pacifist” (as most liberals are pacifist) I’ll quote Robert Heinlein, First : “Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accept the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay-and claims a halo for his dishonesty” and second ““A pacifist male is a contradiction in terms. Most self-described pacifists are not pacific; they simply assume false colors. When the wind changes, they hoist the Jolly Roger.”
RS
Most rural people are more self reliant. The cities are where the liberals gather and it is the cities which will suffer the most during and after an event. For the city residents it is knowing what to do and when to leave but it is unlikely that they know what to do. They just don’t have the background knowledge or experience to survive. Small towns can go either way depending on their leadership and ability to organize according to a plan.
I read a book written by a military leader who worked in New Orleans. He said that there were so many overlapping agencies that it became confusing. Most importantly, however, he said that we need to develop a “culture of preparedness”. It all comes down to the individual, folks.
If you have children, you must love, protect and provide for them.
I have thought a lot about the small town (2000) I live near. There is no plan in place. Sure wish I could give a lecture to them, but it is a liberal town and I am sure they will follow the “we all have to share and work together”. Sounds nice but they haven’t a clue what that means or how to go about doing it.
Don’t kid yourself. What they have in mind is taking whatever they want by force, and sharing it among themselves.
Rural areas would not be Utopias either. Oxycontin is known as “hillbilly heroin” for a reason. Methamphetimine is also most prevalent in rural areas.
RS – One of my best gal pals is a Liberal. To say she is a pacifist may be correct, but her pacifism includes being proud that “the left” wants to off the new president. She is hoping (because she does not pray) that the POTUS will be impeached. Impeached by what – wishful thinking?
Unfortunately. One of my good friends as well–anti-gun supposed pacifist hoping the President will be assassinated because “There’s no other way!” SMH
Like someone posted up above– “Most self-described pacifists are not pacific; they simply assume false colors. When the wind changes, they hoist the Jolly Roger.”
We are all speaking in pretty general terms here, and we all know there will be exceptions. That said, I believe humans are creatures of habit, and that most of us have difficulty accepting ideas and situations that differ from our own experiences and closely held beliefs.
I think one of the biggest things that sets those of us who prepare apart from others is acceptance of the concept that things can go very wrong and that we may be on our own to cope, and in some cases to survive.
People who become fad preppers because of an election are reacting to headlines and likely have not changed their long-held beliefs that kept them from being prepared before now. Sure, most of us can think back to an “aha” moment that led us to where we are today. But, how many people really undergo a total sea-change in their thinking and beliefs?
I think people who tend to label themselves as “progressive” expect their tax dollars to buy them government support in all situations, so even if they do believe a SHTF is possible, they would likely expect to be cared for. That is certainly not a mindset geared toward true preparation. Sadly, there are plenty of folks who think of themselves as conservatives who tend to think the same way.
Bottom line: I think liberal thinking people will find it much harder to survive a true SHTF. Buying some extra supplies or a gun will not be enough to change the deeply-held beliefs of a true liberal, who will most likely waiting for a government rescue. Sadly, there will be plenty of conservative thinking people right there with them.
Or I would say, more and more of those who identify as “conservative” without knowing what that means.
Lauren
Hence I don’t claim fame to being a Liberal, Republican, Democrat, Conservative, Progressive, Libertarian, or Whatever. I’m just a crazy old Buddhist that has discovered the healing qualities of Gin.
I agree that these ‘Labels’ are mostly created by design by the Politicians and TPTB to keep the people divided and fighting amongst ourselves, rather that MAKING the elected POS’s do their jobs and work for We The People.
This will never change till the point that the entire system comes crashing down around our ears and the people finally realize it’s not “We The People” that’s the problem, but those who try to control us. What is also so STUPID, that the .gov and the people waste so much of our resources it’s mind boggling. If and that’s a HELL of a big IF, we would get out act together and not dump the equivalent to 30+% of our food in the dumps for example, we could literally feed the world with food left over.
Why, because it’s about control by the .gov, and nothing to do with being of any political party. Divide and Conquer, has ALWAYS worked will, and is working now.
The .gov would love nothing more than to have a Civil War, guess who would win?
Planned obsolescence keeps the money flowing – usually to TPTB. Same with all waste including food.
Hi NRP and Lauren,
Lauren, that’s very true… there are plenty of people who consider themselves “Conservatives” but who have no real understanding of the term. And, as Ken wrote, the terms we are discussing here are labels that meant something different at one time than what many people consider them to be now. At this point, I completely agree with NRP that we (collectively) are being played. The media, TPTB and groups lobbying for various causes and sects all play a role in trying to shape public opinion. If we are kept in a constant state of bewilderment and fear over politics, world events, natural and man-made catastrophes, and fighting amongst ourselves we risk missing out on the really important things happening around us.
This is one of my biggest concerns and frustrations – separating real and important news from the daily strife we are fed by MSM (or what was the acronym Ken coined?). As long as we are all busy arguing and fighting amongst ourselves we are not a united front against those in power who are the daily threat to our liberty, freedom and long-term survival.
Actually it was the MFN (Mainstream Fake News) when I used it Jan-17, 2017 in The Soft Coup Against Trump May Accelerate Hard
That’s it – that’s the term I was looking for!
Ken, did my comment get lost in the ether? If so, I will comment again. If you have it, can you post it? Thanks.
All fixed. It was sitting in the spam folder for some reason…
Thanks!
Does that mean I get Spam points as a prep bonus?
Skibum, Click here to see what you get…although I’m breaking my own rules and going off topic. I may have to ban myself.
Ken
Tis hard to ‘Ban’ the one that own’s the ‘Delete’ key… LOLOL
Ken
Had the same thought pattern but did not post, as like NRP…..wezzz in up in the corner.
😀
I’m a conservative prepper. Afghan War vet, too. I know other conservatives who think that they’ll be outlasting everyone with their guns and ammo. Unfortunately, they don’t know this fact – tactics without strategy is mere noise, and weapons without tactics are mere toys. Shooting at a static target down a range is not the same as tactical training, e.g. understanding enfilade and defilade, which are very basic military tactics. Most preppers are overweight and out of shape; running around in their 45 lb armor and carrying their weapons will fatigue them in 15 min. Overall, people who think that they’re combat-ready will get a rude slap in the face if the Schumer ever hits the fan. They’ll learn that they’re more low speed/high drag than they realize.
Tactics without strategy is mere noise, and weapons without tactics are mere toys.
More on enfilade and defilade here.
Wolverine,
There is wisdom in what you said. There are many “Rambo Wannabees” who post on prepper sites who have no military/tactical experience except what they’ve read. There are many who are out of shape to boot.
But don’t don’t paint with too broad a brush. There are many of us, myself included, that are well into geezerhood, who have the training, have actually engaged in violent encounters with adversaries who were shooting back, and also realize our diminishing physical abilities. Experience has taught us to deal with these facts, rethink our tactics if you will, adapt our skills to our reality.
I wouldn’t dismiss their abilities in a fight. I recall advice given me by an old partner when I was younger. It went something like this-“Old age and wisdom trumps youth and vigor every time”.
Dennis, I did not mean to diminish everyone. I just know Call of Duty video game heroes who scare me; I wouldn’t want them with my unit in Afghanistan. OTOH, you sound like you’ve seen action. I wouldn’t mind having you watch my six.
Yup,,,
Thanks for serving bud
Everyone has read stories of the uber-wealthy buying luxury bunkers stocked with multi-year supplies. Many, if not most, are also very vocal liberals. Are they preppers? Of course they are, just not the type you meet on these pages. Many of them are also the same folks you read about touting the need for a great reduction in world population, a reset if you will.
I’ve long said that people in the “upper echelon” are privy to knowledge we at the bottom only occasionally get scraps of. Our best “early warning system” may well be watching the actions of these “liberal preppers”. They may well telegraph impending disaster.
The thing I’ve noticed about this kind is that they are often those who cannot imagine that THEY might not be among the privileged few who will survive. It’s just not possible in their minds. They’re too special for that. They (those with the huge bunkers, etc–there are plenty of the same mindset who aren’t preparing at all) will sit safe in their little world and live a carefree life until they can emerge and remake the world in their own image.
It’s interesting to talk to them. The mere suggestion that they might not survive is met with either derision or a confused look and a change of topic.
“You are aware that 8 billion people would have to die to achieve your perfect world, right?” Absolute confusion or “The ideal world population would be about 200 million.” And we’re right back where we started. Totally oblivious.
And they have been buying bunker locations like crazy…
Some of the “uber wealthy” will end up waiting for helicopters that aren’t coming, and some will shit when their cardkey for their luxury bunker doesn’t work.
Who here DOESN’T think the “security” goons hired by the uber-wealthy for protection (because “I’m too good to lower myself to violence!”) will end up as the befeficiaries of all the extensive preps bought by their wealthy employers?
Can’t we all just get along?
Depends on your definition of “get along.” If by that you mean I have to walk in lockstep with the globalists and keep my mouth shut unless I’m spouting this week’s goodthink, then no. If you want to have a conversation with lots of opposing viewpoints and you intend to shut me down (or shout me down) when I state a contrary opinion, then no. In my experience, dealing with liberals I have known, it’s goodthink or nothing and badthink is worthy of death.
Personally, I enjoy having conversations with people of opposing views. It sharpens my arguments and broadens my views. I get along with my friends from across the political spectrum. I think that many moves who are passionate about their beliefs have forgotten how to listen with an open mind and heart to the experiences and beliefs of others.
One of the things I find interesting is how often I get argument when I state my experiences–as if they can invalidate my experiences by claiming I’m imagining things or screaming about conservative hate. Beliefs I can see–that’s so subjective. But my experiences happened and they’re not going to change that by blaming my imagination. “That never happened!” Right. And I suppose they were there to verify that it never happened.
This is exactly what I’m talking about. We can each have different ideals and beliefs but still be civilized with each other. You don’t have to think like men and I don’t have to think like you, but we can still be friendly.
That quote brings back memories! How long ago was that??
Remembered an article on the evening news after Trump was elected, a liberal or what ever term one would apply to this person. He went out purchased guns, freeze dried foods, stock piled as the conservatives were going to come get them due to their liberal beliefs. He was going to take conservatives out, as they were dangerous people.
My first thought was REALLY??? All we/I ever wanted is for everyone be responsible for their own actions, take care of their own families, not expect .gov to raise their children from cradle to grave.
When a family member was married to liberals, you see what their thinking pattern can be. Yes, I am giving a generalization but after ex-three wives and all of them falling from the same tree… enough said.
Yep, its like the Y2K thing. Lol
My other doomer blog has both liberal and conservatives and lots of other viewpoints but we respect each other and know who the real enemy is, it’s people. We share our views of the future, our plans, and interesting information we’ve found, including humorous things.
This snowflake finds anger and hatred to be very unpleasant and so I’m leaving. Good luck to all in the coming days and good-bye
There are many countries where you could not express your point of view and you would be shocked by the real hatred that exists.
Many people see hatred and divisiveness because they expect to see it. Doesn’t matter the content–skim until offended (From the Internet Arguing Checklist). I see no anger or hatred in these comments–a lot of frustration, a lot of personal experiences that support the OP. Other opinions that simply put forward additional information for consideration. It seems like we’re having a conversation. If that’s hatred, then so be it. I can’t change my experiences to fit your perception, therefore I am (by your definition) hateful and angry.
Wherever you go, you will be offended if you choose to be. Otherwise you can open your eyes, add to the conversation, and maybe assist in the solution.
We always seem to lose one or two who lean left when I publish an article which touches upon politics. “The third rail” as they say…
Ken, please play this.
https://youtu.be/H3VLqLLWxbQ
Ken, one of the things I like most about this site is that I have always felt very welcome, never disrespected. Sure, some have disagreed with me, but that hasn’t made me run away. I can ignore the “libtard” and “snowflake” comments because I am secure enough in my rational arguments that I don’t feel slighted by the name-calling. Very soon after I started reading, I saw over and over again that the more diverse opinions get posted, the more everyone benefits. If some people have too thin of a skin, they probably don’t have much to contribute to survival
👍😎
Sorry, Ken, but you must be blind. The comments after this article have been the most vicious and disgusting of any I’ve seen on this website previously. A large part of this is due to the inability of yourself and your readers to distinguish between lefties and liberals. They’re NOT the same, any more than a conservative is the same thing as an over-armed, camouflaged militiaman hiding in the woods. Extremists should not define the norm.
I also take issue with your statement ” That doesn’t line up with most liberals I know… who are anything but Christians… “. My experience has been the opposite. I read many prepper blogs, and too many are full of sanctimonious Bible-thumpers who are so hateful of “others” that they couldn’t perform a Christ-like act if their lives depended on it. Perhaps you need to re-read the New Testament. If Jesus could be given a label at all, he would be far closer to being a socialist than a conservative. But the thumpers focus solely on the avenging God of the Old Testament and forget that Jesus came to establish a “new” testament of a loving God. The doctrines of Christianity align more closely with true liberalism than with conservatism.
Like I said, politics and religion are the “3rd-rail”. Those subjects tend to be very polarizing and do sometimes bring out very strong opinion and/or the extreme.
I agree with you that definitions of “lefties” “liberals” “conservatives” “extremists” are part of the problem. The mainstream media plays a big role too in how these definitions are formed and brainwashed into the minds of the masses.
In any event, labels are never fully accurate. I don’t really like labels. We are sometimes forced to use them however while generalizing.
As far as the comments, as long as they’re kept within our Comment Policy…
If you’re a regular reader of our blog, you have to admit to yourself that we’re top notch when it comes to comments.
Oh, one more thing. I’m not blind yet, although I do have a prescription 😉
Tumbleweed,
I hesitate to respond to your post, mostly because liberals tend to show their displeasure at having someone disagreeing with them by, well, calling them names and casting aspersions on their faith.
You are correct about Jesus’s message of love. Love is not an emotion, rather, it’s an action, an action for the welfare of others not based on any expectation of personal gain or anything in return. Jesus never taught that you should take from one neighbor to give to someone less fortunate just to enable yourself to take credit for showing your compassion and condemn the neighbor you took from for his lack of it. Jesus said He came to fulfill the Law, not condemn it. He preached forgiveness of sin and turning away from it, not embracing your sin just because you were forgiven. He told the woman caught in adultery, that He saved from stoning, to go and sin no more. I believe that if it had been a homosexual, He would have said the same thing. Would that mean He didn’t love the adulteress when He told her not to do that act again? Had He done the the same with a homosexual? Do you believe Jesus would embrace aborting babies because relieving a woman of the burden of motherhood would be an act of love and compassion?
I could go on and on, but why? Jesus will never be type cast as a liberal or a conservative, or especially a socialist (history has proven repeatedly this ideology to be the deadliest form of society, with religion always its first casualty). Jesus was God’s manifestation of Himself to us, His creation, to be followed by His creation, not compared to His creation. Please read His word, wanting to be like Him, not to use against folks you disagree with.
I guess I’m in deep poo; so I’m going to say something anyways, I’m one of those Radical Conservatives Nut-cases AND “over-armed, camouflaged militiaman hiding in the woods” Ahhhhhh, but I’m a Buddhist (and yes I own a few Bibles and have studied them well, Great ‘book’ BTW, but worthless if one does not follow the full meaning and picks what suits the action at hand), I don’t hide in the woods or Anywhere/FROM anything NOR do I own Camouflage, well except for that 7.62 1000 yard Bolt Action, but besides that. Well I guess the truth is known, I’m not really that Radical and I voted for Gary Johnson (I want FREE Pot in New Mexico)…. HAHAHA Ahhhhh heck, I’m probably not even that good at being a Conservative, I also want ‘free handouts’ from the .gov.
I do believe that I spotted the problem though “I read many prepper blogs, and too many are full of sanctimonious Bible-thumpers who are so hateful of “others” that they couldn’t perform a Christ-like act if their lives depended on it.” I guess if one reads one thing enough, as you have boosted, than in one’s thinking becomes ‘truth’? Or maybe you should reevaluate your concept of a Christian act? I’m guessing that’s is why over the millennium there have been MANY of MILLIONS of people murdered in the name of Christianity for believing in something different? So yes, maybe you’re correct, Christianity is like Socialism? For if one does not believe in Socialism they destroy the opposition as we see in the thinking of so many now.
But, thankfully Ken runs a very well read Blog and does not squash others thinking as so many do. Everyone is welcome to their opinions as long as they fall into the guidelines set forth. Hell, we don’t even care if you unroll your TP from the Top OR the Bottom.
PS; Mixing Religion and Politics never turns out well as we see again.
So how many of the liberals you know have said to you, ” I know where I am going when SHTF? And how many conservatives have said that, or do they say where can I get that?
All the more reason to form bonds NOW with like thinkers. Time to sort out the chaff,, being a lib is a sickness that sometimes can be cured in some ,those that can’t can be feed for the hogs if need be, hard yes,, but on par with there thinking toward us ,
Who is John galt? And why dose it matter?
One can find the answer At Galt’s gulch,
Time for Ice coffee and chocolate clif bars.
Oldhomesteader, might it be more important to form bonds with those who think than with those who parrot opinions similar to ours? I know plenty of conservative and liberal people who would have no place in Galt’s Gulch because they have no intellect beyond sloganeering. I also know plenty that I think would be welcome because even though they may disagree on specific details of policy, they do have the same basis of objective moral standards. I just finished reading Atlas Shrugged (again). As I was reading it, I couldn’t help but think how capitalism gave us the looters known as health insurance executives – a group not exactly thought of as liberal or progressive. There is a huge difference between the Industrialists who create wealth and the Corpratists who loot it. I can’t help but wonder what she would write today.
Skibum,
You said-” I couldn’t help but think how capitalism gave us the looters known as health insurance executives – a group not exactly thought of as liberal or progressive.”
I personally have no use for the insurance industry as a whole, and believe they reap profits far in excess of other corporations, but why is this so?
No one forces me to buy a car. Nobody forces me to go to a movie. I am free to decide not to have air-conditioning in my home. It was liberals who enacted laws forcing me to have health insurance, not only for myself, but at an inflated rate to make sure my ne’er do well neighbor gets his for free. I can’t refuse to buy their product because I believe their price is too high or that the executives are becoming wealthy at my expense. Why? Hint, it ain’t conservatives pushing that agenda.
Not saying that all liberal thought is without merit, but what they’ve done with health insurance rates for the self employed is criminal.
It was Corpratists who decided to force insurance upon us on a national level. The national plan put in place by a Dem was almost an exact copy of a state plan put in place by a Rep. As a seasonal worker in management at a ski resort, I lost my health insurance because of the ACA. I quit and became self-employed year round. Decided to pay the penalty instead of giving in to the looters. Bottom line is that it cost me less to pay the penalty than to buy into their system. The Corpratists have control over both the Dems and the Republicans. It isn’t a question of liberal or conservative, it’s a question of accepting control over our decisions or taking control of them. It’s a question of whether people have the power or if the power has the people.
I think I know the answer and the eventual outcome. That’s why I prep. But who knows, I might be wrong. Maybe the empire will never collapse, and there will be peace and prosperity for all because of conservative ideals.
Its not about health care. Its about tax, think about it. People have been going to hospitals for years without paying and getting free health care. The hospitals jacked the prices up for people who paid. Prices are still jacked up, but now the government gets a cut and a way to make us more socialist. Plus it destroyed the health care industry and insurance industry all at once. It is the most treasonous law ever written.
Skibum,, thanks for your input , have watched you grow in prepping through your posts, thumbs up, hank and Ellis would be friends of mine ,come to think of it I know a Hank and Ellis just that’s not there real name ,, and the flame spotter is out there too. Would you recognize Francisco if you were to meet him?
Don’t you think Dr stadler is the classic lib we are dealing with?
Do you know a Mr Mouch? He’s everywhere around us
Tea and chocolate to you and yours
I don’t know why Eddy would go down with the collapse of the railroad company – should have followed to Galt’s Gulch.
Good point, Eddy is classic example of normalcy bias and the refusal to accept the reality of what is, a trap that many good people fall into, I fear we have a number of people with us on the blog that will fall into this trap,hence I will keep talking about this and other things that are relevant,
Overall, 90% of people are takers. Nothing new about this. The phrase “If one will not work, neither let him eat” is from Biblical times.
Since the dawn of man, slackers have been among us.
Gotta weigh in here. Current Conservatives/Libertarians are classical , small ” l ” liberals. The left world wide does not really believe in any ” ism ” anymore. The left today consists of those who intend to rule us as their property and those who are stupid enough to think they will be better off if the ” ruling elite ” has unlimited and total power. They just want as much of what other people have as they can get , and they’ll give up their freedoms to get it. Their gods are fame and intoxication. In any collapse or upheaval , most of them will revert to outright savagery as soon as they know the cops aren’t coming. The mis – labelled liberals think they are prepping by making the ruling elite all powerful.
It seems that perhaps the word ” liberal “, has evolved to include new meanings. We’ve seen their response to the 2016 election. Perhaps that response on steroids may be expected if/when Stuff Hits The Fan. Especially when they realize that all of their needs can’t possibly be met. It ain’t gonna be good.
I’m not sure HOW conservative OR liberal I am anymore.
I seem to have far more intellectually in common with everyone on this site than most of the people I’ve actually met in “real life”.
I am your definition, judgmental, cantankerous, willing to call bovine excrement on all politicians, and those espousing the Law of Entitlement (forced charitable giving as I call it), and a host of other parasitic social behaviors.
I read The article with interest, and I’m fairly certain that most of the self-professed “social warriors” I personally know, cannot handle a normal work day traffic commute, much less a true crisis. I highly doubt these same people, would unconditionally give of themselves, or sustenance to anyone, unless they get complete and total credit for it. (And the requisite participation trophy for doing so)
I pay them no mind anymore, I’ve not seen the hordes or even small groups of self-anointed “antifas”, doing much of anything other than smoking weed, getting drunk, and relieving themselves in public as a political gesture of contempt.
Could they mob up and attack normal folks?
Only IF and when the normal members of society are utterly defenseless and in dire need of assistance. Other than that, these parasitical “social justice warriors”, greatest personal risk, is their cell phone bill coming due.
I was trying to stay out of this one (topic of discussion) but I have noticed some things in the past 10 years:
1. Political affiliation appears to be independent of one being a taker and a user of people and things versus a saver and salvager of people and things. I am of the latter category. I think most on this site are also savers and salvagers as well. Savers and salvagers tend to develop impressive stores and the topic of supply and resupply is never far from their minds. Sustainability is an admirable character trait. Takers and users tend to move from place to place, marriage to marriage and job to job because they burn out the people and regions they live in. I know good people that happen to vote different than I do. I also know of people I do not like or associate with that happen to be Republican. When I teach somebody pistol techniques, I try to never get into the discussion on politics. I teach and help people of many different backgrounds.
2. In an emergency, sometimes you are forced to work with people you may not want to work with. Patrol Car rules: We are partners this shift. We back each other up so we can go home at end of watch. It does not mean we are going to be A$$hole Buddies and go to each others Birthday parties off duty butt we will cover each other. while on patrol. Life and work sometimes means that you have to work under less than optimal conditions. There is no requirement that says you must be friends with your patrol car partner. Not talking politics while on the job is part of that etiquette. Start the shift by agreeing to disagree and talk about something else.
3. Mr E. E. Norton brought this point up in a recent post about his cousin the idealistic school teacher. The sad fact is that current society needs people like Mr Borton and his cousin. You do not want the embittered old, pissed-off veteran of numerous armed conflicts to be teaching grammar to 4rth graders. Likewise, the idealistic people would not do well working in a maximum security mental health unit in a locked facility either. (my current day job.)
I think there is room in this word for all of us. Predictions on who would survive a disaster? It is a crapshoot because of the large factor called LUCK. Sometimes people are in the right/wrong place at the right/wrong time.
To Sothernman: Your comment about your friend that was a target shooter that could not put meat in the freezer. there is one word that motivated me to become a good shot at a relatively young age and that word is:
hunger.
If you are in the field in the fall and you have minimal money in the bank and your home pantry has nothing but tea bags and ramen noodles, these conditions truly motivate one to shoot true and track your game/dinner down forthwith. I have lived under such conditions for around 5 years before getting a better paying job after college. I vowed that I never want to go back to those days living on the margins of society.
Life for me is better these days with a steady job “in town” but I still get the odd question from many of: “where did you learn to shoot?” especially when I pull out my old worn 22 rifle or the worn old 22 revolver from the old battered case.
Trivia point: The gun that put the most meat in the freezer each year was the 22 pistol because of winning Turkey shoots in the Fall and Ham Shoots in the Spring. The 30-06 is a close second with venison and wild/feral pigs. The varmint rifles fed the birds ( ravens, crows and turkey vultures.)
I came onto this article kind of late, but Holy Crap ! It doesn’t take much to stir up a hornets nest these days. It does seem like people are becoming more polarized and edgy. Then again politics and religion have always been sensitive topics at the best of times, probably since both concepts began. I am as opinionated and firm in certain beliefs as the next guy [ sorry, ” person ” ] but I like this site over all others because generally things are kept relatively civil without a lot of fuss and bluster. Hope it continues that way.
Quote, “Hope it continues that way.”
@Bam Bam, yes it will. While the train may sway from side to side at times, I won’t allow it to go off the rails, which is a big reason why people like yourself come back to visit and read comments. Thanks.
I am waiting for the liberal’s to “Bring It”. Would not mind lifting the top of their skulls off with a well placed 30.06. Just done with all the B.S. in this country. I would say all that matters is that you are ready and pay attention to detail.
To slingshot: 30-06 for the headshot? so wasteful. I will stick with 223 Remington that way I can carry more ammo. ( 150 grain bullet versus 55 grain bullet. ) I hear where you are coming from though and understand the sentiment.
165 gr. core lokt
slingshot
What is the term ‘lokt’ stand for, even dh did not comprehend your meaning.
Antique Collector,
“Core Lokt” is the Remington trademark for their bonded copper jacketed bullet design that “locks” the copper jacket to the lead core to prevent separation after impact for controlled penetration and expansion of the projectile.. Been around for a long time. Hope this helps.
I consider myself fairly liberal. THAT DOES NOT MEAN DEPENDENT ….on anyone. Least of all our government. The government will be the first to try to gather supplies from those of us that have them. I beleive in equal rights, I am an animal advocate, I fight to save our environment. I also beleive we should limit our borders and keep our guns. I can hunt, I am a crack shot, and I have been prepping several years, but due to physical limitations, must “bug in.” I will go to ANY length to protect my family, and what I have. All that being said..there are many, many folks near me that consider themselves conservative republicans. At the same time..cussing the government that reduces their medicaid and food stamps. Taxing them the same as those rich folks. So really….who depends on the government? The fact is, in a SHTF situation..more is better, safer, and stronger. so I fail to see why trying to commune and share resources is thought to be a bad thing. There is strength in numbers. Of course, each should be able to contribute in skill, supply, leadership, protection, gardening..etc. Fact is.. political thinking has no relevance in a SHTF situation. It becomes survival. Those banded together have a better chance of retaining what they have, protecting their families, and rebuilding, if necessary.. So if that is liberal thinking, so be it. I would rather be part of a functioning village of folks that are independent, strong, look out for each other, and contribute, than be on my own when a village of looters comes by. Don’t get me wrong…it may not happen..finding this village of people, and I will fight til the death..of someone..but the winning chance lies in numbers and skill.
Pigeon holing someone is easy to do and apparently very appealing to a lot of people. Just a natural inclination to make sense of a complicated world I suppose. But yes , it doesn’t really always work very well does it. Like ‘ one size fits all ‘ gloves, it can be a bit of a stretch.
My problem with helping the masses…is I am older, and poor and prep while doing without what we want and some of what we could really use NOW,…but resent when someone comes to me after vacation at Disney or Nashville, wanting me to feed them, because they are “out of money before the end of the month” .
Now how long will my hypothetical 6 months of food for 2… feed 6- people? then who is hungry? How am I/we going to get more? How much do they have put back,if they can’t feed themselves NOW?
One family can not prep for an entire community on a poverty level budget! Be careful that you are not the only one making any preps….is my ONLY caution, and my concern for where we are.
Regardless of which side of the fence you’re standing on…you’re still behind it…
I think a bit of perspective s needed here. Mother Earth News was a hugely successful magazine for years prior to it becoming commercialized. I think it might be considered the 1st “prepper” magazine. It was started by and operated by a grassroots movement to get back to nature and simplify. I buy the older magazines every chance I get as they are wonderful resources. The contributors were about as liberal as you can get. They shared knowledge, swapped seeds championed the barter system and made a lot of sense all in all. Another example of the prepper mentality from “Liberally” inclined people would be the excellent foxfire books. A group of highschoolers in Georgia led by a liberal teacher went to huge lengths to talk to older generations and save their knowledge for posterity. If you haven’t read these books I recommend tem highly. There is no sense trying to reinvent the wheel when our forefathers (and mothers) have already been there and done that. Another magazine I read and admire is the Backwoodsman. High in content with very little advertising. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime, Share knowledge when you can it’s not a conservative idea, it’s not a liberal idea … it;s just common sense Just my .02. Your milage may vary …
Liberal Prepper seems to me anyway… to be an “Oxymoron” type of word.
You know, its along the lines of “Jumbo Shrimp” or,.. “Alone Together” “Original Copy” and most importantly: Great Depression.
Very interesting conversations. I’m a poor prepper, read when I can, get what I can, when I can, how I can, when I have the money. I think it is right to question the lingo being tossed around. One commenter quoted from the A. American series about a hoarder who wanted others to share their food. I liked the books. As I see it here, to assume one group of people or other has nothing to offer, or to assume they have no skills; reminds me of something I learned in the military- ASSUME makes and a$$$ or of you and me. I’ve read “One Second After”, there were many lessons to learn. There were many types of people who were thrust together. I remember one character, a hippy dude, who loved fixing old VW vans and bugs. He was a major asset to the community. Assuming liberals will not have skills or what it takes is a kin to believing a conservative has their act together and that is a major miscalculation. For my part, I’m right of center, don’t believe in alot my supposed “party” wants me to believe. So I guess you would call me a happy RINO.
Al from WI
“So I guess you would call me a happy RINO.”
I like that… hahaha
My problem is I have 99% given up on having anyone with 3 working brain cells being in Politics and in the .gov. Unfortunately We-the-People keep on following the BS that they shove down our throats.
I see 90% of the hate and discontent created by TPTB for the sole purpose of controlling the people.
I’m a libtard, snowflake prepper. I served, I qualified as a sniper. In my opinion you can’t tell if a person is a liberal, a republican or even a tranny from 50 yards but if you come after me and my stuff after the shtf I WILL shoot you stone cold dead and any mother fracker with you. Until the shtf, I’ll pay my taxes, encourage universal health care and care for my fellow man. After the shtf you’re just a puff of pink in my HK’s scope.
You don’t sound like a “snowflake libtard” (your words) to me… BTW, thank you for your service.
Thanks. I’m a Sanders supporter. Guess that makes me a socialist at least.
Snowflake: A person who needs safe spaces to hide from themselves because they can’t handle reality.
Libtard: A person (usually assumed to be liberal) who refuses to face reality and wants everything their own way regardless of the price to others or the society as a whole. (Also see: “Temper tantrum”)
Doesn’t look like you count on either point, from what you said.
Despite political ideals or differences of opinion on some policies, as long as we identify as Americans, it’s Constitution, and our God given rights therein, we have some common ground.
We certainly are living in historical and uncertain times whereby preparedness should be a priority. Who knows what tomorrow might bring…
“Mother Fracker”? Battlestar Galatica?
Jeff,,,,we change as we live our lives and time has it’s way with us ,,,welcome abord ,,,,,
I find these types of threads kind of odd. I’m in my late forties and generally vote Democrat. Been prepping for 21 years and have a great prepper group that has both Democrsts and Republicans in it. Eight of which are ex military, 4 of those retired after 20 years. We are split almost evenly, including the military guys as far as Democrat and Republican. “Liberals” have been prepping just as long as those on the right. Generally we believe in gun ownership, as well as all of the other prepping. Food, medical, security, bOB’s etc. although we already have an actual retreat, a homestead, nearby. We don’t believe in government handouts. But we do believe the government should help people. Healthcare being one. Especially the military guys as the VA sucks and it doesn’t help their extended family members. As far as mindset….not sure what hard choices anyone is talking about. Defending our retreat? Yes. Raiding people? No. Helping others or possible refugees? Yes. Letting freeloaders…freeloading? No.
We all agree the government sucks. Including Trump. He’s an idiot, even though some of our members voted for him. We have huge gardens and farm animals and we share stuff like extra eggs, in exchange for chicken feed. So to label “Liberals” as new to prepping or unable to survive that’s a fallacy of generalizing and labeling. In OUR group there’s only 2 kinds of people. People who do good, help others, work together, protect the environment, etc. and the other type are people who only look out for themselves and family, don’t volunteer, think big companies should do whatever they want, and are unreliable or close minded. There’s also a third type…thugs and crooks. So I get confused with so many who think liberals haven’t been prepping and won’t survive.
Anyone else remember “tune in, turn on, and drop out?” A lot of folks who attempted this failed and, if they survived, came crawling back to middle America. Quite a few, however, discovered the strength in themselves to forge a self-sufficient homesteading lifestyle. My experience is that many who made it were of a predominately “liberal” mindset.
I grew up in a family of union members who voted democrat and were as self-sufficient as possible given their circumstances. I chose a different work and political path and have been/am as self-sufficient as circumstances have permitted.
I guess it comes down to one’s criteria for defining a prepper. Lifestyle actions alone? Does motivation matter? Or is it just about how we plan to survive a total grid-down situation? Well-rounded? As others have eloquently stated here, can’t tell one from another at 500 feet, or by looking at gardens, pantries, gun safes, or skill sets. Political persuasion? Live and let live, I say, even after TEOTWAWKI, unless you choose to try to mess with me and mine.
On the other hand, the shrill lock-step mind-set clung to by the far fringes of every political ilk seems to be born of fear. And that fear seems to have especially permeated the young in the universities and urban areas. The yapping class has co-opted the media. Social discourse is constructed of alarmist rhetoric. The extremists are defining the norm in many people’s minds. And a frightened animal, including humans, is a dangerous animal.
Anonymous, anarchists, antifa are all current manifestations of the same destroyer mentality we’ve seen in unruly group behavior in this county for decades. Local and state political leaders stand by and do little or nothing while the religious leaders wring their hands, blame the President, and call for marches on Washington. In fact, they are not leaders: true leadership demands that they stand up to the mob and rebuke them.
My late-night rant, FWIW.
Anony me ,,,good post ,,,,
AnonyMee
I think thats why what most of us are doing is more accurately considered homesteading, i know thats true for myself, i dont consider myself a “prepper” but more of a Homesteader,
Rough times ahead, not if but when
Thanks oldhomesteader.
You enjoying this rain?
Tommyboy, yeppers. Hope not but fear so.
Anony mee ,,,,next time your at raintree we can meet you there. ,,,yep most folks go back