For more information on The Coming Struggle see this article – the first in the series.
What awaits citizens of the United States during The Coming Struggle is up for debate. While everyone has their opinion, far too many are absolutely certain as to what will happen and what the conditions will be like. I’m still trying to figure out how these folks haven’t won the lottery, as their ability to predict the future with such incredible accuracy is truly astounding. All sarcasm aside, there is a difference between having an opinion and stating for a fact what is coming.
Here is my opinion on the conditions that may be present during The Coming Struggle.
A few general thoughts:
- Conditions will vary greatly depending upon geographic conditions on a local and state level.
- Conditions will vary greatly depending on economic conditions on a local and state level.
- The amount of racial diversity will influence certain conditional aspects.
- Population density will play a huge role in conditions during The Coming Struggle.
- The political climate and makeup – especially at the local level – will influence conditions. Who you know and who you work for can play a role in weathering the storm.
- Communication via cell phone and landline will be unreliable at best, depending on the specific location.
Let’s look at the variety of conditions that may be present during the course of The Coming Struggle and what factors are involved. By the way, I am not pulling these things out of my backside. Look at what has happened in other parts of the world where economies have collapsed and governments have changed:
Urban Areas:
High-density populations in the city do not mean instant doom for all in bad economies and civil unrest. The majority of governmental assistance will go to those who live in populated areas. Why? One reason is positive publicity. Those who receive assistance via food, stipends, money, or whatever else will appreciate and be loyal to government agencies and talk to their friends about them in a positive manner. The government can quell civil unrest and gain loyalty by paying people off – at least to a certain extent.
Imagine a situation where the Patriots are proclaiming the government being run by local Loyalists to be anti-freedom and anti-Constitution. If that government were to keep the power on, food coming in, and life as normal as possible, they stand a much better chance of maintaining the support of the citizens.
In urban areas, civil unrest, including protests, riots, and looting, will take place. Law enforcement will have a difficult time maintaining control; thus, private security forces will prove invaluable for larger companies and communities that can afford them. Curfews will be a frequent tactic used to control crime and the populace. Martial law? Only in the largest cities with the help of the National Guard. Any area with martial law declared will likely turn into a war zone as the limited resources of the government attempt enforcement.
Some cities will completely crumble. Those without electricity will create an economic tornado the likes of which have been rarely seen. Widespread poverty, violence, and complete desperation will be commonplace. Cats and dogs will be eaten for food, and mass starvation will create a significant population reduction.
The targeting of Patriot/Loyalist opposition will occur. If the area is populated mostly with Loyalists, those that stand out as Patriots will be looked at closely. If some type of anti-Loyalist event occurs, pro-Loyalist neighbors will inform government officials and law enforcement of the “Patriot guy that lives in the corner”. The reverse holds true as well in Patriot-populated areas. Guerilla warfare will be the fighting style of choice.
There is a very good chance that those who are identified with pro-Constitution, Patriotic, and Traditional Values will be targeted. Drive a F-350 King Ranch? Be ready. Drive a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4-Door with an American Flag in the window? Be ready. Is there a Trump flag blowing in the breeze in your front yard? You may very well be targeted.
It’s amazing the number of people who look at the simple American flag as a symbol that causes outrage and frustration and triggers violence.
Regardless of government assistance, shortages will occur at some point as our just-in-time delivery system becomes bogged down, unreliable, and broken. This very well may happen due to sabotage between Loyalist and Patriot groups trying to affect the other. These shortages will include food, water, power, medical supplies, and security. Those who can provide for themselves will make out much better than those who rely on others.
Violence based on racism or perceived racism will flourish, especially in the inner cities, as the morally challenged take advantage of a low law enforcement presence.
Blending in will be a survival method. Those that appear well-off will be targeted, while those who appear destitute will more often than not be left alone. Light and cooking discipline will be extremely important in those areas with widespread power outages and poor conditions.
Prostitution will become a means for many women to survive and even thrive. As we see now, those willing to sell their bodies – even in a virtual format – will flourish. Morality means little when it comes to survival – apparently.
Robberies and home invasions will dramatically increase in urban areas as desperation sets in and law enforcement declines. Protests and rioting will become commonplace. We see this to some extent now. There is safety in numbers. Those making trips to a grocery store or neighbor’s house will learn to do so in groups rather than as individuals. Walking and biking will be a much larger mode of transportation as fuel will become more expensive and scarce. Even within the presence of police, justice will be swift and outside of the law.
Depending on the specific region and geopolitical makeup of the area, the existence for an individual living during The Coming Struggle will range from “almost normal” to “third-world country”.
Living in the Country:
Living in the country may seem like the ideal situation. For those who have the means to provide essentials for themselves, it will be. Those without their own food, water, electricity, medicine, and security will be very bleak. Having a large food supply and a means to maintain it via gardening and animals such as chickens and rabbits will provide a significant barrier from the dramatic events going on around them.
The ability to grow food is extremely advantageous in the country, given sufficient sunlight and water. Having animals such as chickens, rabbits, and even cows has tremendous benefits to maintaining a continuous supply of nourishment. Those without resources will face some of the same perils as those in the city. Gardens, animals, barns, and water tanks will be targeted for theft. This cannot be overstated.
Those with wells and the means to pull water from them will have an advantage. Water will be frequently captured via rain barrels and pulled from ponds, streams, and lakes. Water filtration and purification will be essential as those who just drink out of a stream will often become sick.
Security will be a different situation in the country than in the city. With the population density far lower, there will be less opportunity to run into “40-year-old adolescents, felons, power drinkers, and trustees of modern chemistry.” This does not change the fact that security MUST be taken seriously, and those living in the country will find that to keep what they have, security will be of paramount importance. Groups of people will band together, form security details, and maintain patrols. Although the chance of encountering people with dangerous intentions is lower in the country, it WILL occur.
Dogs will be of huge benefit in the country. They will be used as early warning detection systems for intruders and those just “passing by” and act as a threat elimination device as well. Potential robbers and threats will often ignore properties that are patrolled by dogs.
Vigilante justice will become commonplace as law enforcement resources diminish. Of course, this will vary by community and region. When a crime occurs, decisions will have to be made often without the assistance of a typical judge and jury. Some areas will be business as usual regardless of the changes going on in the country around them.
Exposure is huge. A house with light in every window and a large garden out back sitting alongside a country road sticks out and is obvious. There will be many incidences where violent attacks take place on those residing in country settings due to the inability to blend in. Again, security to detect and defend is extremely important.
Those with night vision will have a significant advantage over those who don’t. This goes for both the homeowner as well as the predator. Read that again. Night vision is incredibly important.
The most threatening danger will come from people who appear to just want some assistance, offer assistance, and appear non-threatening. Roving bands of brigands and criminal gangs will not often be evident, while neighbors killing neighbors is much more frequent.
Bottom Line: As a war is fought throughout the country between Patriots and Loyalists, conditions will vary greatly in both cities and in the country. Preparation is critical for both.
The time to prepare is now.
Oh – if this narrative describing what MIGHT happen is WAY off, guess what? If the SHTF, your preparations will pay off regardless.
So, get ready.
Rourke
🎯 How to Get Started in Preparedness - Guide to Prepare for the First 72 Hours and Beyond 🎯
food is a secondary consideration behind potable water. while food is important as well as shelter and fire, i think that within the first 3 to 6 weeks we will find that 50% of the population will die from contaminated or lack of water. those west of the rockies that didn’t grow up on garden hose or creek water won’t fair well. you know, acquired immunity. ; )
have a way to purify it. i like the Sawyer minis.
stack it deep folks JIC.
I like that Geezer.
“Stack it Deep Folks!”
Maybe I’ve said this before, but the lack of water terrifies me. I have a small cistern behind the house that was consistently full for the first few years I lived here. Then we had an actual drought last summer, and it dried up. Outside of rain barrels, my only other option is the sulfur creek that runs at the back end of my property and isn’t easy to access.