The Economy – Food Prices, Conversations With ‘Pop’ Smith

lifeaftertheoilcrash.net on 10/16/09, we get this Dan Burrows piece, “Sticker shock at the supermarket: Food prices poised to rise”. This news affects all of our families and here are some of the articles highlights:

• “As the global and U.S. economies emerge from the downturn, economists predict that there is going to be some sticker shock at the checkout line. Food prices, they say, are heading higher and when you combine that with an unemployment rate that’s expected to linger near a three-decade high for at least another year, it’s even more unwelcome news.”

• “The U.S. Department of Agriculture expects overall food prices to rise as much as 4 percent in the U.S. by the end of 2010. Yet, some economists think they will climb by as much as 5 percent.”
• “The end result? Consumers should keep an eye on oil prices, which not only impact what they pay at the pump but also what they pay at the checkout counter.”

PH Comment: In the first quarter of this year PrudentHome made five predictions for 2009. Three of them were: 1.Expect higher oil prices by years end., 2. Expect higher food prices before next year. and 3. Average Americans will experience a lower standard of living this year. All of those things have and are coming to pass and we expect the same for 2010. Prepare.

Conversations with ’Pop’ Smith:

PH Question: “ ‘Pop’, one of the most prevalent lines of thought today  is in regards to  folks responding to some sudden/catastrophic event by throwing prep gear into their vehicle and making a run for their retreat. Any thoughts?

‘Pop’ Smith: “First, a place to go that’s out of the mainstream and self-sustaining if things get really bad in the country is  really ideal. That said, getting to that place/retreat if things suddenly, or even gradually, get really bad is highly problematic. If the retreat is close, say within a tank of gas, and you leave early enough then things should work out pretty well. But if your having to wait until the “balloon goes up” before you strike out then you have some really bad potential problems.

First, do a quick review in you mind regarding the travel conditions that existed during nearly any of the last decades major hurricanes remembering that travel then was essentially unopposed by state of federal governments (time here to review two of the last presidential directives/orders signed by President Geo. W. Bush in about his last year in office and note that these give the president nearly absolute power over the entire country in a national emergency that he would unilaterally define and declare. What if he decided to restrict all interstate transportation immediately upon declaration of an emergency? Think not, then refer back to what happened to all U.S. air travel right after 9/11.)

Second, consider this: when you leave your place, for a short or long run after an event, you immediately become a refugee for the time you’re in transit. That’s the bottom line. Leave early.”

Until next time, keep your eyes on the horizon as the weathers moving fast.