LOL and they even have a National Geographic special on them

[Raellus]

Originally Posted by The Rifleman

All valued things that you say. The US really falling into anarchy like Iraq or Croatia? Maybe. I saw on the news this morning that 160,000 people in 10 states are asking for succession. Voter fraud is rampant. Fiscal cliff coming. To me, those area all valid concerns. If I can be prepared for them, at no major expense to myself, then great.

I don't want to be dismissive of your fears, and I agree that preparation usually can't hurt, but is any of the above likely to result in a breakdown of civilization? It's possible, but I don't think it's likely. At least, I sure hope it's not. If it is, I guess it'll be guys like me crawling on our hands and knees to guys like you, begging for help.

What I don't want to see is all of this doom-and-gloom becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy- like Charles Manson trying to bring about "Helter Skelter", or the Om Shin Rikio cultists trying to kickstart armageddon with Sarin attacks on the Tokyo subway. That sort of thing is a much bigger threat, IMHO, to American society, than any socialist takeover or foreign invasion. I think the polarization in American politics could lead to social conflicts (Rome's Social Wars being a precedent)- if we don't get over all the finger pointing and inflamatory rhetoric, perhaps there will be a sectional/class split in American. But, this is a worst-case scenario and it can be prevented, if we work towards that end. But if we believe it's inevitable, and act that way, chances are good that it will happen.