For some people, the election of Donald Trump has completely flipped the prepping paradigm. Those who prepped like madmen, fearing that the policies put in place by Barack Obama would kick of some sort of apocalyptic catastrophe, have started to gear down. On the other side, we have people who have spent the last eight years making fun of preppers, ridiculing them, and calling them names like “conspiracy theorists,” who have now completely flip-flopped and are preparing for their version of the apocalypse, under Donald Trump.
It really is unfortunate; this narrow view of preparedness is dangerous.
Anyone who has followed this site for awhile knows that I’m an equal opportunity offender – I offend everyone, and I have no problems going after those in power, no matter what letter they put in front of their name. You should also know that I take government abuse seriously; I still believe the government is one of the largest threats we face – no matter who is in office.
For those who think they have nothing to worry about now that Trump is in power, let me remind you of the realities of the world we live in today. While the country may be divided on policy issues, those in Washington D.C. are not. Sure, they put on a good show; but when it comes down to it, they are all the same; they crave power, and they will do anything they can to keep it.
With the election of Donald Trump, we essentially have an outsider coming to D.C., and that threatens everyone who holds power. In my opinion, there are going to be a whole lot of people on both sides of the political aisle who will do anything they can to resist whatever change is coming.
Threats that are Not Going Away under Trump, and Some that will Get Worse!
If you have stopped prepping, or believe that the world is now going to become some utopian wonderworld under Donald Trump, you need to think again! When it comes to preparedness, some threats never change, and when it comes to this latest election cycle, there are some threats that have become even larger!
Prepping for a Loss of Income
From automation, self-driving vehicles, and factories filled with robots to a country that is still $20 TRILLION in debt, the economy and the threat of losing your income is going to be a problem for quite some time.
Things to consider:
- Make sure you have an emergency fund. If the worst should happen, having an emergency fund can help see you through times of unemployment or financial uncertainty.
- Start moving towards self-reliance. The more self-reliant skills you have, the better prepared you will be to survive a job loss, a loss of income, or any other financial threat that might come about in the coming years.
- Stockpile long-term food. Should you lose a job or face an economic crisis, having a well-stocked pantry full of food goes a long way during an emergency. Work towards having a 3-6 month supply of food.
- Learn what you need to do to Prepare for an Economic Collapse. If you haven’t already, it’s time to put together an economic survival plan.
- Don’t be one of the 60% of Americans who have less than $1,000 in Savings. Whether it’s having a garage sale or cutting back on useless crap, you need to start taking your financial preparedness seriously.
There will Still be Natural Disasters under Donald Trump
If your preparedness revolves around those in power, you need to open your eyes to the reality of prepping. No matter who is in power, we are still going to be hit with natural disasters and other catastrophes.
From wildfires and flooding to earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornados, at some point, you are going to be faced with an emergency that requires you to be ready for the aftermath.
Things to consider:
- Do you have a bug out plan? Even if you’re someone who plans on hunkering down and riding out the storm, there are going to be certain types of disasters that require you to evacuate and leave your home. Make sure you have a solid evacuation plan.
- Do you know how to shut off utilities inside your home? During certain disasters, you may have to temporarily shut off power, gas lines, and water services that feed your home. Make sure you know where the main utility shutoffs are, and make sure you have the tools to shut them down when you need to.
- Do you have emergency supplies to see you through these short-term disasters? The government says you should have 72 hours’ worth of supplies; I call BS on that number! You need to have a minimum of two weeks’ worth of food, water, and emergency supplies on hand at all times.
- Conduct Monthly Preparedness Drills. One of the best ways to prepare yourself and your family for disasters and threats, as well as discover any holes in your plans, is to conduct periodic emergency safety drills.
- Check out our Natural Disasters Checklist.
Cyber Attacks & Attacks on the Grid
Personally, I think the whole Russian Hacking story is nothing but government propaganda and fear mongering; but the fact is Cyber Threats are a real problem. As the world grows increasingly dependent on technology, we place ourselves in a very vulnerable position.
Between 2011 and 2014, American Electric Companies reported 362 physical and cyber attacks that caused outages or other power disturbances. In a vast majority of those cases, no suspects were ever identified.
If you ask most cyber-security experts, they will tell you that we are under constant attack 24/7, 365 days a year. It’s really only a matter of time before one of these attacks takes out a large part of our essential infrastructure.
Preparing for Social Unrest
This is one of the problems that is going to get much worse before it gets any better. Already there are hundreds of different activists groups and domestic terrorists preparing to create chaos throughout the country once Donald Trump takes office.
Since he was elected in November, we have seen numerous attacks on Americans, terror attacks, and riots throughout the United States — much of this coming from groups who oppose his presidency.
- Christmas Mall Riots Were Planned Attacks
- Disgusting Media Covered up Mass Violence, Rioting, and Looting by Anti-Trump Activists
- The Chicago Four: Anti-Trump Terrorists Kidnap Autistic Man
We reported on these types of incidents throughout the election, something the mainstream media refused to do. You need to be prepared for these types of problems to get worse!
It starts with Situational Awareness: The only way you can protect yourself from these wackos is to be extremely aware of your surroundings.
- Realize these attacks can happen anywhere, even at places that you’ve visited thousands of times in the past. These type of criminals like to attacks malls, large events, or anywhere they know they will get media attention. You must stay aware of your surroundings at all times, even in areas where you routinely visit.
- Put down the cellphone and pay attention to your environment. It’s hard to know what’s going on around you if you have your head buried in an electronic device.
- Trust your instincts: If something doesn’t seem right, pay attention to your gut feelings and get out.
You need to take Self-Defense Seriously! There is no substitute for real-world self-defense training. Check out these articles:
- Protecting yourself from terror attacks at Large Events
- EDC Bug Out Kit – Your Every Day Carry Solution
- Surviving an Active Shooter Situation
- Protecting School Children from Mass Shootings
- Tips for buying your first firearm
Prepping is much more than preparing for some statistical anomaly or prepping based on who is in power; it’s about analyzing what threats are out there and then getting ready to survive those situations that can feel like the end of the world if you’re not prepared.
Great article. Making no changes in my plans. Steady as she goes, full steam ahead on my prepping goals for 2017.
Increase food and water from 1 month to 3
Increase home security sytstems
Learn bush craft
Take Ham general license, just passed technician at end of 16
Learn Morse code
BRAVO! I am a huge Trump guy, but I agree with everything you said in this article. It’s foolish to think one man can change the world, and it’s just as foolish to believe he can’t be corrupted just like the rest.
By the way, one of the things that attracted to me to this site was your no-nonsense, super politically incorrect writing style. It’s good to see someone who cares less about advertising revenue, and more about serving the people who visit the site. I also love how you aren’t afraid to piss anyone off, that is the true sign of a journalist if you ask me. It’s refreshing to hear someone tell the truth, and to hell with the consequences. It’s also why so many people like Trump.
This article is what I love about your website…you don’t just report the news, you give solutions to the many, many, problems that face people in this wonderful society that we all live in now!!! Keep up the great work!
Equal Opportunity Offender……You haven’t offended me yet. It’s hard to hurt my feelings……I don’t have any.
I don’t care (actually I do) who became President but I’m not stopping from prepping. Trump can turn into President Shithead in a moment’s notice. The Global Economy could crash. The college snowflakes might actually grow a spine and start rampaging. Racial tension might snap into full stupid mode. Iran could light off an EMP bomb off the East Coast. And a host of other disaster can happen.
-EMP proof/resistant vehicle
-Nearly unlimited water supply (God willing)
-Well positioned fertile property
-Friendly/well-armed neighbors
-Approx. two years of prepped food, much more locally available
-600 gals. of fuel, setting home and well up for alternative energy source
-Conservative locale, 85% Trump voters
-Cattle, chickens and, soon, hogs to be on board
-Secure coms
I spend time every week hoping we NEVER need these for an emergency, an remember that there is always more you can do.
Perhaps this site could do a comparison of progressive ammo reloaders?
Don’t do that! In WA you can legally have 50 gal fuel,if you have more keep it a secret!
I enjoy the site, and the opportunity to learn and share, hopefully contributing something of value from time to time.
Lately I have a new pastime that has changed everything about the way I view the world. I listen to Adolf Hitler Speeches with English subtitles. I go to YouTube and watch documentaries about communism. I listen to Dr. David Duke on the Rense radio Archives, and Stormfront before Duke a couple of times. I googled for anti sea met tic ( it gets disappeared if you spell it out correctly). That type of suppression only peaks my interest even more. What is it they are hiding?
The more I learn, the more I realize how corrupt and evil people are now and what dangers lurk around us from our own government and the so called shadow government, or conspirators among us.
Prepping is not a thing you do and quit when life is good. Being prepared is being well trained so that when needed one can act according to circumstances appropriately. It is having things, tools, food, whatever, in anticipation of a future need.
It is organizing your life, time, and space to accmmodate yourself, members of your family, and visitors; without having to scramble to put things in order for appearances sake, but rather for your own needs.
It is being an independent, responsible, adult; able to provide for your family and protect them from harm, always, consistently.
Why are these prep guides always so conservatively slanted? You don’t think that Trump harbors a real threat to the world? Why can’t folks who come down on the left side prep some too?
Ted
I know a few left side preppers (granted they feel their party left them behind years ago).
My prep plans have not changed, if anything they are speeding up. 1 thing I’m hoping for is some cheaper prices (especially on ammo, and bring back cheap 22lr).
I believe the chances of having to use preps under Trump are just as scary, if not more so than under Obama, some of the same reasons, some different.
Im with the writer, I do not trust the government no matter who is in charge. Right wing, left wing.. Just remember both wings are attached to the same bird folks. We may have a few people in DC actually fighting for us, but its my belief they are severaly out numbered. Curruption runs extreamly deep, on both sides.
To anyone who reads this the hacking threat to the US, is not only real it is the single biggest threat facing the US now and going forward. At this time Russian Peoples Republic of China even but to a lesser extent North Korean code has been found in almost a dozen power generation facilities and in so many distribution sites that they haven’t all been caught yet. As most everyone knows market manipulation of power has made vast fortunes for some very high profile oligarchs, and also those shadier figures who’s moneys are used to fund unsavory acts around the globe.
God forbid but the best case scenario would be Putin deciding to play Monopoly with the US economy to put a few billion in his retirement fund.
I is less likely but far more terrifying would be if that vindictive little toddler in North Korea throws a tantrum after another disappointing military test.
It may not be popular view to hold but every new revelation gives me a knot in my stomach the links between the current presidents shady business practices and hostile foreign leaders should scare the hell out of people.
I am not in anyway a Trump fan..Because respect the constitution and our history. I am a well trained ex military DOD. However I see a urgent need to prepare even more in the face of Russia loving politics. His lack of grasping a real world vision of things is dangerous…making money has little relevance in this world thats forming. Sadly we are being pushed toward hating each other which creates still another layer to our need to prepare, we are no longer a group of people .committed a social contract of America for all of us. This is sad..if you have ever been in a country torn by civil war…you actually know what I am talking about. It will take generations to heal this divide. I grew up where everyone came to the aid of their neighbors in the face of natural disaster …we kept extra for our community. Tornados can completely destroy even the most hard core prepper…been there done that. Do not align yourself with crazy…you and your family will not be forgiven …lol..maybe by a liberal softy …but not by the rest of us. Sorry for the rant..just being am a grown up about this.
Capt.
I’m not a Putin fan, and sure not one that thinks Trump is going to save us. With that said I do know Putin is not our friend, but it appears to me most liberals, a good chunk of the republicans and media have been trying to provoke Putin into a war.. I honestly believe for some reason they want him to strike first so he is the bad guy. But sure seems obvious (to me anyway) that the globalists that control us dont like Putin and want war.
Id like to think just maybe Trump trying to lighten things up until our military gets some legs under it but my gut says not the case..
You are spot on that we are divided. Its by design.. A divided population is easier to rule. Sadly the media doing their job and there are quite a few folks that if they hear the same thing over and over they start believing its true.