This topic contains 9 replies, has 6 voices, and was last updated by 
Crow Bar 3 months, 1 week ago.
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AnonymousYes, the US needs to be self-sufficient again.
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I cannot disagree with the idea of abandoning globalism.
The problem is, would the American people be willing to pay for American made goods?
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Anonymous@CB, I can think of many things that I used to buy, but don’t now that I am on SS.
- Clothing, I get a couple of new shirts for Xmas every year, I buy underwear by the dozen and they usually last me 5-6 years. I only ware jeans now and have every pair I have gotten for the last 25 years. Lose a little weight, go pull a pair that fits out of storage.
- Only buy a car when current one will cost too much to fix. When I bought current car 14 years ago I knew it would be the last new car I would ever buy. I’m shocked at all the big, fancy and new looking SUVs on the road today. Rarely do I see a car older than mine.
- Only buy a new smart phone when the old one quits. Even had the battery replaced on my last phone.
- It’s been years since I ate in an expensive restaurant. Or gone to see a movie or sports event.
- I’ve had my current computer about 5 years now (wIndows 7). The previous one I used for 10 years (windows 2000, lol)
- I’ve never bought a house, but I have built 2 for myself and family. I now live in the ancestral home that was also built and not bought (45 years old.)
- The only furniture I’ve bought in the last 18 years are those wire metal storage shelves on wheels. I have at least 12 now and need more.
- I finally broke down about 18 months ago and bough a 4k smart TV and a Blue Ray player to go with it. Got very tired of my 18 year old tube type. Quit buying DVDs and now just watch streaming, on my daughter’s account, and local TV. Got rid of satellite a year ago.
- Haven’t bought a gun since 9/11, I have all I need and some for family, but I regularly add to my ammo stock.
- I did buy an expensive pair of running shoes last year, expect them to last me the rest of my days.
Most people will buy what they need when US is self sufficient, but very little frivolous stuff. A big recession/depression will occur and millions will lose their jobs as many companies go out of business, but many will be able get new to work in manufacturing and distribution, but retail and fast food will suffer greatly. I wouldn’t want to own any commercial real estate, so much will be empty. That will no doubt hurt the banks.
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Good for you Log Man!
I would like to think this thing, once it is over, some people may realize their hyper-consumer, disposal life-style needs a re-work.
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I think it would be a good time to release one of our biological weapons on China . Smuggle it in through an agent . and hit them hard . Double whammy .
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Kerry Taylor of Squawkfox has the 80/20 rule. Purchase 80% of items used, and 20% new. Most of my furnishings came from Thrift stores. And we are talking about Mahogany and Maple pieces. Phone is a hand me down. Computer a 2013 MacBook pro. Phone service is through US Mobile. Its worth looking into. Data, text and voice is a la carte, so you dont pay for what you dont need.
But I dont know what I am going to do about finding plastic pumpkins cheap. ( sarcasm and a shout out to Crow Bar)
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Only exceptions for new buys are things you can’t get old and working in old batteries for solar, special clothing, and foot wear but we buy in bulk at season end or order over seas as the order for boots here can number as much as a shop has.
Some gun parts as used does not work, and equip mentioned repair items. Some of the consumables for shop but we try and find deals on them. Base metal pieces for the repairs and specialty fasteners. Water filtration filters also new but buy in discount amount.
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Tucker said: “We’re about to learn the limits of our health care system.”
Honestly, no health care system can hold up to a pandemic. Can’t happen. It is an exception and we can’t live and pay for the exceptions. We just endure the best we can and bear the pain…..and there will be pain. 🙁
On the subject of pulling back from TOOOO much coming from just one country that is NOT OUR FRIEND? Oh yeah. I’m not a numbers person and won’t ever understand economics. I get that cheaper means more folks have access to goods. But….it means more folks don’t have jobs here. Somewhere that’s not making sense. FEAR that TOOO MUCH of our meds all come from China? Yeah, we’re figuring that one out too late.
As for the modern way of buying WAAAY over your income? WHEN in all of the history of this planet has that ever worked out well? That bubble is better bursting early than late. I think it’s bursting late….to our detriment. 😮
We’re retired and semi-working. About to stop that in light of the new ‘plague’. But we’ll manage. Thrift stores are my first stop for almost everything but food. I made one last stop there recently. Had some clothes that needed upgrade. There are fine basic clothes in thrift stores! But then, I don’t live in NYC. Our western style is casual and inexpensive. I finally found some boots for DH …and we’ll use laces salvage from former boots that had holes. Pair up decent boots with decent laces and ….he’s back in winter footwear.
Love the new LED light bulbs ….a decent investment. We’ve been spending more on fresh foods that normal…..because this winter has not been normal. Investment in health is the winner this winter. If everyone did that on a normal basis, we’d have less use for the health care system. But then, I do like my sweets.
No one’s perfect in wise choices. But c’mon, people. Another purse worth the price of my vehicle? Perhaps a dose of reality can improve our basic outlook? ……um, call me cynical but….I doubt it. Short-term investing into the impetuous I WANT AND I WILL HAVE IT mentality has gone on so long. It would have to be a reallly long term dose of reality to make that happen, I’m thinking.
OldMtWoman …plastic pumpkins, Corsaire? LOL
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This reply was modified 3 months, 1 week ago by
OldMt Woman.
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@oldmtwoman, regarding our healthcare system, well said!
I heard some caller-in on a PRI/NPR radio show, say “Why doesnt the government just hire more nurses and doctors?”
The host, quickly cut her off, thanked her and moved to try to get another call in before the break . . . (roll eyes).Concerning drugs, yeah, I read an article saying we get like 97% of our Rx drugs from China.
That is not good.
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This reply was modified 3 months, 1 week ago by
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