I've written about this in the past, but let me set the stage for the topic of this diary. I think it is very likely that we are heading into an actual economic depression, similar to the one in the 1930s--and for similar reasons.
This is by far the worst economic recession since the Great Depression. In order to understand the magnitude of this recession all the reader would have to do is look at this graph (Percent job losses in post WWII recessions).
And of course, the main reason for this situation is the unprecedented level of collusion and criminality at the highest levels. The bought-off government is now in the process of helping destroy the middle class, at the behest of their corporatist owners.
Eventually once enough formerly middle class people find themselves pushed to the brink of utter misery, we may see a hint of a resistance movement. But that may not happen for a very long time.
In the meantime, I argue that there is a way to avoid being enslaved by "the system."
There is an enormous apparatus in place right now that's in the process of enslaving people. It's very sophisticated, insidious, and brutally effective. It's so unfathomable, that you could actually use the familiar term "you couldn't make this up." Yes, we have gone down the rabbit hole, and yes we are post-Orwellian world at this point.
You (the middle class) are being brutally attacked, undermined, abused, and exploited, while at the same time being manipulated (brainwashed) by a powerful propaganda machine in the form of the U.S. media to make you submit to the exploitation and abuse.
The System
I know that what I'm about to propose is very hard to do, but I argue that those who are able to do it are going to be in a better position to not only weather the upcoming economic calamities, but may even be able to eventually help in turning things around.
I consider myself an average guy, who has gone through ups and downs in life; who has experienced accomplishments as well as defeat. With many of the same worries everybody has: Raising a family, paying bills, dealing with family problems, etc.
But there is one thing that has always been invaluable to me, and which I consider an example of being truly free.
As far back as I can remember, I had never cared one iota about what anybody thought about me. I have never known what it is to feel unduly influenced by peer-pressure, or by the need to be "accepted;" to be a member of a "clique."
Also, I have never been in fear of "losing everything" and/or being "destitute." Not only that, I don't value myself based on material things or social status. So whether I'm "flying high" experiencing the "good life" and "success" at one moment, or struggling mightily or going through hard times or failure the next, my internal confidence and self-worth is not affected (much).
Of all the lessons in my life; of all the things I've learned, I have come to understand that the thing I value the most is my ability to feel and think this way. I would actually call it a feeling of utter freedom.
This criminal capitalist system its all about inculcating in you that type of fear. It manipulates people into a materialistic mindset. You are not a person, or a human being. You are a consumer, or you are "labor."
It puts into place a myriad of tools that are used as a "whip" to keep you in line; to make you obedient so you can be manipulated and exploited.
It defines what it is that makes a person worth it. So you work, and you buy a house, and you save, and have kids, and send them to college. And you buy a bigger house, and a better car. And you open a 401K or an IRA. And you pay your bills on time. And you buy new things; and you buy more new things. And you watch TV.
But then, "your owners" go about rigging the system, taking advantage of your middle class mind-set. And they slowly but surely tighten their grip. And so seemingly innocuous things, when used in conjunction, are used to enslave you. All of the sudden there are multiple things that come down on you: Your credit report; your communications in facebook and online and twitter; your genetic profile for potential illnesses; your arrest record; your criminal record; your rental record; your political views; etc., etc.
One may say, "well, you should pay your bills," or "if you are doing the right thing, you should not get arrested", or "I don't have anything to hide."
But the system then takes advantage of that middle class sensibilities, and conveniently rigs the game so staying within its acceptable parameters means that you have to work harder and longer for less (your productivity goes up, while your wages stay flat, or go down), while an increased "profit" surplus is sent to your "owners."
And so like a hamster on a wheel, you work harder and harder, for less and less as the wheel speed continue to be increased.
Some will not be able to keep up, so they fall off. So a fraud of major proportions was committed by criminal banksters which resulted in millions of people losing their homes, and many becoming homeless. And as they fall off, their credit is affected. Many are pushed to petty crimes or to such high levels of stress that the rate of domestic violence goes up. So more ruined credits; more arrests; homelessness; child hunger (25 percent rate--the highest since the Great Depression).
Coping Strategy
Here's the thing... As the consequences of the upcoming Great Depression become more obvious, more and more people are going to be emotionally devastated. Mental stress will lead many people to break downs; to suicide; to acts of domestic violence; to crime.
Their minds and their spirit will be broken. And they will be rendered impotent to do anything about it. They will just fall to the wayside; another byproduct of the brutal and criminal capitalist system we are living under.
But it does not have to be like that for you. I'm not advocating for you to not be responsible, and pay your bills, and work hard, and take care of your family, and be an active member of your community. Do all those things.
But what I'm saying is that if and when hard times come your way, don't fall into the trap that has been carefully set up for you.
Don't live in fear. Don't agonize and live in constant stress and desperation. Set limits in accordance to your capacity to cope, and still stay healthy (mentally).
So again, hoping that this does not happen to the reader, if you think you've done everything humanly possible to keep your home and it has become clear that you are not going to be able to hold on to it, then let it go.
If your significant other values you because of what you have, or how much you can provide, and the car, and the house, and he vacations, etc., and you have fallen on hard times and can't provide those things anymore, then it may be time to think about letting go as well.
No material thing is worth being mentally tortured. Know your limit, and evaluate your options, and yes, do the best you can, but if you have to let go at some point, do it.
If there is one thing I can assure the reader is that the fear and stress of these things coming to past are ten times worst (do much more emotional harm) than when they actually happen.
So if you have to let go of the house, the car, the bank account, the credit card(s), or anything else, at all, do it. Let it all go. Hang on to your serenity; to your mental health; to your emotional stability.
And here's the thing, if you are able to do this, you'll thinking ability will remain. You'll be aware of what's going on. You'll know who the culprits are. And when the time comes to push back and take on the criminal system, you'll be in a better position to do so.
Finally, I suggest people start sharing these ideas and start finding ways to get around the system. Think about the concepts of locally-grown food, collectives, communes. Establish connections with organizations that share this mindset. Establish local, regional and national networks.
Have a plan. For example, I've talked to my wife about these things. She knows my mindset. I usually tell her that no matter what happens in the future, that she never worries about me in any way regarding anything to do with material things. I tell her that "I don't care at all, whatsoever, one iota, about my standard of living." I tell her that as long as we are together, it does not matter where it is I'll be happy, and I'l be Ok.
And of course, in the meantime we stay in the game, and try to keep everything stable, but we have an understanding. We have touched on these issues, and we have a plan in case hard times come our way.
Finally, one mental exercise I've found useful is imagining what it would be like to have to let go of everything (material)... I would walk to a beach and calmly watch the waves, and listen to the wind, and sit back, clear my mind, and say to myself, "Well, at least I'm alive. I'll take it day by day, and I know things will get better."
I hope this is helpful. Thanks for reading.