The Givers and The Takers — What Will You Do When SHTF?

Gaye Levy, Contributing Writer
Activist Post

As much as I wish it were not true, I do believe that within my lifetime, our society will reach a SHTF situation.  The nature and shape of this event is unknown to me, but on some level I dread the thought of the societal chaos that will occur, for better or for worse.

Now it may seem odd to include the words “for better” when referring to a SHTF situation, but in looking back at history it seems that advances in civilization have frequently risen from the ashes of chaos.  So, even though I may have to live through the disorganized and destructive forces of a global breakdown, the optimist in me is hopeful that the results will be beneficial to future generations – even if the generations may be hundreds of years from now.

This leads me to the topic today:  What will you do when SHTF?  Will you be a Giver to those that have failed to prepare?

As some of my readers have indicated, in today’s world there are people that will walk in to a McDonald’s and demand free food.  If it is not forthcoming, they shoot the place up, causing harm to innocent bystanders.  For these people, there is a prevailing mentality of entitlement with no mindset oriented toward hard work, moral ethics and the family values so well ingrained in previous generations.

So where does this leave the prepper?  Where does this leave those of us that have saved our money, planned for the unexpected and lived a life of self-sufficiency?  When SHTF do we share what we have with our peers that have lived the good life with no concern for tomorrow?  Do we open our homes and our hearts?  Or do we lock ourselves up within our well-fortified homesteads and say No, you are not welcome here?

This is certainly not a new topic, but one that must be addressed on an ongoing basis.  Why, you ask?  Well for one, food is becoming more scarce and more expensive on a daily basis.  Something as simple and basic as a single potato can now cost as much as $1.00 each.  A buck a potato?  Five years ago that would have been unheard of.  Fuel to heat our homes and to cook our food is becoming precious, and consider this:  gasoline, the mainstay source of power for our transportation systems, is running $11 a gallon in Europe.  It won’t be long until the rest of the world will pay that much. I don’t know about you, but that will certainly curtail my ability and interest in freely moving around by private vehicle.

During some recent travels to the city, I saw copious and conspicuous consumption.  It was sickening.  And yet the mention of putting away some canned goods and extra water for a “just in case” situation was met with either a quizzical look, a blank stare, or an “are you one of those nut jobs?” comment.

This came from folks with a new car in the driveway next to a mailbox overflowing with monthly credit card bills totaling tens of thousands in debt. These same folks were also dining at the newest and the most chic of restaurants and were routinely coming home with shopping bags laden with brand new designer clothes.  (And by the way, those designer duds are often available for a fraction of the price on eBay.)

I just do not get it.  And as generous of spirit as I would like to be, I find myself hunkering down and reminding myself that I can not and will not be able to help these people.  Even more significant, I don’t want to help them.  For the moment, and maybe forever, I am losing compassion for those that will not take the few steps necessary to learn to fend for themselves.

One thing I know for sure:  I will not be a Taker.  But when SHTF, I will also not be a Giver to those that have turned their thumbs down to those of us that have learned to be self-sufficient and self-reliant, no matter what.

How about you?  Will you be a Giver when society breaks down?