Welcome to this week’s Survival Buzz and a special prepper’s nod to independence and Independence Day. Let me explain.
Since starting this website, I have always championed the individual and families as well as our right to freedom, free speech, and independence from tyranny. In support of that, I have done my best to stay focused on what we as individuals can do on our own as we take steps toward self-reliance under the most diverse of circumstances.
In my heart of hearts, I hope I have accomplished my goal of fostering a sense of calm as we prepare for an uncertain future. With so much happening around us, it is easy to panic and feel helpless. I don’t want to feel that way and I know that you don’t either. So day by day, week by week, month by month, we plug away at our preps as we prepare ourselves both mentally and physically for the future.
That brings me around to Independence Day and the 4th of the July.
I have shared Independence Day sentiments in the past and quite honestly, nothing much has changed since my first 4th of July article in 2011. That said, it has been a couple of years since I have posted an Independence Day message, so, for your discernment, I bring back a newly updated article from July 4, 2012. Everything I said still applies, and if anything, even more so.
A s Nod to Independence Day and the Revolution of Thought
In reading the Declaration of Independence, it strikes me that this statement, this edict of the people, was truly a revolution of thought. It was a declaration of universal rights for all and further, it defined the government as the gate-keeper for insuring that those rights are protected. Yes, the government was defined as the gate-keeper and protector with its rights being granted by the people and for the people. Imagine that!
But now, instead of being gate-keeper and protector, our government, in my opinion, has become the warden and the jailer, intent on keeping our citizens under control, without choice, without guardianship and certainly without representation when it comes to taxes.
As Lincoln said in 1863:
“Our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
Today as I look back at these words and scratch my head in confusion. How could we have strayed so far from this universal truth?
A Prepper’s View of Independence and the 4th of July
For many, the 4th of July has traditionally marked the true beginning of summer, often celebrated with family barbeques, lots of beer, a parade and of course, fireworks. Somewhere along the way – at least for many – the true meaning of the 4th of July has been lost.
Is it any surprise that very few refer to the”4th” – as it is commonly called – as Independence Day? Nope. Not really. But let me begin at the beginning.
The Story Behind Independence Day
Back in the years leading up to 1776, the colonists were feeling the crunch of Great Britain telling them what to do and when, and charging them for the privilege through excessive taxation. People started getting P.O.’d and decided they were sick and tired of the status quo. So, in a nutshell, they decided to tell the King to take a hike. They wanted to become their own independent country, free from the tyranny that had plagued them for years.
The Congress met and appointed a committee to write a formal document that would tell Great Britain that the Americans had decided to govern themselves. Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft and the rest is history. Independence was declared on July 2, 1776 and official Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776.
Over the years, The Declaration of Independence has become more than just a piece of paper. In addition to being a symbol of our country’s independence, it has become the blueprint to the philosophy of American government. Or has it?
The preamble of says:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
Independence – Really?
I believe the goals of our found fathers were mostly met. Great Britain went away and the United States of America prospered and grew to become the most powerful country in the world. But somewhere along the line, the goal of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness became clouded and mired down by politics, special interests, super egos and the tyranny of taxation without true representation.
Much like the colonists, today the people are being told what to do, how to do it, and charged handsomely for this so-called governance. What happened to “governments deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed”? In my opinion, the writing is on the wall and like those colonists of many years ago, the people of today are poised to say, quite simply, no more.
Enter the Prepper Mentality: A Personal Independence Day
Late last year, I made it my personal mission to become independent and to take care of the needs of myself and my little family without being reliant on others. This is being done by creating my own, reasonable rules for living a satisfying and sustainable life in spite of our government. Or, more succinctly, without government help, and without government intervention.
Do I pay taxes? You bet, and probably more than I should have to pay. But at the same time, I strive to isolate myself from government tyranny.
Fanatical and obsessed? I think not. The preparedness lifestyle that I have adopted has been embraced part and parcel with normal, daily life. What does that mean? Some extra food here, some alternate fuel sources there. Learning self-defense and learning to live with less stuff. And perhaps most important, putting a high value on recreation, having fun and sharing a meaningful relationship. These are the basic tenants of my life as a prepper.
In my view, this is not much different than the life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness described by our founding fathers in oh so many years ago.
Before getting back to our regular, Survival Buzz programming, let me say that first and foremost, we must move forward with optimism and grace. As bad as we may perceive things to be, there is no where else I would chose to live. What we have in terms of personal freedoms may see diminished from the past but that being said, I can not think of any place that is better.
And that is all I am going to say about that.
Current Backdoor Survival Giveaways
After a short break, the giveaway cycle has started up again and I have two good ones this week.
With all giveaways, winners are notified by email and have 48 hours to claim their prize or an alternate will be selected. Once selected, the names of winners are also displayed in the Rafflecopter on the original giveaway article. This usually happens on the Friday following the end of the giveaway.
Note: If you are having issues with the Rafflecopter, please clear your browser cache or contact . Problems may be caused by many things include a slow internet connection of other browser specific woes that are beyond my scope of control.
Essential Oils: Deal of the Week
Remember to use the code for an additional 10% off your entire SN order.
Other Announcements
is having one of their very rare “Free Coconut Oil” offers. Through midnight EDT Sunday, July 5th, with a minimum purchase of $19, you can get a 32 ounce jar of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil for free.
Note that you must place this FREE item in your cart to receive it! It is NOT added automatically. They also have a 2 for 1 special going on so basically, with the free jar, you can get 3 jars for the price of 1.
has replaced almost all of the cooking oil in my home plus I use it in my salves. If you want to try something different, check out their honey as well. It is the best.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
The Final Word
I didn’t tell you about my preps this week so I will double up next week. I will, however, give you a hint. I dumped the contents of one of my bug-out-bags and am starting over. Holy moly – I can’t believe what was in there and how much more refined my current needs are.
So what about you – what did you do to prep this week?
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
Gaye
If you enjoyed this article, consider voting for me daily at ! In addition, and receive a free, downloadable copy of my e-book .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bargain Bin: July is good month to take a trial run at survival living by camping out for a night or two in the wilderness or even in your back yard. A good way to shop for camping (and thus prepping) gear is to go to the page. I added the “Perfect for Preppers part. Here are some other items and for the record, I recommend them because I own them!
: One wipe is more than enough for a complete “bath”. These are a good backup when traditional showers are not available such as the week or weeks following a disaster. Also good for the sick room as well as camping, boating, hiking and such. Here is my .
: This stove has a 10,000-BTU burner that adjusts from low to high for full control when you cook in the outdoors. This fully adjustable stove will last for 2.2 hours on high or up to nine hours on low. And of course, it comes with Coleman’s unbeatable lifetime warranty. Less than $25.
: This “Scout” is the one I own. Using this basic pocket fire-starter, you can get a nice fire going under almost any conditions. This is a small, compact version and is my personal favorite.
Note: the price can vary by color so if you are not particular, scroll through the colors and save a couple of bucks
: This is the sleeping bag I purchased. And yes, it is a double with room for Shelly, myself, Tucker the Dog and a weapon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The monthly specials at Emergency Essentials feature discounts of up to 45% off sometimes a bit more.
Every family should have at least one . I have priced purchasing the bucket and toilet seat lid separately and found that it was more economical to pick up this kit. I have filled my portable potty with sanitation supplies plus, of course, plenty of TP.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Need something from Amazon (and who doesn’t)? I earn a small commission from purchases made when you begin your . You still get great Amazon service and the price is the same, no matter what.
Amazon has a feature called . This is an easy tool for finding products that people are ‘wishing” for and in this way you know what the top products are. All you need to do is select the category from the left hand side of the screen.
Help support Backdoor Survival. Purchases earn a small commission and for that I thank you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Are You Interested in Essential Oils?
$15.99 – Shipping is Free
The is the best value out there – all oils are 15ml bottles – shipped out to you once a month (on the same date you ordered the product). The price is $15.99 a month and includes shipping and tax. This is a great way to collect oils at a discounted price.
by Gaye Levy first appeared on .
from Prepper Daily News http://ift.tt/1LO3BL2
via Daily Prepper News
No comments:
Post a Comment