The way I see it (and the way I _have assumed_ most "Preppers" think of it), in grid down/TEOTWAWKI circumstances, America will prove itself one giant Titanic. You know, the one without enough lifeboats for everyone.
In my mind, our lifeboats come in two categories. Those that are static/finite such as stored supplies. The others, dynamic... capable of being worked to improve a position such as being able to grow food, hunt, fish, trp, etc.
Regardless of type though, lifeboats have limited capacity and anyone who finds themselves floating in a sea of chaos will be forced to either make "the tough choices" or be swamped by those who didn't even think of stocking life vests in their closet.
The most troubling aspect of all this (to me) is that "tough choice" when every string of you heart is being pulled (yes, I DO have a heart), when the turning away of someone who categorically will not survive without assistance looms over your conscience.
I didn't realize how long I've been struggling over this sort of thought until I was under the house where I'm cellaring garden produce and took a look at a 5-gallon lidded plastic bucket stashed. It was dated when placed there: 3-12-16. The lid lists: pinto beans rice, first aid kit, sodium naproxen, bic lighters, sewing kit, bobby pins, honey, blistex, salt & pepper, chicken and beef bullion. Brought it upstairs, changed out the bags of beans/rice for newly purchase ones (and am using the "old" - still perfectly good). Refreshed the date and returned to storage, 11-11-22.
Why haven't I added to the bucket count?
Because conflicting concerns also argue against feeding "refugees" who will come back for more, possibly tell others "where the food is".
The scenario where armed men at night are trying to infiltrate and a neighbor stealing brought some very (though few) revealing responses up. Wish folks here were more open to discussion in that direction too. Kinda like a "townhall" of this digital MAG, trying to reach consensus _before_ the QRF is really needed, _before_ someone is actually "harming you or your family".
One thing for sure - no matter what one ends up doing, there will be haunting regrets. When shit is blowing all over the place, clean "wins" become like hen's teeth.
