The Next Depression?

[GwenFarms]

I posted this under the thread about gas prices. I am interested in what other people's thoughts are on this, so I thought I'd repost it here.

Quote:

 

[jjthink]

Your points are good ones and you are wise to be thinking ahead.
I hope this country gets back to smaller cars again. We look like ostentatious slobs to the rest of the world with our huge SUV's and Hummers. With gas on its way to $4, maybe this will begin to happen.
For certain businesses, big vehicles are necessary but for most of us, they are simply not.

Doing everything we can possibly do to ensure the preservation of farms so that food supply (and other products) can be found locally also saves a ton of fuel (and is a good security measure).
JJ

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

I think we should go into bio-diesal as it is cheap to make. Gas and oil prices are so high. We are so dependnt on this stuff.

 

[sclanimals]

I agree. Thing are getting scary.we expanded our 60x90 garden to a 12,000 square foot garden this year and also raise pigs and milking goats. I will try my hand at canning this year and also stay home ALOT! Time to get prepared for sure.

 

[jmk3482]

I agree with a lot of what you are talking about. I, too, am starting to look at my lifestyle and I am learning to be more self sufficient. Even if there wasn't a talk of reccession, people learning to be more self sufficient and lessen their impact on the earth is a good thing for everyone to do. Not everyone can live on a farm with all their favorite foods at their fingertips, but there are a lot of things families who live in highrise appartments can do to that end.

However, I'm sorry to say that the rising cost of gas in NOT just a conservation problem. What you are suggesting about the entire nation not driving for three days is simply a case of armchair activism. You can read more about that here: http://www.breakthechain.org/aa.html and here: http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/gasout.html

That is not to say that I am critisizing you for your effort, the energy crisis in America in a complicated issue and cannot be solved with a single effort. And as far the the "next depression," Dictionary.com defines an economic recession as, "an extended decline in general business activity, typically three consecutive quarters of falling real gross national product."

The same site defines an economic depression as, "a period of drastic decline in a national or international economy, characterized by decreasing business activity, falling prices, and unemployment." These definitions indicate that the main difference between a recession and depression is the magnitude of economic decline. A depression is simply a severe recession. And I heard on TV that most of the time, we can't even tell we are in a recession until it's over.

Now I'm not one to throw political issues on a board that isn't about political issues so, I will stop here. That's my opinion.

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

well what my moms b/f is going to do is what sclanimals is doing.

they are moving to PA and raising, pigs, cows, sheep and goats. He says america is so dependant on supermarket food that its crazy. Plus our bill for electric is over $800 a month cause of the oil furnace and the space heaters.

 

[1acrefarm]

Sounds like you need a wood stove.

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

actually we are getting one. We bought a base to one and plan on getting a wood stove from TSC for $250

 

[LisaJean]

I don't drive now unless I have three or four specific things to do while I'm out. I walk anyplace it's doable. I am out of work, and have been for months, but once I get a job, I am going to buy a small scooter (assuming I get a job close to home) and not use the car unless I absolutely have to.

I am just finishing up a massive vegetable garden, with tons of tomatoes, lettuce, peas, beans, spinach, carrots, beets, cabbage.... With that plus the eggs, plus the found food (wild edibles, like mushrooms and such) I should do OK.

I also hit the discount produce bin at Harris Teeter for all my bought produce. I can get a bag of apples or oranges for $1.25. I also buy a lot of stuff from the bins, and then can or freeze it.

I have deals on to trade eggs for milk, and instant coffee.

The price of gas is what controls the American economy. We NEED A NEW OPTION.

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

Quote:
thats why we should look into bio-diesal. all it is is vegatable oil. you can filter out the oil from mcD's or BK and use it.

there should be some vids of it on youtube and its better for the inviroment I believe