Episode-454- Listener Feedback for 6-14-10
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Join me today on the Survival Podcaast as we take your questions and feedback for June 14, 2010. Today we have great questions on shot gun options, rifle calibers, tree removal, life and health insurance, the gold standard and more.
Join me today as I answer your questions such as…
- Can a camp ground be a good BOL under some circumstances?
- How to deal with complex tree removals and the right equipment for the job?
- Nixon closed the “gold window” in 1971, so why do I always talk about 1975?
- How do you preserve books and documents long term?
- What type of health insurance do I recommend?
- What type of term life insurance do I recommend?
- How would I structure a 50/50 spit buying property with another party?
- How long can you really store dehydrated vegetables?
- How likely is secession, is it legal, when would it most likely be successful?
- Is secession necessary for “state sovereignty” or is there constitutional middle ground?
- What are my thoughts on the 8MM Mauser as a hunting round?
- How do you deal with failure in life day to day, not just in a SHTF?
- Can you run a well with a mechanical pump and how do you choose the right one?
- Will mulching with wood chips rob nitrogen from your soil?
- How exactly do chemical fertilizers destroy your soil and the life inside it?
Resources for Today’s Show
- Members Support Brigade
- ShelfReliance.com – (sponsor of the day)
- Survival Seed Bank – (sponsor of the day)
- Ron Hood’s Survival.com Magazine
Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show.
You also now can call in questions or comments for the host at 866-65-THINK, (866-658-4465) please read the suggestions for calling in before you do for the best chance of getting your comments on the air.
Jack you mentioned using Miracle-Gro Organic during todays show. Are you aware that Scotts owns Mircle-Gro and also is a distributor of Monsantos Round-Up? I stay as far away from Scotts product as I can. Just thought I would mention the connection in case you were unaware of it.
Stihl better then Husky? Jack when did you start smoking crack? Where I live most of us depend on our saws to heat our homes all winter. You will find most of us around here use Husqvarna saws. Both are available, however in general the Husky’s are more reliable and rev higher. Sure there are not so good models but Stihl has them as well.
I gotta agree with Stephen. Huskys rock! We have 5 Stihls at work and all the small ones used to trim palm trees (Canary Island, Queen, and Cabbage)are all broken. In fact, I have to say from experience that even the lowly Echos have outlasted the Stihls in this arena. Over 2,000 trees a year is a torture test of equipment.
As for succession. I don’t see it.
One, the UN and other nations will back the US in preventing whatever state from leaving because every state has Nukes and thus is a risk to national security. (They will use Russia break up as an example of the risk to nuke material. Just say chance for terrorists to aquire nukes and the rest of the world has the us backing to prevent it at any cost.)
Two, What would the leaving state base it’s money on? What will happen to all those living on federal social security? There enough jobs in that state for everyone?
In response to Jack’s idea of what I will call “bureaucratic succession”, All the Feds have to do is threaten tocut off all aid to that state to have them humbly submit. For example: money for infrastructure such as freeways and railways; Close all military bases in that state. (How many “support” jobs would be lost by this?) Withhold any assistance to natural disasters -no pay, no play; And they could get even nastier with federal farm aid and other tools in their kit. How long till the people of that state who are used to these sytems of support and who don’t want to lose them, fight back?
I would bet money that “society” will beg for the “security” of an American Union over the “risk” that comes from being self sufficient.
Thanks for taking on my question about Texas secession- I was pretty much thinking along those same lines.. it would take a complete breakdown of the U.S. — and @Polar Bear brings up a point that was on my mind.. as someone who grew up just a few miles from Ft. Hood TX, I was wondering how in the world you could “unweave” the federal elements from the state. I remember the cities of Killeen and Copperas Cove going into a tailspin the last time the govt even suggested closing down parts of the Ft. Hood base. They knew it would be devastating to their economies.
I REALLY liked the motivational speech on following your passions.. I’m a huge advocate for living an inspired life and really get a kick out of Jack’s personal spin on the topic. After listening to folks like Tony Robbins, Jack Canfield, Wayne Dyer and many others, Jack’s TEXAS version of inspiration and motivation is actually quite refreshing. I think he could put together his own audio series and call it “Stop Being an A*s Clown and Do Sh*t You Like – End of Story!” 🙂
Yes the Stihl’s on average seem to break down more. As far as price there are many Husky’s that cost more than the comparable Stihl model.
I Agree with jack, on the saw’s, why – listen to the next show. I bet he comes back on this.
And on state succession, losing the fed support is the point.
@Dene that is a great idea for a product, I don’t know if I will ever do it but if I do I guess I will need to pay you a royalty on it as the originator.
Now on secession as I said I think it would be very difficult to pull off but the points about economics are dead wrong.
Fact, Texas is one of the few states that economically could secede from the U.S. Texas is one of small group of states that pays more to the Fed than we get back. If you add up all the money Texans pay in Federal taxes and compare it to all the Fed Pork we get back we loose.
So basically Texas could establish a “national income tax” that would be quite a bit lower than the federal tax we pay now and the state would at least economically be ahead right away. Don’t forget we refine over 70% of the oil used in the U.S. as well. For the Feds to embargo Texas would cost them dearly. Oil is pretty useless as crude you know.
@Polar Bear on this statement, “What will happen to all those living on federal social security?” You have to be kidding me right? The program is bankrupt! Again consider that we Texas pay more in Social Security that we will ever collect.
Economics are not why it won’t work, in fact if it ever does happen it will be economics that will cause it. Right now it won’t work because the Fed has a bigger stick and more importantly most people who live in Texas won’t support the idea.
Might i suggest Aggrand organic liquid fertilizer. I can’t attest to the results, since I am a new gardener, however the customer service was friendly and they seem to be good to work with so far.
http://www.aggrand.com/
It is a fish based product.
@Stephen
To say someone is “smoking crack” because they don’t share your opinion is ridiculous. How about stihl supports their dealers rather than undercutting them through big box stores and the internet.
Also this debate is hardly settled just because you rely on firewood for heat. I know plenty of pros that use Stihl chainsaws and would tell you just the opposite of your blanket rebuff.
My opinion is go with the best local dealer when purchasing your saw, either saw is going to do well for you.
@Travis,
You are right about dealers and support. Huskys are great saws, when I bought mine I knew for the amount of use it would be a great buy for a good price, expensive but only one time. Breaking my own rule I didn’t buy the best I could afford though I bought the second best.
Concequence (those praying to the “Church of Husqvarna” SHOULD READ THE REST CLOSELY)
The saw has run beautifully, strong and never failed to start. The only maintenance has been chain sharpening and cleaning. UNTIL NOW the vibrations caused the chain tension adjusting screw to fall out. This is the screw you turn to tighten the chain before you tighten the bar with the nut. The little tiny bastard you use a flat tip going into the gear box from the front, you know that one?
So it has to be what like a 50 cent screw right? So I email Husqvarna to get the screw size or hell a part number. Guess what they can’t tell me what the hell it is! They tell me the only way to get it “fixed” is to go to the nearest “authorize repair center” (which is about 65 miles away). Well shit all I need is a damn screw, I don’t need a repair I need ONE FRICKEN SCREW!
So I go to Home Depot (a big box type store as mentioned) and find what looks like my saw, my plan remove the screw, go to hardware, find it there, buy about 50 of the damn things and go put the original back. Can’t pull it off! Why they changed the model, apparently this screw is enough of a problem to change an entire model over but no one at Husqvarna has a fricken clue what size it is.
Had I bought a Sthil I would simply call the dealer I purchased it from and a part number would be seconds away. Real quality is about more than things not going wrong, it is also about what a company can do for you when something inevitably goes wrong.
Nick,
The smoking crack comment was all in good fun. Lets face it Stihl or Husky or Jonsered are all good choices. Are you a Ford man or a Chevy man type of thing. I was only disagreeing with the comment that Stihl is a better saw as a general statement. Jack mentioned a bad experience with Husky, I am sure there are just as many with Stihl. For pete sake don’t buy your saw from Home Depot always buy from a dealer.
Ok one more statement then I am done I hope lol. Actually the best saw in my opinion is a Dolmar, however there dealer network is very small and would have meant an hour trip for my for service.
@stephen,
Yeah we all take ourselves too seriously sometimes… sorry for over-reacting. I agree with you on all points… that was my point exactly, use the best local dealer. A stihl dealer is near my house. The husky dealer is a few miles further away and I own a husky lawn tractor, no complaints about that tractor.
Stihl! Damn good chainsaws, but so are the Huskies and Husqvarnas.
Oh, there’s no doubt that Texas is a strong state.. I was speaking more of what I’ve seen with those two specific communities who, in the past, reacted badly at the idea of losing what they consider their “bread and butter” — a fresh group of military trainees and their families rotating through, buying products, services, food, housing, etc. I guess my question would be– how do you untangle the assets of the state from the federal when it comes to things like highways, military bases (particularly the land it sits on), etc.. does the state purchase those from the federal government? It just doesn’t seem like it would be a simple endeavor.
.. I’ll be watching for your debut as a motivational speaker… 🙂
@Dene,
What would happen the seceeding state tells the feds “take your shit and get out”. Withdraw all Federal troops from Texas soil and take your assets with you (friendly legal secession) or screw off we are ceasing them. Active duty military being told to choose a side, leave and go back to “the union” or stay and join the new nation.
As for highways we take them and we take over maintenance of them. Look at the Soviet Union it is exactly what happened there.
Do you realize Texas has a military, well two really. One the National Guards. (Air and Army) and the State Guard (all volunteer) when the feds are told to take a hike the don’t get the guards assets, perhaps in some scenarios the guard ceases the federal assets as well.
Understand this would be an act of war, how far it went as warfare would be based on the climate at the time. I mean if Texas just gets pissed off some day and does it that is one thing and a quick invasion by the Feds is the likely result. Yet what if Washington is in flames with food riots, what if the big crash comes, what if martial law is going rampant in 50% of the nation. If Texas were to hold things together and secede under such circumstances that is a different matter isn’t it.
Look I want to be clear I am not for secession, I am also against shooting another human being but if he invades my house at 3am he gets a free membership in the dirt nap society. What I am saying is to say it can’t happen or that there are no circumstances where it should happen is short sighted. In 1980 if you predicted the Soviet break up (which make no mistake amounted to secession) you would have been branded a loon.
Last I do believe that state sovereignty has merit. There are many options to create some level of economic independence and assert it.
1. Any state could create a “state currency” based on silver, I mean hard silver. The currency could be “sold into existence” if done with hard metal this is actually quite constitutional to do.
2. Any state could refuse to suck the government tit for highway funds and anything else paid for with fuel taxes in fed kick backs. Once done it could stop the collection of federal tax on fuel, replace it with a lesser tax and keep the funds inside said state.
3. Any state could do the same as above in #2 with education. It should not take the national average of 9500 a year to educate a THIRD GRADER! That pays tuition at many colleges! Most states fund 70% or more of their schooling inside the state already. Privatize education, make the money available for private tuition at the parents discretion. An ass load of high quality private schools that are exactly or just slightly more then the state provided grant will exist almost over night.
4. Any state could create an alternative to social security. Call it a tax so their citizens can use it as a deduction on federal taxes. Create a state managed retirement fund, that is 100% voluntary tied to safe private and government investment vehicles. Sort of like a state level backed IRA. Require 25% of the contributions to go into State Bonds (funds programs) and leave the other 75% to the discretion of the account holder. Invoke meaningful state sovereignty on these accounts guaranteeing they will never be subject to any federal garnishment or seizure. These would only be available to citizens of the state and should a citizen leave their account remains in the state but will be paid to them at retirement age. This would provide tremendous funding at fair interest (better than paying the fed for their money) and alleviate the federal tit. It would also be a huge benefit to being a citizen of that state.
These are just a few ideas, I have a lot more. Can they be done with zero pain, zero sacrifice and no fight with Washington? Of course not, would a state doing them suffer before prospering? In most instances yes. So what! Do you “suffer” when at 18 or 20 you leave your parents home and pay your own bills? Yes but you also eventually prosper far more than you would if you lived at home until your parents died and left the house to you.
Our society now wants everything with out sacrifice. Bullshit! If our forefathers died for what we have we can take a few uncomfortable steps to keep it can’t we?
The only states this won’t work for are the parasite states, New York and California spring to mind. Yet even they would be better off long term. All I am suggestions is we as a Federal Republic of States act that way. If it isn’t to start in states like Texas, Alaska, Wyoming, etc, then where?
Very good info, Jack– thanks! I had only recently learned of the TX State Guard and was intrigued with the concept of additional support to our state above and beyond the well-known National Guard.
My last part above begs the question of state based secession from another state. Such as what if eastern California said F THIS, LA, San Fran and all can go jump and did not secede from the union but from the state of California. What if they said we are now “East California”? What if upstate New York created, “North York”? Declaring themselves free states within the republic. Agreeing to play by the federal guidelines but as a new state.
It did happen before, yes the civil war was involved but it stuck even after the war was over, of course I speak of West Virginia.
http://www.wvculture.org/history/statehood/statehood.html
Jack, quick question. Have you ever read A State of Disobedience by Colonel Tom Kratman? It gives a plausible scenario of what it would take for Texas to secede and what would probably happen (a constitutional crisis that results in a constitutional convention).
The secession discussion is a fascinating what-if. I think if Texas were to secede in circumstances similar to today (i.e., pre-SHTF), the Feds would have no choice but to take Texas down, and it would be a very bloody loss for Texas. And that is presuming in pre-SHTF circumstances a majority of Texans would even support such a move. They wouldn’t because of the likely outcome.
On the other hand, in a scenario where the S is starting to hit the fan nationwide (or worldwide), Texas (and perhaps a few neighboring states, including AZ and LA) could secede successfully. Successfully meaning either fend off a reconquest attempt by the Feds, who are tied down trying to maintain civil order, or secede without a shot. Only in the scenario of the S hitting the fan would a majority of Texans support secession.
A bellwether of what the people of Texas might support could be the illegal immigration issue. If it ever becomes law in Texas that we will start defending our borders (maybe not directly, but in the new AZ law sense), secession is incrementally more possible. Still not likely, but more possible.
What I love about campgrounds: most everybody, or the wannabe civilian CIA snitch types who gawk at large knives and desert camo backpacks. Out in the mountains, just go back deeper on holidays and weekends.
Ops, what I meant was most people go to the pay camp grounds, very establishment like.
LOL
Jack,
I just now listened to this show (while I was standing on a 6″ layer of wood chip mulch picking beans).
I stand doubly corrected on the nitrogen depletion answer I gave to Nick LaDieu’s question last month in the forum – I remembered the exchange on the thread but didn’t realize I had been busted on the podcast as well. http://thesurvivalpodcast.com/forum/index.php?topic=18131.msg201583#new
I try and remind people that I’ve only gardened seriously for a little over a year and the fact that I post a lot of pictures doesn’t make me a master gardener. 😉
Now I feel like a tattle-tail! Seriously though, gardening only a year? Putting us all to shame!
It took me a couple months to get ready after Jack woke me up in March or April of 2009. Broke ground June 2009. If I can do it anyone can. 😉