Most of you have probably read articles or papers on the subject of having a second passport and perhaps a retreat of some sort in another country. The thinking here is that the United States will become a target for a number of possible perils that could be to a degree so horrific that leaving the country is the best option. Some of these perils include, but are not limited to, currency collapse, terrorism, nuclear attack, and widespread social unrest.
Before I go any further on this, let me say I think the likelihood of any of those coming to fruition to a degree where people have to bug out of the U.S. to survive are remote. And even if one of them does occur, (barring some sort of civil war, another highly unlikely scenario), it would be quite survivable for most of the population.
But many preppers feel it's a good hedge to have a retreat of some sort outside the United States to which to flee in case of a widespread emergency here in the U.S. So tonight, I want to address the subject in case you're feeling down about not being able to afford an Italian passport and a beach compound in the Caymans.
If you have bunches of cash money lying around, and your preparations are home are solid, then by all means do it if makes you feel better. But let me make the case why it's a bad idea for the vast majority of us.
First, I'd like to draw upon the conclusions reached by Joel Skousen in his book Strategic Relocation, Third Edition. He does an analysis on the nations that the conventional wisdom holds as suitable alternatives to living in the U.S. during a time of crisis. His overall conclusion is that the U.S. and Canada are the best all around locations for Americans during times of crisis. (I highly recommend his book, by the way.)
In summary, Skousen believes that:
- Having an appropriate shelter and retreat location in the United States will protect you from the vast majority of perils you might face in the more urban areas.
- You already know the language and culture here. It would take time, effort and expense to acquire the necessary acumen in another country to have a meaningful life there for an extended stay.
- The U.S. and Canada are totally self sufficient for its food and water production, and both nations have the technology and know how to recover from whatever peril strikes it.
- Liberty and freedom are, for now, a strong part of the culture for many Americans. They are certainly important values for those who are into prepping. It's unlikely you would find that same level of affinity for liberty and freedom in many other countries.
I would add to that list:
- You have a basic understanding of the laws here. Doing business in other countries can be much different than the United States.
- Your team - those like minded people in your community - would still be here. Presumably, your extended family would be somewhere in the United States as well. Those are the people who are going to be able to help you, and not some family in another country you just met last week when you flew into town to get away from whatever is troubling us here in the U.S.
- A key to doing well in another country on a long term basis is having a bank account set up there. Doing so in advance takes time, effort and money. It is also becoming more difficult to do, thanks to new banking laws here in the United States.
- We need people who are prepared to stay here and help fix the mess once things calm down. Sipping mai tais in a Santiago bar watching the mayhem from back home on CNN International really doesn't do those of us trying to restore the nation much good.
In the end analysis, being prepared to bolt off shore if things here got really bad would require a tremendous amount of resources. And in the end, I'm not convinced you would come out ahead, given the fact you'd be a guest in another country, subject to their laws and whims.
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