I made several large purchases right after the election knowing that tariffs were on the way (new brakes for my car, new PC, new AC units for 2 rooms in the house). I stocked up on pandemic supplies (masks, toilet paper, cleaning products). I stocked up on bread and AP flour (I’m always baking something anyway, so this isn’t anything out of the ordinary) and froze it. Stocked up on shelf-stable foods for me and my partner, and cat food/litter for our cats (many pet food items are imported to the US). We have a generator and water treatment kits that we can use with the running water on our property. I did all of this slowly, from November up until now. I am not one of those crazy selfish people that goes into COSTCO and buys the entire shelf of toilet paper for myself.
I’ve had a “go bag” for at least 10 years, so that’s always been ready. My partner and I have written up several “what if” scenarios and how we would respond to them (flee the state, or flee the country, what are we bringing with us, etc). We both have current passports. I’m taking a firearms course next month so that I can legally own a gun.
Some people might think all of this is overkill or that we’re being paranoid, but we really don’t give a shit. If it comes down to it, we can literally walk away from this house or lock it down and defend it depending on the situation, and if that makes me sleep better at night, I don’t care what anyone thinks.
I’d say Iraq, but being that I was there as a part of an occupying force, it’s my fault they hated me for being there, so I totally get it. That aside, America (as an American) definitely has unfriendly people that one is forced to interact with on a regular basis.