It was 2017. Clans were governing America.
The first clans organized around local police forces. The conservatives’ war on crime during the late 20th century and the Bush/Obama war on terror during the first decade of the 21st century had resulted in the police becoming militarized and unaccountable.
As society broke down, the police became warlords. The state police broke apart, and the officers were subsumed into the local forces of their communities. The newly formed tribes expanded to encompass the relatives and friends of the police.
The dollar had collapsed as world reserve currency in 2012 when the worsening economic depression made it clear to Washington’s creditors that the federal budget deficit was too large to be financed except by the printing of money.
With the dollar’s demise, import prices skyrocketed. As Americans were unable to afford foreign-made goods, the transnational corporations that were producing offshore for US markets were bankrupted, further eroding the government’s revenue base.
The government was forced to print money in order to pay its bills, causing domestic prices to rise rapidly. Faced with hyperinflation, Washington took recourse in terminating Social Security and Medicare and followed up by confiscating the remnants of private pensions. This provided a one-year respite, but with no more resources to confiscate, money creation and hyperinflation resumed.
Organized food deliveries broke down when the government fought hyperinflation with fixed prices and the mandate that all purchases and sales had to be in US paper currency. Unwilling to trade appreciating goods for depreciating paper, goods disappeared from stores.
Washington responded as Lenin had done during the “war communism” period of Soviet history. The government sent troops to confiscate goods for distribution in kind to the population. This was a temporary stop-gap until existing stocks were depleted, as future production was discouraged. Much of the confiscated stocks became the property of the troops who seized the goods.
Goods reappeared in markets under the protection of local warlords. Transactions were conducted in barter and in gold, silver, and copper coins.
Other clans organized around families and individuals who possessed stocks of food, bullion, guns and ammunition. Uneasy alliances formed to balance differences in clan strengths. Betrayals quickly made loyalty a necessary trait for survival.
Large scale food and other production broke down as local militias taxed distribution as goods moved across local territories. Washington seized domestic oil production and refineries, but much of the government’s gasoline was paid for safe passage across clan territories.
Most of the troops in Washington’s overseas bases were abandoned. As their resource stocks were drawn down, the abandoned soldiers were forced into alliances with those with whom they had been fighting.
Washington found it increasingly difficult to maintain itself. As it lost control over the country, Washington was less able to secure supplies from abroad as tribute from those Washington threatened with nuclear attack. Gradually other nuclear powers realized that the only target in America was Washington. The more astute saw the writing on the wall and slipped away from the former capital city.
When Rome began her empire, Rome’s currency consisted of gold and silver coinage. Rome was well organized with efficient institutions and the ability to supply troops in the field so that campaigns could continue indefinitely, a monopoly in the world of Rome’s time.
When hubris sent America in pursuit of overseas empire, the venture coincided with the offshoring of American manufacturing, industrial, and professional service jobs and the corresponding erosion of the government’s tax base, with the advent of massive budget and trade deficits, with the erosion of the fiat paper currency’s value, and with America’s dependence on foreign creditors and puppet rulers.
The Roman Empire lasted for centuries. The American one collapsed overnight.
Rome’s corruption became the strength of her enemies, and the Western Empire was overrun.
America’s collapse occurred when government ceased to represent the people and became the instrument of a private oligarchy. Decisions were made in behalf of short-term profits for the few at the expense of unmanageable liabilities for the many. Overwhelmed by liabilities, the government collapsed.
Globalism had run its course. Life reformed on a local basis.
Paul Craig Roberts was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury during President Reagan’s first term. He was Associate Editor of the Wall Street Journal. He has held numerous academic appointments, including the William E. Simon Chair, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Georgetown University, and Senior Research Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He was awarded the Legion of Honor by French President Francois Mitterrand. He is the author of Supply-Side Revolution : An Insider’s Account of Policymaking in Washington; Alienation and the Soviet Economy and Meltdown: Inside the Soviet Economy, and is the co-author with Lawrence M. Stratton of The Tyranny of Good Intentions : How Prosecutors and Bureaucrats Are Trampling the Constitution in the Name of Justice.
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Well, you could pretty much call this the “cliffs notes” for what’s coming down the pike…..A few months ago on this site, I asked if, in a thousand years time, any historians would know the name of our country. Â I got roundly excoriated and run down for asking that. Â All the usual “America is the greatest nation there ever was” diatribe was written over and over.
So, I’ll ask again. Â Do you think, that in one thousand years time, anyone will know the name of our country?
@ Jonny V
Depends on how many nukes go off.
JV – Only from what ever was written down and saved.     Mr. Roberts states that “America’s collapse occurred when government ceased to represent the people and became the instrument of a private oligarchy”. If that’s the case then it was over years ago. What will they say about us in 100 years will be more interesting……….
Comments…..In 1000 years, we will become a part of those peoples known as homosapians.
Funny thing is people will call this baloney and bullshit. But they have no idea what is coming. Our government is weak and not ready for a breakdown in the water supply,food supply,or electric supply. Not even one of them. But when the dollar dies all three of these three components will shut down.Katrina should have been an epiphany of how unprepared and weak our government is. As I kept sayin in this site for months America is not a nation but a collection ethnic tribes who are heavily armed kept together by a good economy that has lasted for 60 years. When we collapse all the things that we have done to other countries will come right back at us. The one that is not mention is the nuclear weapons. Will nations like China,Russia,India sit back and see a nation with 20,000 nukes splinter into warring warlord clans,and tribes?
I’m planning when I’m done with college I’ll leave Brooklyn,new york and move to a small town in upstate ny. Upstate ny has gun friendly laws,endless game,friendly small towns,and great scenery. This is coming from a black male in a big city. I keep telling my parent we should move to upstate because I know what is coming. The never listen,one word of advice stay away from cities with populations more then 100,000because it will Stalingrad,Lenningrad,Grozny,Sarajevo times 100. Read about the collapse of the Roman Empire,Yugoslav Wars,collapse of the USSR. They all collapsed and splintered into endless wars.
Another thing nations can collapse suddenly. The USSR was here one day and splintered the next. Funny thing is that those “terrorist” militias will be prepared because they knew it was coming. Many people do not want to believe we will collapse. No one likes bad news that is why the govt lies about or debt,they know if they tell the American people the truth the people will panic. Mnay will dismiss this and call up “tinfoil doom and gloomer” but they fail to see the truth. Prepare my friends.
Agree with everything Johnny V says, the only thing I’d say about this article is we’d be lucky to make it to 2017 with things still looking that nicely….things keep going the way that they’re going, there may not BE presidential elections in 2012 because there may not even be an America
What can we (You & I) do to stop this?
The folks visiting this site (and others like it) and reading this
already “Get It”…How do we reach and convince others???
I talk daily to friends and coworkers but they would rather talk sports and such.
Please don’t chime in and say “vote them out”…I keep hearing the call “get them out, vote the Incumbents out”…here in South Carolina the Dems took that to heart and nominated Alvin Green…Poor Alvin, Doesn’t have a pot to piss in, much of an education, can’t speak worth a dam but ya know what I’m gonna vote for him…..It does not work, ain’t gonna work…admit this to yourself, deep down you know I’m right.
the early “White Americans” tried this and finally had to “REVOLT” to get anything done!Â
I’ll probably get a visit form the FBI or worse for saying what I’m about to say but “FUCK IT” It’s a chance I’m willing to take!!!!
My Friends the time for discussion is OVER!…the time to act is NOW…Rise up and FIGHT!!! before Your Country is GONE!!!!
I’ve had the sneaking suspicion that if there was a collapse into food riots, unemployment riots, civil war, race war, mad max, or whatever, that the .gov will abandon the troops overseas. Why would they bring back trained soldiers who may want to kill them?
At the very least the .gov will delay bringing most back for as long as possible, returning only those units who they are confident will carry out extreme orders. Like killing fellow citizens who are now reclassified as ‘terrorists’.
And the brainwashing performed on these soldiers would probably be epic. Cut all communication links to the US for months and tell the troops anything you want them to believe.
Maybe that’s the purpose for the .gov plans to eliminate portions of the Internet. Not just to leave the citizens hanging, but to isolate the troops.
Comments…..
My Friends the time for discussion is OVER! the time to act is NOW Rise up and FIGHT!!! before Your Country is GONE!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you don’t have 2 years of food, water, ammo and guns stored…….YOU ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION!!!
Pray for the best, prepare for the worst.
Eight years ago the US Army conducted a survey of the troops at Ft. Hood, Texas. The way that you conduct a survey is to hide the one or two questions that you really want an answer to amongst a hundred other questions.
The question that the PTB really wanted an answer to from the troops was; “If so ordered, would you fire on American Citizens?” They were informed that most of our troops WOULDN’T fire on their fellow Americans.
It’s going to get interesting peeps ….. real soon. One domino wil fall and set off the chain reaction.
My son has two high school buddies both in the military. One in special forces. When asked they have stated that they will not fire on American citizens.  Why would they?  The citizens patriotically support our soldiers whereas their traitorous commader in chief condemns them.   Remember the massacre at Fort Hood? Remember what the federal government did at Wounded Knee, Ruby Ridge, and Waco Texas?  The federal governments’ actions and inactions speak louder than the president’s lying words.    Â
Scar, you under estimate the military.Â
The entire episodes are happening right in front of your eyes. You know EVERYTHING IS FIXED and the whole system has been set up that way.
Â
Google collected information and video taped all the streets in America not for your convenience but to control the masses, so the elites could give orders from their bunkers.
Â
******** DURING PAST ELECTION VOTING MACHINES WERE TAMPERED WITH AND ARE EASY TO MANIPULATE. They can be programmed to show any number that they want. They can set the count at a higher number instead of from 1 !!!!! *********
Â
The viewing numbers or ratings of the LIBERAL VIDEOS are much, much higher than the CONSERVATIVE VIDEOS.
Â
They are controlled at every websites. Check for yourself when you click it does not advance the number or even it did it reverse the same number after you left. Open any two browsers and test it for yourself. So many have complained and nothing has been done.
Tom, I certainly hope so. Really I do.
I’ll go out on a limb here and lay a bit of shortsightedness at the foot of Democracy, the Republic; and the Fixed Term.
When a Politician or a Political party has to concentrate on the next election, then they are hard pressed to look farther afield. Too busy putting out spot fires to go fight the big forest fire heading it’s way.
At least with a Monarchy/Feudal system, there is an interest on the part of the rulers to look to the long term, as they have a vested interest in promoting their families interest.
Just a thought.
Anyone who thinks the U.S. military will not “fire” on American citizens doesn’t understand the military or civilians. Soldiers follow orders; that’s what they do. Some may balk, but most will do what they’re told. The fact is, however, they don’t need to be told. Add in an angry mob of food rioters and ONE gunshot from somewhere (or firecracker, backfire, etc.), and you have the ready makings for a massacre. Moreover, while some soldiers may cringe at the thought of shooting unarmed civilians, few will refuse to confiscate civilian weapons or “evacuate” people to holding camps, if ordered (see: Katrina). The demonstrators in Tiananmen square were CERTAIN the People’s Army would never attack them — DEAD certain.
You don’t know the “planning” that goes into this sort of stuff , weather military would fire on civilians.
What they do is select the right people for the right mission, If your gona get this done you send in Southern white boys to the inner city’s and Black inner city boys to white southern states or areas.
They know how to get this stuff done when needed or wanted.
i’ve  followed p c roberts writings and utube orations for many years.  unlike most other social/economic analysts he simply has the uncanny ability to crystallize complex economic/social issues into simple and accurate deductions and then project these deductions into predictions. this, of course, is the only value of science -to predict. at this mr. roberts is a genius.
i would urge all who read this to listen very carefully to mr. roberts instead of using  his forum here to expound on other side issues.
For generations it seems to me, the ‘progressives’ have been steadily working (and making ‘progress’) in securing power from the American people (while claiming to be ‘helping’ the American people). They have overtaken the Democratic Party, and many believe their sway (thru the media, etc.) extends well into the Republican Party (to the point that there is little difference with the Dems). The Founders set us on a course for self-rule, with power to the people- and limited govt. The ruling class (ie, progressives and their supporters) have largely succeeded in wresting a large portion of that power and the means of subsistence away from the American public at this point- and many of us are aware of the possible end-game now afoot.
I’ve read (and believe) that the banksters of the world have been largely behind many of these power shifts of modern times (fomenting, financing wars, etc.)- all for their gain and to assure that they maintain control of events for their personal ends. This is symbiotic to the goal for power by the progressives (or whatever else they are called in the countries in which they operate). The banksters control the flow of wealth and currency- maintaining the ulimate levers of control- they don’t care about anything else (certainly not about who runs the political ‘grip’ on the people). They are largely uneffected.Â
The people, we Americans, have been threatened by this movement of power plays for generations. Some of us are aware of it- we’ve watched our liberties slip away at every turn of fate, or outright theft of it by ‘lawmakers’ and their financiers. I believe as well, that the endgame is near. The politicians have overdone their hand. The laws of economics, the invisible hand in a manner of describing it- is calling for the final play, the country is ‘broke’. I think that’s what we are sensing here, and elsewhere around the world. The banksters (with the help of their willing pols) have secured much of our wealth thru fraud and stealth illegal exchange (we know of the bailouts and tarp transfers, etc, at this point- and who got what of our money, and where it went….just awful to see it transfered to foreign banks/entities). In the process, we in the American middle class have been summarily reduced to mere serfs- many of us certainly to our end days. Losing our political power has been debilitating, but to be broke as well- may be the final straw!
In the past, those of us that recognized the pending collapse of our liberties and the threat to our economic survival supported a leader of sorts that came on to the scene here in America. He was Ross Perot. He presented charts …… before Glenn Beck! lol…. we were convinced he had it right, and would act on our behalf to set things right. Well, the rest is history, as you will recall. He proved nutty as a March Hare. Or perhaps, as some suggest, perhaps the bankster/pol alliance moved to place his family in jeopardy, and he collapsed? We’ll never know. My point is this- he did show that 20% of us, some two decades ago- were willing to break the chains and use the one outward power means that we had left available to us- our votes. Well, it wasn’t enough then… but now, I wonder? For it to come back to the fore, would require a very serious, patriotic believer in American ideals and the American people. Then, with- and likely only with the support of the internet (since the mass media is in the bag for the two parties)with the internet community in support of him/ her – could a national campaign proceed with one last chance of our redemption as its goal. Will it happen? unlikely…….. but I prefer to promote genuine hope (even as I continue to prep things- for myself and my family- for the end game, which the above article describes in very eery, yet very possible terms).
The US military in overseas posts are simply abandoned? Form aliances with those they were fighting? What aboutthe aircraft carriers, the tritan subs, will the sub comanders just pull ashore at Iran and hand their Polaris missiles over to the Mullas? lol A bit far fetched I think lol.
If you want a model for the US in the future I think The USSR crossed with Nazi Germany would be a better one than old Rome.
Honestly with all the BS that’s going on now and the devastation of the BP oil spill, the effects it’s going to have on America and her economy we’d be lucky to make it until 2017. I kinda doubt there”s going to be a presidential election in the year 2012, There may not even be an America come that time!
Comments….. Mardochee… I agree! Upstate NY is Gods country – it’s so beautiful and could provide most everything one would need to survive BUT the taxes are soooo high in New York. I would never contribute to their coffers. I agree that I don’t think we have much time but I blame the Dems, the Repubs, the Judicial and the Legislative branches of our government – this have been in the works for decades!!! No one president, congressman, or judge is the sole reason – some are just more communist/socialist/and or elitist than others. We can only count on ourselves and our inner circles to prepare and survive. We’re in the end stretch of our preparations. Mardochee – I hope you’re out of college soon.  Good luck to all.
@ Greg G                                                                                                                       There will always be America as long as patriots don’t give up on her or turn their backs and run to some other country. When the shtf real patriots are going to kick some serious ass and regain our country and our freedoms just like the founding fathers did and we are going to make sure that it never gets in the shape our nation is in now ever again. AMERICA always and forever
@ Oneshotkill
Amen brother, say it again 🙂 hearing something like that gives me some serious hope that people are starting to wake up to what’s going on! I hope that you’re right, I really hope that you are but IMHO it seems like not nearly enough of us think that way…that’s what I’m hoping to change with my website
Comments…..The natural law will take its own course. There’s no changing that, or trying to tame it. The agenda is to bring on tyranny and to control as many people as possible. I believe the task is over TPTB heads, and it will be up to the American people to take back this country. A lot of pain will be felt by millions. Anger and desperation has already set in here in the US. The only thing holding back the winds of strife is a government check. Once that is gone, TSWHTF. Guns, ammo, food. Be prepared people.
Mardochee – i am with you…i live in NYC and want to move upstate as well. check out new york city preppers network on meetup.com