If I believed everything I read in the news, it would be awfully hard not to fall into a state of despair. The Chicken Littles of this world are constantly shrieking that we’re all gonna die because of global warming or pandemic flu or contaminated food or third-world nukes or what-have-you. Publicity-seeking celebrities and power-seeking politicians and grant-seeking scientists and fame-seeking journalists are quick to grab hold of any issue or non-issue they can make a crusade out of.

At the other end of the spectrum we have shrill voices warning that we’re all gonna die because of government overspending and corporate corruption and banking conspiracies and on and on. There are plenty of self-serving crusaders in this camp as well.

Personally, I’m sick and tired of crusades and the advertising that promotes them.

I do not mean to imply that I think all these issues are hoaxes. Many of them are quite real. What frustrates me is that there are so many people willing to point out (and exaggerate) problems, and so few who have any useful suggestions for dealing with them. (I don’t consider “give me your money” a useful suggestion.)

With tongue firmly planted in cheek, here are some of my own thoughts:

• The primary cause of global warming is hot air coming from Al Gore.
• A pandemic is any disease widespread enough to give drug companies an opportunity to make lots of money.
• The best government “bailout” would be if all career politicians jumped ship and found honest employment.
• We are in far less danger from other countries’ weapons of mass destruction than from our own weapons of self-destruction.

Removing my tongue from my cheek (ouch!), here is my advice on what to do to protect yourself from all the bad stuff. It’s straightforward, it’s common sense, and I promise it won’t raise your taxes.

1. Get out of debt as fast as you possibly can.
2. Grow some vegetables.
3. Store extra food, water, blankets, and clothing.
4. Put together an emergency/evacuation kit.
5. Learn a skill that you could use for barter.
6. Develop strong friendships with family and neighbors.
7. Get a good book on long-term survival techniques.

I promise, if you do these things, you’ll be a lot less worried about Chicken Littles and their crusades.

Best wishes to everyone,
Jared