There's one particular segment of American society that appears to hold little fear about what happens in Washington, even if the government is shut down or in default.
Dubbed preppers by establishment media, they are known for their self-sufficiency and disdain for government services and handouts.
"We have several thousand gallons of diesel fuel, a few hundred gallons of gas and av-gas, 7.5-acre fresh water lake, generators, guns and plenty of ammo (because we hunt, sport shoot, and collect them), over 300 acres to hunt on, plenty of wood and fireplaces, an airstrip and three airplanes in the hanger, and several vehicles and farm tractors … we should be alright," BravoJuliet wrote in an online discussion about "doomsday preppers."
CNBC featured "survivalists like E.J. 'Skullcrusher' Snyder," who is "just one of many Americans who are preparing for the worst outcomes in the event of a government debt meltdown – and driving a market for survival products and services in the process."
Snyder said: "If you think of it in the worst terms, a whole collapse of the government and the normal things in life that we take for granted, what are you prepared to do? People who are used to foraging, or hunting, or trapping or purifying water are going to move higher up the food chain."
TRENDING: America's most dangerous demographic
The report noted that several segments of society have been doing a booming business amid the dysfunction in Washington: Survival trainers and sellers of supplies.
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Tom Brown Jr. of Tracker School said his survival school is kept busy with those who wonder: "What's going to happen five days from now, and how is that default really going to affect us?"
The same report said MRE Star, a North Carolina company that provides food for storage, is taking in orders double the rate from earlier this year.
MRE spokesman Ken Lester said, "People are looking to control what they can control, and that would be survival, and being able to feed their families."
At Topix.com, there are several headlines from prepper sites, including a warning about "civil unrest, violence, and widespread looting."
One site's advice: "Set aside food in case it is no longer available to grocery stores. Save some gold and silver to utilize as a mechanism of exchange should the dollar crash. Learn to use a firearm and have ammunition on hand to defend yourself when the masses start fighting for whatever resources remain."
At issue is the standoff in Washington that has shut down portions of the federal government since the end of September and threatens to derail plans to raise the nation's limit for borrowing and spending.
"I'm not a doomsday type of guy, but I do have a gun safe and a 6-month food supply. You can never be too prepared," wrote Ironicguy.
Said MolonLabe: "Our system is fragile … you are lost if you think it's not. You and fam will be destroyed."
A PRWeb announcement cited the growing trend to build a "safe space" inside a home.
"There is no point in gathering a large food supply or collection of guns if they can easily be accessed by others," says Josh Johnson of Covert Concepts. "They need a place to hide valuables. Honestly, nearly every family has something important to keep protected – doomsday preparers or not."
His company specializes in safes hidden behind mirrors and rooms behind bookcases.
"The services I provide could be the saving grace in case of an emergency," he said. "In the end, I am offering a peace of mind to my clients."
The Hollywood Reporter noted that the Discovery Channel was featuring a special called "Apocalypse Preppers," which "takes a look at the 'mind-boggling ways' that people are preparing for the end of the world – which some see as a foregone conclusion, and not just a possibility."
Among the possible scenarios are a plague that could come from "biological warfare."
The ever-inventive free market also offered an opportunity with a specially equipped truck for "doomsday preppers," reported U.S. News and World Report.
The magazine said: "The world is a pretty scary place right now. We're faced with extreme weather events and our government is shut down. Wouldn't it be nice to have a vehicle that could help you survive what feels like the end times? Chevrolet has the truck for you. Named the Silverado Black Ops, Chevrolet says, 'The sinister-looking concept is based on the Silverado Crew Cab 4x4, building on its strength, performance and safety with features designed to turn the wasteland into an oasis, including custom-fabricated lower body armor and a lockable, bed-mounted Truck Vault storage unit.'"
KTVI in St. Charles, Mo., reported Don Velasco already has guns, ammo, machetes, basic medical supplies, quick prep food, water storage and "would run to a forest in the middle of Missouri."
He explained: "When disaster hits and you have no means to eat, drink water, and you're in a position into that, then you're going to see me and say, 'I should have listened to you.'"
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Related commentary:
Why no debt deal is great news" by Joseph Farah
GOP establishment – why trust them now? by Mychal Massie
Republicans, stand up – polls be damned! by Pat Buchanan
GOP: Quit kicking the can down the road by David Limbaugh
End food stamps now! by John Rocker
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