My latest piece, “Time to Run”, at Lew Rockwell:
“Is it time to run?
That’s what I’ve been asking myself for three years now.
Before that, I thought it was simply a matter of finding a better place to live. A place that was quieter and cheaper. Where flippers and developers hadn’t taken over the neighborhood. Somewhere safe I could park my car on the street and not worry about it.
But by the time I found it, I also found that the thieves were inside the house, not on the street. There’s really no hiding from them. And no hiding from what they can do.
Our mene, mene, tekel upharsin is on the wall.
It’s time to run, not hide.
I mean that. We’re in the throes of an economic collapse of a kind last seen in the 1930s. The government is intent on grabbing control of whatever it can. American firms are dropping like flies. Unemployment is soaring. Debt is soaring. The money supply is soaring. Our foreign policy is a wreck – we have more enemies than we can count. We have a drug war on the borders, we have gang war in the ghettos, we have culture wars in the academy and media.
We have criminals in government.
The future isn’t any brighter. Subprime is only the first leg down. We still have a second wave of housing trouble in store, centering around commercial real estate and option ARM loans.
Gerald Celente, the CEO of Trends Research, wrote a piece last year predicting that by 2012 there would be food riots, tax rebellion, and revolution across the country. Celente has a good track record in the forecasting business.
Experts predict a 100% rise in prices across the board. In the best-case scenario, it will happen over ten years. In the worst case, it might happen within months….”
Read the rest at Lew Rockwell
Subject: go
From:
Date: Fri, June 5, 2009 10:06 pm
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Hello, I have had the same feelings for a year or more. May I ask what places you have come up with in your research? I currently live in Montana
and have considered a few countries in South America.
G. Dodd
Subject: Time To Run?
From: “Hogeye Bill”
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 11:17 am
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Lila,
I liked your article. One wonderful resource you might mention next time is
http://www.escapeartist.com/ especially their regional directory
http://www.escapeartist.com/Regional_Directory/ which evaluates various countries.
My own pick is Costa Rica. Keep up the good work. Here’s a PT page you might like:
http://www.ozarkia.net/bill/pt/PTmeans.html
Carpe Libertatem,
Hogeye Bill
Love thy neighbor; hate thy State.
Subject: Time To Run?
From: WBB
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 9:18 am
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
“Bills to snoop, bills to spy, bills to control. Each time one gets struck down,
another sprouts in its place.
Is it really the best strategy to fight each bill one at a time, over and over? Why?
If this is what the public and the congress want, so be it.”
But, it isn’t. It’s the moneyed special interests who try over and over again until
they can manage to sneak one by with complicit Congressional lackeys paving the way
for them over and over again.
Subject: RE: Time To Run?
From: “Robert Gentile”
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 8:54 am
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Dear Ms. Rajiva,
Another great article. And so timely.
I have thought about the expat route for quite a while. Without getting into the details, I long ago realized the USA was more United
States of Illusion (to borrow Gore Vidal’s phrase) than the sainted, “we’re number one”, fairyland that the cheerleaders of empire in the
MSM are always preaching about.
And now are rulers don’t even try to hide it. Obama’s change couldn’t be any more status quo. I read where someone referred to him as
Blackbush. Perfect!
My destination of choice is Italy. Even though the European criminal element (the EU) is alive and well, my experience is that the Italian
people barely tolerate government at any level. I’m convinced that, since the days of the Roman empire, their experience tells them that
all government is BS and they manage to deal with it as an inconvenience. That is not romantic wishful thinking on my part, but my experience interacting with everyday Italians in business and social settings.
I have lots of friends considering places in Central and South America, but I’m afraid of what those rulers are capable of doing. I think that
Italy, and especially the Italian people, have been through this all before and have managed to preserve their culture and quality of life.
Just one man’s opinion.
Best regards,
B Gentile, Atlanta, GA
Subject: Re: Time To Run?
From: “J. ODonnell GM”
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 2:41 am
To: “Lila Rajiva LRC”
A suggestion as I already “ran” in 2002 from Detroit to Cullman Alabama and have
lived here since Jul 2002. I will post a wiki on the place below but it is
semi-rural, safe and inexpensive to live. Not much in the way of employment but
since you can rent a 2 bedroom condo for about $450 per month, you can get by on
modest means.
Well away from cities, the closest majors are Huntsville and Birmingham which are
over 50 miles away. On 1-65 so you can travel anywhere quickly by car. In the lower
foothills of the Smoky Mountains so weather here is mostly moderate all year around
except July and August which can be very hot and humid. Very few days each year when
it gets below freezing at night.
I lived in the north [Phila, Chicago, Detroit] all my life and the people are friendly and there is shopping for most things in the area, even has a Wal-Mart in which you can buy anything.
Here is more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cullman,_Alabama
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=Cullman+AL&um=1&ie=UTF-8&split=0&gl=us&ei=3iMqSouVMJquyQWqqtzdCg&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1
J. ODonnell
Subject: Time To Run?
From: “mike rogers”
Date: Fri, June 5, 2009 10:31 pm
To: “lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com”
Dear Lila,
Greetings from Japan. My name is Mike and I write for Lew Rockwell too.
I really enjoyed this article. You know, I wrote one similar to it in 2005
and many American people got very angry with me about that…
I wonder how many will get angry at you? How many have opened their eyes and
will see the wisdom in what you wrote?
Thanks.
Mike (in Tokyo) Rogers
—
Subject: Great article
From: J. Fagan
Date: Fri, June 5, 2009 10:32 pm
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Lila
Thanks for the great article “Time to Run?”. That’s exactly what I’ve been
considering for the last year or so.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Best Regards
Jamie Fagan
Wild Alaska Smoked Salmon & Seafood
1-888-945-3533
1-907-486-6772
jamie@smoked-fish.com
http://www.smoked-fish.com
PO Box 2140
Kodiak, AK 99615
Subject: Living on a volcano ain’t so bad
From: “A. Benincasa”
Date: Fri, June 5, 2009 11:47 pm
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
http://www.muninetguide.com/states/hawaii/municipality/Volcano.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZlp6-00Ffs
From: “S. Klinsma”
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 12:00 am
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Thank you for the article of warning. I agree, I think its America’s turn to suffer
and its time to leave. Wish it wasn’t so. Such an ugly mess coming. So many lost,
self centered, even really, evil people here today.
Again thank you for the great article. I did some research last year and decided
that Chile beat them all. Low population, low crime, homogenous population, high
standand of living, still don’t tolerate abortion and only recently allowed divorce….therefore still a stable and happy culture. Thank you too for making the point that learning the language wasn’t that big a deal. No doubt it will be
frustrating but I think you’re right…just have to do it. America is no place to
be in these times. Now for the courage to move…we’re getting old and no one else
seems to understand what’s coming. Who knew life could be so dang challenging.
Thank you again Ms. Rijiva, and big hug:-)
From: “Blair B.”
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 12:33 am
To: “lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com”
Hello
I really enjoyed your book (with Mr. Bonner), but I can’t understand this run away mentality. Maybe you could elaborate on how one can defend one’s community from abroad. Wouldn’t it be better to strengthen ties to friends and neighbors and influence your community for the better. If I had any assets at all, I would move to a small farming community. If you want to live abroad, why not move there now, so you can start making friends and allies. What exactly are you going to escape from at the 11th hour? I think you are giving advice to a lot of people who are going to act without thinking it through first. For an example, read Emergency by Neil
Strauss.
I can be a little slow, so maybe in a future column you could spell it out for those
of us who don’t get it.
Blair
OK, I respect your opinions as is common courtesy but I will have to disagree.
We have to stand by the dying Republic and do what we must. Abandoning the Republic is the LAST thing that we should even be contemplating…scratch that..should NEVER be contemplated. Imagine if our Founding Fathers would have capitulated in front of the British Empire’s onslaught…
Will it be rough? Yes, maybe worse than we can possibly imagine, but what other recourse do we have? Flee? To where? Honestly. Going overseas as a ‘gringo’ will NOT be your salvation. Going overseas with your soon worthless dollars will leave you a beggar in foreign lands. And this is under the assumption that you will be permitted to leave in the first place. Mind you, you MIGHT be able to leave…but with barely the clothes on your back…and nothing else.
Folks…don’t let FEAR get the better part of your rational thinking. We are not yet defeated as a nation. Yes, we do have criminals in our government, but I dare say – Where are their armies? Where are their enforcers? I think that we’re facing a paper tiger and when the time comes, it will be blown away revealing complete impotence on our government’s part.
You know who will thus flee in fear? The very criminals who are trying to ruin our Republic. This is not to say that it will be harmless, quite the contrary…I believe there will not be a SINGLE American family that will not be impacted by future events. But whatever happens during the next couple of years…will just nourish the tree of Liberty as its meant to be and our Republic will rise up and be stronger than ever.
So, I beg that you reconsider fleeing in fear but stay and fight for our Republic as fellow Patriots.
Ah Lila, the curse of Cassandra. I agree wholeheartedly with you advise. Alas, few will follow the advise. As a group especially considering the level of income (well in the past anyway!) Americans are not a well travelled bunch. If you consider that only about 15% of all americans have passports and that a goodly portion of those where obtained for a trip to Cancun or Carribean cruise you get the point. Despite the buzz of globablization it is estimated that of civilian professionals less than 1% have every worked overseas! Outside of the military very, very few americans have worked (as a percent of the total or relative for the inevitable numbsculs replying).
I think the poster Blair is emblematic of some the issues. The reason ti leave is not some exterme sci fi attack or Omega Man scenario but rather that palpably the U.S. is a worse place to live and becomming worse every day. It is in many ways a less developed contry but with an advnaced police forece. There is very little by way of “community” as most people live in some suburb and really do not know their neighbors. Many of you neighbors probably just showed up here to make some money and go home to Bangaldesh, Jamaica, Puebla or Bangalore after they hit a certain amount. Surprisinlgy little media (and you can speak to this as well as I ) to professionals from overseas who come to the U.S. and then return to their countries as they find it rather rough here. Somebody mentioned Italians and its interesting as both Italian and especially Australian visitors of late are stunned at how decrepit (outside of malls and the reality presentented on TV) the U.S. really is.
So leave if for no reason other than to gain better perspective and become more broadminded and frankly cosmoplitan. Even if you live in the hills of Alabamy or anywhere in the U.S. you are well still in the U.S.—a year or two or three in Uruguay, Italy, Morocco, Argentina, Ireland or even South African will do so many Americans much good on so many levels. In fact, by living elsewhere you will become more creative, smarter and see through so much nonsense.
Bravo Lila.
Subject: run where?
From: Daniel
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 2:24 am
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
dear lila
I have followed bill bonner and lew rockwell’s sites among others for over
a decade now as well as being raised by a father who was involved with the patriot
movement in california during the 70’s. My father was a john bircher, as well as
YHPA (your heritage protection assoc), as well as a student of the Barristers Inn a
group dedicated to constitutional and common law. So i feel that i am quite
familliar with all of the major crises we are facing today.
I read your article today about running away and i was shocked and apalled with your
advice. I have seen other articles on Lew’s site that make noises about preparation
for crises, but i have yet to read one that is practical for anyone not
independently wealthy, so yours is not the first article i have found fault with.
please allow me to explain.
Those of us with our eyes and ears open have known of the coming economic collapse
for decades, we just didnt know exactly when or in what form. In 1999 my family
bought land with a natural gas well on it and built a 3300 sq ft concrete home that
may even put the mogambo’s legendary bunker to shame. I have a 1000 sq ft workshop,
40 acres of woods, a 20,000 gal concrete reservoir, I have non hybrid seeds, will
soon be building an 800 sq ft green house, and with the Lords help i will also build
a steam engine that can generate electricity from gas or wood. I have done all
this over 10 years, on a shoestring budget and with my own two hands.
And honestly I am scared stiff that i haven’t even begun to be prepared for what is
coming.
I have thought often and long about the situation that the world is in and it’s my
considered opinion that it is far far too late to try to run now.
Please understand that America has been set up to become the most hated country in
history. The hate has been sown carefully for decades. Not only for our political
lies and deciet, the buthchery we have visited everywhere without scruple, the
economic misery that will cover the world when the dollar collapses, all of this is
unfolding NOW.
One of the things that my father surprised me with, as far as stuff to have in
preparartion is extra food you intend to give away as friendship offerings to form
bonds with friends and neighbors. “No man is an island” he quoted, and said that
the MOST important thing to have is a network of connections with people you can
trust. People with diverse skills who can cooperate to the benefit of all.
There is no way possible anyone can begin to…
order a passport (takes months),
decide a country to move to( Are you goning to have to learn another language?),
arrange the sale of house, car, and personal property,
arrange new employment,
Buy a new house car etc.
stock up on goods to see the family through shortages( i assume a couple of years),
AND finally make a wide network of friends and associates who can relate to you and
be interested in your survival.
All before the storm hits? I dont thisk we have that much time, even the wealthy
would have a difficult time. Interest rates are rising, and the dollar will soon be
crashing, but the real thing that has died is confidence. Nobody believes in america
anymore they just want to rape her for what they can get.
You see when the worst is finally upon us, Americans are going to be seen as the
Judas of the world.
Being in a new country, An american with money, among strangers you have no bonds
with and an economic collapse in progress?
Nobody will even notice you bleeding in the gutter except to steal your shoes.
All I have said about my personal preparations is 100% true. I have many ideas
about preparedness for the common man but no venue to share them. I have written to
Lew in the past but i believe he does not accept unsolicited material.
Too bad, I would like to make a contrabution.
My advice? Too late to run and nowhere to go if you did. Better to hunker down do
the best you can with the resources you have and hope this doesnt turn into an all
out Civil war/ World war.
take care and good luck
daniel
Subject: What countries would you recommend?
From: “Charles V.
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 4:00 am
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Dear Lila:
That was an interesting and provocative essay.
Can you tell us, what countries would you recommend a monolingual
English to check out first?
Best, regards,
Charles V. Toronto
Subject: Inquiry
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 6:47 am
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Lila Rajiva
Thank you for the “It’s Time To Run” article. Yes it is.
I’ve been told the government has added taxes if you decide to pick up your
money and run out of the USA.
Where would one go to escape the fiat/fractional banking system?
Ecuador is an attractive country in South America where luxurious homes can
be purchased for $200,000 US, and it is a safe country. But its banks are
all US banks (B of A, etc) and their currency is the US Dollar.
Bill Sardi
Subject: you can run but can’t hide
From: “institut de Recherche pour leconomie de marche et la prosperite”
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 7:34 am
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Priority: Normal
Options: View Full Header | View Printable Version | Download this as a file
DEar Mrs Rajiva:
The immdediate reaction or gut impulse when a collapse is around the corner is to
run away. This is common sense.
The first questions should be :what are we running away from? Who is responsble
for the blowback? Who is the ennemy? Where is the safe oasis?
The forces behind the meltdown in the US is prevalent across our planet :it
is runaway statism. Some places may provide a temporary shelter but how do you
prevent statism from sneaking back into the fabric of society and bringing back
the same suffering you are running away from?
Reality is few societies have managed to reign in the destructive force of the
state constitutionally. There is one exception: the US. This experience may have
been short-lived but it was important.How do we duplicate this turning point in
human history? The ultime criterion in choosing a permnanent home is : Shared
institutinal safeguards against the state.
M.G.
Subject: Time To Run
From: Bill F.
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 10:53 am
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Good advice. Now if you can figure out how I can take all four of our children’s
families and all ten of our grandchildren’s families and get tons of assets
liquidated and get out of here without having to contend with TSA just let me know.
On the other hand, I’m in SE New Mexico; I’m not sure FEMA could even find their way
here. Besides, I am well armed and can easily see them coming from a long distance.
🙂
Thanks. Bill.
Subject: Time to Run
From: “j. glaser”
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 8:05 am
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Dear Lila Rajiva,
I read your column on Lew Rockwell, and did learn a lot, but my question is, what do
you think your column does to young people with kids? Young people who are
struggling financially with a couple of kids and a mortgage.
I write for Lew (mostly anti-war) and get a lot of e-mails from young people
starting out. If you are young and on your own, your column can be of much benefit,
but for the people tied down with responsibilities, what are they going to do?
After reading your column, either they are depressed or scared.
I hope you write another column and give your opinion of what to do if you are
forced to stay. Also, what happens if a large group of free thinkers were to leave
America? Would that help accelerate its demise or maybe make a correction less
likely?
Four Political Columns Monday Through Thursday, Plus Friday’s Weekend Column On A
Minnesota Man Exploring the South Check It Out At http://james-glaser.com/
Thanks again for your writing.
Sincerely,
J. Glaser
Subject: re: time to leave
From: “J. Stanfield”
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 8:40 am
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Ms. Rajiva,
“Time to run” was an excellent article on LRC yesterday. If I had any means
at all I would leave now. I have worked in other countries and have no problem leaving and never coming back. My difficulty when I think about this
is the second one from your article- (Second. Figure out where you want to live.) I think and think about this one and am just not sure. Do you have any list of potential countries that you could recommend and give reasons
why? In fact that might make an excellent second article for you. Anyway,
thanks for the article, it encouraged me very much and its nice to know I’m
not alone in thinking its time to get out.
Respectfully,
J. Stanfield
Texas City, TX
Subject: relocation
From: “Bill P.”
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 9:31 am
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Dear Lila:
Other countries do not welcome immigrants they way the U.S. does. When you’re
considering relocation, wouldn’t it be better to first identify the handful of
countries which do allow it? Then you can focus your efforts.
Regards,
Bill P.
Cinnaminson, NJ
Subject: Article on Lew Rockwell
From: “Greg R.”
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 10:11 am
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Lila,
I read your article on the Lew Rockwell site titled “Time to Run?” I have
never been much of an alarmist, but present circumstances have changed all
that and I found your article very timely. My brother and I have discussed,
albeit in a more joking manner, the idea of relocating to New Zealand. Do
you have any New Zealand specific recommendations or sources of information
to suggest? Also, do you have suggestions as to the best way to possibly
transfer and store money outside of the country such that it is available
upon arrival to a new country? My brother and I are most concerned with our
retirement accounts and have considered such things as rolling them over
into funds held in gold at the Perth Mint in Australia. Although maybe this
is a crazy idea, we have the gut feeling that getting out of the US markets
might be a good idea. Again, I found your article a great source of initial
direction and any other suggestions or input you may have would be greatly
appreciated.
Greg R.
Sacramento, CA
Subject: escape
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 1:17 pm
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Lila: I have it made as a dual US-Canada citizen. They should be stable
enough, and I can become a resident at will
see my site, candidate for US Pres-2012; new book
Best regards,
Dave Redick
President and Founder
America’s Roadmap To Success (ARTS)
_http://www.Forward-USA.org/_ (http://www.forward-usa.org/)
Dave@Forward-USA.org
913 Hampshire Pl.
Madison, WI 53711
Tel 608-469-8922
Subject: comment
From: “m. l.”
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 2:16 pm
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Priority: Normal
Options: View Full Header | View Printable Version | Download this as a file
After reading Time To Run I think a 2×4 fell from a roof and hit you in the head
because you finally get it. For a while I liked what you wrote then you seemed to
have gone over to the dark side and started believing the bullshit they were giving
us. The ruination of the US was organized,funded and put into law and action. The media,education,finance,the medical and law rackets and our foreign policy have destroyed the family, our morals the cities,the schools,music,art,3 generations of
kids etc. We have been looted for trillions on wall st and through the medical and
law “professions”. When I was a kid and I am not 300 years old in B’klyn a doctor
would come over for $3 and was like your uncle. Now they come over to
take your house. I always heard stories from old people who put money in stocks in
the forties and retired in the seventies with a lot more then they put in. Now grandma gets looted for 100’s of thousands while.
I was looking in Colorado or Montana and there are a
million places to go where they can’t get at you.I have enough guns and ammo for a
long time, I have seen this coming.At least you could be around a lot of water wood for fuel
fish and game could have chickens and grow some food. You might laugh at that now
but maybe you won’t later.
Subject: Comments on “Time To Run”
From: “Tyler W”
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 2:21 pm
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Good day,
U just read your article on lewrockwell.com and wanted to commend you on
a well-written article, and some additional items from someone who ‘ran
away’ back in 2001.
I grew up in upstate NY and after college worked in the LA area for
about 10 years. When I graduated college, I was basically ameniable to
the idea of socialism. But over years I spent working, I began to
realize something was wrong – each time I got a raise, the amount of tax
I paid seemed to increase to the point where I got a much smaller raise
than was listed on paper. So I started studying taxes, which lead me
quickly to sites lick lewrockwell.com.
I had always heard people talk about their time living outside the
country, and was a little envious. Then one day I said to myself, “well,
why can’t that be you?”. This, in addition to a great quote I read
somewhere (“the only way not to pay an income tax is to have no income”)
set me on the path to living someplace that I could live for a while on
my exercised stock options.
I had traveled quite a bit with my father, who is a tour operator. I
narrowed it down to Romania or Bolivia (Ecuador was a top choice too,
but it worried me that they used US dollars for currency). I wanted to
use the opportunity to learn another language, and decided that if I
ever returned to the states that Spanish would likely be more useful
than Romanian. So Bolivia it was. A small town called Sucre, to be exact.
Some reasons I chose Sucre, Bolivia:
– Cheap, cheap, cheap: almost everything here is a fraction of what it
costs in the states. And for those things that are not that cheap, there
is a lively black market available to buy most other things. This black
market I blame on the rediculously high 35% import taxes/duties the
government tries to collect.
– As mentioned above, learning Spanish was a goal. Though after 8 years
it ought to be much better, I can basically understand most of what is
spoken. Really handy in Miami, where it seems English is the second
language.
– Fewer regulations: one of the things that has struck me over the years
living here, and while visiting the states, is how over-regulated we are
in the states. Here in Bolivia there are rules and regulations, but few
are strictly enforced. And when they try, you find the police so poorly
paid that it is a simple matter to “pay the fine on the spot”.
– The government still does much of what they do manually. That is, very
little is automated or computerized. This allows someone to be less
“visible” or tracked or followed, (again) like in the states. I like
knowing that not every phone call, email, bank deposit, etc. is
necessarily being tracked. (Then again, they may be…).
So this was not well organized, but I guess the major thing I am trying
to say is that I would not discount a given country based on the federal
government. That is, even if it is socialist or communist, you may
actually end up freer than in the ‘democracy’ from which I came.
Take care,
Tyler
Subject: Response to Time to Run?
From: Tim F.
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 4:23 pm
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Hi Lila.
Reading “Time to Run?” on LewRockwell.Com was like reading right out of our personal
planner.
My wife and I decided some years ago we would expatriate the US and go to her home
country in Asia. At first it was mostly to enjoy an early retirement but now it’s
become an escape plan. As time has past and events transpired it’s almost as if an
“invisible hand” has been guiding us. We established a 10 year plan in 2001 and it
looks as if our timing couldn’t be much better.
I’ve wrestled with the idea that I should be staying to fight but at the same time,
expatriating and not contributing tax money and other support to the system is
striking a blow just the same.
I’m getting the impression there are many more people like us out there.
Thank you very much for your courage to speak out.
Tim Forman Our web page http://www.timaliforman.com Seek non-violent
solutions. Hearts and minds are not changed with bullets and bombs.
I have lived overseas for 22 years (not for political reasons, it’s just where my job/life has taken me), I have a few comments.
1. Many people cannot live happily outside their own culture. Better to try living somewhere for a few years (not just visiting), and see how happy you are first. Living somewhere in a hotel or apartment for a couple of months is very different from being there a couple of years.
2. When you move anywhere, it takes 2-5 years before you figure out what’s really going on around you. That’s in a best-case situation, assuming you know the language already. If you don’t learn the language fluently in that time, you’ll always be dependent on interpreters who will shape your viewpoint for their convenience.
Finally, unless your life is really in danger, politics is the worst reason to pull up roots and leave. Hard to explain this one, but the life of a political refugee is a miserable one.
Subject: “time to run” article
From: “Deirdre J.”
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 6:36 pm
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Hi Lila,
I’ve been really enjoying your contributions at Lew Rockwell’s site for some
time now. I have a question about your article, “Time to Run?” I also feel
pessimistic about the future here, and have told my husband that we should
at least be prepared to do something like that if needed. So, my question
is: what do you think about India as a place to run to? My husband is from
India, and we already own an apartment in a suburb that my MIL
lives in. I personally think that India would be the best option for us,
since we’ve already got property, family, and connections there. However,
my husband came to the US to seek the opportunities here, and he feels much
more pessimistic about the financial/political situation there than
here–sometimes he doesn’t understand what I’m complaining about when I
bring up my frustration with things here. Anyway, I’m just curious to see
what your take on it would be. Thanks for your interesting articles–keep
it up!
Deirdre J
Subject:
From: “Robert”
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 8:03 pm
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
this may seem stupid
but I am a fourty two year old man
and was wondering if your a single woman?
Robert
I believe one should only repatriate to a country where you have some sort of support system in place, be it family,friends or associates, unless it is truly an emergency. When the S hits the fan in the US, I suspect there won’t be much resistance on the part of the government for those who want out, unless there is state of war…just one less malcontent to have to control.
However, for those who are truly enemies of the state, I’m not sure that a foreign location would provide additional safety or freedom of expression…perhaps less The US government has long tentacles and as a non-citizen, a repatriate would have few rights and their removal as a nuisance would hardly create a ripple, except in their sudden silence…
Subject: impressed
From: “Mr. Lucas”
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 8:35 pm
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
nice writing-I teach wisdom for better mentality–you dont need my help-where did
you learn your wi sdom?? thanks Lucas
Subject: Time To Run?
From: “Sean T.”
Date: Sat, June 6, 2009 9:29 pm
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Dear Lila Rajiva,
How many countries can you name in which an American citizen is legally allowed to
spend more than 6 months per year?
Sean B. Thomas
Subject: Re: Time To Run?
From: “Rajeev R.”
Date: Sun, June 7, 2009 1:54 am
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Hello Lila,
I have always been a fan of your articles/blogs and this one was no
different. I have been thinking long and hard about the state of the economy
and more importantly our quickly diminishing freedoms for a while now. I was
in complete agreement with one of your previous articles where you suggested
that quitting our jobs and finding an online business that can be conducted
from anywhere around the world would be one of the best initial steps we can
take to guard our freedoms.
I am happy to announce that I have taken that first step and started my
online business recently after quitting my job.
But I am still scouting for places to move to.
I know that for various reasons you cannot publish the places you
short-listed. But if you do not mind disclosing them, would you list your
top 5 potential destinations?
I live here in Vancouver, BC. Agreed, it is very beautiful and the water
situation is pretty good but these guys take the concept of a nanny state to
whole new levels with the passing of every new bill. It is almost as if the
US govt. uses Canada as its testing ground to implement its garangutan
measures.
So any suggestions you provide would be greatly appreciated! (Cayman
Islands? Brazil? The Himalayas?)
Again, please continue writing such wonderful articles.
Best regards,
Rajeev
I enjoyed your article and have a few comments.
The old saying, “You can run, but you can’t hide” has alot of merit.
I’ve visited Central American twice in the past year and have considered moving, but it is just not feasible. Central and South American has it’s own unique problems, I will not go into that here. Many Gringos will not be very happy at all, and the thought of running away from your problems will haunt you,, etc. There is no running away people, you just substitute one problem for another.
My advise, prepare for the worst and hope for the best in your area. If you are in the big city, try to move out to the country. Associate with link minded people and form a network. Hard times are coming, but his creates opportunity for the “thinking” people. We can hope that secession will become a reality for the producers and that several states will secede.
Remember, this is YOUR country. Be ready and prepared to fight when the time comes. Leaving and moving away is not the answer.
From: “John B.”
Date: Sun, June 7, 2009 8:35 am
To: “lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com”
Thanks for sending this out Lila. I have told a number of friends this very
thing, but fear stops them from thinking about it.
I have a few friends with double visa’s who are keeping their options open..
JB
Subject: I am loathe to run
From:
Date: Sun, June 7, 2009 10:13 am
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Once side of the family is here because of Stalin.
The other side fled Hitler.
And now within a hundred years, tyranny has appeared in our countries.
Flee? No.
Hide? No.
Fight? No.
Lip Service.
Yes. Mr. Government Officer,
I’d like to go along
but
I have a question,
and then another question,
and that doesn’t look right,
and then some ridicule and laughter
and then some procrastination,
and then I don’t speak English,
and then I need to call my brother.
And I’ll get back to you on that.
The question is guns at the door. Are they gonna send armed death squads door to
door to kill and loot? Then one must flee.
Even this is easy to avoid. Don’t criticize the emperor with no clothes, and hide
your bling.
There is no shame taking precautions to protect yourself against a government gone bad.
Wait. The markets will crash again this autumn. The USFEDGOV will either implode or
go fascist and then it will be winter, a good time for a sun filled permanent
vacation in some tax haven.
Until then, let’s call their bluff and don’t run, or hide, or fight.
Let’s stand, and with intelligence, enforce our rights, rip them an new in a daily
manner and speak truth and common sense.
Evil never sleeps, but it may be hit with a major funding issue this fall, so hang on.
Subject: I completely agree
From:
Date: Sun, June 7, 2009 10:17 am
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Lila, I completely agree. I remember my identical feelings seven years ago.
I knew we were in countdown mode for America. Bush and the Neocons were
busy destroying one thing after another. The dollar was due to be
printed like monopoly money backed by nothing, and the police state was
well on the way.
I saw the writing on the wall and tried to wake people up.
All the Best,
Anonymous
Subject: Where To Run
From: K. B.
Date: Sun, June 7, 2009 10:56 am
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Dear Lila Rajiva;
Where are you running? Where, in your mind are the top three choices?
Sincerely,
Steven K.
Subject: Time to Run essay
From: “Steve H.
Date: Sun, June 7, 2009 11:20 am
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Lila Rajiua,
Thank you for you comments. I will take your advice to heart; I will manage.
What I see missing in the debate is an action plan how to reverse our
economic trouble. I would like to see a group of educated and common sense
people to unite and pursue a course of action. Here’s my Plan
1) Eliminate capital gains, interest and dividend taxes now.
2) Eliminate all these government rules about our money now; I should not be
following rules concerning my income on retirement and savings.
3) Eliminate income tax and replace it with a 1% financial transaction tax – got
this idea from Mr. Charles Collins of Forsyth Ga. This guy is super.
4) A commission needs to be formed to address several areas of poor governance of
our nation on all levels of government; especially the federal.
5) Eliminate the Federal Reserve bank as it currently functions. Again, Mr.
Charles Collins has the knowledge and ideas on this matter.
6) Reform our monetary system – Again Mr. Charles Collins. Why can’t the Treasury
print money without debt being attached to it?
This is a start,
Steve H.
Winter Haven FL.
Subject: I liked your article over at LewRockwell.com.
From: “Mark F.
Date: Sun, June 7, 2009 11:32 am
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Dear Ms. Lila Rajiva,
*****
I would like to thank you for your thoughtful articles on the Lew Rockwell
site. I find your writing to be thought provoking and informative.
This morning I had the good pleasure to follow the URL over to your blog and
read that with great interest as well. If it’s not indiscreet for me to ask,
you mentioned several times on your blog about your site need better
protection before you proceed with certain lines of thought. Being the rank
amateur that I am, could you please elaborate on what you are meaning by
this? Are you suggesting that individuals could tinker with the content on
your site? Is the problem worse than that?
I wish you well. When I get bigger, I hope to write as well as you do.
Sincerely,
Mark F.
Hi Mark –
You’re the only one I’ll be able to get around to answering today. Sorry for that.
But young people first..
My answers:
1. Thanks very much for your kind words about my writing and blog. I hope you visit often and join in.
2. It’s not indiscreet for you to ask. It might be indiscreet for me to answer in too much detail.
3. Tinkering is one issue. There are others.
4. You write very well right now.
My question (very impertinent:
How old are you? 🙂
Subject: Leaving country
From: Jean F.
Date: Sun, June 7, 2009 2:44 pm
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Dear Lila,
I just finished reading your article “Time to Run” from Ron Paul’s web site. You
say to visit other countries, get your passport in order, etc. – well I’ve done all
this and have long considered leaving but I am a retired lady and would like to know
how you would get your money out of the country? Leaving the country seems all
right for young people especially if they are single but otherwise it is hard. The
government certainly wouldn’t allow you to take your money out of the country and
put it in a Swiss bank1 Please let me know how a retiree should handle this. I
agree with you that we should leave as what we are experiencing is far worse than
Nazi Germany.
Jean F.
Hi Jean –
I’m reluctant to comment on personal money matters, nor do I have the expertise.
I’d advise you to get professional advice and not rely on website information from self-professed off-shore experts.
Your local bar association can give you a good
referral. Please research this thoroughly before drawing any conclusions one way or other.
Lila
Subject: Time to Run
Date: Sun, June 7, 2009 8:55 am
From:
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Dear Ms. Rajiva
I have been seriously contemplating the idea of leaving for the last year and have
been exploring ideas of where to live through information gathered on the net.
I have one question: What is the best avenue for finding employment in another
country. I understand some countries like New Zealand and Australia want proof of a
job before setting down roots.
Thank you,
Mark P.
G. Dodd is in Montana and wants to leave from there, Jamie in Alaska too. Those were supposed to be THE places to go to. That’s not a good sign.
I keep thinking of how those in, I think it was S. Africa, who referred to those who left their war-torn country as doing the chicken-run. As much as I wanted to, that may be partially why I didn’t listen to Mike in his 2005 LRC article. Besides, someone has to be today’s White Rose. Although, I’m beginning to think I don’t have what it takes to do that and don’t think there is hardly anyone worthy of such a sacrifice. Almost EVERYONE seems to want to go in the direction the government is leading us to, with the exception of the few who are well informed.
Lately I’ve thought I don’t have as much to worry about from what the criminals in charge will do to me (and our economy) so much as what our enemies will do if they successfully nuke us because of the actions of our criminals in charge. Can you tell I feel surrounded and sold out? What good will it do to stay at today’s Alamo, for it seems there is no nationwide cry for a Republic or individual freedom, just the opposite?
“…Being in a new country, An american with money, among strangers you have no bonds
with and an economic collapse in progress? Nobody will even notice you bleeding in the gutter except to steal your shoes…”
I get that and yet at the same time I don’t. Such could easily describe this country in some parts and probably more-so after the next crash.
Other countries have huge festivals with not one cop in sight nor chain-linked fence, so unlike here. In the same way, they have huge religious festivals. I have Never heard of a religious festival in the USA. The big city parades seem to be beyond what makes it religious. Crimeiny, they are renaming Christmas Trees – Remembrance Trees where I’m at. The schools are banning religious differences/displays.
It seems as if the other countries have a larger percentage of more religiously minded people than here. From them I do not expect to have my shoes stolen from, but here, I wouldn’t put it past any church go’er not to take my shoes and demand I say thank you and look at me puzzled when I tell ‘em I don‘t want to pay for their parks, city-wide camera systems, torture programs from Gitmo to the ever expanding use of tasers, and help fund the increase in the crackdown on freedom minded activities. Without even having anything to drink beforehand, I don’t look forward to my first encounter with a mandatory blood withdraw alcohol checkpoint. My city, my state, my nation more closely resembles a giant prison yard as a result.
I’m beginning to think most American’s have gone completely mad.
The common man comes and leaves the USA everyday without a dollar or a passport and they do ok. Not my idea of a good time, but it’s possible.
If we are becoming a banana republic, how will here be any different than there, other than here becoming worse than there due to our population being so fixated on money and the stuff they will be denied, stuff they were used to getting.
Go read Mike’s 2005 LRC article.
I’ve read Lew Rockwell’s stuff where he says the monetary system will collapse and that will be that, then the do-over starts. That would be wonderful, but somehow I have this suspicion that, “they” will come up with some other convoluted cockamamie system to keep things chugging along a little while longer. Long enough to implement even more draconian ways of wrecking a society.
Don’tchya just look forward to the time when satellites with triple the power of Google map satellites can peer INTO your home (of course they probably already do) and they can dictate what you can and cannot do from afar? The Alabama woods wouldn’t be so boon-dock-ish then, fact is, nowhere would be boon-dock-ish and relatively free. Except perhaps in a non-American Empire ruled country. Maybe.
I made a blog to try and help wake people up, I don’t think it’s working though.
http://nobogo.wordpress.com/
Love
Subject: Economic Collapse, Time to Run?
From:
Date: Sun, June 7, 2009 5:30 pm
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Hello. I live in the United States also and I read your article. You
could very well be right. I’m not sure however which country (if any) is going
to fit the bill as being a “safe haven” since the enveloping Depression in
this country could very well wind up being a totally global phenomenon. I
do speak Spanish and French (although I lack fluency in either language)
so moving to countries in Latin America or Africa would be a relatively
smooth process for me. However, I wonder if these countries are going to have
their own little quagmires also as they may suffer the most from the
global economic calamity. Moreover, one has to take into consideration as to
which currency is going to remain strong during and after this economic
calamity passes since even the Swiss franc is at risk of devaluation at the
moment. So at this point of time, I wouldn’t know which other countries I
could to run to. Any ideas?
For the time being however, I can certainly provide you with a few
tips and advice on where to park your monetary assets in this country. I
would hold cash and/or short term T-Bills and positively nothing else at the
moment! You may want to consider purchasing Series I Savings Bonds when the
next accrual comes up in November since these bonds can serve as a hedge
against inflation or you may decide to purchase TIPS when the time is right.
Above all, avoid all banks and credit unions, money managers, financial
consultants and counselors, stockbrokers and people peddling gold, silver, or
other commodities.
Sincerely yours,
Richard A. K.
I respect both fight and flight comments from the above posters.
There is a time to fight and a time to retreat.
A strategic retreat of brains and capital might actually help our country down the road. Let the insanity run its course first. Wait until the American body politic wakes up (if ever) and is ready to support a return to the productive ideals of liberty, free markets, and most importantly minimal and restrained government.
We are a long ways away from these ideals after a century of getting off track. It might take a very long time to get back on track given the power and control the elites now have over us.
Pockets of armed well-provisioned domestic hideouts cannot stand up to the forces against them in such a bleak scenario.
Until the population as a whole – in mass – wakes up and stops funding these thugs, and refuses to partake in the voting charade giving these pre-approved clowns a “mandate” and marches on the District of Crime in the millions demanding government resignations and Federal gov’t shut-downs nothing will change. We are a long way from this I think.
The powers see this and just don’t listen nor fear the people anymore. Unless power is returned to the states and the communities this Federal monster will consume us.
So, hunker down and get steamrolled.
Or fight and get “removed.”
Or vote with your feet and wallet.
Removing your support in all manner for the present status quo might be the wisest and most productive course – assuming you are able.
Subject: Lewrockwell Article
From: “Jeff T”
Date: Sun, June 7, 2009 9:19 pm
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Priority: Normal
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Hi Lila,
I read with interests your recent article – Time to Run?
Personally, I am thinking about it – I have grown up in Singapore, left for USA for
further studies and now, am 46. So far equal time spent in Singapore and USA. Life
in the US is ok/fine thus far – I am an Associate Professor in Computer Information
Systems at a small liberal arts christian college in North Carolina. But things
may/will get worse……
I hold both citizenships and thus working in Singapore, if we return, may not be an
issue. My wife is American, of dutch descent – she is having difficulties leaving
her side of the family whereas I will be returning home to all my siblings and aging
parents. My children (daughter is 12 and son is 10) have started learning
Mandarin/Chinese. My Mandarin proficiencies can be improved…….
Currently I am a visiting professor to Xiamen University in China this summer. One
concern is that permanent residency requirements stipulates my son will need to
perform military service (even though he is a US citizen) if they apply for
permanent residency status in Singapore – my wife is not too thrilled about that.
Your suggestions/next steps are good – we have done some of them – in fact, being
here in Asia (Singapore, Vietnam, and China) this summer have given us fresh
perspectives.
Since my next 10-15 years are my ‘prime’ earning years, I desire to be in where I
can best utilized my talents/skills/opportunities and to maximize them. My fear is
that these 10-15 years, if spent in the US, may not be best for my family. Even Jim
Rogers has left for Singapore – he believes Asia is the place to be…….
If your time permits, do reply with some thoughts and suggestions. Your insights are
appreciated.
Blessings,
Jeff
ubject: RE: Your “Time to Run” article
Priority: Normal
From: “herb phillips”
Date: Sun, June 7, 2009 10:08 pm
To: “lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com”
Options: View Full Header | View Printable Version | Download this as a file
Hello,
I really enjoyed reading this article since this subject has been in the forefront
of my thoughts for several months! I definately feel like the blinders have been
coming off, and I don’t like what I see.
I’m considering visiting several countries as you suggested: Chile, Costa Rica, and
Canada.
I’d like to retire at 62 in 32 months, but frankly I’m not sure there’s that much
time left.
Do you have any resources or suggestions on any of these countries, or others your
research has indicated may be safe-havens (relatively speaking).
Thanks for your sharing your concern for the American public
Rich in Tucson
“… hold cash and/or short term T-Bills and positively nothing else at the moment!…” HAHAHAHA!
Gold, Silver, and commodities are the Only things that will never go to zero. Can you tell that person doesn’t read LRC very much, if at all? For a more intense perspective check out Financialsense.com and look at their bond charts, as a result you may wish to avoid paper scheme pushers forever.
It has been said that the people will never wise-up on their own, it will take a currency devaluation to force their hand. A currency devaluation is inevitable, it is just a matter of time. Many say this will happen in a short time. The only question is, what then. The Boomers retiring tips the balance even further, it’s impossible to avoid. Your/our theme song is from The Clash, Should I Stay or Should I Go?
If you/we stayed, the opportunities could be tremendous, spectacular even. Maybe.
Soldiers do not work for pay made of worthless dollars, but they might shoot for loot. Problem is, other soldiers would be looting their homes and families at the same time, so they would have to go home to defend them.
This seems complex yet simple at the same time.
Subject: Your article “Time to Run”…
From: “J&K Rockwell”
Date: Sun, June 7, 2009 11:18 pm
To: lilarajiva@mindbodypolitic.com
Priority: Normal
Options: View Full Header | View Printable Version | Download this as a file
Are you aware of the immigration policies of other countries? One cannot
get a Visa to live and work in another country as easily as your article
claims. First of all, there are quotas on immigration to other countries,
AND there are job quotas which will not allow any American who simply wants
to move to do so.
I have researched moving to New Zealand and New Guinea and some of the other
Pacific areas, and there are restrictions on various attributes -age, number
and ages of children, disability, kind of job, number of working adults,
etc.
If one has plenty of money, millionaires or business owners who will not
rely on taking jobs from locals, people may immigrate into other countries,
but the regular Joe or Jane cannot do so easily. Most of the countries I
have researched require immigrants to have a Bachelor’s degree at least.
You might do some research and include this in a corrected, more realistic
article.