Changes

survivalist-fiction author, [[economist]], blogger, and [[Retreat|survival retreat]] consultant. He has appeared many times on the [[Alex Jones]] show InfoWars. He has been called an expert<ref>[http://derekclontz.wordpress.com/2007/09/10/second-great-depression-just-weeks-away-warns-expert/ Second Great Depression just weeks away, warns expert] by Derek Clontz</ref> on survival and preparedness topics.<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/13/MNIL1008L2.DTL</ref> Rawles is a [[Christian]] who is a [[conservative]], [[Constitutionalism|constitutionalist]] [[Libertarianism|libertarian]].<ref name="blogbio">[http://www.survivalblog.com/biographies.html SurvivalBlog Staff Biographies]</ref>

Rawles is the former editor of SurvivalBlog.com, a very widely-read and cited <ref>[http://charts.technorati.com/blogs/www.survivalblog.com?reactionsdaily</ref> [[blog]] on survival and preparedness topics. According to its statistics page, it has more than 220,000 unique visitors per week.<ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com/ SurvivalBlog home page]</ref> <ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com/cgi-bin/awstats.pl]</ref> The main focus of his blog is family preparedness for disasters. In his blog writings, Rawles recommends that investors put at least 25% of their portfolios into [[gold]], [[silver]], and [[barter]] goods.<ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com/2007/12/coping_with_inflationsome_stra.html]</ref> He also advises his blog readers to store four year's supply of food<ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com/2008/01/a_honeybee_ccd_disaster_soonbe.html SurvivalBlog.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> in preparation for future hard times, and "double up" with other families<ref>[http://www.shtfblog.com/wealth-war-and-wisdom-by-barton-biggs-a-book-review/]</ref> to establish [[Retreat|survival retreats]]. Rawles believes (as of his 2005-2008 writings) that the United States is headed for a hyperinflationary economic depression.<ref>[http://www.peakoilstore.com/forum/index.php/topic,13888.0.html]</ref> Rawles favors the abolition of the [[fractional-reserve banking system]], and a return to the [[gold standard]].<ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com/2008/02/are_simultaneous_inflation_and.html]</ref> Rawles is also a proponent of [[Home schooling]].<ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com/home_schooling/]</ref> Rawles claims to appeal to readers throughout the political spectrum:{{cquote|there's a tremendously large and growing segment of my readership that are left of center, Birkenstock-wearing greenies. There's as much crossover with the folks that are interested in local sustainable agriculture and green building techniques as there is with the tea party movement.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2012/feb/08/nation/la-na-american-redoubt-20120209/2|title=The American Redoubt, where survivalists plan to survive|date=February 08, 2012|first=Kim|last=Murphy|work=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=March 25, 2016}}</ref>}}

* Cartridge firearms are compact vehicles for change that have shaped modern history. The righteousness of their use is entirely up to their users, since like any other tool they can be used both for good or for ill.  A firearm is just a tool with no volition. A rifle is no different than a claw hammer. To wit: A hammer can be used to build a house, or it can be used to bash in someone’s skull—the choice of uses is entirely up to the owner.  A bulldozer can be used to build roads, or to destroy houses. A rifle can be used to drill holes in paper targets, or to dispatch a marauding bear, or to murder your fellow man. Again, the choice of uses is entirely up to the user.<ref>http://www.survivalblog.com/2013/05/voodoo-in-the-21st-century-evil-guns-and-other-absurd-notions.html</ref><ref>Tools For Survival, Plume (Division of Penguin Books), New York, 2014, p. 149.</ref>

* '''[[Preparedness|Modern preparedness]]:''' "[[Essay:If times get tough, or even if they don't|If times get tough, or even if then don't]]", [[Threats]], [[Threat probability]], [[Impact scale]], [[Essay:You are in control of your life|You are in control of your life]]

** '''[[Economic preparedness]] - [[Fiscal conservatism]]:''' [[Essay:Debt is financial cancer|Debt is financial cancer]], [[Essay:Tax is theft|Tax is theft]], [[Renewable energy]], [[Essay:Financial security|Financial security]], [[Essay:Barter for preparedness|Barter for preparedness]], [[Essay:Creating a home-based business|Creating a home-based business]], [[Ludwig von Mises]]' [[conservative]] [[libertarian]] [[Austrian economics]] and [[Capitalist]] [[Conservative economic policies]] of [[Ron Paul]]

** '''[[Essay:Invest in tangibles|Invest in tangibles]]:''' [[Rural]] [[farm]] [[land]], [[Tools for Survival|Tools]], [[Food storage]], [[Water storage]], [[Precious Metals]], [[Copper-jacketed lead]] and [[Firearms]]

** '''[[Permaculture]]-[[Agriculture]]-[[Gardening]]:''' [[Essay:Growing your own food|Growing your own food]], [[Food storage]] and [[Water storage]]

** '''[[Family values]] and [[Parental rights]]:''' [[Sanctity of life]], [[Family]]-[[Marriage]], [[Homeschooling]] teaching [[Virtue]], [[Patriotism]], [[Duty]], and [[Self-reliance]]

** '''[[Vote with your feet]] - [[Strategic relocation]]:''' [[Essay:Owning land is true wealth|Owning land is true wealth]] and [[Essay:Personal-Localized-Regional-State-National-Global|Personal-Localized-Regional-State-National-Global]] - Move to a [[Free state]] with [[Essay:State Firearms Laws Ranking|Firearms freedom]], [[Free market]]s and low [[population density]]