SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “HJL”. China’s bad social credit policy is rearing it’s ugly head.
How to Negotiate with Hospitals
Not too long ago, I had a time where I was without medical insurance and I had to have a medical procedure performed. That was when I learned that most hospitals and doctors had sliding scales for payment and that they were open to negotiation on payment. I still ended up paying more than I thought I should though, because I didn’t really understand how to negotiate with these companies. Reader H.L. sent in this article that lays down some basic rules and would have been exceedingly helpful had I known them at the time. Whether you find yourself doing this because you refuse to participate in the mediocrity of Obamacare or you are unemployed, these are skills well worth having.
Four Meals from Anarchy
Reader A.D. sent in this link from The Telegraph outlining how they believe that British cities are only four meals away from anarchy. If the grid was taken down, mass chaos would present itself. People have become so reliant on electricity that a prolonged blackout would quickly lead to a loss of water, fuel, banking, transport and communications and they fear conditions would be pretty close to “stone age”.
Bad Social Credit
Like this article, we are wondering if the leaders of China have been watching episodes of “Black Mirror” lately. We have outlined in the past how the government of China has implemented a social credit system where others have the ability to rate you up or down and we warned that this would soon lead to discrimination. That day is now here. Leaders have now said that if your social credit score is too low, they will now ban you from flights and trains. People who have committed misdeeds would be put on a list that would keep them from taking public transport for up to a year. Note that smoking on a train is pretty much in the same class as terrorism or starting a fight or even using expired tickets. Thanks to G.M. for the link.
IRS Identity Theft
In this article submitted by reader D.S., the IRS documented more than 1,300,000 cases of identity theft committed by illegal aliens whom the IRS had given Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) to. However, when asked how many of these cases were referred to the justice department for prosecution, the IRS couldn’t provide any documentation for even one case that was referred. How you know how important your identity is to the one agency that makes you give all your identity information to it.
Truth isn’t the problem
Reader P.S. sent in this interesting article on identity politics. Apparently, both sides of the isle tend to repurpose certain propositions so that they aren’t about truth, but about pledging your allegiance to your political tribe. The amount of truth contained in the statement is irrelevant to the user of the statement. That may be why it is nearly impossible to convince the opposing side using a logical argument. Even if you don’t use this technique when attempting to make a logical argument, if the other side does, then they assume you do also and it’s like talking to a wall. That brings the problem of discussion front and center. How can you convince someone who isn’t listening? If you have two halves of a nation not listening to the other side, how do you resolve problems?
Cleaving California
Not all of California is lost to progressivism. Northern California is still relatively conservative, but they are in the minority in terms of overall population and the liberal/progressive left cities of the south overwhelm any conservative tenancies that emanate from the north. Dreams of creating the state of Jefferson, what they hope will be the 51st state in the Union are alive and well. Sadly, experts think that cleaving California in two is not very likely and there are too many legal obstacles to overcome. Despite that reality, the dream lives on and the question isn’t so much “What’s that” when Jefferson is brought up, but “When are you going to get it done.” Thanks to S.R. for the link.
Property
SurvivalRealty has a new listing for a solar powered home on 7.2 acres in northwest Louisiana. It has a well, established fruit trees and is near the Red River. If your looking for a retreat in this area, you may want to take a look at this.
That also have recently added properties in Utah and New South Wales, Australia that are kind of interesting.
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Please send your news tips to HJL. (Either via e-mail of via our Contact form.) These are often especially relevant, because they come from folks who watch news that is important to them. Due to their diligence and focus, we benefit from fresh “on target” news. We often “get the scoop” on news that is most likely ignored (or reported late) by mainstream American news outlets. Thanks!
Re: Four meals from anarchy…
There is a problem with this, because of a fault-line in British society that may not be visible from your side of the pond.
Most British Middle-class families would have at least a couple of weeks supplies, but the welfare enclaves may have almost almost no reserves.
There would be SMALL-SCALE food scuffles within twenty-four hours (these often happen anyway) but most people would keep the traditional “Stiff upper lip” for longer than that.
That said, within ten days, things would start to fail…
And it would go downhill FAST.
Wise people would have bugged-out within three days – most of the rest would be dead within a month…
If you thing prepping is important in America, imagine how vital is on a small, crowded island like this!
Praise God and pass the ammo…
Last sentence from ‘Truth isn’t the Problem’: “If you have two halves of a nation not listening to the other side, how do you resolve problems?”
The ‘problem’ here ‘assumes’ moral equivalency between the two sides.
There isn’t.
How do you ‘compromise’ to crawl halfway into the oven at Auschwitz?
@joe,
Your response is an example of what the article is talking about. I didn’t say anything about compromise. Some things just can’t be compromised. But are you listening? Do they know you are hearing and listening to them? Are they listening? Do you know this? Without that basic first step – and arguments that are based on actual truth, rather than talking points, there can be no conversation. Just people shouting at each other. Without conversation and discussion, there will be no changing of minds.
“Truth isn’t the Problem”, it’s been absent for a long time. “Listening” is the
real problem as too many of us only listen to, and accept, that which we want
to hear, and rarely is it more than a piece of truth. My father grew up on a farm
during the depression, went to war, came home, went to college. He moved us
to Calif. and taught High School science. He taught me morals, duty, and the
art of listening. Different politics, religion, and lifestyles, It’s all about
the “Golden Rule” he’d say. So I follow my moral compass, and treat others,
as I hope, they would treat me. Not that I’m that naive to think others will
behave that way to me, 17yr as LEO popped that bubble. But when the “scene
is secure”, holster your weapon, and the adrenaline-charged attitude.
Unpaywalled article:
http://www.cetusnews.com/business/Truth-Isn’t-the-Problem—We-Are-.ByZuGzM_Kz.html
On trying to discuss across identity lines, Vox Day’s “SJWs always lie” is a quick introduction to the art of rhetoric as well as diagnosing the problem.
The usual problem is you are dealing rationally, they are dealing emotionally, hence almost no one tried to refute the science in James Damore’s paper at Google, they just screeched and had him fired over hurt feelz.
But this is the only way to get through. Instead of trying to explain the problem with increasing green energy costs, you say something like: “You must be a monster since you want the elderly to die from heat or cold because they can’t afford the energy!” Of course they will deny it, but you need to keep attacking their “nice” illusion with personalized horrors. It often takes several volleys, but only if they feel bad and consider other real people think them monsters will they stop feeling and start thinking, first to justify the error, but eventually to correct it. Most people aren’t comfortable arguing rhetorically, but it is a skill like any other than can be learned and mastered. The left has.
Re: Negotiating with hospitals.
In late 2006-early 2007 I had a catastrophic failure of my lower back, which resulted in nearly six months of being bed-ridden and loaded to the gills on pain-killers. Why? I had no insurance!
Long story short: I finally had back surgery, which I am happy to say worked extremely well. I was drug-free 6 weeks later. And I had a huge bill that I had to pay out-of-pocket. I wish I’d had this article to hand then (and I’ve book marked it for further reference)
However, while refinancing our homestead to consolidate and pay the hospital/doctor bills, I also wrote to every single entity from which I had gotten a bill, and explained I had no insurance, and would like a discount. When all was said and done, I ended up paying HALF of what I had been billed.
Some discounted only 15%, but some (namely the surgeon who performed the miracle) gave me a 90% discount! Seriously! Just because I asked.
Great article! Thanks so much
I’m a retired Calif. LEO. After 17yrs in a major urban city everyone in the US knows, I have something that made it worthwhile. My retirement is modest but my health & dental are great. I have 5 kids, 8 grandkids. & as adults they went many years w/o insurance. My oldest daughter is in Utah, husband is self-employed & they pay cash. It’s amazing how much less they pay when they find a Dr. or hospital they like and set up a cash plan. They have to double-check all that they are billed for, but it’s usually at least %50 less than otherwise. When they had to buy Obamacare, it didn’t cover their local hospital, nor most doctors, so they had to pay more for same level service. Most people are overwhelmed & intimidated by these huge corporations, but there are advocacy groups out there to help you find your way through that mess.
Here is a video from a westerner who lives in China about the Social Credit scores coming to its citizens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W3YcZ1VOdg
My family has lived in California since the very early 1860’s, my Graet-Great-Great Grand Parents sailed around the Horn from Italy. I’m 4th gen (like a Glock…lol) my children are 5th (very few 4th and 5th gen Cal’s unless early Mexican ‘Mission Migrants’ who could be 7th or 8th gen or forced labor Chinese ‘gold-rush laborers’). The family and life-long friends are still there but sadly, I no longer fit in. I voted with my feet 15 years ago. I miss California very much but am very happy to be ‘outta there’. I look forward to a visit every couple of years but am relieved when returning to my new home in the Northern Great Lakes region. God Bless “The State of Jefferson”. If that ever happens, I would like to return and become a contributing member of that society…with enthusiasm !
After reading the articles on the State of Jefferson one cannot help noticing that the media cannot write an article without constantly playing the race card. What does the make up of races have to do with the subject? When was the last race riot in a town or city in the proposed area of the state of Jefferson? The freedom loving folks of Jefferson have no desire to enslave anyone in poverty as do the Democratic self serving ilk that run the state of Ca. We get along with most everyone. The momentum of the movement has been stopped by a judge that refuses to make a ruling as to whether the case can move on to a three judge panel, thus by passing the stacked 9th circuit court. I cannot help but speculate that her career may have been threatened. If you think the courts are impartial look at the decisions of Ca. courts. After a good look you will understand why we are under represented and want a change. I like many people am going to vote with my feet.
On the Chinese Social Credit, I can see how that system would provide powerful motivation to toe the govt line, & stay in line w/ your fellow comrades! (Privately, I’m telling my friends that I’ll give them a good rating if they do the same for me.) Publicly, I’m just another gray man, who happens to have a “different private life.”
Does anyone see this type of social credit system coming to a Western nation that used to function as a democracy or democratic republic?
I don’t understand the Jefferson sucession movement, and have been following it for some time now. If you are going to go to the trouble to suceed from CA, why not go all the way and suceed from the USA as well. You’re going to be an independent entity or you’re not going to be an independent entity.
The way things are going, it may not be so much the State of Jefferson separating from California as, the State of Jefferson staying with the union as California tries to secede.
Good point! If I was them, I’d wait until CA left the US, then secede into my own country.
The wife broke her leg, while getting her “boot” we asked how much it was. The answer $600, we said that’s crazy, he replied that is what the insurance company will pay for it but if you were paying cash it would be about $300. So just like a lot of other things out there it is priced at what some company accountant/bureaucrat says it is and the machines are programmed to just pay it.
For what it’s worth and to keep it real this isn’t exactly accurate. The hospitals/doctors do indeed (sometimes) jack up the price for insurance companies and/or give discounts to the uninsured especially if they pay quickly in cash. However, if you bill the insurance $600 for the boot they will discount that down to $98 and then pay $68. So do not confuse the effort to soak the insurance company to what the insurance company actually pays.
re. 4 meals from anarchy. The original study was ‘9 meals from anarchy’. The idea is attributed to Alfred Henry Lewis. In 2006-2012 I used this concept to support system of systems analysis classes we taught at the USAJFKSWCS civil affairs course. Point being: it’s not a new concept, but the latency (lag time) between cause and effect has reduced over time from 9 meals to 4 meals (again, apparently).
Here is a link to one article re. same:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1024833/Nine-meals-anarchy%e2%80%93Britain-facing-real-food-crisis.html
-30-
9 meals from anarchy. Of course!!! This isn’t even arguable and certainly not limited to specific locations on earth. It is a fact of life. I have no doubt that if everyone in the Vatican had no food for three days that they too would be out there looting and killing for food. This is what “animals” do and we are animals.
Videos of the” Golden Hoard” from a recent snow fall in Ireland(I would call it a dusting of snow),a excavator was used to blockade the roads then loot stores. It looked loosely organized but communal(almost everyone participating or not stopping the theft). This is what we are looking at in the near future. No sign of “Roof Koreans” protecting small businesses.