If unemployment rises rapidly to 15%, do you expect massive Civil Unrest? (credit, companies)

[arctichomesteader]

Hard to say. Lots of people are poaching deer at night with lights here illegally for food. The bottom dropped out of the scrap metal business but people are still swiping anything made of metal. Crime is going up. I think there could be widespread rebellion if the problem is big enough but I don't think 15 percent is big enough for that. I think it would have to be closer to 50 percent to really set things off. Now, if the welfare/handout checks stop flowing, it'll come much quicker. Rome basically didn't fall into chaos earlier than it did because of free bread and circuses to keep people happy. When the bread and circuses stop order will stop.

[killer2021]

No I don't expect civil unrest but I expect the crime rate to skyrocket. So all you guys living in the, "good" areas get ready.

[Padgett2]

The crime rate will grow, that's for sure! However, a large percent of the unemployed will come from those older workers that are "encouraged" to retire early. Would we see this type of unemployed worker causing civil unrest of any sort?

[knoxgarden]

Originally Posted by Padgett2

The crime rate will grow, that's for sure! However, a large percent of the unemployed will come from those older workers that are "encouraged" to retire early. Would we see this type of unemployed worker causing civil unrest of any sort?

Keep in mind that a lot of these "older" workers will be baby boomers who have never done anything quietly.
The Revolution Lives!

[Woof Woof Woof!]

Originally Posted by the_critic

Not a day goes by when there are not reports of huge layoffs and companies eliminating all hiring. Unemployment is going up fast and most people believe the offical rate may go up to 15% within a year.

If unemployment does go that high, the economy will get to the crisis stage because only 35% are eligible for unemployment and almost half of our population lives paycheck to paycheck. If local and state governments continue to cut social services and credit card limits are cut, many Americans are going to become homeless and desparate.

How will the rapidly falling economy and huge unemployment effect our social structure and do you expect massive social unrest?

Hello Critic (formerly Dingler, Questioner-2),

Do you have anything better to do then post these weird questions all the time? What do YOU think is going to happen?

[flu189]

Much higher unemployemnt coupled with other factors such as rapid uptick in fuel prices, which we saw this past summer, and rising food costs will certainly cause an increase in unrest and crimes. This will vary from region to region in intensity. Any significant incident could trigger a big problem such as power disruptions which have been pretty frequent over the past decade.

[Stephan_K]

Sounds like doom and gloom all around, Ay...

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

Hard to say. Lots of people are poaching deer at night with lights here illegally for food. The bottom dropped out of the scrap metal business but people are still swiping anything made of metal. Crime is going up. I think there could be widespread rebellion if the problem is big enough but I don't think 15 percent is big enough for that. I think it would have to be closer to 50 percent to really set things off. Now, if the welfare/handout checks stop flowing, it'll come much quicker. Rome basically didn't fall into chaos earlier than it did because of free bread and circuses to keep people happy. When the bread and circuses stop order will stop.

This is becoming widespread in rural VT? Wow!

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

This is becoming widespread in rural VT? Wow!

Yes it's a growing problem, and these are just who get caught (most don't although through the rumor mill one hears of a lot more going on): State reports alleged cases of deer jacking: Rutland Herald Online

Big case of metal theft back in the summer: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/.../Art-Heist.php

People are getting desperate because of the economy, which was already rather poor here.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

Yes it's a growing problem, and these are just who get caught (most don't although through the rumor mill one hears of a lot more going on): State reports alleged cases of deer jacking: Rutland Herald Online

Big case of metal theft back in the summer: Thief sentenced in Vermont art-as-scrap heist - International Herald Tribune

People are getting desperate because of the economy, which was already rather poor here.

Let's just hope that the economy does not get much worse It is good to see the real hunters calling out people engaging in illegal hunting activities.