Almost every business in the United States today uses what is called a “just-in-time” delivery system. Basically, they know the minimum amount of stock they must have available until the next delivery. From a business standpoint, it makes sense, because they don’t have to have department stores, refrigerators, and freezers in every location. As long as the trucks keep rolling, they won’t run out of anything under normal circumstances. Everyone from your local grocery store to the largest Walmart uses this system. It works most of the time. But what works from a commercial point of view is not necessarily what is best for the general public.
When the infrastructure that makes sure all merchandise arrives on time fails, the store shelf empties very quickly. We have seen many examples of what happens when deliveries cannot be made due to winter storms. Not only can trucks not get to stores, but people panic before storms and go in and buy everything they can, because they don’t have any food storage to speak of. Take a look at the Chattanooga, TN news report for 01/14/11. Look on YouTube for a video titled “Empty Shelves After the Storm.”
Take a few minutes to search YouTube or Google, and you’ll find plenty of other examples of store shelves being sold out because trucks couldn’t deliver to stores. Another great example was what happened after Hurricane Katrina. Many people suffered and some died because they couldn’t get the supplies they needed. They had trucks lined up to deliver emergency supplies, but they couldn’t get through. Part of this was due to storm damage, and part was due to all travel to the area being stopped by government/law enforcement officials.
Almost everything we take for granted every day would be gone if something were to happen to this “just-in-time” delivery system. Not just food. Gas, medicine, even the water that comes out of your faucet could quickly disappear. Hospitals depend on the same system. Everybody does! This business model that is designed to save businesses money (and ultimately consumers as well) is definitely not designed in a way that ensures the safety of the general population. Most store shelves would be empty in 3 days if the delivery system stopped. Manufacturing would quickly stop. Even the emergency services would not be available, if it lasted long.
Most people in America have no idea how fragile this system is and how dependent our nation is on it. Most people just assume that everything will always be the way it has always been. I think if more people knew the truth, they would be much more interested in being prepared and making sure they can take care of themselves and their families in case something bad happens. The American Trucking Associations prepared a report for legislators and business leaders on this “just-in-time” delivery system and how important it is to our everyday way of life. I found links to the report on various websites, but the report was removed. Draw your own conclusions as to why it is no longer available for public viewing.
You can read some excerpts from the report in an article written on 4/2/12 at shtfplan.com. website. I am not going to rewrite what is written there, but I recommend that you read his article. I have been aware of this system for a long time and it has been one of my concerns as a possible issue to consider when making a preparation plan. But, there were things in the article that I didn’t know and hadn’t considered. It is worth reading. If you don’t care, then of course you shouldn’t do anything to be more prepared!
I have seen stores (recently) with many empty and almost empty shelves. And it wasn’t at a time when there was bad weather, or any kind of disaster. For whatever reason, the system just didn’t work right. They ran out of stuff. If it can happen when all is well, I can’t imagine how anyone could think it can’t happen in the event of a disaster, a trucker’s strike and an EMP explosion, or some other cause.
Another thing you may not be aware of: The United States government can shut down this entire system at any time it chooses. You may want to look up Executive Order 10999. It says, in part:
“SECTION 1. Scope. The Secretary of Commerce (hereinafter, the Secretary) shall prepare national emergency plans and develop preparedness programs that encompass: (emphasis added)
(a) Development and coordination of general policies, plans and procedures for the provision of a centralized control of all modes of transport in case of emergency for the movement of passengers and freight traffic of all kindsand determining the appropriate contribution and allocation of total civilian transport capacity, or any part thereof, to meet essential general civil and military needs.
(b) Federal emergency operating responsibilities with respect to: highways, roads, streets, bridges, tunnels and accessories; traffic regulation on highways; assignment of air transport aircraft for essential military and civil operations; ships in coastal and intercoastal use and shipping, ports and port facilities; and the San Lorenzo maritime route; except those elements of each normally operated or controlled by the Department of Defense…”
Now I know some of you may be thinking that the Executive Order was probably put in place by Obama. Guess again. That order was signed by John Kennedy on 2/16/62. So anytime they decide it’s an “emergency,” they can shut everything down. You may or may not like the current president and administration. I don’t care how you feel about it. But the idea that our entire nation can be shut down by someone at any moment just doesn’t sit well with me. It doesn’t matter how you feel about Obama, Bush or whoever comes after. If they decide to declare “an emergency” for any reason, they can control all.
The next time you stop for gas, go to the grocery store, or pick up a prescription, stop and think about how fragile this system we depend on really is. What would you do if it stopped working? If you honestly think it’s a fail-safe system and you have nothing to worry about, then you have a lot more faith than I do. Bad things happen to good people, through no fault of their own, every day. These things happen. If you think it can’t happen to you, all I can say is make sure you’re right. You could be betting your life on it!
