Well it's official; I just signed a contract with Paladin Press for my upcoming nonfiction book "The Dirt Cheap Survival Retreat" the release date will depend on Paladins publication schedule. Will keep you informed.

What did I do to prep this week? I've been expanding my medical kit to include an assortment of herbs for medical use. So far I've added witch hazel, willow bark, slippery Elm, Skullcap, Nettle, Mullein, Ginseng, Golden seal, Garlic, Dandelion, Burdock, Bayberry and aloe.

Been working a fresh compost mixture of 50% chicken manure and 50% horse manure into the garden. Next year I plan to expand my production by at least 25% compared to output this past season. While I grew plenty for my personal use, I would like to grow extra to give to those in need.

While not a survival prep per se, I spent several hours putting together a preparedness store consisting of affiliate products from Amazon.com and other vendors. Please shop with our paid advertisers first (in the sidebar), but if they don't have what you're looking for look here .

What did you do to prep this week?

Ready Made Resources is having another free drawing for the month of November. It will be for a Lifesaver 4000 water filtration bottle (a $169 retail value.). Sign up is free, with no purchase necessary. I suggest you take advantage of the opportunity.

Many people look for a sudden collapse of civilization, when in reality the collapse is already underway and has been for the past 30 years or more. At one time, I too looked for the bolt out of the blue, were one-day everything was normal and fine and the next - total collapse and anarchy.

Proponents of the sudden collapse theory, base their belief upon sudden devaluation of the dollar leading to a total and sudden collapse of the system, law and government. No doubt we're well on our way to economic implosion, but I don't think government will collapse under the strain.

Instead, I believe we will see something far worse transpire - a tightening of governmental controls over the remaining resources leading to martial law and a slave state existence - were the haves (government) control the have-nots (you) through essential resources.

And the sad part is they'll do this with the full support of the population. Society will demand that the government do something, anything to return their standard of living to what they knew before. The majority of the population will not stand up against government excesses but will embrace the erosion of freedom in hopes of returning things to the way they once were.

This is what makes gradual collapse so dangerous, most people aren't willing to do without or change their lifestyle in any way. As the standard of living declines, they will look to government to provide an answer. This is what is happening today.

I expect the government to eventually nationalize most assets and take over most aspects of life (or have they already done so?). Controlling essential resources such as food, water, fuel, medicine and other raw resources will be central to maintaining power and influence within our borders.

"Will work for food" will take on a whole new meaning in the new economy. They will control the food and essential resources, so they will also control the population. You are an asset to the U.S. government, an asset that must be used to rebuild and therefore must be kept under thumb.

And what better way to accomplish this then control of remaining resources. You will be essentially a slave for the government plantation owners, forced to work and rebuild a profitable civilization for the master, whether you like it or not. You'll work and do as you're told in order to feed your family and keep a roof over their head.

Government will not collapse, it will only become more oppressive and dictatorial, while the people live in poverty and hopelessness - with government controlling even mundane aspects of their lives.

If you refuse to cooperate or bend to their will, you'll be deprived of essential resources such as food and shelter or identified as an insurgent or dissident to be immediately thrown into prison or killed.

The future of America is a slave state - with collapse being the trigger, the slaves (you) will be controlled by the need for life sustaining resources. No economic or resource collapse will not mean the end of government but something much, much worse.

As was once said; "people will work for food, they'll kill for it too. In the name of the Fatherland at that" Will you be ready?

Dustin asks why do we disarm our military? Another mass shooting, in Orlando. I wounder where this guy got the idea? Ever notice how these things happen in groups, with one incident triggering another?

The Berkey Guy is offering free shipping on Making the Best of Basics - 11th Edition by: James Talmage Stevens. Basics is a great prepardeness resource and a must for any survival library.