Acts of treason are being committed against the American people as you read this.

Today, the National Defense Authorization Act is in the House where they will be debating the intricacies of whether or not Americans can be detained in our own country if they are classified as a “threat”.

What this means is – if you tweet, or Facebook, or speak out controversially (much like this post that I am writing), then you could be seized, taken away without warrant and without Miranda rights, and be dumped somewhere for the rest of your life.  Do you not like the TSA and do you say something about it?  Do you think that Congress is doing a bad job?  Do you think the President is doing a bad job?  Are you part of the Tea Party?  Are you part of the Occupy Wall Street movement?  Do you keep a storage of food at your house? Do you carry a constitution and have a gun?  YOU are a threat – and with this new provision, you could be taken away at any time without due-process.  THIS IS IT.

What if someone doesn’t like you and tells government officials that you are a threat and/or a terrorist?  What if YOU get picked up and detained with no trial?

This bill and its provisions actually passed in the Senate last week with a vote of 93 to 7 – this is real and is happening.  Only seven people in the Senate should be re-elected in my view.  This is a complete affront to the American people – only three Senators had the tenacity and courage to stand up for what is right.  Do you see how choosing a lesser of two evils for so long has brought us to this?  This is evil.

Do you know that right now, vehicles – commercially marked and otherwise – are actually collecting information and used to spy on whoever they want?  The scary thing is that this has been happening and is becoming more prevalent as we speak. I drive up and down I-25 and have seen the trucks and the cameras – have you looked around you lately?

I cried when the TSA agent touched me because I refuse to be scanned like a piece of meat at the airport, and today I sit waiting to see if there are any representatives left with the gumption, integrity, and foresight to protect the American people from this horrid piece of legislation that endangers us more than any terrorist threat could.  It makes us slaves and dis-empowers us.  It uses fear as a force.  This is what tyranny looks like, and it is sneaking up on the American people.  Where is the media – the fourth check on government?  SHAME ON YOU.  Shame on you for being a part of this evil capitulation into slavery.

My country, please, do not act in fear.  Do not stand for this behavior.  We are good and strong people and do not need these types of provisions and enforcements to protect us.  We need love and peace and GOD – no government can protect us and scare us into this type of insanity.  I am telling you, and telling the representatives of our country to stand up for us and do the right thing today and from here forward.  We will not stand for this.  As my hero Patrick Henry said, “Give me liberty, or give me death.”

S. 1867: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s112-1867

CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES~
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Download the Bill Here:
National Defense Authorization Act_HR 1540

Sign a Petition (Do Not Need to Sign Up) HERE:

http://www.change.org/petitions/petition-national-defense-authorization-act-is-illegal-s-1867

Let the sun shine on your laundry!

It’s 95 degrees outside, your air conditioner is on, and you’re heating your house with your clothes dryer? Why would you do this? Why not save money on your energy bill during the warm weather by hanging a clothes line?  So, maybe you think its too hot to hang today or perhaps the fresh air and mindless motion will be energizing.  Some even say its fun to slow down your pace and spend a little time on-line.  There are also other benefits to line drying your clothes.

I was thrilled to learn that the sun is a natural bleaching agent when I inherited some vintage linens with rust stains on them. I placed the linens in a stockpot with enough water to cover them along with two sliced lemons.  I simmered everything (about medium-high heat) for 15 minutes, rinsed well with cold water, then hung them in the sun. To my surprise, the rust stains were gone.

Because the sun is a natural whitening agent, you may find that you don’t have to use as much bleach. Take care with light-sensitive and delicate fabrics, as they shouldn’t be dried in direct sunlight.

When hanging a line make sure you allow enough space around the line so that your laundry doesn’t rub up against dirty walls, fencing and plant life.

Ideally, your clothes line shouldn’t be longer than 30 feet, because if you hang a full load of laundry, it could sag in the middle, allowing your clothes to touch the ground.

I like to fold my laundry directly from the line before taking it in to minimize wrinkling. I have a large enough basket to put my folded laundry in to assist me.

If you aren’t allowed to line-dry your laundry due to homeowners association rules, and you live in a blistering hot region like Phoenix, you might try hanging a clothes line in your garage (providing you don’t have smelly chemicals in it). The garage will be hot enough to dry your laundry fast.

Other places to consider include a utility room, a basement if it’s not too damp, or a walk-in attic—even a screened-in porch.

If you live in an apartment, or don’t have enough space to hang a line, you can use a shower tension rod between two walls. You can also buy a foldaway rack or a collapsible wooden or plastic-coated rack. They fold flat so you can store them easily.

I’m not into nagging people about “saving the planet” when it comes to using less energy. Simply setting a good example is just as valid as conserving in order to save money. If someone comments on the good behavior or asks for advice, I’m am happy to oblige.

Want more info about the joy of hanging laundry?  Join Nimble Pig today for relevant links and much more!

Know your farmer!  Well, you may think you do by going to a farmers market.  Many markets are popping up all over the country, and in many cities there are several markets on the same days.  This new trend raises the questions of supply, demand and honesty.  Most people love interacting with farmers and their produce, and so do most farmers.

The social interaction and personalization around food is a strong bond we all share.  But, as always, ‘buyer beware’ as vendors are not often farmers. We recently visited three major cities in two states, and each had four markets going on Saturday.  Out of 12 markets, we found several similar problems with the most prevalent being the produce.  There were tables of fresh-looking produce at all of these markets, claiming to be from the same farm.  It seemed odd that all the produce was grown and sold at the same time, since crops generally mature for picking at different times.  We saw produce that couldn’t have been grown in the climate that the vendors claimed they were grown in.  Most farmers also grow a few specific things rather than ten or more vegetables and fruits at the same time.  I know some farmers who co-op their produce together and sell under one banner, which is legitimate in my view.  But, boxes and boxes of produce labeled from another state is an obvious give-away that the produce came from a wholesale distributor and not a local farm.  At each market I watched as smiling, happy people push up to the tables to get what they thought was locally grown produce that clearly wasn’t.

I don’t want to kill the thrill of buying at a local market.  In fact, I don’t mind buying California produce at a Midwest farmers market as long as they are honest with me.  I toured one market with a large grocery chain store manager who pointed out several facts.  1. Most large chains do source local or nearby in many cases for regional produce.  2. Their produce must meet strict guidelines of quality and freshness.  3. They are honest with you about where the produce came from.  4. If a grocery chain says the produce is organic, it is.

Don’t get me started on what market vendors claim as ‘organic’ either!  Fact is, you won’t know for sure at a market unless you really, get to know your farmer.  It’s all about food and trust.

Want more info about food, farms and markets nationally and in your area?  Join Nimble Pig today for relevant links and much more!  Click here!

The Internet can be shoppers paradise and also a customer service nightmare.  Generally, using eBay and Amazon are the typical level of risk most shoppers will take because they usually have a good experience and the branding makes them more confident.

Today people buy all sorts of stuff on-line.  I remember when Home Shopping Network (HSN) got started and my laughter wondering what sort of idiot would buy the stuff they sold especially when I could go to a high-end department store and have my stuff the same day.  I was amazed that people would sit and watch the television version all day and order away.  This combination of TV and on-line sales would go on to make a retailing giant and is much more profitable than Amazon.  In fact Amazon lost money for years and had the Internet bubble not propped up their stock prices artificially, they would not be with us today.

So, whats worth buying on-line?  Most everything if you can wait for delivery.  Aside from saving sales tax in most states, the product prices are generally lower also.  So, shipping and handling used to make up that difference in savings but that is largely not true anymore.  An example of what I would have never dreamed I would do is buy Tires on-line.  Tires?  A friend told me about Tire Rack and Discount Tire (on-line).  On both sites you get customer reviews rather than some sales person reading the promo card to you and trying to sell you excess inventory that store has.  I most often previously bought tires at Price Clubs like Sam’s and Costco.  Back on-line I always find someone who has similar driving habits in the review section and that has helped me choose in several purchases.  I am now at 7 sets of on-line tires for 5 vehicles and never have had a problem.  Savings vary but, after adding shipping and then having to take the tires to a store retailer to have them installed and balanced I still have saved 20 to 40% each time I buy tires.  Basically the least amount I saved after installation and tax was $48. on one purchase and the highest savings on another single purchase was $180.  Both price points were worth waiting 3 days for UPS to deliver to my door, loading them in the car and heading to Discount Tire’s retail store for installation of my new tires from Tire Rack!  So no waiting, no sales person and I walked right up to the counter and asked to have my tires installed.  I by-passed about 5 people ahead of me and was out of there in 30 minutes or less in almost every visit.

So here’s another tip.  Have you been told it takes 2 weeks to get a part for your car, boat or RV?  Just get the part number from the service department, type that number into Google search and it usually will pop-up.  Not only for less money with no dealer markup, but you can have it overnight and certainly in less than 2 weeks.  No more lame excuses from the dealers and repair centers, you save time and money ordering yourself!

There are many things I would never buy on-line especially large appliances and televisions but some people do.  You must evaluate your risk level.  Some times the retailer has the better price and service so you should really look at both before you order.  If cash and carry is just $5 or $10 more I’d buy it at the store but for me $20 or more, I’ll wait and buy on-line in almost every case because at the end of the year when I add it up, I have saved hundreds to thousands of dollars and you can too!

Want more info about buying on-line?  Join Nimble Pig today for relevant links and much more!

How many of you want to work at home?  How many of you could pull it off?  Its not as easy as you dream about and in fact it could be your biggest nightmare.  If you get smart about your home habits vs your work habits and change, you can have a wonderful experience!

At first the freedom of working at home is awesome!  Then comes the fact you have to get work done and on time without the office support and working patterns and habits you have developed over the years.  Often you will find yourself more overwhelmed at home rather than at work and many people return to the office after just 6 months.  There is no one looking over your shoulder at home and the fast social pace of an office can also effect your speed and that can psychologically slow you down without realizing it.  At home the typical distractions of the office are gone but an entire new set of distractions creep up on you.  Many things about your home and office environment that you never noticed before suddenly become irritations.  One of the biggest problems you will face is your kitchen with all the goodies you love at your finger tips.  Frequent trips to the kitchen because no one is watching and convenience of access is almost always a problem.  Combine that with the fact that most people walk at least a mile or more a day at work and now your not, will most likely get you fat!  Some how the short walk to the kitchen is always more appealing than the exercise equipment right next to your desk!  Another distraction is the television or being able to surf the web at will but for most, a bigger problem at home is other people!  Your neighbors and friends know your home and you can most likely hear them doing lawn work and various home activities, kids playing etc that will effect your focus.  Neighbors and friends also drop in and every neighborhood has one of these busy bodies who wont leave you alone or worse yet the office gossip is now the neighborhood gossip and just got access to your home life and can really effect your relationships with everyone!

Working at home can be the best thing that ever happens to you.  Its not for everyone but, no commute, no wardrobe or worrying about what to wear and getting work done faster (not really working 8 hours) is the best cost saving pay raise you’ll ever get!

When you learn to re-manage yourself the freedom of working at home is empowering!

Want more info about working at home?  Join Nimble Pig today for relevant links and much more!

Keep your battery operated toys handy, you may need something to keep you occupied and you may need the batteries!!!

To borrow a phrase from a friend, “the only stimulus from the stimulus plan may be from those battery operated toys.”  Part of the reason is that none of the stimulus money is going to fix the grid, hence the need for batteries.

It is not a national secret that the electrical power grids in the US are archaic and does not have the capacity to provide service for the country.  The grid is maxed, and a single event will once again cause a rolling black-out to occur.  It is also no secret that nothing is really being done to improve the performance of the grid, or modernize it.

Once again, the question to ask yourself is “so what do I do?”  Well, there are only so many things to do in the dark, hence the toys (get your mind out of the gutter).  Your options are simple;

1. Do nothing, see what happens.  If you lose power, hope it comes back before your food spoils or it gets too hot or cold in your house.  Not the best option.
2. Vote for candidates that have a good understanding of energy and the ability to strategically plan ahead.  Energy issues will be among the top three issues we face as Americans into the future (terrorism and the economy which are both tied to energy).  But, even with President Obama sporting his FEMA shirt, this option won’t help you right away.
3. Buy a generator.  Great idea.  You can grab a small generator for about $200 and that would be enough to at least keep your refrigerator running and maybe another appliance or two.  Assess your absolute needs, both from a power standpoint and a financial standpoint, and buy a generator to fit your needs.  Remember, you’ll need to have fuel available to run it because they don’t run on electricity!!!
4. Look into solar.  This is an option we will examine more in the future, but solar cells and a shift to solar power certainly might be helpful.

Let’s step into reality; between terrorism, an old grid with increased demand, hurricanes, earthquakes, storms, etc…, the risk of an extended power outage is more likely today than any other time in history.  Think about it, 20 years ago there were no cell phones, home computers, ipods or pads, home theatre systems, electric cars and the list goes on.  Yet, all these increases are supported by the same grid.  Until it is brought up to date, we are all at risk for extended black outs.  I won’t even discuss the risk we all incur sitting in our homes with no power while our friendly neighborhood marauders are running rampant, but maybe you should think about it.

You are now warned!

Stay smart, stay educated, stay involved and stay on the pig, Nimblepig.com.

When I was younger, I remember my father talking about the US adopting a third world mentality (see, I did listen).  I understood what he was saying, at least conceptually, but the meaning didn’t really hit me.  I mean this is America, land of the free and home of opportunity. 

What I am about to say is very painful – “Dad, you were right,” but we have gone past mentality to action.  It is not debatable, the US is becoming a third world country, and  Alexander Tyler, a Scottish History professor saw it coming in 1887.

The signs are un-mistakable;

• The push for increased immigration, legal and illegal.  Generally speaking it is an imbalance between intellectual and un-skilled workers at a time when manual labor is being lost to third world countries. This push will exponentially increase the need for public assistance which we pay for.  Hell, in California we already pay for healthcare and college for illegal’s.
•  The use of social programs to manipulate those who are less fortunate (in most cases, less motivated).  We reward slackers, baby factories and cheaters.  Go hang out at the local public assistance office if you think I am wrong.
• The use of the education system to promote class disparity.  Lower the expectations for the less affluent areas and you have another generation of undereducated workers with low self expectation and high expectations for public assistance.

Throw these in a bowl and add a politician and you have the recipe for class segregation and an acceleration of the growth of a dependent economic class, which by the way, is needed for those seeking power. 

This concept is the exact opposite of our founding principles, but it runs a direct parallel with the increased power grab in Washington DC.  Congress is not about servitude, it is about the financial windfall that is afforded those who win the election.  How do you win the election?   Capitalize on the growing third world mentality by promising “Free” vs. “Freedom” and call it equality, then promote it through the ballot box, not through effort and education.

Think I am wrong?  WAKE UP SUNSHINE – Look at the debt, where we spend money, where crime exists and the issues being kicked around in Congress today.  Then, read what Tyler wrote in 1887.  History always repeats itself for those who allow it to.

So, what do we do about this?  

Three things come to mind right away –

1. Be involved in the community – Be an example of self reliance and be aware of those who are working to promote dependence.  Know the issues and show up to vote or sacrifice your future to those that do.
2. Teach Your kids – Nimblepig is a great place to start developing that “self reliant” mentality.  Promote human equality, but emphasize that economic equality is only achieved through rewarding laziness.  Human equality is a right, economic prosperity is a privilege to be earned and respected.
3. Prepare – Build your ability to be self reliant.  Strengthen your financial position, protect your identity, stay physically and mentally fit and if need be, know how to protect yourself and your family from crime (Tiger Light is a great tool).  All of these lessons and more are on Nimblepig.com and in the NP Report.

In 1776, our founder sacrificed everything in a great battle for freedom.  Our time is now to fight for the continuation of the American way and the future of our kids.  Stay diligent, stay educated and stay involved.  Most important, stay on-line with Nimblepig.com.

I know, a novel concept but the reality is that stopping stupidity is like standing on the train tracks and thinking we are able to stop the run-away train that is speeding right at us.

 Well, we are standing on the tracks and the train is running right at us; the train is called debt and it is weighted down with the bloated asses of very member of the House, Senate and Presidential cabinet.  YES, it is a big load, and even bigger when you realize the cargo it carries is a massive pile of bull sh– ready to be unloaded on each of us.  OK, I AM WRONG; IT HAS ALREADY BEEN UNLOADED.

 We all recognize that the debt is crippling the nation, and therefore crippling individuals businesses and citizens.  We also heard Congress and the President arguing over a few hundred million in budget cuts. 

 Here is the pile of BS;

Every $100 million in budget cuts is about 1/35,000 of the actual budget.  So, if you spend $1,000 per month on your grocery bill, the $400million in cuts they argued over translates to about $.12.  Let me put that in English – 12 cents.  It is virtually nothing in the grand scheme of things.

 What is impactful is waste and fraud.  According to very source I was able to find, there are hundreds of billions of dollars in government waste and fraud that could be eliminated annually.  Here are some basic examples;

1. Post Office advertising – Anybody not know the post office mails letters?  Just asking…
2. Improper payments – $125 billion, must be the Obama money they are expecting in Detroit.
3. Duplicated Programs and vacant Office Space – They will save us if we pay them!!!
4. Presidential trips which are really campaign stops

 While those may be common sensical to all of us, this next one is even worse:

Check this brief video blurb out and see where a big chunk of money is going, than ask yourself how smart they really are in Washington.  By the way, how many dollar coins do you carry every day?  I digress…

 We all know fraud is an issue as well.  The following I just one example of blatant stupidity

 If you remember the healthcare debate, a big part of paying for that sham was the reduction in fraud and waste.  Answer me this; How much have they cut between last year when the bill was signed and today?  The answer; NOTHING.  

 I have a recepit from a store where six lobsters and two porterhouse steaks were paid for with food stamps.  That’s right, this wonderful dinner was paid for with FOOD STAMPS.  Why is this store not held accountable for their stupidity?  If we force accountability for this type of fraud, medical fraud, electoral fraud and we reduce wasteful spending, we will start to drive reduced spending in the government and we will head toward a lower debt.  More important, we will be able to focus our economic resources on programs which make sense (if we are able to figure that out).

  So, if this really pisses you off, I mean LOBSTER, Porterhouse steaks, hell I don’t eat that very often.  Makes me want to do things that would get me strip searched – sorry, bad visual.

 We must demand accountability from our elected officials and government offices.  We must demand visibility to fraud and waste reduction.  Each and every government department should be mandated to post their spending reductions for public consumption.  Those who commit fraud must be forced to pay back the people of this country.  But, it all stems from communities, people, demanding accountability.  We must ask our elected officials to step up and be accountable both before and after the election.  Put them on the spot, demand accountability through community and we will turn the tide.

 As always, stay informed, stay active, stay nimble – Nimblepig.com.  

Silly question?  Maybe, maybe not; you decide.

Let’s be clear, I am not talking about the bottled stuff we all spend too much on, I am talking about the stuff from your tap that you cook, clean, wash with and even drink.  If you don’t pay attention, it may soon be a government program.

Over the past eight years, my water/sewer bill has increased about 25%.  Some of that is on us, but, the water/sewer rates have increased.  Why, the system is old and people need to be paid.  Follow me on this;

1. Maintenance – Whenever it breaks, it has to be fixed, but water leaks are not cheap fixes, they require excavation and the replacement of pipes which run under ground.  As they continue to age, there will be an increased occurrence of breaks and therefore, repair costs.
2. Conservation – A good thing, not for the water utility.  Conservation means less usage which equals less money into the water utility.  Less revenue, high cost of operation, high cost to the consumer.
3. People – People work there.  People are needed to fix broken pipes and shut off dead beats water.  These people want to be paid and they appreciate an annual pay raise. 

Who pays the bill?  We pay the bill and the bill will increase in size.   They have too because the system will continue to lose revenue and incur higher costs, making it a prime target for government take-over.  After all, after is more vital than healthcare, isn’t it?  By the way, we fund the government so not only would we still pay the bill, we would have some key government controls which include;

1. Government flushing criteria – flush regulators on all toilets.  No flushing until waste hits this line… 
2. Government rationed showers – Timers, schedules and volume regulators.  The shower police as part of the IRS!!!
3. 3.       Government mandated water consumption schedules
4. The Bureau of Water Affairs – The tub & toilet police as part of the IRS.  Hey, isn’t that new jobs funded by the tax payers?  YEA…
5. Affirmative Action “Brown is Beautiful” – Brown lawns, brown rings in the tub and toilet, brown underwear.  Brown, brown, brown…
6. EPA Biodegradable Collection Bags – Hey, they work for dogs…

What do you think the result will be if the government mandates increased fiber in the healthcare bill? 

Regardless, as is always the case here at Nimblepig, we have some ideas to help you out.  Hit the link and check them out!!!

1. Conserve – Save where you can!  Here is a list of over 100 ways to reduce the water you use (100 ways to save water).  Although we may not be environmentalists, this is about economics.  You may be able to save $500 or more per year on your water bill and you will need that to pay for the increase in cost.
2. Conserve II – OK, it is an option, but I am not going to the every other use rule on flushing, but different strokes as they say.  Can you even imagine that left in the bowl???
3. Be creative – There are alternatives to gathering and using rain water for gardens and lawns and home usage (We will look at some of these in future editions of the NP REPORT).  Everything from a rain barrel to more sophisticated systems may provide enough water for the entire year, or maybe just enough to go back to the old fashioned 1 gallon toilets!!!
4. Pay Your Bill – Hey, cash flow is important, and it costs money for everyone to have the water company show up and shut off your water.
5. Be Alert – Any type of government crisis is an opportunity for the private sector to create new products and solutions to answer the need.  Maybe you will create one, maybe you will need one, who knows, but if you are not looking   you’ll never know.

No matter, be aware of what is going on here because it will steal money from your pocket every single quarter when that bill arrives.  And remember, check in with the PIG to see how you stay afloat!

  NimblePig is Your Best Resource for Self-Reliance

   1. Join the community of members who are self-reliant and share stories (better than Facebook – we won’t stop you from posting or friending like-minded people!)

   2. Purchase a membership and get exclusive access to information that can benefit you and your family!

   Charter Membership Delivers:

1. Free Nimblepig Self Reliance Roadmap which is a guide to help you navigate the path of self-reliance.
2. First Edition of the Nimblepig Report which provides alternative money and time investment advice; economic snapshot; self-reliance product reviews & ratings all in a concise package with a colorful and light spin to it.
3. Access to valuable restricted content that you won’t find anywhere else on the web!
4. Interaction with other like-minded, helpful members that are on the same path you are.
5. Support for the cause of Liberty and Self-Reliance!

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Our mission is simple… to offer you solutions. The kind of solutions we focus on are those that build a self-reliant individual and community.

It starts with knowing what freedom is and challenging the ideas we currently operate under. It continues with taking care of your health and increasing the level of security you have financially and in the world you live in. This path leads to a strong community circle and bears repeating indefinitely in order to improve and strengthen your foundation.

Our mission is to answer the questions we ALL have when taking the path of freedom and self-reliance…

• Why do I need to be self-reliant?
• How do I become self-reliant?
• Where do I start?
• What do I need to know?
• What resources will help me and are they trustworthy?
• What is the next step?

If we can answer these questions; help you take these steps; and make money in the process by providing valuable products that we put a great deal of energy, planning, and effort into we have accomplished our mission.