Frontier Talk and the Industrial Revolution vs. Agrarian movement

So what was the original american frontier? It was considered the area between urbanized areas and wilderness. Many regard the original American frontier as a place where true freedom existed as westernization occured across this county, and those living in it had to be resourceful and promoted a spirit of self-reliance.

This blog "New American Frontier" is named for this because these freedoms and openness are now somewhat limited- but we must strive to still keep a spirit of independence and self-reliance alive. We are told that we cannot take care of ourselves outside of consumerism and our governments ( both federal and state ).

There is no reason we still cannot be self-reliant and live with less crap in our lives. I read an article recently about consumerism right before the stock market crash in the late 20's. Basically, most people lived an agrarian lifestyle where they met nearly all of their own needs by their land. During the 1830's and up to the 1920's people still produced most of what they needed themselves. The 1920's was a huge time for advertising success in business, and people starting buying. They never stopped. Today, consumerism is at an all time high, and so is our national debt. Most people don't have any sort of savings. Retirement for most in my generation (30 years old) looks bleak. Social Security isn't going to be there either. That's one reason I wanted to purchase my own land and attempt to live on it, good or bad.

In 2003, people now spend 75% more on their mortgages than they did 30 years ago in the 70's based on the same income and what it would buy. The state and local governments want to strap us with more fees to build something than what it costs to build with our own hands and labor, or they want to fine us. This is really a tax. The greed of government knows no bounds.

America's real problems today are core problems that will never be fixed overnight. We need people to spend less, and tell their kids that they can't have everything at wal-mart. I think that people need to re-evaluate themselves, their spending, and where it will lead. The agrarian lifestyle starts to look pretty good as gas prices, food and cost of living is increasing by the day- especially oil.

We have pretty much parked our 1996 diesel suburban at this point except for towing (3/4 ton). We're now driving my 1/2 ton pickup extra cab and squeezing the kids to it instead for $4.00 per gallon gas and 19 mpg vs. 15 mpg at 5.10 per gallon here in California.