Old Otter Holler Farm

Growing Your Own Food is a Revolutionary Act

Do you ever get the feeling of helplessness as you watch the planet we live on be poisoned, exploited, and made unfit for life, or corporate psychopaths and their lackey government officials commit crimes against the earth and citizens of the world with no accountability or justice?  Unfortunately, the majority of us are beholden in different degrees to the rotten political, judicial, economic, and cultural system we call society as we go about our lives -  no matter how much we try not to be.  Some of us have mortgages, unsecured debt, and/or are beholden to corporations for electricity, communications, food, fuel, fiber, water, and most of the necessities of everyday life.  Some people are 100% dependent on the system while others are far less.  As hopeless as it seems, there are things we can do to fight back to change the system without giving up some of the modern conveniences in life, and it all begins with growing and raising as much of your own food as you can.

Growing and/or raising your own food is a revolutionary act that all of us can do.  The status quo wants you to be dependent on the industrial food system where they can sell you chemical-laced genetically modified crap that has no nutritional value and is not fit for human consumption...all at a huge profit.  Not only is the food not good for you, it is expensive and more than likely a contributing factor to any health problems you may have.  So how do you go about growing and/or raising your own food?   The trick is to start small and expand your garden and livestock holdings as you gain experience.  If you do not have a front yard, back yard, or small plot of land, partner with someone who does or find/start a community garden.  If that is not possible, buy as much food as you can that was grown and raised by small farmers in your community or region. 

So, what can you expect to happen once you start growing your own food or purchasing local food?  Most people will become empowered and begin to see the system for what it really is...a system designed to enrich the few by keeping you an unhealthy exploited debt serf extracting money from you and feeding off your life force at every opportunity.  The revolutionary part of this entire thing is that the simple act of growing your own food will  build on itself and before you know it you are severing or reducing other dependencies between you and the rotten system that is killing us and the planet.  Below are some examples of what you can do to participate in the revolution: 

1.  Begin researching how to grow organic food.

2. Associate with other like-minded individuals in your community and begin building a network.

3.  Begin collecting tools and supplies.

4.  Start a small garden and enjoy the harvest.

5.  Expand the garden as you become more knowledgeable.

6.  Learn how to preserve the harvest.

7. Add livestock (rabbits, chickens, or if you have room, hogs, lamb, and beef) to your operation, or source your meat locally if you eat meat.

8.  Learn about season extension to prolong the harvest.

9.  Sell or barter the excess from your garden to expand your food choices and earn extra money.

10. Enjoy fresh healthy food while saving money on groceries.

11. With these successes under your belt, start looking at other ways to not participate in the system, or at least reduce your dependency on the system.  Here are some examples:

a) Reduce energy consumption in your home by weatherization, energy conservation, or switching to wood heat if you have access to wood.

b) Reduce fuel consumption by carpooling, planning multiple stops during outings, using vehicles that get good gas mileage, walking, or riding a bicycle.

c) Stay out of debt.  This is huge and will empower you to pursue many other strategies.

d) Do not waste money or life energy on the latest electronic gadgets, trinkets, and stuff you don't need.

e) Get rid of your satellite or cable television connection (put up an antenna if you must).

f) Volunteer in your community.

g) Invest in yourself by learning how to fix things around the house on your own, either by reading or taking a class.

h) Use appropriate technologies whenever possible.

i) Develop a hobby, interests, or expertise that can be transformed into your livelihood if needed, or at the very least that supplements your income.

j) Learn to cook and do not buy or eat processed foods.  If you must have them, make them a minor component of your diet.  Less is best.

k) Cultivate and maintain networks in your community with like-minded people.  Work together when possible.

l) Only invest money and your time in things that produce value.  Examples include farm land, equipment/tools, infrastructure, and of course yourself.

m) Barter whenever possible.

n) Buy things made in America whenever possible, even if they cost more.

o) Do not rely on the main stream media to keep abreast of what is happening around you.  Support alternative media and keep informed.

p) And finally, develop an emergency action plan for you and your family.  Know what you are going to do and how you will survive should TEOTWAWKI or some other crisis occur.  History shows us that these things do happen. 

These are only a few examples of  what is possible once you become empowered by growing your own food, and before you know it, you will be more knowledgeable, self-confident, self-sufficient, resilient, and an asset to your community, state, country, and the world.  The feeling of helplessness will also go away, at least some of it.  This is a lifestyle folks and will continue to build on itself where the ultimate goal is to change the system from below since it will not happen from above.  We simply do not have leaders who have our best interest in mind, nor will we ever as long as this country continues its march toward fascism.  Good luck on your journey and spread the word to all who'll listen...this is how change will happen.

Gas Over $4.00 per Gallon!

Yesterday I helped my daughter move her household belongings to her new home near the Virginia/West Virginia state line.  This was the first time I had ventured very far from the farm in nearly a week and had not seen the price of gas per gallon since it was $3.90.  Gee was I in for a surprise!  Most gas stations I passed along the way were charging between $4.00 and $4.10 per gallon for regular unleaded...that is until I crossed the  Virginia state line and the price dropped to $3.79.  Despite the cheaper price in Virginia, that is still no consolation for many folks in our rural communities who are juggling their finances to make up the difference for the higher gas prices.   I know some people who are spending a day's wages to get to and from work each week and others who are not paying essential bills like electric so they can pay for gas to get to work.  Speaking of electric, I just read in the West Virginia State Journal that the price of electricity in the Mountain State will be rising sharply in the near future, particularly if the power company has their way.  Knowing what I know, all I can say is something will have to give or there will be a drastic drop in economic activity or worse out here in the heart of Appalachia very soon.  In fact, I think it is already happening.  The worst part is that as people cut back on spending, the few local businesses that we do have will be hard hit and most likely go out of business making it even farther to drive to obtain essential products and services.  What a vicious cycle!

Why are we in this predicament?  I have my own opinion.  First and foremost, our government is and has been so beholden to the energy industry that they have lost sight of the greater good for the citizens of this country.  If our leaders would have had the country's best interest in mind rather than power and greed, they would have embarked on an energy policy after the energy crisis in the 70s that focused on moving the country away from fossil fuels and the use of the automobiles and toward public transportation.  So many opportunities have been squandered, and as the consequences of peak oil take hold, it will be extremely difficult and economically painful if not impossible to transition to a place that we should have already been.  There is absolutely no reason why this country should not be connected by passenger rail, buses, streetcars, and bike trails...even the rural areas.  In fact, if you've ever been to a country in the European Union, which granted is smaller in land area than the U.S.A., but has over twice the population, you would see that you don't need a car to survive.  I lived in Germany for about eight years and saw most of the then free Europe by rail, bus, boat, bike, and walking...and most of the areas were as rural as southern West Virginia!  In fact, I did not own a car there for many years...and this was almost thirty years ago!  No, I guess that was too much to expect from our leaders.  Instead, if you bring up government subsidized and supported public transportation (subsidized like the energy industry), you are dismissed and labeled a socialist.  Well, I got news for you, this country is already socialist and has been for a long time.  Trouble, is, it is big business and government and not the citizens that enjoy those benefits.  

Does Anyone Care About Our Fundamental Rights?

During a motorcycle ride the other day, I stopped at a local bar to catch up on what was happening in the neighborhood.  It was late afternoon and people were starting to arrive for their after work brews.  As I and other patrons talked about current events and local news, the talk turned to cell phones after the bartender said he had lost his and asked a patron how to go about replacing it.  After listening for several minutes, I chimed in that my truck had recently broken down about 30 miles from home and that I used a cell phone to call my insurance company for roadside assistance.  I went on to say that, to my surprise, they never asked my location to send the tow truck.  When I asked if they needed this information, the representative replied that we know your location.  This exchange left me speechless.  After I told my story, nearly everyone in the bar said that they were aware of the technology to pinpoint your location when you use your phone, and NOT ONE person had a problem with it.  In fact, one person said that if the authorities were listening to his conversations or checking out his location, they must be really bored.  Two others said they had nothing to hide and saw no problem with it.  Another said he did not care one way or the other.  Not one person had an issue with it or even cared.  Do these people not watch, listen, or read anything but the main stream news?  I don't even think most of them do that.  Maybe they've been living in another country or on another planet for the past ten years?    I was dumbfounded by the lack of knowledge and apathy from the ones who seemed to understand.  Just think, it would have been unthinkable a few years ago for the government to detain and/or kill an American citizen without a trial and conviction.  Not anymore thanks to the National Defense Authorization Act.  What about the passage and abuses of pivotal federal surveillance statutes such as the US Patriot Act, Electronic Communications Privacy Act, or the Communication  Assistance for Law Enforcement Act?  Ever heard of those?  How about Stop Online Privacy Act and the Protect IP Act?   What about the continued expansion of police surveillance (drones flying in the USA), expanded search authority (cell phones, computers, etc.), and warrantless wiretapping.  Speaking of the police, have you ever noticed that the police look more like the military these days and possess military weapons?  What about the Read ID Act?  If you haven't heard of that one, you will when you try to renew your drivers license.  What about the recent bill called the Federal Restricted  Buildings and Grounds Improvement Act of 2011, a.k.a. the "Trespass Bill", which makes it a federal offense to protest government business or functions, or against people or places under Secret Service protection?   What about the new NSA Utah Data Center scheduled to open up in 2013, yeah, the one that will employ hundreds of people with Top Secret clearances and above to intercept, decipher, analyze, and store just every form of digital communication on the planet! These are only a few of the laws passed and policies adopted in the last ten years that have steadily eroded our fundamental rights and civil liberties and severely compromised the First, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights of citizens and non-citizens...all in the name of National Security.  How sad it must be to be uninformed about what is going on around you and not to question authority.  I liken the mindset of the majority of Americans to a frog that is boiled alive because the temperature of the water in the pot is raised very slowly and before the frog realizes what is happening it is too late.  Nope, they probably never heard of any of these new laws or policies, and besides, if you have nothing to hide then you should not mind, right?

The Status Quo Does Not Represent My Interests

It should be no secret to the majority of American citizens that their government, regardless of the political party in power, does not represent their interests, nor has it for a very long time. In fact, the corruption, crony capitalism, swindles, and fraud practiced with impunity by those with wealth and power in both government and big business is now routine...and it is all legal. How can it be legal? The answer is because there are essentially two justice systems, one for the financial and ruling elite crafted by them to perpetuate their wealth and power and one for everyone else. In other words, there are two sets of rules for the supposed level playing field. If you don't believe me, then open your eyes and critically think about the recent bank and mortgage fraud perpetrated by the taxpayer-supported TBTF banks, associated industries, and our complicit government. Billions of dollars were stolen from taxpayers, millions of families illegally thrown out of their homes, and trillions of dollars in home equity destroyed by greedy and power-hungry people whose only desire is to maintain and expand their wealth and power at the expense of everyone else. They can do this legally because they, along with their cronies, have captured, manipulated, and exploited our tax system, justice system, economic system, and political system to their advantage successfully directing the majority of this nation's wealth to themselves while maintaining and expanding their power. To clearly illustrate my point, check out the recent sham mortgage fraud settlement of 25B dollars that effectively eliminated all legal liability for all responsible parties while claiming to help those homeowners who were swindled...all this BEFORE the fraudulent activity was properly investigated! That settlement is less than a drop in the bucket for those responsible, and if the truth be known, will probably be paid for with taxpayer money. This obvious criminal activity and rewriting the laws as they go is another clear example of how our government and justice system is owned by those who do not have you or this country's best interest in mind...only theirs. How much longer can the citizens of this country sit back and allow trillions of dollars in home equity to vaporize, banks to illegally foreclose on homes, and hundreds of years of real estate law (contracts and property chain of title) to be ignored and rewritten to protect the criminals. All this and not one person has went to jail! Ditto for the economic crash of 2008 due to unregulated speculation by the banks (and subsequent transfer of private losses to public losses) , the MF Global swindle, billions of missing taxpayer money in Iraq, illegal wars and torture, killing and indefinite detention without trial of American citizens, insider stock trading by members of Congress, or any other recent high-level criminal activity you want to investigate. Involvement in any of these swindles by 99% of the American citizens would mean serious jail time.

Through decades of citizen "education" and outright propaganda promulgated by the main stream media, the financial and ruling elite have successfully convinced the masses that they are consumers and that their role is to be obedient, work hard your entire life, pay all your taxes, consume, take on/pay your debt, and do not question authority. In their eyes, this is your only function which by the way is the very foundation of their wealth and power. Once you recognize this and realize that most everything you've been taught about the economic and political system is false, you begin to question your role in the system and your complacency to allow it to happen and continue. The fact is, everyone does not have the same opportunity in this country. Take the recent example of Mitt Romney's declaration that he paid less than 15% tax on his 20+ million in investment income in 2010. Some folks would say more power to him since his risk taking paid off handsomely, or good for him that he can afford an army of lawyers and accountants to take advantage of all the loopholes in the 70,000 plus pages of the U.S. tax code. After all, you and I have the same right, correct? I don't think so. These loopholes were inserted into the tax code by wealthy people like him and special interests to increase their wealth and maintain their power. We the 99% have no such power or influence.  The financial and ruling elite have and continue to stack the deck in their favor when it comes to taxes, subsidies, investments, financial opportunities, employment, etc, and continue to enrich themselves at your expense. Don't get me wrong. I am an advocate of taking personal responsibility for your actions and abhor the entitlement mentality of our current culture. I also don't see a problem with being rich (as long as the money was earned in an honest and ethical way by producing something of value for society).  However, taking personal responsibility only goes so far when you see that the playing field is not level and there is no way in hell you, your children, or their children will ever break the chains of debt serfdom because of all the laws, taxes, policies, regulations, rampant government spending, collusion with big business, and debasement of the dollar designed to keep you and the other 99% in their place running like a hamster on a exercise wheel just to keep food on the table...all this while those at the top in their own little world pull all the strings.

No, the status quo does not represent my interests or anyone I know for that matter. It's time to stand up and make our voices heard and clean up this corruption that permeates our political and economic system and enslaves us all.

How Can I Legally Avoid Paying Taxes?

Here we are again.  Another tax year has come and gone and now it is time to settle up with the federal, state, and local government.  Every year I review my pay stubs, W-2, and tax return I am awestruck over how much money the federal and state governments withhold from my income each year.  Unfortunately, that amount as a percentage of my income is significantly more than the 15% paid by the multi-millionaire Mitt Romney or the billionaire Warren Buffett.  That aside, what is more incredible though is that amount is probably less than the amount I pay in other taxes over the course of a year to include the ultimate hidden tax known as inflation.  I have often wondered just how many and what types of taxes that we Americans pay in any given year.  Below is a list I found that is eye-opening:   

(Source: www.newrochelletalk.com/node/2103)
1. Accounts Receivable Tax
2. Accounting and Tax Preparation (cost to taxpayers $300 billion)
3. Accumulated Earnings Tax
4. Accumulation Distribution of Trusts
5. Activity Fee (Dumping Permit Fee)
6 . Air Tax (PA coin-operated vacuums)
7. Aircraft Jet Fuel Tax
8. Aircraft Excise Tax
9 . Alcohol Fuels Tax
10. Alcoholic Beverage Tax
11. Alternative Minimum Tax – Amt
12. Ambulance Services (Air Ambulance Services, SD)
13. Ammunition Tax
14. Amusement Tax (MA, VA, MD)
15. Animal Slaughter Tax (WI, others, Per Animal)
16. Annual Custodial Fees (Ira Accounts)
17. Ballast Water Management Fee (Marine Invasive Species)
18. Biodiesel Fuel Tax
19. Blueberry Tax (Maine)
20. Bribe Taxes (Pay If You Dare)
21. Brothel licensing fees
22. Building Permit Tax
23. Capital Gains Tax
24. California Interstate User Diesel Fuel Tax
25. California Redemption Value (Can and Bottle Tax)
26. CDL License Tax
27. Charter Boat Captain License
28. Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Fee
29. Cigarette Tax
30. Cigarette Tax Stamp (Acts) (Distributors)
31. Compressed Natural Gas Tax
32. Commercial Activity Tax (OH – for Service Providers)
33. Corporate Income Tax
34. Court Fines (Indirect Taxes)
35. County Property Tax
36. Disposable Diapers Tax (Wisconsin)
37. Disposal Fee (Any Landfill Dumping)
38. Dog License Tax
39. Duck Hunting Tax Stamp (PA, others)
40. Electronic Waste Recycling Fee (E-Waste)
41. Emergency Telephone User Surcharge
42. Environmental Fee (CA – HazMat Fees)
43. Estate Tax (Death Tax, to be reinstated)
44. Excise Taxes
45. Facility Fee (CA – HazMat Fees)
46. FDIC tax (insurance premium on bank deposits)
47. Federal Income Tax
48. Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
49. Fiduciary Income Tax (Estates and Trusts)
50. Fishing License Tax
51. Flush Tax (MD Tax For Producing Wastewater)
52. Food License Tax
53. Fountain Soda Drink Tax (Chicago – 9%)
54. Franchise Tax
55. Fresh Fruit (CA, if Purchased From A Vending Machine)
56. Fuel Gross Receipts Tax (Retail/Distributor)
57. Fuel Permit Tax
58. Fur Clothing Tax (MN)
59. Garbage Tax
60. Gasoline Tax (475 Cents Per Gallon)
61. Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax
62. Generator Fee (Recycled Waste Fee)
63. Gift Tax
64. Gross Receipts Tax
65. Habitat Stamp (Hunting/Fishing in some states)
66. Hamburger Tax
67. Hazardous Substances Fees: Generator, Facility, Disposal
68. Highway Access Fee
69. Household Employment Taxes
70. Hunting License Tax
71. Illegal Drug Possession (No Carolina)
72. Individual Income Tax
73. Inheritance Tax
74. Insect Control Hazardous Materials License
75. Insurance Premium Tax
76. Intangible Tax (Leases Of Govt. Owned Real Property)
77. Integrated Waste Management Fee
78. Interstate User Diesel Fuel Tax
79. Inventory Tax
80. IRA Rollover Tax (a transfer of IRA money)
81. IRA Early Withdrawal Tax
82. IRS Interest Charges
83. IRS Penalties (Tax On Top Of Tax)
84. Jock Tax (income earned by athletes in some states)
85. Kerosene, Distillate, & Stove Oil Taxes
86. Kiddie Tax (Child’s Earned Interest Form 8615)
87. Land Gains and Real Estate Withholding
88. Lead Poisoning Prevention Fee (Occupational)
89. Lease Severance Tax
90. Library Tax
91. Liquid Natural Gas Tax
92. Liquid Petroleum Gas Tax
93. Liquor Tax
94. Litigation Tax (TN Imposes Varies With the Offense)
95. LLC/PLLC Corporate Registration Tax
96. Local Income Tax
97. Lodging Taxes
98. Lump-Sum Distributions
99. Luxury Taxes
100. Make-Up Tax (Ohio, applying in a salon is taxable)
101. Marriage License Tax
102. Meal Tax
103. Medicare Tax
104. Mello-Roos Taxes (Special Taxes and Assessments)
105. Migratory Waterfowl Stamp (addition to hunting license)
106. Minnow Dealers License (Retail – For One Shop)
107. Minnow Dealers License (Distributor – For One+ Shops)
108. Mobile Home Ad Valorem Taxes
109. Motor Fuel Tax (For Suppliers)
110. Motor Vehicle Tax
111. Music and Dramatic Performing Rights Tax
112. Nudity Tax (Utah)
113. Nursery Registration (Buying and selling plants)
114. Occupancy Inspection Fees
115. Occupation Taxes and Fees (Various Professional Fees)
116. Oil and Gas Assessment Tax
117. Oil Spill Response, Prevention, and Administration Fee
118. Parking Space Taxes
119. Pass-Through Withholding
120. Pay-Phone Calls Tax (Indiana)
121. Percolation Test Fee
122. Personal Property Tax
123. Personal Holding Company (undistributed earnings)
124. Pest Control License
125. Petroleum Business Tax
126. Playing Card Tax (Al)
127. Pole Tax (TX – A $5 Cover Charge On Strip Clubs)
128. Profit from Illegal Drug Dealing
129. Property Tax
130. Property Transfer Tax (DE, ownership transfer between parties)
131. Prostitution Tax (NV – Prostitute Work Permits)
132. Poultry Registered Premises License (Sales License)
133. Rain Water Tax (Runoff after a Storm)
134. Rat Control Fee (CA)
135. Real Estate Tax
136. Recreational Vehicle Tax
137. Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling Fees
138. Regional Transit Taxing Authority (Trains)
139. Road Usage Tax
140. Room Tax (Hotel Rooms)
141. Sales Tax (State)
142. Sales Tax (City)
143. Sales And Use Tax (Sellers Permit)
144. School Tax
145. Service Charge Tax
146. Self Employment Tax
147. Septic And Drain Field Inspection Fees
148. Sex Sales Tax (UT, when nude people perform services)
149. Sewer & Water Tax
150. Social Security Tax
151. Sparkler and Novelties Tax (WV Sellers of Sparklers, etc)
152. Special Assessment Tax (Not Ad Valorem)
153. State Documentary Stamp Tax on Notes (FL RE Tax)
154. State Franchise Tax
155. State Income Tax
156. State Park Fees
157. State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
158. Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) Fuel Tax
159. Stud Fees (Kentucky’s Thoroughbred Sex Tax)
160. Tangible Personal Property Tax
161. Tattoo Tax (AR Tax On Tattoos)
162. Telephone 911 Service Tax (some states)
163. Telephone Federal Excise Tax
164. Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
165. Telephone Federal Surcharge Taxes
166. Telephone State Surcharge Taxes
167. Telephone Local Surcharge Taxes
168. Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
169. Telephone Recurring Charges Tax
170. Telephone Universal Access Tax
171. Telephone Non-Recurring Charges Tax
172. Telephone State Usage Charge Tax
173. Telephone Local Usage Charge Tax
174. Tire Recycling Fee
175. Tobacco Tax (Cigar, Pipe, Consumer Tax)
176. Tobacco Tax (Cigar, Pipe, Dealer Tax)
177. Toll Road Taxes
178. Toll Bridge Taxes
179. Toll Tunnel Taxes
180. Tourism or Concession License Fee
181. Traffic Fines (Indirect Taxation)
182. Transportable Treatment Unit Fee (Small Facility)
183. Trailer Registration Tax
184. Trout Stamp (Addendum To Fish License)
185. Use Taxes (On Out-Of-State Purchases)
186. Utility Taxes
187. Unemployment Tax
188. Underground Storage Tank Maintenance Fee
189. Underpayment of Estimated Tax (Form 2210)
190. Unreported Tip Income (Social Security and Medicare Tax)
191. Vehicle License
192. Vehicle Recovery Tax (CO, to find stolen cars)
193. Vehicle Registration Tax
194. Vehicle Sales Tax
195. Wagering Tax (Tax on Gambling Winnings)
196. Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO) Fuel Tax
197. Water Rights Fee
198. Watercraft Registration Tax
199. Waterfowl Stamp Tax
200. Well Permit Tax
201. Wiring Inspection Fees
202. Workers Compensation Tax

So, how does the average person legally avoid taxes like the big dogs?  Why, the answer of course is to take advantage of all the tax loopholes in the U.S tax code put there by those in power and powerful lobbies to help them pay less in taxes.  Unfortunately, the average person does not have the money nor the connections to take advantage of these loopholes in the form of tax breaks, subsidies, write-offs, etc.  So if taking advantage of our tax code is out of the question, what else can we do to save our hard earned money from taxation?  I'm open for suggestions.