Case Study in Collapse Propaganda: Venezuela is Now Rationing Electricity

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By Daisy Luther

Denial might be a river in Venezuela.

For the past year, the government has been trying to sugar coat the economic demise of the country, and they’re continuing the propaganda with the new electricity rationing program that they’ve instituted. If you think it’s because of the socialist government’s financial collapse, you’re being ridiculous. It’s because they care about climate change. Vice President Jorge Arreaza said so.

 “This is, of course, linked to global warming and the excessive industrialization of capitalism, which never stops, nor has ever stopped, for the effects that it can have on the climate, on society and on Mother Earth.”

Of course it is. Only silly paranoid conspiracy theorists would say otherwise.

In case you’ve forgotten, there’s also no food shortage and there’s plenty of freedom, too.

The government of Venezuela passed laws disallowing the storage of food because it’s just silly to do that. The rationing of the food available in the country, using a fingerprint registry is just there to keep people in line with the law. And even though store shelves were virtually bare of basic necessities like toilet paper, laundry soap, and food in January, with long lines of people waiting for the few  items available, it must just be where those folks were shopping.

Repeat after me: THERE ARE NO SHORTAGES.

Now, back to electricity. A report on Breitbart.com said:

The Venezuelan government will begin rationing electrical supplies this week in response to high demand triggered by heat. Public employees will only have to work six hours a day until further notice, and police units will be sent to inspect private businesses to ensure they only use their allotted amounts. Venezuelan Vice President Jorge Arreaza blamed the measures on climate change.

Minister of Energy Jesse Chacón added that the limited hours on public sector jobs would not apply to necessary arms of the government, such as education, health, security, and garbage collection. Private industries are obligated to use 10% less energy across the board until further notice, without any exceptions mentioned in the original announcement. The new regulation permits government inspection of businesses specifically to monitor energy use, though the government has not specified what punishments await a business that defies the call.

See? I told you. They just love the planet. That’s all.

Here’s why we need to pay attention to the rationing in Venezuela.

Now, if you’re reading this and thinking that what happens in Venezuela is of no concern to you, I beg you to reconsider. No, the economic situation in a South American socialist country won’t directly cause the US economy to collapse. What it does is provide a modern day glimpse into what an economic collapse really looks like, much like the collapse of Greece was a cautionary tale. These are both direct case studies of what happens to the middle class during an economic collapse.

These mandated power rations, the limited amounts of food, the government-funded snitches, the tracking, and most of all, the propaganda, are all what await us in an economic collapse situation. While the Venezuelan government will be facing no limits on their use of electrical power, the people will only be allowed allotted amounts.

Do you think it can’t happen here?  Consider the forced rationing of water amidst the drought in California. Rationing that only applies to regular folks, not wealthy people or massive corporations.

It’s obvious that the state really is in the midst of an epic drought. But conservation mandates are not applied equally, much like the electricity rationing in Venezuela.

Golf courses for the rich and famous remain lush and green, while wells across the state run dry. Ordinary people aren’t allowed to have lawns or to even have vegetable gardens, and newspapers are calling upon “good Samaritans” to snitch if they feel someone is wasting water. There’s even an app for that, and Smart Meters are in place to target wasters (Unless they happen to be wealthy corporations, of course. They have different rules and snitching on them will do no good.)

One small community, Outingdale, just received word that strict rationing is now in effect. Residents will be allowed only 50 gallons per day, per person, and no outside watering of any kind will be permitted. This is not good news for folks who rely on their vegetable gardens for food. Meanwhile, the Nestle corporation is busy pumping out the state’s remaining water, bottling it, and selling it back to people for an enormous profit.

Anyway, back to electricity.

I’m reminded of the series, The Hunger Games, in which residents of the outlying districts are only allowed power when the Capitol deems they should have it, such as when they want to air propaganda “entertainment” to keep people in line.  In the movie, citizens of the Districts were relegated to cooking over open fires and lighting their rooms with candles.  No one had transportation or power.  They were not allowed to hunt to supplement their meager food allotments and in the heroine’s District, they were not allowed to use the coal the area was rich with.  Uniformed “peacekeepers” patrolled the districts to ensure that the rules were strictly adhered to and that the excruciating poverty was the standard for all residents.

With the widespread installation of mandatory Smart Meters, how difficult would it be to forcibly ration our electricity here?

They can already remotely turn off appliances they deem are using too much energy. At the press of a few keys on a central computer, our electricity usage could be  monitored to make sure we stay within the designated limits, strictly slotted to only certain hours of the day, or even cut off entirely if we exceed our rations. It may not even be direct rationing that cuts us off, as it is in Venezuela. As prices of electricity keep climbing, how extreme is it to think that one of these days, electricity might only be for rich people?

However it goes down you can be sure that no one in the government will admit to mismanagement or a desire to enhance control and dependency. It will be couched in warm, fuzzy terms of saving the planet from carbon emissions, much like the propaganda coming out of Venezuela.  It’s easy for us to see it when it happens to them, but many people here are so deeply entrenched in cognitive dissonance that they’ll swallow the green pill with a smile, moving into their Agenda 21 microhomes and martyring themselves for the good of Team Green.

Self-reliance means survival.

So, what can we do to maintain our independence should our access to affordable necessities be rationed out like they are in Venezuela? Here are 15 ways to increase your self-reliance so that you are less affected if rationing comes to America.

  1. Reduce your dependence on the power grid with rain barrels, gray water systems, line drying, and solar lighting.
  2. Eat simple food you prepare from scratch.
  3. Produce as much of your own food as possible.
  4. Learn to make pantry basics like vinegar, sourdough, and cultured dairy products.
  5. Learn to preserve your harvests to see you through the lean days of winter.
  6. Find other ways to stay warm.  This can be difficult if you rent but it can still be done.  Consider making modifications to allow for the use of portable wood heaters, look into different types of camping heate.  Make your plans and purchase your supplies well before you need them.  Learn how to safely store fuel for these secondary devices. Invest in battery operated C02 monitors (and extra batteries). Get sleeping bags with a warmth rating for low temperatures, consider a small tent where you and family members can sleep in your living room to pool body heat, and stock up on cold weather clothing like hats, fingerless gloves, long underwear and heavy sweaters. Find ways to insulate and separate one main living area off from the rest of the house by closing doors, hanging curtains in doorways, etc. Obviously this isn’t the lifestyle we hope for, but it pays to be ready.
  7. Learn to forage.
  8. Use “old-fashioned” alternatives for disposable things like diapers, wipes, feminine hygiene supplies, paper towels, and the like.
  9. Learn to make cleaning supplies and soaps, especially from accessible supplies (like vinegar, ash, and foraged natural ingredients).
  10. Look for the thrifty answer using things you have on hand, instead of purchasing a solution to every problem.
  11. Fix things that are broken instead of replacing them.
  12. Watch the prices of your utilities.  As the prices begin to rise, more and more people will be unable to pay their bills and eventually their power will be shut off. (Much like the running water in Detroit.) Check your bill each month and as prices increase, use less power.
  13. Learn about natural remedies from accessible sources.
  14. Learn to protect your family and property.
  15. Prep, prep and then prep some more.  The end of the American way of life is upon us.  Stock up on beans, bullets, and band-aids. If you’re new to the idea of prepping, check out some sites like Ready Nutrition, Backdoor Survival, and Graywolf Survival. The clock is ticking.

It’s only by reducing your need for the things sold in stores and your reliance on services provided by corporations that you can exempt yourself from the chaos, dependency, and desperation that will erupt when an economic collapse situation occurs here.

Thank you to KY Mom for the tip!

Daisy Luther

Daisy Luther

Daisy Luther is a coffee-swigging, globe-trotting blogger. She is the founder and publisher of three websites.  1) The Organic Prepper, which is about current events, preparedness, self-reliance, and the pursuit of liberty on her website, 2)  The Frugalite, a website with thrifty tips and solutions to help people get a handle on their personal finances without feeling deprived, and 3) PreppersDailyNews.com, an aggregate site where you can find links to all the most important news for those who wish to be prepared. She is widely republished across alternative media and  Daisy is the best-selling author of 5 traditionally published books and runs a small digital publishing company with PDF guides, printables, and courses. You can find her on FacebookPinterest, Gab, MeWe, Parler, Instagram, and Twitter.

Leave a Reply

  • I guess “bright” bart didn’t explain that Venezuela relies on hydro-power. Lack of rain fall hardly reflects on economic failings. I would say that it suggests a naturally occurring drought. But the trend seems to be that all negative weather is blamed on “global warming”.

    So how many other propaganda memes about Venezuela got past you without critical examination? I’d say you have a little studying to do.

    • You’re completely missing the point of the article, which is that ordinary people are forced to ration while being told everythng is just dandy, while members of the government are allowed to carry on exactly as they had before.

      • Daisy, I guess you don’t agree that “education, health, security, and garbage collection” should be prioritized over full 8 hour shifts at manufacturing plants and offices.

        To me 6 hour shifts sound perfectly rational as a response to a temporary and unforeseen shortfall.

        I think you need some context here. Most of Latin America relies primarily on hydro-power (the least expensive way to generate electricity). Africa is following a similar path (both continents have abundant hydro-potential). Inexpensive energy is vital for developing economies. Whereas more oligarchic nations ration the resource by price, leaving the poor without access to electricity at all, Venezuela delivers the public resource at cost, allowing the entire society to benefit from the natural patrimony, but in this situation its use must be limited.

  • Well what we have happening in Venezuela is a president and his government taking bold action against a centuries-entrenched oligarchy. The oligarchs have much of the wealth (stolen from the natives by the Europeans centuries ago) as well as control of most of the media. The oligarchy is hoarding goods to foment discontent and violence against the popular government of Venezuela. I guess the only thing that could be worse would be a situation like Bolivia where oligarchs attempted to secede and start their own fascist state. This media outlet we are reading clearly sides with the Venezuelan oligarchs.

  • What a farce of an article. You said, “The rich have lush green golf courses while wells across California run dry.” Then you list 15 things the poor can do to survive and make life easier. To an intelligent person it’s obvious the poor would be much the better to ignore your 15 steps and just learn to play golf. So there, I’m going back to bed and see you later. thanks

  • many of you are indeed, missing the point… seems some of you, have never lived well, and used to socialist communist governments, there are still many of us, that are FREE, and, its not easy. Good article Daisy, if they don’t get it, well, they can move there.
    Something you said about snitches, got my attention, as we here, have fully identified who they are, and where they are from, and their agenda. busted.
    New York, and DC, has sent out its tenicals, to every state. And, here, they are all from NY. new usda meat inspector, from NY, all of them have direct contact with the president….you know, that Marxist socialist guy, usurping the white house, yep, the Kenyan……These people, [state workers too} identify people who believe in the Constitution, hey, that’s ME. All these people involved, in this “social engineering”, are traitors to my nation. You can see who these people are quickly, they all read what they say, not ONE of them, says a dam word, without being told what to say. THAT, is socialism, and worse.

    And yes daisy, good article, just because some cant see beyond their nose, and they don’t think for themselves, [sheep] And I want all those communist people, to know something, MILLIONS of us Real Americans, wont give in, or give up, we will live free, or die free. And we dont need to read it off paper, or a computer, its written in our very being.
    Don’t pay any attention to that man behind the curtain, bringing in enemies of our nation, lying to we the people. Some, MANY, need to learn CRITICAL THINKING. Daisy, many here, dont know, whats going down. Those of us who do, thank you. Keep your ammo and food dry.

  • being I’m NOT familiar with this blog and the responders, I really cannot pass comment on the sweet little komrads prattling on about the oligarchy etc.
    Are they the major voice or simply invaders via their networking ?

    as for venezuela rationing electricity ? they will do what they want to do the same as rationing toilet paper, milk,meat etc,just like their friend Cuba.

    you see,communism ,socialism,fascism simply work so freekin well, they have to have limits so all the common people suffer the same.

    water shortage ? so venezuela has no alternatives and cannot cry to castrO etc for help ??? what a shame.
    maybe it’s time for the UN to intervene.
    oil for electricity ?
    their oil for food FRAUD worked out well too-they made millions from iraq as the people suffered.

  • Miss Daisy, I am appalled at the vituperation of those suffering from our poor educational system, (small thinkers). At the twilight of our beloved nation, only the seriously blind can fail to see what is obvious to thinking citizens. Through the years you have prepared me, educated me , touched me and made me laugh. Thank you, and as to the article I sincerely agree with your conclusions, one of the rare moments of humor for me today was imagining these fellows 1 day after.

  • In Venezuela, electricity rationing has its definite cause and is not just a climatic phenomenon: means the Government did not make any maintenance to the hydroelectric plant in 17 years!!! In the country there is no water, no light. (Today, public employees only work two days a week). But that’s not the only problem in this “formula” for the collapse.
    The Government destroyed local food producers with imported products, transactions that give big dividends for these “business”.
    Due to exchange controls, producers can not buy seeds for planting, have no raw materials, no spare parts for their machines. They can not produce the quantities needed for a country of 30 million people. People make huge lines for many HOURS to buy the few remaining products, to buy medicines. Doctors operate in hospitals with the light of their cell phones; and in the social networks ask for medication for their patients who are dying, and so… Moreover, in one of the most violent countries in the world 🙁

    Socialism S-XXI? Everybody equal? Yes, but all people equally poor 🙁

  • I don’t know Daisy nor any of the commenters, and just happened upon this site.

    However, I do know people who formerly lived in Venezuela. Whatever the circumstances with the power plants, the country has shortages of most necessities and now has one of the highest murder rates in the world, after having been a beautiful country 20 years ago. The government also took most of the citizen’s guns prior to the economic collapse (in the name of safety).

    The representation of economic calamity is real I think, whether or not 100% accurate in detail.

    • Hi, Kim. Welcome! You’re absolutely right about what a beautiful place it was. Climbing by Angel Falls in Venezuela was always on my bucket list until the recent events.

      Thanks for dropping by. I hope to see you around!

      D

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