Being Away From The US During The Presidential Election

 

Several friends have talked to me about their desire to be away from the United States in November when the presidential election voting is in full swing. They are expecting some big unpleasantries. This is highly possible. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to get on the plane November 1 and fly to Curitiba, Sao Paulo, or Cape Town. My electronic devices would be left behind. I would make a point only to watch the local news. I would want to hear nothing about the US.

       There is some bad news and good news here. With coronavirus, it would be a huge hassle to go to a foreign country at this moment. US citizens are banned from some countries and have onerous quarantine requirements in many other countries.

      Now here comes the perverse good news. Elena and I are veterans of military coups and violent social unrest on a grand scale. We have reached this advanced age without ever being injured in one of these events.

      Regardless of where one is in the world, these events follow the same pattern. All the big action happens in the large cities and towns. If you live in one of these locations and know that problems are coming, lock up your house or apartment and get out of town. In the US there are a great number of charming small towns where you can stay while the bad events happen.

      While you are away, protestors and counter protestors will face law enforcement agencies and military groups like the California National Guard and ICE units. It will get very unpleasant. While angry people with political grievances "fight it out," criminal gangs will move in to take advantage of all the confusion.

         The political protestors might attack a grocery store or pharmacy to get the necessities of life that they need. The criminal gangs will be hitting jewelry stores, high-end appliance stores, luxury goods stores, and sellers of computer gear.

        If you are in some suburb far from the city or town center, you have a low probability of the violence spilling over to where you live. You would be most wise to stay indoors and maintain a low profile. Supply chains could collapse. You ATM cards and credit cards might not work for a while. I would have extra food and water in the house. I would keep a prudent amount of cash.