Economic Self-Sufficiency

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Achieving economic self-sufficiency might entail collecting fresh water in a galvanized steel bin or installing the means to generate your own electricity.
Achieving economic self-sufficiency might entail collecting fresh water in a galvanized steel bin or installing the means to generate your own electricity.
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The
The "Family Income Analysis" chart shows how much inflation and taxes have eaten into personal income.

A friend of ours named David Swift tells the story of how a few years back he came upon a fellow who was in the process of fixing a flat tire. Being a neighborly sort, Swift walked over to offer a hand. And, as he stood politely by waiting for an opportunity to announce his presence, David watched the man–who appeared completely absorbed in his task–go on about his work.

The car was jacked up, and after a moment’s confusion as to just how to do so, the gentleman unhooked the lug wrench from the jack, fitted it to the uppermost nut on the wheel, and–with a grunt of effort–heaved on the handle.

There was a sharp crack, and the lug broke clean off. The worker examined the broken piece, scratched his head, probably cursed the car’s manufacturer, set the wrench on another nut, and leaned into the job.

When the second lug snapped off, the unfortunate individual sat down hard. He stayed put for a moment–puzzling over the unlikelihood of two bolts shearing off, one after the other–before, with a kind of mute persistence, going back to the chore.

While Swift watched, too amazed to speak, the man went on to snap off the rest of the nuts, not realizing that he was actually just ripping the decorative lugs off his chromed plastic hubcaps!

  • Published on Jul 1, 1981
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