How do I protect myself from the US Government?

[Steve Maye]

I watch what the other countries are doing to address the government debt and I know that is coming our way. I want to be prepared.

Callapsed stock markets,devalued currency, and higher taxes are just a few thoughts of our future. I am nearing retirement. I have contributed heavily to my 401K and continue to also save on top of that. I don't want to see all that work squandered because our government has a spending problem.

What are you doing to protect yourself? Or what can I do to be protected from the government screwing up my retirement?

With all the news of goverment debt and the austerity measures being taken how does someone protect themselves from the US government from

[Eric M.]

How about this? Turn off Fox news and don't worry about it so much.
You have just experienced 3 years of relatively horrible economic times in this country and you are still on pace for a nice retirement. And NOW you are worried? If thee was a time to worry about gov't economic policies, it was 04,05,06,07. News channels and "public opinion" are the ultimate lagging indicators. That has been proven in studies time and time again but we ignore that fact because they rile us up for their own political and business purposes.
All they do is try to spook you with crazy **** so you keep glued to the tube and vote their way. News channels are in the news Business, with a small "n" and a big "B". It is never as bad or as good as they say it is.

People who predict crazy things like the rapture, the end of the world, the end of America as we know it, stocks going to zero, and who use extreme language make for good TV and good church but have ALWAYS been wrong. They ALWAYS say it is different this time and they are always wrong. So why do we keep listening?

We are not Greece, we are not Italy. We are not ancient Rome. We are not even close. There is no comparison. Even when we are down, we are still a giant in the world. They still buy the **** our of our currency and bonds whenever anything bad happens. Did they ever do that with Greece or Italy? No.

Things go up and down....always have...always will. Take reasonable measures (diversify) that have been appropriate for many decades and move on with your life.

The more you worry about the government and how it affects your life...the more it affects your life! Why don't people understand that?
If your desire to avoid government influence and/or taxes determines what you do for a living or where you live or how you live your life, then you are giving the government control your life. Don't give it that power over you. Live where you want and be what you want to be in your life, without regard to the government, pay the cost and forget about it. That is true freedom.

You are incredibly lucky to be living in the US, which is by far the most stable and resilient large economy in the world and overall the most free large country in the world. There is greater "opportunity" here than in every other country combined. The rest of the world knows that, but somehow we have a hard time seeing it. Could it be because we are spoiled?

You are rare in the world to be able to have a retirement at all, now you are worried about how cushy it is. Just enjoy it and stop worrying.