I think most are buying/stockpiling for reasons other than what some here may think. I personally have always maintained that we, as a "civilization" are about 120 days away from total anarchy. Economy takes a giant dump...a LOT of people lose their jobs...transportation costs go out the roof, effecting everything...lots of people living on the edge already. People get hungry...can't earn a dollar...can't afford groceries...can't support their family......there gets to be a bunker mentality, and there may be good reason for it. Ask this question of yourself....would you let your family go TRUELY HUNGRY, or would you take whatever means necessary to make an attempt to provide for them. Past be damned, present tense. Politics ain't got a damn thing to do with it...it's all about surviving when push comes to shove. The bad news is there are a lot more numbers of those who will be trying to get your chit, than those who won't. This isn't about politics...it's about sociology. We are dangerously close to the edge of class warfare, and there are a hell of a lot more of "them" than there are of "us". Hopefully, I'll be dead before this whole thing comes down, but it's coming...
I'm telling you, there's too many rats in the tank, guys. The world is breeding like flies, and there is no stopping it. War, pestilence, or famine...take your pick. Nature will take care of itself...we're all just gnats on a dog pecker.