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In an attempt to keep my comments from going full throttle political, I'll temper words and just say "follow the money".
Empires fall which eventually links to Corruption At The Top Leads To Lawlessness By The People, which is why the government will be overwhelmed.

Yesterday Mom and I discussed getting a passport in the event we need to leave the country. She has a passport, I don't. I need to get on it this week.

Jeanette Isabelle

You don't need a passport to leave this country. You may need one to get back in. I've walked across both borders many times without needing paperwork of any sort. The northern border especially is quite porous.

But it depends on your intentions. If you are planning on commercial travel to a populated area outside the US, you must have papers.

Where are your papers, comrade?

Just get your passport. While you're at it, travel a bit. There are many lovely countries in the world! It's very easy to get into EU countries and other similar advanced countries if you are American. See some sights, meet some people. If you're concerned about communication, there are plenty of English-speaking countries, and many non-English-speaking countries where the tourist industry workers know enough English to help you meet your basic needs. For example, I went to a Swiss ski resort, and I was embarrassed to discover that the cashier in the restaurant speaks three or four languages, whereas I -- urh, well, let's just say I'm American.

If it's your first passport, it may take several weeks for them to process your application. So get it done ASAP.

There are still a lot of unknowns. One of the countries Mom and I discussed, if we have to leave America, is Israel. The words I actually understand in Hebrew are few.

We say the Shema in Hebrew every week in synagogue; I'm just reading the words on the screen.

Jeanette Isabelle

That's not anything to be embarrassed about here. Depending on what state you live in, you can travel 500 miles and not reach a border. For Europeans, that distance would put you two or three COUNTRIES and languages away.

I wouldn't worry about not knowing modern Hebrew if you want to go to Israel. English is a world language and is widely spoken there. You'll do fine. BTW, I love the shema. It is great for centering and focusing.

From the U.S. State Department website: "Entry into Canada: Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens."

Conversely, for those who want to flee from the USA into Canada anytime soon, don't plan on driving cross country here as the main Trans Canada highway is closed in northern Ontario and effectively cutting off all vehicular traffic for an unknown amount of time. The only detour is long drive south through the USA.

Google map of area

i have taken the Trans Canada many times and it's packed with trucks.i'll have to check the Minnesota news about traffic coming across the norther part of the state from Canada.