I completely agree with every point. We could easily get taken out by a stroke of the pen, even at the hand of an EPA bureaucrat rather than via legislation. So we are indeed gambling with our livelihoods. Every piece of new equipment we buy might be worth its scrap metal value tomorrow and so any expansion moves us into scary territory.
But there are some redeeming elements in the stream of possibilities. Foremost among them is that this is still America and Americans tend to start behaving like Americans when they awaken to a threat and they are awakening now. And another element which I will touch on very lightly is my firm belief that the Second Amendment is only needed when it's been revoked. 'Nuf said.
I do think, though, that demand will never return to the previous routine levels we had before the election and that is because of the new reloaders. I have never seen such a surge and it continues. Once people start reloading, few will stop just because ammo availability and pricing return to normal levels. And so I foresee continued, growing demand regardless of what happens next year.
I do have a secret exit strategy, though, if we are suddenly put out of business. Lead is a base metal which will always have value and it is likely to continue to appreciate over time. Every nickel of revenue we can spare from our operation goes towards the purchase of more foundry lead. That's my nest egg. If I can go out of business with a hundred tons or more of lead on hand, I will be able to live reasonably well the rest of my days. But I don't think it will come to that, as I am an optimistic person who really does believe America is going to come back. Or we could move to South Africa and export our products
I will check out your book recommendation. In return, I will commend to you John Ross' "Unintended Consequences" if you have not yet read it. I will note that Mr. Ross (a fellow Missourian who lives on the opposite side of the state) lifted the derisive moniker for Chuck Schumer for his book which I created and used in my own political writings of the time, which is "Lizard Face."
He does have a Lizard Face, doesn't he?