
Frankly, folks, the entities which traditionally provide the best assistance, outside of your neighbors, are volunteers with charitable organizations and the power companies, most of which are privately owned. And it's as it should be since our tradition of big government solutions in a country over two hundred years old only began about one hundred years ago with the beginnings of Progressivism. And even with regard to the power company, you can operate your own generator to make things easier until power is restored, but there are other ways as well for those who prepare. And that's the key, preparation, for there is no excuse for anyone living in Florida without an emergency food and water supply to stay alive until help can be dispatched.
Ultimately, our survival during a storm and recovery thereafter rests with us, the individual citizens who need to use our talents, our resources and our teamwork with others like us to make life what we want it to be again. In my little neck of the rural woods, neighbors looked out for neighbors and worked together to solve problems which some couldn't handle on their own and it brought great comfort to all of us.
So, now that the weather has cleared and the creature comforts are mostly up and running again, take the time to make up a list of what you need that you didn't have and get it now. Designate a place to hold your emergency preparation kit, perhaps in a spare room or closet, with a listing kept in a separate place of exactly what it contains. You might even label containers for separate items and store it that way. But the important thing is that you take action and do it. Two weeks from now you will forget what you went through and, if not careful, will find yourself in the same pickle the next time Mother Nature singles you out.
And let me take this final moment to thank all who pitched in to provide assistance, and most particularly those brave power lineman who worked around the clock to restore service under difficult working conditions. Working on high power lines is dangerous enough without having to do it in ninety degree weather and both blazing sun and thunderstorms, yet did it they did and they beat all odds in the timeliness of their efforts. They clearly deserve to be recognized as another very special component of America's finest.
Have a great day and enjoy the comfort of air conditioning and running water which has once again been restored. It's just all part of the experience that we call life. Let's learn from it, shall we?