Letter: It isn’t government’s job to take care of you when the lights go out
To the Editor,
It was with considerable concern that I read the letter from the person advocating that county government officials provide shelter for persons that are ill-prepared for minor emergencies. I do not know the woman or her situation, so I will not address her, but rather address the attitude that I perceived from her letter.
To the folks who believe government should be their nanny from birth to old age: To whose head does the government hold a gun to steal the money for your shelter? How many shelters do they build? Who runs them? What are the qualifications to enter? How long can you stay? Do they feed you while you’re there? Do they provide transportation, if your car won’t start?
New Orleans had a learning opportunity in 2005 with Hurricane Katrina. New York and New Jersey had their opportunity to learn in 2012 with Superstorm Sandy. We had a GREAT opportunity to learn a fundamental truth during the ice storm of 2009. The truth is, in times of regional disaster, the government cannot take care of you.
People can debate forever and a day who is responsible for taking care of society’s needs. I personally am more than happy to help those in need. However, I do not find it a moral imperative to come to the aid of those who are able but unwilling to help take care of themselves.
If a person wants to prepare for the inevitable weather related emergencies, they can do so on a limited budget. A 12-volt marine battery, a 750-watt inverter, a 12-volt battery charger, extension cords, splitters, 12-volt cigarette lighter adapters and splitters, LED string lights, and the connectors can cost less than $275. Now you have lights, you can charge your phone, you can charge your laptop, watch a movie, and turn on a fan. You can re-charge the battery with your car!
Add a Mr. Heater propane space heater, propane canisters, propane stove, and a Coleman 1 lb. tank adapter and you can refill the canisters with your grill tank. Now you have heat and cooking capability for less than $200. All of the things mentioned can be purchased locally or off the net for less than $500 total!
So you are not in a financial situation to buy this stuff? What is a pack of cigarettes today, $3.50? Quit! If you smoke one pack a day and quit, you can buy everything I’ve mentioned in less than five months! You’ll be prepared by the July 4th weekend! If you and your partner both quit your pack a day habit, you’ll be prepared in 2 ½ months! You’ll be ready by tax day. Don’t smoke? Give up that one monster drink a day and you’ll be prepared in less than 7 months. Lottery tickets, candy bars, Starbucks, soft drinks, and booze can all be reduced or eliminated to make your family’s safety a priority. Don’t say you can’t afford it. Say you choose not to prepare, that someone, somewhere will take care of you.
You can teach your children to be self-reliant or to be dependent. You can teach your family to be prepared for emergencies or to be at the mercy of a government that really just wants to take care of its own. You can show your neighbors how to take care of themselves in an emergency or you can watch your little girl’s shivering lips turn blue while you wait for someone to come to your rescue.
Be responsible, be prepared.
Randy Riley
Bardstown
