The Disaster Within

Morning came early this post Thanksgiving Day.  Lots to think about. But maybe the thought most present on our mind is all living things. 

A dear friend in her 80s is on Long Beach Island this weekend celebrating with family.  There will be no heat, no electricity.  The meal will be catered and brought in.  For this family, there is abundant monetary wealth.  Two multi-million dollar properties were heavily damaged during Hurricane Sandy.  This family has already begun the intensive re-building process. They have money to do this without waiting the lengthy time for the insurance company to front the money. But for others, there will be months before the insurance companies reimburse them. 

So what happens with these violent storms that seem to be increasing?  Some believe the government should buy the families out.  I wonder why laws can't be changed to allow the insurance companies, well,let's be honest here - to force the insurance companies to cash them out. That way, many could relocate to safer areas.  Is this no different than people living in earthquake zones, on mountains, or forest fires that destroy homes, or other man-made or natural disasters?  What is our heart obligation to these folks?

People make choices where they live.  I live on the side of a mountain in a holler.  I bought the property fully knowing about mountain slides.  Though I did check with the geological survey to ensure no mountain failure, failures do happen.  Now insurance companies could choose not to insure these properties.  People could choose not to build on the land.  Still, tragedies happen.  Are we one another's safety net?  We know businesses have a history of not caring.

In a society who spends billions on destruction through these constant wars one would think they might also spend money to care for one another. This writer believes no government money should be spent to remove the Katrina families, or Hurricane Sandy folks. 

Earth is a precious home that has been foolishly abused.  This writer says this with her heart.  Consequential behavior is the only way, the only, only way to get out of this.  It is well nigh apparent we haven't learned of another.  And it is time to just grow up. 

All of us.