Pierce: "Meanwhile, hurricanes are lined up like the Rockettes. Let's check in on the president*.

[Hortensis]

17. Looking after ourselves is always the best advice,

even with the best government. It's our duty even. We're not really helpless and shouldn't be expecting everyone else, through government, to provide us with water and paper towels..

From our fellow citizens we should expect first responders capable of swooping in and lifting collapsed houses off of us and providing world-class medical care and hot soup in the midst of disaster. And, later, our own taxpayer-paid programs to help those in trouble rebuild what their own insurance won't cover because it really can happen to anyone and this is how we all take care of ourselves.

I'm guessing everyone here has at least of week of basic needs all covered, plus maybe at least some to share with neighbors who don't. Water, food, first aid, medicines, duct tape all stocked up. A place to go in our pocket so to speak if needed. And, of course, our own paper towels. This isn't hitting an island a thousand miles off shore, and I'd use leaves before I'd catch one of those rolls.