reaction to proaction

I think I'm going to let my home owners, flood and automobile insurance run out. That slow leak in my front tire, the screech from my brake pads and that crunching sound in my transmission will surely fix itself. I refuse to wear a seat-belt, eat right, exercise or pay my bills. Brush my teeth, forget about it, what for?? I am going to walk around flaunting huge amounts of cash in some of the most crime ridden areas in the country and yes,,, I am going to run with scissors.

Kidding of course... This behavior would be looked at as irresponsible. We take proactive and preventative measures everyday so we're not hit with unexpected costs and so bigger and more serious things won't happen down the line. Fact is, we don't even tend to question these measures. We understand the concepts and have all walked down the path of learning the hard way at least once in our lives.

However, when it comes to dealing with natural disasters, we are for the most part, reactive. How much do you respond after an event hits the headlines? How much money did you give after Hurricane Katrina, the Indonesian Tsunami and the recent earthquake in Haiti? Now I'm not minimizing the need for funds and support immediately after a tragedy strikes. I just feel as a society we need to put more focus on preventative measures to lessen the affects when a tragedy strikes. Much like we do with so many other things in our lives.
 
I can't help but think that if we applied this train of thought and funding to the deteriorating levees, a better warning system and a hurting infrastructure before the tragedies struck, we would have saved so much money, so much pain and so many lives.

DD

As always, I'm interested in hearing your thoughts so,,, don't be shy.

mother nature strikes again

With the recent disaster in Haiti, I can't help but think about those who have lost their lives and loved ones. Mother Nature doesn't seem to have a conscience when it comes to disasters, there are always victims. They are in my thoughts and I've donated to Oxfam International to help with the support they are carrying out.
Just think about this, here is a country that was hit by 4 hurricanes in the span of 30 days in 2008. And this was serious stuff, about 60% of their harvests were destroyed and entire cities were uninhabitable. Now this earthquake with death tolls estimated at 50,000,,, this is a country that could use a break. Problem is, their geographical location makes them prone to such events. They will keep coming, you can't stop it.

With that in mind, I am puzzled. You can't avoid seeing the outpouring of financial support that is being collected for this country. However, reports show that relief organizations can't even get in to help the suffering. This is one of the poorest countries in the world and with that comes the inability to build the countries infrastructure properly. The ports and roads they had for others to get in were already a mess, now it's even worse.

Why I'm puzzled is that here's a country with history of devestating events, billions of dollars donated for relief over the years and there doesn't seem to be a focus on rebuilding differently to help alleviate the devestation that is going to happen. I realize that we must be reactive to a natural disaster but I for one feel that much more focus needs to be on preparing for such events. Right now is the time for these organizations and supporting countries to be proactive to events in the future.

Like I said, I don't think you will ever stop these events from happening but I have to believe it would better serve the people of Haiti to invest in a plan so when things happen, they won't be as extreme.

DD