Self-sufficiency will be crucial

To the editor:

If any lesson is to be learned from the disaster that was New Orleans, it is this: You have to be self-sufficient to survive. You cannot depend on the government to save you. No, I do not blame President Bush or the Congress for lack of response. They are doing what they are capable of doing. Since when has government moved fast?

If I accuse the politicians of anything, it is leading the American people to believe government can fill our every need. Politicians have bred a dependency into our society that is proven to destine us to our demise for lack of self-sufficiency. It is obvious that we are on our own if any such disaster would strike here.

We need to help those in need now. Donate to the Red Cross. Most importantly, pray for those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Think about how you would survive a major disaster. Plan with your neighbors how to pool your resources. Have an earthquake kit prepared. The Red Cross can tell you what you need in it. The one thing you don't want to plan on is a big helicopter landing in your back yard to help you.

ROBERT G. HENDRIX, Cape Girardeau