IF there is a need, I help. Frequently before there is a formal request for assistance.

I dont' like taxes, particularly when the money wasted, but one of the functions of government is to help those who get stuck, literally of figuratively. I have no problem with welfare, for example- I spent a good chunk of my childhood on it. And guess what, I'm not a criminal, I'm not a junky, and I'm back in school becuase I like the paycheck of a full engineer better than that of a technician.

My feelings are not that people with a lot of supplies, or are so rich that a hundred grand is pocket change, should be forced to give up- I'm saying that they should want to give up because they are people, not simply humans. I'm not a niave fool, I had my naivete burned out of me before I learned to drive. I don't expect to be thanked, or liked, or appreciated, just because I’ve helped them. The human animal’s what it always was, and the important thing is to save people if you can. Not that they lie, cheat, take bribes or kill. And they’ll turn on you when you’ve done your best for them and hang you high in the sun as a warning to anyone else who thinks they are anything but animals with a handful of people in the mix. It's that tiny number of people I'm going to stick my neck out for.

I guess I just want to say, for whatever it's worth, I'm really disappointed and or discouraged with some of those on this list, who's opinions I respect. But I also know that most of you would open your door as far as you could in a crisis, to those who were worthy. It's just hard to remind myself of that when your knees are jerking.