I too am confused by AFLM's post. Yes, so far private business has been successful in keeping store shelves stocked during good times, but as many have seen, those shelves are emptied when a storm approaches and will stay barren until trucks can start delivering the goods after the storm is done, roads are cleared and power is restored. Those who have stockpiled our supplies ahead of time from sources such as Wal-Mart, Cost-Co, Sam's, et al, might look to top-off our supplies, but in general we are good to go without last minute shopping. Private store owners do not get credit for making folks store goods ahead of time.

It's just human nature that some of us have experiences that tell us to stockpile during good times and others have experiences that tell them that in time of need, somebody will arrive with what they need, that's the reason they pay taxes. That's not the fault of the store owners. Private store owners should not get blamed for making folks myopic and dependent on outside aid.

The government didn't turn citizens into this, the gov't just reinforced the trait with programs to help survivors get back on their feet. Who knows when it first happened? Regardless, someone took notes and stocked less hoping the gov't would help next time too. With each emergency the gov't through FEMA slowly won over lots of folks to not stockpiling and simply waiting for the helping hand that always shows up with food, water and plywood. Now when FEMA always shows up at these events and provides their "stuff" -- people complain they weren't there soon enough and didn't bring the right stuff when they did arrive. Where's the ice? I need a generator. . . and gas. It's all free right?