First of all, let me say that my thoughts are with Helene’s victims. Flashbacks of Katrina occur. Hélène is a wake-up call to our northern neighbors and their representatives: we are all vulnerable, in one way or another, to disasters. There is no such thing as a “safe” state. Hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, mudslides, ice storms and freezes affect everyone. It’s time for non-profit, government-backed national disaster insurance (not just flood insurance). It shouldn’t be listed on NASDAQ, paying exorbitant CEO salaries, sponsoring bowl games or expensive star endorsements. Just cover the loss. This is all any of us want when recovering from these events. Some basic coverage might be offered, and if you wanted more, you could get it on the open private market. Our state representatives all owe it to their constituents to at least consider this possibility. Of course, it’s a big job. These are big events. Our representatives owe it to us to stop micromanaging social and moral causes and, to paraphrase a certain New Orleans coach, “Do their job!” » There is no red or blue catastrophe. They all have the same brownish color of splintered wood, muddy water, rotting garbage, dead foliage and destroyed lives sprinkled with shed tears.