American Infrastructure "D" Average

Americans tend to be obsessed with ratings and grades.

Beginning with with our first days in school, we are graded with report cards.

In business and commerce, there are quarterly or annual reviews.

We playfully, (or not), rate women and men on scales of "10".

Our sports revolve around team standings and personal statistics.

It seems, to me, almost every week some entertainment media celebrate an "awards" program.

News and papers constantly poll, with 49% believing that and 49% believing this, and always with a plus or minus 3% of course.

So I was thinking that this particular grade would be of important to most Americans.

Every single day, tens of millions of Americans, are using bridges, roads, transit systems and drinking/waste water systems have been given a "D" grade by ASCE, The American Society of Civil Engineers.

How many of you would be happy to know that your personal doctor received an average grade of "D" throughout his medical school years?

Would you recommend your attorney to your friends knowing that he barely slid though law school with a "D" average?

Or maybe entrust your money and investments to your friend, that was barely able to pass economics with an overall grade of "D"?

Oh, and speaking about economics, how about this.

Infrastructure investment, estimated to be nearly 2.2 trillion dollars over five years, is not even mentioned at all by our government officials.

With TARP funding, health care costs, and two war zones threatening our nations financial future, how can we possible endure or pay for another multi-trillion dollar program?

And what happens if we don't invest in our American infrastructure?

Recently, I heard an expert talk on possible consequences of a "do nothing" approach.

What if electricity was unavailable for a month?

What if food supplies were disrupted and deliveries interrupted?

What if suddenly, the water from your taps was hazardous to drink?

What if waste water and sewage waters filled streets and towns?

And what if dams and levees suddenly failed?

Impossible? Improbable? These are all possible scenarios offered by civil engineering experts around the country.

Have we as a nation not learned any lessons from Katrina?

What if multiple "Katrina's" happened at once across our country, would you and your family be prepared to survive?

Sustainable living practices can help any family, no matter where you live, survive from natural or unnatural catastrophes.

Have a family plan for emergencies.

Learn to keep some food basics stored separately from your other food pantry. Foods like dried beans, rice, grains, and macaroni that only need water to prepare are great to store (I use large mason jars to keep out moisture and insects). Keep small jars of salt, pepper, spices, and flour. These basic foods can be used to make soups, chili's, rice and beans dishes that will provide filling and high protein meals in emergencies.

If you have pets or animals (chickens, horses, goats), always keep a months worth of extra food in a separate container. Rotate new with the old when re-buying.

Every bedroom should have a working flashlight and extra batteries.

Make copies of all legal documents and licence for each household member and place in water-proof envelope and place in duffel bag along with items below.

Keep one small duffel bag for each person in the house containing sleeping bag, extra clothes, socks, gloves, glasses, medicine, and first aid kit.

Most emergencies will be either a "Grab and Go" or a "Sit and Stay" circumstance. Be prepared for both. In a "grab and go" situation, as soon as you hear the alert to leave, place all duffel bags in car, place emergency food and water supplies in car, bring all flashlights, batteries, and pet food.

If an emergency occurs or is about to occur and and people are being advised to stay put, bring all supplies to one central location. Fill all available containers with water, fill bathtubs with water, depending on the type of emergency be prepared to shut off all gas and water lines if necessary.

Having a family plan, and emergency supplies ready in one central area will save time when an emergency arises. Remember simple, easy to forget items, such as, working flashlights, extra pair of glasses, work gloves, basic tools, vitamins and special medicines.

Sustainable thinking is smart thinking. Smart thinking is anticipating the future and being ready for anything.

Brett