One of the best things about the USA is that when there is a disaster, people help each other.  Americans have a strong sense of community, like almost no-where else.  Many European friends have told me over the years how different the United States is from their countries in response to disasters.  Americans get out and help each other; they don’t wait for a government response.

I believe that this cultural willingness to help each other, to bond together in tough times, comes from our pioneer and settler history.  Almost no one in American history made it solely on their own in new lands.  They had to band together to help each other out, as no one was self sufficient.  They couldn’t be.  There were too many demands on their time and limited resources.  So they banded together in settlements, or in the wagon trains that moved west.  As they did so, they provided each other with mutual protection, and not everyone had to carry with them every single kind of tool, or every kind of repair part.  Resources were shared, and each contributed to the success of the group.

We still see this today, as it is a deep part of American culture.  Whenever there is a tornado, or an earthquake, or, like recently, a flood, Americans come together to help each other out.  We help with the labor, we share what we have, and we put ourselves in danger to rescue others.  This is a wonderful thing to see, and something that should both fill us with pride, and with optimism that we can handle tough things by helping each other out.

When people tell me that they are “prepping” because they are worried about the future, I have to tell them that they are delusional if they think they can handle the future on their own.  This is because anyone with any kind of military or police or security background will tell you that you (or even you and your family together) cannot protect your home.  You cannot be awake and alert that long, and you can’t look in every direction all the time.  Trying to be safe on your own is folly.

The tried and true method for safety and security is to band together, to “circle the wagons” in times of crisis.  Only like minded large groups and communities can fend for themselves, can provide themselves with basic security, and can pool and share needed resources in extremely tough times.

What to Do

For these reasons it is all the more important in troubled times to be involved in our own communities, at the most basic neighborhood and local levels.  We need to know each other and how we can help each other.  We need to know who can do what, and who can help with different important aspects of life.

For example, I know a guy in my neighborhood who is a professional expert in water purification.  I know others who are good mechanics, who is a decent plumber, and I myself am a pretty good electrician.  We can all help each other and our other neighbors in case of a serious disaster.

So, get involved in your neighborhood and in your towns and cities.  Find like-minded people and others who would be willing to pitch in and “Circle the Wagons” with you should it come to that.