It’s been interesting to listen to Governor Mike Easley’s news conferences and statements about preparations for Hurricanes Hanna and Ike. The governor has correctly emphasized that every North Carolinian should be pro-active and prepared for the worst-case scenario. It is curious that the governor doesn’t take the same emphatic view about the need for North Carolinians to pro-actively prepare our families for everyday life, which is filled with decisions that require equally thoughtful planning and decision-making that’s just as important to long-term well-being as is planning for a hurricane. Instead, the governor has championed the view — and the policies and budget that goes with it — that government is where we should look first for answers and support.