To the Editor:
Though the final death toll of the Texas winter storm will take months to determine, at least 80 people have died so far. People are still dealing with water shortages, broken pipes and water damage to their homes as well as job and wage losses. Recovery costs are expected to exceed $50 billion, the most costly storm in Texas history.
Much has been written about the lack of preparedness of the energy infrastructure for an extreme weather situation, but it pretty much boils down to Texas, rather than becoming part of a national well regulated grid, wanting to do it “their way,” to lower costs and make more profit.
According to former Texas governor Rick Perry, Texas citizens are willing to endure this kind of disruption, suffering and danger “to keep the federal government out of their business.”
Too bad for Texas that New Hampshire had already taken “Live Free or Die” and they had to settle for “Friendship” as their state motto. But, maybe “Friendship” is a better motto for them. Texans are applying for billions of dollars of federal tax dollars to bail them out. Suddenly big, bad government is their best friend. This is not a healthy relationship.
Business knows what is best for their short-term bottom line. It’s the government’s job to work with them to take into account the long-term interests of people and the environment. It doesn’t have to be us against them—it should be a cooperative effort. We are all in this together.
Cynthia Muse
Rye, N.H.