Malcolm Cutchins: Follow Scouts’ lead and ‘be prepared’

My daughter, son-in-law and their three boys still at home have been without power since Jan. 27 in northern Kentucky.

The ice storm that cut a wide swath from Arkansas through Ohio and more is the cause of over 20 deaths and a power outage of over 700,000 homes in Kentucky alone. In the words of my son-in-law, however, they have “a family of Boy Scouts” and were well prepared and have fared pretty well with help from church friends in other areas who did not lose power.

Families with boys should take heed. Training to “be prepared” is readily available in our area. In 2008, over 500 scouts participated in Lee County Boy Scout camping programs and over 1,500 boys were involved at all levels of scouting.

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Financial experts Ron Blue (Atlanta) and Jeremy White (Kentucky), have a new book, “Surviving Financial Meltdown: Confident Decisions in an Uncertain World.” In a recent program discussing the book, Blue told of his appearance before a Congressional committee that included Senator Chris Dodd, one of the infamous three senators who have had so much bad influence on our current financial system problems. Blue indicated to the committee four points of sound fiscal actions: 1) Spend less than you earn, 2) Avoid the use of debt, 3) Build in some savings, 4) Set long term goals. “That should work at any level,” Dodd surmised.

Unfortunately, it is quite clear these four aren’t all being followed in Washington. However, that doesn’t mean we, as individuals, have to follow their lead.

If there is anything that might be called a blessing in this current financial crisis, maybe it will change people’s attitudes and habits. Fear, too much emphasis on negative news, bad policies, and a lack of an eternal perspective have certainly played major roles in what has happened to date. Ron Blue notes that “do not fear” is contained in the Bible 80 times. “I think that means, do not fear,” he quipped. “What you fear is what you worship,” he concludes. In addition, there is ample evidence that fear and anxiety are major causes of medical problems.

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This morning at 8:30 a.m. on 89.1 FM, there is a program with the title, “Economic Stimulus: The Hidden Dangers.” If you read this later in the day, the program can be accessed on the web at http://www.listenfamily.org.

Perhaps you’ll hear of the 32 new government programs proposed. Or the numerous other pork-dollars included, and the huge percentage of the bill that won’t cause any “stimulus” at all. Is this the kind of “change” that many citizens voted for?

Nominated cabinet members who have had to pay back taxes or get waivers concerning lobbying raise all kinds of issues. One thing it reinforces, our way-overcomplicated tax code is in need of major overhaul. Another, is it the tip of an iceberg? Recall that Tom Daschle (who has now withdrawn) had 63 staff members at one time during his previous government service.

Dr. Malcolm Cutchins is an emeritus professor of engineering of Auburn University and writes a weekly column for the Opelika-Auburn News.