Apparently such chains as Wal-Mart and Home Depot have disaster warning, relief, and recovery systems that tend to be larger, and far more efficient, than those of run by municipal governments. So claims this article, which discusses the response of the chains to the storms that hit the Pacific Northwest last week, not only to clean and repair their stores, but to assist employees and the community at large.
A tip of the hat to Division of Labour.
WalMart called Hurricane Katrina sooner than the Feds, and had more supplies prepositioned than FEMA. Maybe we should just farm out disaster relief to WalMart.
Reminds me of the old joke: why is theft illegal? Because the government hates competition.
Wow, private enterprise is quicker and more efficient than government bureaucracies. Who the hell would have expected that one? A total shocker!