No single state has the resources to deal with a disaster of Sandy or Katrina magnitude. Whenever there has been a major disaster -- the Chicago Fire of 1871, the Cloquet Fire of 1918, the Johnstown Flood, the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, the Galveston hurricane, to name but a few -- Americans have banded together to send help. This was intended to provide immediate help, not to help with rebuilding costs but to get food, shelter and clothing to those in need as quickly as possible.

This outpouring of private assistance in no way mitigates the need for assistance from the federal government. To expect private business to supply such aid free for nothin' is wishful thinking -- yes, many businesses will do so, but don't count on it. And to profiteer off a disaster is, well, disgusting is too lame of a word.