No, but they better not be blaming the federal goverment when their home is destroyed by a tornado or earthquake. Its not the federal goverments job to run around and defend everyones homes from mother nature. You should be doing that on your own, as it is in your best interest.
This is an insensitive and ignorant statement. I live in the north. If a major blizzard or ice storm hits, I would certainly expect agencies of the federal gov't to help. There are agencies such as FEMA whose JOB IT IS TO HELP! That's what their jobs are! No one is
asking FEMA to help as some sort of favor -- they're
supposed to help! Taxpayers $$ pays them for such emergencies (that's what the big
E stands for).
You cannot blame people for living in a city where they were raised -- this is just human nature. Whether it's drought, forest fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, or blizzards, EVERYWHERE is susceptible to some sort of natural disaster, so are we ALL idiots for living where we do?
To be honest, I do find it maddening that wealthy people keep rebuilding seaside homes in Florida after every hurricane, and much of the costs comes from taxpayers' pockets. Stop building a house at ground zero! However, in the case of NO, we're talking about hundreds of thousands of people living below the poverty line, whose limited resources make it difficult for them to just pick up and leave because their city (that someone else built and designed, not them) is below sea level.
You're damned right it's the federal government's responsibility to help in times of extreme human suffering. The gov't is made up of people, and people should help people. Period. Those angry people on TV? I don't blame them one bit. Granted, some could have left and were stupid. However, many could not leave -- had no money, no car, no where to go, could not plan on a week's stay at a hotel upstate at even $50/night.
Hindsight is 20/20, but what should have happened (especially with all that the local and fed. gov'ts knew) with a category 4/5 hurricane bearing down on the region, was a block-by-block bus evacuation of whoever wanted to leave. Bring a bag, some food, and get on the bus. Some would have stayed anyway, and the cost would have been great, but thousands could have been saved--especially children, elderly, and the infirmed.
And don't tell me it would be unfeasible. You see a monster storm rolling toward an extremely endangered area, you act. THAT is the government's responsibility -- that is all our responsibilities -- to take care of one another.
That was not done, and it is a shame. An unforgivable shame.
Whew...
All that being said, I am truly in awe of the outpouring of good will from the American people in the storm's aftermath. I am not surprised by it in the least.
What is sad, however, is that nor am I surprised by the govt's incompetance in planning and protecting. The effort of every copter pilot and rescue person is incredible. But the fact that the US gov't is cold to the offers of help from other nations is inexcusible. Yes, we have enough resources ourselves, but simply for the sake of good will, damnit, allow others to help. No wonder so many others see the US as pompous and crude.
I could go on and on. Thanks so much for this forum and many others that we have the opportunity to express our opinions.
If you have not so yet, please give in any way you can. The minimum donation for the Red Cross is $5. Less than a movie ticket. Less than a pizza. Please give, and encourage others to do so as well.
