FEMA rejects aid claims on homes battered by tornado

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It is a simple time of need, slim. Destroyed homes, people need help.

Not to mention, disasters like Katrina or major earthquakes can very quickly exhaust state resources. But never mind that, ** em.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

FEMA aid isn't that black and white. For instance, there may not be an insurance solution for certain disasters, or insurance companies may refuse to cover certain areas, properties etc.

If you want to live in an area that no insurance company will cover, then you should do so at your own risk, no?

[slim 1,533]

The problem is not that they deny claims. The problem is that there IS a FEMA.

We have a winner!

Considering that you appear to be arguing for no disaster assistance of any kind, at all, that doesn't seem to be a meaningful distinction.

Since you haven't been paying attention, I'll reiterate. There are many, many, disaster assistance agencies out there already and I fully support them. What I do not support is GOVERNMENT assistance.

Not to mention, disasters like Katrina or major earthquakes can very quickly exhaust state resources. But never mind that, ** em.

Once again, I don't believe the government should be stepping in to handle that sort of thing.

If you want to live in an area that no insurance company will cover, then you should do so at your own risk, no?

An excellent point!

I wonder why none of the "but slim, you're not being sensible" folks have suggested this yet. Oh, now I see it. You said, "your own risk." Not, "the government or everyone else's risk."

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I know you don't believe the government should step in for disaster relief. It's clearly that you haven't put any thought into what the consequences of that would be.

Wait till you're living down the road from a earthquake stricken nuke plant.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Not to mention, disasters like Katrina or major earthquakes can very quickly exhaust state resources. But never mind that, ** em.

Makes you wonder how we ever recovered from the WORST tornado outbreak in 1974 and Hurricane Camille, Betsy...remember them? I thought not. The fact is that we recovered from those disasters faster, better and cheaper than the disasters that have come after the formation of FEMA

What we DON'T need is a massive, expensive federal "agency". These things had always been handled quite well by the states with federal assistance when needed, as needed.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Makes you wonder how we ever recovered from the WORST tornado outbreak in 1974 and Hurricane Camille, Betsy...remember them? I thought not. The fact is that we recovered from those disasters faster, better and cheaper than the disasters that have come after the formation of FEMA

What we DON'T need is a massive, expensive federal "agency". These things had always been handled quite well by the states with federal assistance when needed, as needed.

Yeah Gary, i well know your string puppet rhetoric about government. Unfortunately, that's all it is.

[slim 1,533]

I know you don't believe the government should step in for disaster relief. It's clearly that you haven't put any thought into what the consequences of that would be.

Actually, I've put quite a bit of thought into it. Probably more than the average bear. In fact, I've not only thought about it, I've taken steps to prepare for it.

Wait till you're living down the road from a earthquake stricken nuke plant.

I don't live near a nuke plant. But, like I said, I've taken steps to prepare for it.

The fact is that we recovered from those disasters faster, better and cheaper than the disasters that have come after the formation of FEMA

"But Gary, that doesn't make any sense. How can people get on without the government?"

What we DON'T need is a massive, expensive federal "agency". These things had always been handled quite well by the states with federal assistance when needed, as needed.

You mean it's not more efficient or effective to have an agency "handle it for us?"

Yeah Gary, i well know your string puppet rhetoric about government. Unfortunately, that's all it is.

String puppet rhetoric as opposed to, say, blanket support of big brother in the name of feel-good socialist welfare programs?

Yeah, you definitely PWND Gary on this one! Be careful or you'll start PWNING the rest of us as well.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Blanket support? We're talking about disaster relief, you know helping your own countrymen who have suffered extreme circumstances.

The biggest states in the us couldn't cope with the economic consequences of the loss of a major city, New Orleans for example. And as we have seen, there have been a fair few major disasters recently. The government steps in because it commands more resources than the local authorities. There's nothing wrong with that. Only batshit libertarian nutcases (whose ideas are as far from the mainstream as communists and fascists) take issue with these things.

And no, I don't believe you have prepared adequately for a major disaster.

[slim 1,533]

Blanket support? We're talking about disaster relief, you know helping your own countrymen who have suffered extreme circumstances.

Why can't private entities handle it?

The biggest states in the us couldn't cope with the economic consequences of the loss of a major city, New Orleans for example.

Couldn't or won't?

The government steps in because it commands more resources than the local authorities. There's nothing wrong with that.

There's EVERYTHING wrong with that!

Only batshit libertarian nutcases (whose ideas are as far from the mainstream as communists and fascists) take issue with these things.

I take issue with it. It's appalling that more Americans don't.

And no, I don't believe you have prepared adequately for a major disaster.

What would you consider to be adequate?

[Zero Sum 305]

All it says is that more Americans care about their fellow citizens, and are OK with their elected officials doing something to assist, when its clear that other avenues of assistance are not enough, than antiquated, and idiologically (yes, the misspell is appropriate) perverted members of society that should most definitely be allowed to opt out of modern civilized society. Don't like it? Too bad.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Slim, you really shouldn't go to the effort of isolating one line snippets just so you can respond with a one-liner. Just type it all in one paragraph.

Why can't private entities handle it?

They can and do, although usually not alone.

Couldn't or won't?

There's EVERYTHING wrong with that!

Type the word "Government" and you throw a fit. Hell's breath - get a freaking grip. The government is not your enemy, nor is the US 5 minutes away from totalitarian takeover. The sooner you realise that, the happier you will be.

I take issue with it. It's appalling that more Americans don't.

Indeed - because you're an idealist of the worst kind. You charge head first with ideology, you don't stop to consider the practical elements.

What would you consider to be adequate?

How long is a piece of string?

[slim 1,533]

All it says is that more Americans care about their fellow citizens, and are OK with their elected officials doing something to assist, when its clear that other avenues of assistance are not enough, than antiquated, and idiologically (yes, the misspell is appropriate) perverted members of society that should most definitely be allowed to opt out of modern civilized society. Don't like it? Too bad.

Lets skip over modern society and look to the future. Have you ever seen the movie Idiocracy?

I'm firmly convinced we're on our way there. The only difference is, we'll be broke long before we get there and the system will have to reset itself. The thing about that is those who are supported solely by the system will find themselves needing assistance. Where are they going to get it?

Those of you "lets help them all" folks are ignoring the end result of making someone dependent on something and that is - What are you going to do when your resources run out?

The government is not your enemy, nor is the US 5 minutes away from totalitarian takeover. The sooner you realise that, the happier you will be.

I'm glad you can be ignorant of the fact that America is already a totalitarian environment. We're not 5 minutes away because it's already happened!

The sooner you realize that you can't indefinitely support society by stealing money from those who work hard to get it, you'll be better off.

You charge head first with ideology, you don't stop to consider the practical elements.

Practical elements? Are you seriously accusing me of not being practical?

Please, please, please take a look at the national debt. After that, come on back here and we'll talk about being practical.

How long is a piece of string?

Depends on who's asking. I like to always say the length in metric because it sounds like so much more.

[Zero Sum 305]

Lets skip over modern society and look to the future. Have you ever seen the movie Idiocracy?

I'm firmly convinced we're on our way there. The only difference is, we'll be broke long before we get there and the system will have to reset itself. The thing about that is those who are supported solely by the system will find themselves needing assistance. Where are they going to get it?

Those of you "lets help them all" folks are ignoring the end result of making someone dependent on something and that is - What are you going to do when your resources run out?

Yes, I have- that movie sort of exemplifies what happens when more people like you are born.

/Humor

Actually, if you pay attention to the kind of ideas I've mentioned before (options, options) you perhaps wouldn't have your panties in a wad.

Furthermore, to further appease your anger, I am fully willing to promote government assistance policy that obligates the recipients to work to earn it. I am sure though that the Tea nut in you might also have a problem with that too.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I'm glad you can be ignorant of the fact that America is already a totalitarian environment. We're not 5 minutes away because it's already happened!

The sooner you realize that you can't indefinitely support society by stealing money from those who work hard to get it, you'll be better off.

No, it is not. Paying taxes isn't totalitarian. That's the sort of reasoning the Unambomber put about in his batshit manifesto.

Practical elements? Are you seriously accusing me of not being practical?

Please, please, please take a look at the national debt. After that, come on back here and we'll talk about being practical.

This statement is meaningless and slightly hysterical. Disaster relief is bringing down the economy? Jesus Slim - the economy doesn't recover by leaving people in devastated communities destitute without homes, jobs or infrastructure. You have to spend some money to make money.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I do not buy into the idea that if there is no FEMA that the alternative is "** 'em" FEMA has not been around for very long but natural disasters have been. We managed well, even better, before FEMA. Can anyone compare the fiasco of Hurricane Katrina to, say, Hurricane Betsy or Frederick and say that FEMA somehow improved something?

FEMA does not DO anything. They take money which came from people and states and hand it out to contractors and state agencies, the same contractors and state agencies that did this long before FEMA was conceived.

In the past, states had emergency funds and asked the federal government for help when needed. The Feds then ponied up some moeny that came from their emergency fund and gave it to the state. What was the problem? FEMA was nothing but another Federal "solution" to a problem that never existed.

Some people now imagine that we cannot survive without this agency that did not exist until a few years ago. Why? They have nothing but failure and unnecessary expense for a track record. Until just recently there were STILL people living in temporary housing from Hurricane Katrina 6 years ago! That did not happen after Alicia, Camille, Frederick, Betsy, or any of the other even more devastating hurricanes that hit the same area over the years.

The idea that people are "fvcked" if the federal government is not there to "do it for them" is not only ridiculous and insulting, it demostrates a complete lack of any idea of how to get things done. I am pleased not to be in that crowd.