| Topic: Under a "President Romney"? Re Sandy?, FEMA dismantled, response private sector | < Next Oldest | Next Newest > |
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hbfa 
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Posted on: Oct. 28 2012, 10:05 pm |
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They could hire immigrant relief workers at minimum wage and sell us sheets of plywood for $500 a piece...
But just think how happy their shareholders would be!
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hbfa
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Posted on: Oct. 29 2012, 12:03 am |
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(Land Rover @ Oct. 28 2012, 7:52 pm)
QUOTE
(hbfa @ Oct. 28 2012, 10:05 pm)
QUOTE They could hire immigrant relief workers at minimum wage and sell us sheets of plywood for $500 a piece...
But just think how happy their shareholders would be! Minimum wage?? What are you, a communist?
I was being optimistically generous.
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Marmotstew
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Posted on: Oct. 29 2012, 10:34 am |
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Being in a disaster is a personal decision. Why should my tax dollars go to those who make bad choices?
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I'd rather be Facebooking watching videos of cats licking themselves
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| Post Number: 6
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Pathfinder1
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Posted on: Oct. 29 2012, 10:42 am |
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Hi...
Living in a disaster area is a financial decision. Not everyone can pull up stakes and move to wherever they like.
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dayhiker9
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Posted on: Oct. 29 2012, 5:46 pm |
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I guess you are right he just plain said to cut it altogether and let the states and the private sector do it. The reason, is because we are running deficits we can't afford, which he says is immoral and makes no sense. No where did he say he would support cutting the budget elsewhere to pay for disaster relief, he just doesn't support disaster relief all together.
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" before you make assertions about numbers, look at the numbers." Krugman
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| Post Number: 11
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Land Rover
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Posted on: Oct. 29 2012, 5:54 pm |
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(KenV @ Oct. 29 2012, 2:54 pm)
QUOTE
(High_Sierra_Fan @ Oct. 28 2012, 9:22 pm)
QUOTE Intersting approach? Even more interesting article. The article stated Romney "said it would be “immoral” for the federal government to fund disaster relief efforts without cutting the budget elsewhere. “It makes no sense at all,” Romney concluded. I watched the linked video. Romney said no such thing. Interesting indeed.
That's exactly what he did Ken.
Responding specifically to a question on this issue said we should ask ourselves what should be sent back to the states and what should go to the private sector. In the same response he goes on to say we can't keep on handing money we don't have. It's simply immoral to keep spending money we don't have.
I see the weak excuse you are trying to make for him, but this was the way he chose to answer the question as he was pandering to the average right-wing idiot.
He could have said it's a tough question and we need to change how we handle disasters, but he decided to make the question about FEMA into an answer about big governnment - and lets be realistic here - that is the reality of the fantasy conservatives live in these days - that government plays little of no useful functions in almost anything short of buying those lovely B52s of whatever gun you fetishize.
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| Post Number: 12
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Land Rover
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Posted on: Oct. 29 2012, 6:13 pm |
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The reality of voting conservative next Tuesday is a lot of Americans - maybe even people you know, perhaps even relatives or close family members dying necessarily.
And the reason they will die necessarily is to give the likes of Donald Trump, Mitt Romney, the Koch brothers and so on a massive tax break.
Perhaps those of a religious lean should ask themselves what Jesus would do when they decide what is the immoral course of action.
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BillBab
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Posted on: Oct. 30 2012, 9:04 am |
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Well since more and more governors are Republicans, it looks more and more like the states can handle it :-)
seriously...for all of his posturing and trying to look presidential, all the president is going to actually DO is hand out money....after he takes it from someone else
But then again, that is his only real strength
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"Asking liberals where wages and prices come from is like asking six-year-olds where babies come from."
Thomas Sowell
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KenV
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Posted on: Oct. 30 2012, 10:14 am |
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(Land Rover @ Oct. 29 2012, 5:54 pm)
QUOTE
(KenV @ Oct. 29 2012, 2:54 pm)
QUOTE
(High_Sierra_Fan @ Oct. 28 2012, 9:22 pm)
QUOTE Intersting approach? Even more interesting article. The article stated Romney "said it would be “immoral” for the federal government to fund disaster relief efforts without cutting the budget elsewhere. “It makes no sense at all,” Romney concluded. I watched the linked video. Romney said no such thing. Interesting indeed. That's exactly what he did Ken. Responding specifically to a question on this issue said we should ask ourselves what should be sent back to the states and what should go to the private sector. In the same response he goes on to say we can't keep on handing money we don't have. It's simply immoral to keep spending money we don't have. I see the weak excuse you are trying to make for him, but this was the way he chose to answer the question as he was pandering to the average right-wing idiot. He could have said it's a tough question and we need to change how we handle disasters, but he decided to make the question about FEMA into an answer about big governnment - and lets be realistic here - that is the reality of the fantasy conservatives live in these days - that government plays little of no useful functions in almost anything short of buying those lovely B52s of whatever gun you fetishize.
Pandering? To right wing idiots? This thread is pandering to the left wing idiots and you're buying it.
Romney sidestepped the specifics of federal disaster aid. He quickly jumped to the underlying issue of trillion dollar deficits. He declared those deficits immoral. We cannot use federal disaster aid as an excuse to continue to make our debt mountain even higher. And that's what the left is doing right now right here. Because federal disaster aid (like so much of the federal budget) is (supposedly) dependent on debt, the left jumps to the conclusion that the desire to eliminate the debt is a desire to kill federal disaster aid. The amount paid to service just ONE WEEK of debt interest would likely fund FEMA for a year.
The same thing happened with regard to the GM bailout. Romney was opposed to using federal debt to bail out GM and that was cast as a (false) desire to kill GM. It was also cast as a (false) desire to kill off Big Bird.
Romney stayed on message. His message is that the current federal deficit is dangerous, foolish, and yes, immoral. It MUST be addressed. NOW. That message is constantly being deflected and drowned out by talk of contraception funding, abortion funding, GM bailout funding, Big Bird funding, and inthis case, disaster relief funding. It's stoopid.
But it is a consistent story on the left. Make ALL federal spending dependent on debt. Then ANY discussion of eliminating debt can be cast as an attempt to eliminate any program whether frivolous (Big Brid?) or exceedingly critical (federal disaster relief)
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| Post Number: 17
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KenV
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Posted on: Oct. 30 2012, 10:25 am |
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(Land Rover @ Oct. 29 2012, 6:13 pm)
QUOTE The reality of voting conservative next Tuesday is a lot of Americans - maybe even people you know, perhaps even relatives or close family members dying necessarily.
And the reason they will die necessarily is to give the likes of Donald Trump, Mitt Romney, the Koch brothers and so on a massive tax break.
Fear mongering and character assassination at its finest.
You leftists are exceedingly good at it. So much so that it is often a reflexive knee jerk reaction, uttered without the slightest need for thought. This post appears to be an excellent example of such.
QUOTE Perhaps those of a religious lean should ask themselves what Jesus would do when they decide what is the immoral course of action .Wait a minute. You want us to refer to a "mythical character" for political guidance? Yet another knee jerk reaction uttered without thought.
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| Post Number: 18
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star
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Posted on: Oct. 30 2012, 10:39 am |
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Yeah, about that fear mongering. How many states do you suppose had similar funding increases?
http://host.madison.com/news....e0.html
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If I wanted to live in a dictatorship I would have picked a place with shorter winters.
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SW Mtn backpacker
Born to hike, forced to work ...
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Posted on: Oct. 31 2012, 1:11 am |
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The states are conditioned to agitate for federal emergency money (former area of mine). If elected, Romney would have to put a revolt down in his own party faster than if he took the last donut from Gov Christie.
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Usually Southwest and then some.
In wildness is the preservation of the world. - Henry Thoreau
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Old Frank
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Posted on: Oct. 31 2012, 10:13 am |
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Supporters for Romney shouldn't have to attempt to explain Romney's position on FEMA.
Romney needs to explain it.
In the wake of Sandy, he's been asked to do so. This would be a great opportunity to clarify.
But, he hasn't and he won't.
Reinforces the perception of many folks that Romney's biggest presidential character flaw is that he really doesn't have much of a backbone.
A limber backbone sure makes it easier to flip flop.
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My favorite compliment: "GrandPa, I've seen other old men, and their faces are a whole lot cruddier than yours is".
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Drift Woody
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Posted on: Oct. 31 2012, 10:51 am |
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Dismantling or reducing the role of the federal government in responding to and assisting with major emergencies (like this storm) in the United States has a lot more to do with ideology than practicality. It should be obvious that states hardest hit by a natural disaster of this magnitude require help from outside their borders. It makes no sense to leave such assistance up to individual states, many of which are facing huge budget problems of their own.
Rightwing ideology rejects the philosophy of the "commons" -- shared land, resources, and responsibilities -- especially at the federal level. I don't know if that ideology stems from genuine belief in Randian philosophy or if it is more the product of political influence from the elites of wealth and power that profit from exploiting the resources of the commons and seek to externalize the costs of pollution, but in many ways the concept of the commons is the central conflict between Left and Right in this country over the role of government.
A strong majority probably think it is the proper role of the federal government to assist in a regional disaster like Sandy, but the ideologues fight the concept of the commons at every turn. Their efforts to hold such assistance hostage to budget cuts in other areas is IMO despicable.
They don't seem to mind colossal expenditures of federal funds in launching wars of choice overseas and getting mired in nation-building projects in those war zones, but the idea of spending a fraction of that to help our own people when struck by disaster or to rebuild/modernize our own country's infrastructure is anathema to them.
There really is an important choice in this election, and if I were religious I'd pray that Romney and the Teapublicans get trounced on November 6. We need a responsible and pragmatic conservative party in this country, and the GOP has strayed very far from that path.
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We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.
-- Native American proverb
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Land Rover
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Posted on: Oct. 31 2012, 11:26 am |
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It's a key sign of the ridiculous extremism that has overrun the GOP when the Presidential candidate can not answer a question relating to the role of government in dealing with major disasters like this.
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| Post Number: 23
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Land Rover
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Posted on: Oct. 31 2012, 11:28 am |
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(KenV @ Oct. 30 2012, 10:25 am)
QUOTE
(Land Rover @ Oct. 29 2012, 6:13 pm)
QUOTE The reality of voting conservative next Tuesday is a lot of Americans - maybe even people you know, perhaps even relatives or close family members dying necessarily.
And the reason they will die necessarily is to give the likes of Donald Trump, Mitt Romney, the Koch brothers and so on a massive tax break. Fear mongering and character assassination at its finest. You leftists are exceedingly good at it. So much so that it is often a reflexive knee jerk reaction, uttered without the slightest need for thought. This post appears to be an excellent example of such. QUOTE Perhaps those of a religious lean should ask themselves what Jesus would do when they decide what is the immoral course of action .Wait a minute. You want us to refer to a "mythical character" for political guidance? Yet another knee jerk reaction uttered without thought.
Oh Kenny boy - your need to lump all "liberals" in a single group building up those little strawmen is relentless isn't it.
It's really not hard to break down the difference between posters. But I guess if your mind always tries to follow the path of least resistance.
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High_Sierra_Fan
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Posted on: Oct. 31 2012, 11:39 am |
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Amusingly N.J. Governor Christie couldn't "find time" in his schedule to host Romney in a tour.
While Christie and President Obama have been all over the state together.
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Bateauxdriver
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Posted on: Oct. 31 2012, 12:52 pm |
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Sandy gives the president the chance to look presidential and it makes Mitt, look like Mitt.
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Old Frank
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Posted on: Nov. 01 2012, 9:47 am |
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Romney clarifies his FEMA position.
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politic....78
"After days of not hearing reporters' questions about what he wants to do with FEMA, Mitt Romney's campaign finally released a statement that (sort of) provides an answer. Late on Wednesday night, the campaign gave reporters a brief comment on the matter in response to his earlier statements during the Republican primary that he thinks FEMA's work should be done by states.
"I believe that FEMA plays a key role in working with states and localities to prepare for and respond to natural disasters. As president, I will ensure FEMA has the funding it needs to fulfill its mission, while directing maximum resources to the first responders who work tirelessly to help those in need, because states and localities are in the best position to get aid to the individuals and communities affected by natural disasters."
That sounds almost like an endorsement of the way FEMA works now. He says he will help the agency fulfill its mission, but what Romney doesn't say is what he believes that mission should actually be........."
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My favorite compliment: "GrandPa, I've seen other old men, and their faces are a whole lot cruddier than yours is".
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muttpacker
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Posted on: Nov. 01 2012, 10:06 am |
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(BillBab @ Nov. 01 2012, 7:21 am)
QUOTE
(Marmotstew @ Oct. 29 2012, 10:34 am)
QUOTE Being in a disaster is a personal decision. Why should my tax dollars go to those who make bad choices? Good point Made better here http://www.usatoday.com/story....1672465"The inaction by flood-prone communities results in extra costs to taxpayers for disaster relief to communities and to individual property owners. It also can increase premiums for the 5.5 million people with federal flood insurance"
How can this idea be anything but correct? If we would just decide, as a nation, to abandon every part of the country that is at risk for flooding, hurricanes, ice storms, earthquakes, and tornadoes we could all live comfortably in a different part of the planet.
We asked farmers to provide us with a steady supply of food, so they built levies to hold back floods. Now they're ancient relics which are, at best, occasionally capable of preventing losses to flooding. Damn farmers!
Then there's the people who live on the coasts (or within a few hundred miles of them) who ignore the dangers of living in such proximity to storms formed over the oceans. Damn 80% of the population!
Then there are the people who think that making choices on where to live rely heavily on the risks posed by mother nature to their homes and businesses. Damn... who the hell does that?
(Kudos to Gov Christie on his effort to help his state through a remarkably difficult time. And even more credit to him for being willing to admit- finally- that President Obama has been a true leader in the efforts they are both embroiled in to resolve major problems that affect both New Jersey and the entire northeast. I wonder if he feels stupid for saying that Obama was incapable of effective leadership, now...)
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Ignorant is temporary. Stupid is permanent. Choosing to be ignorant is stupid.
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BillBab
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Posted on: Nov. 01 2012, 7:03 pm |
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(muttpacker @ Nov. 01 2012, 10:06 am)
QUOTE
(BillBab @ Nov. 01 2012, 7:21 am)
QUOTE
(Marmotstew @ Oct. 29 2012, 10:34 am)
QUOTE Being in a disaster is a personal decision. Why should my tax dollars go to those who make bad choices? Good point Made better here http://www.usatoday.com/story....1672465"The inaction by flood-prone communities results in extra costs to taxpayers for disaster relief to communities and to individual property owners. It also can increase premiums for the 5.5 million people with federal flood insurance" How can this idea be anything but correct? If we would just decide, as a nation, to abandon every part of the country that is at risk for flooding, hurricanes, ice storms, earthquakes, and tornadoes we could all live comfortably in a different part of the planet. We asked farmers to provide us with a steady supply of food, so they built levies to hold back floods. Now they're ancient relics which are, at best, occasionally capable of preventing losses to flooding. Damn farmers! Then there's the people who live on the coasts (or within a few hundred miles of them) who ignore the dangers of living in such proximity to storms formed over the oceans. Damn 80% of the population! Then there are the people who think that making choices on where to live rely heavily on the risks posed by mother nature to their homes and businesses. Damn... who the hell does that? (Kudos to Gov Christie on his effort to help his state through a remarkably difficult time. And even more credit to him for being willing to admit- finally- that President Obama has been a true leader in the efforts they are both embroiled in to resolve major problems that affect both New Jersey and the entire northeast. I wonder if he feels stupid for saying that Obama was incapable of effective leadership, now...)
In simple terms...damn them for not spending a little bit of their money so they will not need to spend a LOT of ours
Like the people that live too close to rivers that flood....they cannot get flood insurance because their property is destined to flood regularly.
So they just get ahnded big wads of our tax money every few years to rebuild
That makes perfect sense 
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"Asking liberals where wages and prices come from is like asking six-year-olds where babies come from."
Thomas Sowell
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