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Title: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Hawk on October 30, 2012, 05:35:51 AM
October 29, 2012
A Big Storm Requires Big Government

Most Americans have never heard of the National Response Coordination Center, but they’re lucky it exists on days of lethal winds and flood tides. The center is the war room of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, where officials gather to decide where rescuers should go, where drinking water should be shipped, and how to assist hospitals that have to evacuate.

Disaster coordination is one of the most vital functions of “big government,” which is why Mitt Romney wants to eliminate it. At a Republican primary debate last year, Mr. Romney was asked whether emergency management was a function that should be returned to the states. He not only agreed, he went further.

“Absolutely,” he said. “Every time you have an occasion to take something from the federal government and send it back to the states, that’s the right direction. And if you can go even further and send it back to the private sector, that’s even better.” Mr. Romney not only believes that states acting independently can handle the response to a vast East Coast storm better than Washington, but that profit-making companies can do an even better job. He said it was “immoral” for the federal government to do all these things if it means increasing the debt.

It’s an absurd notion, but it’s fully in line with decades of Republican resistance to federal emergency planning.
FEMA, created by President Jimmy Carter, was elevated to cabinet rank in the Bill Clinton administration, but was then demoted by President George W. Bush, who neglected it, subsumed it into the Department of Homeland Security, and placed it in the control of political hacks. The disaster of Hurricane Katrina was just waiting to happen.

The agency was put back in working order by President Obama, but ideology still blinds Republicans to its value. Many don’t like the idea of free aid for poor people, or they think people should pay for their bad decisions, which this week includes living on the East Coast.

Over the last two years, Congressional Republicans have forced a 43 percent reduction in the primary FEMA grants that pay for disaster preparedness. Representatives Paul Ryan, Eric Cantor and other House Republicans have repeatedly tried to refuse FEMA’s budget requests when disasters are more expensive than predicted, or have demanded that other valuable programs be cut to pay for them. The Ryan budget, which Mr. Romney praised as “an excellent piece of work,” would result in severe cutbacks to the agency, as would the Republican-instigated sequester, which would cut disaster relief by 8.2 percent on top of earlier reductions.

Does Mr. Romney really believe that financially strapped states would do a better job than a properly functioning federal agency? Who would make decisions about where to send federal aid? Or perhaps there would be no federal aid, and every state would bear the burden of billions of dollars in damages. After Mr. Romney’s 2011 remarks recirculated on Monday, his nervous campaign announced that he does not want to abolish FEMA, though he still believes states should be in charge of emergency management. Those in Hurricane Sandy’s path are fortunate that, for now, that ideology has not replaced sound policy.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Hawk on October 30, 2012, 05:39:14 AM
Gov. Christie praises Obama response to Hurricane Sandy as ‘outstanding’
By Meghashyam Mali - 10/30/12

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) praised President Obama’s work to help states battered by Hurricane Sandy as “outstanding” Tuesday, but cautioned that the recovery would be a prolonged effort.

Christie, a prominent surrogate for GOP candidate Mitt Romney, said Obama had moved quickly to help designate his state a disaster area to better expedite federal assistance.

“The federal government’s response has been great. I was on the phone at midnight again last night with the president, personally, he has expedited the designation of New Jersey as a major disaster area,” said Christie, in an interview with NBC’s “Today.”

“Last night, I was on the phone with FEMA at 2 a.m. this morning to answer the questions they needed answered to get that designation and the president has been outstanding in this. The folks at FEMA, [Administrator] Craig Fugate and his folks have been excellent,” he continued.

In a separate interview with MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Christie added to the praise, saying that “the president has been all over this and deserves great credit.”

“He gave me his number at the White House and told me to call him if I needed anything,” he added.


The powerful super-storm barreled into the east coast late Monday, knocking out power for over 6 million people and claiming at least 7 lives. Sandy lashed towns from New England to North Carolina with heavy rains and winds.

But the storm also presented a challenge to presidential contenders Obama and Romney with polls showing a tight race and only a week until election day. Both campaigns cancelled events, with Obama returning to Washington to oversee the federal response and Romney calling on supporters to donate to recovery efforts.

The storm could provide an opportunity for the president to show strong leadership by managing an effective federal recovery. But Obama also faces the risk of assuming blame if anything goes wrong. With the storm hitting many swing-states including Virginia, New Hampshire and North Carolina, its effects on the election are still uncertain.

Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy (D) on the Today show thanked Obama and said the president had done a "magnificent job." Malloy also praised FEMA, saying the agency had done "amazing early work to get us ready."

Christie on Tuesday though signaled that recovering from Sandy could be a long-term issue.

“It’s a major disaster,” said Christie of the damage in his home state. “We have over 2.4 million people without power across the state,” he said and added that there was extensive flooding in many areas.

“We have a battered, battered New Jersey shore that I hope to tour a little bit later on today, but I think the losses are going to be incalculable,” Christie said. 

Malloy mirrored those sentiments. "We've got a lot of work ahead of us," he said.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Bad Boy Dazza on October 30, 2012, 05:53:22 AM
BIG GOVT is a DEVIL

Fuck of with your tasteless opportunistic bullshit.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: _bruce_ on October 30, 2012, 05:56:33 AM
Fuck off with your shit.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Hawk on October 30, 2012, 06:02:05 AM
BIG GOVT is a DEVIL

Fuck of with your tasteless opportunistic bullshit.
Fuck off with your shit.
So...no FEMA for you two dipshits either?  :-\


Quality posts, guys! Stay classy!  ::)
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Bad Boy Dazza on October 30, 2012, 06:05:28 AM

Quality posts, guys! Stay classy!  ::)

Opportunistic politics in the midst of a disaster.  IS NOT CLASSY.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: _bruce_ on October 30, 2012, 06:07:11 AM
As classy as a drone like you deserves it.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: MB on October 30, 2012, 06:07:55 AM
So...no FEMA for you two dipshits either?  :-\


Quality posts, guys! Stay classy!  ::)

Ha, ha FEMA, ha, ha, ha, ha.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Hawk on October 30, 2012, 06:10:08 AM
Opportunistic politics in the midst of a disaster.  IS NOT CLASSY.
The question of whether FEMA should be dismantled and disaster relief thrown to individual states is not "opportunistic politics", rather a legitimate discussion on how our federal government should operate. It marks a STARK contrast between the two political candidates.

"Fuck off" to such a discussion suggests that you would not know "class" if it knocked you on your ass.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Bad Boy Dazza on October 30, 2012, 06:11:25 AM
(http://libertas.bigblog.com.au/data/0/3861/image/nudeholidayobama23706720081022130549.jpg)
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Bad Boy Dazza on October 30, 2012, 06:12:33 AM
The question of whether FEMA should be dismantled and disaster relief thrown to individual states is not "opportunistic politics", rather a legitimate discussion on how our federal government should operate. It marks a STARK contrast between the two political candidates.

"Fuck off" to such a discussion suggests that you would not know "class" if it knocked you on your ass.

It's called "timing" big boy. 
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Hawk on October 30, 2012, 06:12:52 AM
The ideal time for 'big government'
By Steve Benen
 -
Tue Oct 30, 2012

(http://m.static.newsvine.com/servista/imagesizer?file=steve-benen5E54DAF0-1832-DDE4-5381-5B8B485332FC.jpg&width=600)

We talked yesterday about Mitt Romney's unique perspective on FEMA -- he wants to turn emergency response efforts over to the states or the private sector -- articulated during the Republican primary process. In light of the severity and brutality of Hurricane Sandy, the candidate's position is receiving new scrutiny.

The New York Times' editorial board, for example, argues today that "a big storm requires big government" (thanks to Bill Wolff for the tip).

    Over the last two years, Congressional Republicans have forced a 43 percent reduction in the primary FEMA grants that pay for disaster preparedness. Representatives Paul Ryan, Eric Cantor and other House Republicans have repeatedly tried to refuse FEMA's budget requests when disasters are more expensive than predicted, or have demanded that other valuable programs be cut to pay for them. The Ryan budget, which Mr. Romney praised as "an excellent piece of work," would result in severe cutbacks to the agency, as would the Republican-instigated sequester, which would cut disaster relief by 8.2 percent on top of earlier reductions.

    Does Mr. Romney really believe that financially strapped states would do a better job than a properly functioning federal agency? Who would make decisions about where to send federal aid? Or perhaps there would be no federal aid, and every state would bear the burden of billions of dollars in damages. After Mr. Romney's 2011 remarks recirculated on Monday, his nervous campaign announced that he does not want to abolish FEMA, though he still believes states should be in charge of emergency management. Those in Hurricane Sandy's path are fortunate that, for now, that ideology has not replaced sound policy.


Eugene Robinson is thinking along the same lines: "Back when he was being "severely conservative," Mitt Romney suggested that responsibility for disaster relief should be taken from the big, bad federal government and given to the states, or perhaps even privatized. Hurricane Sandy would like to know if he'd care to reconsider." Robinson added that Romney's approach is "absurd" and "dangerous."

And finally, reader D.M. alerted me to this gem from Charles P. Pierce.

    This entire campaign has been fought out over the issue of whether or not we are all members of a viable political commonwealth with implicit mutual obligations to act through our government -- a self-government that is, or ought to be, the purest creative project of that commonwealth -- for the common good, or whether that government is a some sort of alien entity repressing our fundamental entrepreneurial energy. Over the next few days, I believe, we are going to see that argument brought to the sharpest point possible. If you want to see how this event will "impact the election," look to what answer to that question emerges from the storm. It will tell us a lot about the election, and about ourselves.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Bad Boy Dazza on October 30, 2012, 06:13:51 AM
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OfpZQm4cpao/TBDw-PVPC6I/AAAAAAAAB4g/-rN1QSFQWO4/s1600/luckyagain3706620081022130550.jpg)
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Hawk on October 30, 2012, 06:15:16 AM
It's called "timing" big boy. 
Its called "common sense", dumb-dumb.

And quite frankly, there is NO BETTER TIME for voters to be weighing the position Romney had taken during the primaries than RIGHT NOW.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Bad Boy Dazza on October 30, 2012, 06:18:22 AM
Its called "common sense", dumb-dumb.

And quite frankly, there is NO BETTER TIME for voters to be weighing the position Romney had taken during the primaries than RIGHT NOW.

OK so what makes you think a state based emergency management center is inferior to federal?  Lots of pros in it's favor. 

Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Hawk on October 30, 2012, 06:19:14 AM
Romney on Eliminating FEMA: "Absolutely!"
by The Troubadour


As Hurricane Sandy prepares to ravage the East Coast and beyond, let us pause and be thankful that Mitt Romney is not our current president.

For Romney, when asked by CNN's John King about what he would do with FEMA, said essentially this:

        Federal funding for disaster relief is "immoral," and is something that should be left up to the states or, "even better," the private sector.

[ Invalid YouTube link ]

See, in Romney's world, funding disaster relief is immoral because of teh deficit, whereas giving tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans who can evacuate to one of their dozens of vacation homes?

Not so much.

Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Bad Boy Dazza on October 30, 2012, 06:21:21 AM
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OfpZQm4cpao/TBDw2PoNiYI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/l0Ni5tyWcvU/s1600/luckyagain24569920081022213401.jpg)
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Hawk on October 30, 2012, 06:25:30 AM
 :o
Romney 19.0 taking making his latest attempt at his "ever-evolving" position on every issue.  ::) No core, no conscience, willing to say whatever the room wants to hear.


Romney Denies He Would Eliminate FEMA  ::)
Monday, October 29, 2012

By: Stephen Feller

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney denied Monday that he would shut down the Federal Emergency Management Agency, despite reports to the contrary Monday morning.

Video from a 2011 Republican presidential primary debate appears to feature Romney saying he would eliminate the agency and return FEMA’s responsibilities to the states or to private companies, reported The Huffington Post.

Campaign officials told Politico that Romney would not shut down FEMA, but leave the responsibility of handling emergency response to the states.

“Gov. Romney believes that states should be in charge of emergency management in responding to storms and other natural disasters in their jurisdictions,” Romney spokesman Ryan Williams said in a statement. “As the first responders, states are in the best position to aid affected individuals and communities, and to direct resources and assistance to where they are needed most. This includes help from the federal government and FEMA.”

In the 2011 debate clip from CNN that Huffington Post included with its story, Romney responds to moderator John King’s question about how to handle FEMA which, at the time was thought to be running out of money while dealing with several national emergencies.

“Every time you have an occasion to take something from the federal government and send it back to the states, that’s the right direction,” Romney said in the debate. “And if you can go even further and send it back to the private sector, that’s even better.”
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Hawk on October 30, 2012, 06:39:57 AM
Romney/Ryan re-brand today's Ohio CAMPAIGN EVENTS as "storm relief" events.

Oh, brother.  ::)
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Voice of Doom on October 30, 2012, 06:54:02 AM
FEMA has the ability to suspend Constitutional protections of Citizens. 

Weak people embrace tyranny.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: garebear on October 30, 2012, 07:18:24 AM
OK so what makes you think a state based emergency management center is inferior to federal?  Lots of pros in it's favor. 


Do you really need that spelled out for you?

Come on.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Bad Boy Dazza on October 30, 2012, 07:19:43 AM
Do you really need that spelled out for you?

Come on.

Empty post.  Plenty of countries have it and it works FINE.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: bigkid on October 30, 2012, 07:27:29 AM
The money that was made off FEMA/Katrina is shocking.  I know a guy that was making 300-500k a month selling tarps to FEMA.  Buying them from China at 1/3 the price and selling them to another poorly run federal agency.  
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: garebear on October 30, 2012, 07:30:52 AM
.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Nails on October 30, 2012, 08:24:28 AM
Big Brother wants to rid the city of taxi pollution cabs and help their investment in motor city , all that sea water will destroy all those cabs and they will need to be replaced with new ford focus
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: SF1900 on October 30, 2012, 08:44:17 AM
How are small states even going to be begin to clean up millions of dollars worth of damage? While I agree that big government should not control us, some things are needed. You need things like FEMA during times like this. You seriously think the average person is going to be able to get a state back on its feet when its hit with over 100 million in damages. Seriously?  :-\ :-\
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: quadzilla456 on October 30, 2012, 08:45:52 AM
(Whore) Politicians will never let a good disaster go to waste!
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: quadzilla456 on October 30, 2012, 08:46:54 AM
How are small states even going to be begin to clean up millions of dollars worth of damage? While I agree that big government should not control us, some things are needed. You need things like FEMA during times like this. You seriously think the average person is going to be able to get a state back on its feet when its hit with over 100 million in damages. Seriously?  :-\ :-\
Volunteer work. Did you see how fast they cleaned up in Japan?? Their situation was ten times worse.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: garebear on October 30, 2012, 09:08:23 AM
.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Irongrip400 on October 30, 2012, 09:21:38 AM
FEMA is a joke, and should only be used for things like Katrina. Where I live, if your house floods, you can apply for federal money through FEMA to have your house foundation raised so you don't get flooded out. What kind of sense does that make?  Why should the Federal Govt pay for such things? States should pay their own bills, and if they're too fiscally irresponsible, they should have their representatives and leaders canned.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: quadzilla456 on October 30, 2012, 09:44:35 AM
.
The Earth has seen some violent weather in the past. We humans are really insignificant and the Earth does not care about global warming.

Galveston flood after 1915 hurricane
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/Market_Street%2C_1915_Galveston_flood.jpg)
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: garebear on October 30, 2012, 09:48:30 AM
The Earth has seen some violent weather in the past. We humans are really insignificant and the Earth does not care about global warming.

Galveston flood after 1915 hurricane
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/Market_Street%2C_1915_Galveston_flood.jpg)
Right on.

Plus, what if we make the environment better for no reason?
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: SF1900 on October 30, 2012, 09:57:19 AM
Volunteer work. Did you see how fast they cleaned up in Japan?? Their situation was ten times worse.

Yeah, I don't know how volunteers are going to get rid of 6-7 feet of water. I would think you would need certain machines to do that, which the average person doesn't have laying around in their backyards. Not to mention that the elderly, people with small children, people with disabilities can't really help out.

I don't think the government has to supply everything, but maybe a better balance between government help and volunteers. I do not agree that a major natural disaster should be put solely on the people. People need shelter that have lost homes, etc.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: _bruce_ on October 30, 2012, 10:37:57 AM
(Whore) Politicians will never let a good disaster go to waste!

x2 - rising out of the ashes of sheeple's misery.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Nails on October 30, 2012, 11:08:13 AM
(http://i.huffpost.com/gen/839458/thumbs/o-SANDY-AFTERMATH-TAXI-CABS-SUBMERGED-570.jpg?4)
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: The Abdominal Snoman on October 30, 2012, 01:56:32 PM
ACTION---REACTION---SOLUTION
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: The Abdominal Snoman on October 30, 2012, 01:59:31 PM
The Earth has seen some violent weather in the past. We humans are really insignificant and the Earth does not care about global warming.

Galveston flood after 1915 hurricane
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/Market_Street%2C_1915_Galveston_flood.jpg)

TESLA earthquake machine in 1898 :o

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla's_oscillator
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: _bruce_ on October 30, 2012, 02:02:43 PM
Tesla, another famous getbigger.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Aerian on October 30, 2012, 04:09:12 PM
Big government is never the answer.  They will never have the same level of concern on a situation as a private business or the individual that is directly impacted by the disaster.  The Japan tsunami is a great example.  Communities got together to help one another out and got back to normal very quickly. 
 
Look at what average people did to prevent flooding during the Mississippi river flooding.   

http://archinect.com/news/article/8279858/mississippi-river-flooding-residents-build-homemade-dams-to-saves-houses

(http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/a7/a7752b58eb7972fdc33f5d9f453efc27.jpg)

(http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/02/0206310021167f762351ae9b555de55b.jpg)

(http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/18/184c57dd2ae8b26a1a26796630bc4d68.jpg)

(http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/55/5500bb6c098e95e1aade2fa1039731a8.jpg)

(http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/03/034b425223fe842e7db93712b2da1538.jpg)



Fuk FEMA.. They would probably say they did something that is not up to regulation or illegal.  How they handled Katrina after the fact was just awful.   
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Hawk on October 30, 2012, 05:25:54 PM
Romney Refuses to Discuss his Distorted Disaster Relief Morality
by Rmuse

For Americans who live through a natural disaster, the feeling of helplessness during the event is second only to the aftermath when the damage is surveyed and one realizes that without assistance, there is little hope of ever recovering a semblance of normality. Because America is surrounded by oceans on three sides, chances of meteorological and hydrological disasters loom large, and when storm systems form over the ocean, phenomenon such as cyclones, typhoons, and hurricanes develop and as natural disasters go, the damage can be devastating.  Climate scientists have warned for some time that due to global climate change, weather events like hurricanes will increase in severity, and along the East Coast, residents began feeling the effects of what has been termed a “Frankenstorm” due to the unique confluence of Hurricane Sandy, an early winter storm in the West, and a blast of arctic air from the North. In the aftermath of a disaster climatologists are predicting will decimate the East Coast, residents will depend on emergency relief from the federal government, and most will be thankful there is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to give them assistance. However, Willard Romney believes disaster relief from the federal government is immoral, and he is not alone.

Romney’s obscene “immoral’ comment was made worse when he said, “What are the things we’re doing, that we don’t have to do?  Those things (disaster relief), we’ve got to stop doing because we’re jeopardizing the future of our kids, it is simply immoral.” In Romney’s vision of government, all expenditures should to go to the wealthy, the military, and corporations, and his grand idea for disaster relief is handing the task of helping displaced Americans to private enterprise. It is true the federal government does not have to help its citizens, but it also is not required to help the oil industry, Israel, corporations, or Willard Romney, but he never complained about the welfare the federal government provided him, Bain Capital, or the 2002 winter Olympics. Apparently, to Romney, his understanding of government morality is founded in how many tax payer dollars the government hands over to him, corporations, and the wealthy elite.


Libertarian Ron Paul took it a step farther and said disaster relief is the purview of churches that will somehow miraculously survive the devastation of a natural disaster and have resources to feed and house Americans who have lost everything, and will repair power lines, clean up fallen trees, and rebuild communities eviscerated by a behemoth natural disaster. History shows, though, that god and churches are missing in action during and after severe weather events, and if they are in the path of a hurricane, will suffer the same damage as other Americans and it begs the question; where do churches go for assistance after a natural disaster? The federal government.

It is that Romney has a distorted sense of morality, but he is promoting the standard Republican agenda that government exists to enrich the wealthy at the expense of the population’s health, safety, and overall well-being. In 2011, House Republicans decided instead of focusing on jobs, it was prudent to attack women’s rights and go on a spending cut frenzy targeting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) including the National Weather Service (NWS).  Their moral plan cut $126 million from the NWS, and roughly $450 million from NOAA that meant closure of up to 12 forecast offices that safeguard American lives and property. Each office issues forecasts and warnings to an average population of 2.5 million people meaning that over 30 million Americans would be left to look at the sky to predict when their lives would be devastated by a major weather disaster. The head of the Federal Aviation Administration under George W. Bush, Marion Blakey, said, “Imagine the damages we will suffer in the future if weather forecasting capabilities are degraded and communities are not given timely and accurate warnings of major storms coming their way.” Of course, Blakey believes government has a moral responsibility to warn Americans of an impending natural disaster, and it is in sharp contrast to Romney’s assertion that spending money to protect Americans is immoral; unless private enterprise profits.

It is a staple of the Republican agenda that people do not matter, and their dysfunction is if they do admit government has a role to solve problems like warning Americans of an impending natural disaster, or helping them recover from the aftermath, they may have to concede that government plays a necessary and crucial role in people’s lives. However, by asserting that spending taxpayer dollars on agencies like the NWS, FEMA, or NOAA is immoral, it is easy to defund an agency like FEMA or the NWS despite the cost in human terms, and if Americans have learned anything in the past year-and-a-half, it is that Republican cuts always carry a high price in human terms; unless the humans are filthy rich.

Last year in the wake of Hurricane Irene, Eric Cantor and Republicans balked at additional funding for FEMA unless it was matched with “savings elsewhere,” particularly by making massive cuts to FEMA and first responders. At the time, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) detailed the problem with GOP’s FEMA cuts; “The House bill slashes funding for grants to equip and train first responders by 40 percent, on top of the 19% cut in FY 2011,” and she goes on to note the “GOP House defense appropriations bill provides $12.8 billion to train and equip troops and police in Afghanistan, but only $2 billion for first responders to assist American citizens.”

Romney is right that there is a morality problem in America, but it rests solely with himself, Paul Ryan, and Republicans who think so little of Americans they will, given the opportunity, slash funding for emergency disaster relief and early warning in case of a major natural disaster, and yet they wage ferocious battles to preserve oil subsidies, tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, and aid to Israel and the military. Romney gives away his real immoral agenda of handing over FEMA operations to the private sector and one wonders how much Bain Capital has invested in companies set to “take over” disaster relief.

Republicans are immoral for, as Romney says, wanting to “get government out of the way” of people’s lives which is code for privatization and more tax cuts for him and his wealthy cohort. Government is not the be all, end all, but they are the only agency with the means to address something as monumental as a major natural disaster, and it exists to protect the American people it serves. If it is immoral to use federal funds for disaster relief, then it is a mortal sin for Romney to take $1.5 billion for puerile Olympic games, or millions from the federal government auto bailout. Romney’s moral dilemma can be summed up in three words; pure unadulterated greed. What the American people need to know is that Willard’s moral compass is dictated by the size of his hidden riches and not concern for the American people or this country, and he has projected that sentiment for the past 9 months. It is just another piece of evidence that not only is he not a Christian, he is an immoral human being who thinks so little of  the American people that his first priority is enriching the private sector and himself, and although that may be part and parcel of being a good Mormon, it makes him a despicable American, and in keeping with the spirit of the season, a scary monster.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: GigantorX on October 30, 2012, 05:53:13 PM
We had some pretty big government during Hurricane Katrina....that sure worked out well.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: nicorulez on October 30, 2012, 06:55:58 PM
Its called "common sense", dumb-dumb.

And quite frankly, there is NO BETTER TIME for voters to be weighing the position Romney had taken during the primaries than RIGHT NOW.

Dipshit, the federal government is burdened by regulations and bureaucratic bullshit. Do you really think Obama gives a rats shit about the poor souls in New Jersey. He is acting quickly to make nothing more than a political statement. Remember, this is the same clown who voted present more than 75% of the time he was in the Senate. He does nothing without an agenda. You are a mindless, obviously intellectually challenged, liberal POS who licks the ass of all that is Obama. Please, I cannot wait till Romney hammers this clown and ... yes ... gets rid of government waste and spending. Go fuck yourself.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Hawk on October 30, 2012, 07:05:29 PM
Oct 30, 2012


(http://www.dat-e-baseonline.com/images/Logos/rr/10.30.2012_roll_of_govt.jpg)A natural disaster is a good time to reflect on what we need to do to avoid an unnatural disaster. Right now, that’s clearer than ever—don’t allow Mitt Romney to become president. When asked about FEMA in the primary debates, Mitt said responsibility for disaster relief should be foisted onto the states. How would you like to be in a life threatening situation, and be depending on Rick Scott or Jan Brewer for help? Evidently Mitt was concerned that wasn’t crazy enough for base, because he added “And if you can go even further, and send it back to the private sector, that’s even better.” Got that? If you’re flooded, call Goldman Sachs! Mitt wants for-profit disaster relief! Mitt, there are already private-sector people taking part in disaster relief—those slime-balls who do things like sell bottled water for $10 a bottle. Mitt wants that on a corporate scale!

Mitt actually called federal disaster relief “immoral”! He said “It is simply immoral, in my view, for us to continue to rack up larger and larger debts and pass them on to our kids.” Yes, how will we ever explain to our children that we wasted the money on saving lives? Mitt wants massive tax cuts for billionaires, but he thinks that it’s immoral to send bottled water into a flood zone! I guess leaving disaster victims to fend for themselves is one way to force the 47 percent to take personal responsibility for their lives!

The Romney campaign has been running an ad in Ohio that is blatantly false even by Mitt Romney’s standards for the truth—and Mitt Romney has no standards for the truth. The ad is designed to give the false impression that Jeep is moving US production to China. You have to admit—Mitt is the best liar there is. But this time he might have bitten off more truth than he could chew up. Mitt is facing some major blowback from his lies about Jeep. And blowback is very serious when you blow as much as Mitt Romney does. The Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote a scathing editorial that said “Ohio voters know who stepped up when the auto industry was at the abyss — and it wasn’t Romney.” It’s a good thing for Mitt that he’s spending plenty of time in Ohio—because after this, I don’t know if he’ll ever be welcome back.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Hawk on October 30, 2012, 07:19:04 PM
We had some pretty big government during Hurricane Katrina....that sure worked out well.
'bout as well as Blackwater and Halliburton, I suppose  :-X
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Coach is Back! on October 30, 2012, 08:59:54 PM
Yet another Benny post taken out of context to suit the lib lies. It's that integrity thing again.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Aerian on October 30, 2012, 09:33:11 PM
Yet another Benny post taken out of context to suit the lib lies. It's that integrity thing again.

CMon now...What the fuk are you talking about Coach.  Liberals dont have integrity.  Probably dont even know what that word means.

Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Coach is Back! on October 30, 2012, 09:35:56 PM
CMon now...What the fuk are you talking about Coach.  Liberals dont have integrity.  Probably dont even know what that word means.



The lies are unbearable. Pathological.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Aerian on October 30, 2012, 09:37:14 PM
The lies are unbearable. Pathological.

Denial and ignorance is a beautiful thing to some.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: tbombz on October 30, 2012, 09:55:31 PM
if there was no fema.. and no taxes.. no government to help.. would people donate their time and money to help ?  maybe.. and maybe they would do a better job and contribute more than the government would..    the discussion is a good one to have..  unfortunately i dont see many people interesed in having a genuine conversation about the issue..   
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Coach is Back! on October 30, 2012, 09:59:57 PM
if there was no fema.. and no taxes.. no government to help.. would people donate their time and money to help ?  maybe.. and maybe they would do a better job and contribute more than the governmlent would..    the discussion is a good one to have..  unfortunately i dont see many people interesed in having a genuine conversation about the issue..   

There is no one against.government.help in this case. THIS is one of the things government is for.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: garebear on October 30, 2012, 10:03:54 PM
Republicans need to edit their posts.

Romney is pro-FEMA now.

Get to work, guys.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1012/83001.html?hp=l13
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Coach is Back! on October 30, 2012, 10:07:06 PM
Republicans need to edit their posts.

Romney is pro-FEMA now.

Get to work, guys.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1012/83001.html?hp=l13

You're a teacher? Did you get credentialed here, in the US???
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: garebear on October 30, 2012, 10:14:43 PM
You're a teacher? Did you get credentialed here, in the US???
So Romney spokesman Ryan William is lying then?
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Coach is Back! on October 30, 2012, 10:21:28 PM
So Romney spokesman Ryan William is lying then?

Answer my question.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: quadzilla456 on October 30, 2012, 10:44:09 PM
Big government is never the answer.  They will never have the same level of concern on a situation as a private business or the individual that is directly impacted by the disaster.  The Japan tsunami is a great example.  Communities got together to help one another out and got back to normal very quickly. 
 
Look at what average people did to prevent flooding during the Mississippi river flooding.   

http://archinect.com/news/article/8279858/mississippi-river-flooding-residents-build-homemade-dams-to-saves-houses

(http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/a7/a7752b58eb7972fdc33f5d9f453efc27.jpg)

(http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/02/0206310021167f762351ae9b555de55b.jpg)

(http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/18/184c57dd2ae8b26a1a26796630bc4d68.jpg)

(http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/55/5500bb6c098e95e1aade2fa1039731a8.jpg)

(http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/03/034b425223fe842e7db93712b2da1538.jpg)



Fuk FEMA.. They would probably say they did something that is not up to regulation or illegal.  How they handled Katrina after the fact was just awful.   

Fuck yeah! Awesome!! I can make my point so much better now. Government has it uses but sometime they just drag out the process!
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: tbombz on October 31, 2012, 02:53:17 PM
There is no one against.government.help in this case. THIS is one of the things government is for.
where does the government get the money to help? did they get the consent of each individual whom they are charging to pay for this service?  would a government worker or an individual with personal property, friends, and family at risk be better suited to deal with the problem?   
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Hawk on October 31, 2012, 04:02:46 PM
Big government is never the answer.  They will never have the same level of concern on a situation as a private business or the individual that is directly impacted by the disaster.  The Japan tsunami is a great example.  Communities got together to help one another out and got back to normal very quickly.   

This is a flat out LIE. You have no idea what you are talking about.

Giving all emergency powers to the states would be an unmitigated DISASTER. Romney knows it. Which is why, in cowardly fashion, he refused to answer the questions asked of him on his stance on FEMA after being asked SEVENTEEN TIMES yesterday. Totally shameful for a guy who wants to be president to behave in such fashion.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Hawk on October 31, 2012, 07:18:45 PM
Which is why, in cowardly fashion, he refused to answer the questions asked of him on his stance on FEMA after being asked SEVENTEEN TIMES yesterday. Totally shameful for a guy who wants to be president to behave in such fashion.
Oct 31, 2012

Romney silent with reporters for last 3 weeks
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Princess L on October 31, 2012, 07:31:08 PM
This is a flat out LIE. You have no idea what you are talking about.

Giving all emergency powers to the states would be an unmitigated DISASTER. Romney knows it. Which is why, in cowardly fashion, he refused to answer the questions asked of him on his stance on FEMA after being asked SEVENTEEN TIMES yesterday. Totally shameful for a guy who wants to be president to behave in such fashion.

How many times does THE PRESIDENT need to be asked about Benghazi and refuse to answer before you consider that shameful?
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Hawk on October 31, 2012, 07:39:50 PM
How many times does THE PRESIDENT need to be asked about Benghazi and refuse to answer before you consider that shameful?
Benghazi is ONE subject that is being investigated and dealt with.

The issue of FEMA is FRONT AND CENTER in the minds of the American public right now, not a small city in a country far, far away.

Why can't your friend Willard answer a question on ANY subject? Your attempt to deflect would be laughable were it not so pathetic.


Will you answer why you delete posts that go against your obvious political views without explanation, "Princess L"?  ::)
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: 240 is Back on October 31, 2012, 07:43:55 PM
Oct 31, 2012

Romney silent with reporters for last 3 weeks 0

he always does this... gets a small lead then goes silent so as to not mess it up.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Princess L on October 31, 2012, 07:55:51 PM
Benghazi is ONE subject that is being investigated and dealt with.

The issue of FEMA is FRONT AND CENTER in the minds of the American public right now, not a small city in a country far, far away.

Why can't your friend Willard answer a question on ANY subject? Your attempt to deflect would be laughable were it not so pathetic.


Will you answer why you delete posts that go against your obvious political views without explanation, "Princess L"?  ::)

Who's deflecting?  Benghazi questions have been being asked for weeks. Where is your proof it's 'being dealt with"?  You can't even offer a coherent opinion on the subject.

And WTF are you talking about?  I have no mod powers on the Political Board, therefore I've deleted nothing!
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: tbombz on October 31, 2012, 08:00:35 PM
How many times does THE PRESIDENT need to be asked about Benghazi and refuse to answer before you consider that shameful?
he has answered a million times. let me lay it out for you..  day after the attack= called them acts of terror from the white house lawn.. coming weeks relayed what the intelligence community was saying..  how hard is this to understand?
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Hawk on October 31, 2012, 08:05:57 PM
Who's deflecting?  Benghazi questions have been being asked for weeks. Where is your proof it's 'being dealt with"?  You can't even offer a coherent opinion on the subject.
::)
After the election is over, you'll realize just how important the made-up "scandal" of Benghazi is to the American people.  ;)

Why do you feel it is okay for Romney to answer zero questions on any subject for weeks at a time?

Quote
And WTF are you talking about.  I have no mod powers on the Political Board, therefore I've deleted nothing![/color]
You are a mod on the G&O board, and you delete posts there often...unless you feel they are going in your favor. ::) In which case they are not moved. If the discussion is going in an Obama/dem direction, you or Ron either immediately delete them (terrible), or move them to the politics board (more appropriate).

In summation, you are a liar and full of shit.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Princess L on October 31, 2012, 08:28:05 PM
::)
After the election is over, you'll realize just how important the made-up "scandal" of Benghazi is to the American people.  ;)

ok Benny  ::)

Why do you feel it is okay for Romney to answer zero questions on any subject for weeks at a time?
You are a mod on the G&O board, and you delete posts there often...unless you feel they are going in your favor. ::) In which case they are not moved. If the discussion is going in an Obama/dem direction, you or Ron either immediately delete them (terrible), or move them to the politics board (more appropriate).

In summation, you are a liar and full of shit.

What am I lying about?  I give a rats ass which way a coherent discussion is going.  It's Ron's board and he can do what he wants.  He has his rules, but you fail to abide by them, which make them subject to moving, editing and deletion.  It's quite simple.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: tonymctones on October 31, 2012, 08:33:27 PM
he has answered a million times. let me lay it out for you..  day after the attack= called them acts of terror from the white house lawn.. coming weeks relayed what the intelligence community was saying..  how hard is this to understand?
why did he stop informing the public drizzle?

I mean you know there have been information that has come out since then. We know of many emails and requests from sources outside of the white house. Do you think they havent found anything new?

They were so eager to get out and give us information but now its on lock down, why?

Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: garebear on November 01, 2012, 12:36:09 AM
Answer my question.
What's the magic word?
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: whork on November 01, 2012, 03:17:36 AM
This is a flat out LIE. You have no idea what you are talking about.

Giving all emergency powers to the states would be an unmitigated DISASTER. Romney knows it. Which is why, in cowardly fashion, he refused to answer the questions asked of him on his stance on FEMA after being asked SEVENTEEN TIMES yesterday. Totally shameful for a guy who wants to be president to behave in such fashion.

This!!
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Hawk on November 01, 2012, 07:34:10 AM
ok Benny  ::)

Ok Ron/The Coach  ::)

Quote
What am I lying about?  I give a rats ass which way a coherent discussion is going.  It's Ron's board and he can do what he wants.  He has his rules, but you fail to abide by them, which make them subject to moving, editing and deletion.  It's quite simple.[/color]
You are lying about virtually everything you've stated in the above post, you stupid whore/gimmick.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Hawk on November 01, 2012, 07:35:44 AM
(http://msnbctv.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/romneyfema.jpg?w=400&h=298)
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Roger Bacon on November 01, 2012, 08:49:05 PM
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: garebear on November 01, 2012, 09:35:42 PM
.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Hawk on November 02, 2012, 07:06:28 AM
(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=446073.0;attach=490537;image)

 ;D
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: whork on November 02, 2012, 07:14:40 AM
Nobody needs the government except when they NEED it
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: tbombz on November 02, 2012, 01:27:22 PM
why did he stop informing the public drizzle?

I mean you know there have been information that has come out since then. We know of many emails and requests from sources outside of the white house. Do you think they havent found anything new?

They were so eager to get out and give us information but now its on lock down, why?


its possible the white house tried to minimize the event in order to make the country feel better about national security and american strength abroad during the run up to the election. but i dont see any signs of that, and i think i am being completely objective in my assessment of the situation.  you ask me why the white house has stopped informing the public about the latest developments.. i think i see it differently, that the latest developments have been politicized and hyped up in order to make an issue that is a liability for the president. if it wasnt election season, i dont thnk you would be having this conversation. the attack would have happened.. there would have been some confusion about its planning and execution and whether it was spontaneous or pre-meditated for a while, eventually the truth would come out, we would be told the embassy wanted extra security, people would think the state department ought to defend embassy's a bit better, and there would be no real news story there besides the death of the ambassador.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Soul Crusher on November 02, 2012, 02:02:53 PM
Big Govt doing a big shit ass job in NYC 
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: garebear on November 02, 2012, 10:06:33 PM
.
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Hawk on November 03, 2012, 12:56:18 AM
Big Govt doing a big shit ass job in NYC 
You prefer Goldman Sachs handle the job?
Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Roger Bacon on November 03, 2012, 01:18:31 AM
Big Govt doing a big shit ass job in NYC  

As expected

Big Storm required responsible people that plan.

Title: Re: A Big Storm Requires Big Government
Post by: Soul Crusher on April 02, 2013, 06:42:25 AM
Sandy-hit Shore homeowners ask: "Where is the money?"
 Philly.com ^ | 4/1/2013 | Amy S. Rosenberg

Posted on Tuesday, April 02, 2013 9:22:05 AM by dirtboy

Underwater doesn't even begin to get at the heart of Maurice Corkery's predicament.

"This was my summer home," the Delaware County plant manager said of his little rancher on Third Street in Ocean City, N.J., flooded with its foundation cracked - totalled, really - by Sandy.

"I was trying to think of a time line," he said. "It's been so long. I'm so screwed up. I haven't seen any money. Where is the money? All they do is talk about it."

[snip]

"It seems like people who are responsible and have paid for coverage are the losers," he said. "The storm was bad enough. The red tape is a joke."

The stories seem to be everywhere about the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) - a month ago, Gov. Christie called its response awful - but FEMA spokesman Dan Watson released statistics last week that showed 94 percent of the state's 73,778 claims had been settled.

The FEMA statistics have at times been at odds with state statistics released previously. In February, Christie said just 30 percent of the flood claims had been settled; FEMA said 50 percent.

The state has since washed its hands of any attempt to run interference with the federally regulated program, state Banking and Insurance Department spokesman Marshall McKnight said. Any complaints the state receives regarding flood insurance now are referred to a hotline FEMA set up after the governor's criticism, 1-800-427-4661


(Excerpt) Read more at philly.com ...