Abolish FEMA Says US Senate

[Tommedic]

Despite its failings, FEMA is the best thing we have going. What we need is a public that is more willing to do the following:

1. All companies that build in a hurricane zone should be required to pay a special fee for maintaining a special insurance in order that they never have to rely on the federal government. They already are making money where they are.

2. Each citizen must be willing to allow a tax increase for increased federal funding. If each person that has an income allowed for an extra $50.00 a year, think how much that would help.

3. We need to quit paying federal monies to anyone who is not LEGALLY entitled to it, to include those that come in illegally (Trying not to be political, but the amount we spend for Medicaid, Education, and other things could fund an agency by itself.)

4. No longer spend federal monies on properties that are in a flood zone. Unless the person had flood insurance, and that should be based on extent of risk for flooding, nothing should be paid. Local areas should buy up shore front properties when possible, if not bought then eventually eminent domain.

5. Require Hurricane/Storm Proofing be included in all New Home/Business building and allow for a 5 year period to require it in all existing homes. Tax credits or insurance credits for those who build safe rooms or safe houses.

These are my thoughts. I live in Cape Fear area of NC. We have had more than our share of storms. I know some of this would be hard for me, but it needs to be done.

[stormie_skies]

AFM, I've always respected your opinion on here. But you know, it is just an opinion - and it seems a bit overboard to be accusing others discussing this issue of "ignorance" and "political hackery" simply because they disagree with you. The opinion that something inside FEMA (not just inside local or state governments) has gone drastically wrong is not one that only Democrats or politicians hold - its a widespread opinion, one held by many people who are just as "in the know" as you are.

So is it possible, just for a second, to set aside accusations of political motives etc. and actually discuss what could be done better in the future? Or is that too much to ask of everyone?

I think the changes I outlined could be implemented equally well under a Republican or a Democratic administration. It just takes leadership.

Out of curiousity, do you think that there is anything that FEMA could learn from Katrina? Do you agree with the Senate about dissolving the agency? Where do you stand on the subject of the thread, given your experience?

First...I took issue...and it IS POLITICAL HACKERY to say it was BAD under Bush...great under Clinton and bad under Bush again. I've done the same job for 19 years...faithfully and I've seen it get better regardless of who the leader is. Bottom line is MORE is constantly being expected of the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT every year. The sense of entitlement is growing...and as that grows...people expect the fed to bail them out at an increasing rate. So...the sense that they worked great in 1993...well...if the culture was the same as today? They probably would not have thought that. That is what I take issue at and THAT is politics at its best and thats all it is. That is not a disagreement of opnion...it's a fact. It did not all of the sudden get better in Jan of 1993 and then turn dark in Jan of 2001. That is a charge with a political motive...pure and simple...one oblivious to facts.

There is a lot FEMA could learn...and the GOVT has take huge steps this year. I am deploying next week on a big pre-season exercise. But there are also some things that the American people need to learn....and one of them is this: years and years of political corruption at its finest (and we ALL KNOW IT) and failed social policies (when it becomes engrained in people that someone else will take care of them...instead of themselves) will get you New Orleans every time.

And that is the Government's fault. It's a lesson that should be learned...but that won't be.

I don't have a lot of time, so I will be brief....

Are you saying that all of the former FEMA officials who maintain that FEMA has gone downhill since it was folded into DHS are straight up lying for partisan reasons?

The Senate Security Committee - who, if anything, would be inclined to protect the federal government - faulted FEMA for the same things I faulted them for above. All of those issues - political appointments, DHS, funding cuts, loss of competent staff - have (re)developed within the past 6 years. Is the Republican Senate also playing politics?

I'm sorry, but that makes ZERO sense to me.

As for all this talk about all of these people who have been living high on the hog of government entitlements, who unfairly expected "too much" of government ....I'm curious.....are there any stats in regards to how many of these people there are?

Everyone on this site clearly - and rightly - approves of FEMA assistance for the many hard workers here and elsewhere who lost everything to these storms. Something tells me that more of the people in NOLA - the people who are getting so much flak - paid taxes and worked hard than some people think.

[Air Force Met]

I don't have a lot of time, so I will be brief....

As for all this talk about all of these people who have been living high on the hog of government entitlements, who unfairly expected "too much" of government ....I'm curious.....are there any stats in regards to how many of these people there are?

Everyone on this site clearly - and rightly - approves of FEMA assistance for the many hard workers here and elsewhere who lost everything to these storms. Something tells me that more of the people in NOLA - the people who are getting so much flak - paid taxes and worked hard than some people think.

Read what I said...there are problems...yes...but the environment in which FEMA has had to operate has changed DRASTICALLY.

As far as the stats you are lloking for...look at the DIFF b/w AL/MS and LA's response. Nobody is faulting the PEOPLE in NOLA...it's the government in NOLA. The problem that all this is precipitating from is the Katrina fallout...and all I am saying is this: Had the local and state governments stuck to the plan we agreed upon back in 2004...we would not be having this discussion right now. Correct or not correct? Correct. Had the years and years of political corruption not been so terrible in NOLA, we also might not be having this discussion.

I am just giving you an insiders view...he is not sitting on capital hill with his face on a camera trying to get re-elected.

[jasons2k]

AFM, I agree, what happened in NOLA is a microcosm of failed government and mismatched priorities.

[artist]

thanks AFM - it gets so very old seeing people trying to politicize everything - what happened to - what is best for our country??? Quit the blame game already.
Let's just figure out what will improve things in the event of another catastrophe of this nature from the populations responsibilities 1st, then the local, state and fed. govt., in that order.

and having lived in Fl the last few years and seeing the ways things have been done here - just shows it can be done successfully. We have had to deal with many storms - one right after the other without time for anyone or any agency to really have time to recover fully, yet it has gone basically well.