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DEL.ICIO.USThe Republican platform and the damage left by Katrina
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Even before Hurricane Gustav, Republicans headed for Minnesota were sensitive to the legacy of Katrina.
On Monday, the Republican National Convention formally passed its platform, which includes a section on disaster response. The language dealing with the topic of Katrina was overseen by House Speaker pro tem Mark Burkhalter of Johns Creek, and is a stiff rebuke to President Bush, who is expected to address the crowd via satellite tonight.
It reads:
Americans hit by disaster must never again feel abandoned by their government. The Katrina disaster taught a painful lesson: The federal government’s system for responding to a natural calamity needs a radical overhaul. We recognize the need for a natural disaster insurance policy.
State and local cooperation is crucial, as are private relief efforts, but Washington must take the lead in forging a partnership with America’s best run businesses to ensure that FEMA’s Emergency Operations Centers run as well as any Fortune 500 company. We must make it easier for both businesses and non-profits to act as force-multipliers in relief situations. We believe it is critical to support those impacted by natural disasters and to complete the rebuilding of devastated areas, including the Gulf Coast.
Read the entire platform by clicking here.
Comments
By Aaron
September 2, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
I love how Katrina has become a “Republican” problem. I think it should be a black eye for the Democrats if anything. They have spent the last 30 years telling poor people that it’s not their responsibility to take care of themselves….it’s the governments job to take care of them. Then, when tens of thousands of able bodied, young people sit around while a hurricane roars toward them waiting for the government to come pick them up….the Democrats say “Republicans let you down.”
But hey, it worked! Here we are again three years later and there are pictures all over TV of young men and women….wearing gold chains, nice earrings, $200 sneakers and $30 designer tshirts…..waiting for the government to come pick them up because they are “helpless.” My favorite is that they are all wearing wristbands so they don’t “get lost.” We expect 4th graders on a field trip to be more self sufficient than these people. One of them even told a reporter that “he hopes ‘they’ give him a better hotel room this time because last time his room had no hot water!”
Keep in mind, we have a responsibility to the elderly, handicap, and disabled to remove them in a case of danger. But, most of those who made Katrina the disaster that it was were simply sorry, able bodied young men and women who have absolutely NO sense of responsibility for themselves.
On second thought….it’s all Bush’s fault!
By Rob
September 2, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
So, Aaron - what you’re saying is that $100 pairs of sneakers and a $100 gold chains (they’re mostly fake anyway, bubba) should have been ripped from the feet and necks of the poor as their bus-fare out of a city that was already a hell-hole from the last natural disaster? Aside from being incredibly callous, your comments smack of racism. Give people more opportunity and they will come up. How come no one shouts and hollers when homeowners get to take interest deductions off their Federal taxes? If you’re against the dole, then be against it right up and down the line. Ugghhh… no wonder Republicans are now viewed as such heartless people. Religion? How about “Love Thy Neighbor?” Or how about “He who is without sin, cast the first stone?” Not even immorality, but morality, has become the hallmark of the GOP. It’s not the truly grand old party I grew up with.
By Aaron
September 2, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
Rob, 1) No, I am saying that “poor” people soaking up taxpayer subsidies should NOT HAVE $100 tennis shoes and gold chains. I know that if someone else (taxpayers) were helping paying my rent (section 8 housing) and helping to feed my kids (food stamps, now called “ebt’) I would not be spending $100 on tennis shoes or wearing gold chains. I am not saying they they should never give their kids a birthday presents or enjoy an ice cream cone just because taxpayers are footing the bill for their existence. But their lack of respect, or even acknowledgment, that people work hard every day for the money that the government TAKES and gives to THEM is unacceptable and sad. 2) The guy in the interview I mentioned was white. Just because I said he was poor and taking advantage of the system you pictured him being black? Maybe you need to look deep within yourself and resolve your stereotypes. By the way, I am bi-racial (mother black…father white) and last I checked, I didn’t hate myself :) 3) Virtually all of the taxes paid in America are paid by homeowners. Via their income, property, payroll, etc. If you are contributing and get a break, I have no problem with that. Besides, that policy is in place to make home ownership more affordable and accessible. If you took it away, it would only hurt those on the lower end of the economic scale. Therefore making it harder for poorer Americans to own a home. I thought you wanted to give opportunity? You are very inconsistent. 5) I am not a Republican nor am I a Christian. I was just saying that I think it’s silly that Republicans get the blame for Katrina….never said I was one. Again, you need to think about this stereotyping issue you have.