Romney: ‘We cannot afford’ disaster relief
Looking back through the transcript of Monday night’s GOP debate, attention has begun to focus on the following exchange between CNN’s John King and Mitt Romney. I’ll post it here in its entirety, just so there’s no question about context:
KING: Governor Romney? You’ve been a chief executive of a state. I was just in Joplin, Missouri. I’ve been in Mississippi and Louisiana and Tennessee and other communities dealing with whether it’s the tornadoes, the flooding, and worse. FEMA is about to run out of money, and there are some people who say do it on a case-by-case basis and some people who say, you know, maybe we’re learning a lesson here that the states should take on more of this role. How do you deal with something like that?
ROMNEY: Absolutely. 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. Instead of thinking in the federal budget, what we should cut — we should ask ourselves the opposite question. What should we keep? We should take all of what we’re doing at the federal level and say, what are the things we’re doing that we don’t have to do? And those things we’ve got to stop doing, because we’re borrowing $1.6 trillion more this year than we’re taking in. We cannot…
KING: Including disaster relief, though?
ROMNEY: We cannot — we cannot afford to do those things without jeopardizing the future for our kids. 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, knowing full well that we’ll all be dead and gone before it’s paid off. It makes no sense at all.
Where to begin?
Let’s start with the Romney’s contention that disaster relief is an obligation that the federal government ought to shuck and devolve to the states or even private enterprise. Devolving that duty to the states means it would not get done. The state of Missouri, like most states, is struggling to balance its budget and could not possibly have funded the billion-dollar relief effort launched in the wake of the disaster in Joplin. The same is true of Alabama and the tornadoes that devastated our neighbors to the west in April. A state suffering destruction on such a scale cannot be told to suck it up and pull itself up by its own bootstraps.
After all, it is moments such as these that put the “United” in the United States. We are not self-contained human units each out to maximize individual wealth and consumption; we are Americans, and we help each other out. The notion that disaster relief is among “those things we’ve got to stop doing” is nonsense, and to base that suggestion on grounds of morality, as Romney does, boggles the mind.
After all, we are the richest nation the world has ever known. The concept that “we cannot afford to do those things” — “those things” being assisting our fellow Americans in a time when they have lost everything as a result of natural disaster — is unacceptable.
I’m not sure what Romney was thinking in those remarks. This was not some misstatement or misunderstanding on his part. I suspect, however, that this is what happens when a party becomes so trapped in its rhetoric that it no longer recognizes rational bounds or even basic compassion.
– Jay Bookman
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
440 comments Add your comment
Adam
June 15th, 2011
9:48 am
Joe Mama: It’s true. They ARE afraid of losing, due to being fed so much misinformation that Obama is “destroying” our country, when he isn’t. One thing I find funny is how everything is his fault, even stuff that happened when he wasn’t even in office.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
June 15th, 2011
9:48 am
Mick, absolutely. Disaster relief is part of the function of government.
Granny Godzilla
June 15th, 2011
9:49 am
Good Little Liberal
I for one do not believe you.
You literally radiate hate, as Good Little Liberal, and all your previous iterations.
Good little liberal
June 15th, 2011
9:49 am
JAy
this is a good example of how many liberals on this board address conservatives:
“GLL, apparently you are under the mistaken impression that I read all of your posts and that I believe you have the capability to say anything intelligent that would be a point other than the point on hte top of your hat….move along squirt.
Perhaps that fairness thing should be occasionally brought into the world of reality. It would be nice to have civil and honest discussions here, but with the ankle biters being allowed to run free like kids in a Laundromat, it’s just not worth the trouble.
Have a good day.
Mick
June 15th, 2011
9:49 am
gll
I’ve answered your silly question, bush and repubs wreck the economy (remember sept 08?) then in comes obama and the repubs demand that their mess be fixed pronto. I’m not saying that mistakes haven’t been made but the repubs have offered nothing but tax cuts, we know how well thats been working out…where are the jobs boehner?
Normal
June 15th, 2011
9:49 am
“Hate? I don’t know the man.”
I think you are lying to yourself.
joe
June 15th, 2011
9:49 am
Bookman, you are a piece of “work.” Nowhere in his comments does he say we cannot afford disaster relief. You are making things up and twisting comments in a sad attempt to put down someone who might bet your beloved BHO in 2012…but then again, I expect nothing less from you.
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
9:50 am
Yahtzee — “therefore, when government gets involved, there is good reason to believe that much of its effort simply displaces what private people and groups would do better and more cost effectively if government stayed home.”
Translation — Whoever catches the first hurricane this year, you’re on your own. The GOP has decided that your misfortune is actually a wonderful business opportunity and has decided to unleash the awesomeness of Privit Innerprize to save you all.
Brosephus
June 15th, 2011
9:50 am
md
If Romney’s gonna take every question that asked about one area and try to expand it to the “big picture”, we’re gonna hear we can’t afford to breathe by the time November 2012 gets here. That’s what I don’t like about politicians. Just answer the damn question instead of trying to achieve world peace anytime somebody asks you something.
Anybody who thinks the fed government should not be involved in disaster relief has probably never had their home mowed down by a hurricane or tornado. They’ve probably never had to swim or boat to their home to try to save what little they can. It’s “we can’t afford it” until it happens to you. Then it becomes, “Where in the hell is the federal government?”
Enough of this, y’all have a good day…….
Peadawg
June 15th, 2011
9:51 am
“Is that like the same as saying “we can’t afford it?” Hypocrite.”
That’s the best comeback you could think of? Lame.
Doggone/GA
June 15th, 2011
9:51 am
“Nowhere in his comments does he say we cannot afford disaster relief.”
KING: Including disaster relief, though?
ROMNEY: We cannot — we cannot afford to do those things without jeopardizing the future for our kids
getalife
June 15th, 2011
9:52 am
If extreme weather is the new normal, there will be more money needed for disaster relief.
willard is dead wrong on this issue.
Peadawg
June 15th, 2011
9:52 am
And also, how am I a hypocrite? lol
@@
June 15th, 2011
9:52 am
We are not self-contained human units each out to maximize individual wealth and consumption; we are Americans, and we help each other out.
My husband and I were in Sunnyside cleaning up debris after the tornado. Didn’t see you there, jay. Perhaps you were somewhere else?
Our church has an ongoing fund/food/clothing drive to help the folks in Sunnyside.
My husband and I have paid annual premiums for homeowners insurance. In all the years we’ve been paying, we filed one claim to replace a roof damaged by hail. Our premium went up just a bit.
I’m always amazed at the little things that provoke someone to file a claim.
Rock breaks a window? File a claim. A limb damages a small portion of the roof? File a claim. The neighbor’s dog pees on your rhododendron and it dies? File a claim. Wind turns over a glass top table…breaking the glass? File a claim. Water pipe breaks…damaging the sheetrock? File a claim.
Is there such a thing as self-reliance anymore?
Bosch
June 15th, 2011
9:53 am
“It’s “we can’t afford it” until it happens to you. Then it becomes, “Where in the hell is the federal government?”
Yeap, just like the Obama haters who just last summer were blaming him for the oil spill. Consistency isn’t their thing.
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
9:54 am
Co-sign Doggone’s 9:51.
Left wing management
June 15th, 2011
9:54 am
Allen Hughes: “What about WE ARE OUT OF MONEY do you people not understand. Until we take in far more than we spend, there is no money, so quit stealing it from future generations to fund excesses and comforts today”
Who’s the WE here, Allen?
Who told you “we” don’t have the money? Your GOP leaders? But how are they getting their figures? Are you SURE “we” don’t have the money? Do you think “we” might come a little closer to having the money if our governments had taxation levels more in line with historical levels and more like that of other industrial countries?
getalife
June 15th, 2011
9:54 am
lil lib will never admit he is wrong.
It is a false debate with cons like him.
Don't Forget
June 15th, 2011
9:55 am
They understand that if they help their brothers and sisters today, their brothers and sisters will be there for them tomorrow.
A novel concept for the “Me” generation.
md
June 15th, 2011
9:55 am
“md, no rational person not in denial would see the statement in the light in which you attempt to cast it. Again, the whole question was about disaster relief, from beginning to end.”
Last I checked, words had meaning……….
Such as:
“We should take all of what we’re doing at the federal level and say, what are the things we’re doing that we don’t have to do? “……ALL being the operative word and “things” being plural……..
“And those things we’ve got to stop doing, because we’re borrowing $1.6 trillion more this year than we’re taking in”…once again with “things” being plural…….which indicates more than one issue.
“Instead of thinking in the federal budget, what we should cut — we should ask ourselves the opposite question. What should we keep?”……once again referring to the ENTIRE federal budget….
Jay
June 15th, 2011
9:55 am
Saying it’s so don’t make it so, Joe.
You can also try to convince me the moon is made of blue cheese, but until you reach up and slice me off a chunk, I’m not going to believe you.
Bosch
June 15th, 2011
9:56 am
Pea,
You’re exhibiting your hypocritcal tendencies by doing the same thing you are accusing me of. You are parroting the “we can’t afford it” mantra of the right when nothing could be further from the truth.
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
9:56 am
@@ — “I’m always amazed at the little things that provoke someone to file a claim.”
“Rock breaks a window? File a claim. A limb damages a small portion of the roof? File a claim. The neighbor’s dog pees on your rhododendron and it dies? File a claim. Wind turns over a glass top table…breaking the glass? File a claim. Water pipe breaks…damaging the sheetrock? File a claim.”
“Is there such a thing as self-reliance anymore?”
Surely you are not likening these minor mishaps to the sort of destruction folks experienced during the recent tornadoes, for example?
I honestly don’t think that’s what you mean to say, but you certainly do seem to be saying it. Could you clarify your position, please?
kitty
June 15th, 2011
9:56 am
This is about priorities. If disaster relief to its citizens at its most vulnerable moments such as a disaster is not a priority, we are on a completely wrong track. What if the disaster is so massive that it takes out the state capital and the governor…can happen. Then what? Just let the citizens suffer. The US and its priorities is completed f’ed up if this is how we are now looking at things. And yes, I think it is because those who have money will be okay and the GOP really only cares about them. Let’s spend liek crazy on defense even if we are wasting the money.
Normal
June 15th, 2011
9:56 am
Disaster relief, Medicare, Social Security, and Public Education are programs “for the People”,and should be considered untouchable. There are plenty more ways to cut our deficit without hurting those.
josef
June 15th, 2011
9:57 am
jimmy62
“… hits a city built in a stupid place…”
Which would apply to just about every major city in the country…why single out just the one you allude to…oh, that’s right, Uncle Sam’s Redheaded Step Children…miscreants par excellence since 1699…
Peadawg
June 15th, 2011
9:57 am
“Yeap, just like the Obama haters who just last summer were blaming him for the oil spill.”
Yup and like the Bush haters who blamed him for Katrina. Let’s don’t rehash this stupid argument again….
AmVet
June 15th, 2011
9:57 am
“And Romney’s correct…we can’t afford it.”
The richest nation in the history of mankind can’t afford it???
I say 100% bullsh*t.
This is all about priorities.
Apparently we can afford to spend trillions to have troops stationed needlessly in a hundred countries around the globe. Apparently we can afford to give away billions in handouts and giveaways to the wealthy and to corporations. Apparently we can afford to give away billions more to other countries so they can they afford to buy arms from our DoD contractors.
But we can’t afford to put money into our schools, our roads and bridges, the healthcare of our people and to assist them when they’ve splattered all over god’s green erath?
OK…
md
June 15th, 2011
9:58 am
Interesting how the topic has morphed from “transferring the relief to States and Private companies” to “how dare him not wanting to provide relief”………….
No wonder we have problems……………
Peadawg
June 15th, 2011
9:58 am
“You’re exhibiting your hypocritcal tendencies by doing the same thing you are accusing me of.” – When did I accuse you of something this morning?
Doggone/GA
June 15th, 2011
9:58 am
“Which would apply to just about every major city in the country”
and not just major cities…try EVERYTHING. There is nowhere that is 100% disater free.
Peadawg
June 15th, 2011
9:59 am
“Medicare, Social Security, and Public Education are programs “for the People”,and should be considered untouchable. There are plenty more ways to cut our deficit without hurting those.” – Typical democrat. So much for “everything being on the table”…..
Normal
June 15th, 2011
10:00 am
@@,
“Is there such a thing as self-reliance anymore?”
Insurance is all well and good for the things you site, but in a disaster, Home Insurers will dance like the devil to try to pay as little as possible, just like health insurers do when you are too sick for them to make a profit. Then they will raise prices on all of the rest of us to pay for their losses.
Dave R.
June 15th, 2011
10:00 am
“ROMNEY: We cannot — we cannot afford to do those things without jeopardizing the future for our kids. 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, knowing full well that we’ll all be dead and gone before it’s paid off. It makes no sense at all. ”
I’m calling this an incomplete answer, Jay. Given the format, and King’s insistence on moving things along, I believe that Romney would have eventually gotten around to something like, “Which is why we have to cut so much in other areas so that we can continue to provide support as needed.”
Personally, I think taking one statement in one debate in order to make an entire condemnation of a candidate is particularly beneath contempt, but sadly all too typical of both sides these days.
Bosch
June 15th, 2011
10:01 am
Peadawg,
I’ll be glad to rehash that argument if you will stay within the goal posts. The discussion is about whether or not we can afford disaster relief on the national level. And Katrina and the oil spill are an apple and orange scenario. So, rehash away if you dare.
Jefferson
June 15th, 2011
10:02 am
The solution will begin when people start taking from those who have too much and they have none. The PEOPLE, not the gov’t. will do the taking, then minds will start to change. Choose sides, it won’t be long.
Recon (2nd.and 3rd.)
June 15th, 2011
10:02 am
It’s now come to these pathetic attempts by the left to take what a candidate says out of context and paint the individual as cold and uncaring toward those who’re victims of disaster. The reason of course is that there’s no accomplishments or even a plan they can point to that this president and his administration has put forth. They can’t brag about how Obama has turned the economy around or how he’s handled the war on terrorism or how effective his foreign policy has been or how his stimulus program has produced jobs. Can’t do any of that, so all they can do is attack the opposition with exaggeration and supposition.
Disgusted
June 15th, 2011
10:03 am
Typical democrat. So much for “everything being on the table”…..
Translation: “This is the best chance we’ll ever have to get rid of Social Security and Medicare while transferring funds to help me pay for my kids’ private schooling. We’ve got to get this done before the Mexicans and Those People get so numerous that we’ll never have another chance.”
Brosephus
June 15th, 2011
10:03 am
Interesting how the topic has morphed from “transferring the relief to States and Private companies” to “how dare him not wanting to provide relief”………….
Because there’s no need for a transfer when things are already done that way. The only other transfer would be to transfer the bill to the private companies. Do you think they will pay for disaster mitigation? Contrary to popular opinion, the feds don’t have contractors, haul-off companies, or any of the other companies that actually do the work of rebuilding communities after a disaster. All the government does is provide the funds to do it. All the work is done by private companies. Are you suggesting that after a disaster, the people themselves should pay the companies directly?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
June 15th, 2011
10:03 am
@@ shows up at one disaster and thinks that is all that is needed. Here’s a hiint…there have been more disasters. I applaude your willingness to help. You are not the only one to assist in this world and disaster relief should not be dependent on charity, nor is it efficient to rely on thousands of charities after a disaster. Churches do not build bridges or replace infrastructure, provide security, etc. They are a part of the effort but they are not the exclusive part and never should be.
PS — your homeowners does not cover earthquakes.
Left wing management
June 15th, 2011
10:04 am
joe: “Bookman, you are a piece of “work.” Nowhere in his comments does he say we cannot afford disaster relief”
That’s BS, Joe. Romney said “We cannot afford those things without jeopardizing our kids future” and you know perfectly well that in saying it he was attacking the very idea of the community, the nation as a collective, an entity that takes responsibility for the entirety of that community.
@@: “Our church has an ongoing fund/food/clothing drive to help the folks in Sunnyside.”
You seem to be implying that private charity is the answer to the problem of calamity relief. But I don’t like that idea a bit, and one big reason is that that logic provides ideological cover for the capitalists like Mitt Romney, the strip miners of human lives (and if you like, go ahead and put Bill Gates, and why not, even George Soros, in that category, that’s fine with me). You see, I don’t like the idea of our nation having conversations about disaster relief in which responsibility gets discussed in the measly terms of private or faith-based relief efforts when we have alchemists on Wall Street (hedge fund manipulators) pocketing billions, sometimes in a single year, based only on their ability to manipulate alchemy-based mathematical calculations.
And also, another problem with relying on faith-based charity for disaster relief is it doesn’t take into account the atheists. The atheists ought to be supporting disaster relief, too, don’t you think?
getalife
June 15th, 2011
10:04 am
We can stay in Afghanistan for a decade so we are not broke.
Lets put that lie to rest cons.
Use some common sense for a change.
1811/1801 - 0311/0317
June 15th, 2011
10:05 am
josef:
Speaking of things that the feds are good a regulating :
Does this surprise you?
“Just 13 percent of high school seniors who took the 2010 National Assessment of Educational Progress, called the Nation’s Report Card, showed a solid grasp of the subject. Results released Tuesday showed the two other grades didn’t perform much better, with just 22 percent of fourth-grade students and 18 percent of eighth-graders demonstrating proficiency.”
http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/report-students-dont-know-976575.html
Dave R.
June 15th, 2011
10:05 am
“The richest nation in the history of mankind can’t afford it???
I say 100% bullsh*t.”
The $14.6 trillion debt that grows by $1.4 trillion per year says otherwise, AmVet.
md
June 15th, 2011
10:05 am
soco,
And I don’t necessarily think the feds are best equipped to handle all disasters……..what’s wrong with a conversation about each State gearing up for their own disasters with fed assistance when needed??
Most States have certain types of disasters over and over……hurricanes in FL, earthquakes in CA, tornadoes in the midwest………seems logical that the States would be the experts having to deal with those disasters on a yearly basis……….having the feds do it is a bit like the jack of all trades….master on none………….maybe it’s time to let the experts handle it………
BADA BING
June 15th, 2011
10:05 am
here is an idea, if you are in Tornado Alley, and your house has been destroyed before, rebuild with a tornado RESISTANT house to limit future damage and for safety. If you get flooded out, don’t rebuild in a flood prone area. We can’t pay for these same houses to be be rebuilt over and over again every few years.
@@
June 15th, 2011
10:05 am
Joe Mama:
I’m saying that, as far as the homeowner is concerned, major disasters are covered under homeowners insurance. Don’t abuse it by expecting coverage for what, you, yourself can do.
If you don’t have homeowners insurance, then you gambled and lost.
Left wing management
June 15th, 2011
10:05 am
Well said, Disgusted 10:03.
Gordon
June 15th, 2011
10:05 am
Presidents don’t decide these things. This would be something Congress would decide anyway. This is a pointless post. Now that Romney is the front-runner, Jay and others will try to find absolutely anything to get people to dislike him.
Normal
June 15th, 2011
10:05 am
Peadawg,
I don’t know where your soul is but there ARE some things that are sacrosanct and should not be touched. This supposed Christian Country would spend more money than God has to save a fetus, but will do nothing for the already living? Pro life, my arse.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
June 15th, 2011
10:06 am
Somewhat off topic: Beware the Pirates of the Disaster….free “hail” inspections are often scams. The contractor scammers show up right after the tree removal scammers.
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:06 am
Recon — ‘The reason of course is that there’s no accomplishments or even a plan they can point to that the Speaker and his Congress has put forth. They can’t brag about how Republicans have turned the economy around or how they’ve handled the war on terrorism or how effective their foreign policy has been or how their stimulus program has produced jobs. Can’t do any of that, so all they can do is attack the President with exaggeration and supposition.’
Fixed that for you.
RGB
June 15th, 2011
10:07 am
Your headline should read: “JOURNALIST PLAYS ‘GOTCHA’”.
So Romney agrees with John King’s premise that perhaps, in some instances, states could shoulder more responsibility in disaster relief. Ever read about “enumerated powers”? Romney also pointed out that we don’t have the money to do everything–repeat everything–that people want to do. And you disagree with that?
Nowhere did Romney say there is never a federal role in disaster relief.
And to think you stayed up late poring over the whole transcript in order to find a single “gotcha”.
How sad.
The Leg Lamp is a "major award".....
June 15th, 2011
10:07 am
Hmmm, maybe Romney meant we COULD afford disaster relief in 50 states, but COULDN’T in the other 7 states Obama referenced.
1811/1801 - 0311/0317
June 15th, 2011
10:08 am
O.K. you liberal lock-nuts what say ye now that the shoe is on the other foot?
Wilt thou be honest and consistant or wilt thou find an excuse for El Jefe (”Oh, it doesn’t apply to him in “this” situation”?)
HEADLINE: “Stepping up a simmering constitutional conflict, House Speaker John A. Boehner warned President Obama on Tuesday that unless he gets authorization from Congress for his military deployment in Libya, he will be in violation of the War Powers Resolution.’
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:09 am
LWM — “The atheists ought to be supporting disaster relief, too, don’t you think?”
Who says we aren’t?
I suspect you will see us becoming more visible in this area in the next few years; there’s a growing awareness that we need to be seen doing what we’ve been doing all along in order to help dispel the image some people have of us.
Mighty Righty
June 15th, 2011
10:10 am
First of all we are the richest nation the world has ever known. The concept that “we cannot afford to do those things” — “those things” being assisting our fellow Americans in a time when they have lost everything as a result of natural disaster — is unacceptable.”
First, we are the largest in debt nation the world has ever known. Second,we cannot afford to assist our fellow Americans without going further in debt which we are unable to repay. We are in hock beyond our eyeballs. We have put ourselves in a financial position where we have no financial reserve for natural catastrophes. We have put our selves in this position through lack of planning. Our politicians have determined that it is more important to fund NPR, ACORN, bail out Unions, give money to political supporters, give money to our enemies and other useless ptograms rather than be prudent with our financial future. This stupid, short sighted, lack of planning continues and any suggestion of minimizing future insanity is met by derision from the big spending and borrowing left. We are in fact broke. Your attempt to make Romney seem hard hearted actually makes puts him a step above those in our government who don’t have enough sense to plan ahead. I saw our President, Barack Obama campagne in Joplin after his ping pong tour of Europe, tell the people of Joplin “we will not leave” and then he left. By the way. The people of Joplin should have insurance. And if they don’t, why should we borrow money from China to cover their poor planning. I have insurance in the event of fire or tornado. Should I pay for my neighbor’s fire if he doesn’t have insurance? H-ll no!
1811/1801 - 0311/0317
June 15th, 2011
10:10 am
UNIONS LOSE IN COURT: Court Body Backs Wisconsin Governor
“A LITTLE LOUD – UNION PROUD!”
“EVERYBODY STAND UP AND HOLLER FOR THE UNION,
LET’S GIVE THE BROTHERHOOD A CHEER.
EVERYBODY STAND UP AND HOLLER FOR THE UNION,
WE AIN’T HIT A LICK ALL YEAR !”
Peadawg
June 15th, 2011
10:11 am
Soul, God, Christian country, pro life all in one post. Impressive, Normal.
But in the real world that we live in, we need money to do those things(Medicare, SS, food stamps, defense, foreign aide). And notice I never ever said to do away with those…so please don’t exaggerate and act like I did. Cutting/reforming/restructuring the programs so we can actually afford them(there’s that real world money issue again) is what I’m talking about.
Recon (2nd.and 3rd.)
June 15th, 2011
10:11 am
Faith based response to disaster events is an inconvenient truth that the left tries to ignore.
BADA BING
June 15th, 2011
10:11 am
Sure let’s increase funding to every program that we have. And let’s pave the streets with gold, and give everyone a white unicorn. After all, it’s free, we know that the Gov’t has plenty of money. It comes from Fairyland.
Bosch
June 15th, 2011
10:11 am
“attempts by the left to take what a candidate says out of context”
What’s out of context there Del? Is your reading comprehension on the slow today?
Brosephus
June 15th, 2011
10:11 am
md
That’s already the case. Georgia has GEMA as other states have their own EMA groups. They work with the Feds in getting things going. If I’m not mistaken, the new FEMA director is pushing the effort of having the state EMA more involved in disaster mitigations and FEMA serving as a supporter for whatever they need.
I agree with you, though, that the conversation needs to be held. I’d also add that partisaned agendas should be checked at the door. We’ll never get to the solution otherwise.
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:12 am
@@ — “I’m saying that, as far as the homeowner is concerned, major disasters are covered under homeowners insurance. Don’t abuse it by expecting coverage for what, you, yourself can do.”
Not floods and not earthquakes. Those aren’t covered.
“If you don’t have homeowners insurance, then you gambled and lost.”
You seem to believe that homeowners insurance will make you whole after a major disaster. I think we’ve seen in the last 10 years that it will not.
Thomas
June 15th, 2011
10:13 am
The commentary is a little deeper than you portray Jay. You are doing the normal “republicans want folks to die and suffer” worthless dem talking points. I took the comment as states need to continue to get their act together so that they are more independent. Remember these are the same states yelling “don’t tread on me” re: healthcare.
Bosch
June 15th, 2011
10:13 am
” and give everyone a white unicorn”
I’ve got one, what’s your problem loser?
Bosch
June 15th, 2011
10:14 am
“You seem to believe that homeowners insurance will make you whole after a major disaster. I think we’ve seen in the last 10 years that it will not.”
I’ve seen in the past two years. To the tune of my homeowner’s insurance going through the roof during that time.
Doggone/GA
June 15th, 2011
10:15 am
“what’s your problem loser?”
No one’s paying attention to his slippery slope plaint?
JF McNamara
June 15th, 2011
10:16 am
He got too caught up in selling his soul to get elected that rationality went out of the window. The sad thing is that he is basically for implementing more tax, but there is no way that his base sees it that way. There is no scenario it doesn’t cost more unless you are in a state that never has disasters.
1. If the responsibility gets rolled down to the states, we aren’t going to cut the federal budget because that in no way helps our deficit problem. We’d keep the money and raise taxes in the states to balance the transfer of power.
2. The private sector would take their normal premium, plus they would put an additional premium (aside from the premium they get from being a contractor) onto the part they take from FEMA.
1811/1801 - 0311/0317
June 15th, 2011
10:16 am
Mighty Righty”
I have an idea …………. how about federally MANDATED house (even if you have no loan), life, and disability insurance.
We can call it “Obamacare the Sequel” !!!
Left wing management
June 15th, 2011
10:17 am
Recon: “Faith based response to disaster events is an inconvenient truth that the left tries to ignore.”
But what if I’m looking forward to a day of mass secularism, a world of grey and dreary non-belief where people pass by old churches and wonder what all the fuss was about? How will we manage charity when that day comes, Recon?
BADA BING: “Sure let’s increase funding to every program that we have. And let’s pave the streets with gold, and give everyone a white unicorn.”
Sarcasm aside, I think you’re on to something. No, really. We actually have streets that really are paved with gold that we can take as our model to extend to other places. Wall Street being the best example. Let’s mine some of that gold and export it to other places with potholed streets in need of a little gold therapy. Now that’s some strip mining I can really get behind.
Mick
June 15th, 2011
10:17 am
scout
You need new material or a visit to NYC. Union built and still standing strong…
BADA BING
June 15th, 2011
10:17 am
@@…..THANK YOU for helping, some people here have to question your motives, when a Thank You would be the proper thing to do. After every disaster close by, I sit in my chair and say that I should go down and help. But I DON’T. You are an inspiration, again, some do and some talk.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
June 15th, 2011
10:17 am
Faith based response to disaster events is an inconvenient truth that the left tries to ignore
What a crock……. Human compassion response without regard to religion also exists…an inconvenient truth for the right, I guess. Oh and some of that faith response…from muslims. That hurts the right rant I guess. How about you stop the silly overgeneralizations that are just absurd.
ty webb
June 15th, 2011
10:17 am
Fact: Romney never said “we cannot afford disaster relief.”
Why do you think Jay’s headline only has “’s over half of that statement?
okay…partisan hackery can now resume.
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:17 am
1811 — “HEADLINE: “Stepping up a simmering constitutional conflict, House Speaker John A. Boehner warned President Obama on Tuesday that unless he gets authorization from Congress for his military deployment in Libya, he will be in violation of the War Powers Resolution.”
I have repeatedly and clearly said the same thing here many times. IIRC, the President has until this weekend to disengage, get Congressional assent or else be in violation.
Next question?
moonbat betty
June 15th, 2011
10:18 am
The picture for this article should have included a photo shopped Romney standing behind the embracing couple with an M4 pointed at their heads.
AmVet
June 15th, 2011
10:18 am
Romney must be an anti-constitutionalist.
Quit trying to give our corporate overlords even more power, OK Mitt?
Dave R.
June 15th, 2011
10:18 am
Scout, technically, the WI Supreme Court simply ruled that the passage of the law did not violate the state’s Sunshine laws, therefore, it can be implemented.
However, there is a still a Constitutional challenge in place moving it’s way through the courts. This thing isn’t settled yet, but it does look more favorable given the makeup of that court.
Left wing management
June 15th, 2011
10:19 am
Scout 10:10:
Does the word Pyrrhic mean anything to you?
Recon (2nd.and 3rd.)
June 15th, 2011
10:19 am
Joe Mama, “Fixed that for you.” Nope, you only fixed it for yourself because evidently the truth hurts. You see the public’s focus is on the President sitting in the White House whose party also controls the U.S. Senate.
Adam
June 15th, 2011
10:19 am
@@: My husband and I were in Sunnyside cleaning up debris after the tornado. Didn’t see you there, jay. Perhaps you were somewhere else?
Unless you have actively helped out whenever and wherever there is a natural disaster, this jibe is meaningless.
BADA BING
June 15th, 2011
10:19 am
You have a white unicorn? What’s it really like in FairyLand?
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:20 am
Bosch — “I’ve seen in the past two years.”
When I said ten years, I was thinking of Hurricane Andrew. That seemed to me to have been the tipping point.
ty webb
June 15th, 2011
10:21 am
moonbat betty,
or better yet, Jay could’ve photoshopped a picture of Mitt pushing a wheelchaired Joplin, MO over a cliff…
md
June 15th, 2011
10:21 am
“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 for those that do understand that words have meaning, his lead sentence should let one know that the answer is predicated on his ideology that the States should be allowed to handle as much as they can before needing federal intervention………same with his answer on hc in MA……the States should be experimenting and providing answers……not the other way around.
It will be interesting to see how some of you will respond if/when the fed has to bail out CA……they spent it……do you want to pay for it???
Doggone/GA
June 15th, 2011
10:21 am
“get Congressional assent or else be in violation.”
The Congress already GAVE their assent. “Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists” passed in 2001 & “Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002″
Bosch
June 15th, 2011
10:21 am
He got too caught up in selling his soul to get elected that rationality went out of the window.
Yeah, and that’s the sad thing — I think Romney is a respectable man — I thought the same of McCain until one, he helped Bush get re-elected after he completely trashed his family in 2000, and two after he got the nomination he had to sell out. The fact is, there is no such thing as a moderate Republican (with the exception of the Senate Snowe Goddess and her Deputy Goddess from Maine), but they aren’t dumb enough to run for POTUS.
Eddie Long
June 15th, 2011
10:22 am
Disaster Relief
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWHL8MXlRes
Peadawg
June 15th, 2011
10:22 am
“how about federally MANDATED house” – That would definitely help the housing market. Let’s do it!
lynnie gal
June 15th, 2011
10:23 am
As global warming changes our weather patterns and strengthens storms, floods, and fires, we are going to need an even greater capacity to help our fellow Americans who randomly suffer these disasters. (Remember, it could be YOU in the next storm.) So, the GOP tells us that global warming is a hoax and that if you suffer the consequences of natural disasters (intensified by global warming) that our government won’t be able to help you. They don’t seem to want to take responsibility for the real consequences of their policies. For instance, their “pro-life” stance. Protect the fetus even if it means killing abortion doctors. Then, when the child is born to an unprepared mother, make sure the child has no adequate health insurance and no good schools to attend. Tell that little 9 year old to shut up, go out and get a job if he wants to eat! Little freeloader! These hate-filled ignoramuses would be funny if the consequences of their policies weren’t so sad.
josef
June 15th, 2011
10:23 am
It took the people of Joplin working with faith, hope, charity, solid American values, self-reliance and free enterprise 140 years to build their city that an act of G-d wiped out in a few minutes. What part of disaster do some folks not get…
Dr. Pangloss
June 15th, 2011
10:23 am
Left on its own, what kind of disaster relief would Mississippi have?
Adam
June 15th, 2011
10:23 am
Peadawg: Yup and like the Bush haters who blamed him for Katrina. Let’s don’t rehash this stupid argument again….
Two very different things. I never blamed Bush for the disaster, just his handling of it. Obama handled the oil spill disaster much better, but the people in Louisiana got upset first because they blamed him for CAUSING the spill, somehow, then abandoned that argument for the more politically expedient “We are losing our oil drilling jobs.”
Peter
June 15th, 2011
10:23 am
How can you have disaster relief when you give Billions away to foreign countries to protect corporate America…….. Please be real, Republican’s believe Corporate America is more important than US Citizens !
Left wing management
June 15th, 2011
10:24 am
Joe Mama: re atheists doing their part for disaster relief.
That’s good. Because there’s a long tradition of atheist dogooderism that needs to be stepped up, taken to the next level and made the standard of what charity can really be Namely, not just some pecking here and there at the edges, but real, genuine transformation of the status quo. After all we owe our modern world of freedom and equality to those brave souls, many atheists, who wiped the slate clean in French Revolution times. We may need some more of that good brave Jacobin spirit in the battles to come. Back to the barricades, comrade!
Adam
June 15th, 2011
10:24 am
md: Interesting how the topic has morphed from “transferring the relief to States and Private companies” to “how dare him not wanting to provide relief”………….
Morphed? For me this has ALWAYS been the issue. The feds SHOULD help, and any argument that they shouldn’t or can’t is STUPID.
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:25 am
Recon — “Nope, you only fixed it for yourself because evidently the truth hurts.”
The GOP candidates ran on jobs last cycle. Where’s the Congressional action on jobs?
Oh, that’s right. Isn’t any. Truth hurts, doesn’t it?
“You see the public’s focus is on the President sitting in the White House whose party also controls the U.S. Senate.”
I don’t think you have any standing whatsoever to assert what the public is and isn’t focusing on. You can assert your opinion, but at the end of the day, you’re only speaking for yourself.
Dave R.
June 15th, 2011
10:26 am
All this “insurance doesn’t cover floods or earthquakes” is just so much nonsense. In a flood zone, you can and should buy flood insurance. many companies insist that you do depending on how low to the water you are. In California, for instance, you can (and should) also buy earthquake insurance.
These are personal decisions that, once again, have consequences if you fail to plan accordingly. If you want to buy your insurance form a company that might not withstand the fiscal assault of a major disaster in order to save a few bucks each year, that is also a poor personal choice.
The Leg Lamp is a "major award".....
June 15th, 2011
10:26 am
Peadawg
June 15th, 2011
10:22 am
House hell!! I want one of those federally mandated Unicorn’s Bosch says he has. Are they subject to leash laws?